Statinsare a class of drugs used to treat high cholesterol. The drugs can be prescribed at different strengths, categorized as low-dose, moderate-dose, or high-dose. More is not always better when it comes to statins. Bloomberg / Getty Images Bloomberg / Getty Images What Are Statins? Hypercholesterolemiais defined as having total cholesterol greater than 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Statins work by slowing cholesterol production in the liver, thereby lowering LDL levels....

It doesn’t mean that you gotta do something 200 times so you can get infected. The numbers are based on a meta-analysis of several large-scale studies which looked specifically at per-exposure risk. Oftentimes, it takes little to mitigate risk. Nattakorn Maneerat / EyeEm / Getty Images Arguably the most important factor in assessing the likelihood of HIV transmission is the infected person’s viral load. It also reinforces the need for early testing to mitigate risk in mixed-status (serodiscordant) couples....

Sometimes, symptoms are present before this occurs. Kiwis / Getty Images Coronary Artery Disease Symptoms The most commonsymptom of CADisangina, or chest pain. Clogged coronary arteries block blood flow to the muscle of the heart. Kiwis / Getty Images If angina is not present, having a heart attack can sometimes be the first sign of having CAD. What Causes Coronary Artery Disease? Plaque builds up within arteries when excess cholesterol in the blood gets deposited within the walls of arteries....

Coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) is a measure of how well blood flows within the heart. The metric is used to monitor the transit of blood through the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries are blood vessels responsible for supplying your heart with oxygen. Verywell / Ellen Lindner CPP needs to be maintained at a specific level in order for the heart to function properly. If you have heart disease, especiallycoronary artery diseaseorheart failure, then understanding how CPP works may be helpful....

Cough-variant asthma is a form ofasthmain which the primary symptom is a dry, non-productive cough. The symptoms differ from symptoms of otherforms of asthma. Cough-variant asthma can be difficult to diagnose because chronic dry coughing can be attributed tomany conditions. Verywell / Ellen Lindner The timing of the severe coughing episodes could be a clue that asthma is involved. In some cases, cough-variant asthma may be an early sign of the onset of classic asthma....

COVID pneumonia is a complication ofCOVID-19in which the air sacs of the lungs fill with fluid or pus. Severe COVID pneumonia is associated with a high risk of death. Calvin Chan Wai Meng / Getty Images Can COVID Cause Pneumonia? Calvin Chan Wai Meng / Getty Images Pneumonia causes illness by triggering severeinflammationin the lungs, causing them to swell and leak fluids into the airways. Because of this, the infection and symptoms are largely confined to the upper airways....

During a craniectomy, a portion of the skull is removed, allowing the brain to decompress. What Is a Craniectomy? This helps relieve swelling in the brain. Verywell / Gary Ferster The tissue and skin are then placed back to the original parts of the scalp and closed with sutures. A craniectomy is performed under general anesthesia. What Is the Purpose of a Craniectomy? A craniectomy prevents the brain from becoming compressed, a situation that can be fatal....

CREST syndrome is a connective tissue disorder and a limited form of systemic sclerosis. Often, it causes thickening and/or hardening of the skin and internal organs. Other names for CREST syndrome are limited cutaneoussystemic sclerosisor limited scleroderma. Barb Elkin / iStock / Getty Images This rareconnective tissuedisease becomes more serious as it progresses to systemic disease. Affected Systems Systemic sclerosis affects a number of body systemsnot just one area. For skin, this will appear as a visible thickening or hardening....

CrossFit workouts are led by a trained and certified CrossFit coach and can be adapted for any fitness level. MoMo Productions / Getty Images What Makes CrossFit Training Different? CrossFit training differs from other workouts because every session is unpredictable. MoMo Productions / Getty Images CrossFit aims to prepare you for any physical challenge in your daily life. CrossFit workouts are always high-intensity and competitive. CrossFit is a franchise, and locationscalled affiliatesare independently owned and operated....

shaun / Getty Images Crystalline Retinopathy Symptoms Most people affected by crystalline retinopathy do not have pain. These conditions can cause the formation of crystals or lipid molecules within the blood vessels of the retina. For underlying genetic disorders or conditions that cannot be reversed, symptomatic treatment may be indicated. shaun / Getty Images For cardiovascular disease, lowering your intake of dietary fats and eating more fruits and vegetables can be effective....

In some cases, cyanosis can indicate a serious medical concern. This article provides an overview of cyanosis and the reasons why you may have blue or purple skin. It also explains conditions associated with it and when cyanosis may signal a medical emergency. virusowy / Getty Images It is a sign that your blood isn’t carrying enough oxygen. The bluish tinge to your skin might not appear until your oxygen saturation falls below 85%....

The blemishes themselves can become large, measuring up to several centimeters across. This article discusses the causes of cystic acne and the scars it can leave. It also covers who is at risk for cystic acne along with what can be done to treat it. Kali Nine LLC / Getty Images Acne cysts are the most serious kind of acne blemish. They feel like soft, fluid-filled lumps under the skin’s surface....

This article will go over the difference between cytology and cytopathology. It will also explain how histology is different from cytology, and the difference between cytopathology and pathology. Cytology Uses A cytology smear is a diagnostic test. STEVE GSCHMEISSNER / Science Photo Library / Getty Images These tests can also be done when there is a known or suspected disorder. An example is doing a fine needle aspiration to collect sample cells from a tumor....