For anyone who is over the age of 20, cholesterol levels should be checked intermittently every 5 years to keep a track record of health. The test used to screen cholesterol levels is known as lipid profile, and it is recommended by experts that women above the age of 45 years and men above the age of 35 years should get frequent screenings done to check for lipid disorders. The aspects covered by the lipoprotein profile include the following: Total cholesterol LDL (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, more famously known as “bad” cholesterol) HDL (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, more commonly known as “good” cholesterol) Triglycerides (fats that are carried into the blood from the food that is consumed. Too much of alcohol, sugar or calories in the body get converted to triglycerides that are stored in fat cells throughout the body.) The results of the blood test for the lipid profile come in the forms of numbers. The numbers indicated in the test should not be the only proof to predict the risk of any potential heart problems. They also cannot help formulate ways in which the predicted risk can be lowered. These numbers are simply part of a much larger equation under which other factors like age, blood pressure, sugar levels, hormone profile, smoking habits, use of medications and other factors are also accounted for.

A very common skin disease causes skin inflammation, redness and general itchiness is known as eczema that is also known as dermatitis. One of the major triggers of eczema includes dry skin and dryness, and so preventing dryness is key. Dryness of the skin can be prevented by following a good skin care routine that includes regular moisturizing and general hygiene through cleanliness. Bathing with a mild antiseptic soap followed by good moisturizing are the key treatments to help treat and prevent eczema. Importance of moisturizing One of the most effective methods of controlling eczema is to keep the moisture of the skin intact since it is common knowledge that when the skin gets dry, it can get irritated and flare up the condition of eczema. Dry skin is a result of a lot of factors such as cold temperatures, low humidity, wind, harsh soaps or detergents, excessive washing, lack of moisturizing and lack of warmth. Proper moisturizing and using products best matched to deal with skin conditions like eczema are crucial to controlling this disorder. Some points to remember when moisturizing to fix conditions as eczema include: Any topical prescription medication should be applied as directed before moisturizing. Within three minutes of showering or bathing, it is important to cover the skin with a decent layer of moisturizer to lock in the moisture already present in the skin and to protect the skin barrier.

Have you been taking enough probiotics in your food? Probably, you are not. Essentially probiotics are the good bacteria which line the gut and play a vital role in the absorption of nutrients and support the immune system. Benefits of Probiotic foods Probiotic foods have many immediate health benefits, some of which include: Development of strong immune system Improvement in digestion Evolution of healthier skin as probiotics leads to improvement of eczema. Reduction in incidence of flu and cold Let us look at some of the best probiotic products: Kefir It is similar to yogurt and is a combination of fermented kefir grains and milk. Kefir has been in use since last 3,000 years and is known to contain 34 strains of probiotics. Cultured Vegetables Cultured vegetables are made from fermented cabbage and other such vegetables. Though it is not diverse in probiotics but has a higher proportion of organic acids which gives sour taste and results in the formation of good bacteria. The combination of cultured bacteria is very common in Germany and is especially taken by people who are looking to having a strong digestive system. Kombucha This is an effervescent fermentation of black tea and has been in use since last 2,000 years after it originated in Japan.

A blood pressure test indicates whether a person is suffering from low blood pressure or high blood pressure. The numbers indicated in this test need to be studied carefully to diagnose any potential problems. What is blood pressure? Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood in the circulatory system. A normal systolic falls to less than 120 and the corresponding diastole is less than 80. For prehypertension, systolic is 120-139 and diastolic is 80-89. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 1 systolic is 140-159 and diastolic is 90-99. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 2 systolic is 160 or higher while diastolic is 100 or higher. Hypertensive Crisis(Emergency care needed) systolic is higher than 180 and diastolic is higher than 110. A medical professional needs to confirm the diagnosis of high blood pressure as well as evaluate any unusually low blood pressure. In general, it has been observed that low blood pressure readings and lower targets work for populations like the elderly, African-Americans, as well as patients who have underlying health issues like chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus. Categories of blood pressure The American Heart Association recognizes five categories of blood pressure: Normal blood pressure:  Those who have normal blood pressure numbers that fall within the optimal ranges of being less than 120/80 mm Hg have a healthy level of blood pressure.

Among the various skin diseases prevalent today, rosacea is one that is not fully understood.  As a result, the myths around it are too many while the facts and management tips are too few.  In case you have been afflicted with the condition, stop going anxious. The main causes are under investigation, and medical experts have not fully pointed these out for sure. Moreover, there is no permanent cure found for the same yet.  Instead of losing heart though, you can follow these tips to manage the condition better. Don’t Shy Away From Skin Products This is something you have to believe.  You must not simply avoid skin products.  Many rosacea victims thinking that just about any product could damage your skin. The truth is that despite your skin is sensitive, you have to use moisturizers.  Moisturizing your skin is really important and will prevent fares due to the ability to keep irritants at bay. K.I.S.S The KISS policy applies to your skin care routine in case you’ve rosacea.  The simplest of routines could work wonders. Limit the quantity of skin products and ingredients that your skin is subject to. Make sure you use products meant for sensitive skin. This will prevent allergies and skin breakouts.

Every person suffers from diarrhea at some point. Loose and regular bowel movements are the main signs that a person is suffering from diarrhea. In normal cases, diarrhea lasts for few days. However, in case this lasts for more time it indicates the presence of a more serious disorder like inflammatory bowel diseases and irritable bowel syndrome. Signs and symptoms of Diarrhea Some of the key signs and symptoms of diarrhea include loose and watery stools, cramps in the abdomen, blood in the stool and urgent need of having a bowel movement. In case these symptoms persist treatment from a doctor should be sought. In addition to these, the assistance of doctor should be sought when diarrhea persists beyond two days; a person becomes dehydrated; a person has severe abdominal pain, the stools are bloody and black, and the fever is above 102 F. Causes of Diarrhea Diarrhea is caused by numerous disease conditions including: Virus infection Virus infection also causes diarrhea. Some of the virus which causes diarrhea includes viral hepatitis, Norwalk virus, and cytomegalovirus. In addition to this rotavirus also cause acute diarrhea in children. Bacteria and Parasites Contaminated food or water can also result in diarrhea symptoms in human beings.

There are many factors which can be considered to cause hair loss. This can happen due to hair follicles getting clogged by oil, or the scalp can be lacking in vitamins. An alternate form of testosterone is also known to inhibit the growth of hair. Of the numerous hair loss treatment options available in the market some have side effects in the form of dryness and dandruff which can prove detrimental to the growth of hair. Choosing the shampoo for hair loss The shampoo for hair loss should be ideally free from chemical as these cause harm to the hair. A person should also have some knowledge of the type of hair they have as picking the wrong shampoo for hair loss can cause more trouble than good. If your scalp is dry, the shampoo for oily scalp and hair will do no good to you. Instead, the focus should be on shampoo that is most suitable for dry scalp. The shampoo you choose to cure the hair loss should be from a reputed brand, picking up new and unknown shampoo can cause a problem, and in worst cases, you will have to consult your dermatologist for a solution. A good shampoo would be one which has ingredients loaded with minerals, essential oils and vitamins as these are considered a good combination for maintaining the health of hair.

If your dress is not fitting in and giving you tough times, it is sure that the belly is going out of shape. This is high time that you make some lifestyle changes so that not only you remain healthy but also make others turn their heads when you pass by. However, you should remember that dieting and exercise are interrelated. If dieting only could help, the need for doing exercise would never arise, but this is not the case. Ideally, some exercise needs to be done on a regular basis along with healthy food. Below are some of the best exercise for belly fat and doing these on a regular basis will help in reduction of the belly fat. Crunches One of the best exercises for belly fat reduction is crunches. For doing crunches, a person has to lie down on a mat with the knees bent with feet on the ground. The legs can also be lifted at 90-degree angle. The hands have to be lifted and placed beside the head or can be crossed and placed on the chest. Inhalation has to be done deeply as the upper torso is lifted from the floor. Exhale slowly as the torso is lifted.