Sterols are naturally occurring fats in the human body and cholesterol is the main sterol. There are two primary sources of cholesterol in our body. The liver is the leading producer of cholesterol. The human body requires a certain level of cholesterol for normal functioning. But excess cholesterol, in addition to other fatty substances, can cause the formation of plaque which then adheres to the walls of arteries. With the increase in plaque buildup, the blood and oxygen flow in the arteries is bound to reduce. Sometimes the plaque ruptures, causing a blood clot to form. If this blood clot is big enough, it would completely block the artery. This is the primary cause of heart attacks and strokes. To know if you have ideal cholesterol levels, you must first understand that a cholesterol indicator test indicates four numbers. Total Cholesterol LDL (Low-Density Lipoproteins) HDL (High- Density Lipoproteins) Triglycerides Since fat is insoluble in water, it cannot circulate throughout the body. The human body has found a way to produce water-soluble fat and transport it. These are Lipoproteins. This is the form in which most of the fat exists in the human body. A higher risk of coronary heart disease has been linked to higher levels of Triglycerides.Therefore your ideal cholesterol level is actually a measure of whether these specific lipoproteins are within the required range. The Yin & Yang of cholesterol LDL & HDL are the two fundamental cholesterol types. Their numbers define their presence and one ought to know more about them before deciding if or not you have the ideal cholesterol levels. LDL (Low-Density Lipoproteins) LDL tends to build up against your arterial walls and thus leads to a blockage and heart diseases. They are therefore referred to as the “bad cholesterol”. The lower the LDL levels, the lower is the risk.

Pain is a sensation of extreme discomfort in a particular region of the body. It is your body’s early warning system protecting you from the possible ailment you could suffer from. In a situation where you can’t feel pain, that is, in fact, an indicator of numbness which could further worsen the condition. The tolerance towards pain varies from one person to another. Hence, medications work for some, while they don’t work for others. Opium-based drugs known as opioids that include fentanyl and even oxycodone are the reason behind an addiction epidemic in the US and thus are highly disapproved by doctors and even patients. Thus, there has been a need for new pain medications to be available on the market that isn’t harmful. The abuse of these opioids has resulted in thousands of overdose deaths in the US every year. These drugs can cause motor impairment and respiratory depression. Patients also build up an increased tolerance over time, therefore increasing the risk of overdose or abuse. Below is a list of some new pain medications with the painkilling power of the infamous opioids but without some of the dangerous side effects, it brings along: Oliceridine A new pain medication opioid, Oliceridine, is currently in its final stages of experimentation with human trials and is being executed by Trevena. Advantages: Research shows that it relieves pain similarly to morphine It comes without the side effects that morphine brings along, such as constipation and respiratory depression Patients are less likely to build a tolerance towards it, unlike in the case of morphine Lesser risk of overdose. Drawbacks: As addictive as morphine Can be used in hospital environments only Scientists claim that research indicates this drug to be much safer to use than morphine. FDA recently gave Oliceridine a breakthrough therapy designation, which is only granted to drugs with a significant clinical improvement as compared to other available therapies.

Do you often wake up with painful heels? Experiencing difficulty while walking due to heel pain? Heel pain is one of the most common bone problems experienced by men and women. Yet, it does not have any serious health threat. In most of the cases, the pain gets healed on its own, while some may need medication to cure the condition. However, in some rare cases, pain becomes severe and patients complaining of getting restricted mobility from this. There are several causes for heel pain. While some suffer from it due to standing for prolong period of time, others may get it after some exercise. Diabetes or faulty shoes can also lead to heel pain. Heel pain treatment is easily available with doctors. Yet, you can also apply home remedies to heal the condition. You can get remedies depending on the cause as well. Apply ice-pack- This is one of the proven home remedies for the heel pain treatment. It not just reduces the pain but also helps in controlling the puffiness that often makes walking difficult. To relieve the pain, you can apply ice pack three to four times a day. Yet, the duration for applying ice-pack should not be more than ten minutes as it can make adverse effect on the epidermis and nerves. Also make sure that you are not applying ice directly on your skin. Cold and hot water treatment- Many people have been able to relieve foot pain, especially heel pain by applying cold and hot water treatment. Take hot and cold water in different vessels. Dip your affected feet once in hot water and then in the cold one. Do this for ten minutes or so. While the cold water will check the inflammation, hot water will help in reducing the pain by maintaining proper blood circulation in the nerves.

Pimples can pop out of nowhere. This can be a cause for concern, especially if you have planned something big on that day. However, all is not that bad and with many best acne treatments available, getting rid of this problem is now fairly easy. Below we list some of the best acne treatments which will help you move out with confidence. Use an oil-free face wash Oil and bacteria normally cause acne and you will have to keep these away to let pimples to pop out. This can be done by using an oil-free face wash on a regular basis. Such oil-free face wash consists of salicylic acid and thus help in getting rid of excess oil. Salicylic acid is considered to be antibacterial and is known to exfoliate the dead skin cells which otherwise clogs away the pores. It aids and is one of the best acne treatments. Using a facial brush Degreasing the skin also helps in reducing the oil content of the same. This can effectively be done with the help of handheld facial brushes. This technique helps in leaving less oil and bacteria on the skin and thus prevents the development of acne. These facial brushes consist of rotating brush heads and help in loosening the clogged pores. It is essential and one of the best acne treatments. Using oil-free SPF An oil-free SPF should be used on a regular basis as oil always leads to clogging of skin pores as the use of scented products can always irritate the skin. When you use oil-free SPF on a regular basis, this will help in keeping the clogged pores under check. Effective transmission of air will keep the skin pores open and thus will keep your skin cells healthy. Apply the right kind of foundation Foundation can also be used to keep the oil cells from getting overactive and thus forming up acne on your face.

Foot pain is a common problem. This could be due to standing for the complete day, lifestyle choices or some medical problems. Foot pain may occur on the heels, toes, arches, and soles. It causes discomfort to the sufferer. The foot ache can be low, mild and severe. Some pain lasts for short time while others may be chronic. The common causes of foot pain are: Lifestyle Wearing improper shoes can cause discomfort. High heels and tight shoes exert pressure on the toes. Intense exercises, sports, and jogging can also cause foot injury and pain. Medical Reasons Certain medical problems such as diabetes and feet disorders aggravate the foot pain. Arthritis is another big reason for foot pain. Other foot implications such as damaged foot nerves, foot ulcers, hardened foot arteries and sores cause enormous foot pain. People who are obese are prone to foot pain. Foot injuries such as tendinitis, sprain and fractures are other causes of foot pain. Pregnant ladies are more susceptible to foot aches. Warts, ingrown toenails, corns and athlete’s foot are the potential causes of foot ache. Hammertoes, joint pain, calluses and fallen arches could be the probable causes of foot pain. Medical treatment and home remedies for foot pain can cure it. Initially, it is to use herbal remedies for foot pain. Here are some of the best herbal remedies for foot pain: Vinegar Vinegar reduces the inflammation. It is an excellent remedy for foot pain caused by strains and sprains. Take two tablespoons of vinegar and put them in a bucket of hot water. Dip your feet in the water for twenty minutes. Do this twice or thrice every day. Ice Ice numbs the affected foot and relieves pain. Place ice cubes on the aching foot and rub it in circular motions. The coldness numbs the paining nerves and reduces inflammation.

Ticks are found in the outdoors, living in grass, leaf piles and shrubs. They have a strong affinity for humans and their pets and easily migrate from one to the other. While these bugs may seem tiny and harmless, in reality, they literally suck your blood for sustenance. Ticks attach themselves to the victim and bite, drawing blood till their appetite is sated, growing in size, sometimes as big as a marble. Tick bites are mostly harmless, but some tick bites can cause allergic reactions and even more serious diseases, both in humans and their pets. A rash from tick bites is a major symptom of a more serious reaction. While a rash from tick bites can cause irritation, itching and a burning sensation on the affected skin, it’s often an indicator of a more serious, harmful disease’s onset. Below, we’ve mentioned some of the other consequences and diseases that a tick bite can leave you with. If you experience a rash from tick bites, keep an eye out for these diseases. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) RMSF is the most serious of all tick-borne diseases. It’s more common in the south-eastern parts of the United States. It is not contagious, but it can pass through ticks bites, from humans to their pets, and vice-versa. The symptoms appear between 2 to 14 days after the bite, and include: High fever persisting for 2 to 3 weeks Chills Fatigue Abdominal pain Nausea Muscle aches A headache The characteristic feature of Rocky Mountain spotted fever is the rash from the tick bite. The rash comprises of small red spots on the palms, ankles, wrists, and soles. The rash starts 2 to 5 days after the bite and spreads across the torso. This is usually coupled with a high fever. After a week of the infection, a second rash can develop from the tick bite.

Contrary to the previous belief that it is rare to develop both rheumatoid arthritis and gout, in recent years, it is observed that rheumatoid arthritis patients are at high risk of developing gout in the near future. Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is an autoimmune disease where the joints in your body suffer from chronic joint pain, swelling and stiffness. Gout is another type of arthritis where the uric acid level in a person’s body is alarmingly high, leading to the formation of uric acid crystals that cause joint pain and stiffness. Both the diseases are inflammatory diseases, and many times it is difficult for the doctors to deduce which type of arthritis you are suffering from. Also, men are more likely to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and gout together than women. Is it Gout or RA? Diagnosing the illness at the initial stage is very important. Though both the conditions have similar signs and symptoms, if you look carefully you can make out the difference. Here are some signs that differentiate the two: In most of the cases, gout occurs in the base of the big toe. Common areas that get affected by RA are the joints of your wrist and hands. You will always experience redness, swelling, and inflammation of joints when you are suffering from gouty arthritis symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis is painful, but it is not always followed by swelling and reddening of the affected area. In this article, you will learn about some common rheumatoid arthritis and gouty foot pain treatments. Treatment for Gout About 4 % of the population suffer from gout at some point in their life. This makes gout one of the most common types of arthritis that people suffer from today. There are two types of medication for gout foot pain, short-term medication, and long-term medication.

Arthritis is a painful condition that causes inflammation of the joints. The term arthritis covers a broad spectrum of rheumatic diseases and conditions, that affect the joints. There are over 200 types of arthritis, classified into seven main groups. The main groups under which the various types of arthritis are classified are: Mechanical or degenerative arthritis Inflammatory arthritis Soft tissue musculoskeletal pain Back pain Infectious arthritis Connective tissue arthritis Metabolic arthritis Causes of arthritis While it is not possible to pinpoint any single cause, a combination of any of the following can lead to arthritis. Family history can lead to osteoarthritis Immune dysfunction can lead to Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus Abnormal metabolism can lead to gout and pseudogout Any injury to the musculoskeletal system can lead to degenerative arthritis Any infections can lead to arthritis as in Lyme’s disease Arthritis pain symptoms There are symptoms that precede, before a completely developed arthritis. Arthritis is a progressive condition, and the severity of symptoms increase over a period of time. In some cases, the pain is persistent, while in others, the pain is on and off. Also, the symptoms vary depending on the type of arthritis. There are certain arthritis pain symptoms that are experienced by a majority of patients. There are four key warning signs of arthritis. Joint pain The earliest symptom of arthritis is joint pain. Arthritis can affect the joints in the neck, shoulders, elbows, knees, wrist, hips and ankles. The pain can be continuous or intermittent. It can be isolated to one place or the pain can be felt in all parts of the body. Joint stiffness Some types of arthritis display a typical symptom—joint stiffness. Joints get stiff after waking up in the morning, after sitting for a long time at the work desk, or in the car.

Various studies clearly reveal that around 40 % of the people have a magnesium deficiency. When you are not consuming an adequate amount of magnesium, you become highly prone to health issues and diseases such as depression, musculoskeletal disorders, diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Magnesium plays a big role in your body The best magnesium supplements, such as magnesium malate and magnesium glycinate, are capable of addressing this deficiency. You can purchase some of the best magnesium supplements easily from the market or over the counter. Various circumstances lead to this deficiency, and they include Candida parasites, shifting gut bacteria and poor diet. Magnesium has a vital role to play in controlling several important processes inside your body. You can also make use of diets rich in magnesium foods, such as spinach, to increase the levels of magnesium in your body. Different types of magnesium supplements You can find different types of some of the best magnesium supplements and each one has its own absorption rates and therapeutic properties. Glycinate It can be described as a very well absorbed supplement and is one of the best magnesium supplements available. This one offers a relaxing effect on your body. Magnesium glycinate is an excellent choice for nerve pain or leaky gut. Stress can lead to a magnesium deficiency, but you can easily improve the levels of magnesium with the help of this supplement. Sulfate Sulfate, also known as Epsom salt, is highly beneficial for aching and sore muscle and can also be used for detoxifying the body. Since it is not a well absorbed one, you have to be very careful about the dosage. You can purchase sulfate over the counter and the cost of this supplement is on the lower side. This type of magnesium is extensively utilized as a laxative, and you must avoid the consumption of this supplement if you are suffering from sulfur allergies.

Seeking help for addiction is one of the best choices an individual can make. While it is an important decision that can change one’s life for good, getting the right kind of assistance can get tricky. Some of the deciding factors that one should consider while seeking rehab assistance include distance, support, flexibility, and cost. It is a fact that severe substance addiction is best treated in an inpatient residential program that can help effectively manage addiction, detoxification, and withdrawal. However, those struggling with mild substance abuse can get adequate treatment in a reputed outpatient rehabilitation center. Individuals who have a strong will, are committed, and have a disciplined approach often succeed in giving up their habit with the help of outpatient rehabilitation centers. An outdoor rehabilitation program is, therefore, an ideal alternative for those determined and motivated enough to put an end to their addiction. Such rehab programs give individuals the liberty to participate in the program in a way that can work around their schedules. Most outdoor rehabilitation centers schedule their programs at different times throughout the week to offer alcohol and drug treatment sessions to those motivated to quit. Several individuals in the early stages of addiction, therefore, prefer outdoor centers to residential ones as it allows them the flexibility to carry on their routine duties while seeking timely counseling and medication. What’s more, outpatient drug rehabs are relatively less restrictive and successfully help disseminate drug abuse awareness, addiction education, individual counseling sessions, and group sitting with the interested candidates. Most outpatient drug treatments last either for three to six months or longer. It has been observed that an average outpatient detox period usually lasts for about 6.5 months. This is a safer, more effective, and less time-consuming rehabilitation program. Once an individual enrolls for outdoor rehabilitation, she/he is required to visit the rehab facility for mental and physical examination.

In today’s fast-paced life, finding time for yourself can be quite challenging. The sedentary lifestyle coupled with unhealthy eating habits can add a few extra pounds here and there. Being overweight can open the floodgates to a variety of illnesses that can be life-threatening in certain cases. Once people get a health scare, they try to mend their ways by eating right and exercising. Adhering to a diet for the three major meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — isn’t a herculean task. What tests one’s conviction to lose weight and eat healthy are the snack times where our minds involuntarily wander to the hot dog stall outside the office or to the fries and burgers that are just a click away. These food items have an incredible way of enticing our taste buds, which is why we often deter from consuming something as bland as a salad. Instead of giving in to your whims and wasting the hours you toiled hard in the gym, you can satisfy your palate and continue on your weight loss journey by trying these easy healthy snack ideas to keep you full in between meals. Hard-boiled eggs and avocado bowl Eggs are a powerhouse of all essential nutrients you need to lose weight and stay healthy at the same time. What makes it easier for you to try this easy healthy snack idea is that it is extremely simple to make and it will keep your tummy full for longer. To prepare this easy healthy snack idea, you will need two hard-boiled eggs, half avocado, red onion, red bell pepper, sea salt, and ground pepper. Combine the eggs, avocado, onion, and bell pepper in a bowl, and sprinkle sea salt and ground pepper on it. Mix it well, and munch away. Creamy apple and cinnamon smoothie Smoothies are an amazing way of appeasing your taste buds and eating healthy at the same time.

The path to a healthy and energetic life is known to all but very few can follow all the “rules” of consuming a balanced diet, regular physical exercise and sleeping properly. If you are worried about feeling a lack of energy throughout the day and feel drowsy even after a good night’s sleep, chances are that you have vitamin deficiency in your body, which can be fulfilled by none other than the vitamins for energy. Ensure that your diet also contains magnesium, folic acid, omega 3 fatty acid, amino acid etc to make it a truly healthy meal. Vitamin A (Retinol) As the name suggests, Vitamin A enhances the activity of retina or eye health. Animal liver, fish oil, eggs, milk, orange or yellow vegetables like carrot, papaya, tomato and pumpkin and fruits like apple and citrus are rich in Vitamin A. It keeps the central nervous system and immune system working properly so that your energy levels are boosted up. Being a powerful antioxidant, it fights radical damage to stop premature aging and keeps you young. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Legumes like beans and peas, yeast, beef, pork, fish, liver, seeds, eggs, milk, asparagus, oats, nuts, and oranges are rich in Vitamin B1. You can also consume cereals, bread, flour, rice, and pasta to fulfill the deficiency of this Vitamin. It is one of the most important vitamins for energy as it breaks down carbohydrate for converting into energy. It keeps your blood sugar level normal and supports proper functioning of the major organs of the body including the brain. Thiamine also keeps the cardiovascular health normal so that your body gets proper blood flow to keep you energetic throughout the day. Vitamin B3 (Niacin) Fish; especially tuna, chicken, turkey, liver, and avocado are the commonest sources of B3. Mushrooms, peanuts, green peas, and sunflower seeds also contain this vitamin.