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.

Pain is not always a bad thing. Sometimes, it has a purpose — it alerts us if there’s something wrong with our body that needs attention. However, for a lot of people, it can linger for weeks and sometimes even months, leading to unnecessary suffering that worsens the quality of life. Chronic pain affects a lot of people around the world, and this pain makes it impossible for a person to work or even enjoy their personal lives. However, one can get relief from chronic pain by following some simple everyday precautions. Any pain is categorized as chronic if it stays longer than three months and does not respond to treatment. It is as if the body continues to send pain signals to the brain, even though the original source is gone. Sometimes, the pain is related to conditions like sprains, arthritis, or other elusive reasons. What are the treatment options for chronic pain? The main problem with chronic pain is that the doctors don’t understand it completely, but they do know that one treatment method doesn’t work for all patients. So, to provide relief from chronic pain, they have to try out several remedies. Some patients prefer taking medications to numb the pain, while others favor holistic or natural methods to alleviate the pain. This article lists several techniques that will help you reduce and control chronic pain without opting for invasive procedures. Feel free to read all the methods that will help you get relief from chronic pain, and choose one that is the best fit for your lifestyle. Physical therapy and occupational therapy: These two branches of healing are one of the biggest allies in your battle with chronic pain. Physical therapists, on the one hand, will help you improve your mobility and strength by guiding you through a range of exercises.

The hemorrhoid is a common disease that affects the masses at large. Every three out of four people suffer from hemorrhoids at some point in time in their lives. The disease is not fatal and may or may not come with symptoms. The symptoms of hemorrhoids include a feeling of discomfort, bleeding, and itching. The disease is also referred to as piles and is categorized by the swelling of the veins in the lower rectum and the anus. Of the many causes of hemorrhoids, increased pressure on these veins, or strain during bowel movement is quite common and may lead to the onset of the disease. It develops under the skin inside the anus, and around it. While there are several causes of hemorrhoids, its cause is often unknown to individuals. You must visit a doctor if you are suffering from the symptoms of the disease. Here are a few of the most common causes, symptoms, and treatment methods of the disease. Causes of Hemorrhoids There are several causes of hemorrhoids. Swollen veins around the anus and within it can develop from increased pressure in the lower rectum. The veins tend to strain and stretch under this pressure and well up. Hemorrhoids may also be a result of age. With age, the veins in the anus and the rectum weaken and stretch. Here are a few of the most common causes of hemorrhoids. Higher risk of contracting the disease if you strain during bowel movements Sitting for long periods of time on the toilet may result in the onset of the disease as well Chronic constipation and diarrhea also lead to the disease Obesity too is a cause of the disease Pregnancy may lead to the disease as well Maintaining a low fiber diet may result in the disease as well.

All You Need to Know about Eczema Eczema is a skin condition that is characterized by patches of skin that become inflamed, rough, itchy, cracked, and red. Sometimes, even leading to blisters. Different stages and types of eczema affect almost 31.6% of people in the country. The word “eczema” is also used to specifically talk about “atopic dermatitis”, which is the most common type of eczema. Types Eczema has many types. These types can be identified with the help of eczema photos and also the symptoms. Some of the common types of eczema are: Atopic dermatitis Atopic dermatitis is a health condition that has a genetic base. It is one of the most common types of eczema. Atopic dermatitis does not have an allergic base. This disease has a tendency of beginning early in the life of those who have a predisposition to inhalant allergies. The characteristics of this condition are rashes on the cheeks, neck, elbow and knee creases, and ankles. Allergic contact dermatitis In the case of contact dermatitis, there are two types. One of these is irritant based which occurs because of a direct reaction to an allergen. The second type is allergic, and this occurs because of a delayed reaction to an allergen. Seborrheic dermatitis This is another type of dermatitis where you can see rashes on the face, scalp, ears, and in the case of adults, the mid-chest area as well and which easily identified as you look at eczema photos clicked during the screening. This is different for infants. It produces a weepy, oozy rash behind the ears and can be quite extensive at the time, wherein it involves the entire body. Dyshidrotic dermatitis Dyshidrotic dermatitis causes itchy, scaly patches of skin that become red, cracked, painful, and also flaked. It affects the fingers, soles of the feet, and also palms of the hand.

A short-term increase in the body temperature is referred in medical terms as pyrexia. Commonly known as fever, it is a common occurrence in both adults and children. As the temperature of your body becomes higher than the normal temperature, it becomes indicative of an underlying illness which may be an infection in some part of the body such as the throat or stomach. Having high fever is an important sign that some changes are occurring in the body. The temperature of our body is regulated by the hypothalamus which is present at the base of the brain. The state of fever is experienced by almost every human being at some point of time irrespective of sex or age. Many medical experts are of the opinion that fever is a natural defense of the body against infection. Relevant treatment for fever is recommended by medical experts after assessing the symptoms carefully and conducting certain diagnostic tests. Causes of high fever in adults Diseases such as malaria, upper and lower respiratory tract infections or flu, cold, bacterial infections, gastrointestinal infections, urinary tract infections or skin infections etc Excessive heat exposure Abnormalities in the brain or malignant tumors Disease of the endocrine which is associated with a hormonal or glandular system of the body Inflammation caused by tissue injury Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis which is the inflammation of the lining of joints Side effects of certain medicines Common symptoms High fever comes with a lot of physical discomforts. It is only after adequate treatment for the fever that you can feel better. High fever is typically characterized by a rise in oral temperature as it soars above 100°F (37.8°C) to touch 103°F. Temperature in adults can be measured with a thermometer placed under the tongue. General symptoms that accompany high fever include:

If you have diabetes, food plays an important part in managing your symptoms. Here’s how you can put together diets for diabetes patients. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it means that you have high levels of glucose (blood sugar), which can cause further health problems. There are different types of the disease—chronic diabetes includes type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, while prediabetes (high blood sugar levels, but does not qualify as diabetes) and gestational diabetes (occurs when a woman is pregnant but can dissipate after delivery) are the types of potentially reversible diabetic conditions. Noticing any diabetes symptoms and reporting them to a medical professional at the earliest is vital, as early detection means you can start your treatment early, and thus achieve optimum results from the treatment. In addition to conventional diabetes treatments, there are certain natural remedies and lifestyle changes that can ease the symptoms and provide significant relief to people suffering from the disease. Diets and diabetes go hand in hand, as what you eat and don’t eat plays a major role in your diabetes treatment. The medical term for a diabetes diet is medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for diabetes, which entails eating different foods that are high in nutrition, moderate quantities of food, and sticking to mealtimes. There are many myths about diets for diabetes patients, such as—you cannot eat sugar at all, you cannot eat any carbohydrates, and that you need to eat only special diabetic meals. But the truth is that if you carefully plan diets for diabetes management, you can enjoy your favorite foods and keep your diabetes symptoms in control at the same time. There are certain approaches to creating diets for diabetes patients, and these diets are aimed at lowering the glucose level in your blood and keeping it within a normal level.

Testosterone is a hormone that is present in both men and women. The hormone is made in the testes of men and the ovaries of women. The primary function of testosterone is to play a role in puberty and fertility. Low testosterone levels is a condition faced by most men aged above 30; this is a common condition. Testosterone affects the sexual desire to a great extent and can be threatening if the levels drop at an early age. However, there are many treatments for low testosterone problems. In the case of very low testosterone, the individual loses the drive for sex at a rapid pace, witnesses fatigue, and a prolonged feeling of being low/depressed. Let us first look at some of the initial symptoms related to low testosterone: Erectile dysfunction or inability to maintain an erection Lack of spontaneous erections can also be a symptom Constantly decreasing libido or sexual activity Infertility Massive hair loss Fattening and loss of muscles Depression or brain fog Sleep disturbances Fatigue Let us look at the treatments for low testosterone: Working out: Intense sessions of exercise can result in the rise of testosterone levels and is a proven treatment for low testosterone. Extensive training is likely to add pressure to your muscles and allow them to grow thereby increasing the testosterone levels in your body. These increases are higher among younger men as compared to older men. Cardiovascular exercises: The main goal here is to lose excessive fat on the body; cardiovascular exercise particularly helps with losing weight, subsequently increasing the levels of testosterone. This can be of great effect to people who are obese, as that is one of the primary reasons for their loss of testosterone. Testosterone boosters: There are many herbal supplements that claim to increase the testosterone levels in an individual’s body.

A considerable number of the male population suffers from premature ejaculation; however, most of them fail to get it checked from a good sexologist. It is a serious issue that can demean the self-esteem of an individual and make him feel inferior. The individual is not able to hold the semen inside that is characterized by the untimely emission of semen during sexual intercourse. The individual faces difficulty in holding the semen inside the penis even for a short period of time post-penetration. It is somewhat involuntary in nature and is caused majorly due to anxiety. Premature ejaculation can be cured using various kinds of therapies that influence the behavior and psychology. Medicine for this problem should be the last resort treatment. This condition can lead to distress among the individuals due to lack of performance. It is, therefore, essential to educate them about the normalcy of the condition and that it can be treated. Most of the time, premature ejaculation is experienced later in life. However, it can be a lifelong ailment if acquired genetically. Premature ejaculation is a common phenomenon faced by individuals when they indulge in sexual intercourse for the first time. It can also be situational, that is, depending on the partner and the level of sexual activity. This condition is primarily a result of psychological factors. It can also be caused by a certain change in hormones or an injury in the pelvic region. Many individuals encounter premature ejaculation as an ill effect of medicines. Doctors diagnose the issue through physical examination, with or without tests. The tests help in identifying any underlying medical disease. Counseling is also conducted to find the root cause of the problem. There are several remedies available and a combination of them can be used to cure premature ejaculation. These are as follows:

Lupus also is known by the name of systemic lupus erythematosus is a disorder which commonly affects women. The severity of lupus can be understood from the fact that one in every 2100 women is suffering from this autoimmune disorder. It is not as if men are not affected by lupus, but the intensity of women getting affected by this disorder is five times more in comparison to men. There are some other unique aspects of lupus one of which is that black women are three times more prone to lupus in comparison to white women. This disorder has a hereditary trend also, and people who have someone suffering in their family from lupus are at ten times more risk of contaminating this disease than others. Women who experience lupus find that their periods come with mild or no symptoms and these symptoms could also flare up at times. The symptoms of lupus could be mild or moderate to severe. Below are listed the early symptoms, the presence of which indicate lupus. Butterfly Rash Of all the people who have been diagnosed with lupus around 40 percent develop a red bumpy rash. This rash then begins from the bridge of the nose and goes across the cheek in a pattern which is butterfly shaped, hence has been named as butterfly rash. In butterfly rash condition, the rash most commonly appears on the face, but it could also show its presence in any part of the body. Besides face, the butterfly rash can also appear on the chest. This rash on chest usually appears as a raised disk-shaped lesion which is red. People who have butterfly rash should avoid going out in the harsh sun as the lesion might worsen in such cases. People who are sensitive to the sun should also avoid going out since the lesion can worsen immediately.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS affects the bowel movements and impacts digestion and metabolism. It causes a great deal of irritation and discomfort in the abdomen. Proper bowel movement gets altered resulting in either constipation or diarrhea while also changing the stool consistency. Women are prone to this syndrome especially after the age of 25. The primary causes of irritable bowel syndrome are not known, though intestinal infections are found to have induced it. Some types of food can also cause sensitivity in the bowel region. Moreover, genetics can play a role in the development of this ailment. Stress is said to trigger irritable bowel syndrome, thereby aggravating the condition.The occurrence of muscle spasms inside the intestines is also a common phenomenon. A person suffering from irritable bowel syndrome constantly experiences extreme fatigue, bloating, anxiety, and stomach ache. It is also characterized by a continuous sensation of incomplete stool movement, even when the bowel has been emptied.Although it is not a serious medical condition, it can have a negative influence on an individual’s lifestyle. An individual can encounter any of the three types of the ailment. If IBS is characterized by recurrent constipation, it is known as IBS-C. On the other hand, the one characterized by chronic diarrhea is known as IBS-D. If there is an occurrence of both constipation and diarrhea alternately, the condition is known as alternating (mixed) IBS or IBS-A (IBS-M). When the individual does not face any typical symptoms of the above three types, he said to fall into the category of unsubtyped IBS. Irritable bowel syndrome can be troublesome if it is not managed properly. The best remedy is to have an IBS diet plan that is low on FODMAPs. The abbreviation FODMAP stands for Fermentable, Oligo, Di-, Monosaccharides, And Polyols: a series of carbohydrates that are not easily processed by the small intestine.

The heel is a supportive bone that plays an essential role in defining the arches of the foot. It is the understructure that helps in balancing the weight of the body. Whenever the heel is overused or excessive force is exerted, a sharp pain is felt. Heel pain is usually acute in nature and its intensity depends on the reason behind its occurrence. If the pain leads to swelling or makes it difficult for you to walk, movement should be restricted post-haste. Proper rest is the best home remedy that is tried and tested for heel pain. It is generally not life threatening, yet, it is advisable to visit a doctor to accurately diagnose the cause. Heel pain can occur because of the following conditions: Plantar Fasciitis – Exertion of extreme pressure on the foot can rupture the ligament called plantar fascia. This ligament is responsible for linking the heel to the other part of the foot. This ailment is the most common cause that results in pain in the bottom region of the heel. Achilles Tendonitis – The most important function played by theAchilles or calcaneal tendon is connecting the calf to the heel. Its inflammation can make the heel stiff as well as sore and ultimately lead to heel pain. Injury –Heel pain through injury is a routine problemencountered by sportspersons and athletes. For example, in basketball, landing on an uneven surface after a jump can twist the heel leading to sprain or strain and in severe cases, fracture. Heel Spur –At times, the heel bone may develop a deformity in the form of a spur triggering pain. Too much foot activity can result in building up of calcium deposits initiating spurs that may or may not visible to the eye. Arthritis –Degeneration of the heel bone or cartilage surrounding the heel bone can also activate pain in the heel region.

A burning sensation in your feet can have many causes like diabetic neuropathy, athlete’s foot, alcohol use, and so on. Identifying the cause is vital for focused medical treatments. Besides this, you can also try several home remedies. What causes a burning sensation in the feet? Many diseases and infections can cause burning pain in your feet. Diabetic neuropathy: If you have diabetes, gradually, your nerves can get damaged. This nerve damage starts in the feet. Damaged nerves may send incorrect signals to the brain, inducing pain sensations even when there is no wound or another injury. Heavy alcohol use: If you have a practice of regularly consuming alcohol in large amounts, then you can face nerve damage. Erythromelalgia: This condition produces a shooting and burning pain in your feet, without any recognizable cause. It is a rare disease. If you have it, then the pain can get worse after stressful activities like long walks, running, or standing for a long time. Infectious diseases: Infectious diseases like Lyme disease, athlete’s foot, shingles, and HIV can induce a sharp pain in your feet. Kidney Disease: Kidney dysfunction results in a build-up of toxins as the kidneys are no longer capable of clearing the waste and toxins from your body. Thus, this can result in pain in your feet. Hypothyroidism: Underactive thyroid results in low levels of thyroid hormones. A low level of these hormones can cause your feet to swell up and feel painful. Nutritional deficiencies: Vitamin B deficiency can cause burning pain in feet. Treatments for burning pain in the feet Depending on the cause of the burning pain, treatments may vary. For instance, burning pain in the feet caused by diabetic neuropathy may require you to keep your blood sugar levels in control by taking the right medications. Kidney disease-induced burning feet pain may be relieved by dialysis, which is a process that removes toxins from the body.