Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Get Rid of Kidney Stones Naturally

What are kidney stones and how to prevent them?

Kidney stones are basically the accumulation of calcium and or protein deposits in your kidneys that increase overtime making it a shape of small stone. Usually kidney stones are caused by lack of water intake, imbalanced diet, and lack of exercise too. When ignored, they keep on increasing causing a gradual rise in pain in your kidneys making you uncomfortable wherever you are. Well, there is no need to worry much since we examine in this article how to prevent kidney stones in a natural way.

We know assume by reading this article that you might be suffering from kidney stones and wondering how to pass them through urine. There are some basic tips on how to pass them. Just stick to this article and you will be answering this question by yourself right away:

1. Increase fluid intake - Drink plentiful of water. At least 8 to 10 glasses a day have to be consumed even if you don't feel thirsty at all. I know it is difficult but remember you got to sacrifice something in order to get something good in return. Consuming distilled water not only reduces the concentration of your urine, but also dilutes it. The more you drink water, the more urine would pass through and help in washing away the components responsible for causing kidney stones. Along with water, try consuming fresh juices like pomegranate juice, orange juice and lemonades. All of these contain natural citric acids that prevent any formation of stones and dilutes any formed stones already present in the kidneys. Stones are composed of different minerals and elements such as oxalate, calcium, magnesium, uric acid, and phosphates etc. avoid consuming regular water because many people when asking how to pass kidney stones just don't think of the regular metals and impurities contained in the regular water that would lead to further worsening of the conditions.

2. Cleansing your kidneys - In order to get rid of these stones one good way is to cleanse your kidneys. Cleansing the kidneys is a great way to remove toxins and impurities including the dilution of harmful stones in your kidneys.

3. Eat right - Avoid excessive intake of spinach, strawberries, blackberries, nuts, chocolates, squash, cocoa, tea, meat, fish & poultry chicken. This diet is high in oxalate components, which in turn causes the formation of uric acid stones. Avoid salt intake whenever wherever possible, and increase your fiber intake like oatmeal which helps in diluting these stones to pass naturally via urine.

4. Do some exercise - You might be wondering that you are here on to know more about kidney stones and we are telling you to do exercise? Doesn't it sound absurd? Well, on the face of logic it might, but the whole idea behind exercising is for the stone to get moving through the urinary system slowly & gradually. Having a bed rest all day long really does no benefit in passing kidney stones.

5. Consume natural home remedy and avoid medicine intake - There are various safe and easy ways to make natural home remedies that help in passing them. A good way of finding a natural remedy is to visit a homeopathic or herbal store in your local area. Avoid medicine intake as much as you can. Although slow and steady, success comes to those who are patient enough to wait for it. Avoid using medicine since there is really no need of medicine in order to get rid of the stones, and all can be done safely at home with the natural remedies.

Above mentioned were some of the basic ways on how to prevent kidney stones. Make sure you follow the guidelines carefully and do not forget for a regular medical checkup at least once a week from a good doctor. This way the doctor would be more updated with your condition and would keep on advising you accordingly.

Yasir Saeed is an experienced full time freelance article writer, content writer, blog poster, search engine optimizer and a web designer. He writes about various niches and helps people to live their lives in a much better and comfortable manner.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yasir_Saeed


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Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Spot the Differences Between Swine Flu and Common Flu

Sneezing and nausea any time in winter can create panic in people. The 2009 swine flu pandemic clearly showed that people need to learn more about the difference between swine flu and the common flu in order to start with a proper treatment, quickly. To find out the differences between the 'novel' H1N1 infection and common influenza, you probably have to look beyond the common symptoms. Experts believe that a virology test is the most convincing way to distinguish the two conditions. But if you don't have immediate access to a lab, take a look at the symptoms list first.

Common flu symptoms

Symptoms of common flu are usually more severe than those of common cold. Common influenza usually begins with a sore throat and is accompanied by fever and chills. You are likely to have severe headache and body aches too. Nasal congestion, runny nose and cough are common symptoms of any flu infection. Common flu can be caused by hundreds of different viral strains, while swine influenza is caused by a 'novel' viral type.

Depending on the type of flu virus, the symptoms may go away in 2-5 days, or may last for about a week. But if the symptoms don't go away and you experience shortness of breath, inform your doctor right away for diagnosis of pneumonia, a common post-flu complication experienced by people with heart or respiratory conditions.

Swine flu symptoms

It is difficult to distinguish common flu and swine flu by looking at their symptoms. Perhaps the only difference you can tell from the symptoms is that the patients suffering from swine flu may experience vomiting and diarrhoea, which the common flu patients are unlikely to suffer from.

Spotting the key differences
Virus - Swine flu is caused by a new strain of influenza virus type A. Common flu, on the other hand, can be caused by all 3 influenza viral types.Treatment - Swine flu treatment is usually more challenging as compared to the common flu treatment because until 2009, humans were never infected with the 'novel' viral type that causes swine flu.Resistance - Like avian bird flu, swine flu too, is difficult to prevent. The H1N1 virus can infect healthy individuals with strong immunity. Viruses that cause regular flu often target people with compromised immune systems.

How can you safeguard yourself against flu

Taking annual flu vaccines is one of the most reliable ways to keep flu at bay. Following the outbreak of swine influenza in 2009, an H1N1 vaccine was developed to vaccinate people who could possibly have been infected with the H1N1 virus. If you get exposed to an environment that may pose the threat of flu transmission, talk to your doctor immediately for preventive treatment. You may be asked to take Tamiflu oseltamivir, a prescription anti-flu medicine which is known for its efficacy in preventing and treating nearly all flu types. This medicine can give you relief from flu symptoms 30% faster than patients who are not taking it. But to ensure quick recovery, you need to take it within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.


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How and Why Chest Breathing Promotes Chronic Diseases

Chest breathing is a pathology since we should use the diaphragm for breathing at rest. The diaphragm is a bent dome-shaped muscle mass isolating one's lungs from the abdominal organs. It does about eighty percent of the job connected with the breathing process. Commonly, any time one's diaphragm moves down, the lungs increase in size whilst your abdominal area forces out. While one's diaphragm moves up, your abdomen goes in, and your lung's area is loosened up.

Diaphragmatic inhaling and exhaling are very important for our wellbeing. Additionally, tummy breathing is essential for elimination and curing of serious illnesses.

Chest breathing reduces oxygen delivery to body cells

To start with, your diaphragm helps you to manage economical O2 transportation and (partial) CO2 removal. Be aware that, whilst most modern-day individuals believe in the deep breathing fantasy ("our automatic breathing should be deep for better oxygenation") along with toxic effects of CO2, health science have realized a large number of health benefits due to CO2. While standard inhalation during rest has tiny tidal quantity (only about 500-550 ml for just one inhale for a 70-kg person), it provides excellent oxygenation of the hemoglobin cells in the arterial bloodstream (as much as 98-99%). This is possible as a result of diaphragmatic breathing.

In comparison, costal or chest breathing is often larger in volume and also deeper (up to 12-18 L/min for minute air flow, 700-900 mL for tidal amount, and 18-25 breaths/minute for breathing frequency in cases of mild heart problems, diabetes, asthma and so forth), but blood vessels have reduced O2 quantities as a result of the inhomogeneous gas exchange: lower areas of the lungs doesn't receive fresh air supply in the course of upper body breathing.

Furthermore, diminished oxygen transportation to body tissues will certainly enhance every long-term ailment. In truth, consider medical facts related to the role of oxygen in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases.

A good number of released experiments have confirmed that cell hypoxia is the main factor that encourages cancer tumors. Heart problems and angina agony are dependant and possible only when we have low amount of O2 inside the heart muscle tissues. Diabetes, cystic fibrosis, asthma, bronchitis, osteoporosis, GI illnesses, and mental health problems, they're all associated with lower amount of O2 within the brain or other body organs.

When these diseases turn out to be critical and individuals are hospitalized or even in critical treatment caused by episodes or serious exacerbations, emergency experts generally provide their patients with 100 % pure O2 in order to save lives of individuals. The reason is the same: for all these health problems, oxygen quantities inside body tissues becomes dangerously reduced.

For that reason, upper body breathing promotes long-term illnesses caused by diminished oxygen supply to body organs.

Chest breathing promotes lymphatic stagnation in visceral organs

Second, diaphragmatic breathing contributes to natural massage of the lymphatic nodes found just beneath the diaphragm. The lymphatic system, it is also called the sewage system of the human body, doesn't possess a pump to move its fluid. How it work?

The lymph nodes can be found within those areas of one's body where normal compression is naturally developed. For instance, we've got significant number of lymph nodes on our neck. Daily, most of us do a huge number of left-right movements with our head. Consequently, the lymphatic liquid will be pressed away from the lymph nodes. How? This happens due to valves which allow only one-directional flow of the lymph. Likewise, we've got plenty of lymph nodes under armpits and surrounding locations. If we move our arms, the lymph nodes get normal massage to clear out unwanted substances. Next area is inside the groin region. This is yet another group of lymph nodes which can be massaged by way of activities of our hip and legs, when we walk. There are actually no lymph nodes throughout all those sites within the body which do not experience natural compression or massage.

Nevertheless, the lymph nodes from your stomach, kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, both colons, along with internal organs can be found just below your diaphragm.

or that reason, mother nature wants you to be able to inhale and exhale when using the diaphragm all the time. When we have upper body breathing, we promote inner pollution along with deposition of waste products from internal organs. Consequently, it's not a big surprise that seriously ill individuals sometimes perish from multiple organ failure which can be caused by lymphatic pollution.

Modern people, chest breathing and breathing patterns

An ability to have diaphragmatic breathing 24/7 is linked with the body oxygen level. Most contemporary men and women have got about 20-25 seconds of oxygen in the entire body. (To measure body oxygen level, perform a stress-free breath holding test done after standard exhale and only until the primary stress.) Why? This is because their breathing is approximately 2 times greater compared to the health-care norm. Hyperventilation reduces oxygen availability in tissues.

In the past the situation was different. Indeed, a hundred years ago people had about two times more body oxygen because their breathing had been slower and lighter.

Overbreathing cuts down CO2 concentration in all muscle tissues, such as the diaphragm. Given that carbon dioxide is a relaxant of all smooth muscle cells of the human body, hyperventilation results in a condition of spasm inside the diaphragm. Moreover, deep breathing, in addition, predisposes us to slouching caused by strain round the shoulder blades, neck, along with other muscles in the top section of the body.

In the sick people, these problems are even worse. Their breathing is heavier during rest and they've got much less O2 and CO2 in body cells. Hence, virtually all of them are chest breathers.

Diaphrgmatic breathing 24/7 is one of the free online Modules of the Learning the Buteyko Breathing Technique.

Ineffective breathing pattern is the most common clinical finding in people with chronic diseases.

Dr. Artour Rakhimov is a health educator. He is the author of books and the educational website NormalBreathing.com that has hundreds of medical quotes, graphs, references, charts, tables, results of trials, analysis of respiratory techniques, free breathing exercises, manuals, lifestyle modules and other resources.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Artour_Rakhimov

Artour Rakhimov - EzineArticles Expert Author

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Monday, March 14, 2011

Symptoms And Facts About Influenza

Flu, or more officially, influenza, is a viral disease which normally happens in the winter but could also occur in the summer due to drinking cold water. This type of disease can be very contagious, and it may become a problem if a large number of people contract it. Influenza is a viral disease, which means it can be spread between many different people easily. Have you heard of the influenza epidemic of 1918? During the epidemic life nearly stopped in American society because nobody knew how to control influenza. Its symptoms appear suddenly and it has some symptoms which are similar to the common cold.

A number of symptoms that are common to the flu are sneezing, runny nose, headache, earaches and sometime chills. Most often, influenza lasts around seven days. This illness is very common now and scientists do know how to keep it from getting as bad as it did in 1918. The reason why influenza is not a problem anymore is because of the creation of vaccines. In 1918 there was no technology that was strong enough to detect a virus and with modern developments, we not only can spot a virus, we can cure it as well. There is a flu shot given to most infants and children to help prevent influenza and because of this shot, many lives have been saved.

If an infant were to contract it, then there is a much higher risk of death. The infants' immune systems aren't as strong as adults', and thus, they have a much higher risk of death due to the fact that their immune systems can't fight it off. If you find that your child is displaying some of the symptoms listed above, then bring your child to a medical specialist as soon as possible. It can become complicated if the flue appears in young children because it leads to cough and other respiratory disorders in small children. So an eye must be kept out for the possibility of the child catching the flu. Listed below are some general facts that you should be aware of.

? Once you reach 65 years of age, never forget to take the flu shot in autumn. If you have asthma, heart disease, or diabetes then contracting the flu can cause you serious problem so don't be negligent to this small disease.

? Make sure you perform daily exercises and constantly eat a good balanced diet. If you keep your body healthy, then you also help your immune system. If your immune system is healthy, then you will be to more successfully fend off the flu and fight it in the event that you do contract it.

? Wash your hands with a hygienic soap. Use of antibacterial soap may lessen the chances of flu. Try to avoid touching your nose or mouth if possible.


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High Altitude Pulmonary Edema And Some Other Diseases Due To High Altitude

This is a more serious complication compared to AMS. Young subjects in apparently good health are more affected. It may manifest in newcomers and also in subjects acclimatized to high altitudes, if they ascend the height rapidly after periods of stay at lower altitudes. Altitudes above 2500 m can be harmful, but most of the cases occur at heights of 3050 to 4550 m. Heavy meal, physical exertion and too-rapid an ascent precipitate the condition. Symptoms start within 6 to 48 hours of reaching the station.

Though, pulmonary hypertension is invariably found as a consequence of hypoxia, only a small proportion of subjects develop acute pulmonary edema which tends to be patchy. The reason for the edema is not clear. Autopsy studies have revealed dilatation of pulmonary arteries and arterioles, congestion of capillaries, intravascular thrombi, perivascular hemorrhages, and alveolar edema. Cases of long duration may show hyaline membrane in the alveoli.

Clinical features: Many cases follow acute mountain sickness, but in some, pulmonary edema develops abruptly. Early symptoms are cough, tachypnea, dyspnea and chest pain. These are soon followed by hemoptysis, cyanosis, frothy expectoration, and intense chest discomfort. Oliguria may develop.

The course is variable. In some, the pulmonary edema worsens while in others, it may become subacute and persist for a few days. In severe cases, right sided heart failure may follow and this may precede death. Radiographic abnormalities include prominence of the pulmonary arteries, patchy edema which is more prominent in the upper and mid-zones and more marked on the right side. Electrocardiogram reveals acute right ventricular strain due to pulmonary hypertension.

Diagnosis: High altitude pulmonary edema should be anticipated in healthy subjects who develop vague cerebral and respiratory symptoms on reaching high altitudes. Early recognition and treatment are necessary to avoid rapid deterioration and death. Acute mountain sickness, respiratory infections, Cardiac failure, and malingering have to be differentiated from this condition.

Treatment: The patient should be hospitalized and administered oxygen. If oxygen is not available, the patient should be evacuated to a lower camp. Morphine, 15 mg and furosemide 40 mg should be given intravenously. In the majority of cases, there are enough to tide over an attack. Persistence of pulmonary edema is an indication for repeating furosemide. Physiological venesection by applying tourniquets proximately to the limbs, helps in reducing pulmonary edema. Precipitating factors such as respiratory infection have to be looked for and treated appropriately.

Prevention: proper training and conditioning for 1-2 weeks should be undertaken before reaching high altitudes. On reaching high altitudes all unacclimatized persons should avoid physical exertion for 48-72 hours. Furosemide 40 mg given orally daily for 2-3 days prevents the onset of acute pulmonary edema.

High altitude cerebral edema

This disorder is less common than pulmonary edema. Cerebral edema may follow acute mountain sickness several hours after reaching the high altitude. Pathological lesions consist of dilatation of cerebral vessels, cerebral edema and patchy hemorrhages. Early clinical features consist of lethargy, insomnia, dreamy state and irritability. Severe cases develop intense headache, confusion and coma before reaching the fatal end. Cheyne-stokes respiration may develop.

Treatment: The patient should be administered pure oxygen and evacuated to a lower camp. Dexamethasone given intravenously or intramuscularly in a dose of 4-8 mg gives relief.

Chronic mountain sickness-Monge's disease, chronic soroche, high altitude disease

Some persons living at high altitudes lose their acclimatization and develop symptoms. Most of such reports have come from South America. Males are affected more than females. The mechanism is not fully understood. Features are those of alveolar hypoventilation. Palliative measures are only of temporary benefit. Therefore it is advisable to remove affected individuals to low altitudes. The whole picture reverts tp normal on reaching low altitudes.


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Sunday, March 13, 2011

Oxidative Stress: The Bio-Mechanics Smoking Gun

Definition

Oxidative Stress is the medical equivalent of the Sword of Damocles. On the one hand, its free radicals are essential for normal metabolism. On the other hand, it has been implicated in such catastrophic and degenerative diseases as: stroke, myocardial infarction, chronic heart failure, diabetes, circulatory shock, chronic inflammatory diseases, cancer, asthma, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and neurodegenerative disorders. Oxidative stress is generally defined as an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants. Evidence suggests that that oxidative stress can lead to cell and tissue injury. All diseases involve free radicals. A critical high wire balancing act between oxidants and antioxidants must be maintained to insure health in the aging process.

Research

Enormous strides have been made lately, in the research and forensic analysis of oxidative stress. Of particular importance, is the discovery of peroxynitrite--the most rapid non-enzymatic reactions in all of biology. Its (NO) free radical generated Nitric oxide properties, has a critical involvement in a host of pathologies, such as: vasodilation, neuro signaling, and inflammation. (NO) is present and acts as a signaling device in every critical cellular function and is a crucial pathogenic mechanism in overwhelming oxidative injury such as cellular necrosis. However encouraging these recent discoveries are, there is still much to be learned about the effects of peroxynitrite and its oxidant properties as to whether cells activate the repair processes or die.

There is a general consensus that lowering oxidative stress can have some positive health benefits. Overproducing free radicals can radically overwhelm the immune system initiating oxidative injury and disease....some of which have already been mentioned and listed. The discovery of micronutrients that play a role in modulation of redox cell signaling provides an important foundation and link between diet and health.

Conclusion

Oxidative stress is a key factor in health and disease. Understanding its bio-mechanics will go a long way in eradicating some of modern society's most devastating pathologies.


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Saturday, March 12, 2011

Conditions That A Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon Treats

Pediatric orthopedic surgeons are mainly specialized in all aspects of musculoskeletal care for infants, children and adolescents. These surgeons are specialized in both the surgical and nonsurgical aspects for various conditions such as musculoskeletal diseases, skeletal deformities and other traumatic injuries.

List of diseases treated by pediatric orthopedics include:

? Metabolic disorders
? Spina bifida
? Scoliosis
? Spinal deformity
? Cerebral palsy
? Congenital foot and hip deformities
? Traumatic injuries
? Common hip problems in the older adults
? Metachromatic leukodystrophy
? Intoeing, outtoeing, bowlegs, knock-knees and leg-length discrepancy

Here are the conditions that can be treated by a orthopedic surgeon in detail:

Most of the times, children are at risk for falls and sometimes for injuries caused by chemicals, fire, animal bites and unfortunately sometimes by violence. Sometimes, young children also suffer from injuries and lead to bodily injury, traumatic brain injury, and also death of adolescents. These conditions can be effectively treated by an orthopedic surgeon.

Cerebral palsy is a condition that can affect infants, children and adolescents. Pediatric orthopedics use comprehensive, pro-active and individualized approach to treat this condition in children. Finding a good orthopedic surgeon can help children with cerebral palsy to achieve maximum physical, intellectual and emotional development. Also, these surgeons educate the affected individuals and parents about this condition.

Spina bifida is a condition in which there is an abnormal development of the back bones, spinal cord, surrounding nerves and also the fluid filled sac that surrounds the spinal cord. A pediatric orthopedic surgeon can effectively perform pediatric spina bifida surgery to help manage the problems. But the surgery may or may not restore muscle function or sensation to the normal state.

Scoliosis is termed as a lateral curvature of the spine. In many cases the cause is not known, which means why the curvature occurs. Most of the scoliosis can be seen between the ages of 10 and 14. Though it occurs equally in boys and girls, girls are more likely to get the condition. A pediatric orthopedic surgeon can better address your child's condition.


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