Because Good Medicine Deserves Better Explanations
There are several reasons why we should be interested in the amount of cholesterol circulating in our bloodstream. However, to interpret our cholesterol numbers, we have to know certain things about cholesterol and its role in health and disease. What Is Cholesterol? Cholesterol is classified as a sterol (a combination of steroid and alcohol) and … Read more
Most women will experience hot flashes when going through the menopause. In the USA, the term hot flashes is used to describe this phenomenon whereas in the UK the term hot flushes is used. Both mean the same thing. Hot flashes are also known as vasomotor symptoms. The term ‘vasomotor’ refers to the vasomotor center in … Read more
Coughing is a reflex action where the air is rapidly expelled from the lungs to clear excessive secretions, fluids, or foreign material from the airway. Therefore, cough is an important respiratory defense mechanism. However, coughing may also be a symptom of an underlying disease. Apart from the discomfort of coughing itself, excessive coughing can cause multisystem problems. For … Read more
High blood pressure (BP), also called hypertension, increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. It is one of the most important causes of premature death worldwide. In 2025, an estimated 1.56 billion adults will be living with hypertension (1). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hypertension kills nearly 8 million people every … Read more
For the last few days, my Kindle has been my closest companion. “What are you reading”? my wife asked. “I’m reading Lore of Nutrition.” “Ooh, I was sure it was a thriller or one of your crime stories.” In fact, she was right. Although Lore of Nutrition is a book about nutrition, it reads like … Read more