Health GlareEvery human being is the author of his own health or disease

Have you been wondering what an article on “Top 10 Health Tips” doing on a website dedicated to Beauty?

Are you one of those individuals who think “Top 10 Health Tips” and “Top 10 beauty Tips” are two separate concepts and need to be dealt individually? Have you been splurging an aweful lot of money trying to look “good” by getting Spa treatments, visiting Beauty Salons, Buying Designer Labels, Eating Health Foods, and yet every time you look into the mirror, you feel there’s something “lacking?”

If you think that way, you’re not the only one. Whereas most of us spend a whole lot of time, money and effort to make our skin, hair, face, hands and feet look beautiful, we often miss out on the critical role our health and wellness plays in making us look physically and mentally beautiful.

Follow these Top 10 Health Tips in your daily life to stay beautiful on the inside and outside:

1.Follow A Healthy, Balanced Diet: A balanced diet is the first step towards a beautiful, healthy body. Follow a healthy balanced diet that complements your lifestyle. An ideal diet should be high on fiber, low on fat, and must be supplemented with adequate amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables. Besides knowing what to eat, it is equally important to know the right proportions, meaning how much or how little to eat. Talk to a fitness expert and find out what’s your daily calorie intake. Make food choices that have high nutritional value but are low in calories.

2.Eat Different Types Of Foods: According to Ayurveda, the Ancient Indian science of healing, rotating your food habits not only strengthens your immune system, it can also protect you from most illnesses. Try to eat vegetables and fruits of different colors each day. Try eating a different food at least thrice a month. Begin your day with an apple a day as the apple pectin cleanses the body’s digestive system by removing toxins and therefore preventing degenerative health problems such as cancer.

3.Don’t Skip Your Breakfast: Are you surprised to see how some people manage to stay so fit, energetic and active the whole time and are able to stabilize their weight while you continue to put on weight and feel exhausted most of the time? Well, chances are, they eat a good breakfast and you don’t! According to nutritionists and health experts, breakfast is the most important meal of the day and skipping your breakfast can lead to serious health problems besides adding those extra pounds as a result of binging on unhealthy snacks later in the day. Besides re-charging your energy levels, eating regular breakfast has several long-term benefits like:

• It results in faster weight loss
• Your body get more nutrients everyday
• Breakfast rich in fiber foods and wholegrain helps keep the heart healthy especially if you suffer from metabolic disorders like fluctuating blood pressure, obesity and cholesterol. It also helps stabilize blood sugar levels
• A good breakfast early in the morning sets your mood right and enables you to handle stress better
• You stay overall healthy! So begin your day with fresh fruits, fruit juices, hard-boiled eggs, wholegrain cereals and breads and stay healthy all day!

4. Drink Lots Of Water: Drinking a minimum of 7 to 8 glasses of water everyday cleanses all the impurities and toxins from your body and helps to get healthy, flawless skin.

In addition, the fluid in your body is responsible for the functioning of your internal organs including the metabolic processes.  So if you’re dehydrated, this whole process gets affected and your body tends to slow down leaving you feeling low and lethargic.

5. Exercise Regularly: Who does not dream of getting those six-pack abs? Besides making you look sexy and popular, regular exercising is also the best natural “anti-aging” recipe because it helps you stay and feel young by raising your energy levels, stabilizing your body weight, and enhancing flexibility, which reduces the wear and tear in your body.

You don’t need to exercise for hours everyday, just take 15-20 minutes off your busy schedule everyday to sweat out that pot-belly or burn those extra-pounds that have been making it difficult for you to get into your favorite outfit! If you can’t, make one of these a part of your routine: take the stairs instead of elevators and escalators to climb; Make it a habit to walk about 15 minutes everyday. If holistic healing is your thing, enroll yourself for yoga classes. If not, go swimming, take aerobics lessons or start shaking a leg or two at the local dance academy-whatever keeps you going, juts do it! If you’re into sports, you can make it part of your fitness routine.

Remember, your external fitness is only a reflection of your inner fitness and a beautiful, healthy body reflects a fit, healthy mind.

6. Quit Smoking: Okay, so you’ve heard this countless times from your doctor, but here it comes again as one of our most important health tip-Quit Smoking! If you’re one of those people who smoke to lose or gain weight, we’d stay think again! While smoking may have been related to an increase in metabolism, it is certainly not a good enough reason to substitute it with the huge risk of dying from lung cancer!

If that doesn’t make you change your mind, this will. Recent studies have proved that smoking is also one of the leading factors that stimulate the process of aging in both men and women. So say no to cigarettes and stay young and healthy for the rest of your life!

7. Say No To Stress: We know what you’re thinking-easier said than done! Agreed, but leading a stressful life can only make matters worse. On the other hand, leading a relaxed, stress-free life will not only reduce the risks of health related disorders, it will also calm you down and let you enjoy your life better.

While planning your day, strike a balance between home and work. If you have trouble remembering things-make a list of all the “things-to-do” before going to bed each night or simply set a “reminder” in your cell phone so you don’t have to run around at the last minute. Staying positive and thinking happy thoughts is one of the most effective stress buster technique you can easily follow in your daily life.

Spend atleast 15 minutes doing something you love and enjoy each day. It could be a simple activity, like cuddling up in bed by yourself and watching a funny movie, enjoying a glass of your favorite wine, socializing with friends, reading, sweating it out at the gym, pampering yourself with a stress-releasing body massage, soaking in a hot tub, taking a stroll on the beach, playing with your dog, listening to your favorite music or simply lazing around and doing nothing!

8. Take Care Of Your Teeth: Remember the phrase “million dollar smile?” Well, your teeth have a lot to do with your smile and they can make or break your looks depending on how much or how little you’ve cared for them over the years! Dental health is an important aspect of your overall heath. One of the best ways to have healthy teeth, prevent gum-related infections and protect your heart is by flossing your teeth every day. Few of us know that gum infections if left untreated can cause inflammatory reactions in the body, which can lead to stroke and heart ailments.

9. Sleep Well: A good 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep is a must for our body to reboot itself and feel energetic next day. Lack of sleep affects our hormone levels and slows down metabolism often resulting in weight gain. Studies have shown that deep, uninterrupted sleep helps cell growth and cell repair, which can increase the metabolism and help in burning calories. If you suffer from sleeplessness, try some of these simple remedies:

• Avoid alcohol before going to bed
• Stay away from stimulants like coffee, tea and chocolates before going to sleep
• Regularize your sleeping habit
• Keep your bedroom clean and uncluttered; Use decors and furnishing with peaceful and soothing colors
• Avoid taking longer daytime naps
• Follow relaxation techniques (for ex-meditation) to reduce stress

Keep Your Brain Active: Keeping your mind in “good shape” is just as vital as taking care of your physical health, so be sure to indulge your brain on a daily basis. An idle mind is not only the devil’s workshop, often the feeling of “aimlessness” or “nothingness” can cause boredom and can lead to depression and anxiety-related disorders.

One way to keep your brain engaged and busy is to constantly challenge yourself with new ideas and by learning new skills. Studies have shown than an active brain makes new connections between nerve cells that help cells communicate with one another. This allows our brain to store and access information easily, regardless of our age. Try some of these activities to keep your mind active and free from boredom:

• Learn to play a new musical instrument
• Learn a new language
• Indulge in crossword puzzles
• Play scrabble with a friend
• Participate in discussions and forums
• Maintain a blog and update it daily
• Switch careers or make a new beginning
• Read books on unfamiliar topics
• Pursue a new hobby
• Stay aware about what’s going on in the world

Follow these “Top 10 Health Tips” to stay physically and mentally beautiful for the rest of your life. Remember-”Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away!”

Types & Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment

Glomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease in which the
kidney filters become inflammed and slowly loses its ability to remove waste and excess water. Inflammation can cause too much protein and other substances to leak from the blood into the urine. Read the rest of this entry »

Types | Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Complications |           Treatment

Kidneys can get damaged by sudden acute loss of blood and cause sudden kidney (renal) failure. This rapid drop in the kidney function is called acute renal failure. When ARF occurs, waste products, such as nitrogen, salt and fluid can accumulate, upsetting the body’s normal chemical balance. Chemicals and electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium, which are needed for normal body functioning, become toxic to the body when they reach abnormally high or low levels. Read the rest of this entry »

Types & Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment

Polycystic Kidney Disease is the most common genetic, life threatening disease characterized by the growth of numerous fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys. These cysts grow and multiply over time, slowly replace much of the mass of the kidneys. Ultimately, the diseased kidney shuts down causing end-stage renal disease for which dialysis and transplantation are the only forms of treatment.

Polycystic Disease can cause cysts to develop in your liver, pancreas, membranes that surround your brain and central nervous system, and seminal vesicles. If PKD affects the brain, it can cause an aneurysm (a bulging blood vessel that can rupture).

Types & Causes

The two types of Polycystic Kidney Disease caused by different genetic flaws are :

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease  (ADPKD) – One of the most common inherited form, often called ‘adult polycystic kidney disease’. Signs and symptoms of this form often develop between the ages of 30 and 40. Each child has a 50% chance of getting the disease, if one parent has ADPKD.

Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) A rare inherited form, often called ‘infantile PKD’. Signs and symptoms of this form may appear shortly after birth or even in the womb. Children born with autosomal recessive PKD usually develop kidney failure within a few years. Sometimes, symptoms don’t appear until later in childhood or during adolescence. Each child has a 25% chance of getting the disease, if one parent has ADPKD.

Acquired cystic kidney disease (ACKD) is the non-inherited form of polycystic kidney disease. ACKD develops with long-term kidney problems, especially in patients who have kidney failure and who have been on dialysis for a long time. The cysts of ACKD may bleed. Kidney tumors, including renal cancer can develop in people with ACKD. Read the rest of this entry »

Types | Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment

Kidney stones, also known as nephrolithiasis, urolithiasis or renal calculi, is one of the most common disorder of the urinary tract. It is a hard mass developed from the crystals that separate from the urine and build up on the inner surfaces of the kidney. Urine has a normal chemical balance of water, salts, minerals, and other substances. Factors that affect the normal balance of the urine can lead to stone formation. Read the rest of this entry »

Chronic kidney disease results when a disease slowly destroys the kidneys. It can be caused by a primary kidney disease or result from a disease elsewhere in the body that injures the kidneys or prevents them from working. Chronic form is particularly dangerous, usually with no symptoms until the kidney function is less than one tenth of norma

Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Stages | Treatment

kidney

Causes

The major causes of Chronic kidney disease (CKD) are diabetes and high blood pressure. Inflammation of the filtering structures (glomeruli) inside the kidney, overuse of medication can also cause chronic kidney disease.
Other causes of CKD include infection, sickle cell disease, heroin abuse, amyloidosis, kidney stones, kidney infections and certain cancers. In patients having diabetes, high blood pressure and excess body fat, the risk of developing CKD is very high

Symptoms

At the early stage chronic kidney disease do not have any symptoms. It become noticeable as the disease worsens and it can affect different body systems. Some symptoms represent the possibility of a severe complication of chronic kidney disease. Read the rest of this entry »

Kidneys are two small bean shaped organs, each about the size of the fist, located on either side of the spine just above the waist at the small of the back. It is a part of the urinary system. Each kidney is about 10cm long, 5-6cm wide, 2.5cm thick and weighs between 115 to 170g in the adult human. The right kidney is situated slightly lower than the left because the liver pushes it down.

The outer portion of the kidney called cortex is composed of blood vessels and urine tubes and is supported by a fibrous matrix. Deep to the cortex lies the medulla which is divided into 10-20 conical regions called renal pyramids. Renal pyramids also known as the malphighian pyramids contains the secreting apparatus and tubules. Each pyramid together with the associated overlying cortex forms a renal lobe.
The tip of each pyramid (called a papilla) empties into a calyx, which empties into the renal pelvis. Pelvis forms a small reservoir for urine produced by the kidney. The whole kidney is covered by a membrane called renal capsule.

The cortex and the medulla are made up of nephrons, which is the most basic functional units of the kidney and each kidney contains about a millions of nephrons. Filtration, re-absorption and secretion of the blood occurs in the nephron. Each nephron is made of a glomerulus and a tubule. The glomerulus is like a miniature filtering or sieving device while the tubule is a tiny tubelike structure attached to the glomerulus.

Functions

The kidneys regulate the body’s fluid volume, mineral composition and acidity. The vital function of kidneys is to separate urea, mineral salts toxins and other waste products from the blood. They preserve water, salt and electrolytes; controls the level of chemicals like sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, sulfate, phosphate and hydrogen. In addition to this, kidneys release three important hormones. They are Erythropoietin (EPO) which stimulates the bones to make red blood cells, Renin which regulates blood pressure and Active form of vitamin D which helps to maintain calcium for bones and for normal chemical balance in the body.

The waste products are generated in the body from normal metabolic processes including the breakdown of active tissues, ingested foods, and other substances. To separate these waste and extra water, the blood enters the kidney through the renal artery, creates urine, which flows to the bladder through tubes called ureters. The clean blood flows back to other parts of the body. This process takes place throughout the life of the kidneys. The kidneys process about 200 liters of blood every day and produce about 2 liters of urine. For maintaining life at least one kidney must function properly.

Kidney Failure

When the kidneys become diseased or damaged, they lose their ability to perform their vital functions. As a result, waste products and excess fluids build up in the blood, become toxic and damage the body. This may cause a variety of symptoms, particularly swelling of the hands and feet, shortness of breath, and a frequent urge to urinate.

Most kidney disease attack the nephron and destroy them which cause to lose their filtering capacity. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common cause of kidney disease. Injury, exposure to toxins and certain medications and trauma can lead to kidney disease.

If the blood supply to the kidneys is reduced considerably from blood loss, a fall in blood pressure
, severe dehydration or lack of salt, then the kidneys may be damaged. This may lead to permanent damage to the kidney tissue.

Kidney (Renal) failure occurs when the kidneys partly or completely lose their filtering ability. Acute and Chronic are the two types of Renal failure. When kidney failure happens suddenly it is called acute renal failure. Chronic renal failure usually develops slowly, with few signs or symptoms in the early stage. Mild kidney disease is often called renal insufficiency.

Symptoms to look out for

If any of the following symptoms are noticed, do not avoid it. Consult a physician to know the cause of the symptoms.

1. Changes in Urination

* increased urination at night.
* passing of very small amounts of urine.
* urine may be foamy or bubbly.
* blood in urine
* having difficulty in urinating

2. Swelling, particularly of the hands and feet, and puffiness around the eyes.

3. Persistent fatigue

4. Skin Rash/ Itching

5. Unpleasant taste in the mouth/Ammonia Breath

6. Nausea and Vomiting

7. Shortness of Breath

8. Feeling Cold

9. Dizziness and Trouble Concentrating

10. Leg/ Flank Pain