Your kidneys are essential for filtering excess waste and liquids from your bloodstream that are then excreted from the body through urine. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) involves a gradual loss of kidney function that can lead to a dangerous build up of fluid, waste, and electrolytes. Many individuals do not receive a diagnosis until the disease is advanced, as the symptoms are minor and hard to notice—once you receive a diagnosis and as the symptoms progress, you can be treated with medications like Kerendia. To catch kidney disease early on, be aware of the following early warning signs: 1. Loss of appetite Although a very general symptom, it can occur as a result of kidney failure. Due to the toxins being trapped in your body and not filtered out properly, it can kill your appetite. With kidney disease, even if you’re not hungry, it’s extremely important to eat so you can get all of the nutrients you need and keep your body energized to fight the disease. 2. Changes in urination If you notice any abnormal changes in your urination, it may be a sign of kidney failure. When the kidney filters are damaged, it can cause an increase in urination frequency.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory disease that results in inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract—mainly affecting the lining of your large intestine (colon) and rectum. There is no known cure, but there are new treatments and medications available to reduce symptoms, including Entyvio and Stelara. With UC, it’s important to monitor your diet as certain foods can be triggers that cause flare-ups. Read on to learn what foods you should avoid with colitis: 1. Spicy food Spicy food like hot sauce, hot peppers, chilis, and more can trigger symptoms or worsen an ongoing flareup by affecting the digestive tract. Diarrhea and other symptoms associated with UC are likely to get worse with the consumption of spice, so try to avoid it. 2. Dairy products Avoiding dairy products will likely be in your best interest if you have UC. Due to the lactose properties in many dairy products, like milk, cheese, and yogurt, consuming them can be a trigger for UC symptoms such as diarrhea, gas, and abdominal pain. This becomes worse if you’re lactose intolerant as your body has a harder time digesting the lactose. If dairy is a big part of your diet, try reaching for lactose-free dairy products or try a Lactaid before eating.

Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the brain that directly affects the nervous system and causes dyskinesia, unintentional or uncontrolled movements. This can include stiffness, shaking, balancing and coordination difficulties. Symptoms come on gradually and progressively worsen over time—while there is no cure, these symptoms can be managed with medications and treatments such as Gocovri ER, Rytary, Ingrezza, and Austedo. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should see your doctor to get tested for Parkinson’s disease: 1. Tremors Tremor’s as a result of Parkinson’s often begin in the hands and ‘spread’ to the rest of the arm and could eventually go down to the foot on the same side. While there is no cure or way to completely stop the tremor, there are medications and treatments that can make it more manageable as well as different products that can help make daily tasks easier for those with tremors. 2. Muscle stiffness Muscle stiffness can make your body feel more inflexible and rigid as well as making daily tasks, like tying shoelaces, writing, and turning over in bed, more challenging to complete. It can be difficult to relax your muscles or to stretch. 3. Slowed movement If you notice it’s taking you longer to do things and move around, this is one of the main  symptoms of Parkinson’s known as bradykinesia.

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by its symptoms of inflammation of the eye muscles and fatty tissue, resulting in eyes pushed forwards that appear ‘bulging.’ TED often occurs as a result of an overactive thyroid gland due to Graves’ disease and often occurs after the diagnosis of thyroid disorder. Symptoms can be managed with treatments and medications such as Tepezza. Here are some early signs of thyroid eye disease to be on the lookout for: 1. Eye bags Due to the inflammation of the eye muscles and fatty tissue, it is normal to get eye bags with TED. Eye bags should reduce with treatment of TED, but if they are still significant, some patients consider aesthetic treatments such as skin care, wrinkle relaxers, and fillers that are injected. 2. Dry or gritty eyes With TED, the muscles around the eyes become affected. The upper lid may pull up whilst the lower lid pulls down—this paired with the build up of tissue behind the eye and ‘bulging’ makes it challenging to close your eyes tight. If you don’t blink enough or cannot close your eyes tightly, moisture will quickly evaporate and result in dry eyes. TED may also result in a reduced production of tears, another cause of dry eyes.

People worldwide have life insurance, whether you’re from the USA, Canada, or the UK, there’s specific policies and options for everyone from family life insurance plans or plans for seniors. Before choosing your life insurance, it would be smart to get a quote and understand the insurance policies deductible. However, it’s important to read and review your life insurance policy to understand what it does and does not cover. Here’s some things life insurance typically doesn’t cover: 1. Engaging in risky activities Risky activities, although fun and provide amazing adrenaline rushes, won’t be covered by your life insurance if you die—you might be surprised to learn that risky activities include scuba diving. Some life insurances offer risky activity coverage, but they are only available at a high premium. So, next time you’re thinking about rock climbing, hang gliding, or aviation, make sure you understand the consequences that could come with it. 2. Suicide Life insurance generally covers suicide; however, in the first 2 years of having it, policies include what is called a suicide clause. During this period, a suicide won’t be covered, but premiums that have been paid will be refunded. 3. Illegal activities  If you die while engaging in an illegal activity or committing a crime, life insurance will more than likely deny the claim and your beneficiaries won’t be able to claim death benefits.

Arthritis is the swelling, inflammation, and tenderness of the joints. It most commonly affects the elbow, knees, feet, and hands and can cause pain, stiffness, redness, and a decreased range of motion. Arthritis typically worsens with age, and many seek treatment to ease symptoms and pain, such as Xeljanz that can treat various kinds of arthritis and ease inflammation. Diet can play a significant role in managing arthritis symptoms as well, so try out these snacks to help in addition to your prescribed medications: 1. Veggies and dip Certain veggies provide fantastic vitamins and nutrients that are phenomenal for managing arthritis symptoms. Broccoli, for example, is high in sulforaphane that reduces joint deterioration as a result of arthritis. There are many vegetables that are high in other essential nutrients like fiber and vitamin C, so try out carrots, tomatoes, red peppers, and more. These veggies paired with dip make for a delicious snack that will help you manage your inflammation and pain. 2. Chips and salsa Believe it or not, chips and salsa can be great to help manage your symptoms—and it’s all in the salsa. The delicious blend of veggies and spices make it a snack high in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants that can ease joint pain and inflammation.

For many of us, water is a constant companion, whether it’s distilled water from a jug in the refrigerator, tap water filtered through a high-tech water filter, sipping on a fruity flavoured water during a midday break, or grabbing a bottled water on the go. However, do we ever pause to think if there’s an optimal time to drink water for maximum health benefits? The answer may surprise you. This article delves into the best times to hydrate ourselves, harnessing the power of H2O for enhanced well-being: 1. When waking up Starting your day with a glass of water is akin to giving your body a head start. After a long period of sleep, your body is slightly dehydrated. Drinking water first thing in the morning rehydrates the body, jump-starts your metabolism, aids in flushing out toxins, and boosts brain function. 2. Before you eat Drinking water approximately 30 minutes before your meals can be incredibly beneficial. This habit aids digestion by preparing your stomach for food, stimulates the production of digestive juices, and can even help control your calorie intake, as the water fills up some space in the stomach, leading to a feeling of fullness. 3. When you exercise The body loses water through sweat during physical activities, so it’s vital to replenish the lost fluids.

Lupus, or lupus nephritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that occurs when lupus autoantibodies affect structures in your kidneys that filter out waste. This causes the body to mistakenly attack healthy tissue, which leads to chronic inflammation and tissue damage, and may lead to blood or protein in the urine, high blood pressure, impaired kidney function or even kidney failure. Lupus can affect multiple body parts—including the organs, skin, heart, and brain. Lupus can affect people of all ages and genders, but it’s most prevalent in women between the ages of 15 and 44 years old. Warning signs and symptoms of lupus include the following: 1. Joint pain and swelling Depending on the individual, joint pain and swelling associated with lupus can be mild or severe. The knees, wrists, hands, and feet are the joints in which pain and swelling are most prevalent. Lupus pain is most often characterized as a dull ache. However, many patients claim the pain is sharp and stabbing. Lupus swelling can involve one joint or multiple joints at the same time. In addition, associated symptoms may include redness, warmth, and joint stiffness. These symptoms are almost identical to those seen in patients with prurigo nodularis lupus.

Atopic eczematous dermatitis, or just eczema, is a skin condition in which the skin becomes inflamed, resulting in itchiness, dry and scaly skin, blisters, rashes, and skin infections. If you’re struggling with these frustrating and painful symptoms, you should speak to your dermatologist to find treatment, like topical creams and corticosteroids. Eczema comes and goes overtime, and as you live with it, you will come to learn what triggers a flare-up—this could be things like the food you eat, the weather, allergens, and even irritants like detergent, shampoos, and soaps. To avoid flare-ups, you should avoid these soaps that trigger eczema: 1. Fragranced soaps If you have eczema, it’s likely that you’re already aware of fragranced soaps being a trigger for flare-ups. No matter how much you love your seasonal scented soaps, it’s best to avoid them. This includes soaps scented with essential oils—although it’s natural, these can still be harsh on the skin and cause skin reactions. 2. Soaps that contain dye However fun a bright pink or pastel blue bar of soap may look, they should just be kept for bathroom decor. Soaps containing dye can be harmful on eczema-prone skin, as they can be allergens. Avoid any colored and dyed soaps for the sake of your skin.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is what happens when the pressure in your blood vessels becomes too high. High blood pressure can result in a heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation (Afib), kidney damage, valve failure, and so on. There are some treatments that can help with these issues, such as a valve replacement, or preventative measures like a pacemaker or ECG machine to keep track of heart rate or electrical activity. High blood pressure is caused by factors like not exercising, diabetes, obesity, and even the food you consume. In the healthcare landscape, the incorporation of advanced medical technologies has significantly improved the monitoring and management of cardiovascular health. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), heart monitor devices, Electrocardiograms (ECGs), and Atrial Fibrillation (AFIB) devices are pivotal in addressing heart-related issues. These technologies are especially crucial in cases of heart failure. AEDs, for instance, act as life-saving devices by delivering prompt electrical therapy during sudden cardiac arrest. Continuous monitoring through heart monitor devices and ECGs provides valuable data for healthcare professionals, aiding in the management of conditions like AFIB. Moreover, the integration of pharmaceutical advancements, such as carfilzomib and dapagliflozin, further enhances the spectrum of heart failure management. This holistic approach ensures individuals, including those grappling with conditions like AFIB, receive tailored and optimal care, aligning with the evolving landscape of healthcare technologies.