Kidney stone - An insight

What is a kidney stone?

Kidney stone is a hard mass that is caused when calcium oxalate or other chemicals in the urine form crystals that stick together.  These crystals may grow into stones, ranging in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball.  Kidney stones are common between the age of 20 and 40 years.  And they are more common in men, who account for four out of every five cases.

Diagnosis

X-rays can usually identify the presence of stones.  Specialised X-ray techniques (Sometimes using dye injections) or sound waves may be used to identify more accurately the size  and location of the stones and to test kidney functions as well.

Blood and urine tests may help the doctor to zero in on the factors causing the stone and plan the best treatment.

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G.S.Srinivas

Get a ‘heel’ing touch!

Opting for footwear with a broader heel base has several benefits………
Women spend money and time in procuring perfect pair of shoes. This helps them win appreciative glances from either sex. Women attach more importance to their looks than their health. Health experts across the globe vouch for the bad-effects of the wearing stiletto heels. The prolonged use of high heels gives rise to back as well as severe foot problems. High heels also affect your toes leading to blisters and foot infections.
The human feet is designed to be walked in a certain way so that the arches in the feet help balance body weight. When one wears high heels the nerves in the feet are stressed and the arches would not be able to absorb the shock of the impact. As a result of this a person who uses high heels for prolonged periods may not be able to stand for longer periods and in the long run may not be able to feel their toes.
There are different types of heeled footwear Of the heeled varieties, the pointed stilettos are the worst. Wearing them in the long run can affect your back and knees as they take the maximum pressure in trying to maintaining your balance. This causes your hip muscles in your legs to work harder to move and pull your body forward. Your knees also stay more bent and forward, causing your knee muscles to work harder. But women are often ready to put up with the pain to look good. When you slip your feet into those heels, your body is trying to adjust to height and hence causing a strain on your posture. As you keep wearing heels over a prolonged period of time, the muscles in your back are stressed, this does not allow you to sit erect for too long.

SKIP THE PAIN!

If wearing heels is unavoidable, then it’s important to keep the following tips in mind...

• Take off your heels every few minutes and give your feet a quick massage.

• If you are obsessive about shoes with high heels, make sure that the height of the heels is limited to one inch only.

• Choose heels that can prevent the foot from sliding forward so that you can avoid the pressure on your toes.

• Avoid wearing them to places that do not call for such heels.

For more information on helath tips visit http://www.healthtips.in

Courtesy: Chennai time 28/06/2010