When humans eat carbohydrates, the body converts them to sugar. The sugar fuels every cell in the human body, but it’s important that sugar levels be neither too high nor too low. Low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia, can cause brain damage and even shock. High blood sugar, known as hyperglycemia, is another matter.

Constriction of your blood vessels can occur for many reasons. Most often high blood pressure, or hypertension, is the underlying cause. Unfortunately, there are no symptoms to indicate blood vessel constriction. Left untreated, this can lead to heart disease, heart attack or stroke.

Blood consists of protein-rich liquid and platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells, collectively known as formed blood elements. A complete blood count, or CBC, includes counts of the formed blood elements along with other measurements that help doctors interpret the test results.

Kidneys are complex organs that perform many functions. In addition to filtering blood, they secrete hormones that regulate blood pressure and maturation of red blood cells. Many of the filtration functions also have secondary effects, such as maintaining bone health and controlling the acid-base balance in the body.

Supplements or prescription medications that cause the blood vessels to dilate or open are called vasodilators. Vasodilators are used to treat various medical conditions, such as hypertension and coronary artery disease, a heart condition that causes narrowing of the vessels supplying blood to the heart.

If you are have diabetes, attaining near-normal blood sugars is a goal of therapy. Diet is an essential component of blood sugar management, so it’s important to learn how specific foods affect your numbers.

Together with the heart, blood vessels represent the main component of the circulatory system, which consists of an elaborate network of tubes throughout the body.

Most toddlers are pint-sized bundles of energy that never seem to stop moving. You are used to your child's extreme moods: the highs that occur after a period of excitement like a birthday party, and the cranky low times when your toddler needs a snack or a nap.

Blood donation has several benefits for those who have serious injuries and diseases. The Mayo Clinic reports that each blood donation can help up to three people since donor centers divide whole blood into platelets, red blood cells and plasma.

Vitamin supplements might provide some health benefits, especially for people with nutritional deficiencies. While vitamin and mineral supplements are usually safe for most people, people with diabetes should avoid taking them without supervision by a doctor.

White blood cells, also called leukocytes, help the body fight infection. Leukopenia is a medical condition in which there are not enough white blood cells circulating in the blood.

The health of an infant is assessed in various ways, including observation and measurement of important blood components. Measurement of oxygen saturation provides information about a child's respiratory, heart and circulatory health.