15 Daily Habits That Damage 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-KillersDaily \

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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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

The Common Symptoms & Management Of Stress In Women

It certainly feels terrible to be stressed, but the effects of this terrible malady on the body are so much more than just unpleasant. The physiological effects of stress on the human body range from hair loss to serious health conditions like hypertension and depression, no wonder psychologists and doctors alike take it so seriously.

But you probably knew all that already. What you might have not known, however, is that stress manifests itself differently in men and women. In this article, we will focus on the symptoms of stress in women, and then we will discuss how to treat it without going to therapy or taking antidepressants.

 How Is Stress Different In Women?
We know that stress is our body’s reaction to danger, both immediate and chronic. A 2000 study revealed that women and men may have a different reaction and sensitivity to stress.

While men usually react to stress by the “fight or flight” response, women tend to do the opposite: instead of fleeing from the dangerous situation, they try to react to the dangerous situation by forming bonds with other people, which got the nickname “tend or befriend” response.

This difference in sexes is suggested to be an evolutionary development, as in the distant past, women were the primary caregivers and had to provide for their children first, whereas men were the hunters who usually had to react fast in a dangerous situation.

Whether or not this theory is true, we know that, on average, women are more stressed than men, which suggests that they are more susceptible to the adverse effects of stress.

These adverse effects are both physiological and mental, and can be categorized into the following 7 categories:
1. Stomach Issues
Many women report that they either lose appetite or start eating more (usually junk and comfort foods) when they’re stressed. This may change, too: one situation can upset your stomach, whereas another can make you eat more.

Irrespective of the changes in diet, the most common stomach issues caused by stress are:

    Cramps
    Bloating
    Heartburn
    Changes in weight

A 2017 study in the journal Frontiers in System Neuroscience even suggested that stress can cause irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

2. Heart Problems
Chronic stress raises the amount of adrenaline and cortisol in blood, both of which are hormones associated with hypertension. This can have a negative effect on the cardiovascular system and may contribute to stroke and heart attack.

Also, some studies associate stress with changes in blood clotting, which also increases the risk of a heart attack.

3. Skin Reactions
Your skin, hair and nails are especially sensitive to stress. This is likely because of the hormonal changes due to stress, and every woman who ever had a hormonal breakout knows very well what hormones can do to the skin. The most-common skin reactions include:
    Acne
    Rosacea and psoriasis flare-ups
    Hives or rash
    Hair loss
    Brittle nails

Luckily, the symptoms of these conditions tend to subside when the stressful period is over, but do take into account that you will have to take better care of your skin and use gentle and non-irritating skin care products when you know you're stressed.

4. Disrupted Sleep
Consistently high levels of cortisol in the blood, a signature feature of chronic stress, affect the so-called HPA loop, which is a relationship between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenal gland.
Unfortunately, the same loop controls our sleep cycles, so when you're stressed and the HPA loop is too active, you often feel tired, yet unable to fall asleep. Furthermore, even the quality of sleep decreases as the transition between the various sleep cycles is disrupted.

5. Emotional Disturbances
Chronic stress can cause a variety of emotional disturbances and even mental illness:

    Anxiety
    Depression
    Irritability
    Mood swings
    Compulsive behavior (such as addiction).
As alarming as it may sound, there is even a study that showed that higher levels of anger are commonly linked to both mental stress and even the likelihood of a stress-related heart attack.

6. Difficulty Concentrating and Memory Issues
Researchers found that certain hormones secreted after a stressful event can potentially impair memory and concentration. Also, an animal study found that stressed rats had more memory issues than the non-stressed control group.
The same is suggested to occur in humans, as many patients report that they have difficulties focusing or remembering important information when they're stressed.

7. Lowered Immunity
The American Psychological Association suggests that stressful events and negative emotional experiences can take a toll on your immune system, which can make you more susceptible to a cold, but also to any other infectious disease.

They conclude that managing stress is crucial for you to regain your ability to fight off germs. The next section is exactly about that, the most basic lifestyle change you can make to be less stressed.

How To Deal With Stress

Therapy and medications can certainly get you through a stressful period in your life, but the following changes in lifestyle can also significantly improve your stress symptoms:

1. Improve your diet
When you’re stressed out and you have no time to do anything, you’re more likely to settle for a snack or junk food instead of a healthy and nutritious meal.

You have to resist this urge and try to improve your diet, include more leafy greens and colorful vegetables in your diet, as in the past years there is more and more scientific evidence suggesting that a healthy diet can help you fight anxiety and depression, and, certainly, stress. 

2. Make time for exercise
When you exercise and spend more time outdoors, your brain releases chemicals associated with happiness and well-being, such as the neurochemical oxytocin, the levels of which drop dramatically during stressful periods in your life.

So, lift your mood while you’re getting in shape by normalizing your oxytocin levels.

3. Find fun ways to relax
Women often seek connection and meaning in life when they feel stressed, and what your gut tells you is exactly what you should do, in this case.

Distracting yourself by doing activities that require a lot of concentration is another effective method of fighting off stress, as reported in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry in 2017.

So, find or rediscover your old hobby, participate in engaging conversations with family and friends and just do something meaningful.

4. Hugs
Let’s end our list of recommendations on a happy note and with a non-trivial tip. It turns out that hugs, especially long hugs lasting up to 20 seconds, may have the same effect on your brain as a morning jog, as reported in a 2018 study. Like exercise, hugs raise the levels of oxytocin in blood, which may just be enough to compensate for that stressful day at work.

In this specific article, we mentioned just some selected treatments of stress. We have a separate dedicated article on stress and anxiety management, which highly recommend to read as well.

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