Health is Life

👉Insomnia Treatment - The Facts👀

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 8 Oct 2020 16:33:00 -0700

Insomnia and sleep disorders are becoming more and more common. One out of every ten people has chronic insomnia. Nearly 0.5 of all people will need help for insomnia at some point in their lifetimes. Insomnia isn't a diagnosis in itself; it's a symptom of a physical or emotional problem. Insomnia can be very serious.

Sleep-deprived employees do not perform as well as employees who are well-rested. People who struggle with insomnia have more accidents and make more mistakes. Sleep-deprived people get sick more often and have a higher incidence of major depression.

It is not well known that insomnia is curable. People usually delay seeking treatment because they think nothing will help them. Most individuals never report their insomnia. Insomnia is classified according to the period of the problem.

Insomnia that has been a problem for less than a week is termed transient (or 'acute') insomnia. A diagnosis of short-term insomnia is made when sleep problems have been going on for one to 3 weeks. Chronic insomnia is diagnosed when sleep has been a problem for over 3 weeks.

Facts About Insomnia

Older individuals and women struggle with insomnia more often than young people and men. Other factors that make insomnia more likely are poverty, alcoholism, emotional or mental disorders, recent trauma, and severe stress.

Insomnia typically starts once the death of a loved one, job loss, trouble at work, or some other stressful event. Over time insomnia becomes the main problem. Insomnia should be treated throughout the early, acute phase, otherwise, it can become chronic and more serious.

Insomnia can indicate more serious problems like clinical depression, an anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress, addiction to caffeine, drug addiction, various sleep disorders, or physical illness. For women, menopause or menstruation can be the cause.

Interrupting the normal cycle of night and day can also trigger bouts of insomnia. Working a second or third shift or traveling to a brand new time zone can trigger this sort of insomnia.

Kinds of Insomnia!

Though there are a number of completely different ranges of insomnia, three kinds have been clearly recognized: transient, acute, and chronic.

1. Transient (insomnia) lasts from days to weeks. It may be caused by another dysfunction, by modifications within the sleep environment, by the timing of sleep, extreme melancholy, or by stress. Its consequences - sleepiness and impaired psychomotor performance - are identical to those of sleep deprivation.

2. Acute (insomnia) is the inability to constantly sleep effectively for a period of between three weeks to 6 months.

3. Chronic (insomnia) lasts for years at a time. It can be brought on by another dysfunction, or it can be a primary disorder. Its results can vary according to its causes. They may include sleepiness, muscular fatigue, hallucinations, and/or mental fatigue; however people with persistent insomnia usually show increased alertness. Some people that live with this dysfunction see things as if they're occurring in slow motion, wherein moving objects appear to mix together. Might cause double vision.

👉Stomach Reflux: Symptoms and Precautions👀

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 8 Oct 2020 16:21:00 -0700

Stomach reflux is a phenomenon in which the food consumed by a person, mixed with digestive juices and acids, comes up the track after reaching the stomach. It travels back through the esophagus, which is a muscular tube that helps food pass from the mouth to the stomach for digestion. The food in the semi-solid form gets stuck in this pipe and ferments. The food is passed back into the esophagus instead of the intestines. Reflux can lead to various health problems ranging from minor to major. Stomach reflux may occur due to many reasons.

The high acidity levels of the stomach juices can lead to infection in the esophagus and the development of ulcers in and around the stomach and the esophagus. Infections may be yeast infections such as Candida or more serious infections like Herpes. This reflux can severely damage the esophagus pipe. Stomach reflux can lead to scarring of the stomach linings as well as physical damage to the linings of the esophagus. These symptoms remain unknown if not accompanied by several other symptoms such as nausea, repetitive vomiting (regurgitation), cough, respiratory problems, ear-ache, sore throat, enamel decay in teeth, foul smell of moth, and incessant burps and hiccups. These symptoms of reflux disease are visible for 30 minutes to a couple of hours.

If not treated on time, stomach reflux can lead to a lot of pain and agony due to severe stomach pain. The patient may even refuse to have food. Reflux can also lead to the development of Barrett's esophageal or in worst cases even esophageal cancer. This disease may only be treated by surgery to widen the sphincter (lower esophageal region) otherwise antacids provide relief in immediately conceived disorders.

To treat reflux one should immediately stop consumption of foods that increase the acidity level of the stomach that induces the problem. The foods that cause are alcohol, peppermint, chocolate, citrus and crossovers fruits and vegetables, milk, and milk products. Coffee and smoking are strictly not allowed in stomach reflux. The use of reflux wedges will help in preventing reflux. One must even lose weight and adopt healthy eating habits and avoid eating before bedtime. Do not skip regular appointments with the doctor after being treated. An important note is that reflux can occur both in adults and children.

Stomach reflux is generally seen in people having one of the following conditions - over-weight, obesity, pregnancy, asthma, hiatal hernia, and laryngitis.

👉Rheumatoid Arthritis✋

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 2 Oct 2020 14:33:00 -0700

Rheumatoid osteoarthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease characterized by persistent symmetric irritation of multiple peripheral joints. It's a single from the most typical inflammatory rheumatic diseases and is characterized by the improvement of the chronic inflammatory proliferation of the synovial linings of diarthrodial joints, which leads to aggressive cartilage destruction and progressive bony erosions.

Untreated, rheumatoid osteoarthritis often leads to progressive joint destruction, disability, and premature death. The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in the United States is around 1% within the basic population; comparable prevalence rates are already observed worldwide.

The disorder happens around three times more often in ladies than in males and has its peak onset within the fifth to sixth decade of life. Like SLE, rheumatoid osteoarthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease by which abnormal activation of B cells, T cells, and innate immune effectors occurs. In contrast to SLE, the majority of inflammatory action in rheumatoid arthritis occurs in the joint synovium.

Even though the trigger of rheumatoid arthritis is unfamiliar, a complex set of genetic and environmental factors seems to contribute to illness susceptibility. Because the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis has been observed to become similar in numerous cultures and geographic regions across the globe, it's assumed that the environmental exposures that provoke rheumatoid arthritis must be widely distributed.

Early rheumatoid osteoarthritis is closely mimicked by transient inflammatory osteoarthritis provoked by a number of microbial pathogens. Therefore, even though a part for infection in the improvement of rheumatoid osteoarthritis has lengthy been postulated, it is not yet satisfactorily proven.

Particular class II MHC alleles (HLA-DR4), sharing a consensus QKRAA motif in the peptide-binding groove, have been extremely associated with illness susceptibility and to greater severity of rheumatoid osteoarthritis. Significantly from the pathologic damage that characterizes rheumatoid arthritis is centered close to the synovial linings of joints.

Typical synovium is composed of a thin cellular lining (one to 3 cell layers thick) and an underlying interstitium, which contains blood vessels but a couple of cells. The synovium normally provides nutrients and lubrication to adjacent articular cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis synovium, in contrast, is markedly abnormal, having a significantly expanded lining layer (8-10 tissue thick) composed of activated tissue and a highly inflammatory interstitium replete with B tissue, T cells, and macrophages and vascular changes (including thrombosis and neovascularization).

At websites exactly where synovium and articular cartilage are contiguous, rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissue (called pannus) invades and destroys adjacent cartilage and bone. Even though the causes of rheumatoid osteoarthritis remain unclear, a number of essential components of pathogenesis are already identified.

As discussed previously, it is useful to separate the initiating and propagating phases from the illness and to recognize how the established rheumatoid osteoarthritis phenotype reflects a self-sustaining and amplified inflammatory state. Concordance rates in twins differ in between 15% and 35%, implicating genetic factors in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.

The most striking of these genetic elements defined to date involves a specific subset of MHC class II alleles whose presence appears to predominantly figure out disease severity (sufferers homozygous for disease-associated alleles have the most severe illness). These MHC molecules function as antigen-presenting scaffolds, which present peptides to CD4 T tissue.

Disease-associated alleles (belonging to HLA-DR4/DR1 serotypes) share a sequence along their antigen-presenting groove, termed the "shared epitope." It may be postulated that these alleles present critical antigens towards the T tissue, which perform a part in initiating and driving the progression of this illness. However, no specific antigens have however been identified.

Recent high-throughput genome-wide genetic association studies have identified a number of new genetic chance factors for the development of RA. These genes (ie, PADI4, PTPN22, CTLA4, STAT4, and others) are included in generating and propagating inflammatory responses and possibly autoantibody production as well.

1. Environmental and infectious factors-Although several bacterial and viral pathogens have been investigated as possibly getting a role within the initiation of rheumatoid osteoarthritis, scrutiny has failed to identify a part for any particular infectious cause. It is conceivable that any of several various infectious agents might be capable to induce non-pathogen-specific changes within the joint that are connected with illness initiation in susceptible people.

2. Autoimmunity-There is significant evidence supporting a part for autoimmunity in generating the rheumatoid osteoarthritis phenotype, such as the presence of antigen-driven autoantibodies such as IgG rheumatoid elements and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies. Anti-CCP antibodies, in particular, are highly specific for RA and, as using the autoantibodies observed in SLE, can appear several many years prior towards the onset of disease.

They appear to be a marker of a lot more destructive and intense RA phenotype, and their titers might be modulated by illness activity. The factors these citrullinated peptides are targeted in RA are unfamiliar, but possible explanations include an increase inside a member of the peptidyl arginine deiminase family of enzymes (PADI, the enzymes that mediate the conversion of arginine to citrulline) activity in synovial tissue or altered action of these enzymes as a result of genetic polymorphisms.

Cytokine elaboration in rheumatoid osteoarthritis is markedly TH1 biased. Even though the cytokine profile in rheumatoid osteoarthritis synovium is extremely complicated, with several pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines expressed simultaneously (eg, TNF, IL-1, IL-6, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating element [GM-CSF]), studies have persuasively demonstrated that TNF is an important upstream principle within the propagation of the rheumatoid arthritis inflammatory lesion (see later).

Thus, when pathways downstream of TNF are inhibited with soluble TNF receptors or monoclonal antibodies to TNF, a rapid and markedly beneficial impact on the inflammatory synovitis and overall state of well-being is noted in many patients. Interestingly, the outcomes of anti-TNF treatment had been restricted to the duration of treatment, and symptoms and signs of irritation returned rapidly on discontinuation of therapy. Recent data also implicate TH17 cells within the pathogenesis of RA.

Rheumatoid osteoarthritis is most usually a persistent, progressive disease presenting in women in the middle many years of existence. Fatigue and joint irritation, characterized by pain, swelling, warmth, and morning stiffness, are hallmarks from the illness. Almost invariably, multiple little and large synovial joints are impacted on both the correct and left sides from the body in asymmetric distribution.

The involvement of the little joints of the hands, wrists, and feet as well as the bigger peripheral joints, including the hips, knees, shoulders, and elbows, is standard. Included joints are demineralized, and joint cartilage and juxta-articular bone are eroded by the synovial inflammation, inducing joint deformities. Even though the lower spine is spared, cervical involvement can also occur, potentially leading to spinal instability. In highly active cases, extraarticular manifestations can occur.

These consist of lung nodules, subcutaneous "rheumatoid" nodules (typically present more than extensor surfaces), ocular irritation (such as scleritis), or small-vessel vasculitis. Prompt and aggressive treatment to control inflammation in rheumatoid osteoarthritis can slow as well as stop progressive joint erosion. Numerous immunomodulatory medications have shown benefit in treating rheumatoid osteoarthritis.

The primary pathway via which methotrexate-the drug most generally used as single-agent therapy for rheumatoid arthritis-acts to diminish joint irritation is still debated. One hypothesis suggests that methotrexate induces the increased local release of adenosine, a short-acting anti-inflammatory mediator.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a single of the very first problems in which biologic modifiers of defined pathogenic pathways such as anti-TNF therapy have been used successfully to treat disease. Inhibitors of TNF (etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab) act by sequestering TNF, either to a recombinant soluble form of the TNF receptor (etanercept) or to monoclonal antibodies to TNF (infliximab, adalimumab).

Although these agents have a higher likelihood of achieving an advantage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, their use is still restricted by their higher cost and also the potential risks of drug-associated toxicity (such as susceptibility to life-threatening infections and induction of other autoimmune syndromes).

Furthermore, although they're among one of the most potent brokers however described for the control of rheumatoid arthritis, there stay patients who fail to experience illness remission when treated only with TNF blockade. As a general principle of therapy in rheumatoid osteoarthritis, it appears that using numerous brokers with (presumably) various and complementary mechanisms of action can lead to extra advantage.

👉Diabetes Bag👅

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 2 Oct 2020 14:17:00 -0700

Living with diabetes can present a variety of challenges. Having your diabetes supplies available at all times makes it easier to maintain your blood sugar levels. A diabetes bag makes it easy to have all of your diabetes accessories and supplies in one convenient place. Learning about the bags that are available and what to put in them helps to ensure that you are always able to manage your diabetes no matter where you are.

WHAT TYPES OF BAGS ARE AVAILABLE?

There are several bag options to carry your diabetes supplies. If you want to carry your supplies hands-free, consider one that is in the style of a backpack or a fanny pack. These should zip up so that none of your supplies fall out when you are moving around. If you carry a handbag, consider one that will fit inside to minimize how many bags you have to carry with you.

You might also consider a hard case, especially if your insulin comes in a glass vial. A hard case will protect the vials against breakage if you accidentally drop it. These usually snap shut so that the contents remain secure. Some hard cases will be divided into different compartments, allowing you to organize your supplies in a way that allows you to access everything quickly.

These bags come in multiple sizes. You should consider the items that you need to take with you. For example, when taking multiple medications for diabetes, you will likely need a larger bag than someone who only needs to carry a vial of insulin and a few syringes. You can set your items out and take some measurements to get a general idea about the best size of the bag to hold all of your diabetes supplies.

WHAT SHOULD YOU PUT IN YOUR DIABETES CASE OR BAG?

There are several diabetic accessories that you should include in your compact diabetes case. You want to have all of the items you need to maintain your glucose levels and check them. To start preparing your diabetes case, you should make a list of the essentials so that you do not forget anything. The following items should be put in a supply bag for diabetes:

• Your diabetes medications, including any insulin vials, insulin pens or pills that you are taking

• Alcohol swabs and bandages for when you need to test your blood sugar

• Your glucose meter with test strips and lancets

• Backup batteries for your blood glucose monitor

• A card that includes the type of diabetes you have, the medicines that you take and your doctor's contact information

• Small sugary snacks for times when your blood sugar gets too low

• Needles and syringes if you use insulin

• A small flashlight so that you can see your diabetes kit in the dark

HOW TO PACK A DIABETES BACKPACK

Once you choose a diabetes bag that fits your needs and you have all of your supplies ready, it is time to pack it. You should have enough of your medication to get you through at least 24 hours to be safe and when you are going to be away longer than this, carry enough medication for as long as you will be gone plus two days to give yourself a little extra just in case you get delayed returning home. You should have two lancets and test strips for each test. For example, when you test twice a day, you need four lancets and four test strips per day. This gives you extra just in case you need to repeat a blood sugar test.

Ensure some diversity regarding the foods that you bring with you. For example, bring some fresh fruit, some hard candy, and some glucose tablets just in case your blood sugar gets too low. Pack enough alcohol swabs and bandages to cover each blood sugar check that you need to perform. Make sure that your bag has a little extra room so that if you remember something that you need to add at the last minute, your bag will be able to accommodate it.

KEEPING YOUR INSULIN COOL IN YOUR DIABETES TRAVEL CASE

Insulin contains preservatives to keep it fresh and effective. However, if your insulin gets too warm, it will eventually no longer work. After insulin remains in an environment with too high of a temperature for too long, the protein will start to break down as bacteria start to grow in the liquid. You should keep your insulin at 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit to keep it safe to use.

When you are home, keep your insulin vials in your refrigerator. You should not keep it in your diabetes supply bag 24/7. When you are out, you can use cold packs to maintain a safe temperature for your insulin vials. There are bags that are insulated that will help to keep your insulin cool for longer. Also, when you use insulin pens, follow the storage and travel instructions that come with them to keep them safe.

ENSURING THAT YOUR DIABETES TRAVEL BAG MEETS TSA STANDARDS

When you plan to travel by airplane, you need to ensure that your diabetes travel bag meets all TSA standards so that you can carry it on the plane with you. Since your diabetes supplies often include needles and syringes, sharp lancets, and prescription drugs, you need to ensure that you are following all TSA regulations or else you might have some trouble when you are trying to board. Use the following as a guide to ensure that your diabetes case passes TSA inspection:

• Insulin: If you take insulin, it is imperative that you have it on the plane with you. Be careful because when you put it in a bag that you check, the temperature and pressure changes in the luggage area on a plane could negatively affect your insulin. The TSA allows you to bring insulin on board even if it exceeds their rule of no liquids over 3.4 ounces. However, the prescription information should be clearly visible so that they know that it is legally prescribed to you. This is especially important for international travel. You are also allowed to bring cold packs to keep your insulin at the proper temperature.

• Glucagon: You should carry this in its pharmaceutically labeled container to get it onto a plane.

• Needles and syringes: You can bring these on a plane, but you need to have a prescription from your doctor with you. It is best to bring the box that these diabetes supplies come in since it will have the pharmaceutical label.

• Lancets: Your lancets should be with your glucose monitor when you fly. They must have the manufacturer label attached and be capped to pass airport security.

👉How to Cope With VERTIGO👀

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 2 Oct 2020 13:51:00 -0700

Patients suffering from vertigo are referred to a very comprehensive investigation in out-patient clinics of Otolaryngology, or if admitted to a hospital-in Ear Nose and Throat departments. The main question is the possibility of having structural abnormality in the vestibular system with an indication for surgery.

When all the relevant tests are within the normal range, most probably, the Doctor will say: "There is nothing to do" or "you have to live with it". The outcome of such declaration is despair, frustration, and most probably - increase in the severity of symptoms-the vertigo and the other phenomena such as fear of fall, insomnia, fear of going out of home, or going to work.

Our question is: How a vertigo patient can cope with his/her symptoms?

Shemesh Zecharya (M.D.), from "Hadassah Ein Kerem" Hospital in Jerusalem, mentioned the common possibilities:

(1) On the basis of the theory that crystals in the inner ear and the hair cells are the main part in the mechanism of vertigo, it is possible to use special physiotherapy in order to cause strong stimulation to the hair cells.

(2) Medications that are called: betahistine or cinnarizine.

(3) Sedative medications.

(4) If all the above is not effective, referral to metabolic intervention may help. What treatments do you give your patients?

My patients come after failure of the physiotherapy, drug treatment such as Betahistine or Cinnarizine, given by Otolaryngologists or insufficient effect of sedative medications that were prescribed by a psychiatrist. I offer my patients metabolic intervention. In most patients, it is very effective. What about an untreated patient or a patient that did not respond to any treatment: can he cope with his/her vertigo attacks or is it impossible?

When the level of symptoms is small or weak - the patient can cope with vertigo. When he/she has/has a severe spinning or worse - recurrent sever spinning, only strong sedation can decrease the symptoms. Such medication can be given only in the emergency room of a hospital. If the patient is suffering from fear or anxiety that started during the period of the Vertigo - is it better to treat the fear besides vertigo or is it better to focus on vertigo?

It is important to distinguish between fear and anxiety. Fear is a psychological condition associated with life-threatening situations. For example: if a terrorist with a knife in his hand is running after a potential victim in order to kill him, and the man who escapes is afraid - it is Fear. Example of Anxiety: when a man is suffering from the same symptoms of fear, but no one is running after him. The other symptoms of sweat, palpitations, stress, and shortness of breath can exist, but there is no life-threatening situation.

The question is how to relate to the Vertigo? Is it a real threat or just the imagination of the patient? When there are no objective findings, some Physicians may say that they have doubts regarding the possibility that the patient is suffering from vertigo. I am sure that it is a grave mistake. The history of medicine includes many stories about patients who came with a fatal disease without any objective signs.

Even ML (Myocardial Infarction) may start as an asymptomatic medical condition. A patient with head trauma and intra cranial bleeding may start as a conscious patient who suffers from headaches. A famous Israeli actor who was in jail started with one suicidal attempt that was interpreted as a "demonstrative suicidal attempt", and the following event was a fatal suicide act.

My approach is to listen to the patient and base the diagnosis on the medical history and clinical interview. It is important to take into consideration that there are many degrees of vertigo attacks. When the attack is very strong - there is a high risk of falling. In advanced age, the patient may break a bone. The most common and problematic fracture is the Neck of the Hip Bone. The psychology of the patient is not related to the risk of trauma. Anxious patients and patients with low levels of anxiety have a similar risk. The dominant parameters are the intensity of the attack, sudden onset, duration of the attack, and the location of the patient. For example, a patient that stays in bed, or is accompanied by a caretaker who knows about the risk of falling - is safer than a lonely man, a man that does not have any handle or object to lean on.

A worker standing on a high platform is also at risk. A lonely person felling on the floor, with nobody knowing about it, may suffer more severe trauma and die. The question - what kind of psychological condition is it: fear or anxiety? Can be answered now. The fear of falling is a fear of real danger. This fear has a positive role in protecting the patient from physical trauma as a result of falling. Such a vertigo sufferer will be more careful then a patient who is not afraid but has the same degree of imbalance. When a patient has a severe fear of falling and as a result of it he/she is afraid of going out of his/her home or even work at home, it is important to find an effective treatment for reducing the fear, yet some of the fear can remain as a defense mechanism against falling, for as long as the vertigo attacks are still active.

👉The Malign Effects of High Cholesterol😐

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 17:05:00 -0700

Statistics reveal that around 20 percent of people in the United States have abnormally high cholesterol. High cholesterol is a major factor of risk in heart disease and therefore it needs to be reduced to normal levels in order to maintain the health of the organism. In some people, high cholesterol levels can be lowered through the means of a healthy diet and proper physical exercise. However, people with genetic predispositions to heart disease and cholesterol accumulation sometimes also require medications for lowering blood cholesterol levels. Some people have high cholesterol levels due to liver hyperactivity or other internal dysfunctions. For this category of people, appropriate diet, frequent physical exercise, and lifestyle improvements aren't sufficient in normalizing blood cholesterol values.

There are many factors that facilitate the accumulation of cholesterol inside the bloodstream. An unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, smoking and alcohol abuse all contribute to cholesterol accumulation in the organism. However, age, gender, and genetic heritage are also major factors that determine either overproduction or inappropriate elimination of blood cholesterol.

High cholesterol levels are usually characteristic of people with ages over 50. Women generally have lower blood cholesterol levels than men. However, post-menopausal women have higher blood cholesterol levels than young men. Genetic heritage also affects blood cholesterol levels and people with a family history of cardiovascular diseases usually have high cholesterol and are very exposed to developing heart disease.

Cholesterol is needed inside the organism in very small quantities. In excess, the substance can cause a lot of damage to arteries, tissues, and body organs, perturbing normal blood circulation. By clogging the coronary arteries, cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease. Cholesterol is a viscous substance produced by the liver. This substance has a very important role in synthesizing vitamin D. Cholesterol is also required for producing hormones (testosterone and estrogen) and bile salts that contribute to the digestion of fat.

The best thing to do when you have high cholesterol is to keep a good diet. Although diet alone can't always overcome cholesterol problems, it can considerably reduce "bad cholesterol". "Bad cholesterol" (low-density lipoprotein) is very harmful to the body and it is the major factor of risk in heart disease. By following a diet rich in complex carbohydrates, natural fibers, and unsaturated fat you can normalize blood cholesterol levels. In order to reduce blood cholesterol levels, you should avoid foods that are rich in saturated fat (animal products) and include more vegetables and fruits in your diet. Fresh fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fibers that can help in decongesting the arteries filled with cholesterol deposits.

You should avoid smoking and alcohol, as they are known to facilitate the accumulation of cholesterol inside the body. People with high cholesterol levels should exercise regularly and lose extra pounds, as obesity is also a factor of risk in heart disease. High cholesterol levels are reversible and if nothing seems to be working for you, there are medical treatments that can improve your condition.

👉Risk Factors For Hypertension💔

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 16:51:00 -0700

Ironically while we know that hypertension can kill, we don't know why it happens. In 95 percent of cases, there is no underlying cause - the reason why it's called primary or essential hypertension. In the remaining 5 percent of cases, the problem can be traced to kidney or heart disease and is known as secondary hypertension.

Who is most likely to develop hypertension? People often believe that high blood pressure is caused by extreme tension or nervousness. In truth, there is no hypertensive personality. Stress can make your blood pressure rise but this will return to normal once your problem is over. Those with hypertension always have high readings even if they're not doing anything.

Blood pressure tends to rise as a person gets older but aging is not a primary factor. The more common risk factors for hypertension are the following:

Race

Blacks are more likely to develop high blood pressure than whites.

Heredity

If your parents are hypertensive, chances are you. "There is a genetic background," according to Dr. Gianfranco Parati, a member of the executive board of the Journal of Hypertension, the official publication of the International Society of Hypertension and the European Society of Hypertension. "If people in your family have hypertension, that puts you at high risk and you have to be properly evaluated."

Weight

Obesity increases your risk of high blood pressure. If you're 30 percent or more above the ideal body weight for your height, age, and sex, you're in trouble.

Excessive salt intake

Too much salt in your diet can make your blood pressure soar, especially if you're salt-sensitive

which is true in 5 to 10 percent of hypertensives.

Heavy smoking and drinking

These bad habits can wreak havoc on your blood pressure. Nicotine raises blood pressure and increases your risk of having a stroke or heart attack. The same is true with alcohol which is responsible for 5 percent of all cases of hypertension.

Oral contraceptives

The use of birth control pills may affect your blood pressure. This normally occurs in overweight women whose parents are hypertensive. Other drugs that affect blood pressure are steroid hormones, appetite suppressants, nose drops, and antidepressants.

Lack of exercise

Sitting around most of the time can make you obese and a candidate for hypertension.

Pregnancy

Some pregnant women develop hypertension because of the additional strain placed by this condition upon the heart.

Stress

While tension and stress don't directly cause hypertension, they can aggravate the problem. Most hypertensives have Type A personality - they're aggressive, hostile, frustrated, and angry. This causes your body to release a lot of adrenaline which forces the heart to work harder. The result is increased blood pressure. (Next: How to beat hypertension.)

Since obesity is a factor in hypertension, it pays to lose weight. To help you shed those unwanted pounds, take Zyroxin, a safe and natural supplement that will maximize your weight loss through its unique fat-burning ingredients.

👉Tips For Losing Weight In a More Healthy Way👊

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 16:26:00 -0700

Losing weight can be a difficult process and will require a lot of willpower. Even when you want to see a quick result, it is important to follow a healthy and nutritious diet.

If you want to lose weight and want to get rid of that excess weight forever, forget the "miracle diets" or the diets where you are not allowed to eat most foods. Read on for the best tips to lose weight in a healthy way.

The best tips for losing weight in a healthy way

1. Change the way you think

The first of our tips to lose weight in a healthy way has to do with learning how to eat. While this may sound logical, there are many people who don't know how to eat. The 'mistakes' that are often made are, for example:

Eating too fast or too slow.

Eat at different times every day.

Choose unhealthy foods or recipes.

So before you start a diet, it is important to change the way you think about diets. Forget the idea that you should always go hungry, but see it as an opportunity to learn a healthy lifestyle.

You then automatically discover another way of eating that is just as satiating, but much healthier and less restrictive.

2. Exercise is essential to losing weight

If you want to lose weight in a healthy way, it is not only what you eat that is important. In addition to eating a varied diet (as you can read in this article), you will also have to include some form of exercise in your daily life.

Experts recommend that you exercise for an hour a day. It does not matter whether it is a sport with a high or low intensity.

A few tips:

Choose different forms of movement. For example, alternate your visits to the gym with walking, running and swimming.

Adjust your daily rhythm and walk or cycle from home to work or the supermarket. Try to use your car or public transportation only when absolutely necessary.

In addition to the fact that by regularly exercising you lose weight in a healthy way, exercise also has a number of other health benefits. Some examples:

Exercising increases bone density.

It improves muscle formation and muscle strength.

Exercise lowers the stress level.

It ensures that your joints become more flexible.

3. Change your cooking habits

Do you eat healthily, but do not lose weight? Then it is possible that you are cooking in the wrong way. It makes no sense to eat vegetables if you immerse them in dressings. The same applies to salads: they become very unhealthy if you add fat-rich dressings or ingredients.

To lose weight in a healthy way, you will need to make the following changes to the way you cook:

Instead of dipping your meat and fish in batter, you better bake them in a grill pan. They are then cooked earlier, just as tasty, but they contain fewer calories.

No longer buy pre-processed sauces, but make them yourself.

Forget the ready-made foods. There are many healthier alternatives available that are easy to expand.

With these simple adjustments to your cooking habits, you can continue to enjoy your favorite food. In this way, you can reduce your daily calorie intake by 300 calories without suffering from hunger. That is the case with many other diets.

4. Put an end to that food craving with healthy snacks

The critical moment during each diet is when you crave food at a time that falls outside your normal diet. At such a moment there is a good chance that you will grab unhealthy food that is easily available in the supermarket.

Below we give you a list with examples of healthy snacks that will help you satisfy the craving for high-fat food. These snacks are healthy and also contain few calories. They give you a feeling of satiety so that you will not be hungry until the next meal.

One portion of fruit

Yogurt

Protein bars

A handful of nuts

In summary: it is not necessary to follow a strict diet. Just provide a varied diet that you prepare in the healthiest possible way. Healthy snacks help you get through the difficult moments when you crave unhealthy food. And finally: don't forget to exercise to maintain a healthy weight!

👉What is Insomnia❓

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 13:51:00 -0700

The Insomnia sleep disorder is also known as Wakefulness or Dysomnia and is an inability to sleep or to sleep for long enough to get a proper night's rest. The main effect of insomnia is that you feel constantly tired, irritable, and may have poor concentration and coordination. Sleep is necessary to repair the body and provide mental and physical rest - to recharge your batteries.

The amount of sleep needed by people varies: Babies need about 17 hours of sleep a day, a child nine to ten hours per night, and an adult seven to eight hours each night, though that typically decreases as you get older. If you don't need much sleep, get up early to do things - don't spend too long in bed as this can help trigger insomnia. A typical sleep cycle has five stages: drowsiness, light sleep, two deep sleep stages followed by REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, where most dreams occur. This first five-stage cycle usually lasts about 90 minutes. The REM stage for subsequent cycles maybe longer. You may have five of these cycles in a typical night's sleep.

Child Insomnia

Chronic insomnia in children can have even more serious effects than with adults. Getting enough sleep is much more important for young children than for fully grown adults, as a childhood growth demands a healthy sleep cycle. You should not send a child to bed as a punishment as this may lead to insomnia due to a fear of being sent to bed. You should consider using a bedroom only for sleep, instead of also for play.

Infants typically wake frequently during sleep periods until about six months old when they will probably start to sleep through the night, though they will also sleep two or three hours during the day. Babies may have some other causes than adults for insomnia, such as wanting to be noticed or comforted, being hungry, having colic or pain from growing teeth. Constant attention when a baby cries on waking can be counter-productive, it may be better to let the baby stop crying on its own. Holding a child in your arms to get them to sleep, or reading stories at bedtime can mean that without these triggers they will have difficulty sleeping - so weaning them off these habits should be considered at some point.

Do not give a child sleeping medicines unless advised to do so by a doctor.

Facts About Insomnia

Primary Insomnia - where there is no underlying medical cause for the difficulty in sleeping.

Secondary Insomnia - where there is an underlying medical cause disturbed sleep.

Secondary Insomnia has an underlying medical cause whereas Primary Insomnia does not.

Secondary insomnia can be caused by any condition causing pain or discomfort or directly causing anxiety or other mental disturbance, or specific conditions such as Sleep Apnea or Seasonal Affective Disorder. If you suspect an underlying medical or mental condition you should seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Statistics about insomnia: Insomnia causes

Psychological ............................... 50%

Behavioural: sleep environment ....... 30%

Behavioural: stimulants or medication 10%

Physical ...................................... 10%

There is a graph on insomnia showing the approximate percentages for general causes of insomnia on my blog (see end of article) if you prefer a visual representation of the figures.

30-40% of people report insomnia each year

10-15% of people reporting insomnia say they have chronic insomnia

Duration of a period of insomnia can vary from transient (a few nights) to short term (up to 3 weeks) to chronic, long term insomnia (over 3 weeks)

By duration:

transient -------> short term -------------> long term (chronic)

few nights -----> up to 3 weeks --------> more than 3 weeks

Short term or Transient insomnia can be caused by

traumatic events such as acute illness, injury or surgery, bereavement, job loss

less serious events such as trouble at work, an exam, traveling (including jet lag), extreme weather change

Although psychological causes of insomnia may need to be addressed by a professional psychologist or psychiatrist, behavioral causes can be addressed by yourself, and in either case, encouraging sleep should help with the symptoms of insomnia.

👉Alternative Acid Reflux Treatment👍

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 13:25:00 -0700

Acid reflux without Nexium has proven an important alternative for patients who are suffering from acid reflux. An increasing number of individuals who have acid reflux or heartburn is finding newer alternatives to medication, which will enable them relief from acid reflux without any side effects.

Acid reflux is gastroesophageal reflux disease. Individuals that suffer from acidity damage the esophagus. Increased acid reflux from the stomach can lead to a barrier between the stomach and the esophagus.

Symptoms of Acid Reflux

Acid reflux without Nexium has grown as an alternative mode of treatment so as to cure any problems that may be arising from acid reflux. Nexium is an allopathic remedy, which is popularly used to curing acid reflux. Due to the wide-scale side effects that Nexium has on the body, individuals suffering from acid reflux are changing their mode of treatment. The symptoms of acid reflux include the following:

- Earache

- Hoarseness

- Coughing

- Nausea

- Burning sensation in the chest

These are some of the symptoms that individuals with acid reflux suffer from. However, it should be taken, as a note of caution that if you are suffering from acid refluxes you should find a cure to it within a short period of time.

Acid Reflux Alternatives

Acid reflux without Nexium has enabled individuals to find alternative ways of treating acid reflux. Some of these include the following:

Dieting

Individuals should take less of caffeinated products so as to reduce the acidity level in the stomach. Eating less of fast foods can also help in curbing acid reflux. Secondly, it is important that you have your breakfast. Studies have shown that individuals who don't have their breakfast suffer from acid reflux.

Positional therapy

Performing certain positional therapy such as elevating the head over the head can help is curbing acid reflux.

Acid reflux without Nexium has proven a viable alternative to individuals suffering from acid reflux. With greater alternatives, people are shifting to other forms of treatment.

👉Causes of Arthritis - How to Reduce the Risk👀

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 12:47:00 -0700

With over 100 diseases associated with arthritis, there are many causes of arthritis. The most common cause is wear and tear of the joints. This can occur naturally as the body ages or it can occur earlier in life if the body is abused - for instance, over-exercising or playing sports that put pressure on a certain joint for a long period of time. Repetitive actions can also cause arthritis, in the form of tendonitis - using a computer keyboard for extended periods each day can cause tendonitis. Some types of arthritis are caused by infections in other parts of the body and mineral deposits collecting on the joints can cause some types of arthritis.

Most Common Causes of Arthritis

Genetic - Genetics play an important role in the causes of many illnesses. While genetic predisposition is not always understood, there are signs that point to the increased risk of arthritis when certain factors are present in the family medical history.

Age - Many types of arthritis are caused by the normal wear and tear of the cartilage. As a person ages, the cartilage becomes more brittle and is more likely to wear away, leaving the joints with no cushion. As a person ages, their risk of arthritis increases.

Injury - Many times a previous injury can lead to the onset of arthritis. If the joint or surrounding tissue was damaged due to an injury, this can accelerate the process of wear and tear on the joint.

Weight - Weight can play a very important role in the onset of arthritis. Extra weight increases the pressure on joints such as the hips, spine, knees, and ankles. This can result in an earlier onset of arthritis because the wear and tear of the supporting joints are accelerated.

Sports - Some sports can lead to the onset of arthritis. Tennis is one of the most likely sports because of the pressure placed on the elbow - and the repetitive movement of the elbow. Tendonitis is one of the most common sports-related types of arthritis. Other sports, such as football and baseball can place more stress on the knees and if played for years can increase the chance of arthritis later in life.

Occupational Hazards - There are many jobs that can contribute to the onset of arthritis. Assembly line jobs in which the worker repeats the same action over and over for extended periods of time can lead to tendonitis or other forms of arthritis in the fingers, hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders. Jobs such as construction and other jobs that require constant heavy lifting can contribute to arthritis in the ankles, knees, hips, spine, and neck.

Infection - Some types of arthritis are caused by infections in other parts of the body. Both viral and bacterial infections can result in the onset of arthritis.

Stress - Being under a lot of stress can cause the body's hormonal balance to shift, which can result in the body's immune system not being able to rid the body of foreign bacteria, which can result in the onset of arthritis.

Food allergies - Certain foods can contribute to inflammation of the joints. People who notice that inflammation occurs after consuming these foods should avoid them whenever possible.

There are many factors that can contribute to the onset of arthritis. The best way to avoid the causes of arthritis is to lead a healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet and regular exercise are important for your overall health and can help to reduce your risk for arthritis.

Other things that you can do to help reduce the risk are:

Avoiding repetitive movements - If your job requires repetitive movements be sure to change activities often and take breaks often enough to prevent stress on the joint being used most often.

Maintain an exercise routine that will keep your joints flexible and will build muscles to help take the pressure off of the joints.

Avoid lifting objects that are too heavy - ask for help with objects that will put too much stress on your back, hips, and knees.

Live a life of moderation and healthy choices.

👉The Growing Diabetes Epidemic👀

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 17:05:00 -0700

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an umbrella organization of over 230 national diabetes associations in 170 countries and territories. Its mission is to promote diabetes care, prevention, and a cure worldwide. It collects, collates, and publishes statistics related to diabetes.

According to the IDF, 415 million people around the globe suffer from diabetes today. This figure is expected to rise to 642 million by 2030, less than 15 years away, at which time 10% of the world's population will suffer from diabetes.

The disease is a killer. In 2015, five million people died from diabetes.

Indeed, somewhere in the world, a person dies of diabetes (type 2 or type 1) every six seconds... and nearly half of these deaths are among people younger than 60 years of age.

Type 2 and type 1 diabetes

The most prevalent form of diabetes is type 2, which accounts for 90% of all cases in the developed world.

Our muscles are powered by glucose which is produced by the digestive process and delivered to the muscle cells through the bloodstream. But insulin is needed to open receptors in the cells so the glucose can enter. Insulin is produced by the pancreas on demand.

In type 2 diabetes the insulin produced by the pancreas cannot open the receptor cells in the body's muscle cells because the receptors are blocked by fat. In type 1, by contrast, the pancreas fails to produce insulin as required.

Type 2 is known as a lifestyle disease as it is triggered by a poor diet and a lack of exercise. It is most closely associated with the developed world where people eat processed foods containing excessive fat, sugar, and salt and follow sedentary occupations.

However, according to the IDF, it is no longer a rich-world disease. It is spreading rapidly in South-East Asia, parts of Africa, and Mexico.

Diabetes in Africa

In Mauritius, for example, statistics show that 17% of the population is diabetic. However, the IDF suggests that the figure may be closer to 24%, an extremely high prevalence.

Africa has about 7 million diabetics at the moment. However, the WHO (World Health Organisation) predicts that this figure will have increased to more than 18 million by 2030. This astonishing rate of increase is being blamed on a growing reliance on processed foods.

According to the WHO, many people in Africa do not know they have the condition and thus are not being treated. As a result, in some parts of Africa, diabetes is responsible for more than four-fifths of deaths.

Diabetes in Mexico

In Mexico, over a third of the deaths of people aged 35 to74 years can be attributed to diabetes, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The participants included diabetics and non-diabetics aged 35 or older at the start of the study. They were monitored over 12 years and the mortality rates of those with diabetes were compared to the rates for the non-diabetics. The mortality rate for diabetics was 35 percent which is extremely high.

Nearly all the participants were typed 2 diabetics. The researchers attributed the excess deaths to poorly controlled diabetes. There are at least two possible reasons for this lack of control.

The most commonly used medication to control diabetes in Mexico is sulphonylureas, used by nearly 70 percent. Only 20 percent of Mexican diabetics use metformin. Sulphonylureas lower blood glucose levels effectively by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin.

This drug, however, causes weight gain, makes insulin resistance worse, and gives rise to pancreatic burnout which makes the drug less effective after years of use. Users of sulphonylureas also show poorer heart health compared to users of other diabetes drugs.

Thus the medication used in Mexico may be a significant contributing factor to the high death rate from diabetes in that country.

Another key factor could be the very high consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks in Mexico. In 2014, the government imposed a tax on sugary drinks but it is too early to say whether is this is having an effect on the high rate of diabetes and related deaths in the country.

The cost of treating diabetes

The cost of treating diabetes is horrendous.

The IDF estimates that diabetes is responsible for 12 percent of health spending globally. Indeed, in some countries, it represents a fifth of all healthcare expenditures.

This is not surprising as diabetes is not diagnosed until it is advanced... because in its early stages it has few symptoms. Indeed the statistics suggest that globally one in two people who have diabetes are not aware they have the disease.

This means that by the time they are diagnosed the disease is well advanced and they require daily medication to control their diabetes rather than being able to rely on a change of diet and lifestyle.

In order to ensure that diabetes is diagnosed at an early stage, it is likely that governments will need to impose mandatory screening... this may be ma

👍What is Vertigo❓👀

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 16:51:00 -0700

Vertigo is considered to be a complicated disease. Vertigo means spinning or revolving. This name has been derived from Latin.

The severity of this disease is that the person will always feel that they are moving even while standing still. So the affected people always feel to be moving.

The balance of the body posture when walking and standing is maintained by the interior part of the ear. This inner part of the ear is very much important for humans and mammals. The balance of the body is maintained by the vestibular component of the inner ear.

The other effects of vertigo is vomiting and nausea. The person who is affected by vertigo will have a problem when walking and also standing.

The major reason for vertigo is considered to be benign paroxysmal position vertigo and vestibular headache. We shall see them here:

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo:

The labyrinth is situated in the interior part of the ear. In the labyrinth the crystals of calcium is present. They do not move and these crystals are in a fixed position.

The basic place for these crystals is in the utricle. But, with the affected person the crystal gets dislocated and moves to semicircular canals. the posterior canal is said to be very much affected in this situation.

Dizziness, vertigo, change is visual, feeling weak and nausea are considered to be the symptoms. One more symptom of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is that the eyes revolve towards the direction of the defected ear.

This depicts the situation of the affected person. As the fluid in the interior part of the ear is dislocated it is also called canlithiasis.

Vestibular migraine is also the major reason for the cause of vertigo. Vertigo itself forms to be a reason here.

Therefore here the main problem is migraine and not vertigo. But the affected person feels that they are affected by vertigo. The severe thing here is the magnitude of vertigo due to migraines.

This has been confirmed by the latest research done by experts. Persons who are not diagnosed with vertigo have 2.5 times more chance of getting a migraine.

Vestibular neuritis and Meniere's are considered to be other causes. Dizziness also accompanies them when there is a migraine attack.

When someone consumes a very high level of alcohol they might get the short term effect of vertigo.

Types of Vertigo:

Normally, vertigo's are classified by the parts they affect. There are two known types of vertigo. The two different kinds are peripheral vertigo and central vertigo.

Peripheral pathway:

This is also known as the vestibular system. The peripheral type of vertigo is a kind that affects the working of the inner part of the ear.

Benign paroxysmal positional dysfunction is considered to be the regular reason for this kind of vertigo. Superior canal dehiscence syndrome, labyrinths, and visual vertigo are considered to be the other reasons.

When the interior part of the ear is affected with bacteria due to cold and cough then this may also cause vertigo. When there is an injury to the skull that affects the inner ear then it is can also result in vertigo.

Central Vertigo:

Whereas, central vertigo is linked with a neurological system of our body. This occurs due to the damage in the brain and not due to the problem with the inner ear.

The effects of central vertigo are nonclear speech, uncontrollable movement of eyes, speech with less sound. Normally central vertigo is not that severe as it does not involve the inner part of the ear.

Heavy sweating, not able to walk steady and excessive vomiting is due to the result of vertigo. When vertigo is not given due care with treatment it may lead to irreparable damage to the nervous system of our body.

👉Cholesterol Is My Heart at Risk?💓

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 20 Sep 2020 19:35:00 -0700

Cholesterol is a waxy steroid of fat produced in liver or intestine, used for the synthesis of hormones and cell membranes and transported in the blood plasma of all mammals. Cholesterol is a very essential structural component of plasma membrane of mammals required for maintaining proper membrane permeability and fluidity. It is also an important agent required for the manufacture of bile acids, steroid hormones and vitamin D. It is the principal steroid synthesized by animals however, smaller amounts are also produced in plants and fungi. Cholesterol is entirely absent among prokaryotes. If its concentration increases in blood then the risk of cardiovascular diseases increases so its level must be kept under control. The word cholesterol has originated from a Greek word and was first discovered by Francois Poulletier de la Salle in gallstones in solid form in 1769 but, chemical identification was done by Eugène Chevreul in 1815 who gave the term cholesterine.

Physiology

Cholesterol participates in the synthesis of male and female steroid hormones especially testosterone and estrogens. About 80% of the body's cholesterol is synthesized by the liver while rest comes from our diet. The major sources of dietary cholesterol are meat, fish, poultry, and dairy products. Among meat, liver is excessively rich in cholesterol content while foods of plant origin lack cholesterol. After consuming a meal, the dietary cholesterol is absorbed from the intestine and packaged inside a protein coat. This cholesterol-protein coat complex is known as chylomicron which is later stored in the liver. Liver bears the potential of regulating cholesterol levels in the blood stream. Cholesterol synthesis starts from simpler elements present in the body. In blood circulation it is transported within lipoproteins and if its level increases then the risk of atherosclerosis increases. Typically for a person weighing 68 kg the total body cholesterol synthesis is 1 g per day. The daily additional dietary intake of cholesterol in the United States is 200-300 mg. The body maintains equilibrium by minimizing the total amount synthesized in the body if the dietary intake of cholesterol increases.

Cholesterol is also recycled, it is excreted by the liver via bile into the digestive tract. About 50% of the excreted cholesterol is again reabsorbed in the small intestine and reaches blood stream. Phytosterols can compete with cholesterol reabsorption in the intestine and thus, reduce cholesterol level. Cholesterol is a fat required by the body in small amounts. High blood levels of cholesterol can lead to coronary artery disease and angina. Nitrates are used to relieve angina. Most people require regular tests for knowing blood cholesterol levels that comprise checking of triglycerides, high density lipoproteins (HDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL) and total cholesterol levels.

Methods for increasing the levels of good cholesterol or lowering blood cholesterol levels include cholesterol reducing drugs like statins, fibrates, niacin and bile acid resins. These drugs are not able to reverse calcification and if coronary arteries are blocked then heart attack may occur. The two chief types of cholesterols are high density lipoproteins (HDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL). For the sake of simplicity HDL is considered as good cholesterol while LDL is known as the bad cholesterol. We can conclude that the bad cholesterol is responsible for forming plaques in the arteries and thus, increases the risk of heart attack. The good cholesterol on the other hand, reverses cholesterol transport by taking it out of the plaque and sending it back to blood circulation for excretion via liver.

Types

Three major types of lipoproteins are found in the serum of a fasting individual namely, low density lipoproteins (LDL), high density lipoproteins (HDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL).

1. Low density lipoproteins (LDL) or bad cholesterol and its management

LDL or bad cholesterol comprises 60-70% of the total serum cholesterol. It is the major atherogenic lipoprotein used in the cholesterol lowering therapy as its higher levels are dangerous. It deposits cholesterol on the walls of arteries resulting in the formation of a hard substance known as cholesterol plaque. This plaque is responsible for the hardening of arterial walls so they become narrow and the process is identified as atherosclerosis. Liver not only manufactures and secretes LDL cholesterol in the blood stream but also removes it from the blood. A large number of active receptors are present on the surface of liver that actively bind to the LDL cholesterol molecules and remove it from blood. A deficiency of LDL receptors is associated with the higher level of these molecules in the blood.

A number of advantages are known when the levels of bad cholesterol undergo reduction for example, declination in the formation of new plaques on the walls of the arteries, removal of existing plaques from the arterial walls, narrowed arteries attain their normal shape, avoidance of rupturing of plaques which facilitates formation of blood clots and finally the risk of heart attack is reduced. A number of studies have indicated that the risk of heart attack diminishes by 25% for every 10% drop in the LDL cholesterol level and it is the key factor ensuring that total blood cholesterol level has reached a safer zone. A study carried out with 4,000 individuals has confirmed that the levels of bad cholesterol and risk of heart attack were reduced to about 25% and 42%by using the drug statin. It is profitable that the daily calorie intake of fat must be reduced down to 30% and consumption different kinds of foods rich in carbohydrates, proteins must be increased as the body will convert them into triglycerides which are later stored as fat.

Foods rich in saturated fats increase levels of LDL cholesterol in blood stream. Fats may be classified as saturated and unsaturated fats. Saturated fats are easily available in the meat, dairy products and some vegetable oils especially those derived from coconut, palm and cocoa. Therapeutic lifestyle changes adopted for lowering the levels of bad cholesterol include regular exercise, loss of excess body weight and following a diet with low concentration of saturated fats and cholesterol. When lifestyle changes fail to give desired results then medications are taken into consideration. Statins are the most effective drugs giving best results for lowering the levels of bad cholesterol and also reducing the risk of heart diseases. Other drugs that can be used include fibrates like gemfibrozin, resins such as cholestyramine, ezetimibe and Zetia. The National Institute of Health, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology have published some guidelines that can help the medical experts while dealing with cases of high cholesterol.

2. High density lipoproteins (LDL) or good cholesterol and its advantages

HDL cholesterol or the good cholesterol as it prevents atherosclerosis by extracting cholesterol from the arterial walls and disposing them through liver. High levels of LDL cholesterol and low levels of HDL cholesterol are associated with the risk of heart diseases. So the levels must be maintained in order to enjoy a happy and healthy life. HDL cholesterol accounts for 20-30% of the total serum cholesterol. Since it reduces the risk of atherosclerosis its level must be checked from time to time. Both heredity and diet have a significant effect on a person's HDL, LDL and total cholesterol levels. Families with low HDL levels are at an elevated risk of heart attack and vice versa. Lifestyle and other factors also influence HDL levels. HDL levels are low in individuals who smoke, are overweight, inactive and suffer from Type II diabetes mellitus. HDL levels are higher in individuals who are lean, exercise regularly and do not smoke. Estrogens also increase HDL levels so women have high HDL cholesterol levels as compared to men.

Lowering of the LDL cholesterol level is however easier than elevating the levels of HDL cholesterol. Reducing LDL and raising HDL levels have a beneficial effect on an individual's health. Earlier the researchers were much focused on the ways of reducing the levels of bad cholesterol but with advancement in research it became clear that it is better to raise the levels of good cholesterol as it will automatically reduce bad cholesterol levels. The levels may be raised by weight loss, regular exercise and intake of niacin. Some studies have suggested that drugs like statin when coupled with niacin give better results and women with high levels of HDL have reduced risk of heart attack. The average HDL level for women must be in between 50-55 mg/dL and for men 40-50 mg/dL. The total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio can be of help in estimating the risk of atherosclerosis. An average ratio must be in between 4-5.

Studies have indicated that even a small increase in the level of HDL cholesterol can reduce the risk of heart attack. For every 1 mg/dL rise in the HDL cholesterol level the risk of coronary heart disease reduces by 2-4%. However, therapeutic lifestyle changes can help in increasing the HDL levels. When these changes fail to give positive results then medication is taken into account. Regular aerobic exercise, loss of excessive body weight and cessation of smoking are helpful in raising HDL levels. Regular alcohol consumption for example, taking one drink per day can also help in this regard but as alcohol consumption is coupled with many adverse health effects this criterion is not taken into consideration. Effective drugs include gemfibrozil, estrogen and lower doses of statin. A newer medicine, fenofibrate has also given better results and is used in reducing serum triglycerides.

3. Triglycerides or very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) or ugly cholesterol and its effects

The ugly cholesterol is a triglyceride rich lipoprotein that accounts for 10-15% of the total serum cholesterol. This cholesterol is produced by liver and some remnants of VLDL seem to promote atherosclerosis similar to that of LDL. Triglyceride is a form of fat transported to the tissue through blood. Body's majority of fatty tissue is composed of triglycerides. Serum triglycerides can be derived from two sources. The first source is the food that we consume for example, if we consume a diet rich in fats then intestine packs some of them while rest is transported to the liver. The second source is the liver itself. When fats are received by the liver, it takes fatty acids released by the fat cells and ties them in triglyceride bundles that are later utilized as fuel. There is a controversy about the fact that whether high levels of triglycerides alone are responsible for coronary heart disease or not.

Other clinical conditions frequently coupled with high triglyceride levels are high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney, liver and circulatory disease and hypothyroidism. In some individuals elevated triglyceride levels are inherited and this condition is identified as hypertriglyceridemia. The common examples of hypertriglyceridemia include mixed hypertriglyceridemia, familial hypertriglyceridemia and familial dysbetalipoproteinemia. Hypertriglyceridemia can also occur due to some non-genetic factors like obesity, excessive alcohol, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease and use of estrogen containing medicines like birth control pills. The levels can be returned back to normal without medication by taking the help of a physician. The first step involved in the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia includes intake of a diet low in fats with limited consumption of sweets, regular aerobic exercise, loss of excess body weight, reduction of alcohol consumption and quitting smoking. In patients with diabetes mellitus effective control of glucose level is needed.

When medications become necessary statins, fibrates and niacin can be used. Fibrates not only reduce the triglyceride levels but also raise the HDL levels and particle size of LDL molecules. Same task is done by niacin but it lowers the levels of Lp (a) cholesterol. Statins on the other hand, reduce both triglyceride and LDL levels but are ineffective in raising HDL levels. A newly launched medicine, fenofibrate has shown promising results in lowering triglyceride and LDL levels as well as raising HDL levels especially in those individuals who show sub-optimal responses with fibrates. In some individuals a mixed dose of fibrate or fenofibrate along with statin is prescribed for better results.

Function

Cholesterol is needed for building and maintenance of membranes as it modulates membrane fluidity over a wide range of physiological temperatures. The hydroxyl group located on the cholesterol molecule interacts with the polar head groups of membrane phospholipids and sphingolipids and thus, reduces permeability of membrane to protons. Within the cell membrane it also functions in intracellular transport, nerve conduction and cell signaling. Cholesterol is also very essential for the structure and function of invaginated caveolae and clathrin coated pits in endocytosis. Recently, it has been suggested that cholesterol also plays some role in cell signaling process by assisting in formation of lipid rafts in plasma membrane. In many neurons a cholesterol rich myelin sheath is present which is derived from the compact layers of Schwann cell membrane helping in efficient nerve conduction. This layer also provides insulation. Within cells cholesterol also acts as a precursor molecule for several biochemical processes. In liver, cholesterol is converted into bile which is then stored in gallbladder. Bile is rich in bile salts which actively solubilize fat molecules in the digestive tract and thus, aid in intestinal absorption of fat molecules and fat soluble vitamins like A,D,E and K. It is also an essential precursor molecule for the synthesis of vitamin D and steroid hormones.

Biosynthesis and Regulation

All animal cells manufacture cholesterol but the rate of production varies depending upon the cell type and the organ involved. About 20-25% daily production of cholesterol occurs in the liver and rest in intestines, adrenal glands and reproductive organs. Synthesis of cholesterol within the body starts with one molecule of acetyl- CoA and one molecule of acetoacetyl-CoA that are hydrated to form 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA). The HMG-CoA so formed is reduced to form mevalonate by the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. This step is the rate limiting and irreversible step in the cholesterol synthesis. The mevalonate so formed is converted into 3-isopentenyl pyrophosphate in three reactions that need ATP. Mevalonate is then decarboxylated to form isopentenyl pyrophosphate. Then three molecules of isopentenyl pyrophosphate collaborate together to form farnesyl pyrophosphate in the presence of geranyl transferase. Two molecules of farnesyl pyrophosphate join to form squalene in the endoplasmic reticulum and the reaction is catalyzed by squalene synthase. Oxidosqualene cyclase then converts squalene to lanosterol that finally forms cholesterol. The mechanism and regulation of cholesterol was worked out by Konard Bloch and Feodor Lynen for which they received Noble Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1964.

The biosynthesis of cholesterol is under the strict control of the cholesterol levels but homeostatic mechanisms involved in its regulation are partly understood. A higher intake of cholesterol from food results in a net decrease in endogenous production and vice versa. The main mechanism involved comprises sensing of intracellular cholesterol by the protein SREBP (sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 and 2) located on the endoplasmic reticulum. In the presence of cholesterol this protein binds with two other proteins namely, SCAP (SREBP-cleavage-activating protein) and Insig 1. When the cholesterol level declines Insig 1 dissociates from the SREBP-SCAP complex, allowing entry of this complex into the Golgi apparatus, where SREBP is cleaved by S1 and S2 proteases. These proteases are activated by SCAP when cholesterol levels decline. The cleaved SREBP then migrates towards the nucleus to act as a transcription factor and here it binds to the sterol regulatory element (SRE) which stimulates transcription of many genes for example, scavenging of circulating LDL from the blood stream by low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and increase in the endogenous production of cholesterol by HMG-CoA reductase. A larger part of this signaling pathway was worked out by Dr. Michael S. Brown and Dr. Joseph L. Goldstein in 1970s for which they received Noble Prize in 1985.

Cholesterol synthesis can be terminated when cholesterol levels are high. HMG-CoA reductase bears both cytosolic and membrane domains. The membrane domain is sensitive for the signals responsible for its degradation. Increased concentration of cholesterol causes a change in the oligomerized state of domain that makes it more susceptible to destruction by proteosome. The activity of this enzyme can also be reduced by phosphorylation by an AMP activated protein kinase. Cholesterol is only slightly soluble in water and can be dissolved in water-based blood stream but travels at exceedingly small concentrations. As cholesterol is insoluble in blood it is transported in the circulatory system within the lipoprotein complexes whose outer part is made up of amphiphilic proteins and lipids. Triglycerides and cholesterol esters are carried internally. Lipoproteins provide cholesterol a soluble medium to be transported through blood and for this reason lipoproteins are carried in different forms within blood namely, chylomicrons, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL).

Chylomicrons are the least dense type of cholesterol transporting molecules whose shells are rich in apolipoprotein B-48, apolipoprotein C and E. They carry fats from intestine to muscles and other tissues that require fatty acids for energy. Cholesterol that is not used by the muscles remains in the form of chylomicron remnant which is later taken up by the liver through blood stream. VLDL molecules produced by the liver are loaded with triacylglycerol and cholesterol that are not needed by the liver for the production of bile acids. These molecules contain apolipoprotein B100 and apoplipoprotein E in their shells. During transport the blood vessels cleave and absorb triacylglycerol from IDL molecules that have high concentration of cholesterol. LDL molecules are the major carriers of cholesterol in the blood and each molecule contains about 1,500 cholesterol esters. The shell of LDL molecule contains only one molecule of apolipoprotein B100 that is recognized by the LDL receptors present on the peripheral tissues. During binding of apolipoprotein B100 many LDL receptors become localized in the clathrin-coated pits. Both LDL and its receptors are internalized by endocytosis to form a vesicle within the cell which then fuses with the lysosome containing lysosomal acid lipase that hydrolyzes cholesterol esters. At this stage cholesterol can be used for the biosynthesis of membrane and can be stored within the cell.

Synthesis of LDL receptor is regulated by SREBP protein. When the cell has sufficient amount of cholesterol, LDL receptor synthesis is blocked and no more molecules of cholesterol can enter inside the cell. When the cell is deficient in cholesterol more LDL receptors are formed. When this system is deregulated more LDL molecules without LDL receptors appear in the bloodstream especially near the peripheral tissues. These molecules are then oxidized and taken up by the macrophages forming foam cells and contributing in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of the arteries causing heart attack. HDL molecules participate in reverse cholesterol transport as they return cholesterol back to the liver for excretion. Cholesterol is susceptible to oxidation and can easily form oxysterols that are the oxygenated derivatives. Oxysterols can be generated through three mechanisms especially by autoxidation, secondary oxidation to lipid peroxidation and cholesterol metabolizing enzyme oxidation. Oxysterols also participate in bile acid biosynthesis, transport of different forms of cholesterol and regulation of gene transcription.

Cholesterol is oxidized by the liver into a variety of bile acids which are in turn conjugated with glycine, taurine, glucuronic acid. A mixture of both conjugated as well as non-conjugated bile acids along with cholesterol is excreted from the liver into bile. About 95% of the bile acids are reabsorbed from the intestines while rest is lost in faeces. The excretion and reabsorption of bile acids form the basis of enterohepatic circulation essential for digestion and absorption of the dietary fats. In certain circumstances, cholesterol crystallizes and forms gallstones especially in the gallbladder. Lecithin and bilirubin gallstones are also known to occur but their percentage is low. Everyday about 1 g of cholesterol is known to enter the colon which comes from diet, bile, desquamated intestinal cells and can be metabolized by the colonic bacteria. Cholesterol is mainly converted into coprostanol which is a nonabsorbable sterol excreted in faeces. A cholesterol reducing bacterium has also been isolated from human faeces. Some cholesterol derivatives are known to generate liquid crystalline cholesteric phase.

Dietary sources of cholesterol

Animal fats are complex mixtures of triglycerides having lower proportions of phospholipids and cholesterol. Major dietary sources of cholesterol include cheese, egg yolks, beef, pork, shrimp and poultry. Human breast milk also contains sufficient amounts of cholesterol. The amount cholesterol present in the plant sources is lesser when compared with the animal sources. Plant products like peanuts and flax seeds bear phytosterols which are cholesterol like compounds helping to lower serum cholesterol levels. The total fat intake especially in the form of saturated and trans fats play greater role in blood cholesterol rather than the intake of cholesterol itself. Saturated fats are abundantly present in the full fat dairy products, animal fats, chocolate and several types of oils.

Trans fats are obtained by the partial hydrogenation of unsaturated fats and do not occur in significant amounts in nature. They are present in good amounts in the margarine, hydrogenated vegetable fats and in many fast foods like snacks, fried or baked goods. Avoiding consumption of cholesterol rich animal products not only reduces the amount of cholesterol taken through the diet but also reduces the synthesis of cholesterol. Individuals interested to reduce their cholesterol levels through diet must consume less than 7% of their daily energy needs from the animal fats and fewer than 200 mg of cholesterol per day. It is debatable that reduced consumption of dietary fat and cholesterol can lower blood cholesterol levels because any declination in the dietary uptake of cholesterol is compensated by the organs involved in its synthesis so that the levels can be kept constant.

Foods that might cholesterol

Dietary fibers play a major role in maintaining our health as well as also protect us from a number of diseases like diabetes and heart diseases. Oats, oat bran and oat meal contain a special type of soluble fiber known as beta-glucan that helps in reducing the levels of LDL cholesterol. Oat fibers are different from other fibers in the manner that they reduce the levels of bad cholesterol while the levels of good cholesterol remain unchanged. So we can say that oat fibers help in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. Studies have also indicated that if individuals with high levels of HDL consume 3 g of soluble oat fiber per day the total cholesterol levels may be declined. Soy protein also protects against heart diseases and hypercholesterolemia as it reduces the bad cholesterol and raises the good cholesterol. It also prevents the oxidation of bad cholesterol so that it may not coagulate on the arterial walls.

Several studies have indicated that drinking of green or black teas also reduce the blood cholesterol concentration, blood pressure and inhibit blood clotting and also provide some protection against cardiovascular diseases. Green tea is rich in catechins while black tea contains flavins that inhibit oxidation of bad cholesterol. Tea also contains folic acid that helps in reducing the risk of heart attack and cancer. A person can get 25% of RDA for folic acid by drinking five cups of tea in a day. Several studies have indicated that barely has some unique health promoting effects especially for the heart. The cholesterol fighting efficiency of barley is more pronounced than that of oats. Studies have indicated that it can reduce up to 15% of total cholesterol levels in individuals with elevated cholesterol levels. Barley is also a rich source of beta-glucan which retards fat and cholesterol absorption by the intestines. The fiber is known to bind bile salts and thus, removes cholesterol from the body. Psyllium husk is also a rich source of soluble and insoluble fibers known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, serum cholesterol, LDL levels, triglycerides and apolipoprotein B. Psyllium husk is rich in a fiber known as beta-sitosterol.

Cholesterol testing and reducing high cholesterol

The American Heart Association recommends that the cholesterol levels of individuals above 20 years of age must be checked in every five years. A blood sample after 12-hour fasting is taken by the medical expert for the determination of the lipoprotein profile. This determines LDL, HDL, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Causes of high cholesterol may vary from person to person and are influenced by the lifestyle and gender of an individual. A number of steps can be taken in order to reduce high cholesterol levels for example loss of excessive body weight. Avoidance of consumption of foods derived from animal fats, regular physical activity and exercise can also help in maintaining low cholesterol levels. Levels of cholesterol in both males and females increase after a certain age and the levels in women tend to increase after menopause. Genes also play an important role in a person's health.

👉Natural Solutions For Lowering Your Blood Pressure⏳

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 20 Sep 2020 18:15:00 -0700

Lowering blood pressure is doable with natural remedies which are usually targeted at the source of the problem and have become far more popular now. We all have known that medicines would just mask the symptoms of high blood pressure, and not cure the source of the problem.

Natural remedies are far more ideal in society nowadays as they represent the new age cure, while drugs we take have sides effects which put additional stress on our health as well. Natural ways can be in many forms, such as relaxation and breathing exercises, healthier diet choices, and physical exercises which help to bring the overall health back to the normal state. There are also remedies made right out of your kitchen!

Here are 4 tips that can help with your high blood pressure:

1. Reduce the intake of salt and sugar as these can raise the blood pressure

2. Eat less red meat, instead eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.

3. Exercises are good for our bodies. Be active in your daily life activities and doing things that require movement than being stagnant.

4. Take products that have a beneficial effect on blood pressure. For example, taking extra virgin olive oil, dark chocolate, green tea, etc.

Certain concoctions made right from your kitchen are also known to help. There are many ways diet can help to treat health issues from the inside out.

Another useful method is meditation, it is very effective to aid relaxation and relaxes your mind which in turn helps to relieve stress.

These natural remedies definitely treat the underlying cause, and improve your health significantly! People who suffer related diseases such as diabetes and cholesterol also benefited from these remedies.

If you suffer from high blood pressure, it is dangerous to leave untreated as it will lead to a heart attack or stroke, which is a serious form of a health issue which most of the time is irreversible. Therefore, it is of serious consideration to address this issue early.

There are no disadvantages of having natural remedies to deal with any health issue, this will only strengthen your overall health being. Being healthy is the most important for anyone to enjoy life, without having to restrict oneself from doing anything. Who knows you will be adding years to your life!

The emphasis is on natural solutions, there are no secrets or whatsoever. There are so many people out there who have achieved their goals of being healthy again after following healthy ways of living. I believe you can do it too! There is hardly a limit in what a person can do once he set his mind on.

All these ways can help in lowering your blood pressure, you cannot just be taking your medications to lower your blood pressure without doing something to improve your general health. All work hand in hand to aid you in better health!

.👉Obesity And Overweight: Five Diseases And Health Conditionst😲

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 20 Sep 2020 17:53:00 -0700

A health care professional can readily tell if you are obese, overweight, or healthy by simply measuring your Body Mass Index, or BMI, in short. It effectively determines your weight in proportion to your height and the further it goes outside the scope of the standard range, the greater your odds are of developing a host of critical health issues from obesity and overweight

Accomplishing and sustaining a healthy weight is something that cannot be achieved overnight and might turn out to be a challenging task for obese and overweight individuals in the long-term. Ensuring a healthy weight through appropriate means or at least preventing yourself from gaining more weight can help overweight people reduce the likelihood of developing specific medical conditions.

Obesity is on the verge of becoming a national epidemic in the USA and is associated with several chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. The grave medical condition is responsible for an astounding 18% mortality rate in the age group of 40 to 85 among the American population, as observed by a health research study carried out in 2013, questioning the deeply-rooted, prevailing notion of the medical and scientific community that a mere 5 in every 100 deaths in the country are related to obesity. The new finding essentially suggests that it is as fatal as cigarette smoking, when it comes to the discussion of public health hazards, as the particular way of nicotine consumption can be linked to 20 in every 100 deaths in the USA and is acknowledged as the major preventable cause of mortality in the country.

Almost 2 in every 5 American adults were diagnosed with obesity in 2015-16, which is a significant increase from 34% in 2007-08, and its impact became more profound with a steep increase from 5.7% to 7.7% during that time. While not a single state reported an obesity rate of over 15% in 1985, as many as 5 of them registered rates higher than 35% for the year 2016.

Obesity and overweight are often associated with emotional health issues like depression. People who are either obese or overweight may also experience weight bias as well as face the stigma of the medical care services providers and others, which, in turn, can result in guilt, feeling of rejection, or shame, further worsening the prevailing problems concerning one's mental well-being.

The major diseases and health complications caused by obesity and overweight are illustrated below in brief.

I. TYPE 2 DIABETES

When the blood glucose concentration becomes abnormally high on a permanent basis, the particular medical condition is termed as type 2 diabetes. About 4 in every 5 individuals with the said form of diabetes are known to be either obese or overweight. High blood sugar levels can manifest a large number of medical conditions, such as stroke, heart conditions, eye issues, neuropathic damage, eye problems, and other health issues.

Allowing yourself to engage in periodic physical activities and reducing 5% to 7% of your weight may prevent or postpone type 2 diabetes onset in the event you belong to the risk group for the particular disease.

II. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

When the blood passes through the blood vessels in your body with significantly more force, the particular medical condition is known as hypertension, or more commonly, high blood pressure. It can cause an alarmingly great level of damage to your blood vessels, strain your heart, and help increase the odds of stroke, kidney disease, heart attack, and even death.

III. HEART DISEASE

The umbrella term heart disease is routinely used to indicate a wide and diverse gamut of medical conditions that can affect the overall well-being of the organ. If you are diagnosed with heart disease, you are at a greater risk of having heart failure, sudden cardiac death, angina, heart attack, or a heart rhythm that is not considered normal. Elevated fat levels in your bloodstream, high blood sugar concentrations, and high blood pressure may increase the odds of heart disease. Blood lipids or blood fats necessarily refer to triglycerides, High-Density Lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol, and Low-Density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol. Reducing 5% to 10% of your body mass is likely to help you mitigate the risks of developing heart disease and can help improve your blood flow, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure.

IV. STROKE

If there is a blockage or an incidence of blood vessel rupture in your neck or brain, it causes the blood supply in your brain to restrain all of a sudden, and the particular medical condition is known as a stroke. A stroke can cause reversible or irreversible damage to your brain, resulting in partial or complete paralysis and thus, making you incapable of speaking or initiating body movements. To suffice, hypertension is recognized as being the vital cause of strokes.

V. SLEEP APNEA

Sleep apnea is a medical condition when an individual does not breathe frequently and is pretty much common in a large number of people around the globe. One may also cease breathing altogether for small intervals. If the said sleeping disorder continues to remain undiagnosed and untreated, it may increase the odds of other critical health issues, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.