Platelets are also called thrombocytes. They are the type of blood cell involved in forming blood clots. They circulate throughout the bloodstream, but in just seconds after a blood vessel has been damaged, platelets go to the injured site. Once...
An abnormally high number of platelets in pregnancy is far less common than low platelet levels. High platelet levels are either essential, or primary, meaning that an excess of platelets are being made in the bone marrow. Reactive, or secondary,...
Platelets are created in the bone marrow, which also contains the raw materials for oxygen-carrying red blood cells and infection-fighting white blood cells. An important component of blood clot formation, platelets are stored in the spleen....
Platelets are extremely small blood cells that have an important role in initiating the blood clotting process. When platelet levels become too high (thrombocythemia or thrombocytosis), there's a risk for thrombotic complications such as venous...
Platelets are cell fragments that are present in blood. They help stop bleeding from skin wounds, ulcers and damaged and diseased organs. In healthy individuals, each milliliter of blood contains between 250,000 and 500,000 platelets, according to...
You might take niacin to lower your cholesterol, or benefit from its many health benefits, like improved blood circulation, robust skin condition, enhanced brain function, better digestion and protection against arthritis. Niacin, also known as...
Amyloid proteins are abnormal types of protein. They are produced by cells in the bone marrow and when they build up and get deposited in tissues or organs, amyloidosis takes place. The parts of the body most affected by this disease include the...
Originating in the bone marrow, platelets play an important role in blood clotting. Normal platelet counts range between 150,000 and 400,000/mm3. Thrombocytopenia means the count falls lower than this and thrombocytosis means the platelet count...
Platelets are colorless blood cells that are essential for the clotting of blood. Platelets stop blood loss by clumping and plugging holes in blood vessels. A high platelet count, also known as thrombocytosis, may cause few symptoms, but can lead...
Your body manufactures several types of blood cells as well as platelets. Platelets – irregular, colorless cells that are also called thrombocytes – help stop bleeding. When you cut yourself, the blood cells are exposed to air and the...
Platelets are small, round colorless blood cells that allow your blood to clot to prevent bleeding. Of the three major blood cell types, including white blood cells and red blood cells, platelets are the smallest but most numerous cell in the...
Platelets are the smallest type of blood cell; platelets regulate the blood's ability to clot. Platelets are irregularly shaped, sticky cells that clump together at a wound site to stop bleeding. The normal platelet range is between 140,000 and...
If you have heart disease or poor blood flow to your brain, your doctor may recommend you take blood thinners. Blood thinners, such as aspirin and warfarin, are types of medications that help reduce the formation of blood clots. While certain...
Chronic myeloproliferative disorders is a term used to describe a group of diseases that cause the body to produce unusually high levels of unhealthy or nonfunctional white blood cells, red blood cells or platelets. These rare disorders most...
Garlic, a pungent spice used to enliven many food dishes, has a long history of medicinal use to treat everything from the common cold to cancer. Garlic may also play a part in protecting against heart disease by its effect on platelets,...
The bone marrow produces platelets, also known as thrombocytes, and releases them into the circulation. These small blood elements are pieces of larger cells called megakaryocytes. Platelets interact with a group of blood proteins, the clotting...
Platelets are cell fragments, or cells lacking a DNA-containing nucleus, that are essential to the formation of blood clots and healing at sites of open wounds. At extremely high levels, platelets can contribute to the formation of clots in the...
The normal range of potassium in the bloodstream is 3.5 to 5.1 mEq/L. Thus, high potassium levels are more than 5.1 mEq/L. Levels that reach as high as 6.5 mEq/L may interfere with the signals that travel from the nerves to the muscles. The...
Tendinitis is a painful condition resulting from inflammation of the tendon or its sheath. Almost any tendon is vulnerable, yet most cases of tendinitis occur in the limbs, resulting in debilitating pain. Medical breakthroughs in treating...
Cobalamin or Vitamin B12 and folate or vitamin B9 are both needed for DNA synthesis and repair. B12 is also involved in fatty acid synthesis and energy utilization. These vitamins are important for development as well, and deficiency is linked to...
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the tissues and many different healthy organs of the body. The University of Maryland Medical Center describes Lupus flares to include inflammation of the joints, skin rashes,...
Circulatory problems caused by various cardiovascular conditions, like hardening of the arteries, can lead to a wide range of maladies. Several specific herbs may help to improve circulation, and you may wish to try them before opting for...
The blood platelets in your body keep you from bleeding to death when you sustain a cut or laceration. These tiny, colorless entities stick together to form blood clots in the presence of oxygen. Your physician may advise you to take vitamin...
Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, an autoimmune disease, attacks the joints, causing pain, inflammation and deformity. RA affects women two to three times more frequently than men and occurs most often between the age of 35 and 50, the Merck Manual...
The blood contains at least 20 proteins, called clotting factors, and a number of blood cell fragments that are responsible for forming clots in the blood. When a person gets injured, clots form and plug the wound to prevent excessive bleeding....
Bactrim DS is a drug made of two antibiotics, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim; the DS stands for "double strength". Bactrim DS is an effective drug for treating many types of bacterial infections and is widely prescribed for urinary tract...
A heart attack can be a frightening and life-threatening experience. In some cases, patients must undergo invasive procedures to restore the flow of blood to the heart. Patients often face long recovery periods and continue to suffer from...
Poor circulation can hamper your body's ability to function efficiently. It can make the transporting of oxygen throughout your body more difficult and impair your body's heat regulation. This is evident in individuals who frequently feel cold in...
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has established doses of up to 3 grams per day of omega-3 fatty acids from fish as generally regarded as safe. If taken as directed, omega-3 fatty acid pills can contribute to reductions in blood pressure,...