What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that the body needs. It’s a structural component of every cell membrane. About 80% of cholesterol is made in the liver; only ~20% typically comes from diet. Types of cholesterol Why cholesterol gets blamed for heart disease? The Cholesterol Confusion Robert DuBroff, a cardiologist at the…
What are ‘nightmare bacteria’ and why are infections rising in the US? Nightmare bacteria” is a nickname the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave to a group of highly drug-resistant bacteria that are very difficult—or sometimes impossible—to treat with standard antibiotics. The most well-known examples are Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), but the term…
Vitamin B is a group of eight water-soluble vitamins. Since the body does not store them in significant amounts, they must be replenished daily through diet. Good sources include animal proteins, dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and legumes. Their functions can broadly be divided into: Vitamins B act as essential cofactors in numerous cellular pathways,…
Antidiabetic refers to substances, especially medications or treatments, that help manage high blood sugar in individuals with diabetes. 💊 Metformin (Common first choice for managing type 2 diabetes) Metformin is often the first-line treatment for Type 2 Diabetes, but its importance in medicine goes far beyond lowering blood sugar. Here’s why it continues to be…
Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease, as much as 50 per cent of the population has evidence of osteoarthritis detected at the age of 65. In patients with osteoarthritis, symptoms like joint swelling and prolonged morning stiffness were observed. These problems of joint pain are commonly treated by drugs like NSAIDs (Ibuprofen). Abstract: The…
Most patients fail to inform their health care providers of their supplements use, and physicians rarely inquire. Annually, thousands of dietary supplements may cause side effects that are reported to Poison Control Centers nationwide. 46% percent of supplements users consider these products to be safe and effective. Unfortunately, most patients likely do not understand the …
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in adult women. It has been estimated that as many as 20±30% of adult women have one or more attacks of UTI yearly. The major threat is recurrent UTIs which are usually due to reinfection with different organisms. The duration of treatment varies depending on the severity of the…
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is the 7th major cause of death in Australia. 1 out 7 people over the age of 25 have at least one marker of CKD. Many people are unaware that they have kidney damage and the risk is on rise. Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Dysfunction Many people are therefore completely…
An uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the bladder and nearby structures. It occurs in individuals who do not have structural abnormalities of the urinary tract or underlying health conditions such as diabetes, immunosuppression, recent urologic surgery, or pregnancy. This type of infection is also known as cystitis or…