Monday, April 29, 2013

Kidney Stones

Kidney stone is formed by the collection of waste product from the blood which crystallize in the kidney. After a kidney stone has formed, the body will try to pass it out of the body in urine.Small stones may be passed out painlessly in the urine and may even go undetected. However, it can cause terrible pain in the abdomen when blocking part of the urinary system.


Symptoms
  • Intense pain in the back or side of  abdomen which last for minutes or hours
  • Restless and unable to lie still
  • Nausea 
  • Blood in urine
  • Cloudy or smelly urine
  • Burning sensation when urinate 
  • Fever
  • Frequent urination 
  • Pain during urination

Causes
  • Poor diet
  • Family history
  • Hyperthyroid
  • Urinary tract blockage
  • Chronic bowel inflammation
  • Calcium oxalate build-up
  • Too much coffee
  • Over refined diet
  • Too much meat
  • High sodium intake
  • Lack of dietary fibre

Action plan
  • Increasing fluid intake of citrate-rich foods ( lemonade and orange juice)
  • Maintain a calcium (Ca) intake of 800 mg per day
  • Limiting sodium intake to less than 2000 mg per day
  • Limiting vitamin C intake to less than 1000 mg per day
  • Limiting animal protein intake
  • Limiting consumption of foods high in oxalate (such as spinach, strawberries, nuts, rhubarb, wheat germ, dark chocolate, cocoa, brewed tea)


Monday, April 22, 2013

Impotence


Also refer as erectile dysfunction is when a man lack of desire for sex or an inability to maintain an erection either partially and/or fully.Erection problems are common in adult men. Almost all men sometimes have trouble getting or keeping an erection.In many cases, the problem goes away with little or no treatment. In other cases, it can be an ongoing problem. If a man have trouble getting or keeping an erection more than 25% of the time, it is a problem.


Causes
  • Diseases including diabetes, hypertension, heart or thyroid conditions, poor blood flow, depression, or nervous system disorders (Parkinson's disease)
  • Stress,anxiety, fear, or anger
  • Medication such as blood pressure or heart medications, peptic ulcer medications, sleeping pills, and antidepressants
  • Smoking, alcohol or cocaine use
  • Lack of communication with partner
  • Hormonal imbalance (low level of testosterone )
  • B vitamin deficiency
  • Nerve damage from prostate surgery
  • Overweight


Action plan
  • Eat celery, banana, garlic, cinnamon, ginger,beetroot and avocados to promote the health of reproductive organ.
  • Reduce the intake of coffee,white processed food, and tinned food.
  • Cut down on smoking, alcohol, and illegal drug use.
  • Get plenty of rest and take time to relax.
  • Exercise and eat a healthy diet to keep good blood circulation.
  • Use safe sex practices to prevent HIV and STD.
  • Talk openly to your partner about sex and your relationship. 

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Haemorrhoids


Haemorrhoids or piles are swollen blood vessels of the rectum. The haemorrhoidal veins are located in the lowest area of the rectum and the anus. Sometimes they are swollen bluish, reddish or purple, often large,inflamed veins and capillaries sticking out of the rectum.Haemorrhoids are classified into two general categories which are internal and external.The internal haemorrhoids is lie far enough inside the rectum that hardly see or feel them. Whist the external haemorrhoids is lie within the anus and are often uncomfortable.


Symptoms
  • Anal itching
  • Pain or lump near the anus
  • Red bleeding from the anus
  • Tenderness or pain during pass motion


Causes
  • Straining on the toilet
  • Bad eating habits
  • Lack of fibre
  • Too much sugar
  • Too much coffee
  • Too much alcohol
  • Laxative use
  • Constipation
  • Lack of exercise


Action plan

  • Eat plenty of fibre to provide bulk in diet by including lots of fruits,vegetables, and nuts
  • Avoid straining in toilet
  • Consider fibre supplements
  • Drink plenty of water and fruit juice to avoid dehydration
  • Keep a regular bowel habit and go to the toilet when needed and don't try to hold it in
  • Maintain regular exercise to promote bowel movement

Monday, April 8, 2013

Gallbladder Removal


The gallbladder collect bile from the liver. The function of the gallbladder is to concentrate the bile and to secrete it into the digestive tract when food is eaten to aid the digestion of fats.Once the gallbladder is removed, a continuous trickle of unconcentrated bile from the liver goes directly into the small intestine.So, difficulties with the fat digestion are common.Bile also acts as a natural laxative so changes in bowel habits may also result after surgery causing bloating and abdominal discomfort. This may due to the constant secretion of bile into the intestines or from post- surgical adhesions or intra-abdominal scars.


Action plan


  • Increase fibre intake such as whole grains and pulses to remove toxins and excess cholesterol from the body and to keep the bowels health.
  • Increase fruits and vegetables intake which packed with nutrient for healthy liver function.
  • Beetroot which is great for the liver.
  • Avoid saturated fats from margarines, fatty meals and dairy products.
  • Avoid alcohol, caffeine, sugar and refined carbohydrates which put extra strain on the liver and irritate the digestive tract.
  • Eat small meals and snacks to avoid extra strain on the liver and digestive system.

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Fibrocystic Breast Changes

Fibrocystic breast changes is refer to small lumps on the breast under the skin. The lumps can easily move and may change in size. They are not usually considered to be precursors to cancer. Fibrocystic breast changes is common in menstruating women which affecting more than half of the women at their childbearing age.The changes can be diagnosed by doctor using mammogram or breast ultrasound.


Symptoms
  • Feel full, swollen, and heavy of breast
  • Thick or lumpy breasts
  • Pain or discomfort in both breasts
  • Pain or discomfort under the arms


Causes
  • Excess oestrogen relative to progresterone
  • A diet high in sugar and refined foods with high levels of insulin
  • Underactive thyroid or iodine deficiency


Action plan
  • Get tested by health care provider
  • Consume more fresh fruit and vegetables for their cleansing effects
  • Eat small and regular meals and snacks
  • Take magnesium citrate and vitamin B6 for hormonal balance
  • Check breast regularly to ensure the breast in normal condition
  • Take regular exercise to keep blood sugar level stable and gets the lymph moving

Monday, March 25, 2013

Eczema

Eczema or dermatitis is an inflammation of the outer layer of the skin. Eczema can vary in severity and develop on any part of the body but typically occurs on the face, neck, scalp and the insides of elbows, knees. and ankles. Mild forms leave the skin dry, itchy, and inflamed, whilst in more severe cases the skin can become raw and broken, causing it to weep or bleed. However, this skin condition is not contagious.


Symptoms
  • Rash
  • Itching
  • Dry, flaky skin
  • Redness and inflammation
  • Blisters
  • Bleeding or weeping

Causes
The cause are varied and there are several types:

Atopic eczema
-an over active immune response to environmental allergens such as dust mites, animal hair, or dietary allergens
-stress, emotional upset, nutritional deficiencies or weather changes.

Allergic contact dermatitis
-develops when body's immune system reacts to a material in contact with skin.
-arise several hour after contact with material and settle down again within few days once skin no longer in contact with it

Irritant contact dermatitis
- cause by regular contact with everyday substances, such as soaps, detergents and other chemical based product which irritating skin



Action plan
  • Get tested for food allergies test
  • Eat whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables
  • Drink lots of water
  • Take probiotic product which may reduce allergic reactions by enhancing bowel health and alter immune system
  • Take vitamin C for boosting the immune system which may reduce eczema symptoms
  • Eat food rich in essential fatty acid such as cold water fish, flaxseed,sunflower and pumpkin seeds
  • Avoid food with clogging effect such as red meat, dairy product,  fried and oily foods
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these have dehydrating effect on skin

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Dandruff

Dandruff is a common inflammation of skin which characterized by flakes of dead skin accumulating in the scalp and hair. It is thought to be due to a combination of imbalance in the oil-secreting gland of the scalp, fungal infection, hormonal imbalance and deficiency in essential  fats or zinc.


Symptoms

  • Greasy, oily areas of skin
  • Hair loss
  • Itching and become more itchy if infected
  • Mild redness
  • Plaques over large area
  • Skin lesions
  • Skin scales with white and flaking or yellowish, oily, and adherent

Action plan

  • Increase fibre intake which are high in a range of antioxidants, as well as minerals that encourage hair, skin and nail growth, a green diet can be good for preventing dandruff.
  • Increase omega 3 fatty acid intake which high in food such as cold water fish, flaxseed, sunflower seed and pumpkin seeds that act as anti-inflammatory agent. 
  • Take food rich in zinc to encounter low dietary levels of zinc that cause dull, unmanageable hair and even hair loss which including fish and pumpkin seeds.
  • Avoid intake of high sugar, alcohol, refined carbohydrates, yeasts and dairy products which adversely affect fungal conditions.