Showing posts with label Disease. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Disease. Show all posts

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Difference Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis

During this time many people the wrong perception about the condition ofosteoporosis (bone loss) and calcification (osteoarthritis). Though both conditions are two very different things. ”Osteoporosis and calcification are two very different things, like liver and kidneypain, that’s different, below is the difference between osteoporosis (bone loss) and calcification(osteoarthritis):
 
  1. Osteoporosis is bone loss or bone abnormalities in the milk and the rightmedicine. While calcification or osteoatritis are abnormality in joints and medicinenot milk.
  2. Osteoporosis patients never complained of ill will, so when she complained of painbut he was not osteoporotic fractures. If there are no broken bones so he will not complain.
  3. But if calcification then the patient will always feel the pain because the joints aremoving. Treatment does not all have seen first operation because its phases could be just by changing his lifestyle.
  4. it calcifications can be started from the age of 20 years and it was normalbecause includes process degeneration, only problem is that mild to severe andcause complaints. Some things can aggravate pngapuran much up and down stairsfor example, often wear high heels for women or often squat jump.
  5. Osteoporosis can be prevented by consuming milk from an early age so that thedeposit is essentially good or strong. This is because the peak deposit occurs at age 5-35 years.
  6. In severe or severe calcification, patients can not have the operation but had to change his lifestyle for example by using a shoe that fits, wear sandals softcushions, using a stick or if it is old in a wheelchair when walking.
  7. There are certain conditions that make it calcification should perform operationsuch as joint-change operation (Total Knee Arthroplasty). Average of 1.5 months after operation patients can walk home normally rehabilitation program went welland before he had to use a cane and physiotherapy.

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Grim Coffee Can Prevent Diabetes Disease

Apparently a cup coffee could be useful for health, if so far more related with cardiovascular health, coffee is now also proven beneficial for preventing diabetes or diabetic. Coffee benefits in reducing the risk diabetic is already known for a long time, although the exact mechanism is not known. Now a recent study at Huazhong University of Science and Technology reaffirms the allegations.

In a study also published in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry is revealed, consumption of 4 cups of coffee per day can reduce diabetes risk by 50 percent. Each addition of a cup of coffee, the risk is reduced back to 7 percent. According to the researchers, there are at least 3 content of naturally occurring compounds contained in coffee and efficacious in reducing the risk of diabetes. third is the caffeine itself, kafeat acid and chlorogenic acid.

The risk of diabetes can be reduced through consumption coffee is a type-2 diabetic mellitus (DM Type-2). This type diabetic is most commonly found, the number is around 90-95 percent of all people with diabetic including type 1.

Type 2 diabetes usually affects adults, although sometimes children can also have it. If type 1 diabetic is usually obtained as a congenital abnormality, diabetic type 2 caused more by an unhealthy lifestyle.
In this type diabetic, the body’s ability to process sugar is reduced or even no work at all so that blood sugar levels to accumulate. Compilation of this disorder is quite diverse, ranging from kidney failure, retinal damage and impotence in men.

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Saturday, August 27, 2016

What Is Ketosis?

“Ketosis” is a word, you may see the information when you are looking for diabetes or weight loss. Is a good thing or a bad thing? It depends on the situation.

Ketosis is a normal metabolic process, it should be said that your body is really working. When it does not have enough carbohydrate foods for your cells burn energy, it burns fat instead. As part of this process, it makes one.

If you are a healthy, balanced diet, control how much fat your body is burning, you usually do not manufacture or use of ketones. But when you cut way back on your calorie or carbohydrate, your body will switch to ketosis energy. It can also be exercised for a long time, and occurred during and after pregnancy. Suffering from uncontrolled diabetes, ketosis is not using enough insulin symbol.
Ketosis may become dangerous when ketones build. High levels of lead to dehydration, change your blood chemistry balance.

Low-carb and ketogenic diet

Ketosis is a popular weight-loss strategy. Low-carbohydrate diet plans include the Atkins diet and the first part of the ancient diet, this pressure proteinsfor fueling your body. In addition to helping you burn body fat, ketosis can make you feel less hungry. It can also help you maintain muscle.

For people who do not have diabetes, healthy people are not pregnant, ketosis usually ate less than 50 grams of carbohydrates a day three days or four days to play. It is about three bread, a cup of low-fat fruit yogurt, or two small bananas. You can start ketosis, too by fasting.

Who epilepsy doctor may put on the ketogenic diet, a special high-fat, low-carbohydrate and protein plan children, because it may help prevent seizures. Adult patients with epilepsy sometimes eat a modified Atkins diet.

Some studies suggest that the ketogenic diet can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Other studies have shown that certain low-carbohydrate diets help people with metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The researchers also studied acne, cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as well as neurological diseases likeAlzheimer, Parkinson’s and Lou Gehrig’s disease, the impact of these diets.

Test your ketone

You can find out how much ketosis in your body by testing your blood or urine for ketones in the case. You do not need to see a doctor. You can buy test strips at home to check your urine. Some of the blood glucose meter can measure ketones.

If you do not know how and when to test one, talk to your doctor or diabetes teacher. High levels of ketones are dangerous.

Ketoacidosis

Ketoacidosis is what happens when ketosis too far. Ketones accumulate in the blood, and becomes acidic. Comaor ketoacidosis can lead to death.

Diabetic ketoacidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis can be obtained (DKA), when they do not take enough insulin. They can also get DKA, they are sick or injured, or they do not get enough fluids and dehydration.

Some people without diabetes can get ketoacidosis, too. It causes byalcoholism, hunger, or hyperthyroidism. A healthy low-carb diet should not cause a problem.

If you have these symptoms, call your doctor:
  • Thirst or dry mouth
  • Peeing a lot
  • Feeling tired
  • Dry or skin flushing
  • Feel sick to your stomach
  • Vomit
  • Dyspnea
  • Confusion
  • Fruity smelling breath
  • Pain in your stomach
  • If you have diabetes, vomiting may be particularly dangerous. Although DKA usually begins slowly, throwing can speed up this process so that it occurs in just a few hours. Call your doctor if you have to throw two hours.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Arthritis is an Inflammatory Disease

Arthritis is the inflammation of our joints and it is a prevailing condition in the United States. Statistics predict that around 40 million people suffer from some form of arthritis. Arthritis can be expressed in over a 100 different types.

We have always assumed arthritis affects people in their old age. This is not true and it has been found that people can suffer at any age with one or more of the different types of arthritis. Symptoms from the different types may overlap making it not always easy to diagnose which form a person is suffering from. People may suffer from multiple forms of arthritis simultaneously.

Early onset of arthritis is often expressed through general symptoms such as feeling joint stiffness, swelling around joints, pain and discomfort of joints, and inflamed joints that display a red skin coloration.

Many people think arthritis is the same across the board and so many waste money by purchasing over the counter medication to ease their pain. It is important to consult a physician who will be better able to tell you what arthritis you are suffering from and what the best protocol is in treating it.
One of the most common forms of arthritis is known as Rheumatoid arthritis. Not only does it have an impact on your joints, but it can also spread to your organs systemically. People who suffer from Rheumatoid arthritis often feel as if they have cured it through taking medication because the signs and symptoms of the disease go away for sometime, however this is often false. 

It is yet to be discovered what really causes Rheumatoid arthritis yet some medical professionals speculate that it could be due to bacteria or fungi. Others would have you believe that the disease is genetic and can be inherited from generation to generation. Common symptoms of this disease are swelling of joints, pain, sometimes fever, warmth emitted from joints, reddening of the skin around joints and fatigue.

Another common form of arthritis is known as osteoarthritis. 

This is brought about by the disintegration of cartilage in joints.  It is not a systemic form of arthritis and thus pain is localized to the joint in which it is experienced. Common areas of osteoarthritic is the knees, hips, ankles, hands and back. One of the downfalls to this is that the person often experiences the pain in joints long after the cartilage damage has occurred, thus it is often irreparable.

Arthritis is a very diverse disease and whilst some suffers can experience pain relief from simple over the counter treatments, others may experience severe symptoms of arthritis that require specialist attention. This may involve operations to the joints and even replacement joints to try and ease the pain. Many doctors believe changing the diet of the patient may assist in relieving pain too. 

It is believed that certain foods (acidic) can enhance the pain of arthritis, although discussions around this still persist. It is still recommended to consult with your local physician about your arthritis and what form of treatment he/she recommends.

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Air Purifier’s Role in Preventing Asthma Attacks

Environmental researchers have shown that the indoor room air we breathe in is more contaminated that the outside air.  In fact the air we breathe while at home or at work is polluted and it is the reason we fall sick so easily.

The best way to solve this problem is to get an air purifier.  Air purifiers can be helpful to people suffering from allergies and asthma caused by mold spores, pet dander, microorganisms, bacteria and pollen grains.   Biological and chemical pollutants like mold, viruses, bacteria, allergens, cigarette smoke, construction dust, pet odors and diesel fumes and other airborne contaminants can be destroyed by using an ultra violet air purifiers.

Asthma is a disease that is characterized by breathing problems caused by the narrowing of the airways (bronchi and bronchioles) that lead to the lungs.

Persons Affected:

Asthma occurs in 3 to 5 percent (%) of all people at some point in their life.  It affects all age groups and sexes equally, except for newborn babies.

Symptoms:

Breathlessness and a wheezing cough that usually get worse at night are the main symptoms of asthma.  During a severe attack, the pulse rises and breathing rate increases drastically and the person is not able to speak due to breathlessness.  Cyanosis, which is when the skin turns blue due to the lack of oxygen, may occur.

Causes:

The most common cause of asthma is bronchiole hypersensitivity to foreign substances in the air.  Pollens, animal fur, smoke, smog, cigarette smoke, ozone, perfumes, hairsprays, and air borne pollutants like vehicle emissions, etc. are some of the foreign substances that can trigger an asthma attack.  Due to the increase smoke levels in the cities there has been a worldwide increase in the number of asthma patients.

The usual cause is bronchiole hypersensitivity to foreign substances in the air. The foreign substance could be pollens, air borne pollutants like vehicle emissions, animal fur, smoke, smog, cigarette smoke, ozone, perfumes, hairspray etc. There is a worldwide increase in the number of asthma patients due to increase in the smoke levels in the cities.

Treatment & Role of Air Purifiers:

Asthma treatment involves day to day management to avoid asthma attack triggers.  Most people spend the majority of their time indoors, breathing purified clean air can help in preventing asthma attack triggers.  Air purifiers work by removing environmental triggers such as smoke, smog, and other airborne allergen pollutants.

People cannot avoid being exposed to air pollutants, however one can control the environment in one’s home or office.  Also an air purifies provides clean air which is a relief to the lungs of an asthmatic and allows them to breathe easier.  Air purifiers which produce ozone should be avoided because the ozone may trigger an asthma attack instead of reducing the risk of having an asthma attack.

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Vaginal bleeding between periods can make anyone anxious

Bleeding from the cervix is generally associated with cancer, but that’s not the case for women of different age groups.

These are the major reasons for irregular vaginal bleeding. Vaginal bleeding between periods are also known as intermenstrual bleeding, spotting and metrorrhagia . Vaginal bleeding should not be taken for granted and consult your doctor immediately.

These are the reasons for abnormal vaginal bleeding:
  1. Hormonal imbalance: Birth control pills, thyroid glands, dysfunctional ovaries, intense exercises, change in eating habits, etc contribute to hormonal imbalances, which can cause vaginal bleeding.
  2. Fibroids: This is another common cause of vaginal bleeding. Uterine fibroids, polyps and cysts that are non-cancerous can also cause vaginal bleeding.
  3. Cancer: Cancer of the uterus, ovaries, cervix and vagina can induce vaginal bleeding.
  4. Infection: Inflammation and bleeding may be the result of infection to the reproductive organs.
  5. Pregnancy: Complications during pregnancy can cause vaginal bleeding. If the egg is fertilised in the fallopian tube, it can cause bleeding; this condition is also called ectopic pregnancy.
  6. Miscarriage: This process can cause vaginal bleeding.
  7. Contraceptives: Female contraceptives that involves inserting a device in the vagina can cause vaginal bleeding.
  8. Diabetes: Diabetes can also cause bleeding in some cases.
  9. Stress: Stress is another ingredient for vaginal bleeding.

Friday, June 10, 2016

Medical Care Provisions

Nobody ever wants to get sick because feeling unwell limits us from performing our tasks. If the illness is minor such as a simple colds. There are many home remedies and over the counter medicines available that are easily accessible and for relief, extra health measures and to speed up the recovery possess. Yet if the health condition worsens or the patient is sickened with a more serious ailment, it is best to seek assistance from a licensed health care professional.

There are different types and categories in the medical care provisions that are administered by various health care professionals and providers in a variety of medical locations. These medical care provisions has four categories, namely: primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary.

The first point of consultation in all medical processes is called the Primary care, whose key characteristic is continuity of care. This medical service is provided by physicians, nurses and other health workers who are known to have first contact with patients. The ministration of primary care occurs in physician offices, clinics, nursing homes, schools and other places close to patients. Illnesses which are given treatment in primary care are acute and chronic disorders, diabetes mellitus, depression and back pain. Preventive care and health education for patients in all ages, socioeconomic and geographical origins are also part of primary care.

Secondary care refers to the service provided by medical specialists who generally do not have first contact with patients. Patients who need expert care and procedures and previously diagnosed by primary care providers are referred to secondary care providers, such as cardiologists, urologists and dermatologists for further treatment. A local community hospital is mainly where Secondary care is administered to patients. These services include ambulatory care and inpatient services, emergency rooms, intensive care medicine, surgery services, physical therapy, labor and delivery, endoscopy units, diagnostic laboratory and medical imaging services, hospice centers, etc. Caring of hospitalized babies and delivering babies in may also be a function in Secondary care provision. Occupational therapists, orthoptists and other allied health care professions who work and co-manage that facet of healthcare may be considered as an area of Secondary care.

Tertiary health care is specialized consultative care, they are referred to by the primary or secondary medical care specialists. These Tertiary professionals usually administer in a center that has personnel and facilities for necessary diagnostic treatment and investigation such as specialist hospitals, trauma centers, advanced neurology unit services, organ transplants, high-risk pregnancy, radiation oncology, etc. These Tertiary care services also include specialist cancer care, neurosurgery, burns care and plastic surgery.

The extension of tertiary care is called Quaternary Care. It refers to the less common but more specific advanced levels of medicine that are not highly used. The bulk of Quaternary care is composed of experimental medicine, service oriented surgeries and other less common approaches to treatment and diagnostics. Such procedures take place in a medical laboratory or clinical laboratory where clinical specimens are tested in order to gather information about the patient’s health for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Avoid Being Uncomfortable at a Hospital and Use Home Health Care

What happens when the health problem requires medical attention over the course of a long period of time or even for the rest of your life? Being hospitalized for long periods of time can be both uncomfortable and expensive as well. In events such as these, home health care can be a solution to the problem.

Home health care is, as the name suggests, any health care assistance in the comfort of your own home. There are a variety of companies that offer these services and each with various specializations to provide any sort of assistance that a person may require.

Companies that handle these are primarily oriented towards senior citizens. However, any person with an illness or disability that requires continual assistance may benefit from it as well.
Most companies offer their services in a variety of places (other than in your own home) such as nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and retirement facilities.

Home health care can be provided on a short or long term basis. It can benefit people recover from an accident or surgery after leaving the hospital or maybe provided for people with permanent disabilities or who are otherwise unable to take care of themselves. The services that companies generally focus on range from companionship and assistance to the patients to do some of their daily chores to twenty four hour care. Many of the companies’ caregivers are trained nurses and can administer doses of medication or provide specialized medical assistance.

This is usually sought when the family members of the patient have a hard time being able to give all the assistance that the patient requires.

Choosing the right care program can be difficult. A primary concern can be the cost of acquiring home health care services. As mentioned before, there are many home health care companies, both privately and publicly owned. Privately owned companies require a greater personal expense in order to hire their services whereas Medi-care based agencies require little or no cost. Medi-care based agencies can even offer better assistance as they are held to stricter standards than some of the privately owned home health care companies. The first step to choosing the right agency, regardless of whether it’s public or private, is the sort of services they offer. Some care providers only provide skilled services such as nursing, therapy and home aide and other agencies focus more on personal care and sitter services. The family members should research on several companies to choose which one best suits their needs. Even after a home health care service has been obtained and provided, family members are encouraged to occasionally supervise that their loved ones are getting the help they need.

Home health care is a great benefit for people who have trouble accomplishing some of their daily tasks. In this manner, family members know that their loved ones are getting all the help they need and continue to enjoy their company.

Personal Health Record

It’s the age of active participation in your own health care. Comprehensive new systems are evolving to help you create a personal health record in the cloud. But, are you organized at home to maintain the rest of the personal records you need for long term well-being? Probably not, if you are like most people. For example, where’s your prescription plan? Who are your specialists? If you are in a caregiving situation, who do you call in an emergency? There’s a lot more to managing your own health care than hosted medical records.


The place to start managing your health care is at home. The first step is to get organized. Get all your important health care related information together in one place so you can find it when you need it. Personal record keeping software can help. It gives you an organizing framework. All you have to do is fill in the blanks. Anyone with a home computer can store and manage their personal health records along with those of their family. But, you can also enter the rest of your vital information such as financial, legal, insurance, retirement, pension, caregiving, living and end of life wishes to complete your personal health record. That’s something you can’t do with the new hosted medical record systems coming online. And, if you are worried about privacy and security, no internet connection is required.

The information is stored at home, on your computer. No one but you, or your authorized designee, can access it. If you are in a home caregiving situation, you can support your caregiver with access to the information so he or she can have it at their fingertips for those times when a decision is called for on-the-spot. That one feature alone can relieve a lot of the stress for everyone in the caregiving network, including the person being cared for. You can help them live the life they are used to if you know what to do.

Store the vital information you need at home, at home, on your personal computer. Record keeping software gives you an easy to use, inexpensive tool that supports the storage of essential health documentation, the sharing of medical information with authorized family members, loved ones, caregivers and powers of attorney in case you are unable to act on your own behalf, the consolidation of healthcare information for family members so you don’t have separate files for each one, and the integration of other important documents and information relevant to your long-term well-being that can’t be recorded in hosted systems.

You purchase record keeping software only once. There are no ongoing monthly subscription fees that can really add up over time. The bottom line? Personal record keeping software stores and creates access to health care information at home, on your computer, without connection to the internet and remembers where everything is so you can find it when you need it.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Signs of Dementia to Be Aware Of

Dementia isn’t a symptom, but rather a number of symptoms that when seen together lead to a diagnosis of dementia. Symptoms range from personality changes to memory loss and are the result of trauma or disease of the brain. This condition isn’t part of the aging process and can interfere with independence, relationships and daily living. Family members will notice a decline in learning, problem solving, remembering and communication. The changes may be very gradual or occur suddenly. Either way, medical care needs to be sought as Dementia care in Windsor may be needed and can be of great help. Home care and other senior care options are also available.

One thing families need to be aware of is the progression and outcome of this disease does vary from person to person. Medical professionals are needed to determine which type of dementia the person is suffering from and which section of the brain has been affected. A number of things will be done to determine this, including clinical examinations, diagnostic testing and advanced brain imaging. What are some common signs of this disease which loved ones should be looking for in seniors?

Common signs and symptoms include memory loss and impaired judgement. The person may show faulty reasoning when coming to a decision or engage in behavior that is not appropriate. Abstract thinking often becomes difficult for patients suffering from dementia and they may lose communication skills. For some, the first sign of problems is when the person develops balance, motor or gait problems while others neglect daily grooming and bathing. Often those with dementia will ignore their own personal safety. Some families first notice a problem when their loved one becomes disoriented in terms of place or time. Agitation, paranoia and hallucinations have been reported in patients suffering from dementia.

A family member may first notice their loved one repeatedly asks the same question over and over again. They may no longer be able to follow directions as they used to or find it difficult to complete routine tasks such as bill paying. Personal safety, nutrition and hygiene may be neglected and the person may no longer recognize familiar faces or become confused as to who is who. Disorientation is not uncommon with this disease and may involve familiar places or be related to time and dates.
If any symptoms of dementia are seen, medical care should be sought as soon as possible. Although some instances of dementia are not treatable, others are. Doctors do a thorough examination to determine what is leading to the appearance of symptoms and what treatments may be of help. The sooner help is sought, the more treatment options will be available.

Monday, May 2, 2016

8 Foods To Lower Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is the stealthy murderer, sometimes invisible to millions of people in the United States and around the world every year. Often you do not feel anything for years, even decades, while the damage to the cardiovascular system rises. Finally one day, while doing your exercise routine or just take a light walk, happens a heart attack or stroke that whether to end or change your life forever.

This condition affects one in three Americans, and once your blood pressure rises, it is difficult to return it to normal. For most people, this means relax and getting more sleep, exercising regularly, take medication every day, and perhaps most difficult of all, changing eating habits. Worst of all is that maybe you feel stressed by this that will only make things worse.

Normalize blood pressure is one of the most important to improve your health and increase your life things. Fortunately, there are alternatives to taking pills: Many foods can lower blood pressure naturally. Science shows that actually can benefit from the addition of these foods in your diet.


Skim Milk Products

Research has shown that there is a correlation between the consumption of low-fat dairy products and reduced risk of hypertension. The only apparent benefits with low-fat milk and yogurt, but not with cheese. Scientists believe that compounds such as peptides released during digestion of these low-fat dairy products play a big role. You can always share your dairy products regularly with their alternative low fat.

Whole oats

Eating whole oats can help reduce systolic blood pressure, especially for the elderly. Oats contains magnesium and fiber that help slow the buildup of plaque (atherosclerosis) in blood vessels. You must eat about ¾ cup of whole grain oats per day, or at least 6 servings each week. It can be mixed with skim milk for a boost of potassium and calcium.

Potatoes

Potatoes are rich in potassium and magnesium. These two minerals help control blood pressure. Potatoes are also rich in fiber, which helps digestion and overall health. Potatoes are a versatile dish. You can eat them fried, boiled or baked. It all depends on your preference. You can make a delicious meal of baked potatoes flavored low-fat yogurt. That's a great combo for high blood pressure.

Leafy greens

These are probably the most recommended foods to lower blood pressure in daily health and really work. Vegetables like spinach and kale contain calcium and iron, which helps with blood pressure. When buying vegetables, make sure they are free of sodium. You can add a variety of vegetables rich in potassium to your diet, such as lettuce, kale and turnip greens.

Bananas

Bananas are one of the most popular foods that lower blood pressure. They are rich in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure. This mineral helps balance the effects of salt in the body and renal function. Research shows that eating a banana on a daily basis can help reduce your blood pressure by 10%. Eating a banana in your breakfast oatmeal.

Celery

Celery is one of the foods that lower blood pressure. It contains phytochemicals that relax muscles in the walls of the arteries. This in turn increases blood flow in the body and reduces blood pressure. You can eat celery 4 stalks per day for effects.

Blueberries

A single serving of blueberries a week you will do well to lower blood pressure. They contain anthocyanins and flavonoids, which are natural compounds that help hypertension. You can add blue blueberries to your cereal in the morning.

Dark chocolate

According to Harvard researchers, eating one ounce of black chocolate every day can help reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension. Dark chocolates are rich in flavonoids that help dilating blood vessels.

When buying chocolate, buy only those who have a 50-70% cocoa. You can eat a small amount every day (about 30 calories). You will see a significant improvement in blood pressure after a few weeks.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Nap can reduce the risk of disease in the coronary arteries

The hypothesis that the nap can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease was proposed on the basis of evidence indicating that countries where this habit is common (Mediterranean area and some countries in Latin America) had also low rates of mortality from the disease coronary arteries of the heart.

The authors of this study -Siesta in healthy adults and coronary mortality in the general population evaluate the association between nap and coronary mortality in a group of adults that has been measured in detail habitual physical activity, has verified the comorbidity or presence of other diseases at the time the study began, and have determined the risk factors for coronary mortality, including diet. Thus they assess the association between nap and coronary mortality among men separately workers (young and healthy) and between retirees and men who did not work.


They were studied over 23,000 people over a mean follow-up period of 6 years.

The results showed that men who took naps after lunch had a 34% less likely to die from cardiac causes than those without the sleep. Among those who napped occasionally, the risk reduction was 12%, while those who slept at least three times a week for at least half an hour, the reduction in cardiovascular risk was 37%.

The authors note that, in view of these findings, the nap was associated with a lower risk of dying of heart. This inverse association, ie, protective, was more evident in men and in women only marginal. The association was greater in men workers, and weak and not significant in retirees. The researchers interpret their findings as indicating that in healthy adults siesta, possibly acting through a relaxation of stress, may reduce coronary mortality.

The authors conclude that the siesta, in apparently healthy individuals and particularly those working men, are inversely associated (provides protection) with coronary mortality after controlling for other factors that may interfere with the results, diet and physical activity. And they note that these findings are of great importance, because the siesta is a very common practice in many parts of the world and especially in the Mediterranean and Central American countries.

Friday, April 15, 2016

Heart disease

The heart is a muscular structure that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body to tissues receive nutrients and oxygen they need to perform their function and collect the carbon dioxide they produce and transport it to the lungs to be removed and re-oxygenate blood.

The heart beats thanks to a network of nerve bundles that control heart rate and filling and emptying of the heart chambers (atria and ventricles) in a coordinated manner, through the blood of each other to open and close the valves that connect these cavities. This muscular body is nourished in turn by the coronary arteries and is protected by a layer overlying called pericardium.

This complex vital structure can be affected by different diseases depending on the structures that are altered.

Major heart disease

  • IHD
  • Heart failure
  • Cardiac arrhythmias
  • Valvular
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Pericardial diseases
Ischemic heart disease is the lack of blood supply to the heart through the different coronary arteries by clogging them and assumes that the heart can not pump exercise its function. It is a disease that in its varying degrees affects 7% of the population diagnosed each year in Spain about 125,000 new cases, with a high mortality rate. It is a disease more prevalent in men than in women, but in these mortality is usually higher.

When clogged coronary insufficient blood supply occurs when heart muscle tissue; depending on the degree of obstruction and caused damage to the heart muscle due to lack of irrigation talking about angina or angina, in which arterial blockage is temporary, or acute myocardial infarction, when the obstruction is complete and permanent

Are risk factors rather than demonstrated: age, consumption of snuff, diabetes, high cholesterol, overweight and obesity, family history, hypertension, excessive waist circumference and physical inactivity. The patient suffers a picture of oppressive chest pain that may radiate to the left arm, neck, back or the stomach, accompanied by sweating, nausea and dizziness. Given these symptoms it is essential to request emergency assistance where it is or alternatively be accompanied as soon as possible to a hospital emergency center.

Heart failure is the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to the lungs as much as to the rest of the body. This disease affects approximately 5% of the population, is the cause of 3% of all hospital admissions and the fourth leading cause of cardiovascular death, with a mortality of 3% in men and 10% in women, It is more than 8% globally in people over 75 years.

With respect to its causes there are two major groups of heart failure associated with chronic hypertension injuries poorly treated and associated with ischemic heart disease. Also, other common causes include heart valve involvement, arrhythmias, congenital abnormalities, some lung diseases or use of certain drugs.

When the left side of the heart fails, fluid accumulates in the veins of the lungs, which causes shortness of breath (dyspnea) and in extreme cases can cause a disease called acute pulmonary edema. However if the pumping of the right heart chambers fails, fluid accumulates in tissues such as the abdomen or ankles. In addition to dyspnea the patient may feel palpitations, chest pain and a marked (asthenia) fatigue.

Monday, April 11, 2016

Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

The alarming increase in the number of cases worldwide has made the worthy diabetes dubious honor of being considered one of the 'disease of the century'.

What is the diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease due to a partial or total lack of effect of a hormone called insulin and is characterized by elevated glucose (sugar) levels.

There are several types of diabetes, the two most important are:
  • Type 1 diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. This type usually occurs in young people.

  • Type 2 diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. This type usually affects middle-aged or older and obese.


Other types of diabetes are also:

Gestational diabetes. It occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away after childbirth. secondary diabetes. It is triggered as a complication of another disease or symptom, as can be inflammation of the pancreas, and also by the use of certain drugs such as corticosteroids (prednisone, cortisone, Urbason) or diuretics.

What is the cause of diabetes?

Diabetes type 1

It occurs when the body does not have insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas that controls the level of glucose in the blood.

Diabetes type 2

It should either insulin production is insufficient for the needs or to the effectiveness thereof is reduced. It is believed that the cause of type 2 diabetes is associated with associated with lifestyle factors developed countries because it is more common among overweight people or among those who do not practice exercise.

Common symptoms of diabetes

When the glucose level in the blood rises, one or more symptoms appear, some of them due to the blood sugar is excreted in the urine. These symptoms are:
  • Feeling persistent thirst
  • Increase in the amount of urine
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss, even though you eat more than usual (especially in type 1 diabetes)
  • Increased appetite
  • Pruritis (itching), especially in the genital area
  • Repeated infections in the skin and vagina; cystitis
Patients with type 1 diabetes usually develop these symptoms within days or weeks. Patients with type 2 diabetes are often asymptomatic (no symptoms) and its diagnosis is made by finding elevated glucose in routine analysis.
Both types of diabetes have a hereditary component, but only ten percent of patients with type 1 diabetes have a family history of diabetes. As for the type 2, the percentage reaches thirty percent. If occurs frequently or habitually any of these symptoms it is important to discuss with your doctor to perform appropriate analysis.

How the diagnosis is made?

The diagnosis is made by determining glucose levels in blood samples by one or more of the following tests:
Determination isolated glucose

A level greater than 200 mg / dl glucose on two different occasions at any time of day establishes the diagnosis of diabetes.

Determination fasting glucose

A level exceeding 126 mg / dl obtained fasting glucose on two different days is also a diagnosis of diabetes.
Test glucose tolerance or glucose curve. It is determining glucose in blood two hours after ingesting a glucose drink. More than 200 mg / dl value sets the diagnosis of diabetes, whereas a value below 140 mg / dl is normal. However, if the level is between these values, it is possible that glucose intolerance, which is a pre-diabetes suffer step.

Patients with type 2 diabetes also tend to have:
  • Family history of diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Increased blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Blood vessel diseases such as myocardial infarction, cerebral thrombosis or lack of blood in lower limbs
  • Elevated triglycerides (a type of fat) in the blood
How is diabetes treated?

Diabetes is essentially two ways:
  • By eating habits and exercise tailored to the patient's
  • With oral medication or insulin injections
In patients with diabetes type 1 or type 2, insulin injections increase the level of the blood and lowers blood sugar.
There are several types of oral medications to treat diabetes Some type 2 increase the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas, others increase the action of insulin in the body and other delaying absorption of glucose.

The treatment of diabetes depends on the characteristics of each patient. This process begins with proper diet and a regular exercise regime. If these measures do not control the blood glucose level is necessary to resort to oral medication in type 2 diabetics, whereas in type 1 diabetics need insulin to manage.

To control your disease is essential to help and supervision of the attending physician and endocrinologist. Do not hesitate to ask for help and advice.

An important aspect of treatment is self-control, by the patient or their family of blood glucose levels. This can be done with a small easy to use device that allows you quantify (in the same household) blood glucose and thereby make adjustments in diet, exercise levels or insulin dose.

Control of diabetes and possible complications

Diabetes and its complications should be monitored by routine checks by the doctor, and regular reviews by the hospital endocrinologist. The aim of surveillance is to ensure that treatment is satisfactory (routine screening) and determine whether there were further complications (annual reviews). Also, the endocrinologist is essential for treatment when diabetes is not controlled satisfactorily with routine measures. Routine checkups every 3-6 months or when decided by your doctor should include the following aspects:
  • Blood sample to check the amount of glycated hemoglobin HbA1c.
  • Review and evaluation of self-blood glucose by the patient.
  • Discussion of questions about diet.
  • Assessment figures controlling blood pressure since last visit.
  • Weight control.
  • Any other test and tests that the doctor deems necessary to control the disease.
Annual reviews
  • Blood sample to check the amount of glycated hemoglobin
  • Analysis of cholesterol, triglycerides
  • Blood tests to determine the amount of creatinine (to assess kidney function) and sodium and potassium
  • Urinalysis to determine the presence of albumin in urine
  • Foot examination, including palpation of several arterial pulses
  • ECG (Electrocardiogram)
  • Weight
  • Measure the diameter of the waist
  • Valuation exercise habits
  • Tobacco
  • Fundus evaluation by an ophthalmologist to prevent diabetic retinopathy.
Long-term forecasts

Both types of diabetes carry risks of complications Acute complications:
  • Hypoglycemia or excessive lowering of blood sugar. Generally it is caused by drug therapy, insulin or oral hipogluceminates (oral medication)
  • Diabetic acidosis, a disorder that requires immediate medical check vital to avoid risks and is caused by lack of insulin.
Long-term complications of diabetes
  • Retinopathy, a disease of the retina that can cause blindness.
  • Diabetic neuropathy, which can cause changes in sensation, pain, ulcers and foot infections.
  • Diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage by diabetes) which may lead to renal failure.
  • Arteriosclerosis, particularly in smokers and in people who have high blood pressure.
Long-term complications are not usually develop before 10-15 years in patients with diabetes type I. However, patients with type II diabetes may have symptoms of these complications at diagnosis of diabetes, since it is possible that the latter has not been detected for a long time.

Studies show that good control of diabetes -Maintaining the blood glucose level within ranges of normality can significantly reduce complications and even prevent them from occurring.

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Long-term effects of antidepressants

Unfortunately, not much is known about the long-term problems that can arise from the use of antidepressants. In the United States, some antidepressants have been around for more than 50 years; but new drugs that act as selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are available from about 20 years ago.

To this effect, neither 20 nor 50 years of existence is too, although one would think that by now any obvious problems have arisen with antidepressants. Anyway, there is no conclusive long-term data on the risks of these drugs.

While it is simplistic to think that any medication carries risks long term, it is equally dangerous to ignore those very real risks associated with untreated depression, such as the effect on quality of life of the individual and the risk of suicide. Before taking the decision to take antidepressants, you should always talk with the prescribing physician on the balance between risks and benefits.

More is known about possible side effects in the short term. As with most drugs, the list of possible side effects of antidepressants is long and among these are dry mouth, dizziness, headache, constipation, sexual problems and many others. In a subgroup of patients, antidepressants cause weight gain. Some antidepressants increase the risk of certain heart problems.

In children and adolescents, antidepressants have been linked to increased risk of suicide, possibly because of its uncanny ability to induce unbearable internal restlessness. It is not known whether there are lasting consequences for the fact pose some short-term side effects.

However, not all side effects are negative. Some types of antidepressants are sedating, which could benefit sleep when sleep is difficult. Others, however, seem to favor the vitality, which benefits patients whose depression makes them less energy.

The antidepressant prescribing is based largely on empirical evidence and clinical experience; ie to observe what works and what does not work. a drug in the hope that the person feel better and then the treatment is continued for as long as is necessary to prevent symptoms reappear that first prompted the patient to seek treatment tested. Sometimes, it is a process of trial and error, to determine the most effective drug.

However, depression is often reappear. After an event of depression, the person is about 50% more likely to present a second event. When that happens, there is a 75% chance of suffering a third event and, thereafter, that person will very possibly recurring events of depression throughout his life.

The decision on the time of administration of antidepressants should be based on the personal situation of each individual. You and your doctor need to think about the answer to the following questions: What is the positive medication? and what the advantages outweigh the risks, both short and long term?

You do not mention if you tried psychotherapy. Worth a try or do it again, if he did as before. Research has shown that for mild to moderate depression, psychotherapy alone can be as effective as medication. If that is the case, perhaps psychotherapy can allow stopping the drug for longer periods or completely. For deep depression, treatment outcomes are better when medications and psychotherapy are used, complementing each other.

Post partum depression treatment

Postpartum depression is a common disorder that can have adverse short- and long-term maternal, newborn and family as a whole. Antidepressants are often used as the first treatment option for adults with moderate to severe depression, but there is little evidence of whether antidepressants are an effective and safe for the treatment of this disorder postnatally choice. This review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of different antidepressants and to compare its effectiveness with other forms of treatment (eg psychosocial interventions such as peer support, psychological interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy), placebo or usual treatment.



Who will be interested in this review?

Parents, professionals primary care services working with patients of childbearing age, general practitioners, professionals in the mental health of adults working with patients of childbearing age and professionals perinatal mental health services.

What questions intends to answer this review?

This review is an update of a previous Cochrane review of 2001 found insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about treatment with antidepressants in postpartum depression. Therefore, this update aims to answer the following question:

What are the effects of antidepressants compared with any other treatment, placebo or standard treatment for postpartum depression?

What studies included in the review?

We searched registers of clinical trials were made; Cochrane Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis (Cochrane Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Group); and databases of the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth (Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group) to find all high quality studies comparing antidepressants with another form of treatment, since the upper limit of the date of previous searches more recent until July 2014. We contacted pharmaceutical companies and experts in the field was established.

For inclusion in the review, studies had to be randomized controlled trials (trials in which patients were randomly assigned to one of two or more treatment groups) and had to include patients with postpartum depression (onset of depression trials to six months after delivery) not to take any antidepressant medication at the beginning of the trial.

In the review Six trials involving 596 patients were included. Although many of the studies were conducted and reported, there are some areas with significant risk of bias; for example, due to incomplete follow-up (eg in a study over 50% of participants dropped out before the primary outcome measure).

What the evidence of the review say?

The quality of the evidence in this review was assessed very poor quality due to the small number of studies, the risk of bias in included studies (particularly high proportions of participants who dropped out) and the fact that many studies excluded patients with chronic depression (ie long-term) or severe or both. It was possible to combine data from three studies comparing one type of antidepressants called selective frequently used reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) with placebo. The results showed that patients with postpartum depression who were given SSRIs were more likely to improve or recover than those who received placebo. It was not possible to combine data from studies comparing antidepressants with other treatments or usual treatment due to the very small number of studies identified for these comparisons. There was insufficient evidence to conclude whether, and for whom treatment with antidepressants and psychosocial / psychological are more effective, or if certain antidepressants are more effective or better tolerated (or both) than others. The findings also were limited by the lack of data on long-term monitoring, safety during lactation or results in children.

What should happen next?

It is a need for larger studies and treatment decisions for patients with postpartum depression should use evidence from other sources such as general adult population trials and observational studies of the safety of antidepressants in the postnatal period. Reviewers recommend that future studies in this area include patients with severe postpartum depression, long-term monitoring of psychiatric symptoms and quality of life of mothers who have been treated for postpartum depression. In addition, more evidence on outcomes for neonates, particularly with regard to safety during lactation and the effect of treatment for postpartum depression on the mother's relationship with the infant needed.

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Deafness and otitis: 2 common diseases of ear

Otitis, deafness and dizziness are the most common diseases of the ears. You can read the article published on vertigo that I link. Today I will try deafness, the 3rd most common problem of the elderly and otitis, a disease that occurs most often in children.

Deafness, a common disease in the elderly

Presbycusis or deafness of the elderly is the 3rd most common problem of the elderly after osteoarthritis and cardiovascular problems. They suffer 30% of the elderly. In Spain the figure is higher than the 1,000,000 deaf people.

Deafness is decreased hearing linked to aging and is due to a system deficit of brain integration, otosclerosis of the ossicles of the middle ear, senile dementia or cerebrovascular disease, acute trauma from exposure to noise continuously and toxic ear medicines.


Symptoms of deafness

Its symptoms are hearing loss for high-pitched sounds and something serious, deafness and social isolation due to communication difficulties.

People who are deaf, have difficulty understanding in noisy environments, very quick conversations and dulling of the location of the sound source in noisy environments. They are isolated and depressed.
  • Classification of hearing loss
  • Transmission Deafness
Prevents proper transmission of sound through the outer and middle ear.
  • Congenital malformations of the external or middle ear: no eardrum, ossicles, ear.
  • Infection or inflammation of the ear canal.
  • Infection or inflammation of the middle ear canal: timpanitis, otitis, diseases of the ossicles.
Deafness of perception

It is caused by the inability of nerve to transmit sound from the ear to the brain pathways.

Alterations of neuro-sensory organ of Corti and the auditory nerve receptors.

Hearing impairment
  • Mild: threshold decibels from 20 to 40.
  • Media: threshold between 40 and 70 decibels.
  • Severa: threshold between 70 and 90 decibels.
  • Deep: 90 decibels above the threshold.
Diagnosis and treatment of deafness

Deafness is diagnosed with an otoscope, audiometry and speech audiometry.

Its preventive measures are based on:
  • Reduce noisy environments and control the music volume.
  • Physical exercise.
  • Do not ingest harmful ear medicines.
  • Do not consume snuff or alcohol.
Diet to prevent deafness

It is based on consumption of foods rich in:
  • Vitamin A: spinach, carrot, watercress, pumpkin, borage, oranges, etc.
  • Vitamin B1: beans, peas, meat, dairy, cereals, legumes and some nuts.
  • Potassium: bananas, melons, oranges, spinach, tomato, avocado, vegetables, meats and dairy products.
  • Magnesium: milk, whole grains, legumes, nuts and some vegetables.
  • Zinc: some seafood, shrimp, nuts, milk, whole grain bread and lean meats.
Deafness is solved by using headphones. Other treatments include the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics to treat ear infections and surgery in some pathologies such as congenital, perforated eardrum, drainage of pus, etc.


Otitis, a common disease in children

Otitis is an inflammation of the ear that occurs frequently in young children and is the most frequent cause of consultation with the otolaryngologist.

Otitis media is an inflammation of the lining of the middle ear area bounded by the tympanic cavity that is separated from the outer ear by the tympanic membrane, also it contains the ossicles as the hammer, anvil and stirrup whose main function it is transmitting sound.

Classification of otitis

Otitis media can be classified into acute and chronic.

Acute otitis last less than 3 weeks and are due to catarrhal infections, influenza, staphylococcus, streptococcus, etc.

Chronic otitis last 12 weeks.
Causes of otitis

The causes are allergic processes, colds and sinus infections, excess saliva, infection or anatomical alteration of the tonsils or adenoids, irritants such as smoke and snuff.

According to the liquid that colonizes the middle ear, they are classified as serous as if it were water, mucus or purulent mucus pus mode.

Symptoms of otitis

Symptoms include severe pain that disappears when the eardrum, fever, vomiting, irritability, and if the eardrum is perforated, drilled an oozing on the outer ear.

Diagnosis and treatment of otitis

Otitis are diagnosed with otoscopy, which is the display inflamed eardrum through an otoscope.


Curative treatment is done with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories and drains through the eardrum and drainage cleaning.

Preventive treatment is done by taking the following measures:
  • Proper cleaning of the ear canal.
  • Earplugs for swimming in the pools.
  • Avoid allergies, colds and infections.
It is also very convenient to follow a proper diet rich in the following foods:
  • Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins A: spinach, carrots, watercress, borage, alhabaca, squash, tomatoes, asparagus and brussel sprouts.
  • Vegetables, meats, dairy, egg yolks, whole grains, asparagus, peas, endive and spinach: rich in B vitamins food.
  • Magnesium-rich foods: relaxing and regenerative element in otitis. What contain cheese, milk, soy, beans, spinach, corn, asparagus, pumpkins, cucumbers and whole grains.
  • Foods rich in zinc which increases our defenses to fight ear infections. It is located in shellfish, shrimp, nuts, milk, whole grain bread and lean meats.
  • Foods rich in potassium which removes fluids and infected secretions. Their sources are bananas, spinach, tomato, avocado, beans, meat, fish and dairy products.
You should also replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats found in oily fish and nuts.

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Kidney disease: renal failure and kidney disease

In this article you will find extensive information about kidney disease, its causes, types and symptoms as well as a recommended diet that includes what foods to avoid in kidney disease and what foods you should consume.

What is kidney failure

Kidney failure is the inability of the kidneys to filter urine. It may be acute with a short duration of time or chronic, in which case the patient will require a transplant or dialysis for your kidneys to filter waste from the body.

Acute kidney failure

It is a type of kidney disease begins abruptly, kidneys can recover its normal situation within a period of time.

Causes of acute renal failure

It may be due to different causes:
  • Disorders that compromise renal function as glomerulonephritis, tubular necrosis or acute pyelonephritis;
  • Obstruction which compromises the flow of urine and its elimination as prostate problems, bladder and kidney stones;
  • Ttrauma and shock, falls, accidents that cause acute renal failure.
Symptoms of acute renal failure

Symptoms of acute renal failure are little or not urinate urination, fluid retention and edema with increased urea and creatinine

Chronic renal failure

In this case, it is a progressive and irreversible destruction which kidney cells are destroyed and kidney function and endocrine functions of the kidneys is impaired.

Causes of chronic renal failure

The main causes of chronic kidney failure are diabetes, hypertensive crisis, kidney stones, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, ingestion of drugs such as analgesics, anti-inflammatory and toxic products.

Obesity, physical inactivity, diabetes and hypertension are risk factors of chronic renal failure.

Symptoms of chronic renal failure

One of the characteristics of chronic renal failure is the absence of symptoms until their stadiums become very advanced.

Symptoms are polyuria. In advanced stages anemia is deficit erythropoietin, hypertension, by dysregulation of liquid sodium and hormones involved, edema with swollen legs, ocular swelling, insomnia, itchy skin seen dry and irritated, vomiting, headache, sadness, fatigue and weakness.

The evolution of chronic renal failure is irreversible and progresses to complete loss of kidney function requiring dialysis to survive.

Classification of renal diseases

Nephropathies are renal diseases are classified according to their location.

Glomerular

Its symptom is a nephritic or nephrotic syndrome. It is chronic or acute inflammation of the glomerulus.

Primary renal disease

This type of kidney diseases have an immunologic basis. Among them are IgA deficiency, mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis and membranoproliferative.

Subacute renal disease

They evolve rapidly to acute renal failure within hours or days. Chronic evolves over the years to failure.

Secondary renal disease

Usually they occur within diabetes mellitus, vasculitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Tubuloinstersticiales

They are so called because the tubular pathologies eventually affect the interstitium and interstitial end up affecting the tubules. These include:
  • Acute infectious tubulointerstitial nephritis or acute pyelonephritis.
  • Tubulointerstitial nephritis chronic infectious or chronic pyelonephritis.
  • Toxic or drug tubulointerstitial nephritis.
  • Tubulointerstitial nephritis induced autoantibodies.
  • Obstructive uropathy.
  • Reflujovesicoureteral associated nephropathy.
  • Tubulointerstitial nephritis induced by heavy metals.
Tubulopathies

Have little impact and are simple and diabetes insipidus, tubular acidosis or complex if affected more than one mechanism as tubular Fanconi syndrome.

Vascular

In this case, decreased vascular lumen (ischemia and HAS) and complete obstruction or infarction occurs. Vein thrombosis causes hemorrhagic infarction and chronic kidney presents with nephrotic syndrome.

Main renal syndromes

Nephrotic syndrome

Indicates glomerular injury with proteinuria, hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, cholesterol levels above 250 mgs and intense and widespread eyelid edema, legs, lower back and abdominal.

Nephritic syndrome

Characterized by hematuria, proteinuria, acute renal failure happens to seriously altered the vascular wall of the glomerulus. It occurs in glomerulonephritis postinfectious.

Kidney stones: proper diet, causes, symptoms

Nephrolithiasis is the formation of kidney stones or stones inside the kidneys or bladder.

Kidney stones are formed due to the dissolved substances in urine are deselected and result in a solid accumulation.

The scarce and urinating infrequently favors the concentration of urine and stone formation, reason advised to increase water consumption.

Causes for the formation of kidney stones

Kidney stones are very common. Some are hereditary and often occur in premature infants.

Most stones are formed of calcium oxalate, which abound in people 20-30 years.

Calcium can combine with other substances such as oxalate present in certain foods such as spinach, in diseases of the small intestine and after the intake of vitamin C, causing the calcium oxalate stones.

Other types of kidney stones are magnesium ammonium phosphate, calcium phosphate, or urate.

Cystine calculi occur in people suffering from cystinuria and struvite in women with urinary tract infection.

The uric acid stones are caused by eating more frequent in men red meat and alcoholic beverages; They grow much and obstruct the ureters and bladder.

The drugs also cause calculations.

Symptoms of kidney stones
  • Localized pain in the kidney area or side, sometimes radiating to the groin or the testicles.
  • Abnormal blood and urine color.
  • Frequent infections or cystitis originating urine calculations.
  • Nausea, vomiting, sweating, swelling, chills and fever.


Diagnosis of kidney stones
  • They are diagnosed by imaging tests: CT or CAT scan, renal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen and kidney, abdominal radiography, abdomen IVP, retrograde pyelography.
  • Routine microscopic urinalysis that reveals blood or pus and small stones.
Treatment of kidney stones
  • Ultrasonic lithotripsy shock wave eliminates urinary calculi in 3-4 weeks and is to break the stones into small fragments that are easily removed.
  • Endoscopic removal of the stones by ureteroscopy.
  • You can eliminate also making the urine more alkaline, dissolving potassium citrate. Calculations can not be eliminated by this method need surgery.
Once a calculation is removed and analyzed, the specialist may prescribe a specific diet to prevent the formation of new stones.

Proper diet in case of kidney stones

Foods whose consumption should be increased in case of kidney stones

Water

Those with kidney stones do not form recalculations if they drink 2.5 liters of water a day. It has not been shown that consumption of hard water more lithogenic the soft water.

Diuretic foods

All recommended in the case of low urine foods help reduce kidney stones.

Lemon successfully used in preventing and dissolving kidney stones. Lemon effectiveness is due to its citric acid content. Citrates are excreted in the urine and increase the solubility of the calcium salts.

The alquejenje is a berry rich in citric acid with preventive action of urinary calculi.
Legumes, whole grains, fruits and vegetables rich in fibers

Fiber assists in preventing urinary calculi calcic type.

Whole grains and nuts contain magnesium, which relaxes the urinary tract. hazelnut consumption is recommended, whose regular consumption is recommended as a preventative of urate stones.

Hazelnut, whose regular consumption is recommended as a preventative of urate stones.

Gallstones: causes, symptoms, treatment and diet

Gallstones or Cholelithiasis is a disease characterized by the presence of stones or cholesterol stones in the gallbladder.

It is caused by excess cholesterol, bilirubin, and because the gallbladder does not empty properly can become very concentrated bile, which favors the formation of gallstones.

It is more common in women over 60 years.

Major risk factors for gallstones
  • The obesity.
  • Diabetes.
  • The pregnancy.
  • Follow a diet rich in fat, cholesterol and low in fiber.
  • Having a family history of gallstones.
  • Consumption of high estrogen drugs for female hormonal therapies such as birth control pills and cholesterol lowering.

Causes, symptoms and diagnosis of gallstone

Causes

Its causes are gallstones due to a failure in metabolism and an imbalance between the substances that form the bile is increased cholesterol and decreased bile acids.

Estimates of bilirubin are formed as a result of cirrhosis, liver failure or some other disorders or hemolytic anemia.

Symptoms

Gallstones are often asymptomatic.

Biliary dyspepsia is characterized by flatulence, poor digestion of fats, constipation, headaches and heavy digestions.

In biliary colic occur severe pain in the upper right abdomen and below the sternum, pain between the shoulder blades and in the right shoulder. If jaundice occurs yellowing of the skin and eyes appear.

Other symptoms include gallstone cholecystitis with complications triggers.


Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made by abdominal ultrasound, MRI, CT and X-ray contrasting gallbladder and bile ducts, ERCP to observe the biliary tract and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography.

Likewise, blood test, hematological and biochemical observing determinations of cholesterol, bilirubin.

Treatment and prevention of gallstone

Treatment

The treatment of choice is surgery with removal of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is not essential to live because bile flows from the liver to the intestine but diarrhea may occur secondary to surgery. Another treatment is medication to dissolve gallstones.

Biliary colic treatment is performed by analgesics, antiinflammatory and anti-emetics.

Oral bile salts are administered to patients with stones smaller than 1 cm made of cholesterol with normal activity of the gallbladder and adequate motility.

By eliminating contact Solvent applying inside the vesicle to dissolve calculations below 1 cm.

Extracorporeal lithotripsy allows the dissolution of stones larger than 1cm shockwave fragmenting calculations.

Prevention

To prevent gallstone 2 things are needed:
It is desirable to increase fiber intake by consuming:
  • Legumes. Its high proportion of fiber and low fat content reduce the risk of cholelithiasis.
  • Fruits: contain no fat and consumption it makes rest the gallbladder. The apple thins bile and reduces their tendency to precipitate to form stones. It is recommended consumption of fruits rich in vitamin C such as oranges, tangerines, guava, kiwi and red fruits.
  • Vegetables: Artichokes contain cinarina that facilitates the removal of the gallbladder and prevents the formation of gallstones. Radish contains sulfides increase bile production and facilitates the operation of the gallbladder.
  • Soymilk drinks which reduce the tendency to form gallstones.
It is also necessary to reduce or eliminate from the diet:
  • Fats any type of fat causes contraction of the gallbladder by a hormonal reflex mechanism which precipitates or aggravates biliary colic.
  • Dairy. Casein contained in these favors the formation of gallstones and whole milk or milk like cream and butter cause contraction of the gallbladder.
  • Large intake of sugars as this benefits the formation of gallstones.
  • Too much animal protein as encourage the formation of gallstones.