Acid reflux occurs when stomach contents move backward into the esophagus, while gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, refers to reflux that is frequent, troublesome, or causes complications.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and hormone-like substance involved in calcium balance, bone health, and other biological processes. For readers searching for vitamin D testing explained, the most useful starting point.
ALT and AST are enzymes measured in blood tests that can rise when liver cells or, in the case of AST, other tissues are stressed or injured.
Iron deficiency means the body’s iron stores are low, while iron-deficiency anemia occurs when the shortage becomes significant enough to reduce healthy red blood cell production.
Creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate, or eGFR, are commonly used to assess how well the kidneys are filtering blood.
Thyroid blood tests help evaluate how the thyroid gland and the brain’s hormonal control system are working together. For readers searching for TSH and free T4 explained, the most useful starting point…
An electrocardiogram, often called an ECG or EKG, records the electrical activity that coordinates each heartbeat. For readers searching for ECG explained, the most useful starting point is to understand the topic…
Body mass index, or BMI, is a calculation based on weight relative to height. It is often used as a population-level screening tool because it is simple and inexpensive.
Resting heart rate is the number of times the heart beats per minute when a person is calm and at rest.
An allergy involves the immune system reacting to a substance that is usually harmless, while an intolerance generally involves difficulty digesting or processing a food or substance without the same immune mechanism.