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Cholesterol – Its diagnosis and prevention

Cholesterol – Its diagnosis and prevention

Cholesterol is a substance found in the blood. It is waxy in texture and although it is required for building healthy cells, cholesterol in high quantities can increase the chances of heart diseases. This could also lead to cardiac arrest. The reason is that high cholesterol results in the formation of fatty acids in the body. When the deposits grow beyond a certain level, it gets difficult for the blood to flow easily through the arteries. The deposits can sometimes grow exponentially and break out, causing a heart attack.

Progression of high cholesterol

There are no defined stages of cholesterol building in the body. However, one can easily categorize the formation and increase of cholesterol in the body into different phases of progression.

The first stage is when a person has high cholesterol and does not know it. At this stage, the body does not react. At the next stage, the body begins to store extra cholesterol in the arteries, and blood flow will have some problems. The buildup of cholesterol in the arteries will result in plaque. Plaque gets denser and the arteries become narrower, making it more difficult for blood to pass through. In the last stage, the plaque bursts, thereby causing a heart stroke or attack.

Diagnosis of high cholesterol levels in the blood

Diagnosis of irregular cholesterol levels might not be easy, and by the time the symptoms show up, the levels may be way off. The only solution is to get checked every five years after the age of 20. A simple blood test is done to test cholesterol levels, which is known as a lipoprotein profile.

The blood test may be accompanied by a physical exam. The heart rate, blood pressure, and medical history may be discussed. Various treatment options may be discussed based on medical history, the risk for heart diseases, and lifestyle. The treatment may be medical or it may include a change in lifestyle habits.

Prevention of high cholesterol

While genetics is one of the causes of high cholesterol, more often than not the reason is unhealthy eating habits and little or no exercise. In order to ensure that the risk for high cholesterol is low, one must always eat healthy, work out regularly, and find time to meditate.

There are other ways to keep your cholesterol levels in check. Most of these are simple lifestyle checks that you should keep as part of your routine.

  • Understand the risks

If your family has a history of heart diseases or high cholesterol, you should be extra cautious and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

  • Understand the goals

Knowing the healthy cholesterol levels is extremely important to make sure that all steps are aligned in the right direction.

  • Diet control

Avoid any foods that have saturated fat and trans fat. Foods low in bad cholesterol include beans, whole grains, nuts, and vegetables.

  • Exercise

Exercising at least three to four times a week is essential.

  • Quit smoking

Smoking increases the risks to many health hazards, and high cholesterol is one of them.

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Understanding arthritis – A common joint condition

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1: At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2: The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected joints’ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3: At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4: This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression: Stage 1: Wear and tear may affect the knee joints, and minor spur growths on the affected bone can also be seen, but the condition does not cause too much pain at this stage. Stage 2: The bone spur growths increase and cause pain, and the knee joints become stiffer. Stage 3: This stage is characterized by joint inflammation leading to increased pain and stiffness. Walking can also cause popping sounds in the joints. Stage 4: The space between the bones in the joints becomes very narrow, causing the cartilage to wear down. Also, a chronic inflammatory response caused by the breakdown of cartilage aggravates discomfort and pain. Diagnosis of arthritis These joint conditions can be diagnosed using several tests. A physical examination reveals whether a patient has red, warm, and tender joints, and this test also helps examine the fluid around the joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the level of inflammation in the joints to determine the type of arthritis an individual is affected with. Also, blood tests are undertaken to check for antibodies like anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. In addition, X-ray, CT scans, and MRI are also performed to check the condition of the cartilage and bones. Prevention of arthritis A family history of joint conditions like arthritis or aging can increase one’s risk of developing arthritis, but making certain lifestyle changes can also help lower the chances of developing the condition. To start with, one should include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in their diet as these healthy fats are anti-inflammatory. One should also exercise regularly, keep their weight under check, reduce stress on their joints, and try to avoid injuries. Also, if one notices any symptoms of arthritis, they should consult a doctor immediately as early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the condition effectively through timely treatment.

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Cold, flu, cough, and virus – Stages, diagnosis, and prevention

Cold, flu, cough, and virus are often used together. It is for a simple reason that cold, cough, and seasonal flu are commonly caused by viruses. Cough, cold, runny nose, sore throat, etc., are common symptoms of infections caused by viruses. Seasonal flu also causes similar symptoms but it can lead to soreness in the muscles, fever, and headache. Different stagesCold is caused when a virus attacks the upper respiratory tract in the body, which affects the throat, sinuses, nose, and the voice box. There are more than 200 different types of viruses that can cause cold. The condition and its symptoms progress gradually. This pattern is usually followed in most cases. However, the stages and the timing can differ a little case-to-case. The different stages are:The incubation stage Once you have been exposed to the virus, the symptoms will take about one to three days to start showing up. In some cases, the symptoms can start showing as early as 12 hours.Symptoms start to show and peak The symptoms start peaking anywhere between day one and three. Common symptoms experienced include cough, sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, etc.Symptoms start to fade off The symptoms of cold last for about three to ten days. Once the symptoms have started showing up, it will take about two to three days for the mucus discharge from your nose to change its color to white, green, or yellow. After 10 daysSome lingering symptoms can last for about two weeks in some people. However, the intensity of these symptoms will not be as bad as the initial days.Diagnosis for cold, flu, cough, and virusMost people with a cold caused due to viruses get diagnosed with the infection through their symptoms. In case the doctor thinks that the patient has a bacterial or any other kind of infection, a chest X-ray might also be ordered. Some additional tests might also be ordered by the doctor to rule out other conditions before diagnosing the patient with flu infection.Although cold caused due to viral infection can be easily diagnosed, there are no medications to treat the condition. Some over-the-counter medications can be used to relieve the symptoms but the virus takes its time to go away.PreventionA few tips can help you protect yourself and others from catching a cold. These include the following:Stay away from people who are sick This is one of the most effective ways in which you can prevent yourself from getting exposed to the virus. If someone around you has been sick, try to maintain a physical distance from them.Cover your face and mouth while sneezing or coughing Whenever you are coughing and sneezing, make sure that you cover your face and mouth with a tissue. This will help other people around you to stay safe and not catch the virus.Wash your hands oftenMake sure that you clean your hands with water and soap regularly to safeguard yourself from germs. If these are not available, you can also use a hand sanitizer.

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Important things you should know about diabetes

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Stages, diagnosis, and prevention of ADHD

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