Showing posts with label abdominal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label abdominal. Show all posts

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Symptoms of Kidney Disease


The kidneys are bean shaped organs located in the lower abdomen. They are one of the vital organs in the body, playing an important role in the process of excretion. Kidneys help in removal of waste products, toxins and excess fluids out from the body. However, sometimes factors like infection, injury, diabetes, blood pressure, etc. affect the kidneys resulting in kidney diseases. Long lasting abnormalities in the kidneys lead to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) which can be a dangerous condition. Polycystic kidney disease, kidney stone, kidney infection are the significant kidney diseases that are caused due to different reasons. The symptoms of all kidney diseases are more or less the same. What are the early symptoms of kidney disease? Let us take a look at it in detail.

Chronic Kidney Disease Symptoms

Unfortunately, the early symptoms of kidney disease are not easily observed and hence, a person may be unaware that he/she is suffering from kidney disease for a longer time. In some cases, chronic kidney disease for a longer period of time can lead to complete kidney failure; while some people are found to suffer from chronic kidney disease for lifetime which may not lead to kidney failure. However, the latter case can be rare. It is therefore, advisable to identify the signs and symptoms of kidney disease as early as possible to get the condition treated immediately. The following are kidney disease symptoms in women and men.

Kidney Disease Symptoms in Adults
  • Difficulty in urination
  • Pain during urination
  • Frequent/infrequent urination
  • Dark colored urine
  • Blood in urine
  • Swelling
  • Water retention (edema)
  • Lower abdominal pain
  • Lower back pain
  • Skin rash
  • Itchy skin
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Anemia
  • Shortness of breath
  • Loss of appetite
  • Metallic taste in mouth
  • Bad breath
  • Dizziness
  • Muscle cramping
  • Weight loss
  • Cold
Kidney Disease Symptoms in Children
  • Nighttime bedwetting
  • Difficulty in controlling urine
  • Frequent urination
  • Blood in urine
  • Pain or burning sensation during urination
  • Swelling or edema around the eyes, face, feet
  • Fever
  • Increase in blood pressure
Polycystic kidney disease symptoms include pain in the back, changes in urination, flank pain, kidney stones and recurring bladder or kidney infections. In severe cases, polycystic kidney disease can even result in complete renal or kidney failure. Kidney stone give rise to sharp and excruciating pain in the lower abdomen on one side. Sometimes, symptoms of kidney disease also include chills, nausea and vomiting which are difficult to relate to this condition. Therefore, one needs to know and recognize the above mentioned symptoms of kidney diseases. One should note that any changes or abnormalities in urination is a typical identifying kidney disease symptom.

Kidney Disease Treatment

If one observes any of the above mentioned kidney infection or kidney failure symptoms, he/she should consult the doctor immediately. Kidney disease symptoms in children and babies like changes in urination or changes in urine color are difficult to identify and hence, parents must keep a watch on other identifying symptoms. Kidney stone and kidney infection treatment involves use of medications. However, kidney stone, if larger in size, may require a surgical procedure. However, this condition is completely curable. On the other hand, complete kidney failure may require dialysis and/or transplantation. Sometimes, the affected kidney may also be removed. It is possible to live a long life with one kidney, however, the person needs to follow a strict diet. In either of the cases, the doctor may prescribe medications and diet for kidney disease to treat and prevent chronic kidney diseases.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Home Gym Tips - How To Build An Inexpensive Home Gym


Times are tough. Fortunately, exercise can be performed nearly anywhere. Many people are opting to work out at home, whether for convenience or due to the cost of gym memberships. If this appeals to you, before you race to the store and buy a trunkload of equipment, bars, and weight plates, I urge you to ask yourself why you want a home gym and answer honestly. Or better yet, if you invest the money, will you really use it? You don't want a $100 laundry hanger or $1000 dust collector, do you?

Once you commit to using your new gym, the next steps are to determine what room you will set it up in and how much space you realistically have. Look around the room. Many people with good intentions tell themselves that each time they use their gym, they won't mind moving the couch, the table and chairs, or the desk, but after a while, they start using this as an excuse not to exercise. Will having to slide a couch 4' out of the way be a deterrent? Is there is a television in the room? If so, do you have the self-discipline to not watch Oprah, Judge Judy, or a soap opera instead of working out? Can you control the temperature in this space? If not, can you add a fan? Once you start a, you will probably need it. Who else uses the room? Will there be conflicts? Will someone move your equipment or think it is a toy for them to play with? Don't be intimidated by these questions. Working through them shouldn't be that difficult or time-consuming, especially if you let your family or roommates know what you are doing.

Now the excitement begins because it's time to get started! A simple and inexpensive home gym can be built with five pieces of equipment. They total about $100 and are easy to find and transport home. You can buy them from local exercise stores, online, or perhaps used on your community's Craig's List. Following each is a few of their possible uses.

  1. Exercise Ball abdominal and core stabilization, upper body exercises)

  2. Resistance Bands (one full set of resistance bands can give you a total body workout)

  3. Yoga Mat (push ups, abdominal/core work, stretching, pilates, and of course yoga)

  4. Pull-Up Bar - some can be installed in doorways or follow the traditional installation method (back and limited bicep work, abdominal/core work), and

  5. Jump Rope - if you have ceiling clearance (warm up, cardiovascular work).

Also, use what you may already have available in your home:

  • Move a chair without wheels or arms into the area (decline push ups, tricep dips)
  • Run the stairs (cardiovascular, leg work)
  • Stairs (standing calf raises)
  • Wall mirror to check your form
  • Radio or headphones to play your favorite music, and
  • Television or monitor with DVD player for taped routines

If you aren't sure how to start, meet with a personal trainer for a couple of sessions. It will be money well-invested because you will be given a program based on your family history, exercise history, and your goals, you will understand how to properly use your equipment, and you will have learned proper form and technique which reduces the chance of injury.

And as with all exercise, you should wear appropriate shoes and comfortable clothes. Bring a bottle of water and a towel, and get to it!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Get Flat Belly Tips


Here some tips to help you achieve your goal and if you stick to it, you will find that not only will your tummy get flatter, you will also reduce weight from all parts of your body. Correct eating habit and nutrition is the most important factor in getting a flat stomach. You will need to control your blood sugar levels to lose body fat. One way to do that is to consume five to six meals small meals daily. Please note, I said small meals. For example, you can divide the portion of your three daily meals into 5-6 smaller meals.

Next, cut your carbohydrate consumption to 50 percent or less from your meals. Most people eat way too much carbs and before their body can burn the carbs for energy, the carbs would have been converted to glycogen and fat. You need not go to the extreme by cutting your carbs drastically though. Eat your small meals every 2 to 3 hours. This is because when your stomach empties itself, your body will tend to conserve fat for energy and by eating frequently, you will be controlling your blood sugar level to encourage fat loss and you will start to lose weight gradually. However, if you are still not losing weight, then you are consuming too much calories and so if this happens to you, make your meals even smaller by cutting more carbs.

By the first week, you will probably lose between 4 to 5 pounds (about 2kg) of water weight. Subsequently, you should about 1 to 2 pounds per week. If you are losing more than that, then you are probably losing muscle weight too. However, if you are not losing 1 to 2 pounds per week, then reduce another 100 calories from your meals. Remember to abstain from sugar laden drinks as these drinks are chock full of calories. If you insist on having your ritual of sugar laden coffee, tea or soft drinks everyday, then you can say bye bye to having a flat stomach. You will need to be on this eating program six days a week reserving one day as "cheat day" to reward yourself for keeping up with the program successfully. However, I am not in favor the "cheat" day because people tend to use it as an excuse to gorge themselves and overeat. You will have to decide for yourself whether you want to include a "cheat day" or not. You may also want to include a weight training program because for every pound of muscle you gain on your body, you will burn 30-50 extra calories a day. You will then become a natural calorie burner. Part of your weight training program should include abdominal exercises to tighten up your abs to give you the flat tummy look. Lastly, set aside four to five days a week to perform cardio exercises for about 30-45 minutes. This is done to help you burn up even more calories. Is this flat tummy program easy? Nope, it is not and that is why so few people have flat tummies and tight abs. However, it is definitely achievable if your motivation to have a flat tummy or six pack abs is strong enough. You are the creator of your own destiny or in this case, having a flat belly.