Influenza, more commonly called the flu, is a viral infection that affects up to 25 to 50 million people each year, according to experts at the Flu Facts. Influenza is highly contagious, spread by droplets breathed or coughed into the air.
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Iron, a mineral that helps form red blood cells and carries oxygen through your body, is essential -- within limits. Too much iron can harm the organs that store it, especially the liver, a major storage unit for iron. Ferritin is a protein found within cells that stores iron.
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Red blood cells make up a portion of blood. A normal red blood count is 13.8 to 17.2 grams per deciliter; women have a lower red blood count, between 12.1 and 15.1gm/dL, according to Medline Plus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health. Lower than normal numbers indicate anemia. A red blood count of 7.
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Seizures, abnormal electrical activity that temporarily disrupts brain function, can cause symptoms as severe as convulsions or as mild as a brief moment of altered consciousness.
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A sunburn only goes skin deep, so it doesn't directly affect your baby if you're pregnant. However, side effects related to a severe sunburn could potentially have undesirable effects on your pregnancy. It's also important to watch for symptoms of overheating, which can pose problems for pregnant women.
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The cecum connects the large intestine and the small intestine. While most colorectal cancers arise in the far end of the colon, the rectum and sigmoid colon, the cecum is the next most common site for cancer to arise, according to the Surgical Practice of Northern New Jersey.
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Fish offer a number of health benefits. Large, fatty fish like salmon, which eat smaller fish, contain omega-3 fatty acids that have a number of cardiovascular benefits.
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The menstrual cycle follows a precise pattern governed by the release of different hormones that interact with one another. Progesterone, whose production increases in the second half of the menstrual cycle, plays a pivotal part in preparing the uterine lining for implantation of an embryo.
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Neuropathy means damage to the nerves, which transmit messages from the spinal cord to the brain. Neuropathy often causes numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, called peripheral neuropathy.
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Lactaid milk contains enzymes that break down lactose, the sugar in milk that breaks down into two other sugars, glucose and galactose. People with lactose intolerance don’t produce enough lactase enzymes, which break down lactose in simple sugars so it can be digested and used in the body.
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Atherosclerosis, a buildup of fatty material called plaque in the arteries, can narrow the vessels that supply the heart with blood. If an artery becomes completely blocked, a heart attack can result. Stents, which are mesh tubes, hold the artery open and prevent it from becoming completely blocked.
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Vomiting occurs frequently in infants and small children. Viral and bacterial infections most often cause vomiting, but acute allergic reactions and chronic conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux can also cause vomiting in an 9-month-old baby.
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When blood tests reveal you have a higher than normal number of white blood cells (WBCs), or leukocytes, this is known medically as leukocytosis. White blood cell counts usually fall between 4,000 and 11,000 cells per microliter.
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Oxycodone, a schedule II prescription narcotic, has benefit as a pain reliever for moderate to severe pain, but also has great potential for abuse.
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Monocytes, large white blood cells that turn into macrophages in tissue, help control infection by gobbling up bacteria, but have a less beneficial side. Monocytes can cause inflammation that damage tissue.
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Estrogen is a female hormone that plays a main role in maintaining female sex characteristics and monthly menstrual cycles. Estrogen levels usually drop at the time of menopause, but can also drop if ovaries are removed or in certain disease processes.
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Nitrates, naturally occurring compounds consisting of oxygen and nitrogen, are found in soil, water and a number of foods, such as vegetables. Nitrates themselves are not harmful. Cured meats may contain nitrates as preservatives. Once eaten, nitrates convert to nitrite.
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Conditions affecting your urinary tract can make daily tasks uncomfortable. Urine is normally sterile and does not contain blood cells. The presence of white blood cells -- WBCs -- in a urine sample indicates an abnormal condition within the urinary tract or kidney.
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Healthcare providers often need to know how well your lungs are functioning in transferring oxygen to your blood. Cells, tissues and organs need oxygen to function, and lack of it can cause a host of complications throughout your body.
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Since your finger has 14 bones, it may seem that a break in one shouldn't affect you much. But you need all of your finger bones in working order to carry out normal daily activities, from lifting a cup to your lips to writing a report.
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