Cholesterol serves many important functions in your body, but too much is dangerous. Elevated cholesterol increases your risk for heart disease because it contributes to atherosclerosis, a disease in which fatty masses called plaques form inside arteries.

From a medical standpoint, it is not necessary for women using birth control pills to have a monthly period. The pills keep the lining of the uterus from cycling as it normally would. The lining stays thin, which prevents pregnancy and eliminates the need for monthly shedding of the this tissue.

Americans are becoming increasingly confused about universal health care and if it is even a plausible solution to a broken health care system. The number of Americans without insurance is over 45 million, according to the National Coalition on Health Care.

You may experience calf pain after your leg cast has been removed. This pain can be caused by muscle tightness, arthritic changes or decreased circulation. There are simple exercises and activities that you can do to decrease your pain.

The first menstrual period, also called menarche, begins at different times for young girls. While no one can precisely predict the exact timing of a first period, there are some biological signs that may indicate when it will likely occur.

Hormonal birth control suppress other hormones that are needed for female fertility. Both oral contraceptives and other forms of hormonal birth control use either a combination of synthetic estrogen and progesterone or progesterone alone.

Baby rashes are common and usually nothing serious. Rashes may appear on the face or head due to normal conditions, such as cradle cap or milia. A red rash on the baby's buttocks is likely diaper rash.

A painful shoulder paired with red skin may mean you need medical attention. However, the cause could be something simple like a sunburn that may resolve on its own. Several other possible unrelated conditions could cause such symptoms. Consult your doctor for a diagnosis and proper treatment.

Many health conditions, including a cold, the flu, allergies or a sinus infection, can cause a runny nose and sneezing. These conditions stimulate increased nasal mucus, causing stuffiness and a runny nose. In addition, irritation of the lining the nasal passages often triggers sneezing.

Blueberries are a tasty fruit that have recently gained fame for their numerous health benefits. While some people may prefer to eat fresh blueberries, blueberry juice is also a healthy option.

If you enjoy herbal teas, flaxseed tea could be a flavorful choice. Also called linseeds, flaxseeds are harvested from the flax plant and have been part of traditional medicine for hundreds of years.

Blood pressure, the pressure at which the blood flows through the vessels of the body, needs to remain at a healthy level. The normal pressures for the average adult are around 120/80. Hypertension begins when the numbers rise above the normal reading.