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Supriya Ramesh

Did You Know? These Surprising Body Parts Could Reveal the First Signs of High Cholesterol

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High cholesterol often develops silently, without symptoms, and increases your risk of heart disease and stroke over time. That is why it is often called the “silent” threat. It can quietly clog your arteries for years without so much as a headache. But in some cases, the body shows early warning signs, not through chest pain or breathlessness, but in places you might not expect: your eyes and ankles.

In your eyes, specifically, your iris. According to the British Heart Foundation, one early red flag is a pale grey or white ring forming around the coloured part of your eye, a sign known as corneal arcus. In people over 60, it is usually nothing to worry about. But in younger adults, it could point to dangerously high cholesterol levels.

It is caused by fat deposits building up in the outer edges of your cornea. The ring would not hurt and would not affect your vision, which makes it all the more tough. But it is visible, and that makes it one of the few outward signs of a hidden problem.

Now, down to your ankles. Another unexpected place cholesterol might show up is under the skin in the form of xanthomas, soft, yellowish lumps that often appear around tendons or joints, especially near the ankles. These are not just cosmetic oddities. They are fatty growths, and they usually mean your body's cholesterol levels are sky-high, often dangerously so.

These lumps are caused by cholesterol leaking out of your blood and getting trapped in the skin. According to the British Heart Foundation, their presence is a major red flag, particularly if they appear in people with a family history of heart disease or a genetic condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia, where cholesterol levels are high from birth.

The trouble is, most people ignore these signs. A ring in your eye? Probably ageing. Lumps near your ankle? Maybe a strain or skin issue. But shrugging them off could delay diagnosis and treatment.

That is why awareness matters. If you are under 45 and notice a ring around your iris or strange, painless bumps around your joints, you might want to book a cholesterol test. It is a simple blood draw that could tell you a lot about what is going on inside.

If left unchecked, high cholesterol raises your risk of heart attacks and strokes. But caught early, it is manageable. Diet tweaks, regular exercise, and, if needed, medication can help bring your levels back to where they should be.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

high cholesterol

early signs

corneal arcus

xanthomas

british heart foundation

eye ring

ankle lumps

cholesterol symptoms

familial hypercholesterolaemia

heart disease risk

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High cholesterol often develops silently, without symptoms, and increases your risk of heart disease and stroke over time. That is why it is often called the “silent” threat. It can quietly clog your arteries for years without so much as a headache. But in some cases, the body shows early warning signs, not through chest pain or breathlessness, but in places you might not expect: your eyes and ankles.In your eyes, specifically, your iris. According to the British Heart Foundation, one early red flag is a pale grey or white ring forming around the coloured part of your eye, a sign known as corneal arcus. In people over 60, it is usually nothing to worry about. But in younger adults, it could point to dangerously high cholesterol levels.It is caused by fat deposits building up in the outer edges of your cornea. The ring would not hurt and would not affect your vision, which makes it all the more tough. But it is visible, and that makes it one of the few outward signs of a hidden problem.Now, down to your ankles. Another unexpected place cholesterol might show up is under the skin in the form of xanthomas, soft, yellowish lumps that often appear around tendons or joints, especially near the ankles. These are not just cosmetic oddities. They are fatty growths, and they usually mean your body's cholesterol levels are sky-high, often dangerously so.These lumps are caused by cholesterol leaking out of your blood and getting trapped in the skin. According to the British Heart Foundation, their presence is a major red flag, particularly if they appear in people with a family history of heart disease or a genetic condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia, where cholesterol levels are high from birth.The trouble is, most people ignore these signs. A ring in your eye? Probably ageing. Lumps near your ankle? Maybe a strain or skin issue. But shrugging them off could delay diagnosis and treatment.That is why awareness matters. If you are under 45 and notice a ring around your iris or strange, painless bumps around your joints, you might want to book a cholesterol test. It is a simple blood draw that could tell you a lot about what is going on inside.If left unchecked, high cholesterol raises your risk of heart attacks and strokes. But caught early, it is manageable. Diet tweaks, regular exercise, and, if needed, medication can help bring your levels back to where they should be.

did you know? these surprising body parts could reveal the first signs of high cholesterol

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Does your body respond as if you had just swallowed poison every time you eat a slice of pizza or a comforting bowl of pasta? For around 2 million Americans, this is the harsh reality of living with coeliac disease, an autoimmune condition that’s often overlooked, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood.

Coeliac disease is a lifelong immune response triggered by gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. When someone with coeliac disease consumes gluten, their immune system does not just attack the food; it turns against the small intestine itself. Over time, this repeated immune response damages the lining of the gut, particularly the villi, which are tiny structures that absorb nutrients. Flatten them, and your body starts struggling to take in essentials like iron, calcium, and vitamins.

You cannot see this damage, but your body certainly feels it. Symptoms can range from diarrhoea, bloating, and abdominal pain to fatigue, unexplained weight loss, skin rashes, joint pain, and even infertility. In children, it can show up as stunted growth, irritability or delayed puberty.

One of the more frustrating facts about coeliac disease is how unpredictable it can be. Some people show severe symptoms after eating a tiny crumb of bread, while others feel fine even though the internal damage is mounting. That is part of what makes diagnosis tricky. What adds to the confusion is the rising popularity of gluten-free diets. People might cut out gluten without medical guidance, feel better, and assume they have coeliac. But without testing first, any real diagnosis is impossible, because test results are only accurate if you are still eating gluten regularly.

Unlike a typical allergy or intolerance, coeliac disease is autoimmune in nature. That means the body is not reacting to gluten as an outsider but rather misfiring completely. The only known treatment is to totally avoid gluten for life.

That means reading every label, dodging cross-contamination, and realising gluten lurks in unexpected places like soy sauce, soup mixes, or even some lip balms. Even a small amount can trigger inflammation, symptoms, and long-term complications if left unchecked.

Untreated coeliac disease can lead to iron deficiency anaemia, osteoporosis, neurological disorders, infertility, and in rare cases, a type of small intestine cancer. And it does not always announce itself loudly; many cases are silent, discovered only when a family member gets tested or a doctor digs deeper into another issue.

Still, despite the seriousness of the disease, it is very manageable once diagnosed. The key lies in awareness, early detection, and strict adherence to a gluten-free lifestyle. 

coeliac disease

gluten

autoimmune

small intestine

gut damage

gluten free diet

symptoms

diagnosis

nutrient absorption

long term complications

Does your body respond as if you had just swallowed poison every time you eat a slice of pizza or a comforting bowl of pasta? For around 2 million Americans, this is the harsh reality of living with coeliac disease, an autoimmune condition that’s often overlooked, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood.Coeliac disease is a lifelong immune response triggered by gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. When someone with coeliac disease consumes gluten, their immune system does not just attack the food; it turns against the small intestine itself. Over time, this repeated immune response damages the lining of the gut, particularly the villi, which are tiny structures that absorb nutrients. Flatten them, and your body starts struggling to take in essentials like iron, calcium, and vitamins.You cannot see this damage, but your body certainly feels it. Symptoms can range from diarrhoea, bloating, and abdominal pain to fatigue, unexplained weight loss, skin rashes, joint pain, and even infertility. In children, it can show up as stunted growth, irritability or delayed puberty. One of the more frustrating facts about coeliac disease is how unpredictable it can be. Some people show severe symptoms after eating a tiny crumb of bread, while others feel fine even though the internal damage is mounting. That is part of what makes diagnosis tricky. What adds to the confusion is the rising popularity of gluten-free diets. People might cut out gluten without medical guidance, feel better, and assume they have coeliac. But without testing first, any real diagnosis is impossible, because test results are only accurate if you are still eating gluten regularly.Unlike a typical allergy or intolerance, coeliac disease is autoimmune in nature. That means the body is not reacting to gluten as an outsider but rather misfiring completely. The only known treatment is to totally avoid gluten for life. That means reading every label, dodging cross-contamination, and realising gluten lurks in unexpected places like soy sauce, soup mixes, or even some lip balms. Even a small amount can trigger inflammation, symptoms, and long-term complications if left unchecked.Untreated coeliac disease can lead to iron deficiency anaemia, osteoporosis, neurological disorders, infertility, and in rare cases, a type of small intestine cancer. And it does not always announce itself loudly; many cases are silent, discovered only when a family member gets tested or a doctor digs deeper into another issue.Still, despite the seriousness of the disease, it is very manageable once diagnosed. The key lies in awareness, early detection, and strict adherence to a gluten-free lifestyle. 

what is coeliac disease that affects 2 million people in the u.s. each year?

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Pregnancy is a delicate time for the mothers as they must take many precautions that will ensure their and their babies' health. What many people do not realize is that diabetic mothers can have complications during pregnancy. As many people lack awareness about this, researchers from the Endocrine Society have come up with important rules and guidelines that will ensure the safety and wellbeing of new mothers and their babies. 

New guidelines suggest that doctors should talk to diabetic women at every visit about whether they plan to have children. This is to make sure they receive the right medical care before getting pregnant. 

The goal is to help prevent problems like miscarriages and birth defects in women who have diabetes before they become pregnant. Experts created these guidelines because more women of childbearing age are developing diabetes, and very few currently get the necessary care before conception.

<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0.7em; line-height: 1.3; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 24px; background: 0px 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">How Does Diabetes Affect Pregnancy?</h2>

Pregnancy causes hormonal and body changes that affect your blood sugar levels. Even if you've had diabetes for years, you might need to change your meal plan, exercise routine, or medications. If you weren't on insulin before pregnancy, you might need to start it. It's common to need more insulin as your due date gets closer, sometimes even double or triple the amount. Your blood sugar levels can also change quickly during and after delivery, so your healthcare team will monitor them closely.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explains that if you have diabetes and are thinking about having a baby, it's really important to get your blood sugar levels as close to your target range as possible before you get pregnant. High blood sugar levels can be harmful to your baby, especially in the first 8 weeks of pregnancy when their organs (like the brain, heart, and kidneys) are forming. This can increase the chance of birth defects. High blood sugar during pregnancy can also increase the risk of your baby being:

<ul><li>Born too early</li><li>Larger than average size</li><li>Having breathing problems right after birth</li><li>Having low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) right after birth</li></ul>

Sometimes, babies might need special care in the hospital after delivery if there's a risk of low blood sugar or other health issues. High blood sugar can also increase your risk of miscarriage or stillbirth (when the baby dies in the womb in the second half of pregnancy). Furthermore, if your blood sugar levels are high during pregnancy, your baby has a higher chance of developing obesity or type 2 diabetes later in life.

These new guidelines cover several important areas, including: 

<h4>Regular Discussions about Pregnancy </h4>

Doctors should ask all diabetic women of childbearing age about their desire to conceive at every appointment, regardless of why they're seeing the doctor. 

For pregnant women with diabetes, delivering the baby before 39 weeks might be safer. This is because the potential risks of continuing the pregnancy could be greater than those of an earlier delivery. 

<h4>Medication Adjustments</h4> <ul><li>Women should stop using GLP-1 weight-loss drugs before pregnancy.</li><li>Metformin should be avoided in pregnant women who are already taking insulin.</li></ul>

For pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, using hybrid closed-loop insulin pumps with continuous glucose monitoring is recommended. These devices help manage blood sugar more effectively. 

Women with diabetes should engage in family planning and use contraception until they are truly ready to become pregnant. 

These recommendations are based on strong scientific evidence from research studies. They also address important topics like proper nutrition and treatment approaches for women with type 2 diabetes, especially since obesity and related diabetes are increasing globally. These new guidelines are supported by many major health organizations, including the American Diabetes Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 

Diabetes

Diabetes in women

Healthcare guidelines for diabetic women

diabetes and pregnancy

how does diabetes affect pregnancies

Pregnancy care with diabetes

Pregnancy is a delicate time for the mothers as they must take many precautions that will ensure their and their babies' health. What many people do not realize is that diabetic mothers can have complications during pregnancy. As many people lack awareness about this, researchers from the Endocrine Society have come up with important rules and guidelines that will ensure the safety and wellbeing of new mothers and their babies. New guidelines suggest that doctors should talk to diabetic women at every visit about whether they plan to have children. This is to make sure they receive the right medical care before getting pregnant. The goal is to help prevent problems like miscarriages and birth defects in women who have diabetes before they become pregnant. Experts created these guidelines because more women of childbearing age are developing diabetes, and very few currently get the necessary care before conception. How Does Diabetes Affect Pregnancy?Pregnancy causes hormonal and body changes that affect your blood sugar levels. Even if you've had diabetes for years, you might need to change your meal plan, exercise routine, or medications. If you weren't on insulin before pregnancy, you might need to start it. It's common to need more insulin as your due date gets closer, sometimes even double or triple the amount. Your blood sugar levels can also change quickly during and after delivery, so your healthcare team will monitor them closely.The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explains that if you have diabetes and are thinking about having a baby, it's really important to get your blood sugar levels as close to your target range as possible before you get pregnant. High blood sugar levels can be harmful to your baby, especially in the first 8 weeks of pregnancy when their organs (like the brain, heart, and kidneys) are forming. This can increase the chance of birth defects. High blood sugar during pregnancy can also increase the risk of your baby being:Born too earlyLarger than average sizeHaving breathing problems right after birthHaving low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) right after birthSometimes, babies might need special care in the hospital after delivery if there's a risk of low blood sugar or other health issues. High blood sugar can also increase your risk of miscarriage or stillbirth (when the baby dies in the womb in the second half of pregnancy). Furthermore, if your blood sugar levels are high during pregnancy, your baby has a higher chance of developing obesity or type 2 diabetes later in life.Key Recommendations for Care These new guidelines cover several important areas, including: Regular Discussions about Pregnancy Doctors should ask all diabetic women of childbearing age about their desire to conceive at every appointment, regardless of why they're seeing the doctor. Timing of Delivery For pregnant women with diabetes, delivering the baby before 39 weeks might be safer. This is because the potential risks of continuing the pregnancy could be greater than those of an earlier delivery. Medication Adjustments Women should stop using GLP-1 weight-loss drugs before pregnancy.Metformin should be avoided in pregnant women who are already taking insulin.Advanced Insulin Management For pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, using hybrid closed-loop insulin pumps with continuous glucose monitoring is recommended. These devices help manage blood sugar more effectively. Family Planning Women with diabetes should engage in family planning and use contraception until they are truly ready to become pregnant. These recommendations are based on strong scientific evidence from research studies. They also address important topics like proper nutrition and treatment approaches for women with type 2 diabetes, especially since obesity and related diabetes are increasing globally. These new guidelines are supported by many major health organizations, including the American Diabetes Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 

diabetic women should be asked whether they wish for kids at every healthcare visit: new guidelines to ensure birth safety

What Is Nail Clubbing, and Could It Be a Sign of a Serious Disease?

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It usually begins subtly; your fingertips gradually thicken, your nails start to curve more than usual, and the angle between the nail and the cuticle becomes more pronounced. This is known as nail clubbing, a physical sign that can point to underlying health issues. Often painless and subtle at first, clubbing is not a condition by itself, but rather a potential indicator that something more serious may be going on inside the body.

If you press your nail and the skin just beneath it feels a bit spongy or springy, that’s another telltale sign.

But why should you care about this?

Nail clubbing is not a standalone condition. It is more like your body is throwing a sign for you to look deeper for something that might be wrong. Often, it is the lungs or heart sending the signal. In fact, clubbing is most commonly linked to low levels of oxygen in the blood over a long period. And that can point to some pretty serious stuff.

Here is a breakdown of the usual causes:

Lung conditions: Clubbing is seen in chronic lung diseases like lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, or bronchiectasis. Even long-term infections like tuberculosis or lung abscesses can trigger it. Basically, anything that messes with how oxygen moves from your lungs into your blood can potentially lead to clubbing.

Heart problems: Certain congenital heart defects (especially ones that cause low blood oxygen) can also show up through your fingertips. Endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s inner lining, is another silent cause.

Gastrointestinal diseases: Yes, your gut might have a say too. Clubbing is sometimes associated with conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or severe liver disease. Not exactly the first thing you would expect from nail changes, but there it is.

Other rarer causes: Graves’ disease (a thyroid condition) and some inherited genetic disorders can also lead to clubbing. But again, these are outliers.

But why does it affect nails?

Chronic low oxygen levels may lead to dilation of blood vessels in the fingertips, increasing blood flow and tissue build-up. But no one fully understands the exact mechanism yet. It is still a bit of a medical mystery.

What should you do if your nails look suspiciously clubbed?

Do not panic, but do not ignore it either. It is not something to diagnose with a selfie and a Google search. A doctor will likely check your oxygen levels, get a chest X-ray or scan, and run other tests depending on your symptoms. The earlier you find the underlying issue, the better.

And while nail clubbing is not always bad, it can be idiopathic, meaning no known cause and harmless. It is still worth getting checked. 

nail clubbing

lung disease

heart defects

oxygen levels

pulmonary fibrosis

crohns disease

endocarditis

liver disease

medical symptoms

chronic illness

It usually begins subtly; your fingertips gradually thicken, your nails start to curve more than usual, and the angle between the nail and the cuticle becomes more pronounced. This is known as nail clubbing, a physical sign that can point to underlying health issues. Often painless and subtle at first, clubbing is not a condition by itself, but rather a potential indicator that something more serious may be going on inside the body.If you press your nail and the skin just beneath it feels a bit spongy or springy, that’s another telltale sign.But why should you care about this?Nail clubbing is not a standalone condition. It is more like your body is throwing a sign for you to look deeper for something that might be wrong. Often, it is the lungs or heart sending the signal. In fact, clubbing is most commonly linked to low levels of oxygen in the blood over a long period. And that can point to some pretty serious stuff.Here is a breakdown of the usual causes:Lung conditions: Clubbing is seen in chronic lung diseases like lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, or bronchiectasis. Even long-term infections like tuberculosis or lung abscesses can trigger it. Basically, anything that messes with how oxygen moves from your lungs into your blood can potentially lead to clubbing.Heart problems: Certain congenital heart defects (especially ones that cause low blood oxygen) can also show up through your fingertips. Endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s inner lining, is another silent cause.Gastrointestinal diseases: Yes, your gut might have a say too. Clubbing is sometimes associated with conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or severe liver disease. Not exactly the first thing you would expect from nail changes, but there it is.Other rarer causes: Graves’ disease (a thyroid condition) and some inherited genetic disorders can also lead to clubbing. But again, these are outliers.But why does it affect nails? Chronic low oxygen levels may lead to dilation of blood vessels in the fingertips, increasing blood flow and tissue build-up. But no one fully understands the exact mechanism yet. It is still a bit of a medical mystery.What should you do if your nails look suspiciously clubbed?Do not panic, but do not ignore it either. It is not something to diagnose with a selfie and a Google search. A doctor will likely check your oxygen levels, get a chest X-ray or scan, and run other tests depending on your symptoms. The earlier you find the underlying issue, the better.And while nail clubbing is not always bad, it can be idiopathic, meaning no known cause and harmless. It is still worth getting checked. 

what is nail clubbing, and could it be a sign of a serious disease?

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Did You Know? These Surprising Body Parts Could Reveal the First Signs of High Cholesterol

Quick Stories

What is Coeliac Disease That Affects 2 Million People in the U.S. Each Year?

Diabetic Women Should Be Asked Whether They Wish For Kids At Every Healthcare Visit: New Guidelines To Ensure Birth Safety

What Is Nail Clubbing, and Could It Be a Sign of a Serious Disease?

Health Conditions A-Z

What is Coeliac Disease That Affects 2 Million People in the U.S. Each Year?

Diabetic Women Should Be Asked Whether They Wish For Kids At Every Healthcare Visit: New Guidelines To Ensure Birth Safety

Did You Know? These Surprising Body Parts Could Reveal the First Signs of High Cholesterol