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When monocytes are high, it may be due to a temporary infectious condition like mononucleosis or COVID-19. Having too many of these white blood cells also may be due to certain blood disorders or cancers, autoimmune disorders like lupus, medication use, and more. In these cases, high monocytes may be persistent and require treatment. Monocytes work as part of the immune system to help fight infections and diseases. When you have a high monocyte count, it’s called monocytosis....

If you have hip pain, you may be experiencing hip tendonitis. The pain may be caused by irritation of the tendons and muscles that surround your hip. Hip flexor tendonitis may cause you to have difficulty with normal walking, running, or stair climbing. Sometimes, the simple act of rising from a chair is difficult with hip tendonitis. If you have hip tendonitis, you may benefit from exercise to help relieve your pain....

Depending on the type of health insurance you have, you may not be able to go straight to a specialist when you think you need the services they offer. If you have a health maintenance organization (HMO) or point of service (POS) plan, you’ll probably need to go to your primary care physician (PCP) first. If they agree that you need to see a specialist, they’ll refer you to one and make note of it in your medical file....

Having inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) puts one at risk of certain vitamin deficiencies. Which vitamins, the extent of the deficiency, and how to improve the vitamin levels are all going to be different for each patient. Many people with IBD have their vitamin levels monitored on a regular basis but others do not, and therefore may not know of vitamin deficiencies. Having Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or indeterminate colitis increases the risk of not having enough vitamin D....

An itchy mole can be a warning sign of skin cancer, but it can also have a range of other causes. For example, using a new personal care product that irritates your skin can make a mole itch. This article will go over what causes itchy moles. You’ll also learn how to assess whether a mole could be melanoma skin cancer. Does an Itchy Mole Mean Cancer? Moles, also called nevi, are extremely common....

Labyrinthitis is inflammation of a portion of the inner ear known as the labyrinth—a system of fluid-filled channels involved in your ability to balance and hear. The condition causes severe vertigo that lasts for more than 20 minutes and sometimes for several days. Labyrinthitis can be temporary if caused by an infection (e.g., otitis media) or recurrent if caused by allergies or medication. Labyrinthitis Symptoms Labyrinthitis can cause a variety of symptoms....

Heart failure is a condition where the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s demands. The heart muscles are weakened, and they can’t work as effectively as before. When this happens, tissues throughout the body are deprived of oxygen and other crucial nutrients. Heart failure is usually divided into two categories based on which side of the heart it mainly affects. The right side of the heart collects oxygen-depleted blood from the body and brings it to the lungs to be filled with fresh oxygen....

Mirena is a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) that is inserted into the uterus for long-term birth control. Mirena continuously releases a low amount of the progestin (levonorgestrel) for up to seven years as a way to prevent pregnancy. Overview Mirena is a small, T-shaped contraceptive device made of flexible plastic. It measures 32 millimeters (mm) across and down. Your Mirena IUD must be inserted by a qualified healthcare provider. It is also one of the most effective birth control methods available....

If you are looking to get in shape, improve your fitness level, or simply enjoy the many benefits of working out, then low-impact exercise may be just the thing for you. Low-impact exercise is a great option for people who cannot tolerate high-impact exercise or who are looking for a gentle way to get exercise benefits without placing too much stress on their muscles, tendons, and joints. This article looks at what low-impact exercise is and how it can be beneficial to people of all ages....

What Is Lysteda? Lysteda (tranexamic acid) is a medication used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) in people of reproductive potential. It belongs to a class of drugs called antifibrinolytics. Tranexamic acid reduces menstrual blood loss by slowing fibrin from being broken down and stabilizing blood clots. Lysteda does not contain any hormones. Lysteda is available by prescription as an oral tablet. What Is Lysteda Used For? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Lysteda to treat cyclic heavy menstrual bleeding in females of reproductive potential....

It can be stressful when one of your parents has a stroke. If your mother or father has recently had a stroke, you are likely very concerned about your parent and how he or she will get along in the face of a new disability. If you live far away from your parents, you may be even more worried about how to help when you are not nearby. The issues you need to consider when your parent is adjusting to life after a stroke involve health, safety, transportation, and finances....

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an autoimmune form of arthritis that causes joint inflammation and occurs alongside psoriasis in some people. PsA causes stiff, painful joints with redness, heat, and swelling in the surrounding tissues. The symptoms of PsA, including pain, can be managed. People with PsA can work with their healthcare team to find a treatment plan specific to their needs, including medications and lifestyle treatment. Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment Early diagnosis can help you make a treatment plan with your doctor to slow or stop the progression of PsA....

Although relying on alternative treatments for what ails you may appeal to you for a number of reasons, using natural remedies for the flu is not advised. Antivirals (such as Tamiflu) are the only treatments known to be effective against the influenza virus. Symptoms of the flu are similar to those of the common cold (coughing, sore throat, fatigue, etc.) But the flu usually causes more serious illness, potentially leading to complications, especially in high-risk groups....

Premature menopause affects women before the age of 40. This type of menopause is either induced or natural. Menopause means you have not had a menstrual period for 12 straight months, and you are not pregnant or sick. Menopause is a natural and normal part of aging that occurs when female sex hormones go down naturally, the ovaries stop releasing eggs, and the person no longer gets periods and is unable to get pregnant....

Radiation enteritis is a condition that can occur in the intestines after having treatment with radiation therapy, a common cancer treatment. The symptoms of radiation enteritis can include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and crampy abdominal pain. In many cases, radiation enteritis will go away after the radiation treatment ends. However, in some cases, it may continue for longer and cause complications. Radiation Enteritis Symptoms The word enteritis comes from “enteron,” meaning intestine, and the suffix “itis,” meaning inflammation....

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can cause hand deformities to develop, such as inverted appearing knuckles. Over time, as the disease progresses, it can lead to disability as the pain and restricted range of motion make it difficult to function. When RA takes a toll on your hands, it can make common tasks like opening a jar, fastening buttons, tying your shoes, and twisting a doorknob painful, difficult, or even impossible. With RA, a malfunctioning immune system attacks joints, causing pain, inflammation, fatigue, and weakness....

Recovery from spinal stenosis surgery can vary based on what type of procedure was performed and the number of vertebrae operated on. Activity restrictions will be put in place during the initial stages of recovery until the spine heals and becomes fully stabilized. Physical therapy may also play an important role in your recovery to get you back to performing everyday activities safely and without pain. Surgery Follow-Up An appointment with your surgeon should be scheduled soon after your spinal stenosis surgery was performed....

Recovering from a stroke can be a challenging and emotional process, and it is different for everyone. A stroke can affect a person’s movement, coordination, cognition, speaking, and more. The location, extent of the lesion or tissue involvement, time before treatment, and other factors all affect the outlook for recovery. However, experts have identified a general pattern of motor recovery from stroke. This article discusses the Brunnstrom stages of stroke recovery and what you can expect from rehabilitation after a stroke....

Sweet-smelling urine isn’t normal, especially when the scent comes on suddenly. In some cases, it’s caused by a serious condition that requires immediate treatment. For instance, sweet-smelling urine is one of the possible symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes. It’s also a classic symptom of a potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Outside of diabetes, there are other reasons why your urine (pee) may smell sweet, including bacterial urinary tract infections (UTIs), liver disease, and a rare genetic disorder called maple syrup urine disease....

Patients who have multiple myeloma are at higher risk of severe illness from an infection. But combining in-person care with telehealth visits can help minimize the potential exposure to contagious diseases. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, clinics and hospitals have taken extra precautions to protect patients from being exposed to circulating viruses. Telehealth has also become a viable option for those who prefer to manage some aspects of their multiple myeloma at home....