What Causes High Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that’s present in every cell in the body and is required to produce vitamin D, hormones, and digestive substances. While it is essential for the body to function, your body creates all that it requires.

This is a condition that occurs when the levels in the blood are elevated. 28 million adults in the U.S. have high cholesterol, which is defined as levels that are higher than 240 mg/dL. Unfortunately, this increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis (the narrowing of the arteries), among other serious conditions. (more…)

Signs of Thyroid Problems

Your thyroid is a gland that releases hormones into your body that regulates your metabolism. Thyroid problems occur when the thyroid either secretes too much or not enough hormones. When this happens, it’s called thyroid disease. This disease comes in two main varieties, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, with several sub-variants. While anyone can get this disease, you have a higher risk if any of the following apply to you:

• family history of thyroid disease
• have certain medical conditions, including:
  • Pernicious anemia
  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Primary adrenal insufficiency
  • Lupus
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Sjögren’s syndrome
  • Turner syndrome
• take any medication that’s high in iodine
• are older than 60
• are female
• have been treated for cancer

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When to See a Doctor for a Cough

Most of the time a cough is nothing to worry about. Most coughs do not last long, and they are usually caused by things in our environment or irritation to the lungs. These coughs are nothing to worry about and will go away on their own. Some coughs are the result of a mild viral cold, but this too doesn’t usually require any type of treatment.

However, there are some situations in which you should see a doctor for a chronic cough. This is a cough that does not go away after 8 to 10 days, and may actually hang on for months at a time. Some chronic coughs are unavoidable, such as long-time smokers cough and allergy symptoms, but for the most part a chronic cough is an indicator that some type of treatment is required.

When to See a Doctor for a Fever

Many people are confused about when they need to see a doctor for a fever. Often, there is nothing to worry about. A 24-hour stomach bug can cause a fever. Even a bad cold can cause a fever. Obviously you don’t need to see your doctor for such matters. But when do you need to see your doctor? Here’s what you need to know.

Infants and Children

Infants and children cannot handle the same high temperatures that most adults can pull through. Infants should see a doctor if they have a fever over 100.1 for more than 24 hours. Children over two should see a doctor when their temperature reaches over 101 for more than 24 hours. If your child has a fever that will not go down with Tylenol or ibuprofen, you should take them to the doctor.