Be Careful Outdoors If You’re Taking These Medications

Late spring and summer is the time to get out of the house and into the garden. It is also the season to travel, especially to warm tropical resorts. All of this means that we spend a lot more time outdoors when the weather is hot, often idle of the way these warm summer temperatures mix with our medications. The truth is that many medications can make your body more susceptible to heat and sun damage, which can manifest itself in skin rashes, dehydration and overheating. 

 

In severe cases, overheating can progress into stroke and can be fatal, with the CDC reporting over 8.000 heatwave-related deaths between 1999 and 2010, primarily among the elderly and newborns. A variety of both over-the-counter and prescription medications can cause these adverse symptoms, the major groups of which we will discuss below.

1. Antibiotics 

Protecting your skin from the sun is important every day, but certain antibiotics may further increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun, especially in hot weather. This sensitivity usually manifests itself in the form of severe sunburns, itchy and painful rashes, eczema or psoriasis flare-ups, as well as increases your risk of developing skin cancer.

Many groups of broad-spectrum antibiotics can make you photosensitive, too, including quinolones, tetracyclines, and sulfonamides. The popular antibiotic Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), too, can cause skin rashes. To prevent these adverse effects, you have to be very prudent with your sun protection: stay away from direct sunlight, always wear protective clothing and apply sunblock on the areas not covered with clothes every 2 hours you spend outdoors. 

 

2. Antidepressants 

Temperature regulation is a vital function of the human body, and poor regulation in the heat can land you in the hospital if you’re not careful. If you experience headaches, dizziness, nausea or feel otherwise uncomfortable or sick after a short period of time spent outdoors in hot weather, you might be more vulnerable to heat damage than most people, and antidepressants can be to blame for these uncomfortable symptoms. 

 

Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (Elavil), can inhibit the body’s ability to sweat, which makes it difficult for your body to lose excess heat. Be careful and avoid spending a lot of time outdoors if you’re taking these medications.

3. Diuretics and Laxatives 

Everyone knows that it’s necessary to drink water constantly when you’re in the sun, otherwise you can easily become dehydrated. Dehydration, in turn, becomes apparent when one experiences headaches, confusion, a dry mouth, and lips, or dizziness. Severe dehydration can cause urinary problems, seizures, heat injury and even hypovolemic shock, which is a life-threatening condition caused by a lack of blood volume in the body. 

 

Diuretics, e.g. furosemide (Lasix), as well as laxatives, urge you to urinate more and can even inhibit your thirst, which, in turn, can make you more susceptible to dehydration, so it’s necessary for you to drink at least 2 liters (0.5 gallons) of water every day, unless otherwise suggested by your doctor.

 

 

4. Anti-diabetic medications 

Much like antibiotics, some anti-diabetic medications (sulfonylureas), too can make your skin more photosensitive and cause burns and rashes. Other medications that can have a similar effect on the body are anti-cancer medications and even acne medications (Retin-A and salicylic acid). 

 

That’s why it is extremely important to ask a medical specialist how each medication may affect you or a loved one during the summer months. The likelihood of developing skin photosensitivity will vary depending on the dosage of the drug, as well as the intensity of the sun and the time you spend outside

5. Parkinson medications and antipsychotics 

 Medications that inhibit neural pathways, too, make your temperature regulation worse, as they can either block the neural impulses that tell your skin to start sweating in hot weather or the impulses that tell your brain the temperature is on the rise. These drugs include the common Parkinson’s medication benztropine (Cogentin), as well as medications that control your mental health, such as haloperidol (Haldol) and risperidone (Risperdal). 

 

These medications can make it more difficult for the body to start sweating and release heat, which increases the risk of overheating. Needless to say, consult your doctor as to how much time spent in hot weather is safe for you or your loved ones and don’t make any unconfirmed changes in your or your loved one’s medications. 

 

6. Heart medications

Certain heart medications can slow the flow of blood to the skin, which makes it harder for a person taking those drugs to rid the skin of excess heat. These medications include beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, which are blood pressure medications that slow your heartbeat with the aim to lower your blood pressure. If you’re taking one of these medications, monitor how you feel when you spend time outdoors. 

 

If you experience any nausea, your heartbeat changes or you feel dizzy or confused, rush to an air-conditioned and shady location and if your symptoms continue even then, call a doctor. 

 

To prevent your body from overheating in the summer months, wear light summer clothing and a hat, drink water, and bring your own shade if you’re planning to spend a lot of time outside. 

 

7. Over-the-counter medications 

Although the majority of medications that make you more vulnerable to heat are prescription medications, some over-the-counter meds can have the same effect. Anti-allergy medications, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), for example, also increases the risk of overheating because it inhibits sweating. 

 

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen, on the other hand, promote dehydration and increase one’s risk of kidney failure because they have a damaging effect on the kidneys. Thus, make sure to drink plenty of water and stay away from the sun if you’re taking any of these medications. It is especially dangerous to spend time outdoors when the sun is at its peak (from late morning to the afternoon), so try to stay indoors during this time.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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These Habits Are Damaging Our Kidneys!

It's hard to notice when we do our kidneys harm. Even if 80% damaged, kidneys can still do their job, and so we rarely realize they're struggling. Often, even common daily habits can cause your kidneys continual damage, and when you finally discover something's wrong, it's too late.

Our kidneys are incredible organs that work very hard. By themselves, they absorb minerals and nutrients, produce hormones, act as a filter for toxins in our blood, produce our urine and maintain a normal acid to alkaline ratio. We cannot live without our kidneys functioning properly. The Chinese, for example, have looked at the kidneys as a site of essential life force for centuries.

If you're serious about looking after yourself, then taking care of your kidneys should be one of your primary concerns. If you want to make sure your kidneys thrive and continue to serve you in the coming years ahead, here's a helpful list of habits you should definitely avoid: 

 

1. Drinking Soda  

A study conducted on employees working at Osaka University in Japan found that drinking 2 or more soda drinks a day (either diet or regular) may well be connected to a higher risk of kidney disease. The study included 12,000 people, and those who drank larger quantities of soda were found to have protein in their urine, which is one of the first signs of kidney damage. However, early detection can reverse the disease with proper treatment. 

 

2. A Deficiency in Vitamin B6 

The healthy function of our kidneys also depends on a healthy diet, especially one that contains certain nutrients. According to a study carried out at the University of Maryland, a vitamin B6 deficiency increases the risk of the formation of kidney stones. For healthy kidney function, a person should have at least 1.3 milligrams of vitamin B6 in their food every day. The best sources for this vitamin are fish, beef liver, potatoes, starchy vegetables, chickpeas and non-citrus fruits. 

 

3. Lack of Exercise  

Another good way of protecting your kidneys is to get some exercise. A comprehensive study published in 2013 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that postmenopausal women who exercised had a striking 31% less risk of developing kidney stones. 

 

4. Smoking

Perhaps not surprisingly, smoking has been linked to atherosclerosis - the narrowing and hardening of blood vessels - which influences the blood supply going to all the major organs, including the kidneys. According to a study published in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, just smoking 2 cigarettes a day is enough to double the number of endothelial cells (the cells that line our blood vessel walls) present in your bloodstream. This is a sign of arterial damage. 

 

5. Magnesium Deficiency 

Magnesium helps our body to slow down the absorption of calcium. If we don't get enough magnesium, we get overloaded in calcium and, once again, develop kidney stones. To prevent this from happening, add some leafy vegetables, seeds, nuts or beans to your diet. Another good source of magnesium is fresh avocados. 

 

6. Not Drinking Enough Water  

One of the most important things for our kidneys is for them to get hydrated enough to perform their functions. If we don't get enough water in our system, toxins start accumulating in our blood because there isn't enough fluid to take them through the kidneys. The National Kidney Foundation recommends drinking at least 8 glasses of water every day. An easy way to check if you're drinking enough is to make sure your urine is a light color or clear. If it's dark, you're not drinking enough. You can check the color of your urine with this helpful guide. 

 

7. Not Emptying Your Bladder Fast Enough 

When you hear the call to pee, you should listen to it. Obviously, we're not always in the right situation to pee right when the need arises, but if you 'hold it in' on a regular basis, it will increase the pressure of urine on your kidneys, which can lead to renal failure or incontinence. 

 

8. Disrupted Sleep

I just love a good night's sleep and, as it turns out, so do my kidneys. According to Science Daily, a chronic disruption in our sleep can cause kidney disease. Dr. Michael Sole, Cardiologist and Professor of Medicine and Physiology at the University of Toronto, says kidney tissues get renewed during the night while we're sleeping, so when we can't sleep without constant interruptions, our kidneys suffer direct damage. 

 

9. Having Too Much Sodium in Our Diet 

Salt is an important nutrient, but it can cause a disaster when taken in excessive amounts. Over-consumption of sodium will raise your blood pressure and put a lot of strain on your kidneys. We recommend limiting yourselves to no more than 5.8 grams (0.2 ounces) of salt per day. So put down that salt shaker! 

 

10. Consuming Too Much Caffeine 

We usually drink more caffeine than we think we do. It's in coffee, tea, soft drinks and sodas - before you know it, your body is full of caffeine, which causes your blood pressure to shoot through the roof, and your kidneys to suffer damage. 

 

11. Consuming Too Much Protein 

According to a study conducted at Harvard University, an overdose of protein in our diet can cause our kidneys damage. When we digest protein, our body produces a byproduct - ammonia. Ammonia is a toxin that your already hardworking kidneys need to neutralize. This means that the more protein we consume, the harder we make our kidneys work, which can eventually lead to kidney failure. 

 

12. Abusing Pain-Killers

Many of us have a daily routine of taking medications. When we suffer from pain, our first reaction is usually to swallow a pill. They do help the pain, but you should think twice before taking too many. All pharmaceutical drugs have side effects, and many of them cause kidney or liver damage. Check out some natural painkillers you can find or make at home. That said, some drugs SHOULD be taken, which brings us to my next point...

13. Not Taking Certain Drugs You Need 

If you suffer from high blood pressure and/or type 2 diabetes, two very common conditions these days, you will probably also suffer kidney damage. Don't leave these conditions untreated - take your daily meds to reduce your blood pressure and control your insulin levels. Without them, you're almost guaranteed to suffer kidney damage. 

 

14. Not Treating Common Infections 

Sometimes, we all get lazy and ignore a simple cold or a flu, which can push our body to the brink of exhaustion. Studies have shown, however, that people who do not rest or treat their infections often end up with kidney disease. 

 

15. Consuming Too Much Alcohol  

Now this is a no-brainer. The toxins in alcohol not only damage the liver, like many believe, but they are also something your kidneys simply hate to deal with. According to Kidney Health Australia and the American Kidney Fund, one good way of avoiding kidney failure is drinking alcohol in moderation.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

 

These Habits Are Damaging Our Kidneys!

It's hard to notice when we do our kidneys harm. Even if 80% damaged, kidneys can still do their job, and so we rarely realize they're struggling. Often, even common daily habits can cause your kidneys continual damage, and when you finally discover something's wrong, it's too late. 00:16Ad

Our kidneys are incredible organs that work very hard. By themselves, they absorb minerals and nutrients, produce hormones, act as a filter for toxins in our blood, produce our urine and maintain a normal acid to alkaline ratio. We cannot live without our kidneys functioning properly. The Chinese, for example, have looked at the kidneys as a site of essential life force for centuries.

If you're serious about looking after yourself, then taking care of your kidneys should be one of your primary concerns. If you want to make sure your kidneys thrive and continue to serve you in the coming years ahead, here's a helpful list of habits you should definitely avoid:

1. Drinking Soda 

A study conducted on employees working at Osaka University in Japan found that drinking 2 or more soda drinks a day (either diet or regular) may well be connected to a higher risk of kidney disease. The study included 12,000 people, and those who drank larger quantities of soda were found to have protein in their urine, which is one of the first signs of kidney damage. However, early detection can reverse the disease with proper treatment. 

 

2. A Deficiency in Vitamin B6 

The healthy function of our kidneys also depends on a healthy diet, especially one that contains certain nutrients. According to a study carried out at the University of Maryland, a vitamin B6 deficiency increases the risk of the formation of kidney stones. For healthy kidney function, a person should have at least 1.3 milligrams of vitamin B6 in their food every day. The best sources for this vitamin are fish, beef liver, potatoes, starchy vegetables, chickpeas and non-citrus fruits. 

 

3. Lack of Exercise 

Another good way of protecting your kidneys is to get some exercise. A comprehensive study published in 2013 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that postmenopausal women who exercised had a striking 31% less risk of developing kidney stones. 

 

4. Smoking

Perhaps not surprisingly, smoking has been linked to atherosclerosis - the narrowing and hardening of blood vessels - which influences the blood supply going to all the major organs, including the kidneys. According to a study published in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, just smoking 2 cigarettes a day is enough to double the number of endothelial cells (the cells that line our blood vessel walls) present in your bloodstream. This is a sign of arterial damage. 

 

5. Magnesium Deficiency 

Magnesium helps our body to slow down the absorption of calcium. If we don't get enough magnesium, we get overloaded in calcium and, once again, develop kidney stones. To prevent this from happening, add some leafy vegetables, seeds, nuts or beans to your diet. Another good source of magnesium is fresh avocados. 

 

6. Not Drinking Enough Water 

One of the most important things for our kidneys is for them to get hydrated enough to perform their functions. If we don't get enough water in our system, toxins start accumulating in our blood because there isn't enough fluid to take them through the kidneys. The National Kidney Foundation recommends drinking at least 8 glasses of water every day. An easy way to check if you're drinking enough is to make sure your urine is a light color or clear. If it's dark, you're not drinking enough. You can check the color of your urine with this helpful guide.

7. Not Emptying Your Bladder Fast Enough 

When you hear the call to pee, you should listen to it. Obviously, we're not always in the right situation to pee right when the need arises, but if you 'hold it in' on a regular basis, it will increase the pressure of urine on your kidneys, which can lead to renal failure or incontinence. 

 

8. Disrupted Sleep

I just love a good night's sleep and, as it turns out, so do my kidneys. According to Science Daily, a chronic disruption in our sleep can cause kidney disease. Dr. Michael Sole, Cardiologist and Professor of Medicine and Physiology at the University of Toronto, says kidney tissues get renewed during the night while we're sleeping, so when we can't sleep without constant interruptions, our kidneys suffer direct damage. 

 

9. Having Too Much Sodium in Our Diet 

Salt is an important nutrient, but it can cause a disaster when taken in excessive amounts. Over-consumption of sodium will raise your blood pressure and put a lot of strain on your kidneys. We recommend limiting yourselves to no more than 5.8 grams (0.2 ounces) of salt per day. So put down that salt shaker! 

 

10. Consuming Too Much Caffeine 

We usually drink more caffeine than we think we do. It's in coffee, tea, soft drinks and sodas - before you know it, your body is full of caffeine, which causes your blood pressure to shoot through the roof, and your kidneys to suffer damage. 

 

11. Consuming Too Much Protein 

According to a study conducted at Harvard University, an overdose of protein in our diet can cause our kidneys damage. When we digest protein, our body produces a byproduct - ammonia. Ammonia is a toxin that your already hardworking kidneys need to neutralize. This means that the more protein we consume, the harder we make our kidneys work, which can eventually lead to kidney failure. 

 

12. Abusing Pain-Killers

Many of us have a daily routine of taking medications. When we suffer from pain, our first reaction is usually to swallow a pill. They do help the pain, but you should think twice before taking too many. All pharmaceutical drugs have side effects, and many of them cause kidney or liver damage. Check out some natural painkillers you can find or make at home. That said, some drugs SHOULD be taken, which brings us to my next point...

13. Not Taking Certain Drugs  

You Need If you suffer from high blood pressure and/or type 2 diabetes, two very common conditions these days, you will probably also suffer kidney damage. Don't leave these conditions untreated - take your daily meds to reduce your blood pressure and control your insulin levels. Without them, you're almost guaranteed to suffer kidney damage. 

 

14. Not Treating Common Infections 

Sometimes, we all get lazy and ignore a simple cold or a flu, which can push our body to the brink of exhaustion. Studies have shown, however, that people who do not rest or treat their infections often end up with kidney disease. 

 

15. Consuming Too Much Alcohol 

Now this is a no-brainer. The toxins in alcohol not only damage the liver, like many believe, but they are also something your kidneys simply hate to deal with. According to Kidney Health Australia and the American Kidney Fund, one good way of avoiding kidney failure is drinking alcohol in moderation.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement