With a jam-packed schedule, do you wake up and get ready to eat waffles topped with chocolate sauce for breakfast? Then amidst the back-to-back meetings, do you quickly grab a soda, burger, and fries for lunch? Does your dinner regularly comprise of pasta or spaghetti? Do you often remain thirsty and don’t hydrate regularly? If this is what your daily dietary routine looks like, your kidneys are silently yearning for help. Kidneys are vital for your health and play an essential role in the well-being of your body. Kidneys perform the following essential functions: Eliminate toxins Filter the blood Absorb minerals Neutralize acids Damage to the kidneys can often go unnoticed for a long time, as kidneys can function with as little as 20% of its capacity. Therefore, prevention is better than cure holds true in the case of kidneys. If you have any kidney disease, you should know which products are harmful and which are beneficial for your condition. Vitamins for kidneys are essential nutrients that our body needs to grow, develop normally and maintain its functions. Here are some vitamins for kidneys which are essential for the maintenance and recovery of your kidneys. Vitamin A Vitamin A is a fat-soluble compound that is generally classified as retinoids. Retinoic acid promotes embryonic development and is needed for normal immune function. Vitamin A is transported through to retinol-binding protein (RBP). These vitamins for kidneys are recommended to be consumed in a liquid form. Recommended Dosage : Daily Reference Intake (DRI) of 700-900 ug/day. Sources : Liver Fish liver oil Dairy Products Butter Eggs Red and yellow colored fruits and vegetables Dark green leafy vegetables 2) Vitamin B12 Known as Cyanocobalamin, B12 is found in high protein foods. Thus, patients who consume low amounts or remain on very low protein diets for an extended period may have insufficient B12 levels.

Contrary to the previous belief that it is rare to develop both rheumatoid arthritis and gout, in recent years, it is observed that rheumatoid arthritis patients are at high risk of developing gout in the near future. Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is an autoimmune disease where the joints in your body suffer from chronic joint pain, swelling and stiffness. Gout is another type of arthritis where the uric acid level in a person’s body is alarmingly high, leading to the formation of uric acid crystals that cause joint pain and stiffness. Both the diseases are inflammatory diseases, and many times it is difficult for the doctors to deduce which type of arthritis you are suffering from. Also, men are more likely to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and gout together than women. Is it Gout or RA? Diagnosing the illness at the initial stage is very important. Though both the conditions have similar signs and symptoms, if you look carefully you can make out the difference. Here are some signs that differentiate the two: In most of the cases, gout occurs in the base of the big toe. Common areas that get affected by RA are the joints of your wrist and hands. You will always experience redness, swelling, and inflammation of joints when you are suffering from gouty arthritis symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis is painful, but it is not always followed by swelling and reddening of the affected area. In this article, you will learn about some common rheumatoid arthritis and gouty foot pain treatments. Treatment for Gout About 4 % of the population suffer from gout at some point in their life. This makes gout one of the most common types of arthritis that people suffer from today. There are two types of medication for gout foot pain, short-term medication, and long-term medication.

Arthritis is a painful condition that causes inflammation of the joints. The term arthritis covers a broad spectrum of rheumatic diseases and conditions, that affect the joints. There are over 200 types of arthritis, classified into seven main groups. The main groups under which the various types of arthritis are classified are: Mechanical or degenerative arthritis Inflammatory arthritis Soft tissue musculoskeletal pain Back pain Infectious arthritis Connective tissue arthritis Metabolic arthritis Causes of arthritis While it is not possible to pinpoint any single cause, a combination of any of the following can lead to arthritis. Family history can lead to osteoarthritis Immune dysfunction can lead to Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus Abnormal metabolism can lead to gout and pseudogout Any injury to the musculoskeletal system can lead to degenerative arthritis Any infections can lead to arthritis as in Lyme’s disease Arthritis pain symptoms There are symptoms that precede, before a completely developed arthritis. Arthritis is a progressive condition, and the severity of symptoms increase over a period of time. In some cases, the pain is persistent, while in others, the pain is on and off. Also, the symptoms vary depending on the type of arthritis. There are certain arthritis pain symptoms that are experienced by a majority of patients. There are four key warning signs of arthritis. Joint pain The earliest symptom of arthritis is joint pain. Arthritis can affect the joints in the neck, shoulders, elbows, knees, wrist, hips and ankles. The pain can be continuous or intermittent. It can be isolated to one place or the pain can be felt in all parts of the body. Joint stiffness Some types of arthritis display a typical symptom—joint stiffness. Joints get stiff after waking up in the morning, after sitting for a long time at the work desk, or in the car.

A type of degenerative condition, arthritis is a painful disease characterized by the inflammation and stiffness of joints. At the moment around 55 million adults in the country are diagnosed with this condition. Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, and psoriatic arthritis are some common types of arthritis. Medical professionals mostly treat arthritis with anti-inflammatory medicines and pain-relievers. However, due to the medications’ potent nature, their long-term use might not be suitable for all patients. In such a situation, individuals should also consider implementing healthier lifestyle changes like dietary modifications and exercise. Likewise, one can try using herbal remedies for arthritis pain mentioned below. These can help gain fast relief in case of any unexpected flare-ups. Eucommia – Native to China, Eucommia bark is an exotic herb that is used for alleviating arthritis symptoms, especially joint pain. Moreover, Eucommia benefits by fortifying the tendons, ligaments, and bones which makes it a useful herbal remedy for arthritis patients. Usually, Eucommia is consumed in the form of supplements. This herb can also be beneficial for regulating diabetes and preventing neurodegenerative diseases like dementia. However, before consuming Eucommia one should seek their physician’s guidance, particularly, if they are suffering from blood pressure problems. Thunder god vine – Like Eucommia, thunder god vine is also a primitive Chinese herbal remedy. The extracts from the roots of this exotic herb encourage restraining an overactive immune system. Therefore, this type of herbal remedy of arthritis can be instrumental in managing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis which is an autoimmune disorder. For gaining the best outcome, one should topically apply its extract to the inflamed joints. The long-term use of thunder god vine is not recommended as it could cause skin rashes. Likewise, individuals dealing with osteoporosis should abstain from using this herb as it could diminish the bone strength.

When you feel dehydrated, you may often find yourself reaching out for a soda can from your refrigerator. Or you may prefer to drink flavored water or packaged fruit juice. Although these drinks might quench your thirst, they are not fit for your body. Carbonated beverages, packaged fruits juices, and flavored water contain artificial sweeteners, caffeine, synthetic flavors, and other chemicals that can harm your health in the long run. So the next time you want to hydrate yourself or if you are craving a delicious drink, pick a natural and healthy juice or beverage. It’s quite easy to make these healthy drinks at home with seasonal fruits and vegetables. You will have a lot of options such as watermelon juice, aloe vera juice, or any mixed fruit mocktail. These are some of the most healthy drinks that will not only quench your thirst but also replenish your body by providing essential nutrients. Cranberry juice : Vibrant looking cranberries are commonly used during the festive season to make stuffing, sauces, and food decorations. It is loaded with antioxidants and has antibacterial properties too. These help in fighting age-related diseases such as diabetes and heart problems. Drinking cranberry juice is known to be effective in treating urinary tract infection. It also promotes a healthy digestive system. For women, cranberry juice can help to alleviate the symptoms of menopause. Cranberry juice has an astringent quality. Hence, it is often mixed with other fruit juices or added to smoothies. Although it one of the most healthy drinks, cranberry juice is high in acidic content. Hence, people with acidity problems should avoid it. Children are also advised to drink only a limited amount of cranberry juice. People who take certain medications such as antibiotics, blood pressure medicines, and blood-thinning medicines are also advised against drinking cranberry juice as they could face adverse reactions and side-effects.

In today’s fast-paced life, finding time for yourself can be quite challenging. The sedentary lifestyle coupled with unhealthy eating habits can add a few extra pounds here and there. Being overweight can open the floodgates to a variety of illnesses that can be life-threatening in certain cases. Once people get a health scare, they try to mend their ways by eating right and exercising. Adhering to a diet for the three major meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — isn’t a herculean task. What tests one’s conviction to lose weight and eat healthy are the snack times where our minds involuntarily wander to the hot dog stall outside the office or to the fries and burgers that are just a click away. These food items have an incredible way of enticing our taste buds, which is why we often deter from consuming something as bland as a salad. Instead of giving in to your whims and wasting the hours you toiled hard in the gym, you can satisfy your palate and continue on your weight loss journey by trying these easy healthy snack ideas to keep you full in between meals. Hard-boiled eggs and avocado bowl Eggs are a powerhouse of all essential nutrients you need to lose weight and stay healthy at the same time. What makes it easier for you to try this easy healthy snack idea is that it is extremely simple to make and it will keep your tummy full for longer. To prepare this easy healthy snack idea, you will need two hard-boiled eggs, half avocado, red onion, red bell pepper, sea salt, and ground pepper. Combine the eggs, avocado, onion, and bell pepper in a bowl, and sprinkle sea salt and ground pepper on it. Mix it well, and munch away. Creamy apple and cinnamon smoothie Smoothies are an amazing way of appeasing your taste buds and eating healthy at the same time.

Juices are one of the easiest ways to add healthy nutrients to one’s diet without having to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. These juices taste delicious and provide all the necessary nutrients. Health experts recommend consuming six to eight servings of whole fruits and vegetables which can be difficult to achieve. If you are one of those people who struggle to consume an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables, then continue reading to find out about the top 10 healthy juices. These top 10 healthy juices mentioned below will help you cope with specific health issues. Energy-boosting juice A marvelous replacement for coffee is green juice. The green pigments in plants contain chlorophyll that helps in oxygenating the blood, increasing the brain function as well as physical energy. You need to use one large cucumber, a handful of kale, parsley, and spinach, eight stalks of celery, a small piece of ginger, and half a lemon to make this juice. Juice for healthy skin Vegetables and fruit juices, when combined appropriately, help in removing crud from the blood as well as the tissues. It helps in restoring alkalinity to the body and balancing the system. This juice also helps in making the skin look younger and provides energy too. The main ingredients of this juice are one or two cucumbers and a small piece of apple. Juice to relieve stress After a long and tiring day, you can turn to this juice to feel a little relieved and relaxed. This juice consists of only four ingredients — spinach, celery, broccoli, and carrots. Spinach is high in a naturally-occurring amino acid called tryptophan, which is great for elevating your mood and also helps you sleep better. This drink also has high levels of magnesium that helps in relaxing the muscles and nerves.

Though progress in medical science has eradicated several life-threatening diseases, there are some ailments that cannot be cured entirely. Such chronic ailments cannot be treated, but there are innovative ways of bringing it under control and successfully coexisting with the said condition. One such chronic condition that alters an individual’s life is diabetes mellitus. This condition is a group of metabolic diseases that bring about dramatic changes in an individual’s blood sugar levels, either due to the inadequate production of insulin or because their body’s cells do not respond favorably to insulin. About 100 million people in the country are affected by diabetes or are in the prediabetes stage. Poor eating habits or one’s genetic predisposition make an individual more susceptible to developing diabetes at any stage of their lives. Though diabetes is a distressing health condition, with the right diabetes medication like metformin, insulin injections, and glyburide, a balanced diet, and regular exercise regime, you can bring the ailment under control. Moreover, there are medications to keep the complications associated with diabetes like heart problems or foot complications in check. In combination, all of these factors will ensure that you control this ailment’s progression. However, at times, even these medications and lifestyle choices aren’t enough to bring the elevated blood sugar levels in control or to stabilize its levels. At this point, your doctor might add Ozempic® (Semaglutide) to your diabetes medications. Ozempic® is a glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist which is engineered for people with type 2 diabetes as glucagon and insulin are the hormones that work in unison to bring the blood sugar levels under control, but in opposing ways. This glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist works by helping the body produce more insulin on its own. Ozempic® is available in the form of a prefilled pen and is administered subcutaneously.

Diabetes is a long-term condition triggered by high blood sugar levels. This ailment is also referred to as diabetes mellitus in medical terms, and it denotes a group of metabolic diseases which cause a spike in the blood glucose or blood sugar levels. While blood sugar is essential for maintaining one’s energy levels, excess production can lead to a plethora of issues. For some people, it may lead to inadequate production of insulin in the body, whereas for others, their body’s cells may not respond well to the insulin. An imbalance in the levels of a hormone called glucagon can also cause difficulties in maintaining normal levels of blood sugar. A majority of diabetes patients are likely to have a combination of these issues. Consistently high glucose levels in the bloodstream can severely disrupt essential bodily functions. Diabetes affects a large part of the population around the world, and type 2 diabetes is the most common form of this condition. As per scientific reports, about 90% of diabetes cases in the world are of type 2 diabetes. This disease comes with a slew of symptoms that include intense thirst, weight gain or weight loss, frequent need to urinate, numbness in the hands, sexual dysfunction in males, and more. Patients with diabetes can undertake effective lifestyle changes such as altering their diet, exercising regularly, and monitoring their blood sugar levels. However, one may also need to take oral medication and insulin to control the blood glucose levels efficiently. Ozempic® is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist that is available in the form of an injection. It helps to regulate the blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin secretion and lowering glucagon secretion. Thus, it controls the levels of blood sugar, alters insulin and glucagon levels, and aids in better digestion among people with diabetes.

Common diseases and disorders cause an imbalance in the natural blood sugar levels in the body. This imbalance increases the risk of diabetes if the body does not produce enough insulin to counter the overproduction of glucose. It is one of the leading health complications faced by people across the country. It mainly results from a lack of glucagon, a hormone that is necessary to maintain and control blood sugar levels. The pancreases are responsible for insulin production in the body which is then naturally released into the bloodstream through the circulatory system. Glucagon production is also essential for three primary functions including the conversion of glycogen to glucose, the promotion of glucose production from amino acid molecules, and reduction in the consumption of glucose for energy breakdown by the liver. Any imbalance will result in diabetes or glucagon deficiency. A large part of the population at risk of developing type 2 diabetes as more and more people now depend on artificial insulin to manage their hormone levels. Artificial insulin injections are effective in countering the overproduction of glucagon, but at the same time, an insulin overdose can result in hypoglycemia. It is a condition that causes blood sugar levels to spike due to excess insulin. One of the main reasons why non-insulin based injections are gaining popularity is to reduce the increased dependency on artificial insulin. Ozempic® is a popular name among brands that manufacture non-insulin based, glucagon-rich medications, that are quite effective in tackling type 2 diabetes. Alternatively known as Semaglutide, Ozempic® is used to lower blood sugar levels and counter the overproduction of the glucagon hormone. Ozempic® is available in the form of an injection. It slows down the speed at which food leaves the stomach, reduces the amount of sugar released from the liver, and increases the amount of insulin secreted by the pancreas simultaneously.

Ozempic® injections are recommended to type 2 diabetes patients as a last resort to bring their blood sugar level under control after all other medications have failed to show any positive result. For those who are not acquainted with Ozempic®, you must know that it is a non-insulin subcutaneous injection that acts as a natural hormone in our body and lowers glucagon secretion. It helps to improve glycemic control in adults who are suffering from diabetes mellitus. Though using the Ozempic® injection pens is easy, there are some official instructions that you need to follow to ensure that you are taking the injection the right way. Here are a few things that you need to know about Ozempic® dosage: Instructions to use Ozempic® Ozempic® does the work of a glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 receptor agonists and helps to manage the blood sugar levels of patients who are suffering from type 2 diabetes. At the start of the treatment, the doctor will recommend a dosage of 0.25 mg of the subcutaneous injection, once a week. The patient must continue this for four weeks. In the first four weeks, though the medicine will not bring down your blood sugar level dramatically, it will kickstart the treatment process. It lowers the blood glucose levels by stimulating insulin production and lowering the secretion of the peptide hormone, glucagon. After the first four weeks, the doctor might advise you to increase the dosage to 0.5 mg, once every week. If the doctor observes that your body does not show any significant signs of glycemic control even after taking a 0.5 mg dosage once in a week, then he or she might tell you to increase the dosage to 1 mg per week. Generally, doctors don’t recommend a higher dosage of Ozempic® than 1mg. When should one take a dose of Ozempic®?

Coughing can be caused by cold or flu, but it can also be a symptom of an allergic reaction. To treat a cough that’s caused by allergies, you can try traditional remedies. In fact, these remedies can sometimes be effective in treating cough caused by flu and cold. Allergy Cough Treatment Whether caused by cold or allergies, a bad cough can be irritating and chronic coughing can cause pain and tiredness. Medications You can try decongestants, cough suppressants, and expectorants. Decongestants help by drying up mucus, reducing inflammation, and opening up air passages. Cough suppressants soothe the throat and block the cough reflex. Expectorants thin the mucus, making it easy for you to spit it out. Decongestants can increase blood pressure, so those with cardiac issues should consult a doctor before using decongestants. Hot Shower The heat can help decongest your nose and reduce post nasal drip that tickles your throat and causes coughing. Lots of Water Always stay hydrated as it helps prevent many ailments and helps clear toxins from the body. It also helps to thin out the mucus and prevent throat dryness that can also cause coughing. Mentholated Syrup A mentholated cough drop or syrup can help to soothe and numb the throat. It can also ease the pain and irritation. Best Home Remedies for Allergy Cough Treatments Many traditional remedies have been used for several years, to treat a cold and allergic cough. Here are a few of the best allergy treatments that you that can try: Honey Honey is a traditional remedy for a cough. It lubricates the throat and acts as a natural cough suppressant. Take a spoonful of honey and swallow it slowly, one sip at a time and let it go down your throat slowly. Mix a tablespoon of honey in warm water and drink it slowly.