Is it possible to prevent arthritis?
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What are the risk factors for osteoarthritis?
Read MoreWhat is Meningococcal Meningitis?
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Meningitis, is an infection and can be caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi.
Read MoreStress and Coronary Heart Disease
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People get older, the effect of stress compounds over time created a stronger link between stress and heart health.
Read MoreAmerican Heart Month: Coronary Artery Disease
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The decreased blood flow eventually causes signs and symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath.
Read MoreWhat you need to know about chronic pancreatitis
/Pancreatic pain is pain in the upper left abdomen which radiates into your back. This pain may get worse when you are eating, especially when eating foods with high amounts of fat.
Read MoreDiabetes can cause certain urologic problems
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Diabetes can cause certain urologic problems involving the bladder and urinary tract infections.
Read MoreSlow chronic kidney disease with careful food choices
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CKD is often progressive over time, possible leading to kidney failure with the only treatment options being dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Read MoreHow do you know it’s Crohn’s Disease?
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Diagnosing Crohn’s is challenging because the symptoms mimic other common intestinal disorders.
Read MoreLearning about Schizophrenia
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Schizophrenia is a group of severe brain disorders in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia can cause a combination of hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking and behavior.
Read MoreNo limit on cholesterol? Here’s why
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As recent as the 2010 DGA, and for many years previous, the recommendation has been to limit dietary cholesterol intake to less than 300 milligrams (mg) per day.
Read MoreWhat are Varicose Veins
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Varicose veins are thought to be inherited, but they can develop from any number of reasons. For example, according to the Society for Vascular Surgery, approximately 50-55% of pregnant women in the U.S. develop varicose veins. Varicose veins can not only be unsightly, but can be painful and can lead to more serious health problems if not treated.
Read MoreWhat you need to know about suffering from anxiety
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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.
Read MoreWhat you need to know about heart health
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Watch your blood pressure. Keep your blood pressure in check to maintain a healthy heart. Find ways to reduce stress and make sure you track your numbers.
Read MoreHas Gonorrhea Developed Resistance to Antibiotics?
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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.
Read MoreWhat you should know about COPD
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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
Read MoreAmerica and the obesity epidemic
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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.
Read MoreWhat does a Spleen do?
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The spleen is an organ that sits on the left upper quarter of the abdomen. The spleen commonly lies under the ninth to the twelve rib, next to the stomach and pancreas. One of the major functions of the spleen is to filter the blood of old and dying red blood cells. The spleen also stores platelets that normally help in blood coagulation and clotting.
Read MoreWhat you should know about bladder stones
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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.
Read MoreNew 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.
