Health Care

Almost 12% of the U.S. population suffers from kidney stones, it is a growing problem across industrialized nations and thought to be associated with better standards of living. These stones develop when chemicals in the kidneys form crystals and bond together. The size of kidney stone can range from a grain of sand to the size of a golf ball. Smaller stones pass out of the system naturally but if the stone is large medical attention may be required for the treatment of kidney stones.

There are four different types of kidney stones that develop. The around 70-80% of patients suffer from calcium oxalate kidney stones, which result from increased concentration of calcium salts in the urine (hypercalciuria). In the majority of cases the cause of this is unknown although a number of contributory factors have been identified such as being male, those between 20-50 and those at risk of dehydration. It has also been found that men are more likely to develop kidney stones in summer and women in early winter.

20% of patients are likely to suffer with either uric acid stones (caused by high uric acid production, persistently acidic urine and low volume of urine) or Struvite stones which tend to result from urinary tract infections. A small number of people develop Cystine stones due to a rare inherited genetic defect.

There are several dietary factors that may assist in the prevention of kidney stones. The most important is to drink plenty of water, aim for at least 10 to 12 large glasses (2.5-3.0 litres) of water everyday. Fluids must be replaced every few hours and especially after a strenuous workout. This helps in flushing the kidneys and urinary tubes and prevents the urine from becoming too concentrated. A person susceptible to urinary infections should ensure that they drink plenty of fluid to reduce the risk of infections which can cause kidney stones. Lemonade made with real lemons may be effective as the citrate in the lemons binds to calcium in the urine thus preventing calcium oxalate formation. Try to avoid very high intakes of citrate containing foods (such a citrus fruits) however, as this may lead to high uric acid production.

Earlier wisdom connected dairy products with kidney stones but more recently research has shown that increasing calcium intake through dairy products may actually help in the treatment of kidney stones through decreasing urinary oxalate excretion. This is based on a study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health. Low fat or skimmed milk is preferential as increased body size may cause increased oxalate synthesis, thus increasing the risk of kidney stones.

The role of fibre in reducing the incidence of kidney stones is unclear however there is some evidence that a reduction in the total amount of refined carbohydrate and sugars would be beneficial. Therefore in keeping with healthy eating guidelines - try to ti choose complex, fibre rich carbohydrates such as wholegrain bread and pasta, legumes and beans.

People with a genetic presidisposition to calcium oxalate kidney stones due to an abnormality in the way they transport elements such as calcium may benefit from increased oily fish consumption or fish oil supplementation.

Only 10-15% of urinary oxalate comes from the diet, therefore a restriction on oxalate containing foods is only useful in people with calcium oxalate stones who eat a diet particularly rich in oxalates. Rich sources of oxalates include beets, rhubarb, wheat bran chocolate, tea, nuts.

Limiting the amount of protein and salt in the diet is important both in the prevention and treatment of kidney stones. Protein-containing foods such as meat, fish and poultry should be included in the diet but in small amounts - 2-3 servings a day -100-150g each. Total amount of protein should be kept below 52 g. day. A low salt diet is also advocated as this reduces dietary sodium excretion. Try to avoid adding salt to food at the table and during cooking, avoid fast food and convenience foods, limit salty snack such as cakes, peanuts and chips. Certain medications could also cause kidney stones, like thiazides, potassium citrate and allopurinol. Patients on these medications should consult their doctor and seek advice on dietary precautions for the treatment of kidney stones.

A few dietary precautions and the agony and pain of kidney stones could perhaps, be successfully avoided.

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Mitamins team bd@mitamins.net Mitamins' aim is to custom-made the best natural remedies to complement the treatment of your concerns. http://www.mitamins.com treatment of Kidney Stones(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Kidney-Stones.html)

By:Gloria MacTaggart

Dehydration is far more common and detrimental than most people think. Although many have heard of the extremes – the conditions that result in hospital visits – dehydration occurs on a gradient scale. Any departure from the ideal affects your general health and, therefore, the condition of your skin. Along with using a good shielding lotion to protect against environmental toxins and lock in your natural moisture, achieving and maintaining adequate hydration is vital to preventing or healing eczema.

How does hydration work? The body overall is about 75 percent water, but the percentage in some parts of the body is higher – for example, the brain is 80 percent, and the blood is 92 percent. These percentages are the levels required for optimal functionality, and decreasing the percentages even in small increments causes symptoms.

One study found that we begin to feel thirst when we are dehydrated by just one percent. At two percent we have trouble working, and at four percent lethargy sets in and we start to lose mental clarity. Even in the early stages, dehydration slows down the metabolism and causes problems with the digestive and circulatory systems, body and muscle aches and pains, weight gain, food cravings, and dry, itchy skin or eczema.

Although the necessity of hydration is generally recognized in the medical community, some doctors tell patients that eight glasses per day of any type of liquid will suffice. Not true. Some fluids, such as alcohol, tea and coffee, are known to dehydrate – so drinking eight cups of coffee every day leaves you in a worse condition than if you had had nothing to drink at all.

Another problem not well recognized or understood is how to get the water to the cells instead of simply being absorbed by the blood or eliminated. According to the latest research, this is a function of the cells themselves - they need to be able to absorb or ‘pull in’ the water. To do that, they need to have adequate amounts of organic minerals.

Food is your best source of these minerals – specifically raw food, like the ingredients one would include in a salad. Fresh, organically grown food is best, since it is higher in nutrient content and is grown without pesticides and other harmful substances.

So, if you’re suffering from eczema, here are your marching orders: drink eight glasses of water every day, eat plenty of raw vegetables, some raw fruit, and take an organic mineral supplement. That will hydrate your cells. Next, use a shielding lotion to keep the moisture locked in and the environmental toxins out, allowing your eczema to heal.

About the Author:

Gloria MacTaggart is a freelance writer who contributes articles on skin care for Gloves In A Bottle, Inc. For more information, visit http://www.glovesinabottle.com.