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Understanding atrial fibrillation and how it contributes to silent strokes
health

Understanding atrial fibrillation and how it contributes to silent strokes

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a health condition that disrupts the heart’s natural pumping rhythm, causing blood to pool in the atria and increasing the likelihood of clot formation. When these clots travel to the brain, they cause silent strokes, which often occur without noticeable symptoms. Silent strokes can lead to cognitive decline and dementia over time. Therefore, understanding the link between AFib and silent strokes helps with early diagnosis and timely management of complications. Atrial fibrillation Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm that occurs when the heart’s upper chambers (atria) quiver instead of contracting properly. This irregularity can lead to blood pooling in the atria, forming clots. A clot breaking loose and reaching the brain can block a blood vessel, leading to a stroke. One should know certain things about Afib. It is one of the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmias, affecting approximately 2-3% of the global population. Its prevalence increases with age, making it more common among older adults. Some individuals may have AFib without experiencing any noticeable symptoms. It is known as “silent AFib,” making it crucial to conduct regular heart monitoring, especially in high-risk groups. Silent strokes Silent strokes, otherwise known as asymptomatic cerebral infarctions, occur without apparent symptoms.
8 noticeable signs of excess sugar intake
health

8 noticeable signs of excess sugar intake

The human body breaks down sugar from food to release glucose, the primary source of energy. But excess sugar only leads to unnecessary calorie buildup. In fact, added sugars in processed foods harm the body by triggering spikes in insulin levels. It can also increase the risk of health complications like heart disease. So, how does one know they have had too much sugar? Here are eight noticeable signs of excess sugar intake. Increase in appetite Sugary foods are rich in calories. But they do not have the nutritional value that the body otherwise gains from proteins, fiber, and antioxidants found in healthy foods. Empty calories cannot satiate a full-grown adult. So, to fill this void, many people turn to compulsive snacking throughout the day. Excess fatigue People who eat sugary foods and beverages regularly might experience frequent bouts of fatigue. Excess sugar triggers abnormal changes in insulin levels, and energy levels drop rapidly as the body tries to process the extra calories. Acne and skin problems One of the most noticeable signs of excess sugar intake is adult acne and skin problems. This is mainly because of blood glucose imbalance since the body’s glycemic levels influence skin health. Digestive problems Sugar is an underlying irritant that can result in many digestive problems.
Glucose level charts – Importance, components, and more
health

Glucose level charts – Importance, components, and more

The blood sugar or blood glucose level will indicate the amount of sugar in the bloodstream of a person at an instance. The sugar is carried to the cells of the body to provide energy to the different parts of the body. Our body derives this sugar from the different dietary items that we consume. The blood sugar level is controlled by the human systems so that the glucose levels are never too high or too low. The sugar in the blood is not the same as sucrose or the sugar that we consume – it is in the form of glucose. The level of blood sugar or glucose alters throughout the day. It is the lowest in the morning before you have your breakfast. It rises soon after meals but then settles after an hour or so. In a healthy person, the level of blood sugar in a fasting state will be below 99milligrams per deciliter. However, in patients with diabetes, this level is a lot more fluctuating. The main aim here is to maintain the level of blood sugar within 130 mg/dl before meals and less than 180mg/dl after their meals. What Is A Glucose Chart Or A Blood Sugar Chart?
Importance of maintaining healthy blood sugar levels
health

Importance of maintaining healthy blood sugar levels

The blood sugar or blood glucose level will indicate the amount of sugar in the bloodstream of a person at an instance. The sugar is carried to the cells of the body to provide energy to the different parts of the body. Our body derives this sugar from the different dietary items that we consume. The blood sugar level is controlled by the human systems so that the glucose levels are never too high or too low. The sugar in the blood is not the same as sucrose or the sugar that we consume – it is in the form of glucose. The level of blood sugar or glucose alters throughout the day. It is the lowest in the morning before you have your breakfast. It rises soon after meals but then settles after an hour or so. In a healthy person, the level of blood sugar in a fasting state will be below 99milligrams per deciliter. However, in patients with diabetes, this level is a lot more fluctuating. The main aim here is to maintain the level of blood sugar within 130 mg/dl before meals and less than 180mg/dl after their meals. What Is A Glucose Chart Or A Blood Sugar Chart?
8 warning signs that indicate excess sugar intake
health

8 warning signs that indicate excess sugar intake

Sugar is a soluble carbohydrate that is often added to most of our foods. This is what makes delicacies like cookies, chocolates, brownies, and cakes delicious. However, eating too many foods rich in sugars can deteriorate your overall health. The compound may cause health conditions and complications like tiredness, build-up of visceral fat, diabetes, and heart disease. So, here are eight signs of excess sugar intake to look out for. Feelings of irritability Studies indicate that eating foods with too much sugar may lead to irritability, stress, and moodiness. Sugar-rich foods contain less protein and fats which may lead to spikes in blood sugar levels. In turn, the body will rush to process the compounds and cause the energy levels to crash. Foods don’t taste sweet anymore Sometimes you may feel that the sugar-laden foods you consume are not as sweet as it once was. It may be an indication that you are consuming too much sugar. You may also find yourself less satisfied when you consume foods with low sugar content. Excess visceral fat Sugar is also known to affect leptin, a hormone that signals the brain when you have enough to eat. And processed snacks are rich in sugar but low in protein, healthy fats, and fibers.
All you need to know about menopause
health

All you need to know about menopause

Menopause marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles. It is typically diagnosed after a year of no menstrual periods, but it begins much before that. Menopause occurs in your forties and even fifties, but the average age when it occurs in the US is 51. While it is a natural and biological process, the physical symptoms and the hot flashes may cause disruptions in your sleep and even affect your emotional health in general. There are plenty of treatments available. But, to get started, you need to know what the condition looks and feels like. Here are the symptoms, causes, and complications related to menopause. Symptoms of menopause In the time leading up to menopause, you may experience some common symptoms such as irregularity in periods, dryness in the vagina, as well as hot flashes. Some people also experience chills, sleep problems, mood swings, and night sweats. Weight gain and slowed metabolism are two other symptoms that commonly occur with menopause. Menopausal women may even experience dry skin and thinning hair on a regular basis. However, this is not to say that all women experience these symptoms. Different women go through different issues. Depending on your health in general, you may experience varying levels of symptoms.
Mycosis fungoides – Foods to avoid and to eat
health

Mycosis fungoides – Foods to avoid and to eat

Mycosis fungoides is a rare, slow-progressing, and chronic form of T-cell lymphoma of the skin. The cancerous cells can affect the skin and cause multiple lesions. The condition is further categorized into four stages. Each stage represents a more severe form of the disease. Aside from treatments for mycosis fungoides, studies show that even the foods you eat and avoid play a role in improving or worsening the symptoms. Foods to Avoid to Help Manage Cancers Processed meats Processed meats are those which are preserved through means of salting, curing, and smoking. The process, however, uses nitrates and nitrites to preserve the meat. Such chemicals may increase the chance of certain cancers and may even make you prone to mycosis fungoides. Alcohol Alcohol is another substance that can aggravate underlying health conditions, even lead to new ones. When you consume alcohol, it releases acetaldehyde, which is a chemical that may damage your DNA, and cause uncontrolled growth of cells, and lead to cancer. Sugar-sweetened beverages Sugar-sweetened beverages are high in calories and can make it difficult to balance energy levels. Excessive calorie intake may put you at a greater risk of gaining weight, even becoming obese. Such health conditions may drastically increase your chances of developing cancers.
4 human foods that are harmful to dogs
pets

4 human foods that are harmful to dogs

While human foods like fish and milk are safe for dogs, certain other options can harm their health and cause allergic reactions. Unfortunately, many pet parents don’t know this and continue to feed their four-legged friends from their own plate. Keeping this in mind, we’ve put together a list of human foods that are harmful to dogs, including the Chihuahua breed, and some pet food brands like Royal Canin ® and Purina ® that provide healthy alternatives. Chocolates Chocolates are toxic for all dogs, but Chihuahuas and other small breeds can have a more intense reaction. Chocolates have a compound called theobromine, which dogs can’t handle. While some dogs may vomit and suffer from diarrhea, others may experience seizures, tremors, or irregular heartbeat. Xylitol (artificial sweetener) Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in non-sugary gums, cakes, mints, and candy. Ingestion of this substance may interfere with a dog’s blood sugar levels. The smaller the dog, the more the impact. Other foods that have xylitol include peanut butter, jellies, jams, and fruit drinks, to name a few. Grapes and raisins These tiny foods that are super delicious for us humans can cause severe reactions among dogs when ingested in large quantities. And since pups never stop searching for food, you must be careful not to drop grapes or raisins around the kitchen area.
7 unhealthy foods diabetics should avoid
health

7 unhealthy foods diabetics should avoid

Food choices matter a lot when you try to combat a health condition. And diabetes is a chronic, long-term disease that needs to be managed with a combination of a healthy lifestyle and food choices. Quality sleep, an active lifestyle, and nutritious food choices can be rewarding for those with diabetes. However, while some foods make for a good choice, some can do equal harm. This article highlights the worst foods for those with diabetes. Starch While carbs are important, the source of carbs is what matters the most. Some of the worst choices in this food category for people with diabetes are rice, white flour, cereals, fries, white bread, and fried tortillas.  Canned vegetables Vegetables are best eaten in their raw, organic form. Avoid canned vegetables and try to cook a meal from scratch, using fresh produce. Also, stir-fried veggies made using a generous amount of butter are not a good option too. Sodium-rich foods Pickles, frozen and canned foods are all high in sodium, which can spike the blood pressure levels in people with diabetes. Diabetes is an illness associated with the heart and kidneys, so the diet must be low in sodium.  Artificial fruit juices and packaged by-products While fresh fruits are a good choice and are recommended to be consumed as is, other forms of fruits are to be avoided.
4 tips for breast cancer management
health

4 tips for breast cancer management

Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast mutate and grow out of control. They grow to form a mass of cancerous cells called a tumor. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers. Estimates suggest at least 13% women in the country face an increased risk of breast cancer. This is why it is important to be aware of its management. Such tips are listed below along with treatment options and food choices: Treatment options Before discussing management tips, it is important to know some treatment options for breast cancer. AFINITOR® (everolimus) is one such option. It is an mTOR inhibitor. mTOR is a type of protein that provides energy to cells to grow. AFINITOR® stops cancer cells from getting energy since it is an mTOR inhibitor. It is used to treat postmenopausal women that have HER2-negative and advanced hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Another treatment option is CAR-T cell therapy. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a process that helps T-cells specifically recognize and attack malignant or cancerous cells. It is a less toxic treatment method than conventional options like chemotherapy. Eating healthy Consuming healthy foods is an effective cancer management technique. The nutrients and minerals in our food improve the efficacy of medications.

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Understanding skin problems and some diseases that cause them
health

Understanding skin problems and some diseases that cause them

Skin problems are of several types, with varying symptoms and triggers. They don’t always last for a long time, and some skin diseases can be almost painless too, albeit mentally and emotionally traumatizing. As they’re so common, there are well-established treatments for almost all skin diseases. However, there is still a lack of proper knowledge about what can trigger them. Read on to understand the skin issues better. Symptoms There are various symptoms of skin conditions, depending on the type of issue you have. However, you must keep in mind that skin roughness or blisters may not be caused by skin-related issues at all. These can be caused by wearing a new shoe or a rough fabric. Some of the symptoms that are actually caused by skin problems include white or red raised bumps, an itchy or painful rash, rough skin, ulcers, peeling skin, open lesions, cracked and dry skin, fleshy bumps, discolored patches, changes to the mole size or color, warts, excessive flushing, and loss of the skin pigment. Causes The skin problems can be caused by a variety of reasons. The most common ones include bacteria that are trapped in hair follicles or skin pores, microorganisms that are living on your skin, different viruses, weak immunity, coming in contact with irritants or allergens, genetic factors, a variety of illnesses, and certain lifestyle-related factors.
Sleep disorder – Its types, symptoms, causes, and risk factors
health

Sleep disorder – Its types, symptoms, causes, and risk factors

Sleep disorder is a medical condition that adversely affects your regular sleeping pattern. It has a direct impact on your health and the quality of sleep. This, in turn, paves the way for several other health problems and makes it difficult for you to go about your day-to-day activities. Types of sleep disorders Insomnia This is a condition in which a person finds it difficult to fall asleep at night or during other hours. Sleep apnea It is a condition in which a person suffers from irregular breathing patterns when they are sleeping. There are different types of sleep apnea. Restless legs syndrome It is a form of sleep disorder that is also referred to as Willis-Ekbom disease. It causes an unnatural and discomforting sensation in the legs. You also feel an uncontrollable urge to move your legs when you are trying to sleep. Narcolepsy This is a condition in which a person feels tired and sleepy throughout the day. Symptoms of sleep disorder Finding it difficult to sleep A sense of fatigue during the day Feeling a strong urge to sleep during the day even after sleeping for a good number of hours in the night Feeling irritated Suffering from anxiety Not being able to concentrate Suffering from depression Causes of sleep disorder Allergies Different kinds of allergic reactions, like cold and sneezing, make a person uncomfortable while sleeping.
Symptoms, causes, and risks of peptic ulcer
health

Symptoms, causes, and risks of peptic ulcer

Peptic ulcer affects about 4.6 million Americans every year. Peptic ulcer results in open sores forming on the upper portion of the small intestine and the inside lining of the stomach. The first one is known as the duodenal ulcer, and the second type is known as a gastric ulcer. Read on to know more about its symptoms, causes, and risks associated with this condition. Symptoms of peptic ulcer If you feel a burning pain in the stomach, then it can be a sign of peptic ulcers, as it is the most common symptom of the disease. The pain can get worse at night or between meals. The acid in your stomach makes it worse. Other than the pain, some other common symptoms of peptic ulcers include feeling bloated or full, intolerance to fatty food, nausea, and heartburn. Apart from these, the other signs may include: Vomiting with the presence of blood Presence of dark blood in the stool Trouble in breathing Feeling faint Nausea Sudden weight loss Change in appetite Taking acid blockers can relieve the pain temporarily. If it keeps coming back, you need to contact your doctor. Causes of peptic ulcer Stomach conditions may have a variety of causes, which is true for peptic ulcers too.
Top 6 cable TV service providers you can pick from
services

Top 6 cable TV service providers you can pick from

In American households, television has always been regarded as the most quintessential requirement. Since its initial arrival back in the 1900s, TV connection and its range of channels has come a long, long way. In this article, we’ll share with you six of the best cable service providers of today. DIRECTV At number one on our list is DIRECTV, which is the most prominent TV cable provider in the country. It offers you more than 200 channels that have networks all across Latin America and the US. With them, you can choose from different package schemes, and you can add or remove the premium channels, as required. Even the most basic package has more than 60 channels, payable at $35 a month. Sports lovers will especially enjoy the bumper sports-centric packages offered by DIRECTV. DISH If there’s a hot favorite in the TV provider industry, then it has to be DISH. The company started back in the 1980s and is today a Fortune 250 brand. It is primarily appreciated by customers for its premium but affordable plans that give you access to channels for movies, sports, and TV shows. With DISH, you can get a basic package of 190 channels for $59.99 per month.

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