Atherosclerosis refers to a medical condition in which the arteries become hardened and narrowed due to the accumulation of cholesterol plaque in the walls of the artery, obstructing the flow of blood.

What are the causes?

Atherosclerosis is a slow but progressive disorder that starts with the damage of endothelium   cells lining the interior surface of lymphatic and blood vessels. This allows bad ldl cholesterol to build up in the artery walls. Over time, a plaque made of calcium, macrophages, and cholesterol grows to a certain size to clog up arteries, disrupting blood flow around the body.

Other factors leading to atherosclerosis to include  

High blood pressure

High levels of triglyceride in the blood

High cholesterol levels

Certain medical conditions   diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance

Smoking/use of tobacco

Inflammatory conditions like lupus and arthritis

Symptoms of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis may develop in childhood or during adolescence. Mild conditions may not reveal observable symptoms unless the arteries are clogged, and blood supply to the tissues and organs are restricted.

Signs of moderate to severe atherosclerosis depend on the affected arteries   it could be the arteries leading to your brain, your heart, legs and arms, or the kidney. The symptoms of atherosclerosis include  

Weakness and fatigue

Difficulty breathing/concentrating

Headaches

Facial numbness

Paralysis

Vomiting

Chest pain

Anxiety

Loss of appetite

Swelling in the feet and hands

If any of the above symptoms seem familiar to you, consult a doctor right away for treatment.

Can atherosclerosis be prevented?

The best way to avoid cholesterol plaque from building up in the artery walls is to prevent the onset of atherosclerosis with these preventive measures.

Eat healthy   avoid eating foods that are rich in saturated fats   red meat, butter and cheese. These increase your cholesterol levels drastically. Instead, include foods that contain unsaturated fats, like avocados, olive oil, fatty fish, nuts and seeds because these help to keep ldl or bad cholesterol levels down.

Stay active   exercising and staying active can help regulate your cholesterol levels and prevent certain conditions that might put you at risk for atherosclerosis.

Quit smoking   people who smoke should quit smoking because it is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis   it increases blood pressure, which in turn, affects your cholesterol levels.

Atherosclerosis can lead to complications. With precautionary measures and proper treatment, the condition can be avoided.

Know All About Atherosclerosis Here

Potassium is one of the seven essential macrominerals found in a variety of foods, including legumes, fish, and leafy vegetables. The mineral plays a vital role in various body functions, such as regulating water balance, heart functioning, and muscle contractions.

Potassium deficiency can lead to weakness, ;fatigue, and constipation. It is therefore important that you include potassium-rich foods in your daily ;diet.

However, keep in mind that taking in more than the required amount of potassium can do more harm than good to your body.

How much should you take in and why?

As per the world health organization, the recommended daily intake of potassium for adults is between 3500mg and 4700mg, as it is safe to consume. When taken in recommended measures, a potassium-rich diet can have some impressive benefits on your overall health. It may reduce or prevent a host of health problems.


	
	Lower high blood pressure
	
	
	Helps eliminate salt insensitivity
	
	
	Reduces your chances of getting a ;stroke by 7%
	
	
	Helps prevent osteoporosis and minimizes the risk of bone fractures
	
	
	Alleviates the risk of ;kidney stones
	


Natural foods are the best source of this mineral. However, you may also turn to supplements, as per your healthcare provider s recommendation.

How much is too much?

Despite its health benefits, potassium should be consumed within the prescribed limit. Going overboard can cause excess potassium to be stored in your blood, and your kidneys may not be able to filter the excess amount   this condition could possibly lead to hyperkalemia. If your potassium levels are between 5.1mmol/l and 6.0mmol/l, you might be at risk of hyperkalemia. Higher than 6.0mmol/l level is considered dangerous   you will need to monitor and manage the condition in order to avoid the risk.

Potassium is essential for bodily functions. A healthy diet and overall eating patterns are important for maintaining good health and keeping illnesses at bay. Be sure to meet your recommended daily intake and avoid exceeding 4700mg of potassium daily. If you are looking to include supplements, talk to your doctor and make sure you stick to the prescribed dosage.

How Safe Is Potassium For Your Health?

Preeclampsia is a condition that affects women during pregnancy. It is characterized by increased blood pressure and high levels of protein in the urine. Women with preeclampsia also experience swelling in the feet, legs, and arms.

Researchers suspect that excessive body fat or poor nutrition are the primary contributors to preeclampsia and eclampsia.

If left undetected, preeclampsia can lead to a more severe complication, known as eclampsia. Eclampsia can put you and your baby at risk, and can even lead to death (in rare cases).

How do preeclampsia and eclampsia affect the mother?

Preeclampsia and eclampsia can cause a host of complications for the mother, such as the following  

Hellp syndrome   hellp syndrome refers to three different conditions   low platelet count, elevated liver enzymes, and haemolysis. This generally occurs late in pregnancy and affects the processing of rbc, functioning of the liver, and blood clotting.

Seizures

Heart and renal failure

Water in the lungs

Bleeding from the liver

Reversible blindness

Effects of preeclampsia and eclampsia on the baby

Preeclampsia can lead to problems with the placenta in the initial stage of pregnancy. This may pose risks, including the following to the baby  

Lack of nutrients and oxygen, which may prevent the foetus to grow properly

Preterm birth

Stillbirth   this happens when the placenta is separated from the uterine wall

Infant death

Stillbirths are more common when the mother has suffered from a severe form of preeclampsia, like hellp syndrome.

Preeclampsia and eclampsia are linked to a myriad of health issues and life-long challenges for prematurely born babies. These may include cerebral palsy, learning disorders, epilepsy, deafness and blindness.

There is no particular cure for preeclampsia and eclampsia. Treatment, however, depends on how close you are to your due date, and how much the foetus has developed. In the case of mild preeclampsia, your doctor may recommend resting, healthy eating   that limits salt intake   and regular prenatal checkups.

Effects Of Preeclampsia And Eclampsia On You And The Baby

Your body needs some cholesterol to produce hormones and vitamins that help in digestion. Two types of lipoproteins   ldl cholesterol and hdl cholesterol   are responsible for carrying cholesterol to and from the cells in your body.

Hdl or high-density cholesterol is good cholesterol. It carries bad cholesterol away from the arteries and other body parts back to the liver to be processed by the liver.

Ldl or low-density cholesterol, also known as the bad cholesterol, contributes to fatty build-ups within the arteries. This results in narrowing of the arteries and increases your risk of cardiovascular diseases like pad, heart attack, or even stroke.

Although there are medications to bring down ldl cholesterol levels, your doctor may recommend using therapeutic lifestyle changes to see how well your cholesterol levels can be managed without medications.

How to reduce  bad  cholesterol naturally

You can lower ldl cholesterol levels naturally with the following measures  

Diet and weight loss

Being obese or overweight not only increases the odds of developing high ldl levels but also contributes to cardiac diseases and chronic conditions. Studies suggest that losing even a little weight may help reduce ldl levels.

Your diet plays an important role in losing excess fat and maintaining ideal body weight. Eating the right kind of food   such as those that contain a good amount of monosaturated fats, phytosterols and soluble fibre   can help lower harmful ldl cholesterol and increase the levels of hdl cholesterol in the blood. Focus on eating whole grains, fruits and leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and fatty fish.

Exercise more often

Exercising regularly, in moderate amounts, can bring down your cholesterol levels and promote weight loss. Any form of cardiovascular activity, such as cycling, running, swimming and jogging benefits your heart health. You may also turn to other forms of exercise   weight training or yoga   as they also work to decrease the levels of bad cholesterol.

Quit smoking

Smoking causes a number of chemical changes in your body. Cigarette smoke increases bad cholesterol (ldl) and triglycerides levels. This leads to the accumulation of waxy plaque, which clogs the arteries. At the same time, smoking reduces the level of good cholesterol   the one that prevents the formation of plaque in your blood. Quit smoking and turn to a healthier lifestyle to see a difference in the levels of your ldl cholesterol.

Limit alcohol consumption

According to studies, heavy alcohol consumption or drinking more than what is considered moderate significantly increases bad cholesterol, which again raises triglyceride levels and ldl cholesterol.

Lifestyle changes are the natural and first line of treatment for people with high cholesterol levels. However, if your doctor suspects these levels could put you at risk of other medical conditions, he/she might recommend medications to manage bad cholesterol.

Reduce LDL Cholesterol With These Easy Steps

Congestive heart failure is a condition when your heart stops pumping blood effectively. By being aware of the risk factors, you can manage your condition in a better way. Also, you must consult your doctor on a regular basis to get yourself checked.

Complications Associated With Congestive Heart Failure

The moment you are diagnosed with a tumour, the first thing your doctor will do is find out whether the tumour is benign or malignant   this will determine the course of your treatment. In simple words, benign means non-cancerous while malignant means cancerous.

Benign cancer

When tumour cells grow at a normal pace, it is known as benign or non-cancerous growth. In the case of benign cancer, the cells grow slowly and do not spread to other parts of the body or invade the adjacent tissues. Most often, these do not exhibit serious symptoms or pose a threat to your health. So, they are not a cause of concern. However, sometimes a benign tumour can press against nerves, tissues or the blood vessels, causing pain and discomfort.

Some common types of benign cancer are  


	
	Adenomas
	
	
	Fibromas or fibroids
	
	
	Hemangiomas
	
	
	Lipomas
	


Benign tumours, although tend to be harmless, may need to be operated. This is true for tumours that have grown to become large and weigh heavy. When these develop in the brain and cluster around to press against block channels or vital organs, the condition can be potentially dangerous. Moreover, certain types of non-cancerous tumours like intestinal polyps are precancerous   meaning they have the potential to turn cancerous. ;Surgery to remove this type of tumour can help prevent it from becoming malignant.

Malignant cancer

Malignant cancer refers to cancerous tumours that can potentially be fatal. Unlike benign cancer, malignant cancer progresses quickly and metastasizes to invade other organs, tissues or parts of the body.

Here are a few examples of tumours that are cancerous in nature  


	
	Carcinoma
	
	
	Sarcoma
	
	
	Germ cell tumour
	
	
	Blastoma
	


A tumour that has turned malignant, or has spread through the lymphatic system or bloodstream, may require aggressive treatment. Based on the stage of cancer, your ;oncologist will devise a treatment plan that might include immunotherapy, ;radiation therapy, chemotherapy ;or surgery.

Being diagnosed with a tumour can be hard to deal with. To find out if the tumour is benign or malignant, consult a specialist and discuss your concerns.

Benign Cancer Vs Malignant Cancer: Know The Difference!

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