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Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that is found in your body’s cells. It’s necessary to produce hormones, Vitamin D, and other substances that help you digest food. Your body already produces an adequate amount to function, but cholesterol is also found in the foods we eat.

It travels through the body through the bloodstream in clusters called lipoproteins, which are both fat and protein. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are referred to as “bad” cholesterol. A high LDL level contributes to the build-up of bad cholesterol in the arteries.

The “good” cholesterol is called HDL, which stands for high-density lipoproteins. It is considered good because it carries cholesterol from other parts of the body back to the liver, where your body gets rid of it.

What Happens During a Test?

During your tests, four things are checked: your total cholesterol, your LDL (“bad”),  HDL (“good”), and triglycerides. In the United States, cholesterol is measured using milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood. In Canada and Europe, it is measured using millimoles (mmol) per liter (L) of blood.

High Cholesterol Numbers (Total)

In order for your total cholesterol to be considered high, the measurement would be 240mg/dL and above if you live in the United States. In Canada and Europe, a high level would be considered to be 6.2 mmol/L.

LDL (“bad”) Cholesterol

If you live in the United States, a high LDL level would be considered 160-189 mg/dL. In Canada and Europe, high LDL would be considered 4.1 – 4.9 mmol/L.

HDL (“good”) Cholesterol

In order for your HDL (“good”) levels to be considered “best”, in the United States, they would need to be 60 mg/dL and above. If you live in Canada or Europe, the best levels would be considered 1.5 mmol/L and above.

Risk Factors

High levels may put different people at different risks, depending upon several factors. One of the main factors is if you’ve had a previous heart attack or stroke. Other factors include artery blockages in your neck (carotid artery disease), and artery blockages in your arms or legs (peripheral artery disease).

Other risk factors that may place you in the “high-risk” group are:

1. Smoking
2. Low HDL
3. High blood pressure
4. Diabetes
5. Family history of heart disease
6. For women, if you are older than age 55; for men, if you are older than 45
7. Elevated lipoprotein (a), is another type of fat in your blood.

To lower your risk factor for cholesterol-related conditions, eat a healthy diet, exercise, make lifestyle changes, and take your medications as prescribed. A check should be performed every five years for adults.

Also Read

Learn About Statins and the Way It Controls Cholesterol

Get the Facts About Buying Canadian Drugs Online.

Life Expectancy By Country: Where Do You Stand?

Coffee and Tea are linked to Diabetes Prevention

Childhood obesity in America is reaching pandemic levels.
Children and adolescents are becoming more and more obese, and parents need to get their children more active. According to the Mayo Clinic, childhood obesity is a condition when a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height.

Why Are Children Obese in America?

Children become obese for a number of reasons.
Sometimes, there may be a genetic or hormonal cause. However, often it is caused by children overeating and not being active.

It’s always a good idea for parents to encourage their children to eat healthier and become active. Planning a healthy diet for the whole family, as well as being active together, can reverse childhood obesity if it is caused by lifestyle choices.

During the summer, encourage your children to go outside and play instead of staying indoors on the couch, watching TV, and playing video games. This alone is a great start. Choosing healthy snacks in moderation will also help.

Specific Causes for Obesity in Children

Childhood obesity can stem from a variety of specific factors:

• Diet
  Eating high-calorie and sugary foods can cause weight gain – in particular, fast foods, baked goods, vending machine snacks, soft drinks, candy, and desserts.
• Lack of Exercise
  Weight gain in children is more likely to occur if they do not exercise much. The calories they consume are not burned off and just… accumulate.
• Family History: If there is a family history of obesity, children may be more likely to pack on the pounds. This is especially the case when high-calorie foods are always available; the two factors work together.
• Psychological Factors
  Like adults, children may overeat when they are stressed or bored or have other emotional problems.
• Family Factors
  Parents that purchase cookies, chips, and other high-calorie foods are contributing to their child’s weight gain. Controlling access to these types of foods may prevent obesity and promote weight loss.
• Socioeconomic Factors
  Foods that are healthy and fresh are generally more expensive and take more time to prepare. Sometimes parents opt for foods that are inexpensive and easy to prepare, such as frozen meals, crackers, and cookies. These foods contain fats and an excessive amount of salt.

The Effects of Obesity on Children

Physical, social, and emotional problems can occur with childhood obesity:

• Type 2 Diabetes
  In children, Type 2 Diabetes is a chronic condition. It is caused by poor diet and affects how the body metabolizes sugar. However, this disease can be reversed if healthier foods are consumed and the child becomes more active.
• Metabolic Syndrome
  High blood sugar, high cholesterol, and excessive abdominal fat, all together, are called Metabolic Syndrome. These conditions can lead to heart disease, diabetes, or a variety of other health problems and complications.
• High Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure
  Eating a poor diet can cause high cholesterol and high blood pressure. A poor diet may contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries, causing them to harden and narrow. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke years later.
• Asthma/Other Breathing Problems
  The development and health of the lungs are compromised by extra weight. This can lead to asthma or other breathing problems.
• Sleep Disorders
  During sleep, the child may snore or have abnormal breathing – a condition known as sleep apnea. This can be a complication of obesity.
• Early Puberty or Menstruation
  Hormone imbalances can occur when a child is overweight and can lead to early puberty.
• Low Self-Esteem and Bullying
  Being overweight may lead to children being teased or bullied. Low self-esteem and depression may result from these factors.
• Behavior and Learning Problems
  Anxiety and poor social skills are common in overweight children. In extreme cases, this may cause the child to act out at home and in school, and cause them to socially withdraw.
• Depression
  Feelings of hopelessness in overweight children may be caused by low self-esteem.

Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States and has serious risks and complications.
By encouraging children to eat a healthy diet, snack in moderation, and get outside and exercise, we may be able to reverse childhood obesity, thus giving the next generation a head-start on leading happier, healthier, and longer lives.

A repetitive stress injury (RSI) is an injury that occurs when too much stress is placed on a part of the body. This result is inflammation, muscle strain, and/or tissue damage.

What is a Repetitive Stress Injury?

Repetitive stress injuries are caused by repeated stress to parts of the body. The injured area may be tender, swollen, red, and warm or hot to the touch. Moving the area may be painful.
Waking up during the night may be common, particularly if the injury is in your shoulder. The pain is usually localized to the area around the affected tissues. Some common stresses that can lead to injured tissues are:

• Shoulder Tendonitis
  caused by using your arm to make repeated overhead motions.
• Tennis Elbow
  caused by repeatedly bending the wrist backward with force (e.g. playing tennis).
• Golfer’s Elbow
  caused by repeatedly bending the wrist forward with force (e.g. swinging a golf club).
• DeQuervain’s Tendosynovitis
  caused by repeated use of the wrist or thumb on the thumb sign of the hand (e.g. using a keyboard).
• Housemaid’s Knee
  caused by kneeling or leaning forward for a long period of time (e.g. scrubbing the floor).
• Tendinitis and Bursitis
  some forms may also be caused by diseases such as arthritis, gout, Reiter’s syndrome, thyroid disease, and diabetes.

Repetitive Stress Injury Treatment

The treatment of repetitive stress injury will vary, depending upon your doctor’s diagnosis through a physical examination of the area.

Medicines to treat the inflammation may be prescribed, and cold packs may be used to reduce inflammation. Other treatment options are resting the associated tissues and then re-introducing them to the activity slowly to protect them from further irritation.

How to Prevent Repetitive Stress Injury

Below are some tips to help prevent repetitive stress injury:

• Take frequent breaks from the task that you are performing repeatedly.
• Exercise regularly to lessen the irritation of the joints.
• Your doctor may prescribe some type of support for the area that is irritated, such as a wrist brace.
• If the injury is sustained by using a keyboard or mouse constantly, you may want to purchase an ergonomic keyboard with curves and a rest pad for your wrist to help eliminate stress on the wrist and hand
• Whenever possible, rest the injured area. Pace yourself and take breaks often.
• Don’t lean over the keyboard – bad posture is one of the primary risk factors in repetitive stress injuries. Adjust your seat so that you sit up straight instead of leaning forward. Make sure your monitor is directly in from of you and the top of the screen is at eye level.