If you have high cholesterol, you’re not alone. According to the CDC, approximately 94 million American adults have higher than 200 mg/dL total cholesterol levels. Fortunately, a mindful diet can go a long way to keep your cholesterol in check. It’s also important to note that not all cholesterol is bad for your body.  LDL cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, can clog your arteries and lead to heart disease. However, HDL cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, helps remove LDL from your arteries and keep them clear. This list points out a dozen foods to help lower LDL cholesterol and keep your heart healthy: 1. Oats Oats are a great way to start your day. They are high in fiber, which can help lower cholesterol. They also contain antioxidants, which can protect the heart from damage. Add some to your breakfast cereal or cook up a batch of oatmeal for a healthy and filling breakfast 2. Beans Beans are a healthy and filling food that can help lower cholesterol. They are high in fiber and antioxidants, which can help protect the heart. Legumes also contain plant sterols, which can block the absorption of bad cholesterol 3. Eggplant and okra Eggplant and okra are both high in fiber.

Stroke never comes without warnings and signs. If you pay attention, you will notice signs such as face drooping, difficulty in speech, and weakness in the arm that occurs before a person gets a stroke attack. Getting immediate medical help should be the priority when you notice any of these signs. A stroke is like an accident that takes place in the brain, the medical term for that accident is cerebrovascular accident (CVA). The brain loses its blood supply and the brain cells become blood deprived, and this is when a person gets a stroke. Along with the signs, there are some risk factors of a stroke and everyone needs to be aware of how to identify and prevent strokes attacks. High blood pressure and high cholesterol levels are the most common risk factors for strokes. Here are the things that cause high blood pressure and cholesterol: High blood pressure Another word for high blood pressure is hypertension. When the blood pressure is more than 140/90, the person has high blood pressure. It becomes severe when the pressure is more than 180/120. High blood pressure is dangerous and can lead to stroke and heart attack. Hypertension causes damage to brain by causing transient ischemic attack, dementia, and mild cognitive impairment other than just stroke.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron disease. It attacks the nerve cells that are used for involuntary muscle actions which are also known as motor neurons. There are actions that we can control, such as those in the legs, arms, and face. Motor neurons are present in the spinal cord and brain. As Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) progresses, these cells tend to degenerate and then eventually die. They stop sending messages to the muscles. The brain is, therefore, no longer able to control voluntary movements. Also, the muscles weaken and eventually waste away. Ultimately, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) affects all the voluntary muscles. This means that the person affected no longer has control over their arms, legs, and face. Some people diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) manage to live more than ten years. However, most people with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) live between three to five years after experiencing their first symptoms. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is said to affect between two to five people in every 100,000 in the world. The famous physicist Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) during his youth. Now, being over 70 years of age, he is considered as one of the greatest scientists for his achievements.

Early onset dementia or young-onset dementia (YOD) is dementia that absorbs the patient before the age of 65. Dementia affects about 35.6 million people all around the world, out of which an estimate of four to ten percent is YOD or early onset dementia. This type of dementia hits the person when they are young, approximately at the age as early as 30-35. Dementia is caused when there are plaques built around the brain, risk factors of early onset dementia gene mutations that affects the production and processing of this plaque. There are 8 risk factors for early onset dementia that account for about 68 percent of this condition, here are they in order of importance: Alcohol use : Alcohol use is one of the most prevalent risk factors for early onset dementia, excessive alcohol use is commonly known to induce memory loss and thereby lead to dementia. Most cases have noticed that alcohol abuse causes hallucinations, paranoia and memory loss, which are daunting risk factors of early onset dementia. History of stroke : A stroke occurs when a part of the brain stops receiving blood supply and faces errors in its functioning. This causes the brain to stop functioning smoothly which further becomes a risk factor for early onset dementia.

Endometriosis has affected millions of women over the years, and unfortunately, the number goes on increasing. It is a disorder which causes the tissues that usually line the uterus to migrate outside the uterus. It adheres to the nearby body parts such as the bladder, fallopian tubes, or bowels. It becomes inflamed and swells as well during the monthly menstrual cycle of a woman who is detected with endometriosis. It is not one of those diseases that heals with time. Endometriosis needs to be treated, or it is a wound that will sustain throughout the reproductive life of a woman. If you are experiencing any of the below symptoms of endometriosis, then it is essential to make an appointment with an endometriosis specialist as early as possible. Painful menstruation Painful menstruation is one of the most common symptoms of endometriosis. The pain can start a week before ovulation and continue until one week followed by the end of menstruation. The pain can also cause cramps in the stomach, followed by discomfort. The cramps that are causing pain may radiate and come in waves also. To overcome the pain in endometriosis, taking medication is a good treatment option for painful periods.

You might associate aging with grey hair, wrinkles and forgetting why you left your house in the first place. These things are undoubtedly scary but getting old means so much more than that. In your late 50s and 60s, you will be caught off guard with unique health concerns that you never had to worry about all your life. So, what do you do? Well, you cannot press some buttons to stop aging, but you can be well prepared for it. Here are the 5 primary health concerns that you must be prepared to deal with in your old age- Cognitive problems Dementia is one of the most common cognitive syndrome that old people experience. At that age, the brain finds it difficult to carry out functions like thinking, remembering, and memorizing. Alzheimer’s is one of the most common forms of dementia that old people experience. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to prevent dementia or Alzheimer’s. But there is always a way in which you can delay and forestall the onset of the disorder. Arthritis Arthritis is one of the most common concerns in 60-year olds and above. One of the main reasons for this is all the reckless things you have done in your youthful years.

Alzheimer’s disease or AD is a neurodegenerative disease that meddles with a person’s memory, cognitive thinking, and behavioral capabilities. The disease is a type of memory loss or dementia that develops gradually but worsens over time. The condition especially becomes chronic when it begins to interfere with the patient’s daily activities. Alzheimer’s is believed to be a progressive disease that is known to aggravate with the aging of the patient. However, it is not just a disease of the old. Several people under the age of 65 reportedly have the onset of the Alzheimer’s disease. Just like other parts of the body, the brain undergoes certain alterations as we age. The most common one being slowed thinking and problem remembering things, etc. While all of these are common problems associated with old age, one of the most distinguishing symptoms of Alzheimer’s is when a person has great difficulty remembering new information. This is generally caused due to degeneration in the part of the brain that is responsible for learning. As the disease progresses, symptoms like disorientation, mood swings, behavioural changes, anxiousness, confusion, paranoia, severe memory loss, and other cognitive issues begin emerging. While it is hard to determine the potential signs of Alzheimer’s, it may be more evident and obvious to the family and friends of the patient.

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death. An estimated one in eight women in the country will develop breast cancer, making it the most common form of cell mutation. In cancer, cells generally tend to grow out of control to form a tumor. Ductal carcinoma is a common type of breast cancer. The breast is made up of lobule glands that produce milk and a network of thin tubes that carry the milk to the nipples. Ductal carcinoma leads to abnormal growth of cancerous cells in the ducts and surrounding glands. When cancer spreads to nearby tissues and organs, the resulting condition is called an invasive ductal carcinoma. Causes and risk factors associated with breast cancer In most cases of breast cancer, the risk factors cannot be influenced or controlled. For example, consumption of alcohol is a risk factor that can be modified and controlled to a great extent. However, your age cannot be influenced to reduce the chances of developing cancer. Other risk factors include your family history or personal history of breast cancer, benign conditions like atypical hyperplasia, irregular menstrual cycle, and menopause. Consumption of alcohol, prolonged use of oral contraceptives, obesity, exposure to radiation during treatments, and certain genetic factors also increase the chances of being diagnosed with breast cancer.

A lot of married couples who do not want more babies or don’t want babies in the first place are going for tubal ligation or getting the tubes tied, as it is commonly referred to as. Tubal ligation lets you finally ditch the birth control pills, and it frees you from the fear of unwanted pregnancy. A common practice seen is to get this procedure done just after pregnancy. There is no doubt that tubal ligation is one of the best female sterilization option available today that permanently gets rid of your fear of unwanted pregnancy. But here are some things you need to know about before you get your tubes tied:     Procedure of tubal ligation Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure in which the surgeon makes a small cut in your stomach and then clamps and seals off both the fallopian tubes. Every month a woman’s body sees ovulation when the egg leaves the ovaries and passes through the fallopian tubes for at least few days. During this time, if you have a sexual intercourse and a sperm meets this egg, then the egg might get fertilized. So, by going ahead with tubal ligation, you can now be sure that your ovary eggs would never meet any sperms, in short, you cannot get pregnant after this surgery.

If you are a pregnant woman, then you already know that you must take care of your health for you and your baby. You already know the regular ‘don’t smoke and don’t drink’ tips, but in this article, you will know some other useful tips that will help you have a healthy pregnancy. Here are some tips that will ensure that your first delivery is less agonizing, and you are not clueless about what to do during those crucial nine months.     Have a sound knowledge of pregnancy You are not expected to know everything during your first pregnancy, but it is always best to educate yourself enough. So, go through as many baby care books as you want and soak in the wisdom. This will not only make you aware of what to do in certain situations, but it will also answer all the questions you have regarding pregnancy.     Wear sunscreen before you step out Everyone knows that you should not step out of your house without applying a generous amount of sunscreen, but you must note that during pregnancy it is even more important to apply sunscreen. This is because your skin is sensitive when you are pregnant, which means that you are vulnerable to sunburn and Melasma, which is the appearance of dark patches on your skin.

Facing joint pain and arthritis recurrently? Tired of taking analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs? Most people do not know that the solution that they are seeking is right within their reach. So, here are some dietary tips to combat arthritis at the comfort of your home: Ginger A natural anti-inflammatory found commonly in everyone’s kitchen, ginger is very effective against arthritis. Ginger is very easy to use. Take some dry ginger pieces and dry grind them. Mix this (six teaspoons) with caraway seed powder (six teaspoons) and black pepper powder (three teaspoons). Mix ½ teaspoons of this preparation with water and consume daily, preferably in the morning. You can also eat fresh raw ginger either alone or along with food. The oil from ginger can also be used over inflamed parts. Turmeric Turmeric is a very effective anti-inflammatory in arthritis, especially for rheumatoid arthritis, as it contains curcumin. Turmeric is available in capsules of 500mg or 1000mg. Turmeric latte or turmeric powder, mixed with milk and consumed daily, can be a very good long-term solution for arthritis. Cinnamon An effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, cinnamon is used to treat arthritis either orally or topically. Topically, cinnamon is mixed with honey to make a paste and applied over the affected areas.