6 Dangerous Effects of High Cholesterol

Exceeding a healthy level of cholesterol is an issue that affects more than 100 million Americans, but most do not truly understand the consequences. Any level above 200 mg/dL is out of the safe range because it significantly increases the risk of heart disease and other complications. Arteries gradually become more narrow as the waxy substance accumulates, but actual symptoms of high cholesterol levels are rare. Adults that are not considered high-risk are recommended to have a physician screen their levels every 5 years, but it may be necessary for individuals over 50 to get checked more often. Understanding the dangerous effects of high cholesterol in your body is the first step in protecting your health. 

Chest Pain
Angina is a condition that feels as though your chest is being compressed or squeezed forcibly, and it occurs often when the blood oxygen supply going to the heart is decreased. Coronary artery disease can cause symptoms like chest pain when the arteries are clogged with plaque, so it's important to pay attention to new or changing sensations in the chest. A heart attack can occur if the muscle is completely deprived of oxygen. 

High Blood Pressure
Cholesterol plaque that hardens the arteries puts extra strain on the heart, and the resulting high blood pressure will cause problems. Hypertension caused by extremely high blood pressure may cause issues with vision, breathing, painful headaches, or an irregular heartbeat. People that are lucky enough to experience these symptoms will know that they need to see their doctor promptly, but others suffer from consequences like a stroke or heart attack. 

Heart Attack
A coronary artery that becomes completely blocked is going to restrict the blood supply to the heart. If a life-threatening heart attack does occur, the patient could experience total heart failure or a dangerously irregular heartbeat. Arrhythmia isn't necessarily fatal, but a ventricular fibrillation requires immediate treatment to prevent deadly consequences. 

Stroke
There is a domino-effect of complications that begin with high cholesterol because it causes the initial buildup of plaque in the large arteries. As this leads to high blood pressure, the risk of having a fatal stroke is significantly increased. If the small blood vessels that lead to the brain are blocked and weakened, they can burst to cause a stroke. People that survive a stroke could experience permanent complications like limb paralysis, weak muscles, vision issues, confusion, and speech loss. 

Peripheral Vascular Disease
Clogged arteries that limit the blood supply to the limbs leads to a circulation disorder called peripheral vascular disease. Individuals with this disease often experience pain, dull aching, tingling, and weakness in their legs or feet. Without adequate treatment, the symptoms and physical damage are going to worsen to an eventual heart attack of stroke. 

Chronic Kidney Disease
The renal arteries that supply blood to the kidneys can become clogged with cholesterol plaque over time. Damage to the kidneys becomes more severe as a patient progresses through the stages of CKD. Kidney function may decrease gradually, but the complete loss of function can eventually occur. 

Understanding Parkinson's Disease

A progressive illness affecting the central nervous system, Parkinson’s disease is a chronic movement disorder. Nearly 1 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with the illness. While the cause is unknown, experts believe that it is triggered by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The disorder causes vital nerve cells in the brain to die or malfunction. The result is a drop in the level of dopamine, a brain chemical that controls normal movement. The disorder may progress slowly or rapidly depending upon the individual. Potential risk factors include age, genetics and exposure to environmental toxins. The condition is also more likely to afflict men.

As the disease progresses, each person experiences a different combination of symptoms, including speech changes, sluggish movement and tremors, or shaking, in the hands, feet or limbs. Other signs of the neurological disorder are rigid muscles, stooped posture and balance issues as well as swinging your arms asymmetrically while walking and the loss of automatic movements like blinking. The symptoms usually appear on one side of your body and worsen in that region as the disease spreads to the other side. Parkinson’s disease can lead to several complications, such as difficulties in your ability to think, swallow and sleep. It also causes fatigue, bladder problems and constipation. Early signs are generally overlooked. You should see a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. Medical tests can diagnose the illness as well as rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.

Living with the disease can also lead to depression. Parkinson’s disease can be particularly difficult because the difficulty in walking, talking and eating can be frustrating. While antidepressants can help, friends, family or a support group can also be beneficial. People who understand what you are going through can help ease your burdens. Lifestyle choices like eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise can strengthen your body. In addition to helping manage symptoms, diet and exercise ward off anxiety and depression while reducing the risk of falling.

Although there is no cure for the disorder, the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can be controlled with medications. In some cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to help control certain parts of your brain to improve your symptoms. Along with massage, tai chi and yoga can loosen tight muscles and improve your flexibility and balance. You may also benefit from occupational therapy that shows you techniques that make daily activities easier. Working closely with your doctor to find a beneficial treatment plan will improve your quality of life.

Dementia Can Be Delayed with Healthy Living

Increasingly, scientists are highlighting the link between healthy living and delaying the onset of dementia. The evidence is now conclusive that quitting smoking and exercising regularly can reduce dementia risk substantially. In general, people should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-level exercise each and every week. Regular walking and swimming are recommended for people new to exercise and those with relatively high risk for injury. 

Ideally, dementia-delaying exercise routines should combine cardiovascular exercise with moderate strength training. Elders and people with fragile health can benefit greatly from high-repetition, low-weight strength training regimens. Working out with light weights is also useful for maintaining balance and coordination. When exercising, it is important to use proper safety gear. After all, sports injuries and head injuries are themselves associated with greater risk for dementia. Properly fitted helmets are critical for cyclists, in-line skaters and similar types of fitness enthusiasts. 

Statistically speaking, some seem destined for some cognitive impairment whatever their life habits. Many dementia symptoms are ultimately associated with Alzheimer's Syndrome, a disease with causes that remain opaque to medical science. Nevertheless, positive life changes are broadly associated with higher functioning for most average people. Key ways to delay dementia include maintaining positive sleep patterns, strong social connections and healthy eating habits. Mental exercise and stress management also play roles in delaying the onset of cognitive deficits. 

Making lifestyle changes is almost never an overnight process. The key to succeeding at a project like this is focusing on building consistent daily habits. Taking self-improvement one day at a time can prevent burn-out or abandonment of goals. Remember that it can take up to 28 days to evolve a tentative practice into an ingrained habit. Many experts argue that maintaining healthy habits is particularly important for older people approaching their retirement years. Besides protecting mental faculties, healthy living habits also contribute to whole-body health. The earlier one starts making positive life changes, the more benefits one can experience. 

Researchers have demonstrated that competitive games and mental exercises can potentially keep people from developing premature dementia symptoms. Once maligned, even video games now receive approbation from professionals who study the prevention of dementia and Alzheimer's Syndrome. Although developing new habits is far from easy, the rewards of healthy living are clearly evident to sensible observers. 

4 Things You didn't Know About Allergies

4 Things You didn't Know About Allergies

Dealing with allergies is never fun. Though different symptoms manifest in different ways, allergies affect millions of Americans every year. Allergies themselves occur when the body mistakes a relatively harmless object for an unwanted invader. Whether it is plant pollen or animal dander, there are numerous allergy triggers present everywhere. Though many people know their triggers, there are still many aspects of allergies that some people are unfamiliar with. By learning more about allergies, people stand a better chance of defending themselves as the weather begins to change.

Air Conditioning Helps Reduce Triggers

Studies show that having an active air conditioner in the house or car can help you cut your exposure to pollen by upwards of 30 percent. Because the air conditioner also filters the air, unwanted contaminants are removed from your space and hurled outside. Additionally, when you have your AC on, you are much less likely to keep your windows open, which is another great way to cut down on your exposure to pollen. For people who struggle with pollen-related allergy triggers, this can mean the difference between a sudden headache and cleaner breathing.

Clean Stuffed Animals Frequently

Many people are unaware that stuffed toys and animals are massive carriers for all types of allergy triggers. Dust mites, dust particles and animal dander cling to fabrics, such as those found on most stuffed animals. If you do not want to trigger any of your allergy symptoms, be sure to give your animals a good clean once every month or so. If you live in a dustier environment, it may not hurt to clean them a little more frequently.

Dust Mites Hate Heat

When you need to wash your upholstery and sheets to keep the dust mites out, try to aim for between 120 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit when you put your fabrics in the wash. Studies show that this is the temperature that kills most dust mites and keeps them from repopulating the surface of your fabrics. Proper cleaning is one of the best ways to keep dust mites out of your home.

Even Hypoallergenic Pets May Contain Allergens

Though many hypoallergenic pets do not shed frequently and do not contribute to the indoor air pollution problem, they may still be a beacon for dust mites and dust. Keep your furry friends well-groomed and trimmed as often as is recommended, regardless of how allergen-free their fur may be.

How BMI Can Affect Brain Function

It may come as a surprise that your BMI could have a serious impact on your brain function as you age. The main reason for this is that having a higher BMI means that your overall inflammation levels are much higher than average. This has been shown to have a negative effect on brain activity. Right now, there has only been a correlation demonstrated between higher levels of body mass and lower cognitive function, and a causal link has yet to be fully established. 

In order to test for the true link between a higher BMI and impaired cognitive function, a study would also need to be conducted on whether reducing overall levels of inflammation in the body can also improve cognition. This remains to be seen in human trials. If this proves true, then more anti-inflammatory drugs would be prescribed to adults to manage systemic inflammation and to improve brain function at the same time. 

While the field of research on the effect of BMI on brain function is still in a state of flux, there is no denying that maintaining a healthy weight is a very positive thing to do for your health. We have known for years that a healthy BMI can reduce your risk of developing many life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, type-2 diabetes and stroke, but we now have even more reason to be mindful of overall BMI. 

In general, cognitive function is expected to decline as you age. However, this does not mean that you should simply succumb to allowing your brain to slow down at a faster rate than absolutely necessary. There is plenty of research that shows you can slow this process down by consuming a diet that is high in antioxidants, such as berries, in order to increase brain activity. Also, diets that are full of whole foods are better suited for helping you maintain a healthy weight and BMI. By getting physical exercise on a daily basis, you can also encourage your brain to function at a higher level. Studies have shown that your brain responds positively to intense exercise, which can be incorporated into your daily routine to make sure that you are slowing down cognitive decline as much as possible. At the same time, you will be helping yourself maintain a healthy weight.