What you need to know about suffering from anxiety

What you need to know about suffering from anxiety

eople who suffer from anxiety suffer on both a psychological and physical level. The condition occurs when the body feels threatened that something is about to happen or will happen in the future.

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Has Gonorrhea Developed Resistance to Antibiotics?

Has Gonorrhea Developed Resistance to Antibiotics?

We’ve all been treated by antibiotics for one thing or another, but what antibiotics no longer worked as an effective cure?  This is currently the future we face with one of the most prominent sexually transmitted diseases, gonorrhea. 

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What you should know about COPD

What you should know about COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is often referred to as COPD. It is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs in the lungs. It causes the airflow from the lungs to become obstructed. Chronic

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America and the obesity epidemic

America and the obesity epidemic

Many Americans are eating more calories than they burn mainly because food is more convenient than ever before. It is very easily accessible, especially with the use of mobile apps these days. The majority of Americans also don't get much exercise.

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Diabetes snuck up on Robert Kardashian

Diabetes snuck up on Robert Kardashian

Rob Kardashian, 28-year-old reality television star seen on ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’, has been diagnosed with diabetes after being rushed to the hospital for feeling ill. This is news to him and the family, as they were unaware he was diabetic. As seen on the reality show, Rob has gained a significant amount of weight over the last few years and has been battling with depression. As a result, he has removed himself from the public eye and no longer appears on the show with his sisters and mother.

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What is Raynaud's Disease

What is Raynaud's Disease

Raynaud’s disease is a condition that causes some areas of your body to feel numb and cool in response to cold temperatures or stress.  This is caused by narrowing of the small arteries that supply blood to your skin, limiting blood circulation.  When exposed to cold temperature the blood supply is markedly reduced and the skin turns pale or white and becomes cold and numb.  When the oxygen supply is depleted, the skin color turns blue, something that is known as cyanosis. 

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What you should know about bladder stones

What you should know about bladder stones

Bladder stones are crystalline masses that are developed from the minerals and proteins found in urine. Bladder stones can start off very small but will vary in both their numbers and size. Bladder stones will begin when your bladder is unable to properly empty. Urine that is left in your bladder will stagnate and the proteins and minerals in the urine will begin to crystalize and form into bladder stones.

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What is dural sinus thrombosis

What is dural sinus thrombosis

Like every organ of our body, the brain has a system of draining veins by which oxygen-depleted blood is channeled back to the lungs, where it can once again be re-oxygenated.  This system of draining veins begins as a collection of small channels which fuse with one another as you move away from the brain to form larger and larger veins that finally gather between the brain and the skull bone to form what is called the "dural sinuses".  The dural sinuses are the largest canals through which blood flows out of the brain, on its way back to the lungs.

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Migraine Triggers vs. Symptoms

Migraine Triggers vs. Symptoms

A migraine headache can cause intense throbbing or pulsing in one area of the head and is commonly accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.  Migraine attacks can cause significant pain for hours to days and be so severe that all you can think about is finding a dark, quiet place to lie down.  Some migraines are preceded or accompanied by sensory warning symptoms (aura), such as flashes of light, blind spots or tingling in your arm or leg.  Medications can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.

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New report: 20% of American kids face higher risk of heart disease

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A new reports says that one in five, or about 20 percent, of American kids have unhealthy levels of cholesterol. Cholesterol levels are even worse for children who are obese as over 43 percent of obese kids have bad cholesterol levels. Among this group, teenagers have the worst cholesterol levels; 27 percent are aged 16 to 19 years old. Heart disease with artery clogging blockages can start as young as three years old.

About 21 percent of American children and teens have some form of “abnormal” cholesterol. And nearly 14 percent of kids have unhealthily low levels of “good” cholesterol. Cholesterol levels in children are mainly associated with diet, obesity, and heredity.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in the cells of our bodies. We naturally produce cholesterol because it makes other essential substances such as vitamin D or hormones. It also makes substances to help with digestion. However, cholesterol is also found in the food we consume such as poultry, meat, and dairy products. Consuming foods that are high in saturated and trans-fats makes our liver produce more cholesterol than we need. Too much cholesterol causes plaque to develop in the walls of the arteries. Increased cholesterol levels can eventually lead to serious health problems such as blood clots, stroke, or heart attack.

There are two types of cholesterol: good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. “Bad cholesterol” is also known as LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol create a buildup of plaque in the artery walls, which can cause the arteries to become blocked. This can result in atherosclerosis, blood clots, heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.

“Good” cholesterol is also known as HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. HDL cholesterol helps remove LDL cholesterol from the artery walls. Good levels of HDL cholesterol help protect us from heart attacks and strokes. However, a low HDL cholesterol levels may increase the risk of developing heart disease.

When should your child have their cholesterol levels checked? It is recommended that children start screening as early as age 2, but no later than age 10. If the fasting lipid profile is normal, they should be screened again in three to five years.

For kids who are overweight or obese and who have a high blood-fat level or low level of "good" HDL cholesterol, the first form of treatment is to lose weight. This can be done by eating a healthier diet, getting more physical exercise, and often times getting nutritional counseling.

Tips for children to improve cholesterol levels

·       Exercise regularly. Regular aerobic exercise, such as running, biking, and swimming, can help raise HDL levels which lowers the risk for heart disease.

·       Eat a healthy diet. Eat foods low in total fat, saturated fat, trans-fat, and cholesterol. Make sure to eat a variety of foods in order to get all the essential nutrients.

 

What is Pharyngitis?

What is Pharyngitis?

Pharyngitis is caused by swelling in the back of the throat between the tonsils and the larynx. It most often occurs during cold and flu seasons when viral infections are prevalent. It usually spreads between people by breathing in bacteria or viruses that are spread in the air, or by touching surfaces or objects that have been exposed with germs.

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What is a Diuretic

What is a Diuretic

Diuretics, or water pills, can help your body shed excess fluid through your kidneys. This class of medications are typically prescribed to treat high blood pressure, fluid buildup within the body due to heart failure, fluid buildup in the abdomen because of liver damage, or the eye condition glaucoma.  Some other reasons your doctor may prescribe water pills is polycystic ovarian syndrome, kidney stones, diabetes insipidus and osteoporosis.

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Learning About Diverticulitis

Learning About Diverticulitis

Eating an unbalanced diet can have more complications than just looking a bit overweight.  Individuals on low-fiber diets are more prone to constipation, which can cause increased colon pressure during a bowel movement and may lead to weakening of the colon wall and eventually diverticula. Food can back up into the diverticula, or pouches in the colon, and bacteria can begin to thrive there leading to infection.  When these pockets, or diverticula, in the wall of the colon become inflamed or infected, this is specific type of diverticular infection called diverticulitis.  Although most people with diverticula in their colon will never develop diverticulitis, it is more common in people as they grow older and symptoms should not be overlooked as surgery may be necessary for proper treatment. Let’s see how diverticulitis can present itself, and what everyone should look out for.

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What is Ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects as many as 700,000 Americans. The condition is known to cause ulcers and inflammation in the digestive tract. The part of the digestive tract that is affected in the innermost lining of the colon and rectum. The condition can lead to a debilitating lifestyle and may even be life-threatening. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for ulcerative colitis. However, there are treatment options that can relieve symptoms and allow for long-term remission.

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Reasons why your blood sugar changes

Reasons why your blood sugar changes

Stress can take a toll on your blood sugar levels. The most common type of stress is often associated with work. When you are feeling overwhelmed and under a lot of stress, your body releases hormones that can make your increase your blood sugar. This is more common in people with type 2 diabetes. To de-stress, learn how to relax and practice deep breathing. Exercise can help too. Also, try to eliminate some of the things that are making you so stressed out.  

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