Cholesterol is a fatty wax substance that the body naturally produces to support certain digestive functions. However, high levels of cholesterol can increase the risk of stroke, high blood pressure, and heart problems. There are two main types of it: High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL). Medical professionals refer to HDL as good cholesterol that comes from healthy, organic, and natural food sources while LDL is a bad byproduct of processed foods rich in additives. You must maintain low levels of LDL and high levels of HDL to strike a proper balance and reduce the risk of health complications down the line. This can be done in the following ways. Maintain a proper diet Switch to alternatives that promote HDL in the body. Also, avoid foods that are high in LDL, including red and fatty cuts of meat, such as pork, beef, and lamb. Refrain from having too much butter, egg yolk, cheese, and other highly saturated foods. Processed foods are rich in trans-fats that also increase LDL levels in the body. So avoid eating baked, fried, and processed foods taken from the shelves in the supermarket. Instead, incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, certain fish, and an assortment of healthy nuts.

Blood disorders are conditions that cause problems in your blood or bone marrow. Bone marrow is a spongy tissue inside your bones that is responsible for the production of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. When anything goes wrong with either of these cells or with clotting factors in the plasma, an individual is diagnosed with a blood disease or disorder. Having said this, let’s take a look at symptoms of these disorders, their various types, and how they are treated. Symptoms Blood disorders generally reduce the number of cells, platelets, or nutrients in the blood, or interfere with the normal functioning. The symptoms of these disorders differ widely based on which component of the blood is affected. For instance: Disorders that affect red blood cells in your body cause fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, headache, or dizziness because of the lack of oxygenated blood in the brain, or rapid heartbeat. Disorders that affect white blood cells in your body often gives rise to chronic infections, and unexplained weight loss, and exhaustion. If people with this disorder are injured, their wounds take an unusually long time to heal. Platelets and clotting disorders cause difficulties in forming blood clots at wound sites or controlling bleeding, lead to injuries that are slow to heal or keep re-opening, cause sensitive skin that bruises easily, and also unexplained nosebleeds or bleeding from the gums.

Arthritis is a medical condition that leads to inflammation and pain in one or more joints. The ailment reduces body movement due to the severe pain caused when there’s friction between the bones connected by the affected joint. A vast majority of the population suffers from this disease, which underlines the importance of having complete knowledge about it. On that note, here are seven interesting facts to get you started: Arthritis affects everyone, not just the elderly While older people are more susceptible to developing arthritis, children, youngsters, and adults aren’t exactly immune to the disease. As of March 2019, close to 300,000 children were diagnosed with some form of arthritis, and conservative estimates predicted the number to increase in every age group by 2040. There are over 100 types of arthritis Unlike most diseases, arthritis doesn’t have a fixed form and can develop in different ways. Some types of arthritis are more common than others, with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout being among the commonly diagnosed forms. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and seronegative arthritis are the other commonly occurring forms of arthritis. Climate doesn’t affect arthritis It has often been claimed that warm weather conditions reduce arthritis pain and the inflammation associated with the condition.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is quite complex. It causes extreme tiredness that can leave you constantly tired and irritable. CFS is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID). But, the worst part is not just that its symptoms can be confused for multiple other diseases, it’s actually the fact that until today, no one has been able to figure out what exactly causes CFS. So, here’s what you need to know about this syndrome to stay on top of it. What are the possible causes of CFS? The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is actually unknown but there are a few factors that contribute to it: A recent viral infection that has left behind a weakened immune system Lots of stress Hormonal imbalances in the body The CDC, in fact, suggested that chronic fatigue could possibly be the final stage of various conditions. What are the symptoms of CFS? One of the most obvious symptoms of CFS is being so tired or exhausted that it begins to interfere with your daily activities. This surge in exhaustion is called post-exertion malaise or PEM. PEM will be extreme, especially after any physical or mental activity, and can last for more than 24 hours after the activity.

Addiction is a compulsive activity of abuse that induces temporary pleasure. These substances can be anything from alcohol, medications, and other stimulants. The overuse of such substances has a detrimental effect on the body and mind. Therefore, even after successful treatment, the road to complete recovery is challenging. To avoid relapse, here are simple ways one can try to cope with withdrawal symptoms and fight temptations. Support system The simplest way to cope with addiction is to build a support system of trustworthy friends. One must remember that recovery is a long process and your friends and family can help you overcome temptations and fight withdrawal symptoms. Note that while treatment conditions the body to be independent of the substance, support and therapy conditions the mind to avoid chances of a relapse. Seek sponsors or former addicts who are now sober and can advise you based on their experience. Learning from their experience will certainly instill confidence in your ability to not relapse. Attend group sessions Group therapy sessions provide recovering addicts with a platform to share their positive efforts towards recovery. Here, recovering addicts gather to openly discuss their addictions in a positive light and share their experiences on how they managed to overcome temptations and avoid relapse.

Living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as an adult is challenging. ADHD can impact almost every aspect of an individual’s life, including personal and professional relationships. Further, it can also take a toll on one’s health. Even trivial day-to-day activities such as paying bills on time, managing work, and keeping up with the demands of family and friends can be overwhelming. Some common adult ADHD symptoms include disorganization, having a hard time meeting deadlines, and impulsive behavior. But the good news is that one can learn and practice certain skills that can help them manage the symptoms of ADHD. One can start by improving their daily habits, and slowly develop skills that can help them remain organized, improve interaction with friends and colleagues, and become efficient. Remember that these self-help tips for managing ADHD require patience, practice, and a positive attitude. That said, here are effective tips that one can employ to deal with ADHD. Organize every detail Lack of focus is one of the major symptoms of ADHD, which makes organizing anything one of the biggest challenges. However, one can learn to organize things in a better way by breaking down tasks into smaller steps and taking a systematic approach.

Aging is a part of life; there is nothing to worry about if you know what to expect and how to prepare for it in advance. Indeed, you may not be as strong and suffer from aches and pains more often. However, by ensuring that you take care of your health now, you can slow down your body’s aging process. Read on to know more about aging, its signs, and how to take care of yourself. What are the signs of aging? Aging is a subjective process and can not be generally categorized. Aging is associated with psychological, biological, and physiological changes. The most easily noticeable and early signs of aging are graying of hair followed by drastic changes that affect the working and functioning of a person. However, with timely medical check-ups, proper diet, and exercise you can ensure that you are healthy and prepared for anything that aging throws at you. What happens when you age? As mentioned above the human body goes through a multitude of changes. The heart, bones and joints, muscles, brain, digestive and urinary tracts, and senses weaken with age and do not perform optimally. The heart is especially affected by age as its muscles begin to stiffen leading to heart problems and high blood pressure.

Allergies are a common problem, and there is nothing that can be done to avoid them. However, there are treatments and medications available that help manage the symptoms caused due to an allergic reaction. It is necessary to be aware of the course of action in case you or someone around you is suddenly experiencing an allergic reaction. Continue reading to learn more about allergies, how to detect them, and its treatment options. What are allergies and how to detect them? An allergy is the reaction produced by the immune system when it is trying to fight a foreign substance it believes to be harmful. This foreign substance does not have to be bacteria or viruses. Sometimes, your immune system fights virtually non-harmful substances such as grass, dust mites, dander, and food, assuming them as harmful. This reaction against non-harmful substances or “allergens” is known as an allergic reaction. The body reacts to different things on a different scale. That means the type, the severity, and the signs of an allergic reaction can differ from person to person. While our genetics do play a role in their manifestation, it does not necessarily mean we exhibit the same allergies as our parents.

Alzheimer’s disease, a neurological condition, causes brain cells to die. It is a debilitating illness that starts with memory loss and cognitive decline caused by brain cell damage. It is one of the most common forms of dementia with nearly 80 percent of dementia cases starting with Alzheimer’s disease. More than 5 million people are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease annually. The disease progresses in stages and symptoms become severe over time. Here are a few important things to know about Alzheimer’s disease. Various stages As mentioned above, Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are seven stages based on the severity of the symptoms. The disease begins with no impairment, progresses to mild and moderate decline, and finally, a state of severe decline. The diagnosis is usually done in the fourth stage of Alzheimer’s, known as “early-stage or mild Alzheimer’s.” Therefore, the disease can be said to have three main stages. The first one is preclinical, the stage before any of the symptoms appear. Mild cognitive impairment is the second stage, where symptoms begin to appear; however, they are quite mild. Dementia is the last and final stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Common symptoms One of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is cognitive loss, which causes memory loss.

The blood mainly comprises three types of cells: White Blood Cells (WBCs) that stave off infections and diseases, platelets that help heal wounds, and Red Blood Cells (RBCs) that carry oxygen throughout the body. A depletion in RBCs due to lack of nutrition or an underlying disease leads to anemia and manifests symptoms that can range from persistent fatigue to irregular heartbeats. There are several types of anemia categorized on the basis of the causes and symptoms. Several health experts suggest that, apart from early diagnosis and timely treatment, following a healthy diet and ensuring proper nutrition are key to maintaining healthy levels of RBCs in the body. Here are a few power-packed foods that can help keep the symptoms of anemia at bay: Dark leafy greens The deficiency of iron has long been synonymous with anemia. So, don’t forget to add leafy greens like spinach and kale into your basket the next time you’re out buying vegetables. Also, you must up your intake of leafy green veggies if you depend only on plant sources of iron, as the body absorbs less of the nutrient. Lean meats If you’re looking for a larger dose of iron and don’t mind meat on your plate, grass-fed lean meat is a perfect source.