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High cholesterol symptom on your toes that warns of dangerously high levels

High cholesterol is when a person has too much of a fatty substance called cholesterol in their blood.

The condition is mainly caused by eating fatty food, not exercising enough, being overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol.

It can also run in families.

There are no obvious symptoms you may be suffering with high cholesterol - a blood test is the only definitive way to know where your levels are.

But when high cholesterol becomes a lot more severe, a number of body parts may be affected.

Unusual-looking toes have been said to be one of the early warning symptoms indicating high cholesterol.

 Andrew Teebay/Liverpool EchoSigns of high cholesterol to spot

High cholesterol signs on your toes

High cholesterol goes undetected until it affects the human body to such an extent that it is difficult to get back to normal health.

Doctors and health experts always advise to have a regular health check-up so that this silent killer can be detected early and can be managed before it causes any harm.

If suffering with unusual-looking toes or pain in your legs, it could indicate dangerously high cholesterol levels.

According to Dr Sami Firoozi, consultant cardiologist at the Harley Street Clinic, part of HCA Healthcare UK, brittle or slow-growing toenails can be a tell-tale sign of the cholesterol complication.

One of the key signs is brittle toenails, the second is slow-growing toenails.

These two signs are caused by high cholesterol levels in the blood, which can cause peripheral aerial disease (PAD).

What is peripheral aerial disease?

PAD refers to diseases of the blood vessels located outside the heart and brain.

he NHS said: “Many people with PAD have no symptoms.

“However, some develop a painful ache in their legs when they walk, which usually disappears after a few minutes' rest.

“You should see a GP if you experience recurring leg pain when exercising.”

As a general guide, the NHS recommends maintaining total cholesterol levels at 5mmol/L or less.

In the UK however, three out of five adults have total cholesterol levels above 5mmol/L.

What’s more, the average cholesterol levels among Brits are 5.7mmol/L.

Fortunately, there are ways to reverse the condition, and diet should be the main focal point.

To reduce your cholesterol, you should overhaul your diet and up the amount of exercise you do.

"Try to cut down on fatty food, especially food that contains a type of fat called saturated fat," advises the NHS.

Saturated fat is found in:

Reference: Mirror: Jessica Knibbs 

Do you have sciatica? What it is and how it’s treated 

Do you have sciatica? What it is and how it’s treated

The term Sciatica is  used to refer to any pain that bgins in the lower back and radiates down to the leg.

According to Harvard Health, "as many as 40% of people will get it during their life, and it becomes more frequent as you age.

As common as Sciatica is, you'd be wise to learn everything you can about it now so you can try and prevent it and know what to do in the case that you get it.

Reference: Expresso Communication.

Blood clots: How do you sleep? One position may increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis

How a blood clot affects the body is usually determined by its location, but it generally tends to be harmless so long as it doesn't move. The majority of blood clots usually form inside the veins of the leg, pelvis, and sometimes arms, which is medically referred to as deep vein thrombosis. Certain sleeping positions may be conducive to the formation of risky clots.

The body usually lies horizontally in bed, so there is rarely enough gradient impact blood flow to the limbs.

When someone sleeps upright, however, problems may arise if blood flow is hindered.

Harvard Health writes: "Sleeping sitting up in a recliner [...] could in some cases raise your risk of deep vein thrombosis."

A blood clot in a limb can occur if your arms or legs are both bent motionless for hours.

"But provided you are comfortable and can recline back slightly, there should be few risks to sleeping upright, assuming it doesn't interfere with your ability to get a good night's sleep."

Sleeping upright is not the only sleeping position with health risks, however.

According to experts at Mayo Clinic, sleeping on the back can cause the tongue and jaw to slant down, crowding the airway.

This can set the stage for sleep apnoea, which in turn could lead to severe problems involving the heart.

The health body adds: "Obstructive sleep apnoea might also increase your risk of recurrent heart attack, stroke and abnormal heartbeats."

There is some evidence that sleeping on the left side of the body may also affect the organ's electrical signals.

There is some evidence that sleeping on the left side of the body may also affect the organ's electrical signals.

However, Monica Wassermann, Medical Director at Oliolusso added: "There is not enough proof to support the idea that left-side sleeping can increase your risk of heart attacks or disorders, especially in individuals with a healthy heart.

"The only known risks of sleeping on the left side might be experienced in people with prevailing heart disorders and might include pain, changes in ECG activity as the electrical currents or signals are interrupted, difficulty breathing and discomfort."

Left side sleeping can trigger alterations or shifting of the heart movements but has not shown to heighten risks of heart attacks."

The expert added: "There are no other sleeping positions associated with heart attack risks, though right-side sleeping can exert pressure on the vena cava, causing discomfort."

What's more, pregnant women are sometimes advised to sleep on the left side of their body and avoid sleeping on their back to ease pressure on the uterus, which is a known risk factor for deep vein thrombosis.

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The Mayo Clinic advises these people to "elevate legs at end of the day and get and pair of compression stockings if you get any swelling or varicose veins."

Sleeping on the stomach may not be without risks either, however, as this places unnecessary strain on the back and spine, according to the health body.

This is because most of your weight is in the middle of the body, which increases pressure on the body's internal structures.

While there may be risks attached to sleeping in a seated position, it is important to note that a position is unlikely to pose significant health risks unless a person has an underlying health condition.

Reference: Daily Express: Solen Le Net 

6 weird signs you have an iron deficiency

Iron is one of the most important nutrients in your diet, since it helps different proteins deliver oxygen to your body—but the truth is, much of the world doesn’t get enough of this essential mineral.

'Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency worldwide,' explains Dr. Kelly Pritchett, assistant professor of sports nutrition at Central Washington University. In fact, the World Health Organisation estimates that nearly half of the world’s 1.62 billion cases of anaemia—a condition characterised by a lack of healthy red blood cells—circle back to iron deficiency.

Not that you need a full-blown deficiency. Iron inadequacy is a big concern, however, and mainly occurs in pregnant women, young children, women with heavy periods, people who donate blood often, and vegetarians or vegans.

If you are concerned that you're not getting enough, eat plenty of iron-rich foods like lentils, cashews and leafy greens, like spinach. If you do eat meat, then the red stuff and eggs will give you a boost. You can also head to your GP and ask for a diagnosis, and then start taking a supplement.

But back to it. Your body can do some pretty weird things when you’re severely low in iron. Beyond the common symptoms, here are six unusual signs of iron deficiency to watch out for—and exactly how to make sure you’re getting enough of it. 

1. You have odd cravings for things that aren’t food

If you ate dirt as a kid, you might have been deficient in iron. While researchers are still trying to figure out why, people with severe iron deficiencies often crave non-food items like dirt, clay, cornstarch, paint chips, cardboard, and cleaning supplies, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

The condition is called pica and can be difficult to catch, mainly because people are ashamed to admit they have these strange addictions. It typically occurs in young children or pregnant women, but case studies show that older adults can experience pica, too. If you do suffer from these non-food cravings, boosting your iron intake can help if a deficiency is present.

2. Your nails are brittle or spoon-shaped

Although they may seem unrelated to the rest of your body, your nails can actually say a lot about your health. Along with weak and brittle nails, spoon nails, also called koilonychia, can be indicative of an underlying iron problem.

They look just how they sound—the inside of your nail sinks in, leaving you with a fingernail shaped like a spoon. Since spoon nails can also be caused by trauma (like a jammed finger), exposure to petroleum-based solvents, and other issues, the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends doctors do a blood test for iron deficiency anaemia when other causes of spoon nails aren’t obvious.

3. Your lips are dry and cracked

Thanks to harsh winters, a dry room, or a habit of licking your lips, just about everyone knows the pain of chapped lips. But people with iron deficiency may be privy to a specific type of cracking called angular cheilitis, which affects the corners of your mouth.

Those cracked corners can make it difficult to eat, smile, or even shout. In a study of 82 people with angular cheilitis, researchers found that 35% of them had iron deficiency. In those cases, treating angular cheilitis on its own—say, with cream or ointment—wouldn’t help. You need to treat the underlying iron deficiency to keep the cracking from coming back again and again.

4. Your legs never feel still

If you’ve ever sat in a chair and constantly felt the need to move your legs, you have an idea of what it’s like to have restless leg syndrome (RLS)—except people who have RLS feel this way all the time. The feeling has been described as burning, tugging, tingling, or the sensation of insects crawling around inside your legs.

Doctors still aren’t completely sure what causes this condition, but some research suggests low iron levels could be an underlying problem. In fact, one 2013 study of 251 people with iron deficiency anaemia concluded that that the prevalence of RLS was nearly 24% (or nine times) higher than normal.

5. Your tongue is oddly swollen

Another not-so-obvious symptom of iron deficiency is atrophic glossitis, also known as a swollen and tender tongue. The tongue will expand to the point that the usual bumps on the surface disappear, making it appear smooth. The swelling can cause problems with chewing, swallowing, or talking.

In a 2013 study of 75 people with iron deficiency anaemia, researchers found that nearly 27 percent of them had atrophic glossitis, along with dry mouth, a burning sensation, and other issues affecting oral health.

6. You’re constantly craving ice

Craving ice is a specific form of pica called pagophagia, according to a series of case reports published in the the journal Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, and it’s one of the most common symptoms of severe iron deficiency.

Although reasons for this craving are unclear, some some experts theorise that chewing ice increases alertness in iron-deficient people (who are typically sluggish and tired) or that it soothes their swollen tongues.

How to get enough iron

If you’ve checked off several of the symptoms above, it may be time to see your doctor—just keep in mind that these are just the bizarre signs associated with iron deficiency.

If you’ve noticed you’re more tired than usual, are struggling to catch your breath when you walk up stairs or exercise, get dizzy, or often feel weak, your iron levels could be low.

If you fall into a high-risk group and suspect you’re not getting enough, ask your doctor to perform a blood test. Don’t wander down the supplement aisle until you confirm a deficiency: Popping a pill with too much iron can be dangerous, as it can cause unpleasant side effects, like stomach pain, vomiting, constipation, or even serious health problems like liver damage, says the NIH.

In the meantime, make sure you’re loading up on iron-rich foods. Women aged 19 to 50 should aim for at least 18 milligrams a day (27 milligrams if you’re pregnant), while men can stick to 8 milligrams.

Pair them with foods rich in vitamin C (like a healthy squeeze of lemon on your salad) to boost absorption, says Pritchett. If you’re a caffeine drinker, try to glug your mug an hour before you eat, as coffee and tea have both been shown to significantly decrease your ability to take in iron, she says. 

Reference: Women's Healthby Kasandra Brabaw