Ten symptoms that may be warning you of Kidney Disease for Geriatrics

Ten symptoms that may be warning you of Kidney Disease for Geriatrics

The initial symptoms of kidney disease are so subtle that one may spend years without finding it out. Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD) does not change into Kidney failure overnight, it usually takes a long course spanning years. With proper management CKD can be successfully stopped from becoming fatal for Geriatrics.

As mentioned earlier one should know that one is suffering from CKD to manage it effectively. For this that one pays attention to the first beginning signs of CKD. We are enumerating below ten possible symptoms of CKD. If you spot any of the following in yourself or your acquaintance, it is best to consult a doctor immediately to find out the best course of action.

Symptom 1: Urine trouble

Kidneys are responsible for the formation of urine, with a weakening kidney the urine is bound to show changes like:

• Urge to urinate at night
• Foamy or bubbly urine
• Increase in frequency of urination or in larger amounts of pale coloured urine OR decrease in frequency of urination and dark coloured urine
• Presence of blood in the urine
• Difficulty in the process of urination

Symptom 2: Swelling

A functionally impaired kidney is not able to effectively remove excess fluids from the body, causing accumulation of fluids that lead to swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, hands, and/or face.

Symptom 3: Tiredness

Kidneys are responsible for the formation of hormone erythropoietin. This hormone propels the body to make oxygen-carrying red blood cells. The production of erythropoietin reduces in a failing kidney thereby decreasing red blood cells which means there are lesser number of red blood cells to transport oxygen, making the muscles and brain tire quickly. This condition is referred to as Anemia medically and is curable with treatment.

Symptom 4: Un-easiness and itching

Kidneys filter the waste from the body a weak kidney is unable to effectively remove wastes from the blood, causing a build up of waste that can cause skin rashes, itchiness or uneasiness.

Symptom 5: Ammonia breath or metallic residue in the mouth

As mentioned earlier a failing kidney can cause a collection of waste in the blood, called uremia. This uremia can cause bad breath and metallic taste in the mouth. The suffering individual might also feel a loss of appetite because of this condition.

Symptom 6: Vomiting and nausea

The build up of waste in the blood can also cause sensation of vomiting and nausea in the patient, leading to a consequent loss of appetite and losing weight.

Symptom 7: Short breath

The water build up in the body can collect in the lungs making breathing difficult or shortage of oxygen carrying red blood cells can also make a person short on breath.

Symptom 8: Cold sensation

Anemia will make the person feel the cold severely, to the extent that the person may be cold even in a warm room.

Symptom 9: Shorter concentration levels and dizziness

A failing kidney means the body is not getting adequate amounts of oxygen carrying red blood cells; this can lead to trouble remembering things, lower levels of concentration and feeling of dizziness.

Symptom 10: Pain in the legs/flank

The back side of the affected kidney at times becomes painful in certain patients.

If you spot any of the above mentioned symptoms, take care to consult a doctor immediately, lest it becomes a fatal problem for geriatric years later.

For more information visit us http://www.healthfore.com/. HealthFore Technologies Limited is a global healthcare IT solutions and advisory services company. Our patient-centric healthcare solutions focus on wellness, preventive care and condition management. Our information and health advisory services ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment of diseases. We create mass awareness to improve the quality of life through self-care.

Old Age Walking Problems

Old Age Walking Problems

Walking is said to be the best form of exercise in any age and especially in advanced years but unfortunately twenty percent of the seniors complain of walking problems. This percentage goes up to fifty percent or more as we take the instance of those above 85. The reason behind this has been usually seen to be an underlying disease.

Common causes of walking problems

Walking problem suffered with old age are generally not the consequence of old age but a result of other co-morbidities due to old age. These underlying acute illnesses are the basic reasons that are behind walking problems in old age. Some of them are-

• Joint diseases like Arthritis
• Muscles or bones disease
• Stroke
• Complications caused by Orthopedic surgery
• Suffering from Low blood pressure on standing
• Dementia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Difficulty maintaining balance
• Vision problems
• Falls due to old age
• Symptoms like stiffness, numbness, dizziness, pain or any other abnormal     movement

Poor fitness levels, heart diseases, etc can also make older people to face walking problems. These underlying conditions need attention and improvement for a problem free walking experience.

 Evaluating walking problems

The health care provider usually begins assessing the walking problem with a careful medical history in order to find out the exact cause of factors causing trouble with mobility. Indirect factors like Thyroid problems, heart disease, acute illness, vision problem or other diseases that can affect coordination, stability, posture or strength will also be enquired about by the healthcare practitioner. It is also important that you provide the practitioner details about the medications you are on. This will help him/her to check if the drug interactions or reactions are not the ones playing truant and causing walking problems.

In short the medical practitioner will undertake a complete physical examination to unearth any problem related to vision, blood pressure, joints, limbs, neck or spine. The healthcare provider may even recommend diagnostic tests and laboratory tests if your physical condition so required.

The medical practitioner may also conduct a couple of tests to evaluate balance, walking speed and motion that might contribute to the risk of falls.

Treatment of walking problems

Mostly the walking problem, one diagnosed correctly is only partially treatable, that is you might not be able to walk as earlier. The treatment focuses on improvement of the walking function. The result also depends on the severity and type of the condition causing the walking problem.

If the walking problem is caused by thyroid problems, Parkinson’s disease, B12 or Folic acid deficiency, or nerve inflammation medical therapy can help improve the walking problem. The practitioner may suggest a number of balance, leg resistance training and flexibility exercises to improve the condition.

Practitioners often recommend surgery for old age people suffering from Arthritis of the hip or knee or spinal disc problems. A number of older adults who have compressed discs in the lower back have shown considerable improvement in walking after surgery.

Use of additional support in the form of orthoses like “lifts” (corrective measure for different leg lengths) has also seen to help. It is also advisable for the seniors to wear well fitting walking shoes that have low heels and thin firm soles to ward away walking problems. A number of other mobility aids like canes or walkers can also help the seniors walk better.

Relieve Your Menstrual Cramps, Naturally

Relieve Your Menstrual Cramps, Naturally

The time of the month is approaching and you are becoming apprehensive, simply due to the menstrual cramps. Women all across the world experience the menstrual cramps in different degrees and it affects approximately 60 to 80 percent of the teenage girls and 50 percent of the women of the reproductive age.  Menstrual cramps results due to the contraction of the uterus. Normally like all the muscles, the uterus too contract and relax. But, during the monthly cycle, the contractions of the uterus are stronger.

Some women have little to mild cramping, whereas some are forced to be bedridden for one or two days due to menstrual cramp. The cramps are generally experienced in the lower abdomen and sometimes the menstrual cramps occur in the lower back area or in the thigh. In the medical term, menstrual cramps are known as dysmenorrhea.

Some of the women use birth control pills or ibuprofen to eliminate the pain and also the various discomforts associated with the menstrual cramps. But the health experts state that there are some major and minor risks associated with the usage of birth control pills for cramps. The major risks can even be life threatening and includes heart attacks, stroke, blood clot and the risk enhances if you smoke cigarettes.

There are also certain side effects associated with the usage of ibuprofen which include diarrhea, fever, bruising, nausea, headache, blurred vision, chest pain and allergic reaction.

Therefore, it’s better to go for natural ways to eradicate the pain and discomforts of menstrual cramps. Some of the ways to instantly reduce the cramps or the pain and are follows:

• Stretch your arms and legs; this will reduce the menstrual cramps to a great extent.
• Increase your liquid intake as they prevent dehydration. Dehydration increases menstrual pain.
• The menstruation makes the pelvic area more congested. Therefore, increase the intake of the hot liquids which will enhance the blood flow and make the pelvic muscles to relax. Drinking herbal tea and green tea throughout the day can be a great help.
• Aerated drinks and caffeine, like coffee should be avoided as they can cause irritation in the intestine.
• Dip a towel in the hot water and place it in the stomach or keep hot water bags in the stomach to relieve the menstrual pain.
• The women or girls having weak bodies have to suffer more from the brunt of the menstrual cramps. Therefore, these women should take the vitamins and mineral supplements which are readily available in the market. But, they must always consult a doctor first before consuming any medicine.
• Drink a glass of the juice of cucumber, beetroot or carrot along with parsley.
• Ginger has various medicinal benefits and is also a great help in menstrual cramps. Boil some ginger slices in water and sip it all the day round.

For more information visit us http://www.healthfore.com/. HealthFore Technologies Limited is a global healthcare IT solutions and advisory services company. Our patient-centric healthcare solutions focus on wellness, preventive care and condition management. Our information and health advisory services ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment of diseases. We create mass awareness to improve the quality of life through self-care.

Non breast fed baby hassles and struggles

Non breast fed baby hassles and struggles

It is a common saying that a baby comes along with its food provision in this world. Breast milk is the natural right of every infant and should be compulsorily given to all newborns. All the child specialists educate the new mother regarding the importance and benefits of breast feeding so that both the mother and the baby enjoy good health. But sometimes the mother does not have enough milk, has to go for work or even if she can breast fed she is hesitant to do so for her own luxury and absurd reasons which is certainly not acceptable. If you are a mother of an infant or would be one in near future then some disadvantages and health conditions occurring in non breast fed baby discussed here can help you to take the right decision for sure.

Illnesses in non breast fed baby

When a mother starts top feeding for the baby, the first thing she is advised is about cleanliness of the utensils and the quality of milk substitute being used. Usually tinned milk powder is preferred by the health practitioners that are supplemented with all the needed nutrients and vitamins necessary for the infant of that age or month. But even after taking lot of precautions like using boiled utensils or feeding bottle, making use of clean boiled water for diluting the milk powder or formula food, there are chances that the baby can get infected. Some of the most common illnesses seen in non breast fed baby are:

Diarrhea

This is a very common illness seen in non breast fed baby. Diarrhea is caused due to use of utensils or bottle that is not cleaned or boiled properly. Sometimes the milk prepared is left as it is for some time and afterwards is given to the baby. Infection starts building within the powdered milk causing the stomach to upset. If proper precautions are not taken, it can lead to dehydration as well.

Gastrointestinal infections

Colon and gastrointestinal infections are frequent in non breast fed babies. Due to flatulence and colon problem many times the non breast fed baby cries in pain and never looks happy and healthy like the breast fed baby. A non breast fed infant is always uneasy, at least initially till the top feeding gets adjusted to immature body system.

Obesity

Many babies feeding on top milk have been found to be obese and are very slow in activity. This is so because nothing can replace the balance of vitamins, fats and nutrients that is present in the breast milk. The milk powder can contain certain carbohydrates and fats in excess which can lead to obesity in babies but sure not in good terms. Your chubby healthy looking baby may be indeed quite unhealthy when compared to a slim, active and breast fed one in vicinity.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

The infants who do not get breast milk are comparatively more prone to fall ill due to various infections. Such babies also are vulnerable to various bacterial and viral infections and are also known to die because of choking or respiratory problem. Less immunity leads to fatal incidences owing to which the number of infant deaths are rising in developed countries where mother refrain from breast feeding. This is termed as SIDS.

For more information visit us http://www.healthfore.com/. HealthFore Technologies Limited is a global healthcare IT solutions and advisory services company. Our patient-centric healthcare solutions focus on wellness, preventive care and condition management. Our information and health advisory services ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment of diseases. We create mass awareness to improve the quality of life through self-care.