This is what makes high blood cholesterol levels so frightening; there are no symptoms! Many people are unaware that their cholesterol levels are too high. Only by having a blood lipid test will you know if your cholesterol is within a healthy range.

Cholesterol is a type of fat called a lipid. The body uses it for many things, such as making new cells. Your liver makes the cholesterol that your body needs. You also get cholesterol from the foods you eat. Your body needs some cholesterol. But if you have too much, it starts to build up in your arteries. (Arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.) This is called hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis.

There are usually no signs or symptoms of high blood cholesterol. Most people don’t know that their cholesterol level is too high. There may be symptoms caused by the various illnesses associated with high cholesterol, however. Your first major symptom could be a heart attack or stroke. This is why it’s so important for everyone age 20 and older to have his or her cholesterol levels checked at least once every 5 years. You and your doctor can discuss how often you should be tested.

If you see any of these signs, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency. Have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the victim. Do the following: Cool the victim rapidly, using whatever methods you can.

A stroke is an injury to the brain that may also severely affect the body. A stroke happens when blood supply to part of the brain is cut off or when there is bleeding into or around the brain. This can happen if a blood clot blocks an artery in the brain or neck or if a weakened artery bursts in the brain. Risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure, smoking, heart disease, diabetes, and a high red blood cell count. The risk of stroke also increases with age.

If you think you have a hearing loss, please contact your physician soon. In some cases, hearing loss can be prevented from worsening. back to top

The signs of a heart attack usually occur at the time of the event and usually involve chest pain (also squeezing, pressure, burning, or heaviness). There can also be radiation of the pain to the left arm, throat or jaw, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, nausea, and fainting. Unfortunately sudden death due to cardiac arrest can also be the first symptom. There are also "silent heart attacks" where there are no symptoms but the heart attack is discovered on a routine EKG.

Any change in the normal appearance or texture of a woman’s breast may be an indication of breast cancer and should be examined by a physician. Common warning signs of breast cancer include a lump in the breast, an abnormal thickening of the breast tissue, or a change in density of the breast. Occasionally, breast cancer may be indicated by a lump under the arm, a redness of the skin over the breast, a change of the nipple (such as discharge or inversion), or a dimpling of the breast skin.

It is most important to examine your child's teeth as the permanent teeth grow in. Although children mature at different rates, there are some averages for permanent tooth arrival.

A fasting cholesterol test (also called a lipoprotein analysis) is the most complete test. It measures total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides. You cannot have food for 9 to 12 hours before this test. A simple cholesterol test can measure total cholesterol and HDL. You can eat before this test. Sometimes doctors do this test first. If it shows you have high cholesterol or low HDL, then you will get a fasting cholesterol test.

You bet it is! High cholesterol can become a risk factor for many serious health problems. These risks shouldn't be taken lightly as high levels of LDL cholesterol greatly increase the risk of stroke, atherosclerosis, and coronary heart disease.

If the answer is "yes" to any of these questions, then chances are you need to consider cleansing

People with dry eye have sandy-gritty irritation or burning in their eyes. Initially people may have symptoms only after particularly long days, or when driving, or with contact lens wear, or when exposed to extremely dry environments such as that seen in airplane cabins.

If you notice signs of hypothermia, take the person's temperature. If it is below 95°, the situation is an emergency—get medical attention immediately. Warm the center of the body first—chest, neck, head, and groin—using an electric blanket, if available. Or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets. Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do NOT give alcoholic beverages.

the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin—frostbite may be beginning. Any of the following signs may indicate frostbite: Note: A victim is often unaware of frostbite until someone else points it out because the frozen tissues are numb.

If you detect symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care. Because frostbite and hypothermia both result from exposure, first determine whether the victim also shows signs of hypothermia, as described previously. Hypothermia is a more serious medical condition and requires emergency medical assistance.

There are no obvious or simple signs to watch for in your child or teenager. Symptoms of childhood cancer depend on the type of cancer the child has. For example, they may have frequent bruising (leukemia), pain in the arms or legs (bone cancer), a swollen abdomen (neuroblastoma), dizziness or seizures (brain tumor), or many other groups of symptoms which make it difficult for anyone but a pediatric oncologist to make the diagnosis.