Epistaxis is the medical term for a nosebleed. Although temporary nasal drying or irritation causes most nosebleeds, frequent spontaneous epistaxis can be a symptom of underlying disease. Physical examination, blood tests and diagnostic imaging...
Blood consists of different types of cells with different functions. When activated, the blood cells known as thrombocytes, or platelets, stop internal bleeding by clumping together to plug leaks in blood vessels. Platelets are continuously...
Liver cancer is diagnosed in stages so that patients, families and physicians understand the gravity of the diagnosis. End stage liver cancer is an inoperable condition, where signs of total liver failure are beginning to manifest. Many symptoms...
Ginkgo biloba is an ancient tree species whose leaves and seeds have been used for centuries to treat circulatory problems and to enhance memory. Most modern supplements contain standardized extracts of dried green ginkgo leaves. The University of...
Formation of a blood clot in response to tissue injury involves the sequential activation of a group of proteins called the coagulation factors. Tissue injury leads to the release of chemicals that activate the blood clotting system, also known as...
Platelets or thrombocytes are blood cells that are necessary for blood clotting. Thrombocytopenia is a condition in which there is abnormally low platelets in the blood. Common causes of thrombocytopenia in babies include infections, reduced...
Hemophilia is a rare, genetic bleeding disorder caused from a deficiency of specific clotting factors. Prompt treatment of bleeding episodes is necessary to prevent long-term complications. Vitamin K plays a role in blood clotting and a deficiency...
Platelets, or thrombocytes, are the colorless blood cells important for plugging holes in blood vessel walls. Thrombocytopenia, a low blood platelet count generally is associated with an immune system disorder, a blood disorder or as the side...
Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, as well as many dark green vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and turnip greens. Vitamin C helps the body heal faster and is a powerful antioxidant that can keep your cells young and strong. Because...
6-Mercaptopurine, or 6-MP, is a purine analogue antimetabolite drug that is used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Purine analogues impair DNA synthesis, leading to less cells being created....
Ixabepilone is a chemotherapeutic drug used in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Ixabepilone is sold under the brand name Ixempra. This drug is often administered in combination with another drug, capecitabine, to treat aggressive breast...
Concentrated fish oil supplements are known to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering your levels of triglycerides or "bad fats" in your blood. Fish oil may also reduce your blood cholesterol levels, lower your blood pressure and...
Epistaxis is a Greek word for bleeding from the nose. Most of the time, the bleeding is minor, but occasionally it is torrential and an emergency. The nose has a very rich blood supply, and there are numerous causes for nosebleeds. Causes can be...
Your genetic material controls every detail of your physical being. Within your cells are microscopic structures called chromosomes; people normally have 46 chromosomes. Each chromosome contains thousands of genes, which control everything from...
Leukemia is a disease of white blood cells. Acute myelogenous leukemia, or AML, is the most common type of adult leukemia, the Oncology Channel states. AML is sometimes called acute myeloid or myeloblastic leukemia. AML affects blast cells, which...
Glucosamine is a natural component found in healthy cartilage tissue. Glucosamine can be taken as an over-the-counter supplement as is available in most drug and health food stores. The Mayo Clinic reports that as a supplement, glucosamine claims...
Platelets are very tiny blood cells that have a key role in blood clotting. Platelets come together to form plug-like structures that block the flow of bleeding upon injury. When circulating platelet levels become low, a condition known as...
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin important in many of the body's functions and for proper growth, development and healing. The body excretes excess amounts of water-soluble vitamins like ascorbic acid into the...
There are two types of hypertension, or high blood pressure. In essential hypertension, the blood pressure is elevated and there is no identifiable cause for it. In secondary hypertension, a specific condition or behavior contributes to the...
Potassium is an important electrolyte in the body's cells. Its functions include helping stimulate muscle contractions, maintain an appropriate fluid balance, and preserve the acid-base balance in the blood. Low potassium can cause weakness,...
According to The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, an aortic aneurysm is an abnormal weak bulge in the wall of a large blood vessel, or aorta. Dissecting an aortic aneurysm is the splitting or dissecting of an aortic wall by blood, causing the three...
Quinine is a medicine used for the treatment of a type of malaria that is resistant to treatment with another anti-malarial agent called chloroquine. Quinine operates in conjunction with other antibiotics by inhibiting the growth of Plasmodium...
A low platelet count, or thrombocytopenia, is a disorder in which the body produces abnormally low platelets. Platelets play a vital role in helping the blood to clot. Signs of thrombocytopenia include excessive bruising, nosebleeds, spontaneous...
Historically, kelp has been used as a cervical dilator and a method of inducing labor. It was combined with another substance and inserted into the cervix to assist with dilation. Use during pregnancy and lactation is contraindicated because of...
Hanta virus is a common virus that causes two syndromes: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. Rodents are the natural host for this virus, and humans become infected after coming into direct contact with the...
Ascorbic acid is the scientific name for vitamin C, one of the most important nutrients in our diets. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning the body does not store it in significant amounts. Therefore, we need a steady daily supply of...
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...
Chemotherapy is designed to prevent the replication and division of cancer cells causing them to die. Because some of the normal body cells also grow rapidly like cancer cells they are affected by chemotherapy. The "Core Curriculum for Oncology...
Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids. This means your body needs these fatty acids but cannot make them. You must obtain these fatty acids from diet or supplements. Fish-oil supplements typically contain eicosapentaenoic acid,...
