Low sodium levels in blood may affect cognitive impairment with advancing age

A lower level of sodium in the blood may affect cognitive functions with advancing age, a new study has warned.

Hyponatremia is a condition that occurs when the level of sodium in the blood falls below 135 Millimoles Per Litre (mmol/L). The results indicate that sodium levels may help preserve cognition as individuals age.

“Slightly lower sodium levels in the blood are likely to be unnoticed in clinical practice,” said the co-author of the study. “Because both slightly lower serum sodium levels and mild changes in cognitive function are common occurrences with advancing age, future research on this topic is important — including determining whether correcting lower sodium levels affects cognitive function,” the researcher added. For the study, the researchers examined information on 5,435 asymptomatic community-dwelling men aged 65 years and above who were followed for a median of 4.6 years.

A total of 100 men had serum levels indicative of hyponatremia.

The researchers found that slightly lower sodium levels in the blood were related to both cognitive impairment and declines in cognitive function over time.

Compared with men with sodium levels of 141-142 mmol/L, men with levels of 126-140 mmol/L were 30 per cent more likely to have cognitive impairment at baseline and 37 per cent more likely to experience cognitive decline over time.

They also found an association of high serum sodium (143-153 mmol/L) with cognitive decline over time.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.    

PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-                      
HTTP:GSEASYRECIPES.BLOGSPOT.COM/

FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                     

HTTP://KNEE REPLACEMENT-STICK CLUB.BLOGSPOT.COM/
FOR CROCHET DESIGNS
HTTP://MY CROCHET CREATIONS.BLOGSPOT.COM

Eating Tips For COPD

Those suffering from COPD, face many problems, wheezing, chest tightness, fatigue. But, when we learn to eat correctly, we can overcome some of our problems.

Those who feel tired while eating or feel full and get breathless, it is better to eat 4-6 smaller meals, than 3 large meals.It also requires less energy to eat, so less fatigued and will be able to absorb the nutrition better. Above all, before eating a meal, feel relaxed, rest, so that you can breathe easily.

Eat a good breakfast having lots of fibre- oats with fruits, or multigrain toast or cereal and some fruits, will not make us tired during rest of the day. So, eat a hearty breakfast to keep you energetic for the rest of the day.

Start your meal by eating the most nutritious food first, if fatigue makes you eat less. In that way, at least you get good nutrition, even if you eat less. Try to eat good quality protein. add some dairy products - cheese, curd to your meal, as it will give you extra calcium, which will help to strengthen the bones made brittle by some of the medicines prescribed for COPD.

Drink plenty of fluids- non-caffeinated drinks , which will help to keep the mucus thin and make it easier to clear your airways. During meals, drink fluids last, as you can eat properly without fluids making you full first.

Avoid caffeine-  Caffeinated drinks as mentioned earlier can interfere with your medications, can cause nervousness, restlessness, which can worsen the symptoms. Sadly, chocolates also a big NO-NO, as they've caffeine !

Avoid extra salt, as sodium in salt, can make you retain water, making it difficult to breathe. Try using spices as substitute for salt, as it adds more flavour to food and also contains useful minerals.

Eat more fibre but caution- Each of us being individuals, we react differently to different foods. Though whole grains and beans are healthy, it can cause gas and makes you bloated, making it difficult for COPD patients to breathe. So, best to keep a food dairy to know what suits a person and what causes bloating.

Potassium is good- If you're on diuretic, then you need more potassium in your diet. Oranges and bananas are good sources, which can be eaten as snacks in between meals. Potatoes and tomatoes are good to have with meals, but eating potatoes with skin is healthier.

Healthy snacks- To spread your calories for the day, eating smaller snacks is best. For snacks, it is good to have a handful of nuts, or few dates or fruits and salads with yoghurt dip. Or make smoothies with yoghurt and fruits adding some nuts to make it wholesome. Don't have canned drinks or shakes, it is always good to eat fresh fruits and vegetables.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.   

PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-                      

HTTP:GSEASYRECIPES.BLOGSPOT.COM/
FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                       

HTTP://KNEE REPLACEMENT-STICK CLUB.BLOGSPOT.COM/
FOR CROCHET DESIGNS
HTTP://MY CROCHET CREATIONS.BLOGSPOT.COM

SOME COMMON REASONS FOR SALT CRAVING

Salt craving refers to the craving for food that contains excessive amount of sodium. When a person is more inclined towards the consumption of high sodium food, or you find him or her sprinkling extra table salt over the food, then that person is probably craving for salt. There can be a number of reasons behind a sudden or chronic craving for salt, and they can be: 

1. Low Sodium Level: One and the foremost reason for a salt craving could be low level of sodium in the body. This can usually lead to neurological disorders and hypertension, if it is not treated on time. One of the primary symptoms of a system suffering from sodium depletion is excessive sweating which can lead to further loss of water and sodium from the body. This can also happen due to stress or a lot of physical exertion. One must keep drinking water in order to replenish one’s reserves, during a workout or any sports activities.
2. Addison’s Disease: This is another condition that can lead to salt cravings. In this condition, the body goes through a fluid imbalance because the adrenal glands do not secrete the required hormones in the appropriate quantity. This also leads to excretion of urinary sodium, which can also cause symptoms like dehydration and pain in the abdomen. When these hormones are not secreted properly, the kidneys cannot regulate the sodium level which can lead to high sodium cravings. Therefore, one must get a proper diagnosis done with urine and other lab tests so that any damage involving the kidneys can be studied and reported.
3. Menstrual Cycle: There are a number of hormonal changes that happen when women go through their menstrual cycle or monthly period. When a woman is going through bleeding as well as ovulation, the hormones that are released can cause one to crave sodium rich food. This is because these hormones can cause an alteration of the taste buds.
4. Opiate Withdrawal: Patients who are addicted to opiates and are going through withdrawal symptoms after they have stopped the consumption of opiates end up going through severe sodium cravings. This kind of addiction is usually caused by neurological reactions within the brain. This happens when the sodium and pleasure seeking centre of the brain gets stimulated.

How to Treat Salt Cravings: To begin with, one will have to get all the tests done so as o find out the exact cause of the sudden cravings. Also, it is imperative to bring down your intake of sodium and specially processed food, which is usually very high when it comes to sodium content. One should not have more than 2400 Mg of table salt in a day, as per varied medical reports. 

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   
 

SURPRISING REASONS FOR WEIGHT GAIN

What's With the Weight Gain?
If you started taking in more calories than usual or cutting back on exercise, you wouldn't be surprised if the numbers on the scale crept higher. But what if you're doing everything the same as you always do and your weight still goes up? It's time to delve a little deeper into what else might be going on.

Lack of Sleep
There are two issues at work with sleep and weight gain. The first is intuitive: If you're up late, the odds are greater that you're doing some late-night snacking, which will increase your calorie intake. The other reason involves what's going on biochemically when you're sleep deprived. Changes in hormone levels increase hunger and appetite and also make you feel not as full after eating.

Stress
When life's demands get too intense, our bodies go into survival mode: Cortisol, the "stress hormone," is secreted, which causes an increase in appetite. And then of course, we may reach for high-calorie comfort foods in times of stress as well. This combination is a perfect breeding ground for weight gain.

Antidepressants
An unfortunate side effect from some antidepressants is weight gain. Talk to your doctor about making changes to your treatment plan if you think your antidepressant is causing weight gain. But never stop or change your medication on your own. Realize that some people experience weight gain after beginning drug treatment simply because they're feeling better, which leads to a better appetite. Also, depression itself can cause changes in weight.

Steroids
Anti-inflammatory steroid medications like prednisone are notorious for causing weight gain. Fluid retention and increased appetite are the main reasons. Although weight gain is common, the severity of this side effect depends on the strength of the dose and length of time on the drug. Some people may also see a temporary redistribution of fat while taking the drug -- to places like the face, back of the neck, or the abdomen.

Drugs That May Cause Weight Gain
Several other prescription drugs have been associated with weight gain. The list includes antipsychotic drugs (used to treat mood disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorders), along with medications to treat migraines, seizures, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Work with your doctor to find a medication that treats your symptoms without disrupting side effects.

Don't Jump to Blame the Pill
Contrary to popular belief, there is lack of evidence that combination birth control pills (estrogen and progestin) cause lasting weight gain. It is thought that some women taking the combination pill may experience some weight gain related to fluid retention, but this is usually short-term. If you're still concerned about possible weight gain, talk to your healthcare provider.

Hypothyroidism
If your thyroid (the butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck) is not making enough thyroid hormone, you're probably feeling tired, weak, cold, and gaining weight. Without enough thyroid hormone, the metabolism slows, making weight gain more likely. Even a thyroid functioning at the lower end of the normal range might cause weight gain. Treating hypothyroidism with medication may reverse some of the weight gain.

Don't Blame Menopause
Most women do gain some weight around the time of menopause, but hormones probably aren't the only cause. Aging slows the metabolism, so you burn fewer calories, and changes in lifestyle (such as exercising less) play a role. But where you gain weight also may be related to menopause, with fat accumulating around your waist, not your hips and thighs.

Cushing's Syndrome
Weight gain is a common symptom of Cushing's syndrome, a condition in which you are exposed to too much of the hormone cortisol, which in turn causes weight gain and other abnormalities. Cushing's syndrome can occur if you take steroids for asthma, arthritis, or lupus. It can also occur when your adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone, or be related to a tumor. The weight gain may be most prominent around the face, neck or upper back, or waist.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a common hormonal problem in women of childbearing age. Most women with PCOS grow many small cysts on their ovaries. The condition leads to hormone imbalances that affect a woman's menstrual cycle and can lead to excessive body hair and acne. Women with this condition are resistant to insulin, which may cause weight gain. The weight tends to collect around the abdomen, putting these women at greater risk for heart disease.

Quitting Smoking
On average, people who stop smoking gain less than 10 pounds. Why? Because without nicotine you may:
Feel hungrier and eat more (this feeling should go away after several weeks)
Experience a decrease in your metabolism, without reducing your calorie intake
Find food tastes better, which may lead to overeating
Eat more high-fat, high-sugar snacks and drink more alcohol

Rule 1: If You Do Gain Weight ...
Don't stop taking any medications without first consulting your doctor. Recognize the importance of the drug you're taking. It may be critical to your health.

Rule 2: If You Do Gain Weight ...
Don't compare yourself to other people taking the same drug. Not all people experience the same side effects on the same drug. Even if one drug caused someone else to lose weight, the same might not be true for you. Consult your doctor.

Rule 3: If You Do Gain Weight ...
Don't freak out if the weight gain is just from water retention, which is not permanent weight or fat. Once you've finished taking the drug or gotten the medical condition under control, the puffiness from fluid retention may subside. Stick to a lower-sodium diet in the meantime.

Rule 4: If You Do Gain Weight ...
Check with your doctor about another drug you can take. In many cases, your doctor can switch you to another medication that might not have the same side effects.

Rule 5: If You Do Gain Weight ...
Learn if the weight gain is from a decrease in metabolism -- from either a medical condition or medication. And if so, take the time to participate in metabolism-raising activities. Get moving!

ps- this is only for information, always consult you physician before having any particular food/ medication/exercise/other remedies.

ps- those interested in recipes are free to view my blog-

http://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/

for info about knee replacement, you can view my blog-

http://Knee replacement-stick club.blogspot.com/

for crochet designs

http://My Crochet Creations.blogspot.com