The gallbladder may be a small, pear-shaped organ tucked under your liver, but it can have a big impact on your digestive health. Many people don’t give their gallbladder much thought – until it starts causing trouble (hello, gallstones!). Whether you’re curious about what this organ does or want to avoid gallbladder problems, here are 10 surprising facts about the gallbladder you need to know. 1. The Gallbladder Is Your Fat-Digesting Sidekick Your gallbladder’s main job is to store and concentrate bile , a digestive fluid made by the liver. Think of bile as a soapy liquid that helps break down fats from the foods you eat. Whenever you enjoy a cheeseburger or a bowl of ice cream, your gallbladder jumps into action: it squeezes bile into your small intestine to emulsify (blend) fats so they can be absorbed. In a sense, the gallbladder is a little reservoir that makes fat digestion more efficient. Without it, you can still digest fats, but bile drips continuously from the live...

  Your feet carry you everywhere – no wonder they take a beating. From minor infections to structural aches, most of us will run into foot troubles at some point. The good news is that many common foot problems can be relieved with simple remedies or preventive care. Below, we’ll explore 17 of the most common foot issues – what causes them, and how you can treat them to get back on your feet comfortably.   1. Athlete’s Foot What it is: Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that causes itchy, burning, stinging feelings on the feet. You might see redness, peeling, or cracked skin, especially between the toes. Often your feet may also smell unpleasant. It’s called athlete’s foot because it commonly spreads in warm, damp places like locker room floors, public showers, and pool areas – the fungus thrives there and can stick to your feet. Sharing shoes or not drying your feet well can invite this infection. Treatment: Athlete’s foot can be stubborn, but it usually respond...

  Most of us know the routine: get your cholesterol checked, aim for good HDL and low LDL. But when it comes to predicting heart disease, are we overlooking more telling tests? According to leading cardiology experts, two key blood markers – ApoB and Lipoprotein(a) – can offer critical insight into your heart health risk. Yet many people have never even heard of them. Here’s why these tests matter and what they reveal about your heart.   Apolipoprotein B (ApoB): Your “Bad Cholesterol” Particle Count What it is:   ApoB is a protein found on all the particles that carry “bad” cholesterol in your blood – including LDL, VLDL, and others. Essentially, each ApoB corresponds to one cholesterol-carrying particle. The ApoB test measures the total number of these atherogenic particles circulating in your bloodstream. This is important because the number of cholesterol particles can be more predictive of heart disease risk than the standard LDL cholesterol concentration alone....

    Pregnancy brings incredible changes to your body – and your skin is no exception. Thanks to shifting hormones and a growing baby, many expecting moms notice new (often temporary) skin issues cropping up. The good news is most of these conditions are harmless and manageable. Below are five common skin problems during (and after) pregnancy, along with tips on how to treat them in a safe, pregnancy-friendly way.   1. Melasma (“Mask of Pregnancy”) What it is : Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation characterized by brown or grey-brown patches on the face. It often appears on the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip, giving it the nickname “mask of pregnancy.” Elevated oestrogen and progesterone levels spur excess melanin production, especially when skin is exposed to sunlight. Up to half of pregnant women develop some degree of melasma.   How to treat:   The key is sun protection – wear broad-spectrum sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat daily to prevent p...