#fat embolus

[biology-geology-beaches-india]

TSRNOSS, p 627.

[mockiatoh]

A fat embolus?? You mean what killed Phineas ‘Finny’ Brinker? Symptoms include dyspnea, tachypnea, and symbolizing the loss of destruction of innocence in war.

[nursingscience]

Embolism

Embolism is a condition where a foreign material, such as a blood clot, fat, air bubble, or other particle, travels through the bloodstream and gets stuck in a blood vessel, blocking the blood flow. The foreign material is called an embolus.

Embolisms can occur in any part of the body, but some common types are:

1. Pulmonary embolism: when an embolus blocks a pulmonary artery in the lung, preventing oxygen from reaching the blood. This can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, and fainting. Pulmonary embolism is often caused by a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a blood clot in the leg or pelvis that breaks off and travels to the lung.

2. Ischemic stroke: when an embolus blocks an artery in the brain, depriving brain cells of oxygen and nutrients. This can cause numbness, weakness, confusion, vision problems, speech difficulties, and paralysis. Ischemic stroke is often caused by atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in the arteries that narrows them and makes them prone to clotting.

3. Myocardial infarction: when an embolus blocks an artery that supplies blood to the heart muscle, causing damage or death of the heart tissue. This can cause chest pain, nausea, sweating, and irregular heartbeat. Myocardial infarction is also known as a heart attack and is also often caused by atherosclerosis.

[gsuniversityofficial]

Do you know the causes of a Stroke?

Introduction

Stroke is a common cause of disability and, even worse, death, killing over 400,000 people each year around the world.

What do you know about stroke?

When a person's brain stops functioning, it is a stroke caused by a sudden disturbance in the blood flow to the brain. Anyone can fall prey to it, but it's more common in older people.

A cerebrovascular accident (CVA) happens when an artery supplying blood to your head or neck is blocked or partially blocked by a blood clot, restricting the usual blood flow to your brain tissue. This can lead to the following:

feeling weak or dizzy

pain in your arms and legs

slurred speech 

If you have symptoms like these after having CVA, call 112 immediately!

Causes of stroke

The causes of a stroke may vary, but they often cluster into four major categories: atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), and smoking. Atherosclerosis is the build-up of fatty plaque inside your arteries. High cholesterol and high triglycerides can also cause the narrowing of blood vessels, leading to stroke if not treated properly. Smoking causes inflammation in the brain, which may lead to a greater risk for stroke and other types of dementia, like Alzheimer's disease. All the Best Neuro Hospital in UP also link high blood sugar levels with increased risk for vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis; Type II diabetes tends to increase these risks because it promotes too much insulin production, which leads directly to an increase in blood glucose levels over time!

This article will help you gain in-depth knowledge not only about the cause of a stroke but also educate its types, symptoms, related risk, and essential factors that will aid in preventing a stroke- well... That's because we want you to be aware before something happens!

Its types

Strokes are classified into four main types:

Cerebral infarction (Cerebrovascular accident)- Cerebral infarction is when the blood supply to your brain becomes blocked. While the reason for this condition may vary, it is commonly caused due to atherosclerosis and hypertension. Some of the best neurologist in UP run transcendental meditation and relaxation programs to manage hypertension and high blood pressure effectively. 

Subcortical arterial ischemia- Occurs when blood flow to specific brain parts becomes restricted due to the narrowing of arteries or damaged valves in large vessels such as those leading from your heart. A combination of changes in blood pressure and cholesterol levels is often responsible for this type of stroke.

Embolic stroke (Thromboembolism)- An embolus composed primarily of fat globules or clots can travel through arteries and block them, causing a thrombosis which causes damage inside your brain tissue; this condition may be accompanied by inflammation, which causes further complications later on down the road if left untreated appropriately!

Risk factors for stroke

The research carried out in GS Hospital shows that there are several risk factors for stroke, including high blood pressure and diabetes. Other factors that can increase your chances of stroke include family history, smoking, and rising age.

High blood pressure: It's estimated that one in three adults have some form of hypertension—a condition characterized by abnormal increases in blood pressure over time. Still, only one-third of those people are being treated for it.

High cholesterol: This condition puts you at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) when it's left untreated.

Smoking: Tobacco products contain thousands of chemicals that may increase your risk for heart disease.

Diabetes mellitus type 2: Having diabetes can make you more likely to develop CVD later in life due to reduced circulation throughout the body.

Family history: Your personal history is essential in determining how susceptible you are to developing certain diseases and how well they will respond when they occur.

Symptoms of a stroke

Stroke symptoms include:

Facial droop- This is the most common stroke symptom, and it can affect both or just one side of your face at once. The records from one of the Best Hospital in Hapur show patients may also have difficulty speaking, swallowing, and chewing food properly.

Difficulty walking or being able to move around at all (unable to put on shoes).

One side of your body will feel immense weakness that will gradually affect muscle control (for example, weakness in one leg or arm). This could be mild or severe depending on how long after the stroke occurred, it occurred.

How is a stroke diagnosed?

When a stroke occurs, many people can help, but the first person to notice that something is wrong will be your family or loved one. The family members must treat this as an emergency and take the patient to the nearest hospital, where an ER physician, nurse practitioner, neurologist, or other medical professionals specially trained in treating strokes will examine them. A state circular forwarded by the 10 Best Neurology Hospitals in Uttar Pradesh stated, "If you think someone has had a stroke and they aren't talking clearly or walking correctly after receiving treatment, this could mean that they haven't been properly diagnosed yet!"

Knowing your risk factors is essential

Knowing your risk factors is vital to managing your health. The more you know about your stroke risk, the better you can handle it. Knowing your risk factors can help you avoid stroke, other health problems, and even death by preventing or controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol levels (a significant risk factor for heart disease) as well as diabetes mellitus (which is associated with cardiovascular disease).

Knowing how likely someone is to have a heart attack or stroke based on age alone isn't enough; it's also essential to understand what lifestyle changes might be able to lower this probability even further. For example: Do they smoke cigarettes? How much do they weigh? 

Are they physically active regularly? How often do they eat healthy foods—or not eat at all before bedtime? These questions should be asked periodically so everyone has access when needed!

Conclusion

Stroke is a scary word for some people. It's important to know why you have risks and what you can do about them. Knowing your risk factors is the most effective prevention. Following up with your family or medical history will help you better understand what happens to your body in case of a stroke or heart attack.

[seoservices12345-blog]

Know Every Thing about Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)

BBLs start with liposuction, where a surgeon will suck fat out of areas in the body and then process and re-inject it into the buttocks and hips. The fields of planned liposuction (As per Shafer said fat is usually taken for surgery from the abdomen or from the lower back and the outline of planned fat grafting are marked before the surgery. When in the operating room, a patient is positioned on the operating room table, face-down & under anesthesia, the surgery is performed in the desired and marked areas, and the fat is normally collected in a specialized system Which separates live fat cells of the body from liposuction fluid of the body. That fat is injected in the marked areas of the butt. He says surgeons will sometimes graft fat into the thighs & hips, depending on what body shape the patient wants. The procedure requires a few tiny incisions that sutured closed at the end.

HOW MUCH DOES BBL CHARGES?

Once Devgan said the BBl Cost could depending on the provider performing the surgery and  

 it can be from $3,000 to $30,000 anywhere.

Before surgery, you'll also need to have medical clearance from your general practitioner. Shafer explains that doctors will make sure you are quite healthy for this surgery and ready for risk factors associated with these surgical complications. such as blood clotting or disorders or any cardiovascular issues are possible

.

BBL RECOVERY LIKE IS?

Shafer said recovery happens in three stages: first few days, first several weeks, and first several months. During the early few days, you can go back to your work. During the first several weeks after surgery, most of the swelling will reduce, and the bruising starts to heal. This is when you can go back to the gym and you are approved for travel. The last stage is where any remaining swelling will resolve, and the transferred fat has pretty much settled.

Devgan says you'll want to avoid pressure on areas where there is grafted fat. If you're a back or side sleeper, you'll need to sleep on your stomach and avoid strenuous exercise for several weeks.

Expectations also need to be managed: the results are only semi-permanent. Shafer and Devgan note that only up to 80 percent of the grafted fat survives, so many patients may need to revise some aspect of the surgery in the future.

"In most cases, 70 to 80 percent of the grafted fat survives while some of it absorbs," Shafer says. "The fat is living tissue and will change with weight fluctuations in the body, so if you lose weight, the fat can shrink just like anywhere else on your body. Likewise, if you gain weight, the fat can expand just like anywhere else on your body when you gain weight."

WHY ARE BBLS DANGEROUS?

Brazilian butt lifts are controversial—and dangerous—because patients are dying on the operating table. Studies show that from 2011 to 2016, there were 25 Brazilian butt lift-related deaths. In 2017, a plastic surgery task force reported that three percent of plastic surgeons who performed the procedure had a patient die. Last August, it was published that BBLs have the highest death rate of any aesthetic system, with a death rate of up to 1 in 3,000.

"This is a level of risk that is extremely alarming and totally unacceptable for an elective cosmetic procedure," says Devgan. " risk of death is a statistic that factors in the outcomes of highly trained American board-certified plastic surgeons, so this is not just an issue of who is doing the surgery; it is a risk inherent to the operation."

He explains that when the injection of fat inadvertently goes into one of the deep blood vessels, fat can travel back to the heart and lungs. This results in a cardiopulmonary collage that is oftentimes, not reversible or treatable.

"There are risks involved with the injection of the fat, and this is where training and experience are so important," says Shafer. "If the fat is injected too deep or in the wrong area, the fat can enter the bloodstream can cause issues such as pulmonary embolus or clotting."

Shafer stresses the importance of doing your research before committing to any surgery. He says to make sure your surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery ("This is the highest level of certification," he adds) and to be wary of the lure of going outside the United States just because it can be done at a lesser price.

"The prices may seem tempting, but there are associated costs such as travel, lodging, return flights, and also followup care," he says. "Additionally, countries offering bargain plastic surgery do not have the stringent ethical and patient safety requirements that are followed by board-certified plastic surgeons."

ARE BBLS WORTH IT?

Devgan and Shafer differ on whether this procedure is something anyone should try at all. Devgan wouldn't suggest her patients try this. "This is my litmus test, my personal golden rule of plastic surgery: if you wouldn’t let your mother or sister or brother have a procedure, you shouldn’t let your patients either," she says. "The Brazilian butt lift is an operation that I do not perform any longer because the mortality data speaks for itself. The risk-benefit calculus simply does not add up."

Shafer, on the other hand, thinks it could be an excellent procedure for the right patient. "That is why it is essential to have a thorough consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to review your options," he says.

ARE THERE SAFER BBL ALTERNATIVES?

A Brazilian butt lift isn't the only option for a perkier bum. Shafer says one alternative to consider is Sculptra Aesthetic, an off-the-label injectable that helps boost your body's natural collagen. He says that although it is FDA-approved for increasing volume in the face, it can be used to add capacity in other parts of the body. He does warn that this treatment can cost-prohibitive; many vials of Sculptra (costing upwards of $20,000) are required to gain a noticeable result in the butt. He recommends this for anyone who can afford it and for anyone who wants to avoid invasive surgery. Devgan says she frequently injects poly-L-lactic acid (the main ingredient in Sculptra) into the butt to improve contour, shape, texture, and cellulite.

For something completely non-invasive, you can also consider VelaShape III, EmSculpt, and CoolSculpting. VelaShape III uses radio-frequency technology to boost collagen production and reduce the appearance of cellulite; EmSculpt stimulates the muscles deep in your abdomen or glutes and causes massive contractions, resulting in muscle hypertrophy with subtle fat reduction; CoolSculpting freezes and therefore kills the fat cells in the areas under your butt, which can help make the area appear perkier.

Does No matter which route you have decided to follow, just make sure to do your research before committing.

[mcatmemoranda]

I actually learned about fat embolisms before I even thought of going to medical school when I saw an episode of House where a woman was trapped under a collapsed building and they had to cut her leg off to extricate her. Then she died later from a fat embolus that went to her lungs. Who says you can't learn anything from watching TV?

Anyway, this is the summary on fat embolism syndrome (FES) from UpToDate:

Fat embolism syndrome (FES), a rare clinical syndrome of uncertain pathogenesis, is defined by the presence of fat globules in the pulmonary circulation. FES is most commonly associated with long bone (especially femur) and pelvic fractures. Some cases are associated with trauma in the absence of orthopedic fractures or are nontrauma-related (table 1). (See 'Definition' above and 'Epidemiology and etiology' above and 'Pathogenesis' above.)

●FES typically manifests 24 to 72 hours after the initial insult. The classic triad of findings includes hypoxemia, neurologic abnormalities (eg, confusion, altered consciousness, seizure), and a petechial rash. Less common manifestations include anemia, thrombocytopenia, fever, lipiduria, and coagulation abnormalities; myocardial depression and shock are rare. None of these features are specific for FES. (See 'Clinical presentation' above.)

●When FES is suspected, chest imaging, typically chest radiography and/or computed tomography (CT), should be performed. CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain should be performed in those with neurologic symptoms. Routine laboratory studies should be drawn including complete blood count and coagulation studies. Measuring free fatty acid or c-reactive protein levels, examining urine or sputum for the presence of fat, and invasive procedures including fat analysis from a wedged sample aspirated from a pulmonary artery catheter, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, or tissue biopsy are not routinely performed since their diagnostic utility is unclear. (See 'Diagnostic evaluation' above.)

●The differential diagnosis of FES includes other embolization syndromes (thrombus, amniotic fluid, tumor, foreign body, air), acute alveolar filling diseases (eg, heart failure, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome) and cutaneus vasculitic disorders (eg, systemic lupus erythematosus). (See 'Differential diagnosis' above.)

●FES is a clinical diagnosis that can be made when the classic triad of hypoxemia, neurologic abnormalities, and the petechial rash occurs in an appropriate clinical setting. However, since the presenting manifestations are nonspecific and the rash occurs in fewer than half of cases, the diagnosis of FES is more commonly made when clinical manifestations occur in the appropriate clinical setting and other relevant diagnoses have been excluded. (See 'Diagnosis' above.)

●Treatment of FES is largely supportive. Systemic corticosteroids are not routinely administered but may be reserved for severe or refractory cases. (See 'Treatment' above.)

●In those at risk of FES, interventions that have been shown to prevent or reduce the incidence and/or severity of FES are early immobilization of fractures, operative correction rather than conservative management (ie, traction alone), and limitation of the intraosseous pressure during orthopedic procedures. We do not advocate for the routine administration of prophylactic postoperative systemic corticosteroid therapy since most cases resolve spontaneously, FES is relatively uncommon, and data to support their use are fundamentally flawed. (See 'Prevention' above.)

●Most patients with FES fully recover spontaneously. In most cases, symptoms are transient and fully reversible, often within a few days, although features may persist beyond one week when FES is severe. Although reported mortality rates range from 5 to 15 percent, the true mortality is probably lower. (See 'Prognosis' above.)

[chromoscience]

Things To Know About Stroke

Source: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/epilepsy-seizure-stroke-headache-623346/ The brain needs the supply of blood to perform many functions. The tissue in the brain cannot keep up its electrical activity without a steady supply of oxygen. If blood flow is obstructed, neurological malfunctions may develop. Stroke is the common name for blood disruption and it is caused by an arterial blockage in the brain. The blockage may come from a blood clot, fat embolus, or an air bubble. The brain tissue that cannot receive blood flow dies due to the absence of oxygen. Strokes usually result in the loss of specific functions. For example, a stroke in the side of medulla can make a person incapable of swallowing. Sometimes, other functions will be lost because they rely on structures in the same part of the brain. A stroke in the same region (side of medulla) could affect facial sensory functions or extremities because the lateral medulla is also the region where important white matter pathways pass. The loss of specific higher functions are due to the loss of blood flow to a specific areas of the cortex. Specific higher brain functions include the ability to recognize faces and the ability to move particular areas of the body. A stroke in the temporal lobe may cause severe or limited memory loss. Transient ischemic attacks or TIAs are mini strokes that only last for few minutes. These are caused by a blockage that may be temporary and not to the extent that it causes tissue to die in that area. Neurological functions may be lost while the nerve tissues in that area are recovering from TIA. If the area is able to recover, neurological functions return. The speed of treatment plays a critical role and recovery from stroke or TIA is dependent on it. Usually, the person nearby notices the stroke incident and must make a decision. When someone is dealing with sudden neurological malfunctions, the mnemonic FAST may help people remember what to look for. F - does the person have problems making regular facial expression and moving face muscles? A - can the person raise one arm but not the other? S - any signs of speech changed such as slurring or trouble saying words? T - time to call for help of any of these things happened. Drugs that can sometimes relieve the problem are called blood thinners. If the neurological tissue is damaged, fortunately, the nervous system can be resilient and victims can recover or relearn functions through physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Sources: OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology. Disorder Of The Central Nervous System. Accessed November 24, 2019 https://pixabay.com/illustrations/epilepsy-seizure-stroke-headache-623346/ Referrals: https://www.reddit.com/r/stroke/ Read the full article

[didanawisgi]

CAUSES OF ACUTE PANCREATITIS: "GET SMASH'D" Gallstones, Ethanol, Trauma, Steroids, Mumps, Autoimmune(PAN), Scorpion bites, Hyperlipidemia, Drugs(azathioprine, diuretics) · A-P-G-A-R: A - appearance (color) P - pulse (heart rate) G - grimmace (reflex, irritability) A - activity (muscle tone) R - respiratory effort · Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia: Each of the MENs is a disease of three or two letters plus a feature. MEN I is a disease of 3 P's (pituitary, parathyroid, and pancreas) plus adrenal cortex MEN II is a disease of 2 C's(carcinoma of thyroid and catacholamines [pheochromocytoma]) plus parathyroid for MEN IIa or mucocutaneous neuromas for MEN IIB(aka MEN III) · Acute pneumonia caused by Pyogenic bacteria--PMN infiltrate · Acute pneumonia caused by Miscellaneous microbes--Mononuclear infiltrate · Takayasu's diz = pulseless diz, therefore when you have Takayasu's, I can't Tak'a yu pulse. · CAGE--alcohol use screening Have you ever felt it necessary to CUT DOWN on your drinking? Has anyone ever told you they were ANNOYED by your drinking? Have you ever felt GUILTY about your drinking? Have you ever felt the need to have a drink in the morning for an EYE OPENER? · P-Q-R-S-T--eliciting and HPI and exploring symptoms P--palliative or provocative factors for the pain Q--quality of pain(burning, stabbing, aching, etc.) R--region of body affected S--severity of pain(usually 1-10 scale) T--timing of pain(eg.-after meals, in the morning, etc.) · A-S-C-L-A-S-T--eliciting and HPI and exploring symptoms A--aggravatiing and alleviating factors S--severity C--character, quality L--location A--associated sx S--setting T--timing note: ASCLAST means let the patient talk first, then ask him/her specific questions · Argyll-Robertson Pupil--syphilitic pupil: Accommodation reflex present, Pupillary reflex absent due to damage at pretectal area. Also called the "prostitute's pupil" (accommodates but does not react). · The five W's--post-operative fever Wind--pneumonia, atelectasis Wound--wound infections Water--urinary tract infection Walking--walking can help reduce deep vein thromboses and pulmonary embolus Wonderdrugs--especially anesthesia · Predisposing Conditions for Pulmonary Embolism: TOM SCHREPFER T--trauma O--obesity M--malignancy S--surgery C--cardiac disease H--hospitalization R--rest (bed-bound) E--estrogen, pregnancy, post-partum P--past hx F--fracture E--elderly R--road trip · ARTERIAL OCCLUSION: pain pallor pulselessness paresthesias · HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS: "Anna Cycled Immediately Downhill--Gell & Goombs" or "ACID." Type I Anaphylaxis Type II Cytotoxic-mediated Type III Immune-complex Type IV Delayed hypersensitivity · WBC Count: "Never Let Mom Eat Beans" and "60, 30, 6, 3, 1" Neutrophils 60% Lymphocytes 30% Monocytes 6% Eosinophils 3% Basophils 1:

Alcohol abuse screening questions CAGE:

1. Ever felt it necessary to Cut down on drinking? 2. Has anyone ever said they felt Annoyed by your drinking? 3. Ever felt Guilty about drinking? 4 Ever felt a need to have a morning drink as an Eye opener? Abdominal swelling causes 5 F's: Fat Feces Fluid Flatus Fetus Full-sized tumors Patient examination organization SOAP: Subjective: what the patient says. Objective: what the examiner observes. Assessment: what the examiner thinks is going on. Plan: what they intend to do about it. Vomiting: non-GIT differential ABCDEFGHI: Acute renal failure Brain [increased ICP] Cardiac [inferior MI] DKA Ears [labyrinthitis] Foreign substances [Tylenol, theo, etc.] Glaucoma Hyperemesis gravidarum Infection [pyelonephritis, meningitis] History: quick EMS medical history checklist SAMPLE: Signs/ Symptoms Allergies Medications Pertinent history Last oral intake Events preceding this incident Pain history checklist OPQRSTU: Onset of pain (time, duration) Palliative factors for pain Quality of pain (throbbing, stabbing, dull, etc.) Region of body affected Severity of pain (usually scale of 1-10) Timing of pain (after exercise, in evening, etc.) U: How does it affect 'U' in your daily life? · May wish to expand to OPPQRRSTTUVW, with the extra letters representing: Provocative factors Radiation (how does pain spread) Treatments tried Deja Vu: Has this happened before? Worry: What do you think or fear that it is? Differential diagnosis checklist "A VITAMIN C" A and C stand for Acquired and Congenital · VITAMIN stands for: Vascular Inflammatory (Infectious and non-Infectious) Trauma/ Toxins Autoimmune Metabolic Idiopathic Neoplastic · Example usage: List causes of decreased vision: Central retinal artery occlusion, Retinitis pigmentosa, Perforation to gobe, Chronic Gentamycin use, Ruematoid arthritis, Diabetes, Idiopathic, Any eye tumor, Myopia. Sign vs. symptoms Ign: something I can detect even if patient is unconscious. sYMptom is something only hYM knows about. Eyes: abbreviations for the eyes You look OUt with Both eyes. Take the Right dose so you won't OD [overdose]. The only one that is Left is OS. · Both eyes=OU, Right eye=OD, Left eye=OS. Medical history: disease checklist MJ THREADS: Myocardial infarction Jaundice Tuberculosis Hypertension Rheumatic fever/ Rheumatoid arthritis Epilepsy Asthma Diabetes Strokes Pain history checklist "On Days Feeling Low Character, Run A Seven Pace Race": Onset Duration Frequency Location Character Radiation Severity Precipitating factors Relieving factors Pain history checklist ASK LAST: Aggravating/ Alleviating Severity Karacter Location Associated symptoms Setting Timing Pain history checklist SOCRATES: Site Onset Character Radiation Alleviating factors/ Associated symptoms Timing (duration, frequency) Exacerbating factors Severity · Alternatively, Signs and Symptoms with the 'S'. Symptom attributes "FAST LQQ'S": Factors that make it better/worse Associated manifestations Setting Timing Location Quality Quantity Severity Heart valve auscultation sites "All Patients Take Meds": · Reading from top left: Aortic Pulmonary Tricuspid Mitral · See diagram. · Alternatively: All Prostitutes Take Money. · Alternatively: APe To Man. Four point physical assessment of a disease "I'm A People Person": Inspection Auscultation Percussion Palpation Physical exam for 'lumps and bumps' "6 Students and 3 Teachers go for CAMPFIRE": Site, Size, Shape, Surface, Skin, Scar Tenderness, Temperature, Transillumination Consistency Attachment Mobility Pulsation Fluctuation Irreducibility Regional lymph nodes Edge Surgical sieve VANISHED: Vascular Accident & trauma Neoplastic Inflammatory Septic Haematologic/ Hereditary Endocrinological Degenerative Differential diagnosis checklist "I VINDICATE": Iatrogenic Vascular Infectious Neoplastic Degenerative/ Drugs Inflammatory/ Idiopathic Congenital Allergic/ Autoimmune Traumatic Endocrinal & metabolic Symptom sieve "TIN CAN BED DIP POG": Trauma Infection Neoplasm Cardiac Autoimmune Neurological Blood/ Bone Endocrine Disintegration/ Degeneration Drugs Iatrogenic/ Idiopathic Psychological Paediatric Obstetric Gynaecological Pain history checklist LOST WAR: Location Onset Severity Time Worsening factors Alleviating factors Radiation Short statue causes RETARD HEIGHT: Rickets Endocrine (cretinism, hypopituitarism, Cushing's) Turner syndrome Achondroplasia Respiratory (suppurative lung disease) Down syndrome Hereditary Environmental (postirradiation, postinfectious) IUGR GI (malabsorption) Heart (congenital heart disease) Tilted backbone (scoliosis) Ascultation: crackles (rales )"PEBbles": Pneumonia Edema of lung Bronchitis Pain history checklist CHLORIDE: Character (stabbing, throbbing, etc.) Location Onset Radiation Intensity Duration Events (associated with, or palliative and provocative factors) Differential diagnosis CIMETIDINE: Congenital Infection/ Inflammatory Metabolic Endocrine Trauma Iatrogenic Degenerative Idiopathic Neoplastic Everything else Sign vs. symptom Remember Ace of Base's song that goes like this: "I Saw the Sign, and it opened up my eyes". The physician sees the signs. Systems review: systems checklist I PUNCH EAR: Integumental Pulmonary Urogenital Nervous Cardiovascular Hematolymphoid Endocrine Alimentary Reproductive Pain history checklist MR. C T FARADS: Main site Radiation Character Timing Frequency Associated factors Relieving factors Aggravating factors Duration Severity Abdomen assessment To assess abdomen, palpate all 4 quadrants for DR. GERM: Distension: liver problems, bowel obstruction Rigidity (board like): bleeding Guarding: muscular tension when touched Eviseration/ Ecchymosis Rebound tenderness: infection Masses Pain history checklist CLITORIS: Character Location Intensity Timing Onset Radiating Irritating and relieving factors Symptoms associated Past medical history (PMH) VAMP THIS: Vices (tobacco, alcohol, other drugs, sexual risks) Allergies Medications Preexisting medical conditions Trauma Hospitalizations Immunizations Surgeries Patient profile (PP) LADDERS: Living situation/ Lifestyle Anxiety Depression Daily activities (describe a typical day) Environmental risks/ Exposure Relationships Support system/ Stress Family history (FH) BALD CHASM: Blood pressure (high) Arthritis Lung disease Diabetes Cancer Heart disease Alcoholism Stroke Mental health disorders (depression, etc.) Differential diagnosis checklist DIRECTION: Drugs Infection Rheumatologic Endocrine Cardiovascular Trauma Inflammatory Other Neoplasm Pathologic classification NIT DIT FIT: Neoplastic Infectious Traumatic Degenerative/ Drugs Immune Toxic Vascular Inflammatory Totally obscure Pyrexia of Unknown Origin: history taking SIT ON FRAD: Sexual history Immunisation status Travel history Occupational history Nutrition (consumption of dairy products, etc.) Family history Recreational habits Animal contacts (including ticks and other vectors) Drug history Health related behavior (HRB) topics: history taking "Healthy SEEDS": Substances (alcohol, tobacco, IV drugs?) Environment (hazards at home or work? feel safe?) Exercise (what do you do? how often do you do it?) Diet (any special diet?) Sex (active with m/f/both? >1 partner? safe sex? STD history? difficulty with arousal or orgasm? history of abuse?) · I find this order works well: patients most expect to be asked about alcohol and they least want to talk about their STD history, but taking a solid HRB history first reassures them that it's all part of good medical care. Breast history checklist LMNOP: Lump Mammary changes Nipple changes Other symptoms Patient risk factors Pain history checklist COLDER BARS: Character Onset Location Duration Exacerbating factors Radiation Before (ever happened before) Associated symptoms Relieving factors Severity Pain history checklist SO CRAP: Site Onset Character Radiates to Associated symptoms/ Alleviating and exacerbating factors Periodicity History, HCFA components for E+M coding Q LSD MCAT: Quality Location Severity Duration Modifying factors Context Associated signs and symptoms Timing Surgical sieve for diagnostic categories INVESTIGATIONS: Iatrogenic Neoplastic Vascular Endocrine Structural/ Mechanical Traumatic Inflammatory Genetic/ Congenital Autoimmune Toxic Infective Old age/ Degenerative Nutritional Spontaneous/ Idiopathic Mental state examination: stages in order "Assessed Mental State To Be Positively Clinically Unremarkable": Appearance and behaviour [observe state, clothing...] Mood [recent spirit] Speech [rate, form, content] Thinking [thoughts, perceptions] Behavioural abnormalities Perception abnormalities Cognition [time, place, age...] Understanding of condition [ideas, expectations, concerns] Branham sign: definition BRAnham sign: BRAdycardia after compression or excision of a large AV fistula. Glasgow coma scale: components and numbers · Scale types is 3 V's: Visual response Verbal response Vibratory (motor) response · Scale scores are 4,5,6: Scale of 4: see so much more Scale of 5: talking jive Scale of 6: feels the pricks (if testing motor by pain withdrawl) Meckel’s diverticulum- rule of 2’s 2 inches long, 2 feet from the ileocecal valve, 2% of the population commonlly presents in the first 2 years of life may contain 2 types of epithelial tissue Pheochromocytoma-rule of 10s: 10% malignant 10% Bilateral 10% extraadrenal 10% calcified 10% children 10% familial * discussed 10 times more often than actually seen Aphasia "BROKen aphasia" (Broca’s aphasia-broken speech) "Wordys aphasia" (Wernicke’s aphasia- wordy, but making no sense) GET SMASH'D--Causes of Acute pancreatitis Gallstones, Ethanol, Trauma, Steroids, Mumps, Autoimmune(PAN), Scorpion bites, Hyperlipidemia, Drugs(azathioprine, diuretics) (Multiple endocrine neoplasia) Each of the MENs is a disease of three or two letters plus a feature. "MEN I" is a disease of the 3 Ps (pituitary, parathyroid and pancreas) plus adrenal cortex. "MEN II " is a disease of the two Cs (carcinoma of the thyroid and catacholamines [pheochromocytoma]) plus parathyroid for MEN IIa or mucocutaneous neuromas for MEN IIb (aka MEN III). Acute pneumonia caused by Pyogenic bacteria--PMN infiltrate Acute pneumonia caused by Miscellaneous microbes --Mononuclear infiltrate Takayasu's diz = pulseless diz, therefore when you have Takayasu's, I can't Tak'a yu pulse. Argyll-Robertson Pupil--syphilitic pupil (AKA "Prostitute's pupil" - Accommodates, but doesn't react ) Accommodation reflex present, Pupillary reflex absent CAGE--alcohol use screening 1. Have you ever felt it necessary to CUT DOWN on your drinking? 2. Has anyone ever told you they were ANNOYED by your drinking? 3. Have you ever felt GUILTY about your drinking? 4. Have you ever felt the need to have a drink in the morning for an EYE OPENER? P-Q-R-S-T--eliciting and HPI and exploring symptoms P--palliative or provocative factors for the pain Q--quality of pain(burning, stabbing, aching, etc.) R--region of body affected S--severity of pain(usually 1-10 scale) T--timing of pain(eg.-after meals, in the morning, etc.) The five W's--post-operative fever Wind--pneumonia, atelectasis Water--urinary tract infection Wound--wound infections Wonderdrugs--especially anesthesia Walking--walking can help reduce deep vein thromboses and pulmonary embolus ACID or "Anna Cycled Immediately Downhill" classification of hypersensitivity reactions Type I - Anaphylaxis Type II - Cytotoxic-mediated Type III - Immune-complex Type IV - Delayed hypersensitivity WBC Count: "Never Let Momma Eat Beans(60, 30, 6, 3, 1) Neutrophils 60% Lymphocytes 30% Monocytes 6% Eosinophils 3% Basophils 1% A-P-G-A-R: A - appearance (color) P - pulse (heart rate) G - grimmace (reflex, irritability) A - activity (muscle tone) R - respiratory effort Predisposing Conditions for Pulmonary Embolism: TOM SCHREPFER T--trauma O--obesity M--malignancy S--surgery C--cardiac disease H--hospitalization R--rest (bed-bound) E--estrogen, pregnancy, post-partum P--past hx F--fracture E--elderly R--road trip The 4 P's of arterial Occlusion: pain pallor pulselessness paresthesias The 4 T's of Anterior Mediastinal Mass:Thyroid tumor,Thymoma,Teratoma, Terrible Lymphoma

[atrendynurse]

Medical-Surgical Nursing Care Plan On Pulmonary Embolism.

Medical-Surgical Nursing Care Plan On Pulmonary Embolism.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY Pulmonary embolus (PE) is an obstruction of the pulmonary artery or one of its branches by substances (i.e., blood clot, fat, air, amniotic fluid) that originated elsewhere in the body. The most common source is a dislodged blood clot from the systemic circulation, typically the deep veins of the legs or pelvis. Thrombus formation is the result of the following factors: blood…

[timclymer]

Heart and Artery Disease – Drugs Versus Alternative Treatments

Heart and diseases of the blood vessels are known as cardiovascular diseases. These diseases kill more men and women than any others. There are more than 1.5 million heart attacks in the US every year. It has been estimated that someone dies from heart disease every 34 seconds.

Heart disease begins at a very early age with fatty deposits that build up inside the walls of the blood vessels. Over the years, the deposits become oxidized, making them hard. The oxidized deposits, commonly called plaque, trigger the body’s immune system response. White blood cells and inflammation causing particles are sent to the site of the oxidized deposit.

Over the course of many years, the blood vessels can narrow significantly because of these deposits. In some cases, a rupture in the blood vessel wall occurs. All of the material rushes out of the rupture and forms a thrombus, blocking the flow of blood to a part of the body. If flow of blood to the brain is stopped, the result may be a stroke. If blood flow to the heart is blocked, the result is a heart attack.

In other cases, a piece of the plaque breaks loose creating a blood clot or fat globule called an embolus. The embolus may travel practically anywhere in the body before it becomes lodged and causes a blockage. When this occurs, doctors refer to it as an embolism. An embolism can be the underlying cause of a stroke or heart attack.

Symptoms of Cardiovascular Disease

Chest pain is the most common symptom and occurs when there is insufficient blood supply to the heart on an occasional basis. Early on in the disease, the pain may be felt as tightness in the chest during exercise. Chest pain is also called angina.

Shortness of breath is another symptom that may indicate cardiovascular disease. The shortness of breath is due to a lack of blood and oxygen reaching the lungs. The symptom is usually accompanied by swelling in the feet and ankles due to poor circulation.

Warning signs of a stroke include changes in vision, sudden severe headache, dizziness, nausea or drowsiness. In heart failure, fatigue, persistent cough, shortness of breath and swelling of the feet, ankles, legs or abdomen may be present.

Causes and Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease

Age is the major risk factor, although normal aging is not necessarily a cause. The reasons that aging and cardiovascular disease are related are numerous. Many of the reasons are related to unhealthy lifestyle.

Some of the potential causes of cardiovascular disease include:

· Excessive alcohol intake · Obesity · Excessive sugar consumption · Excessive consumption of saturated fats · Lack of physical activity, especially aerobic activity · Type II diabetes · Cigarette Smoking

The risk is greater among people with a family history of heart disease. Air pollution is a separate risk factor. Several studies have concluded that living in an urban environment is accompanied by an increased risk.

There are some things you can do to keep your heart healthy. Many of the risk factors can be addressed and may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Nutrients and herbs can also help. You’ll learn more about what you can do if you read my special report on Side Effects of Common Drugs for Heart Disease VS Benefits of Natural Alternatives.

Is it possible to avoid the side effects of drugs that treat heart disease and use natural alternatives? Download our free gift to you: Side Effects of Common Drugs for Heart Disease VS Benefits of Natural Alternatives.

Please click on HEART DISEASE SPECIAL REPORT link below in the resource author box.

Source by Larry L. Taylor

from Home Solutions Forev https://homesolutionsforev.com/heart-and-artery-disease-drugs-versus-alternative-treatments/ via Home Solutions on WordPress from Home Solutions FOREV https://homesolutionsforev.tumblr.com/post/186799237395 via Tim Clymer on Wordpress

[mcatmemoranda]

Triad for fat embolus:

Hypoxemia, neurologic abnormalities, and petechial rash.

[homesolutionsforev]

Heart and Artery Disease – Drugs Versus Alternative Treatments

Heart and diseases of the blood vessels are known as cardiovascular diseases. These diseases kill more men and women than any others. There are more than 1.5 million heart attacks in the US every year. It has been estimated that someone dies from heart disease every 34 seconds.

Heart disease begins at a very early age with fatty deposits that build up inside the walls of the blood vessels. Over the years, the deposits become oxidized, making them hard. The oxidized deposits, commonly called plaque, trigger the body’s immune system response. White blood cells and inflammation causing particles are sent to the site of the oxidized deposit.

Over the course of many years, the blood vessels can narrow significantly because of these deposits. In some cases, a rupture in the blood vessel wall occurs. All of the material rushes out of the rupture and forms a thrombus, blocking the flow of blood to a part of the body. If flow of blood to the brain is stopped, the result may be a stroke. If blood flow to the heart is blocked, the result is a heart attack.

In other cases, a piece of the plaque breaks loose creating a blood clot or fat globule called an embolus. The embolus may travel practically anywhere in the body before it becomes lodged and causes a blockage. When this occurs, doctors refer to it as an embolism. An embolism can be the underlying cause of a stroke or heart attack.

Symptoms of Cardiovascular Disease

Chest pain is the most common symptom and occurs when there is insufficient blood supply to the heart on an occasional basis. Early on in the disease, the pain may be felt as tightness in the chest during exercise. Chest pain is also called angina.

Shortness of breath is another symptom that may indicate cardiovascular disease. The shortness of breath is due to a lack of blood and oxygen reaching the lungs. The symptom is usually accompanied by swelling in the feet and ankles due to poor circulation.

Warning signs of a stroke include changes in vision, sudden severe headache, dizziness, nausea or drowsiness. In heart failure, fatigue, persistent cough, shortness of breath and swelling of the feet, ankles, legs or abdomen may be present.

Causes and Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease

Age is the major risk factor, although normal aging is not necessarily a cause. The reasons that aging and cardiovascular disease are related are numerous. Many of the reasons are related to unhealthy lifestyle.

Some of the potential causes of cardiovascular disease include:

· Excessive alcohol intake · Obesity · Excessive sugar consumption · Excessive consumption of saturated fats · Lack of physical activity, especially aerobic activity · Type II diabetes · Cigarette Smoking

The risk is greater among people with a family history of heart disease. Air pollution is a separate risk factor. Several studies have concluded that living in an urban environment is accompanied by an increased risk.

There are some things you can do to keep your heart healthy. Many of the risk factors can be addressed and may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Nutrients and herbs can also help. You’ll learn more about what you can do if you read my special report on Side Effects of Common Drugs for Heart Disease VS Benefits of Natural Alternatives.

Is it possible to avoid the side effects of drugs that treat heart disease and use natural alternatives? Download our free gift to you: Side Effects of Common Drugs for Heart Disease VS Benefits of Natural Alternatives.

Please click on HEART DISEASE SPECIAL REPORT link below in the resource author box.

Source by Larry L. Taylor

from Home Solutions Forev https://homesolutionsforev.com/heart-and-artery-disease-drugs-versus-alternative-treatments/ via Home Solutions on WordPress

[imagecase]

Key Points: A patient with complex comminutive fracture of leg presents bilateral blindness. The brain MRI showed bilateral optic nerves hypersignal on FLAIR and diffusion sequences, suggesting a diagnosis of fat embolism.

Clinical Image A 57-years old man was treated in a trauma center after a motorcycle accident. He had a complex comminuted fracture of the left leg with acute limb ischemia. A popliteal-tibia bypass was performed in emergency and an external fixator was implanted. The intraoperative period was marked by a major instability due to hemorrhagic shock and reperfusion syndrome, requiring massive transfusion and high doses of vasopressor. The next day, the patient reported a bilateral blindness upon waking up; the rest of the patient's neurological examination was normal without other focal deficit. The brain computed tomographic scan was strictly normal. The brain MRI performed four days after the trauma showed bilateral optic nerves hypersignal on both FLAIR and diffusion sequences (A, B). Two diagnostics were discussed: a fat embolism and an ischemic posterior neuropathy, which has been reported following hypovolemic shock. The most likely diagnosis remains fat embolism in this context, considering acute lesions in basal ganglia sparing the junctional territories suggesting an embolism mechanism [1-3]. Of note the blood lipid changes seen at day 5 following the trauma including, with a decrease in cholesterol level (1,29 g/l) and increase in triglycerides values (2,18 g/l), which have been described in fat embolism [4]. Unfortunately, no bronchoalveolar lavage has been performed. The funduscopic exam performed 2 days after the accident was normal, without emboli or hemorrhage and a clear and colored papilla but no embolus. To date (1 year later), the patient has not recovered visual acuity.

[whatshouldinamethisblog]

Hallmarks

A] Classic Symptoms.

B] Functional Limitation (What they can and cannot do).

- cannot walk up a flight of stairs because of chest pain or SOB.

- isolating themselves because of urinary incontinence.

- cannot do normal daily routine because of OA or RA pain.

- performance at work or school impacted because of depression.

Falls and / or Syncope:

- on a flat surface (multifactorial).

- getting up from lying or standing (orthostatic hypotension).

- prodrome (vasovagal).

Dementia:

- older.

- memory problems (misplacing items, forgetting appointments)

Depression:

Delirium:

- confusion, fluctuating course, inattention.

Generalized Tonic Clonic Seizure:

- loss of consciousness and whole body shaking.

- loss of urine or stool.

- post ictal state for several minutes.

Partial Complex Seizure:

- episodic confusion with or without other focal neurological signs.

Simple Complex Seizure:

Brain Aneurysm:

- Sudden onset explosive Headache.

- Possible Diplopia.

- Possible IIIrd Nerve Palsy with Dilated Pupil or Ptosis.

Migraine:

- Female, Fertile.

- Migraine without Aura, with Aura, with Brainstem Aura.

Temporal Arteritis:

- Older.

- Scalp Tenderness, Eye Problems, Jaw Claudication.

- IIIrd Nerve Palsy.

- Weight Loss.

Thyroid:

- Female.

Parathyroid:

Angina:

- Squeezing Chest Pain with activity:

- Can the person walk up a flight of stairs?

- How far can they walk?

Aortic Dissection:

- Sudden onset tearing chest pain radiating into the back.

- History of HTN.

Pulmonary Embolus:

- Sudden onset Pleuritic Chest Pain.

- History of travel, immobilization, surgery or leg trauma.

Pericarditis:

- Young person with pleuritic chest pain worse with lying down.

Congestive Heart Failure:

- Exertional Dyspnea (SOBOE).

- Orthopnea.

- PND.

- Increased Weight and/or Fluid Retention.

- Can the person walk up a flight of stairs?

- How far can they walk?

COPD:

- Productive Cough 3 months over 2 years (Chronic Bronchitis).

- FEV1/FVC <= 70 (Obstruction).

Breast Lumps:

- Fibroadenoma.

- Fibrocystic disease.

- Cancer (Family History, Hard, Immobile, Breast Discharge).

Breast Cancer:

- Age.

- Family History.

GERD:

- Heartburn, Regurgitation, Gas, Bloating.

- Sensitive to certain foods.

- Can be accompanied by mouth problems, trouble swallowing, persistent cough and wheezing.

PUD:

- Epigastric pain with eating or after eating.

- Worse at night lying down (affects sleep).

- Does not worsen with activity over rest.

CKD:

- History of Diabetes, HTN or inflammatory disease.

Gall Bladder Stones and Cholecystitis:

- Female, Fair, Fat, Forty, Fertile, Family History.

Diverticulosis:

Diverticulitis:

Colon CA:

- Increasing Age.

- Family History.

Constipation:

AAA:

- Increasing Age.

- Smoking.

- Other CVD risk factors?

Urinary Retention:

- Older men with prostate problems.

- People with Dementia, Parkinson’s, MS, Diabetes.

Urinary Incontinence:

- Women of all ages.

- Isolate themselves because of symptoms.

Prostate CA:

- Age, Race, Family History, Diet, Lack of Exercise, Obesity.

PCOS:

- Female, Fat.

Endometrial Hyperplasia / Atrophy (Rule Out Uterine and Cervical CA):

- Post menopausal women with vaginal bleeding or spotting.

- Obesity, Nulliparity, Diabetes, Age > 60.

Vaginal Bleeding:

- how many tampons or pads per day.

- clots?

- bleeding into clothing?

Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Psoriatic Arthritis:

Osteoarthritis:

MyeloDsyplastic Syndrome:

Multiple Myeloma:

Chronic Leukemia:

[chromoscience]

Things To Know About Stroke

Source: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/epilepsy-seizure-stroke-headache-623346/ The brain needs the supply of blood to perform many functions. The tissue in the brain cannot keep up its electrical activity without a steady supply of oxygen. If blood flow is obstructed, neurological malfunctions may develop. Stroke is the common name for blood disruption and it is caused by an arterial blockage in the brain. The blockage may come from a blood clot, fat embolus, or an air bubble. The brain tissue that cannot receive blood flow dies due to the absence of oxygen. Strokes usually result in the loss of specific functions. For example, a stroke in the side of medulla can make a person incapable of swallowing. Sometimes, other functions will be lost because they rely on structures in the same part of the brain. A stroke in the same region (side of medulla) could affect facial sensory functions or extremities because the lateral medulla is also the region where important white matter pathways pass. The loss of specific higher functions are due to the loss of blood flow to a specific areas of the cortex. Specific higher brain functions include the ability to recognize faces and the ability to move particular areas of the body. A stroke in the temporal lobe may cause severe or limited memory loss. Transient ischemic attacks or TIAs are mini strokes that only last for few minutes. These are caused by a blockage that may be temporary and not to the extent that it causes tissue to die in that area. Neurological functions may be lost while the nerve tissues in that area are recovering from TIA. If the area is able to recover, neurological functions return. The speed of treatment plays a critical role and recovery from stroke or TIA is dependent on it. Usually, the person nearby notices the stroke incident and must make a decision. When someone is dealing with sudden neurological malfunctions, the mnemonic FAST may help people remember what to look for. F - does the person have problems making regular facial expression and moving face muscles? A - can the person raise one arm but not the other? S - any signs of speech changed such as slurring or trouble saying words? T - time to call for help of any of these things happened. Drugs that can sometimes relieve the problem are called blood thinners. If the neurological tissue is damaged, fortunately, the nervous system can be resilient and victims can recover or relearn functions through physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Sources: OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology. Disorder Of The Central Nervous System. Accessed November 24, 2019 https://pixabay.com/illustrations/epilepsy-seizure-stroke-headache-623346/ Referrals: https://www.reddit.com/r/stroke/ Read the full article

[quintinefowler-blog]

Natural Rx: How to Take Control of Your Cholesterol Levels

“Man sane en corpore sane” is a Latin phrase translated to mean “sound mind and sound body.” It is to be the picture of health. In this day and age, everyone is searching for the fountain of youth that will keep them young and fit. Fortunately we all have that ability and it doesn’t involve Ponce de Leon.

The ability to change our bodies lies with us and within us. Taking control of your physical and mental health begins with learning where you stand now and consciously moving forward to an optimal state of health.

One component of a healthy body is blood cholesterol.

Cholesterol is a hot topic these days. For a long time many people didn’t take notice of it but it has become apparent that when cholesterol is not in balance it can affect your entire body and your longevity.

In this article, we will discuss many components of cholesterol.

You Will Learn:

What cholesterol is

What it does

Where it comes from

What affects cholesterol levels

The consequences of high cholesterol

Changes that can lower your cholesterol

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a natural component of the internal environment of the body. It is a waxy molecule that is used in many bodily functions. For one, it is used in cellular membranes to help maintain their integrity. Also, cholesterol is instrumental in creating hormones specifically steroids and sex hormones. So, the body relies heavily on a normal level of cholesterol in the bloodstream.

Cholesterol is instrumental in turning sunlight into Vitamin D. Vitamin D works to increase calcium stores in the body. Calcium, as you know, is needed for strong bones and teeth.

However, the body naturally manufactures adequate amounts of cholesterol to sustain optimal body functioning and so any extra cholesterol added through our diet, is unnecessary and when levels become too high cholesterol becomes potentially dangerous.

Has your Doctor told you that your cholesterol is too high and he/she wants you to use a statin drug to lower it? You need to be wary about starting a statin drug as there are many dangerous side effects associated with them.

What are the Components of Cholesterol?

Cholesterol has three main components: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides. Each serves a specific purpose.

Cholesterol moves along through the bloodstream from place to place conducting its business. Because it doesn’t dissolve and therefore can’t pass through membrane wall, it needs a carrier, namely the lipoproteins to help it get to the cells where it works.

Let’s look at LDL first. This is termed the “bad” cholesterol. When LDL levels are too high, fatty deposits, or plaque, can start to build up on the walls of your arteries, decreasing the amount of blood that can flow through them and putting you at greater risk of heart attacks, stroke, arteriosclerosis or coronary heart disease.

It is produced in the liver. Just like other lipoproteins, it is a carrier for cholesterol throughout the blood. Levels are kept low because it is a sticky lipoprotein. This means that it will adhere to arterial walls. The arteries become stiff, a condition known as atherosclerosis.

When there is too much LDL, it can form hard plaques inside the vessels. These plaques narrow the opening inside the vessels through which blood has to pass. The heart has to pump that much harder to get blood through. This may increase the blood pressure. Too much pressure can dislodge the plaques allowing them to travel leading to pulmonary embolus or stroke.

HDL cholesterol is termed “good” cholesterol. These lipid molecules transport cholesterol also. It can be thought of as a sweeper because it goes behind and cleans up what was done by the LDL cholesterol. It is important to have high levels of good cholesterol to counteract any affects of bad cholesterol in your body.

The cholesterol that is carried is excess cholesterol found in the bloodstream. The cholesterol is returned to the liver where it is slated for excretion from the body. This is good because it helps remove sticky LDL cholesterol from arterial walls reducing the buildup of life-threatening plaque deposits.

Triglycerides are another component of blood cholesterol. These are fats that are produced in the liver and also enter the body as fat from the foods that we eat. Like the other two components, it does not travel alone throughout the body. It combines with a protein and is referred to as VLDL (very low density lipoprotein). If high levels of LDL cholesterol are bad, then combining it with high levels of VLDL, your risk of stenotic vessels, heart attack and stroke increase.

Triglycerides provide energy for the body. Like other energy sources what isn’t used is stored in the body as fat.

Symptoms of High Cholesterol

Like high blood pressure which is often referred to as the silent killer, high cholesterol generally has no symptoms and is usually only discovered during a routine check up or when something goes wrong.

If your cholesterol levels are very high, you may notice small yellow nodules beneath the skin of your eyes, eyebrows or elbows.

However, a blood test is the only way to determined cholesterol levels and according to the American Heart Association, all adults over the age of 20 should have their cholesterol levels checked every 3-5 years, especially if they are overweight, already have a cholesterol problem or if there is a family history of heart disease or high cholesterol.

A lipid panel is conducted to show the levels of each component in the blood to come up with a total cholesterol number. While the total number is important, the breakdown of each will let you know what you have to worry or not worry about.

Healthy Cholesterol Levels:

LDL – lower than 100 mg/dL

HDL – higher than 60 mg/dL (40-60 mg/dL is considered acceptable)

Triglycerides (VLDL) – lower than 150 mg/dL

Total cholesterol – less than 200 mg/dL

Your doctor will give you a report detailing your numbers. If they are outside of the above numbers, you will more than likely discuss risk factors and also ways to change any unacceptable levels.

Keep in mind that cholesterol levels will change from person to person depending on the presence or absence of a number of factors that may put you at increased risk of heart disease. For the most accurate measurements, don't eat or drink anything (other than water) for nine to 12 hours before the blood test

Factors that Affect Cholesterol

Cholesterol comes from two sources: your body and your food. The body can regulate how much cholesterol it produces for its needs. Alone, it is not enough to meet all the needs so some cholesterol will have to come from food. This is the factor that is not so well controlled.

Weight

Carrying excess body weight puts you at risk for many diseases and conditions. Why is this so? Well, when the amount of fats taken in via food are more than the body needs for energy and cellular function, it gets stored as fat.

This fat increases our body weight and blood cholesterol levels. Usually this cholesterol is of the variety that contains is carried from the liver as LDL. Increased bad cholesterol levels also increase the risk of narrow arteries. The heart works harder when there is more tissue to oxygenate and fat has poor vascularity. Reducing your weight can lower your risk for heart attack, high blood pressure and lower the overall cholesterol number.

Diet

We don’t always eat what we should be eating. Let’s face it: greasy fatty food tastes better than natural fruits and vegetables. The preservatives and chemical processes that are used to create fast foods and instant foods along with Trans fats are damaging our bodies by raising bad cholesterol levels.

Natural foods do not contain any or very little preservatives. Fat calories are obtained from lean meats, nuts, beans and other foods. These healthier fats don’t add to the bad cholesterol but help to bolster levels of good cholesterol.

Physical Activity

How many of us are leading a sedentary life? Office jobs and long work hours leave no time for exercise. It is enough that we get home, fix dinner, attend to the children and get to bed. Heading out to the fast food restaurant is a result of this lack of time too.

Weight plays a factor here as well. The more weight we pack on, the less energy we seem to have. When bodies are out of shape it is easy to get winded.

Technology like video games promotes less movement. When food is not burned as energy, it gets stored as fat. It is a vicious cycle to be sure.

Heredity

Some people have an inclination towards high cholesterol based on their ethnic background. This doesn’t mean that others are not at risk. Anyone can develop high blood cholesterol levels if they possess the risk factors. Developing atherosclerosis from high levels of LDL cholesterol leads to heart attack and stroke.

Women are in a high risk category for heart disease. Their risk factors are obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. Any one of these can increase cholesterol levels.

African Americans and Hispanics are also more likely to die of heart disease. But it is not just race, but genetic makeup, lifestyle choices and socioeconomic backgrounds that all work together to make up the profile. For example, lack of proper medical care brought on by lack of money or insurance means those people are less likely to get their cholesterol checked and receive treatment.

Diabetes is also prevalent among the African American population. Obesity plays a part in its development. High levels of blood cholesterol bring diabetics in line with risk for heart disease.

Lifestyle Choices

Smoking is a lifestyle source that not only affects the lungs but also cholesterol. The smoke from cigarettes is filled with toxins that are hazardous to the body. One toxin, acrolein is thought to affect the body’s metabolism of cholesterol. Quitting smoking can help lower your cholesterol levels to save your lungs and the rest of you.

Managing your health is also important to lowering cholesterol risk. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, managing treatment will help keep blood cholesterol levels in check. Stay on your medications once they are prescribed. Do not voluntarily discontinue them without doctor approval.

Consequences of High Cholesterol

Stroke

Strokes occur when blood vessels in the brain are blocked. How do they get that way? Any artery can be affected by sticky cholesterol plaques. Carotid arteries that supply the brain with blood are also subject to narrowing.

As blood flows through the vessels with greater pressure, one of these plaques can be dislodged. If it becomes lodged again in a smaller vessel it will totally block blood flow and therefore oxygen to brain tissue. Lack of blood can cause an infarct in the brain resulting in a stroke.

Heart Disease

The heart is a muscle. It works to pump blood throughout the body. Oxygenated blood is picked up in the lungs and transported systemically and then back to the lungs again.

Since the heart is a muscle it can also grow larger. That happens when it has to consistently pump harder to get blood moving through the vascular system.

When blood vessels are affected by LDL cholesterol, hard plaques have a chance to form, narrowing the lumen. In small vessels that are already narrow, they can become totally blocked.

The heart muscle gets its blood supply from coronary arteries. If these small arteries are blocked a heart attack can be the result. Coronary artery bypass or a stent (of applicable) are used to reopen the vessels for blood to flow. With bypass surgery, the blockage is bypassed for proper blood flow to the heart.

Diabetes

Researchers are still looking into the correlation between high insulin levels and cholesterol. It seems that uncontrolled diabetes especially can raise the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood. Lowering cholesterol levels can help those who are borderline diabetic from developing the condition.

Lowering Your Cholesterol

There are risk factors that we can control and those that we can’t that play a role in cholesterol levels. For the risk factors that we can control there is help out there to get you going in the right direction. Reversing and managing cholesterol numbers now can stop nastier health problems before they begin.

Risk factors that you can’t control will often require outside intervention. This is where treatment options offered by a doctor come in. We will discuss those too.

The Facts about Fats

Modern day society has taught us that “fats” are bad and while we so often try to avoid them, they are usually present in most of the tasty foods we all like to eat. The fact is that we all need fats.A certain amount of dietary fat helps in some very important bodily processes such as nutrient absorption, nerve transmission, maintaining cell membranes and hormone production.However, when consumed in excess, fats can lead to a number of health concerns such as weight gain, heart disease and certain types of cancer.

It is important to replace the bad fats with good fats in our diet, an essential key in trying to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Bad fats include saturated and trans fats, while good fats include monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

Limit the amount of saturated fats consumed. Saturated fats are mainly found in animal products such as meat, dairy, eggs and certain types of seafood (especially shell fish). Plant foods that are high in saturated fats include coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil.

Trans fats are another type of bad fat with absolutely no nutritional benefit and should be at the top of the list of fats to avoid. Also known as trans fatty acids this unhealthy substance is man-made through a chemical process of hydrogenation of oils.This hydrogenation process solidifies liquid oils and increases the shelf life and the flavor stability of oils and the foods that contain them.Unfortunately, Trans fats are found in many tasty treats including products with vegetable shortenings, most margarines, crackers, cookies, snack foods, fast foods (especially French fries) and the list goes on.

Monounsaturated fats are known as good fats as they lower total cholesterol as well as LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), while increasing the HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) in your system. In moderation, these fats are good for you and can be found in nuts, canola, and olive oil.

Polyunsaturated fats are also a good source of fats as they too lower LDL cholesterol. Foods containing polyunsaturated fats include salmon and fish oil, most grain products, soy, and sunflower oil.Some mayonnaise and soft margarine may also be good sources, but this will differ between brands so be sure to check the product label.

Foods to Eat

Have you ever examined your diet? If not, try keeping a food diary for a week. Record everything that you eat and drink. You may be amazed at the choices that you are making. But, there is something that you can do.

It takes time to change a lifetime of poor dietary habits so go easy on yourself. Strive to change one habit every couple of weeks. They say that it takes about fourteen days to make or break a habit so get one under your belt before adding another.

Begin with making substitutions in your diet. Let’s say that you like macaroni and cheese. How about using whole wheat pasta and lower fat cheese? To make it creamy try adding some low-fat milk.

Processed foods are full of fat and unhealthy chemicals that are not good for anyone. This includes the ones that are endorsed by diet programs. Instead of spending money on those, try to purchase healthy natural ingredients and create your own dishes at home. The advantage here is that you know all of the ingredients in the food that you eat.

What foods can you purchase and give you the results you want? Here’s a short list:

Grains (whole wheat, quinoa, barley, oats, oat bran, etc.)

Lean meats (lean pork, beef, skinless/boneless chicken breasts)

Seafood and fish (shrimp, salmon, tuna)

Fruits and vegetables (greens, citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, etc.)

Nuts and oils (almonds, walnuts-unseasoned, olive, flaxseed)

Beans (navy, lima, green, soy, white, etc-dried not canned)

Garlic

This is just a rudimentary list. The more natural foods are the more nutrients they will contain. Nuts and oils provide healthy fats that help to increase heart health and raise HDL levels. Eating more fiber will eliminate a portion of your fat intake from your body along with it. Finding a good book on nutrition will let you in on all of the health benefits of certain foods.

Foods to Avoid

This list can be almost as long as the good food list. We already know most of the foods on this list but need reminding from time to time. While many eating plans give you a day to eat freely, it is probably best not to do that so often until your cholesterol levels are back within normal range.

Fast foods (especially ones that use trans fats in preparation)

Processed sweets (baked goods and candy)

Frozen quick meals (ones with too much saturated fat and not enough fiber)

Fatty snack foods (donuts, chips)

Duck, organ meats (such as chicken livers, brains, hearts, kidneys, or sweetbreads), meats that are high in saturated fats

Full fat dairy (milk, yogurt and cheeses)

Sodas (lots of sugar)

Fried foods, egg yolks

Your best asset will be reading labels. Here you will find total cholesterol, total fat, calories, protein, fiber and details about vitamins and minerals.

Lifestyle Changes

Exercise plays a big role in disease prevention. The body that is in optimal physical condition can do so many things. For instance, muscle mass is increased as well as tone. Toxins are better able to be eliminated from the body.

Increased oxygenation promotes clarity and mental focus. Your will also notice that you have more energy to do what you need to do each day. Don’t forget about those endorphins. They can lower incidents of depression by lifting your mood.

Exercise also lowers your weight. Weight management leads to lower incidence of diabetes and lower levels of bad cholesterol. As you age, you are better able to fight off diseases with increased immune response and a fit body.

Smoking is also a habit that needs to be broken. As we mentioned before, chemical toxins present in cigarettes has an effect on cholesterol levels. You will be able to increase your lung capacity when exercising which will increase your oxygen levels overall.

Treatment Options

Now we get to the factors that are a little harder to control. Heredity plays a role in cholesterol levels. Families with a tendency towards heart disease and diabetes put family members on alert for what they might expect in their future. Being proactive is the best way to go.

Those who are diagnosed with high cholesterol do have a chance to turn things around. People with a history of high cholesterol may not be able to lower their numbers with diet and exercise alone. They need medication to help in the process.

Doctors prescribe cholesterol medication to work within the liver and lower the levels of LDL cholesterol. They have a slight effect on triglyceride and HDL levels. The most common ones are your statin drugs. Examples include: Zocor, Lipitor, Crestor and Pravachol. There are also cholesterol medications that are found in combination with other drugs when more than one problem exists such as high blood pressure.

A new class of cholesterol medication works in the digestive system. The one that is currently on the market is Zetia. It helps to eliminate cholesterol directly from the bloodstream before it can be absorbed by the intestines.

When taking blood pressure medication, make sure that you ask your doctor about side effects. Inform him if you are taking other medications so that there are no drug interactions that could result. One of the common side effects of statins is that it can affect the function of your liver. It is recommended that blood work be done to test for liver function every three months when you are taking them.

If you are more into holistic medicine, ask your doctor about supplements that work similar to statins. One that comes to mind is Red yeast rice. It has long been used in the Far East to help keep cholesterol in check.

Supplements should not be taken in conjunction with traditional medications unless ordered by a doctor. The supplement may interfere with the efficacy of the statin drug.

Blood cholesterol levels are important to know. Do you know your levels? If you don’t know, have a blood test done. High levels of certain cholesterol components can put you at higher risk for diseases like heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

Even if you do have high cholesterol it is not too late to make a change. There are risk factors that are under our control (diet, exercise, obesity, lifestyle choices) and others that are not (heredity, age). Control what you can control and rely on your doctor to help you deal with the rest.

You CAN Lower Your Cholesterol – Naturally

Has your Doctor told you that your cholesterol is too high and he/she wants you to use a statin drug to lower it? You need to be wary about starting a statin drug as there are many dangerous side effects associated with them.

Your first line of defense against high cholesterol should be to try the natural approach. Xtend-Life Lipi-Rite is considered one of the world’s best natural options for balancing cholesterol levels. Lipi-Rite only uses natural ingredients with strong clinical evidence supporting their efficacy and safety.

Thousands of Xtend-Life customers have found that this product has worked successfully for them.

Learn more about Lipi-Rite now. Why do we promote this?

Save