Health Tips for June 30

Health Tip: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Unusually heavy menstrual bleeding, medically known as menorrhagia, can be caused by a variety of factors.

Here are common causes, courtesy of the University of Virginia Health System:

* Hormonal or chemical imbalances.
* Platelet disorders.
* Pelvic inflammatory disease.
* Uterine fibroids.
* An abnormal pregnancy.
* Abnormalities in the pelvis, including infections, tumors or polyps.
* Some birth control methods, including IUD.
* Liver, kidney or thyroid disease.

Health Tip: Understanding Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when ketones -- a byproduct of fats when broken down -- begin to build up in the body. It occurs when glucose, a sugar typically used as the body's energy source, isn't available and the body begins to use fat instead.

Left untreated, ketoacidosis can lead to serious cell damage, heart attack, kidney failure, and even death.

Here are some warning signs of the condition, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Frequent urination or thirst that persists for a day or more.
* Fatigue, and muscle stiffness or aches.
* Headache, nausea and vomiting.
* Distinctive breath odor, often fruity.
* Mental stupor or disorientation that could lead to coma.
* Rapid breathing, or difficulty breathing when lying down.
* Low blood pressure.
* Loss of appetite, abdominal pain.