Priyanka Chopra in a still from YakeenActor Priyanka Chopra confesses that her mum has to force her to have 2 glasses of water a day. Experts tell you why you should never do a Priyanka, especially in summer, when the risk of developing kidney stones is the highest









Heres one more reason to ban the bubbly, and tank up on H20, to battle the sweltering heat. Doctors from RG Stone Urological Research Institute, India warn that the chances of developing kidney stones are higher in summer. Dr Manish Bansal, urologist and MD of the institutes branch in Mumbai, explains the link.

During summer, people sweat a lot more, and are more likely to get dehydrated. Dehydration is the leading cause of painful kidney stones, he says If living in denial is your health motto, youre in big trouble. Ignoring symptoms of kidney stones, like severe pain in the back or both sides, the frequent urge to urinate and cloudy or bloody urine, means the situation will worsen.

If kidney stones are not treated, (especially if they are in both kidneys) they can lead to renal failure. Smaller stones have a higher chance of leading to renal failure than bigger ones, because they tend to shift around, as we go about our daily activities, says Dr M Bansal.

Quick facts about CKD

Early detection can prevent the progression of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) to kidney failure.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) causes CKD.

High-risk groups include those with diabetes, high BP and a family history of kidney disease.

Three simple tests at any pathology lab can detect CKD: Blood Pressure, Urine and Serum Creatinine.

Symptoms of renal failure

General feeling of sickness, exhaustion, swelling around the feet/ankles, loss of appetite, and nausea.

Blood tests will indicate a very high concentration of a toxic substance called creatinine, which the body is unable to flush out.

Urine tests will normally show high protein content, since the kidneys are unable to reabsorb the protein before the urine is passed out.

How can I keep my kidneys healthy?

Drink plenty of water. Eight to 12 glasses is what you should consume. Dr Ashok Kriplani, Nephrologist with The Bombay Hospital, says its best to play it by thirst. Never deny yourself water when you feel thirsty.

Dont drink hard water; it has a high calcium content.

Stay clear of painkillers like Brufen, Combiflam, and even an acute overdose of paracetamols. Painkillers are kidney killers, he warms. Even ointments like Nice gel, that people apply as a massage gel, gets absorbed by the skin and can affect the kidneys.

Keep blood sugar and blood pressure under control.

If you suffer from kidney stones, get them eliminated immediately. Dont withdraw from the treatment once the pain subsides. Pain will occur only when the stone moves; absence of pain doesnt mean stones have disappeared.

Why you cant afford to fool around with your kidneys

Kidneys are one the most vital organs of the human body. They filter the blood, and eliminate waste products from the body in the form of urine. Kidneys also aid the formation of haemoglobin. They help control blood pressure.

How do stones develop?

Healthy kidneys help the urinary tract by regulating a balance of the electrolytes in the urine. When this balance is disturbed, kidney stones develop. Many factors can change the balance of minerals in urine and lead to kidney stone formation.
However, the most common cause is not drinking enough water.

Recurrence of stones

Once a person develops kidney stones, he or she is more likely to develop them again, in case dietary restrictions are not maintained.

The latest research in this field reveals that in 50% of patients, stones will reoccur within 10 years. About 10% of men and 3% women develop kidney stones at a given point of time in their mid-age, says urologist Dr Manish Bansal.

Dr BS Bansal, chairman, RG Stone Urological Research InstituteDrinking orange juice is the best prevention against kidney stones. Research shows that it boosts levels of citrate in the urine and reduces the crystallisation of uric acid and calcium oxalate, into stones. Reduce your intake of coffee, red meat and salt

Samajwadi party General Secretary Amar Singh is the latest victim

When UP Chief Minister Mayawati threatened to send Samajwadi Party Member of Parliament Amar Singh to jail, he declared he will not flee the country and is ready to face whatever comes his way.

Political consequences aside, what the country didnt know was that kidney complications were also on the cards.

Sources close to the SP party member say he has been suffering from a kidney ailment, and was admitted to a private hospital in Delhi, on Monday. He is also said to have fainted at the Ash-Abhi wedding. Recently, Singh had undergone a surgery to remove kidney stones.

Shameem AkhtarLeg toners

Though walking and running power your legs, these yoga stretches work out subtle muscle mass.

Pawan muktasana or energy-releasing pose variation Method: Stand a foot apart from a desk or chair. Bend hands to grasp each elbow. Inhale. Exhale. Place elbows on desk, leaning forward. Breathe normally.

Press heels down. Push your hips out and up, feeling the stretch at the back of your legs. Hold the pose as long as your can. Release. You can do this several times a day.

Benefits: Trims back of hips and thighs. Tones spinal nerves. Uplifts mood.

Utthita hasta pada angushtasana or raised hand-to-toe pose Method: Stand an arms distance away from a support, like a desk. Place left arm firmly on the support. Fold a belt or a scarf to pass it around the sole of your right foot, holding the ends in your right hand. Inhale.

Exhaling, pull the belt up so that the right leg is raised high, sideways. Hold for as long as you can, breathing normally. Release and repeat for a few times. Relax. Then repeat entire sequence for the other side.

Benefits: It works out hip joints. Ideal for people having sedentary jobs.



Read more of Shameem's
yoga articles on http://jaisivananda.blogspot.com

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