Obesity is the accumulation of excess body fat in the body to an extent that it has a negative effect on health. Over two-thirds of adults in the country are obese, and this condition is increasing at an alarming rate among children as well. The main cause of obesity is wrong eating habits and lack of physical activities. Being obese increases the risk of developing cancer, heart-related problems, diabetes, and other diseases. It also heightens the risk of premature death. Those who are weight conscious are familiar with the term Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator. A   BMI   calculator is mostly used as a measure of obesity by physicians due to its simplicity. The Body Mass Index is calculated using a mathematical formula wherein a person’s weight in kilograms is divided by the square of height in meters. BMI has been used by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a standard for recording obesity statistics since the early 1980s. This index provides a numeric measure of whether a person is over or underweight. On the basis of the value of BMI, one can classify a population, with the average physique as follows: A BMI below 18.5 is considered as underweight A BMI 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy weight or normal A BMI 25 to 29.9 is considered as overweight A BMI 30 and over is considered as obese A BMI 40 and over is considered as severe obesity However, studies show that a BMI Calculator, which is based on the height and weight of a person, is not an entirely accurate measure of body fat content and does not consider muscle mass. So, people with large muscle mass will usually have a high BMI even though their body fat is in the healthy range. It is also possible to have a healthy BMI even while you are carrying a lot of fat around your waist.

Also known as diabetes mellitus type 2, adult type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects the body’s ability to metabolize sugar i.e. glucose which is the main source of energy in the human body. In such a condition the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin which is an important hormone responsible for maintaining the glucose level in the body. There are certain underlying causes responsible for developing type 2diabetes; however, the exact cause is still unknown. In this article, some of the important facts are discussed that would help in the proper diagnosis and prevention of adult type 2 diabetes. Causes The human body develops type 2 diabetes when it becomes resistant to insulin. More precisely, the pancreas at first produce more insulin to give energy to the cells but eventually it can’t cope up with the requirement and stops producing insulin when the body fails to utilize that insulin. This then gets deposited in the bloodstream as sugar. Lifestyle factors This is a contributing factor as to why the body develops adult type 2 diabetes. Being obese, not doing much physical activity and leading a sedentary lifestyle can be the contributing factors of type 2 diabetes. Eating unhealthy foods with artificial sweeteners, saturated and trans fat and too much junk food together with a poor diet may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Too much stress can also trigger the blood sugar level. Genetics Genetic factors cannot be justified much. These are the factors that are beyond human control. Different DNA contributes to different abnormalities in the body cells and this is one such abnormality. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes in adults Frequent urination and increased thirst Collection of excess sugar in the blood causes more fluid that tends to be pulled out by the tissues resulting in triggering your thirst.

Spider bites are never considered as harmful and life-threatening but that is not true. It can be really painful and very dangerous in some cases and it is necessary that you identify the spider bite on time. There is a large number of species of spiders across the world and about thousands of species in the country itself among which a few of them can actually take your life. The truth is that all spiders are poisonous but most of them eject only a small amount of venom capable enough to only kill small insects but is not that dangerous to larger preys like humans. So most of the spider bites make a small fang and are too weak to puncture through the human skin. A small red wound can easily be healed within a week or so. The species of spiders which have the ability to eject their venom through the skin are the ones that can cause some serious health issues and can even threaten one’s life. What are the common symptoms? A person should stay well aware of how a spider bite looks and what the common symptoms are. Ignoring these small bites can make a person regret all his life thus, it is always recommended to consult a doctor in any of the following symptoms. Spider bite identification is not a difficult task. After a spider bite, it is possible that the person may not notice a small wound hours later. At first sight, it may just appear like a mosquito bite but gradually you will spot other symptoms. A red little bump is the first symptom which causes redness, itching, and swelling and it is the most common symptom which can be observed in the bite of any of the species of spider. Some other symptoms that can be observed are:

The flu or a cold runs its course in a couple of weeks. But sometimes an individual may suffer from bronchitis as well. That’s when the bronchial tubes that carry air to the lungs get infected and swollen. One ends up with a nagging cough and a lot more mucus. An individual may get bronchitis in other ways too, usually, they are of two types, namely, acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is the more common type of bronchitis. The symptoms last for a few weeks, but it does not usually cause any more problems past that. Chronic bronchitis is more serious, and it keeps coming back or doesn’t go away at all. It’s one of the conditions that make up what’s known as the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic bronchitis can be treated at specialized treatment centers for the condition. Understanding chronic bronchitis Chronic bronchitis is a persisting infection and inflammation of the bronchi—larger airways of the lungs. There are two main bronchi in the lungs, namely, the right bronchi and the left bronchi. These two bronchi divide from the trachea. Chronic bronchitis occurs as a part of the disease complex, COPD, which also includes small airways disease and emphysema. The bronchial tubes when inflamed produce a lot of mucus and this leads to difficulty in breathing and coughing. Chronic bronchitis refers to daily mucus production and a chronic cough for at least three months of two or more consecutive years. Smoking cigarette is one of the most common causes of chronic bronchitis. However, breathing in fumes, air pollution, or dust over a long period may also cause it. Chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition, which keeps coming back or never completely goes away. Risk factors for chronic bronchitis Chronic bronchitis can affect men and women of all ages, but it tends to be more common in middle-aged men.

It can be painful for new parents when their baby keeps crying for a long time, especially when they are unable to understand why their baby is crying. One of the main reasons why babies cry is due to gas as it creates pain. Babies tend to pass gas at least 13 to 21 times in a day. Many babies will not have any problem in passing gas, but there are a few kids who get stuck. Such babies feel pain and an uneasy sensation. So, before you see tips to relieve your baby from gas, you should know about its causes and symptoms. Why do babies pass so much gas? It is very common for babies to pass so much gas because they take in a lot of air when they are eating, being breastfed, sucking a pacifier or crying. All this air gets stuck in the tummy, and comes out in the form of gas. When the baby is unable to release the gas, they feel uneasy and get fussy. With no words to express their uneasiness and pain, wails are the only way that babies can communicate how they are feeling. At such times, it is essential to take appropriate measures to comfort the baby by easing their pain. What are the signs that your baby is having gas problems? How do you know if your baby is crying because of gas? Here are the things that you should keep an eye on: Check out if your baby is crying frequently If the baby is arching the back away from you, it could be a sign of gas problems When their face is turning red If your baby is scrunching their face as if they are in pain If you notice these signs, then you need to check if your baby is having trouble in passing gas, and you need to do something to make sure that your baby gets relief from gas.

Have you been battling with high cholesterol problems and are wondering how to lower LDL cholesterol levels? High cholesterol increases the risks of heart attacks and diseases. Although treatment may help improve your cholesterol levels, you still need to make essential lifestyle changes to boost the cholesterol-lowering power of the treatment. To help you make healthy lifestyle changes, some effective tips have been listed below on how to lower LDL cholesterol levels. Making some changes in the diet can help reduce the level of fat in the body and help enhance your heart’s health. The following changes can help you be on your way to having a healthy heart: Eliminate trans fats  – Often labeled as partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, trans fats are used in store-bought crackers, cookies, cakes, as well as in margarine. They raise the levels of cholesterol in your body and that’s why most hydrogenated vegetable oils are not recommended for use when the LDL levels in the body are high. Reduce saturated fats  – Primarily found in full-fat dairy products and red meat, saturated fats can raise your cholesterol levels. By decreasing consumption of saturated fats, you will be able to reduce LDL cholesterol levels in your body. Increase the intake of soluble fiber  – Foods that are rich in soluble fiber are great at lowering cholesterol levels naturally. The soluble fiber reduces the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream. Therefore, consider eating more fiber-rich foods such as barley, yams, oats, sweet potatoes, oat bran, and other types of potatoes. Beans or legumes like black beans, peas, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, and kidney beans are also excellent sources of soluble fiber. Vegetables are also rich in soluble fiber so consider including beets, eggplant, carrots, okra, and Brussels sprouts in your diet. Some good fiber-rich fruits are oranges, passion fruit, berries, apricots, apples, pears, and nectarines.

Huntington’s disease is a life-threatening disease, related to neurodegeneration, which is caused by an imbalance in nucleobases such as cytosine, adenine, and guanine. This leads to a repeated expansion of the Huntington gene, which is commonly known as the HTT, and leads to the production of very toxic chemicals, which is known as the Huntington protein—mHTT. This mutant HTT (mHTT) protein is responsible for progressively destroying neurons in the brain. This greatly affects neuromuscular and cognitive abilities that start rapidly declining. Therefore, it is important to know some essential facts about Huntington’s disease. In this way, you can be better informed about this condition and how it can be managed. Statistics of people affected It has been reported that Huntington’s disease affects about 1 in 10,000. There are about 30,000 people in the country who have shown the symptoms of the disease. Moreover, there are about 200,000 people in the country who have the chances of inheriting this deadly disease. Family history Every human being has the gene that is responsible for causing the disease, in their body. However, this disease can only be developed by people who have inherited it and can even potentially pass on to the next generation as well. Anyone who inherits the expanded Huntington gene has a chance of developing Huntington’s disease. Solution for newborns For newborns, there are screenings that can help in searching or detecting any kind of serious health condition. There will be relevant treatment options available for that as well, which can provide a clear advantage. The testing will be state-run. Complications of the disease Deaths caused due to this disease mainly occur due to the complications that are caused by the disease, and not due to the disease itself. The most common symptoms that occur as a result of this disease is difficulty in swallowing.

Pulmonary fibrosis is no ordinary disease and it gravely affects the lungs. Pulmonary means lungs and fibrosis refers to scar tissue. This disease is a serious lung disease which causes scarring in the lungs. Beyond scarring which itself presents a huge cause of concern, pulmonary fibrosis leads to several other problems which include breathing problems and the process of getting oxygen into the blood. Diseases which do not come with an immediate onset of certain symptoms are hard to detect. You may develop pulmonary fibrosis and not display any symptoms for a while. Here are a few other things you need to know about the disease. What is pulmonary fibrosis? Pulmonary fibrosis leads to the thickening, scarring, and stiffening of the lacy walls of the air sacs in the lungs. The walls are generally thin and lacy and the disease clearly impacts its condition. The stiffening of the lungs leads to several repercussions. The efficiency of the lungs is impacted and its ability to get oxygen into the bloodstream is hampered. It becomes difficult to expand the lungs and breathing is tough. Extra energy is required to breathe. This leads to a shortness of breath as the demand for additional energy takes its toll on the body. What causes pulmonary fibrosis? There are several known and unknown causes of the disease. Exposure to toxins like silica, coal dust, and asbestos can lead to pulmonary fibrosis. One of the most common causes of the disease is seen in conjunction with collagen vascular diseases. There are quite a few medications in the market that are known to have a side effect of pulmonary fibrosis. There are several unknown causes of the disease, termed idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis . The disease can be hereditary as well. What are the symptoms of this disease? While no disease is pleasant, pulmonary fibrosis does its sufferers no favors.

Getting the recommended dosage of vitamins is essential for overall health maintenance. Having a wholesome and a healthy diet alone does not ensure an adequate supply of essential vitamins to our body. All of the vitamin and mineral requirements of our body are not met by natural, whole foods. Hence, doctors recommend multivitamin supplements to bridge this nutritional gap. Given the fact that the nutritional requirements of women differ from that of men, choosing the best multivitamins for women requires careful evaluation of the nutritional needs and other factors. Intake of multivitamins needs to be done after a detailed evaluation of the nutritional gaps and consultation with a physician or a registered dietician. Essential vitamins for the proper functioning of the body Here is a list of vitamins that are essential for the proper functioning of the body. Vitamin A Vitamin B1/B2/B3 Vitamin B5/B6 Vitamin B7/B9/B12 Vitamin C Vitamin K Vitamin E Choline Who needs to take multivitamins? Those who do not have healthy eating habits require multivitamins to fill the nutritional gaps. People who have a poor appetite due to health complications or illnesses need them too. Pregnant women and nursing mothers require an additional supply of vitamins and minerals, which are provided by multivitamin supplements. Those on diet restrictions may also need multivitamin supplements to make up for lack of nutrients. Senior citizens require multivitamins to compensate for depleted nutrients due to old age. How to choose the right multivitamin for women? What are the factors to be considered before choosing the best multivitamins for women? Although each multivitamin brand varies slightly based on the ingredients and the quantities, the main vitamin and mineral content remains the same. The rate of absorption of the contents of multivitamins is the differentiating factor between various brands of multivitamins. Women should scrutinize the contents of the multivitamins before consumption.