Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance present in every cell of the body. It is essential for the production of vitamin D, hormones, and other chemicals in the body that aid in digestion. Cholesterol is carried throughout the body by low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). For a healthy person, it is important to maintain a healthy balance between the LDL and HDL levels. LDL is also called bad cholesterol while HDL is called good cholesterol. The accumulation of LDL is considered unhealthy as it leads to accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries, blocking them. This, in turn, can lead to severe health conditions like heart attack, strokes, and other ailments like coronary artery disease. The increased level of HDL is considered good as they take cholesterol from other parts of the body to the liver, which removes it from the body. High cholesterol levels in the blood lead to the formation of plaque, which is made up of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. This narrows the arteries and blocks oxygen-rich blood to reach the heart. This can cause heart attack and other severe health issues. How to reduce cholesterol levels Reducing cholesterol levels require a holistic approach, including healthy food, medication, and healthy lifestyle choices. Following are some of the ways which can help you reduce the cholesterol levels in the body. Eating healthy food Cholesterol can cause multiple health issues such as heart diseases, strokes, and heart attack. While medications can help in reducing the LDL cholesterol levels in the body, making healthy food choices can help the medicines work more effectively. For those who are looking to reduce dependence on medication, including healthy food in your diet is very important. Following is a list of some ‘cholesterol busters’ which can help you reduce cholesterol levels and some foods to avoid, which increases the LDL levels.

Alcoholism is the severe dependency and inability to control on consumption of alcohol by an individual. This type of addiction is irrespective of legal and health issues. Alcohol rehabilitation program provides services and recovery treatments to people who are addicted to alcohol. The addiction could be to the point that they might start experiencing health deterioration due to overconsumption of alcohol and withdrawal symptoms on quitting alcohol even for a brief period of time. Goals of an alcohol rehabilitation program The first and foremost important goal of an alcohol rehabilitation program is to end alcohol abuse. It can be achieved by making gradual psychological, personal and interpersonal changes that can help you remain abstinent from alcohol. The rehabilitation program also aims to improve overall health and explain the benefits of sobriety, aiming to reduce future health risks. Being addicted to alcohol comes with its set of psychiatric disorders and psychological problems. This is because the person has been addicted to alcohol for a significant amount of time. This could be because of an underlying psychological trauma and psychiatric disorder that might have stemmed from the previous physical or mental abuse. The program also aims to make the person completely addiction-free and integrate back into the society. These programs help the rehabilitees and former alcoholics to meet educational and employment needs. They also help them resolve legal issues that they might have had before rehabilitation. How does an alcoholic rehabilitation program work? Alcohol rehabilitation program works on the idea of keeping the person under observation until they are free from addiction. As it has been mentioned in the previous section that, a person addicted to alcohol might be due to an underlying condition, there is a high possibility that the person might quit the program and resume to their old routine.

When you feel dehydrated, you may often find yourself reaching out for a soda can from your refrigerator. Or you may prefer to drink flavored water or packaged fruit juice. Although these drinks might quench your thirst, they are not fit for your body. Carbonated beverages, packaged fruits juices, and flavored water contain artificial sweeteners, caffeine, synthetic flavors, and other chemicals that can harm your health in the long run. So the next time you want to hydrate yourself or if you are craving a delicious drink, pick a natural and healthy juice or beverage. It’s quite easy to make these healthy drinks at home with seasonal fruits and vegetables. You will have a lot of options such as watermelon juice, aloe vera juice, or any mixed fruit mocktail. These are some of the most healthy drinks that will not only quench your thirst but also replenish your body by providing essential nutrients. Cranberry juice : Vibrant looking cranberries are commonly used during the festive season to make stuffing, sauces, and food decorations. It is loaded with antioxidants and has antibacterial properties too. These help in fighting age-related diseases such as diabetes and heart problems. Drinking cranberry juice is known to be effective in treating urinary tract infection. It also promotes a healthy digestive system. For women, cranberry juice can help to alleviate the symptoms of menopause. Cranberry juice has an astringent quality. Hence, it is often mixed with other fruit juices or added to smoothies. Although it one of the most healthy drinks, cranberry juice is high in acidic content. Hence, people with acidity problems should avoid it. Children are also advised to drink only a limited amount of cranberry juice. People who take certain medications such as antibiotics, blood pressure medicines, and blood-thinning medicines are also advised against drinking cranberry juice as they could face adverse reactions and side-effects.

Though progress in medical science has eradicated several life-threatening diseases, there are some ailments that cannot be cured entirely. Such chronic ailments cannot be treated, but there are innovative ways of bringing it under control and successfully coexisting with the said condition. One such chronic condition that alters an individual’s life is diabetes mellitus. This condition is a group of metabolic diseases that bring about dramatic changes in an individual’s blood sugar levels, either due to the inadequate production of insulin or because their body’s cells do not respond favorably to insulin. About 100 million people in the country are affected by diabetes or are in the prediabetes stage. Poor eating habits or one’s genetic predisposition make an individual more susceptible to developing diabetes at any stage of their lives. Though diabetes is a distressing health condition, with the right diabetes medication like metformin, insulin injections, and glyburide, a balanced diet, and regular exercise regime, you can bring the ailment under control. Moreover, there are medications to keep the complications associated with diabetes like heart problems or foot complications in check. In combination, all of these factors will ensure that you control this ailment’s progression. However, at times, even these medications and lifestyle choices aren’t enough to bring the elevated blood sugar levels in control or to stabilize its levels. At this point, your doctor might add Ozempic® (Semaglutide) to your diabetes medications. Ozempic® is a glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist which is engineered for people with type 2 diabetes as glucagon and insulin are the hormones that work in unison to bring the blood sugar levels under control, but in opposing ways. This glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist works by helping the body produce more insulin on its own. Ozempic® is available in the form of a prefilled pen and is administered subcutaneously.

A person with psoriasis must avoid all triggers. Doing so will manage the condition and avoid any unexpected flare-ups. Such triggers may include certain foods, so their complete removal from the food plan may help patients live discomfort-free lives. Also, as psoriasis is a chronic condition, its management becomes extremely difficult, but avoiding potential triggers may prevent the worsening of symptoms and flare-ups. Given below are food items that a person with psoriasis must avoid. Foods to avoid Patients with psoriasis and its accompanying symptoms should avoid food that can increase inflammation because immune system response and inflammation may lead to a flareup. Hence, here are some foods that a person with psoriasis must avoid. Eggs Eggs are considered harmful for people who have psoriasis. In this case, one factor that plays a significant role is the presence of a fatty acid known as arachidonic acid, a known trigger for psoriasis symptoms. Hence, patients are suggested to steer clear of eggs and avoid consuming them in any form. Wheat In most cases, celiac disease is characterized by an immune response to gluten. Research suggests that psoriasis patients have shown increased gluten sensitivity markers. Thus, cutting out all wheat-based products containing gluten is suggested, and opting for gluten-free alternatives such as buckwheat, quinoa, and rice is recommended. Tomatoes Popular belief suggests that nightshades such as tomatoes can trigger psoriasis flare-ups. Fruits and vegetables obtained from nightshade plants also contain solanine, which has been shown to hamper digestion and cause inflammation in the body. This may cause worsening of psoriasis symptoms and lead to increased discomfort to the patient.

Does your sleep often get disturbed by painful leg cramps at night? These cramps are a common problem experienced by many adults in the country. These ill-timed cramps usually affect the foot and the calf, although they can also cause pain in the hamstring. Although this is a widespread condition, its causes and remedies are far from certain. As you do your research, you will come across many different opinions and theories, but not all of them are true. This article will outline some common causes of leg cramps at night time. Failing to stretch certain muscles Our modern lifestyle is to blame for this. Although our ancestors spent most of their time squatting and walking, our contemporary lives have removed the need for such physical movements. We hardly do any activities that stretch the leg muscles and tendons. Moreover, our sedentary lifestyle decreases tendon and muscle length and reduces flexibility, which could lead to cramping. Sleeping in awkward positions Experts have also noticed that when you lie in bed with your face down, your foot is usually in a “plantar flexion” position. Your toe points are away from you, and this shortens calf muscles. If the foot stays in this position for a long time, even small movements of the feet could trigger a cramp. Consider sleeping on your side or in any other position that will keep your toes neutral. Multiple sclerosis Leg cramps at night may also be a symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) which is a nervous system disorder. People who have MS can experience spasticity which may include different types of involuntary muscle twitches and spasms, including leg cramps. Note that spasticity feels like a mild tingling or tightness in the muscles or severe cramping. Tough workouts Vigorous exercise routines are related to different muscle cramps.

Sinuses are the area in the forehead just in the center of the eyes and behind the cheekbones. They are hollow air spaces whose primary function is to make mucus. This mucus keeps the inner side of your nose moist, thus protecting you from pollutants, allergies dust, and more. Hence, sinuses are not the cause of any problem. The problem occurs when you have a cold or any other allergy, and your nose gets swollen. This swelling blocks the sinus passage of your nose, making you feel uncomfortable. You may also find yourself unable to drain the nose. If you have a blockage in the sinus area of your nose, your speech is also affected. Let’s have a look at some of the common causes and triggers that can lead to sinus problems. Viruses Usually, sinus infections start with a cold. When you have a cold, your nasal tissues gets swollen, blocking the holes that drain the sinuses which leads to breathing difficulties. In case a virus is the cause of your sinus infection, then antibiotics are not capable of curing it as these medicines only kill bacteria, and not viruses. One should wash their hands regularly and keep themselves away from any sinus-infected person. Most of the times, a decongestant will cure you in four to five days. Allergies Allergies are one of the most common causes of sinus problems. People with a sinus infection can develop allergies, thus leading to aggravated sinusitis. If you are prone to allergies, avoid things that lead to an allergic reaction like dust, cockroaches, and so on. Prescribed nasal sprays can reduce chronic inflammation in the nasal lining that accompanies an allergy. Bacteria In case your sinus infection or cold does not get better in ten to twelve days, you may have a bacterial infection.

MRSA is an infection caused by bacteria that are resistant to most common antibiotics. These skin infections can be painful and it can even lead to other complications if the bacteria enter the bloodstream. However, this condition can be treated, if identified quickly. Read on to find how to treat MRSA. What is MRSA? Staphylococcal Aureus is a bacteria that is part of the microflora in the human body. It is present in the respiratory tract, the nose, and the skin. MRSA or Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a form of the Staph aureus that has become highly resistant to many of the common antibiotics that are used in treating bacterial infections. If you have any cuts or abrasions on the skin, this bacteria can cause a skin infection which is also referred to as MRSA. MRSA can be a Healthcare-Acquired condition or Community Acquired. In HA-MRSA, people who are admitted to hospitals for surgery or other procedures like IV tubing are vulnerable to this condition. In community-acquired or CA-MRSA, the bacteria spread through contact, i.e skin to skin. Children at school, childcare workers, people who work in crowded environments can be at risk. However, this is not a cause for panic, because most people have this staph bacteria in their body without getting or causing an infection. In fact, CA-MRSA is much milder than HA-MRSA. According to recent data, both HA and CA MRSA are on the decline. But, it is still a common skin infection and is also one of the most common causes of infections in the bloodstream. MRSA can be treated with certain select antibiotics. Symptoms of MRSA Symptoms of MRSA are red bumps on the skin that are painful to touch. They may be swollen and filled with fluids that begin to leak out.

Gout is a form of arthritis which involves swelling, pain, and inflammation of joints. Most gout cases tend to affect knees, heels, fingers, wrists as well as the big toes. It is estimated that about 8.3 million citizens in the country face the problem of gout. Usually, the symptoms of gout occur when a person’s blood has excess uric acid in their body. This acid is a waste product the body makes while digesting certain foods. So, when the levels of uric acid are high, some crystals of it accumulate in the joints, triggering intense pain, swelling, and inflammation. Luckily, one can control this health problem with some lifestyle changes, effective gout diet plans, and medications. This article will review the best foods for gout including the foods you should exclude from your diet. Understanding how diet affects gout When you have gout, some food can trigger an attack by increasing the levels of uric acid in your body. Trigger foods are often high in purines, and when digested, the waste product formed is uric acid. Healthy people don’t have to worry about excess uric acid because their bodies can efficiently get rid of it. However, a person with gout cannot effectively remove excess uric acid, and this leads to a gout attack. Luckily, research has shown that taking the right medication and avoiding a high purine diet can prevent gout attacks. Best foods to include in your diet to fight gout Although an anti-gout diet eliminates most foods, there are a lot of low purine foods one can still enjoy. Low purine foods are the ones that have at least 100 mg of purines/100 grams (3.5 ounces). Here is a list of gout foods you should include in your diet. Vegetables: One can have most types of vegetables like mushrooms, peas, potatoes, dark green leafy vegetables, and eggplants.

Usually, people follow a routine skin care process that involves cleansing, sun protection, and moisturizing but forget to include exfoliation. An occasional skin facial includes an exfoliating process so that skin pores can easily be opened for cleaning. It will be incorrect of you to assume that a cleanser and moisturizer will do its work and you have provided enough nourishment to your skin by just that. Using a good exfoliating scrub is one of the best ways to start off a skin cleansing routine. There are so many best-seeming exfoliating face scrubs in the market that you may get confused at a glance. What does a face scrub do? In practical terms, a face scrub is helpful in removing the clogged pores and releasing dirt particles that settle down deep inside the open pores. It is not easy to remove the dirt from clogged pores by merely using a face wash. Exfoliation is a method by which the skin starts breathing again and allows oxygen to travel deep within. Dead skin occasionally sheds when facial scrubbing is performed. It prevents the formation of acne, reduces wrinkles and helps to maintain an even skin tone. In the online market on various websites, you can find many exfoliating face scrubs that are the best and can be used daily due to their affordable rates. Some face wash products include microbeads that help in exfoliation. How should you use a face scrub? You should use face scrub when skin exposure to harmful elements is the least. It means that when you are at home, and any outdoor activity not scheduled for 2 to 3 hours later, then skin treatment must accomplish. Here are some steps you should follow- First of all, wipe your face with a cleanser pad or a mild lotion to remove dirt from all over face.

Indigestion and bloating are two of the most commonly suffered disorders among humans. Both children and adults often complain of acute abdominal pain, gas development within the stomach, and discomfort or burning sensation in the throat or chest. These are the common symptoms of acid reflux. The disorder needs to be controlled to sustain a healthy digestive system and a healthy body. Acid reflux treatment may include medication in severe cases. However, in normal cases, a healthy lifestyle and good eating habits are generally enough to curb the problem to a large extent. What Is Acid Reflux? The entrance of the human stomach has a lining of muscles that form a valve. This valve is called the Lower Esophageal Sphincter or LES. It closes once the food enters the stomach. But, in case the valve is open for a longer period, the acids developed within the stomach to aid digestion may enter the LES and move up to the esophagus. It causes discomforts like burning sensation in the throat and chest. Though this is commonly known as heartburn, it is actually acid reflux. If a person suffers from acid reflux for more than two days per week, he or she might be suffering from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and must undergo proper acid reflux treatment. Patients who have acid reflux complain of uncomfortable burning sensation, frequent burping, bloating or a foul acid taste in their mouth. In severe cases, one may also experience bouts of vomiting, bloody or black stool, nausea, sudden weight loss, hiccups, and wheezing or a sore throat. Lifestyle Changes As Acid Reflux Treatment Many doctors prescribe medication like antacids and pills to reduce acid production in extremely critical cases. However, some suggest certain lifestyle changes that can help curb the problem and act as simple yet effective acid reflux treatment.

Bunions are a common condition among many people. You might have either experienced one or seen a foot that has a bunion. The medical term for bunion is hallux valgus. Bunions are formed when the bone or the tissue shifts out of place at the bottom joint of the big toe. This change is often a result of prolonged abnormal motion of the feet. One of the most common causes of bunions is wearing the wrong kind of footwear for years. Excessive pressure on the big toe joint forces it to bend away, thus causing a lump at the joint. This lump or bunion is often very painful and requires immediate attention. Are Your Shoes To Blame? Bunions are mostly the result of the kind of shoes you wear. Shoes significantly influence the way we walk and might cause excessive pressure on the toes. Stilettos are a common cause of bunions among women. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes. Avoid wearing stilettos every day or for prolonged hours as a precaution against bunions. It is a common condition among older women. Research suggests that women tend to develop bunions more often than men. If your joints are flexible, your foot joints may adapt to all kinds of shoes. But if you have stiff joints, you are vulnerable to getting bunions. Here are a few bunion treatments that are sure to help you. Bunion Pads, Splints, And Shoe Inserts Help If your bunion isn’t too painful, you might have developed it due to uncomfortable shoes. Switch to comfortable footwear immediately. Make sure that you wear shoes of the right fit and avoid high heels. Orthotic specialists often suggest bunion pads, splints, and shoe inserts for relieving one’s feet of a bunion. However, if you have been advised to use these, you must take care that they don’t put pressure elsewhere on your foot.