AMRI Hospitals – Why IVF can be the answer to all your fertility issues

Infertility issues are common and a growing problem in both men and women. People undergo various treatment procedures, medication, and surgeries to eliminate the problem. However, a number of reports and studies have found that most conventional infertility treatment procedures are ineffective, say medical practitioners at AMRI Hospitals.

IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), an assisted reproductive technique, has been a success in the last few years. The discovery of IVF has come as a relief for the couples facing infertility problems. It is a technique in which eggs are collected from the ovaries of the female, after months of medication to mature the same. Then the eggs are fertilized with the sperm of the partner or a donor in a specialized laboratory. The fertilized egg (embryo) is allowed to grow in a protected environment for some days, before being transferred into the woman’s uterus, increasing chances of pregnancy.

With a noticeable success rate, the IVF technique is being used in various countries around the world and the technique is gaining popularity even in India. AMRI Medical Centre on Kolkata’s Southern Avenue became the first IVF clinic in India, providing for the first time Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre in the country to treat people suffering from infertility. The clinic has a specialized facility for sperm donors, egg donors and surrogacy. A dedicated team of professionals manage and provide comprehensive solutions to patients with an in-house Cryobank and the latest Incubator.

All the units of AMRI Hospitals, Dhakuria, Saltlake, Bhubaneswar, Mukundapur, considered as the best hospital in Kolkata offers priority admission to expectant parents with the closed package. During the procedure, a team of qualified doctors keeps the patient under observation to avoid complications and minimize side effects, such as bloating, cramping, mood swings, and infections.

For people who have been through fertility struggles, IVF can be really helpful. Many couples feel overwhelmed and discouraged by going through various treatment procedures. They can take help from counsellors and therapists to come out from the negative frame of mind and undergo IVF procedure for better results.

Osteoporosis: Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options

Osteoporosis is a medical condition caused due to thinning of bones and decrease in their density, explain orthopaedics at AMRI Hospitals.

The health of your bones plays a major role in your everyday life. From providing structure to your body, protecting your organs, anchoring muscles and storing calcium, bones have a lot of important functions in the human body.  However, with aging, your bone health starts to diminish. Your bone density is the highest when a person is in his 20s. It is after the age of around 35 years, that your bones starts to become weaker.

“Osteoporosis is a medical condition caused due to thinning of bones and decrease in their density. It is common in both men and women, but more likely to affect women after menopause,” explain orthopaedics at AMRI Hospitals, the best hospital in Kolkata.

With the bones becoming brittle and fragile due to Osteoporosis, you are at a higher risk of a fracture (especially in the spine, hip, and wrists) even with a minor injury. The medical condition mainly has an impact on the structure and strength of your bones. “The risk of Osteoporosis increases due to the factors like smoking and poor diet,” warn orthopaedics at AMRI Hospitals, Bhubaneshwar.

Symptoms of Osteoporosis

Though, Osteoporosis shows no clear symptoms, the weakening of your spine can lead to a stoop, along with bone pain.

Diagnosis of Osteoporosis

A number of procedures like x-rays, body CT, spine CT or a bone density (DEXA) scan are used to diagnose your condition and assess your risk for Osteoporosis at AMRI Hospitals, Best Orthopedic Hospital in Kolkata

DEXA (Dual-energy X-ray) is mainly used for the diagnosis of Osteoporosis. A painless and relatively quick procedure, the DEXA test is mainly carried out on the narrow neck of the upper leg bone (femur), just below the hip joint, as well as the lumbar vertebrae, which form the lower part of the spine.

Treatment of Osteoporosis

Treatment procedure for Osteoporosis includes the medications for preventing the loss of bone density, exercise, and diet changes, including extra calcium, magnesium and vitamin D. The most commonly prescribed medications for the treatment of Osteoporosis include Bisphosphonates.

The treatment process of Osteoporosis is effective in maintaining healthy bone density and bone mass. It also helps in preventing fractures, reducing pain and maximizing the person’s ability to carry out his everyday chores.

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AMRI Hospitals – Best Vitamins & Minerals to Relieve Joint Pain

A chronic inflammatory disorder, which mainly affects the joints, including those in the arms and feet — Arthritis — usually starts in middle-age and is common in old people. Most patients are more likely to lead an active life, if they undergo a timely treatment.

There are certain supplements, which are effective in controlling pain, swelling and alleviating the damage caused to the joints. Including the vitamins and minerals in your diet can help you in improving the overall condition.

Glucosamine

A supplement, which helps your joints in moving better, Glucosamine occurs naturally in the fluid around the joints, in animal bones, bone marrow, shellfish, and fungi. It is mainly consumed in three forms— glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride and N-acetyl-glucosamine.

Chondroitin Sulfate

Keeping a checking on the progression of osteoarthritis, Chondroitin Sulfate is effective in lowering arthritis pain and inflammation, say health experts at AMRI Hospitals, the best hospital in Kolkata. It helps in keeping your cartilage healthy, which makes it one of the most commonly used dietary supplements for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

SAM-e

Health experts at AMRI Hospitals, situated in Dhakuria, Mukundapur, Saltlake, Southern Avenue and Bhubaneswar recommends S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM-e) as it helps in producing and regulating hormones along with maintaining cell membranes.it is a compound found naturally in the body. Various studies have shown that it provides pain relief, improvement in joint function, and produces a very few side effects.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Well-known for their anti-inflammatory properties, Omega-3 Fatty Acids are effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other inflammatory conditions. These can help patients with rheumatoid arthritis in lowering their dose of corticosteroids or NSAIDs.

Here’s How To Help Someone Recover After A Heart Attack

Heart diseases are often fatal, and it takes a lot of time to recover from a heart problem. Even after the completion of treatment or surgery. The procedure does not end at the hospital and recovery continues at home. Especially after having a heart attack.

There are some positive steps that can help recover. And reduce the chances of suffering from such problems in the future. It is important to know that treatments of heart diseases vary. Depending on the severity of the problem.

For instance, if a patient has a minor heart attack. He or she will most likely give medicines. And some lifestyle changes will suggest saying Cardiologists at AMRI Hospital. Check Out this the best hospital in Eastern India.

Tips To Recover After A Heart Attack

But, if the heart attack is severe, a doctor is likely to perform all the physical exams. And take the medical history of the patient into consideration, before finalizing the treatment.

It’s also possible that the doctor will recommend specific procedures or surgery. The type of procedure will depend on the extent of the damage to the heart.

But, after the surgery or during medication, what is important is the care that a patient needs at home. Proper care is a must for patients to recover as soon as possible and get back to normal life.

People close to the patient play an important role and must know what needs to do. Even before he or she is discharged from a hospital.

Emotional support is also very important for a patient, as a heart attack happens. One must always keep the doctor, cardiologist or nurse in a loop to ensure a quick recovery.

Talk with the person and be flexible and aware of their needs. Some people find it difficult to talk about their condition.

And are shocked by the incident, say health practitioners at AMRI, offering the best cardiology hospital in Kolkata.

According to them, it is important to convince the patient. To accept the help offered by doctors support groups, counsellors. And also of the cardiac rehabilitation team.

A person who suffers from a heart attack should be able to return to usual activities after a few weeks.

Talk to the doctor before starting different activities like returning to work, travelling, driving, etc.

Being proactive can help the patient recover. And lower risk of further problems in the future.

Regular discussions with a doctor or a health professional are vital. Maintaining a healthy weight is also necessary to avoid more heart problems.

Changing eating habits, such as eating a low-fat and low-sodium diet can help in quick recovery.

Sitting less, engaging in physical activities by getting at least 30 min of moderate exercise daily. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake is also important to stay healthy.

Eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, legumes (like lentils), seeds.

And nuts are always recommended by doctors at AMRI Hospitals, one of the best Heart hospitals in Kolkata.

According to them, a heart patient can lead a healthy life by adopting a healthy lifestyle. And following the medication prescribed by the doctor.

What Makes Kolkata an Upcoming Medical Tourism Hotspot for South East Asia?

Over the last few years, the Medical tourism industry has been growing in India. From $3 billion in 2015, it is projected to grow to $9 billion by 2020. With an increasing globalization, a number of people are traveling in search of better quality and affordable health care options. This is where countries with low medical costs, availability of latest medical technologies and a growing compliance on international quality standards are attracting patients from different countries across the world.

In 2014, around 185,000 patients visited India for various treatments and surgeries. The number is only increasing with a large number of medical tourists coming to the country from the US, UK, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Iraq, Oman, Maldives, Yemen, Uzbekistan, Sudan, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Saudi Arabia.

Major cities, such as Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Delhi receive the highest number of foreign patients, primarily from South Eastern countries due to the close proximity and the ease of getting medical visa. The patients mostly look for alternative medicine, bone-marrow transplant, cardiac bypass, eye surgery and hip replacement.

While many cities are attracting a number of medical tourists, Kolkata has the potential to become a major medical tourism destination for South Asia, with its rapidly growing healthcare infrastructure. It is home to some of the biggest hospitals in the country. Apart from this, special offers and NRI health cards provided by private healthcare providers like AMRI Hospitals, one of the best hospital in Eastern India, are offering special benefits to the foreigners and Indians residing in the US, UK, UAE, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and other countries around the globe.

It’s not only an affordable option, but a good opportunity to visit the country as well. Many patients plan their surgeries or medical treatment citing lower healthcare costs, without compromising on the quality of the treatment.

“There is a great possibility of turning Kolkata into a health tourism hub for South East Asian countries, Bangladesh and Nepal, with the rapidly growing healthcare infrastructure in the city,” said Debashis Sen, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department, West Bengal.

In a bid to strengthen the state’s medical infrastructure, the Government of West Bengal has allotted land to some upcoming healthcare facilities, including Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Shankara Nethralaya, a global organ transplant hospital and certain other specialty hospitals at Rajarhat New Town.

Additionally, the Tata Medical Centre for cancer research at Rajarhat is one of the major healthcare facilities in the city. A hospital for cardiac international patients is also under construction in the state. The government has allotted land for the development of a trauma care center and school of paramedical science as well.

With such state-of-the-art medical centers in the West Bengal, the state can compete as a medical tourism destination in the region. The healthcare sector in the state is heading in the right direction, and may just turn into the country’s biggest hotspot for medical tourism.

Healthy Tips to Save Your Kidneys from Diabetes

If you are suffering from diabetes you should know that you need to take special care of your kidneys. High blood sugar levels can affect every organ of your body and your kidneys have to face the maximum wrath. As they are the organs responsible for removing toxins from the body, when there is high sugar in the blood, the sugar erodes the capillaries of the kidneys. Over a period of time the capillaries become defunct and the kidneys dysfunctional. This is why people who suffer from diabetes are at an increased risk of suffering from kidney disease.

Here are some tips to prevent kidney disease in diabetics:-

1. Avoid foods that are high in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus as they put a load on your overworked kidneys.

2. Protein-rich foods such as meat and dairy products break down into wastes that healthy kidneys remove from the blood. When one takes too much protein, i.e., far more than what the body needs, one may put an extra burden on the kidneys and cause kidney function to decline faster. If you are also a diabetic, make sure that you keep a tab on your protein intake.

3. Those with high blood pressure should limit their daily sodium intake to no more than 1,500 mg. choosing sodium-free or low-sodium food products will help. Alternative seasonings such as lemon juice, salt-free seasoning mixes and hot pepper sauce can help people reduce their salt intake.

4. Frequent monitoring of serum, potassium levels is essential. Too low or too high potassium levels can be a problem. Potassium keeps the heart beating regularly and the muscles working properly. When kidneys are damaged, potassium builds up in the blood and may cause serious heart problems.

5. People with advanced chronic kidney disease may need to limit their fluid (water) intake because damaged kidneys can’t remove the extra fluid. The fluid can thus build up in the body and strain the heart. Hence the amount of fluid permitted by your doctor must be adhered to prevent diabetic kidney disease, says experts of AMRI Hospitals, the Best Hospital in Eastern India.

There are other lifestyle changes that can help to keep the kidneys healthy:

1. Physical activity: As it helps to use the insulin in our body and keep blood sugar levels in check

2. Maintaining an ideal body weight: Weight reduction has a positive impact on blood glucose levels which helps the kidneys and other organs to stay healthy.

3. Quitting smoking and using tobacco in any form: Cutting down on these vices can prevent all complications of diabetes. Smoking increases the risk for many associated illnesses, and can also increase the risk for kidney failure.

How to Prevent Kidney Stones: 5 Tips for Kidney Health

1. Stay Hyderated at all Times

This is the most effective preventive measure at your disposal.

Dehydration causes kidney stones because it alters the composition of your urine. If you don’t drink enough liquids, the density of your urine grows. This makes it likelier for minerals to clump together and form kidney stones.

How much water do you need to consume to avoid this?

People who are at a very high risk are advised to drink up to 12 glasses a day. While other fluids are useful too, you should make sure that at least half of your fluid intake is pure water.

2. Salt Vs. Calcium – Be Careful What you eat

In many cases, kidney stones form because there is too much calcium in the affected person’s urine. Hence, many people assume that it’s not safe to eat calcium-rich foods when you know you’re at risk of this condition.

But the truth is that calcium is good for the body, and eating high-calcium foods doesn’t make you likelier to suffer from kidney stones. In fact, having low calcium levels actually makes you likelier to develop this condition.

The only way that calcium can be dangerous for your kidneys is if you overuse calcium supplements. The amount of calcium you get out of a healthy diet can’t cause any difficulties. Eating dairy products, salmon, and leafy greens is a good choice for at-risk people.

The real risk factor you should worry about is salt (sodium). Consuming salty food easily leads to dehydration, and it also has a negative impact on your calcium levels. Sodium makes it more difficult for your body to absorb calcium, which leads to a pile-up in the kidneys, consult doctors at AMRI Hospitlas, Best hospital in Kolkata

3. Use Saunas, But Don’t Overdo it

Sweating has a great number of health benefits. It detoxifies your body, clears the skin, and provides you with an endorphin boost. You can also prevent colds by using saunas or working out to the point of sweating.

Doctors say that sweating is also a good way to prevent kidney stones. It lowers the amount of salt accumulating in your system and doesn’t have a negative impact on your calcium levels.

Too much sweating can endanger your kidney health because it can lead to dehydration. So if you decide on doing intense workouts, make sure there’s enough water at hand at all times.

4. Keep your weight under control

Obese people, especially women, are at a high risk of developing kidney stones.

The main reason for this connection is uric acid. Too much uric acid leads to crystals forming in the kidneys. This is a problem that’s frequently present in people whose body weight is over 100 kg (about 220 lbs). Additionally, weight can also impact the absorption rate of calcium in the body, say experts of AMRI Hospitals, the best hospital in Eastern India.

Losing weight is a crucial preventive measure. Additionally, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen decreases your chances of developing diabetes. Having type 2 diabetes is another risk factor, as it increases your urine acid levels.

5. Eat Oxalate-Rich Foods in Moderation

Oxalate is a natural compound with a strong binding ability. Most kidney stones consist of calcium oxalate. Decreasing your oxalate intake is a simple and easy way to avoid this health issue.

This means that it’s best to avoid coffee, chocolate, spinach, beets, rhubarb, peanuts, and other oxalate-rich foods. However, it’s not necessary to remove them from your diet entirely. If you normally eat well-balanced meals, your oxalate levels are unlikely to get too high.

Conclusion

If you have a family history of kidney stones, it’s important to be vigilant and find out how to prevent kidney stones. The same is true for overweight people, people with digestive issues, and so on. But this information is important even if you don’t belong to an at-risk group.

The main takeaway is that dehydration and a bad diet can increase your likelihood of developing this condition. Some easy adjustments in your everyday routine could thus help you avoid a host of problems.

AMRI Hospitals, Salt Lake Launches Eastern India’s First Awareness Campaign for Lymphovenous Diseases

LACK OF KNOWLEDGE EVEN AMONG PHYSICIANS LEAVES CONDITIONS UNDETECTED

Kolkata, March 23, 2019: In a first of its kind effort in Eastern India, AMRI Hospitals, Salt Lake launched an awareness campaign on lymphovenous diseases. The campaign has been launched mostly for the benefit of general physicians, general surgeons, and dermatologists, leading surgeons Dr Krishnendu Mukherjee and Dr Jayanta Das, said. The two top surgeons were co-convenors for the workshop on March 23, 2019.

Dr Mukherjee, Head of the Department, Vascular Surgery at AMRI Hospitals, Salt Lake, said, “We have organised the first-ever live demonstration workshop on compression techniques for lymphovenous disorders. LVD is the mother term but within its ambit, it includes diseases like chronic venous inefficiency, varicose veins, and deep vein thrombosis. We plan to continue with such workshops and session so that more and more people within the medical fraternity become aware about lymphovenous diseases. Today’s session was for general physicians and general surgeons.”

Dr Das, Consultant Vascular Surgery, at AMRI Hospitals, Salt Lake, said that the compartmentalisation of healthcare has led to many physicians remaining unaware of developments and advances in other areas of medical sciences other than their respective fields of expertise. This led the vascular surgery department of AMRI Hospitals, Salt Lake to launch the awareness campaign on lymphovenous diseases and the associated treatment techniques.

“In most cases, the first symptom of LVD is skin ulcer, which leads most people to visit dermatologists. While in other complaints, general physicians usually direct the patient to the right specialist, be it a cardiologist or a gastroenterologist or even an oncologist. Since only a handful of doctors have an idea in case of LVDs, these often go undetected and cause serious distress to patients. Our endeavour is to raise awareness among doctors and surgeons so that they can prescribe the right treatment or guide a patient to the right specialist,” Dr Das said.

Dr Das further said that while lymphovenous diseases affect almost 3-8 percent people annually, only around 20 percent doctors across the country are aware of its occurrence and its treatment methods. “Doctors without the concept of lymphovenous diseases are failing to properly diagnose LVD because they do not have the necessary knowledge. This is also due to some lacunae in our Under-Graduate medical curriculum. Since they do not get any exposure to LVDs, they move on to Post-Graduate studies with insufficient knowledge,” he said.

Dr Mukherjee said that their department will continue to organise such workshops for physicians and surgeons so that more and more doctors get to know about lymphovenous diseases. Dr Das pointed out that despite the availability of advanced treatments and therapies. Most doctors are unaware of LVD in overall. “Most doctors think of lymphatic diseases and venous diseases as different but they are essentially part of the same group and should be treated in totality under vascular surgery,” he said.

About AMRI Hospitals Ltd

AMRI Hospitals, a multi-specialty healthcare facility in Eastern India with specialization in Oncology, Neuro Sciences, Cardiac Sciences, Orthopedics, Emergency &Trauma care, Gynecology & Childcare is the largest player in private sector with its existing strength of around 1,000 beds. With its state-of-the-art equipment and modern facilities, AMRI is ensuring that people from Eastern India are provided affordable high-quality medical care in the region, so that patients need not travel to other parts of the country for medical treatment. AMRI Hospitals, which has four units in Kolkata, is expanding its capacity for additional beds in its existing facilities. A 400 bedded state-of-the art super-specialty hospital has recently become operational in Bhubaneswar. AMRI Hospitals plans to set up a new 400-bedded facility in West Bengal with an investment of Rs 500 Cr. The Group is committed to serve the people of Eastern India and has plans to add another 600-700 beds over the next 3-4 years

 For further information please contact:

AMRI Hospitals:  http://www.amrihospitals.in/

Beware! Harsh Holi colours can harm your eyes, skin, hair, nails and ears

Holi, the much-awaited festival of colours, just got over. Dipped in the hues of cheerfulness, joy and revelry, it is one of the most vibrant festivals in the country. However, the use of harsh Holi colours made with chemical solvents, and toxic agents like lead oxide, mercury sulphite and copper sulphate, can cause severe damage to your skin, hair, eyes, nails and ears. Thus, it becomes important to take a few precautions.

Protect your Eyes

Wash your eyes thoroughly if any irritation is caused due to the colours or coloured water. The chemicals used in these colours can result in eye problems, like corneal ulcer, conjunctivitis, severe allergies, and can also lead permanent blindness in severe cases. You can also wear sunglasses or clear glasses to protect your eyes. It is important to note that wearing contact lenses can further increase the irritation in your eyes, warn ophthalmologists at AMRI Hospitals, best hospital in Kolkata.

Protect your Skin

The chemicals and synthetic dyes used in the making of Holi colours can cause severe skin infections and dermatitis, resulting in itching and swelling. That is the reason why more and more people are choosing herbal colours over traditional ones, helping them to protect their skin from any harmful impact, point out dermatologists at of AMRI Hospitals located at Bhubaneswar, Saltlake, Mukundapur, Dhakuria, Southern Avenues, Bhubaneshwar. It is important to apply moisturising lotion or cream on the arms and exposed areas before playing Holi. Also, you need to safeguard your skin from exposure to the sun using a sunscreen of SPF 20 and above. It is equally important to stay well hydrated, as dry skin due to dehydration makes it difficult to wash off the colours from the body.

Protect your Hair

The toxins present in the colours can cause a lot of damage to your hair. Applying coconut oil or hair serum can help in protecting your hair from the effects of sun exposure and dryness caused by the colours.

Protect your Nails

A transparent varnish on your nails can protect the nails from absorbing Holi colours. It also becomes easy to remove the colour if you already have applied a nail paint.

Protect your Ears

Your ears are often neglected while focusing on other body parts. However, they need equal attention and precautionary measures. One of the best ways to clean them is by putting a few drops of olive oil or lukewarm mustard oil in cotton and keeping it inside your ears. It becomes important to ensure that the cotton swab is placed in such a way that it does not get too deep into your ear hole.

So, don’t forget to take these precautions and play safe. Happy Holi!

AMRI Hospitals to organise Healthcare Awareness Programme on World Down Syndrome Day

A genetic disorder caused due to abnormal cell division, Down Syndrome, results in a number of medical, cognitive and physical health issues. In its attempt to spread awareness about this medical condition, all units of AMRI Hospitals, the best hospital in Kolkata, are all geared to organize healthcare awareness campaigns and social media campaigns on World Down Syndrome Day.

Observed on 21st March every year, the World Down Syndrome Day aims at creating public awareness and supporting the rights, inclusion and wellbeing of people with Down Syndrome.

“Our genes play a major role in determining the way our body looks and functions. If anything goes wrong with them, it can lead to a long-term impact and disorders like Down Syndrome,” explain health experts at AMRI Hospitals, Bhubaneshwar.

A lifelong medical condition, the Down syndrome has no cure. However, early diagnosis and the right kind of care can make a difference in the patient’s life. Various studies show that women conceiving at an advanced age have a higher chance of giving birth to a child with Down Syndrome.

Down Syndrome leads to an extra full or partial copy of Chromosome 21. This extra chromosome results in a number of medical, cognitive and physical disorders. It is mainly of three types— Trisomy 21, Mosaicism and Translocation.

The common physical symptoms of Down syndrome include flattened face, small stature, small head, short neck, and a wider gap between the large and the second toe, a single flexion furrow of the fifth finger, protruding tongue, upward slanting eye lids (palpebral fissures) and unusually shaped or small ears. Low muscle tone, relatively short fingers and small hands and feet, excessive flexibility and eyes with an upward slant, oblique fissures, epicanthic skin folds on the inner corner, and white spots on the iris are some of the other physical symptoms of Down Syndrome.

Children with Down Syndrome have an increased risk of various health issues like respiratory problems, hearing difficulties, Alzheimer’s, childhood leukaemia, epilepsy and thyroid conditions. “They also experience delays in development. A child with Down Syndrome will sit at 11 months, crawl at 17 months and walk at 26 months on an average,” say health experts at AMRI Hospitals.

Talking about the healthcare awareness program, a spokesperson of AMRI Hospitals said, “Such campaigns are the best platforms to raise awareness about different medical conditions. We hope our efforts help in supporting the rights, inclusion and wellbeing of people with Down Syndrome.”

SOURCE: Pressroom.today

4 tips to care of kidney | AMRI Hospitals

Every day, 120 to 150 quarts of blood are strained through our two fist-sized kidneys. During this process, these little organs produce 1 to 2 quarts of urine to rid the body of waste and excess fluid.

And our kidneys do a lot more than that. They produce enzymes that help normalize blood pressure. They make a hormone that tells the body to make red blood cells — the blood’s oxygen carriers. And they activate a form of vitamin D that works with calcium to maintain the strength of our bones.

All the more reason to keep these valuable organs in good working order.

Here are some good strategies:

• If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugars under control. Excess sugar in the blood puts extra pressure on the kidney’s filtering mechanism. When the kidneys are injured, then can’t clean blood properly, causing a build-up of water and toxic waste.
• Maintain a normal blood pressure. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the kidney’s filtering units can be damaged when the force of blood surging through the kidneys is high. One well-studied diet strategy to lower blood pressure is the DASH diet, which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.
• The DASH eating plan has been confirmed to lower blood pressure, and not just by cutting back on salt. It features vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low fat dairy foods, fish, poultry, beans, nuts and vegetable oils. DASH is rich in potassium, magnesium and calcium, nutrients known to help lower blood pressure and low in high fat meats and sweets.
• Stay hydrated. Water delivers valuable nutrients to our kidneys and helps them remove wastes from our blood. Adequate fluids can also help prevent kidney stones and urinary tract infections, says experts of AMRI Hospitals.
• How do you know if your kidneys are working as they should? Protein in the urine is one of the first signs of kidney disease. Well-functioning kidneys don’t allow this valuable nutrient to escape. A simple test called the Albumin Creatinine Ratio uses a small amount of urine to tell your doctor if your kidneys are preserving a protein called albumin or allowing it to pass into the urine.
• Another useful test called the GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) estimates how well your kidneys are working to clean wastes from your blood. It requires a sample of blood and a calculation based on your race, age and gender. A GFR of 90 or better indicates your kidneys are in good working order. Less than 60 is a sign of kidney disease.

Visit AMRI Hospitals, Best Hospital in Kolkata

7 Secrets to Keeping Your Kidneys Healthy

High blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of kidney failure put one in three Americans at an increased risk of developing kidney disease. But even if you don’t fit in any of those risk categories, it’s important to take care of these critically important organs.

1. Hydrate, but don’t overdo it. “Contrary to popular belief, no studies have proven over-hydration as an effective practice in enhancing kidney function. So, while it’s always a good idea to drink enough water, drinking more than the typical four to six glasses a day probably won’t help your kidneys do their job any better.
2.  Eat healthy foods. Your kidneys can tolerate a wide range of dietary habits, but  points out that most kidney problems arise out of other medical conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Because of this, he suggests you follow healthy, moderate eating habits to control weight and blood pressure. Preventing diabetes and high blood pressure will help keep kidneys in good condition.
3.  Exercise regularly. If you’re healthy, getting your exercise is a good idea because, like healthy eating habits, regular physical activity can stave off weight gain and high blood pressure. But do be mindful of how much exercise you do, especially if you’re not conditioned.“Overexerting yourself when you’re not fit and healthy can put a strain on your kidneys, especially if you exercise so much that you cause excessive breakdown of muscle tissue.
4.  Use caution with supplements and herbal remedies. Excessive amounts of certain vitamin supplements and some herbal extracts may be harmful to your kidneys. Talk to your doctor about any vitamins and herbs you plan to take.
5. Quit smoking. Smoking can damage blood vessels, which decreases the flow of blood in the kidneys. When the kidneys don’t have adequate blood flow, they can’t function at optimal levels. Smoking also increases the risk of high blood pressure as well as the risk of kidney cancer.
6.  Don’t overdo it when taking over-the-counter medications.“Common non-prescription pills like ibuprofen and naproxen (NSAID’s) can cause kidney damage if taken too regularly over a prolonged period. If you have healthy kidneys and use these medicines for occasional pain, they probably don’t pose a risk, that if you take them for chronic pain or arthritis, you should talk to your doctor about monitoring your kidney function or finding alternative ways to control your pain.
7.  If you’re at risk, get regular kidney function screening. “If you have either diabetes or high blood pressure, your physician should screen for kidney dysfunction as part of routine care for those conditions,” Experts of AMRI Hospitals, Best Hospital in Eastern India.

The big kidney health takeaway

Often, your kidneys simply become affected by other medical conditions. The most important thing you can do to keep your kidneys safe is to take care of your body to reduce your chances of developing diseases that put a strain on your kidneys.

Disease of Lungs Emphysema

Emphysema is a lung condition that causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) are damaged. Over time, the inner walls of the air sacs weaken and rupture — creating larger air spaces instead of many small ones. This reduces the surface area of the lungs and, in turn, the amount of oxygen that reaches your bloodstream.

When you exhale, the damaged alveoli don’t work properly and old air becomes trapped, leaving no room for fresh, oxygen-rich air to enter.

Most people with emphysema also have chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the tubes that carry air to your lungs (bronchial tubes), which leads to a persistent cough.

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are two conditions that make up chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Treatment may slow the progression of COPD, but it can’t reverse the damage.

Symptoms

You can have emphysema for many years without noticing any signs or symptoms. The main symptom of emphysema is shortness of breath, which usually begins gradually.

You may start avoiding activities that cause you to be short of breath, so the symptom doesn’t become a problem until it starts interfering with daily tasks. Emphysema eventually causes shortness of breath even while you’re at rest.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you’ve had unexplained shortness of breath for several months, especially if it’s getting worse or it’s interfering with your daily activities. Don’t ignore it by telling yourself it’s because you’re aging or out of shape. Seek immediate medical attention at AMRI Hospitals, best lungs care hospital in Kolkata

• You’re so short of breath, you can’t climb stairs
• Your lips or fingernails turn blue or gray with exertion
• You’re not mentally alert

Causes

The main cause of emphysema is long-term exposure to airborne irritants, including:

• Tobacco smoke
• Marijuana smoke
• Air pollution
• Chemical fumes and dust

Rarely, emphysema is caused by an inherited deficiency of a protein that protects the elastic structures in the lungs. It’s called alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency emphysema.

Risk factors

Factors that increase your risk of developing emphysema include:

• Smoking. Emphysema is most likely to develop in cigarette smokers, but cigar and pipe smokers also are susceptible. The risk for all types of smokers increases with the number of years and amount of tobacco smoked.
• Age. Although the lung damage that occurs in emphysema develops gradually, most people with tobacco-related emphysema begin to experience symptoms of the disease between the ages of 40 and 60.
• Exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke, also known as passive or environmental tobacco smoke, is smoke that you inadvertently inhale from someone else’s cigarette, pipe or cigar. Being around secondhand smoke increases your risk of emphysema.
• Occupational exposure to fumes or dust. If you breathe fumes from certain chemicals or dust from grain, cotton, wood or mining products, you’re more likely to develop emphysema. This risk is even greater if you smoke.
• Exposure to indoor and outdoor pollution. Breathing indoor pollutants, such as fumes from heating fuel, as well as outdoor pollutants — car exhaust, for instance — increases your risk of emphysema.

Complications

People who have emphysema are also more likely to develop:

• Collapsed lung (pneumothorax). A collapsed lung can be life-threatening in people who have severe emphysema, because the function of their lungs is already so compromised. This is uncommon but serious when it occurs.
• Heart problems. Emphysema can increase the pressure in the arteries that connect the heart and lungs. This can cause a condition called cor pulmonale, in which a section of the heart expands and weakens.
• Large holes in the lungs (bullae). Some people with emphysema develop empty spaces in the lungs called bullae. They can be as large as half the lung. In addition to reducing the amount of space available for the lung to expand, giant bullae can increase your risk of pneumothorax.

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Kidney Failure Causes, Symptoms, & Treatments

Kidney failure, also called end-stage renal disease, is the last stage of chronic kidney disease. When your kidneys fail, it means they have stopped working well enough for you to survive without dialysis or a kidney transplant.

• What causes kidney failure?
• Symptoms of chronic kidney disease
• Treatment of kidney failure
• New to dialysis
• Adjusting to kidney failure
• Complications of kidney failure
• Disaster preparedness
• Kidney failure

What causes kidney failure?

In most cases, kidney failure is caused by other health problems that have done permanent damage (harm) to your kidneys little by little, over time.

When your kidneys are damaged, they may not work as well as they should. If the damage to your kidneys continues to get worse and your kidneys are less and less able to do their job, you have chronic kidney disease. Kidney failure is the last (most severe) stage of chronic kidney disease. This is why kidney failure is also called end-stage renal disease, or ESRD for short.

Diabetes is the most common cause of ESRD. High blood pressure is the second most common cause of ESRD. Other problems that can cause kidney failure include:

• Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and IgA nephropathy
• Genetic diseases (diseases you are born with), such as polycystic kidney disease
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Urinary tract problems

Sometimes the kidneys can stop working very suddenly (within two days). This type of kidney failure is called acute kidney injury or acute renal failure. Common causes of acute renal failure include:

• Heart attack
• Illegal drug use and drug abuse
• Not enough blood flowing to the kidneys
• Urinary tract problems

This type of kidney failure is not always permanent. Your kidneys may go back to normal or almost normal with treatment and if you do not have other serious health problems.

Having one of the health problems that can lead to kidney failure does not mean that you will definitely have kidney failure. Living a healthy lifestyle and working with your doctor to control these health problems can help your kidneys work for as long as possible.

Symptoms of chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) usually gets worse slowly, and symptoms may not appear until your kidneys are badly damaged. In the late stages of CKD, as you are nearing kidney failure (ESRD), you may notice symptoms that are caused by waste and extra fluid building up in your body.

You may notice one or more of the following symptoms if your kidneys are beginning to fail:

• Itching
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Not feeling hungry
• Swelling in your feet and ankles
• Too much urine (pee) or not enough urine
• Trouble catching your breath
• Trouble sleeping

If your kidneys stop working suddenly (acute kidney failure), you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:

• Abdominal (belly) pain
• Back pain
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Nosebleeds
• Rash
• Vomiting

Having one or more of any of the symptoms above may be a sign of serious kidney problems. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor right away.

Treatment of kidney failure

If you have kidney failure (end-stage renal disease or ESRD), you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant to live. There is no cure for ESRD, but many people live long lives while on dialysis or after having a kidney transplant.

There are just a few options for treating kidney failure, including kidney transplant and several types of dialysis. Your doctor can help you figure out which treatment is best for you. Consult AMRI Hospitals, Best Nephrology Hospital in Kolkata