Cold and Flu Treatment – 7 Secrets to Speed Up Recovery
Posted by admin in Cold and Flu on October 25, 2011
Just about anyone who has undergone cold and flu treatment will tell you how annoying and irritating both these conditions can be, and the toll it takes on your daily routine and more importantly, your health.
From my earliest recollection of having the cold or the flu, it involved a lot of coughing and sneezing and just snapping at almost everyone who dared to come near the sniffling, sneezing monster.
And it wasn’t funny at all with numerous visits to the bathroom or not finding a tissue when you need one and most of all, the quarantine period.
Both these illnesses are due to viruses, with the common cold and the flu spread through one’s saliva or nasal secretions. Of course, when you take the necessary precautions, you wouldn’t need to worry, but in the case that you do contract either of these irritants, you’ll be happy to know that we will explore how the common cold and the flu are best treated.
Now, both share many of the same symptoms: chest discomfort, cough, stuffy nose, sneezing and a sore throat. But before you think that both these ailments are one and the same, think again. If we draw a comparison, the flu is the nastier of the two by a long shot. Read the rest of this entry »
Cholesterol and Diseases
Posted by admin in Cholesterol on October 25, 2011
CHOLESTEROL
There are four types of lipids: neutral fats, free fatty acids, steroids and phospholipids. Cholesterol is a steroid produced within the liver cells and has vital roles in the normal functioning of the human body. Cholesterol is transported in blood via compounds made up of proteins and fats, lipoproteins. Basically, lipoproteins are categorized into three main groups based on density:
- HDL – These are lipoproteins of high density. They transmit cholesterol from blood into the liver. Consequently, they are also termed as good cholesterol.
- LDL – These lipoproteins are of lower density compared to the HDL. They carry cholesterol into the blood from the liver hence called bad cholesterol.
- VLDL – They have the lowest density of all the lipoproteins. They carry triglycerides into adipose tissue through blood from the liver. They are also called blood lipids.
Functions of cholesterol
There are multiple functions related to cholesterol:
• It is an essential element of cell membranes
• It is a precursor substance of estrogen and androgen, sex hormones
• Helps in the synthesis of bile, a substance responsible for digestion of fats Read the rest of this entry »
Six Tips for a More Comfortable MRI Experience
The purpose of my MRI was to determine the extent of my uterine cancer prior to surgery. Regardless of the reason why you need an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) test, following these six tips will definitely make your experience more comfortable. I wish that I had known them before my own MRI.
1. Bring Your Own Music.
The MRI is incredibly loud and noisy! At various times, it sounds like a jackhammer is drilling right next to your head, a truck is backing up (next to your head), a car is having major difficulty starting, or you are going through a car wash without the benefit of a car!
Because of the noise, you are given earphones and offered a choice of music. I requested calm, lyrical classical music. The music I got was better suited to a parade than a nap. It wasn’t exactly Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, but it was just as energetic. This must was definitely not conducive to relaxation. When I complained, they gave me classical piano music, which was also much too vigorous.
My final choice was to have no music. However, in the future, should I ever need another MRI, I plan to bring my own CD! Read the rest of this entry »