The kidney’s main function in the human body is to eliminate toxins, waste products, and extra fluid. It also helps control blood pressure and stimulates red blood cell production. Chronic kidney disease is a long-term condition that occurs when the kidneys fail to function properly, leading to poor blood filtering and an accumulation of toxins in the body. This article discusses the causes, symptoms, and natural remedies that can aid in managing the condition. Causes of chronic kidney disease The kidneys are responsible for the removal of toxins from the body through a complex system of filtration. However, when blood is not able to reach the kidneys, or the kidneys are unable to function due to some disease, or there is an obstruction in the flow of urine out from the body, it can lead to chronic kidney disease. Also, people with high blood glucose levels or high blood pressure can also develop chronic kidney disease. There are some other causes too that can give rise to the condition: Kidney artery stenosis This condition occurs when the renal artery, which supplies blood to the kidneys, becomes narrower. Obstructed urine output Poor urine flow can cause a reversal of the urine from the bladder to the kidney, which leads to increased pressure on the organ and possible dysfunction.

Did you know that Crohn’s disease affects quite a few people, whether children or adults, in the country? But what is Crohn’s disease? Crohn’s disease is recognized as chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which affects the digestive tract and causes irritation and inflammation. Usually, it develops at the start of the large intestine and primarily the small intestine. Today, let us enumerate some facts one needs to learn about this disease. Statistics and how common this disease is According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), more than 700,000 people in the country are diagnosed with this disease. This whopping number has been increasing and is more in industrialized countries. Who can be affected Though it can affect an individual of any age, it may, however, develop in people between twenty and twenty-nine years. Also, people with a family history of IBD may develop this disease. The root cause of Crohn’s disease is still unknown The causes of Crohn’s disease are still unclear. However, researchers believe it is the amalgamation of three factors, such as hereditary or genetic factors, environmental factors such as pollution, meals, and infections, and an immune system that starts attacking the GI tissue. Types There are five types, and they are ileitis, ileocolitis, jejunoileitis, gastroduodenal, and granulomatous colitis.

Despite the increased incidence of depression among children, young adults, and adults, many still fail to recognize its early warning signs and symptoms. Depression can occur spontaneously or appear as a reaction to stress and anxiety brought on by unfortunate life events. The symptoms can happen once, be repetitive, or worsen into severe depression. After evaluation, a primary physician will spot the symptoms of depression and refer one to a certified mental health professional. Types of depression and their symptoms Naturally, unfortunate incidents like the unexpected or sudden loss of a loved one, financial loss, or poor performance at school, college, or the workplace can make a person feel sad, anxious, and demotivated. These feelings typically last for a few days, and a person returns to normalcy and participates in regular life activities. However, if a person feels sad with or without an apparent cause, so much that they stop enjoying things around them, or if their mood interferes with daily life chores, it could be a depressive disorder. There are various types of depressive disorders; knowing each can help you detect them in yourself or a loved one. Depressive disorders, also recognized as mood disorders, are of three primary types:

Anxiety is a feeling that something will go wrong when preparing for an activity or event. Feeling anxious is normal and can sometimes help as it can help you work towards perfection. However, for some people, anxiety can last long, and they may experience intense symptoms for many hours or days. They often sense danger where there is none or face difficulty sleeping. When these symptoms last a long time, it leads to anxiety disorder. Impact of anxiety The perception of impending danger, even though there is none, directly affects one’s bodily functions. If the symptoms are short-lived, there is no danger at all. However, if the symptoms last more than a few weeks, they can affect our thoughts, behavior, and emotions. The impact on these functions depends on the intensity of the symptoms a person feels. Cognitive Anxiety impacts how we think. Your mind could immediately worry about the threat, and you could be upset or feel threatened with anxiety. Physical Some physical reactions you may feel when you are anxious includes increased heart rate, nervous tics like shaking legs or picking nails, muscle tension, increased tension, tremors, breathlessness, nausea, freezing, and blanking out. Behavior When you are anxious, your behavior can change by either doing something new or avoiding things you have been doing so far.

Clinical depression is the severest form of depression that can impact a person’s ability to participate in routine or major life activities. Treatment is a process that focuses on curing depression and its symptoms through different treatment methodologies. On the other hand, management is about treating the disease and giving proper emotional and psychological care. Effective management of depression is vital to improve the quality of life of the affected person. Management of clinical depression The typical steps in the management of depression include: Detection of symptoms Screening and diagnoses Patient and caregiver education Treatment Follow up Given below is detailed information about the different steps doctors and mental health professionals follow to manage clinical depression: Detection of clinical depression A person or a family member may reach out to their primary physicians when they experience persistent symptoms of depression. Doctors identify the following as the most visible and common symptoms of clinical depression: Persistent sadness Loss on interest Loss of pleasure Everyday insomnia or hypersomnia Slowed speech Decreased movement Fatigue Feeling worthless Decreased concentration If one notices such symptoms within themselves or anyone around them, it is best to seek professional help. Screening for clinical depression A primary physician would refer a person to a psychiatrist if they continuously notice any of the above symptoms for two months.

Dry eyes is a common health condition that occurs when the eyes do not produce sufficient tears. It could result from hormonal changes, certain autoimmune diseases, or other factors. Whatever the cause, you can follow a due course of treatment with the advice of an eye doctor to manage the problem. Here are a few common symptoms that help identify dry eyes and simple home remedies to treat the same. Signs and symptoms The following are four signs of the condition: Changes in the eyes When affected by the disorder, you may notice slight changes in the eye. For instance, the surface may turn red, and the eyelid may look inflamed. This will likely be accompanied by pain, itching, or a burning sensation. You may also feel like a particle of sand is stuck in your eyelid, which you cannot remove. Since the symptoms can overlap with other eye-related diseases, visiting a doctor for an accurate diagnosis can help get treatment early. Excess formation of tears While the term “dry eyes” seems to imply that the eyes are dry, excess tears could be a sign of the ailment. When the eyes do not produce sufficient tears and irritate, the brain sends signals to make more tears as a response.

Insomnia is a long-term condition wherein one has trouble falling asleep. However, not everyone who has sleeping problems has insomnia. It is also important to know that if one doesn’t get 8 hours of sleep daily, it need not be due to insomnia, there could be various other reasons. Insomnia can lead to other problems like fatigue, exhaustion, lack of productivity, absentmindedness, and concentration issues. Let us understand the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for insomnia.  What is insomnia Most of us would have spent a few days of our life finding it difficult to sleep. If this happens rarely, it cannot be considered insomnia. Doctors say that one could have insomnia if one’s sleep quality is poor and one has the following problems for three nights a week for at least three months: Lying awake in bed while tossing and turning for a long time before falling asleep Staying awake most of the night Wake up often and find it difficult to go back to sleep Wake up too early in the morning Types of insomnia The following are the different types of insomnia: Adjustment insomnia It is adjustment insomnia if a person cannot fall asleep or stay asleep due to excitement or stress.

While humans express various emotions by crying, tears serve some functions beyond this expression. While tears are the body’s response to pain, their main purpose is to lubricate the eyes. Tears coat the surface of the eyes and prevent dryness. As the eye surface does not have any blood vessels, tears help transport the oxygen and nutrients for the surface cells. The moisture also gets rid of irritants or foreign particles that enter the eyes.  How are tears produced? The eyes have two lacrimal glands, one above each eyeball towards the outer part of the eyelid. These glands secrete a clear fluid, i.e., tears, that lubricates and cleans the eyelid’s surface. Though their main function is lubrication, they protect the eyes from infection. Tears are made up of proteins, electrolytes, and vitamins crucial for maintaining eye surface health. When lacrimal glands produce insufficient tears or those of poor consistency or quality, one experiences dry eyes. What is dry eye syndrome? Dry eye is a common condition that affects up to 15% of the population in the country. The condition develops when the eyes do not produce enough tears for lubrication or when the tears have the wrong consistency, making the tears evaporate quickly.

According to the American Diabetes Association, by 2050, nearly 29 million people will live with diagnosed diabetes. While genetic predisposition and age contribute to one’s risk for acquiring type-2 diabetes, obesity due to an unhealthy lifestyle and nutritional regime plays a significant role in this. So let’s get to know how you can make simple lifestyle changes and prevent the risk of type-2 diabetes and gain other health benefits too. Food and diabetes Diabetes is a severe and chronic condition characterized by abnormally high blood sugar levels. It happens when your body cannot produce enough insulin or effectively utilize it. It is known as type-2 diabetes. When your body doesn’t generate any insulin, it is called type-1 diabetes. However, some research papers indicate a strong link between unhealthy BMI and diabetes. An unhealthy BMI, which results from consuming high amounts of sugar for a long time, is directly proportional to your risk of type-2 diabetes. A nutritionally balanced, low-calorie meal plan is key to body mass management. Any amount of body mass loss helps reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes. Here are some foods that you should avoid to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Processed meats According to experts, eating processed meat over time increases your risk of type-2 diabetes by 19 percent.

Dementia is not a disease by itself but refers to a group of symptoms that affects a person’s memory, cognitive abilities, calculation, learning abilities, language, and ability to make decisions. It generally affects older people but is not a natural aging process. While most seniors may forget an acquaintance’s name or forget where they place things, not everything points toward dementia. People with dementia may have problems with other faculties like communication, reasoning, judgment, and decision-making. Risk factors for dementia Dementia can happen due to various reasons, including diseases or injuries that affect the brain. Though age is one of the biggest risk factors for dementia, young-onset dementia is also seen in people below the age of 65. Other risk factors include sedentary lifestyle; high BMI; irregular and unhealthy eating habits; cognitive inactivity; having high blood sugar, blood pressure, or cholesterol; previous brain injury or brain infection; stroke. Prevention of dementia Doctors and researchers are yet to find a way to prevent dementia. However, studies indicate that a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of people developing dementia when they age. One way of preventing dementia is to alter the lifestyle factors that can increase its risk. Eating healthy, being physically active, drinking in moderation, maintaining a desirable BMI, learning to relax, and reducing stress are some ways to prevent dementia.