Do’s and Don’ts of Kidney Disease Diet Plan

Do’s and Don’ts of Kidney Disease Diet Plan

Kidney disease weakens your kidneys, and they no longer work as efficiently they are supposed to. Reasons that affect the kidneys can be many, but one thing is common for all people who are suffering from kidney diseases is they should watch what they eat. Your diet goes a long way to protect your kidneys, and in turn, you can get saved from other diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes. The Kidney disease diet plan should be chalked out very carefully, and if you have had a kidney transplant or are on dialysis, your doctor can give you the best diet plan. Let’s see the diet Do’s and Don’ts for people with kidney problems. Before you know what to include in your diet, consider the foods that you must restrict to keep your kidneys better functioning for longer. Foods to avoid: Sodium: Limit sodium or salt intake in your food. If you are buying packaged food, read the label for salt and monosodium glutamate content. It’s always better to pick foods that are low in salt or free from added salt. That means most common snacks like chips, popcorns, salted peanuts are out of your diet list. Canned foods contain a lot of salt in the form of preservatives. It’s better to include fresh poultry and meats in your meals replacing the preserved versions. There are many ‘lite salts’ on the market shelves, but before you pick one, take your doctor’s advice because these are often high on potassium which is again included in the ‘To avoid’ list of kidney disease diet plan. Protein: A weak kidney cannot handle too much of protein. Excess protein in your diet can cause stress to the organ. At the same time, a little bit of protein is also required to help the body gain strength and to fight infections.
Crohn’s disease – 4 foods that help in symptom management

Crohn’s disease – 4 foods that help in symptom management

Since Crohn’s disease directly affects the digestive tract and causes irritation and discomfort in the alimentary canal, people suffering from this disease should take primary care of their regular diet. The amount of food consumed, the calorie intake, and many other factors should be taken into consideration when suffering from this condition. In certain cases, the symptoms could get worse if one fails to maintain a healthy diet. What is Crohn’s disease? Crohn’s disease is both rare and life-threatening. It is a chronic disease which requires long-term medical attention and is mostly incurable. It results in inflammation of the intestines and might be accompanied by scarring of the inner intestinal lining. It can occur in any part of the intestine; however, the colon of the large intestine and ileum of the small intestine are prone to get affected more easily. The condition often lasts for years but can be lifelong for some people. Crohn’s disease may also result in ulcers in the inner lining as well as fistulae, which is extremely painful. Laboratory testing, as well as abdominal imaging, helps detect the disease. Foods to ease the symptoms of Crohn’s disease Since Crohn’s disease is not easy to cure, people suffering from it are advised to take thorough care of their diet. Junk food should be strictly avoided. Some of the foods to ease the symptoms of Crohn’s disease are: De-caffeinated drinks and beverages If you suffer from Crohn’s disease, caffeine should be avoided as much as possible. These include coffee, tea, flavored sodas, etc. Additionally, one should only consume drinks with low sugar or zero added sugar content so that they do not experience sudden flare-ups. Peeling fruits and selective fruits People with Crohn’s disease have a restricted fruit diet and can only consume the ones with low fiber content.
Here’s What You Need to Know about Parkinson’s Disease

Here’s What You Need to Know about Parkinson’s Disease

According to a report by the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, nearly 1 million people living in the country suffer from Parkinson’s disease. This association plans to educate people about this condition as well as the various problems that accompany it. What is Parkinson’s disease? Parkinson’s disease is an ailment that has a negative impact on the functioning of the human brain. It spreads slowly because of which an early diagnosis becomes nearly impossible. It comes gradually with a mild disturbance in movements, and slowly it starts impacting other activities like sleep, speech, and even the ability to think. Its other symptoms like the rigidity of muscles, problems with digestions are too vague because of which patients may get an inaccurate diagnosis in the early stages. Impact of Parkinson’s disease on the human body The main effect of Parkinson’s disease is the way it decreases the amount of dopamine in the body. Dopamine is a hormone that helps in the controlling motor and non-motor functions in our body. If the body has a dopamine deficiency, it leads to stilted walking, movements that are uncontrollable as well as tremors. There are many other symptoms that are less noticeable like loss of smell and constipation. Let’s have a look at a few details regarding the life expectancy of patients who have Parkinson’s disease. Appearance of symptoms According to medical studies, by the time a patient begins to exhibit the key symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, almost 60 to 70 percent of the body’s dopamine will be gone. This lack of dopamine will hamper all kinds of functions in the body. However, just because a patient starts exhibiting the symptoms of this condition doesn’t mean that they are out of all options. At such times, a patient’s mental strength matters a lot. Patients with Parkinson’s disease must try to stay positive, regardless of the circumstances.
Here’s What You Need to Know about Crohn’s Disease

Here’s What You Need to Know about Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), affects the gastrointestinal tract. The inflammation causes abdominal cramps (pain), fever, weight-loss, and diarrhea. In the case of a severe inflammation, the stool is accompanied by blood and the infection spreads deep into the layers of the bowel tissue. Besides the inner infection, other complications such as anemia, skin rashes, lethargy, eye inflammation, and arthritis may occur. The ailment debilitates you and can lead to grave complications if left untreated. The colon, a part of the large intestine and the last part of the small intestine are the areas that are more prone to developing this disease. Crohn’s symptoms and signs Depending on the affected area of the bowel and the severity of the infection, you may develop symptoms that can prolong over weeks and years. In its active state, Crohn’s symptoms and signs include: Diarrhea : Diarrhea is one of the first tell-tale signs. If you have inflammation in the small intestine, you experience a more, watery form of diarrhea. If the infection is rooted in the colon, then diarrhea carries blood with it. When the condition flares up, diarrhea can be severely afflicting. However, when the inflammation goes down, the condition gets better. Rectal bleeding : One of the major symptoms of this IBD is blood that might appear on or in the stool. The blood spots are typically bright red as the bleeding might be from the rectum or the large intestine. Sometimes if the inflammation is too severe you may experience only passing blood. If the bleeding seems to be acute and steady, you need to seek emergency medical attention. Fever/night sweats : People with Crohn’s disease develop a fever as a reactionary step, taken by the body to fight the inflammation flare up. Night sweats develop as the body temperature changes, indicating that the immune system has kicked into action and has actively engaged with the infection in the digestive tract Fatigue :
Types of Bowel Problems and their Causes

Types of Bowel Problems and their Causes

Bowel problems can be extremely uncomfortable. From frequent trips to the loo to the feeling of uneasiness, bowel problems cause them all. Bowel problems are generally categorized by conditions affecting the small intestine. They may also affect other parts of the digestive system as well. They have a telling impact on the way the body absorbs and digests food and they can cause several unwarranted symptoms like constipation and diarrhea. If one is suffering from bloody stools, it is essential to visit a doctor immediately. While these problems can be treated effectively with the help of medications, if left untreated, they can lead to a series of further complications. A doctor will diagnose your condition and suggest treatment according to the condition you are suffering from. Bowel problems can be tackled with ease if detected early and treated immediately. Here are a few of the most common types of bowel problems and their causes. Types of bowel problems There are four major types of bowel problems. They include: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects both the large and small intestines. It affects your everyday life as it can lead to frequent gastrointestinal problems. According to the Clinical Epidemiology journal, IBS affects up to 11% of people in the world. Effective and early treatment can go a long way in ensuring that the disease does not complicate and become worsened. Crohn’s disease Crohn’s disease is another common bowel problem. It is an autoimmune disorder and an inflammatory type of bowel disease. In Crohn’s disease, the immune system starts attacking healthy tissues in the anus, mouth, and intestines. This can cause damage to these tissues and immediate treatment is the best course of action. Celiac disease Celiac disease has genetic roots. If someone in your family has suffered from the disease before, your likelihood of contracting the disease increases.
Know More about Fibromyalgia Tender Points

Know More about Fibromyalgia Tender Points

Fibromyalgia is the second most common disease in the country that affects the muscles and bones. The most common symptoms of the disease are feeling fatigued for no apparent reason and extreme pain in the joints. One of the main problems of this disease is that you may or may not know that you are suffering from the disease. The disease is poorly understood and identified by the masses. There is no specific test to determine whether you are suffering from the disease. The disease has no cure and its symptoms can be managed through treatment and by bringing about certain changes to your lifestyle. If you are suffering from the symptoms of the condition, make sure to visit a doctor immediately. Immediate treatment can help you effectively manage the disease. There are certain areas on the body that appear to be tender for those people who are suffering from the condition. These are called fibromyalgia tender points. What are fibromyalgia tender points? When suffering from fibromyalgia, there are certain areas on the body that become painful when pressure is applied to them. These areas are referred to as fibromyalgia tender points. While fibromyalgia tender points are also referred to as trigger points, they are not essentially triggered points. Trigger points can cause other parts of the body to pain when pressure is applied to them. For example, if pressure is applied to your elbow, you may feel pain in your hand. Some people may have trigger points and fibromyalgia tender points at the same time. Here are a few of the most common fibromyalgia tender points on the body. Be aware of these points and visit a doctor if you are feeling pain in these areas. It could be a sign that you are suffering from fibromyalgia and your doctor may prescribe medications.
Know More about Better Stem Cell Therapy Options

Know More about Better Stem Cell Therapy Options

Stem cells can be used to understand and treat many diseases and health conditions. However, it can never be said that these treatments are very effective and safe. There is the knowledge of the clinics linked to the treatment. Many blood cell stems have, no doubt, helped many people deal with leukemia. Therefore, it is certainly helpful at times. At the same time, there are many misconceptions related to options which are considered better stem cell therapy options. Some people have exaggerated the effectiveness of this treatment so much that there is a belief of the same. Naturally, expectations from the better stem cell therapy options. The expectations can be there, but people need to know the limitations of the same. The treatment may or may not be effective, depending on various factors and the dynamics of the situation. Currently, there are but a few diseases which can be effectively treated with the use of better stem cell therapy options. These diseases are usually related to blood disorders. Also, few diseases of bone, skin, and eyes can also be treated the same. There is a lot to lose when it comes to trying treatments for the aforementioned diseases. Some of the important points have been discussed further which may help a person decide if the better stem cell therapy option is an alternative for a certain disease in a certain condition or not. Unproven treatments, though believed to be harmless, can create many unforeseen problems. Even though people think that they don’t have anything to lose from an unproven treatment, the result might be in the form of many short-term and long-term health issues. Many times, they require travel expenses along with heavy costs of the treatment’s itself. So, if a person can hardly afford such an expensive treatment, it is wise to not opt for an unproven treatment.
8 Worrying Liver Cancer Symptoms You Should Not Neglect

8 Worrying Liver Cancer Symptoms You Should Not Neglect

Liver cancer is a life-threatening disease, which must be diagnosed immediately to avoid any further complications and for a better prognosis. Keep an eye out for these liver cancer symptoms. Liver cancer is a condition where the liver cells behave abnormally and become cancerous. These cancerous cells multiply and deteriorate the liver gradually. The cancer cells destroy the adjacent healthy tissues and spread to other organs outside the liver in later stages. There are a few different types of liver cancer, such as: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a condition where malignant or cancerous cells grow inside the normal cells (hepatocyte) of the liver. Cholangiocarcinoma is a condition where the cancerous cells have multiplied in the liver ducts. Metastatic liver cancer is a condition where cancer from other inflected organs has spread to the liver through the bloodstream. In general, the cancers that spread to the liver are from the colon, breast, pancreas, bladder, kidney, ovary, uterus, and lungs. These metastatic cancers are named after the organ that it started to grow from. Certain bodily changes signal that something is wrong with the system. However, liver cancer symptoms do not generally manifest in the early stages of the disease, which makes early detection of the condition difficult. Most liver cancer symptoms are reported only when the disease has advanced. Liver cancer symptoms vary from one person to another depending upon the severity of their condition. These are some of the liver cancer symptoms that are commonly found. Loss of appetite Early liver cancer symptoms indicate a feeling of fullness even after having a small meal. This results in significant loss of appetite. Unexplained weight loss There is a considerable amount of involuntary weight loss that takes place during the progression of liver cancer. Weight loss that is disconnected with the diet that the patient follows is one of the prominent liver cancer symptoms that can be recognized in the initial stages of the disease.
Dealing with Itchy Skin

Dealing with Itchy Skin

Facts about itchy skin: Pruritus is the medical term that is used to describe itchy skin. The most common causes of itching include exposure to sun, atopic dermatitis, dry skin, infestations, infections, chronic diseases, stings, bites and allergic reactions. Most anti-itch creams and lotions contain ingredients like pramoxine, diphenhydramine, caladryl, Benadryl, tronolane, camphor, benzocaine and menthol that bring relief to itchy skin. Corticosteroid medications also help in some instances of itching. Another thing that is considered necessary is to avoid scratching and making the condition of itching much worse. Any itching done can make the condition worse and lead to a bacterial infection. In case the itching persists for too long, gets worse or develops into skin lesions, it is better to consult a health care provider who can assess the situation. What is an itch? Irritation of the skin that creates the urge to scratch is known as an itch. Everybody at some point experiences itching and the symptoms of itching can be generalized, as in they can spread to different parts of the body or be localized, as in they are limited to one part of the body. In some cases, itching only occurs at night. Itching that spreads all over the body and is highly generalized is a lot more uncomfortable than localized itching that is contained in one spot. Skin lesions, rashes, blisters, bumps, abnormalities, and redness can also occur at the site of itching. A doctor or medical professional should evaluate any itching that comes along with visible physical skin abnormality of symptoms. In case a skin condition requires a specialized medical treatment, like in the case of skin conditions like scabies or eczema, a dermatologist should be consulted. The symptoms and other physical signs associated with pruritus or itching depend upon the main underlying cause of the problem and can be associated with different signs.
6 Reasons that Cause Leg Pain

6 Reasons that Cause Leg Pain

There are various reasons why people suffer from leg pain. While one of the common leg pain causes is the physical activity such as exercise or sports, some people suffer from leg pain due to some severe illness conditions. Sprains and strains are common due to physical activity. The ligaments and muscles are the most affected areas due to strains and sprain. The calf muscle, thighs, elbows, etc. are the most affected parts during sprains and strains. Usually, sprains and strains do not require medical care, and some times a spray can help in reducing the swelling and pain. Here are some of the reasons other than physical activity which cause leg pain: Peripheral vascular disease Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a disease which is related to the blood vessels. The disease is caused due to blockage, narrowing down of the blood vessels related to heart and brain. This disease can affect arteries, veins, stomach and other parts of the body. The disease affects the blood vessels where they become barrow which reduces the flow of blood. The arteries get hardened, or blood vessels get spasms which restrict the flow of blood. These blood vessels, arteries, or veins can be affected anywhere in the body and especially when they are affected in the legs, they cause leg pains. There are two types of PVD known as functional and organic. In functional peripheral vascular disease, the physical damage of the blood vessels is not done. The blood vessels can get narrowed or widen, which can decrease the flow of blood. In the functional PVD, the blood vessels show the response in an extreme way whether it may be widening or narrowing due to the factors such as stress, temperature changes, etc. Deep vein thrombosis When one suffers from deep vein thrombosis (DVT), blood clots are formed in blood veins which are deep inside the body.
Congestive Heart Failure – Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options

Congestive Heart Failure – Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options

Congestive heart failure is a disease characterized by a problem that affects the pumping power of the heart muscles. It is a chronic progressive disease and is also referred to as heart failure. Congestive heart failure (CHF) refers to the stage in which there is a build-up of fluid around the heart. This causes an ineffectiveness in pumping blood. The heart has four chambers. The lower half of the heart has two ventricles which pump blood to the body’s organs. The upper half of the heart, however, consists of two atria which receive the blood circulated back from the rest of the body. The ventricles cannot pump enough blood to the body due to congestive heart failure. This leads to blood and other fluids filling up the liver, lungs, lower body, and the abdomen. Treatment for congestive heart failure must be done immediately as the disease could be life-threatening. Causes Congestive heart failure may arise from other health conditions that directly impact the cardiovascular system. It is important to get check-ups on a yearly basis to determine the possibility of the onset of any such disease. Lowering the risks which cause heart health problems can go a long way in ensuring one does not develop the disease. Listed below are a few common causes of congestive heart failure. Hypertension leads to the narrowing of the arteries. This makes blood flow much more difficult and can result in the onset of congestive heart failure in the long run. Consider changing the diet if one is suffering from this disease to restore normality or to keep high blood pressure at bay. Valve conditions can directly impact the heart and could lead to its failure. The heart valves regulate the flow of blood to and from the heart by opening and closing the valves.
10 Common Skin Problems and Their Treatments

10 Common Skin Problems and Their Treatments

Our skin is nothing but a protective shell for our body, and it protects us from numerous toxic things like harmful chemicals, UV rays, and various cuts and scrapes. As a result of these factors, the skin often changes its texture and color, and at times rashes may also appear. Usually, skin inflammation causes these rashes, and there are numerous reasons behind this inflammation. You can see different patterns of skin rashes in conditions like granuloma annulare, eczema, pityriasis rosea, lichen planus, acne, razor burns, and so on. The article below highlights the different types of skin rashes and their treatments. Acne Acne is perhaps the most common problem that people face. Numerous factors lead to irritating red bumps on your skin. Heavy sweating, stress, humidity or consuming steroids can lead to skin rashes. Even if you maintain perfect personal hygiene, you may get acne because of washing your face too often. If you are facing this problem in your daily life, you should consult a general physician or a dermatologist to identify the underlying issue and cure it. You can also find numerous home remedies to deal with acne. Razor burn Men usually face this problem along with redness, blisters, and rashes due to shaving. To prevent this problem, you should be careful while shaving your face. You should wash your face with warm water and use sharp and clean blades. Nowadays, you can find different shaving gels and other lubricants which can help prevent these rashes. Moreover, you can also use aloe vera-based soothing lotions to soothe the skin and treat any skin rashes. Sunburn UV radiation could affect our skin and lead to rashes. Melanin protects our skin from UV radiation. You can take adequate precautions like using hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen, but the lack of vitamin E can result in painful sunburns.