Chronic kidney disease affects approximately 16% of the population globally. In America, close to 37 million Americans are affected by the disease. Although genetic predisposition contributes to the incidence and progression of kidney disease, lifestyle factors play a significant role. That is why your trusted kidney specialist Tsegaw E Egziti M.D recommends lifestyle changes to lower the risk of the disease and its related health issues. Even if you have a chronic illness, lifestyle changes also come in handy in managing it.

Subsequently, below are some of the lifestyle changes you may have to adopt to prevent chronic kidney disease.

Eat a healthy diet

A healthy diet is rich in essential vitamins and minerals such as sodium, protein, fiber, potassium, and low-fat products. Your diet should be rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables.  On the other hand, minimize your intake of sodium/salt, phosphorus, junk food, and sugar.

For instance, high phosphate levels promote damage to your body and kidney. Therefore, limit your consumption of phosphorus-rich foods like processed meat and soft drinks.

Excess sugar in your body causes hormonal imbalance, which leads to overweight and diabetes. As a result, the normal working of the kidneys is affected.

Stay physically active

Regularly carry out physical exercises such as walking, running, or riding a bike for at least 30 minutes daily or every few days. Consult your healthcare provider or kidney specialist about the activities that can be more effective for your health situation.

Regular physical activity is a sure way to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. When you are obese or have excess weight, that may contribute to diabetes and high blood pressure. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure; thus, if you have it, your doctor should provide you with the proper medication to control your blood sugar level.

High blood pressure can damage your kidney’s blood vessels and hinder the organ’s ability to get rid of waste and unwanted fluids from the body.

Avoid sleep deprivation

More than 60 million Americans have sleep disorders.

Studies link insufficient sleep to cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure risk. That happens since your sleep-wake cycle regulates the functioning and workload of your kidneys. Therefore, if you suffer from sleep deprivation or a disruption of the natural sleep cycle, there is a high chance of experiencing a decline in the function of your kidneys.

Following the tips below, you can avoid sleep deprivation and sleep for the recommended 7-8 hours.

•       Maintain a routine bedtime
•       An hour to sleep, avoid intense activities and intense artificial sources of light like your computer screen.
•       Avoid going to sleep on a full stomach
•       Sleep in a dark or dimly lit room

Do not drink excess alcohol

Routine drinking too much alcohol can slowly damage your kidneys and lead to kidney disease. If you are a heavy consumer of alcohol and a smoker, you are about five times more at risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) than a person who does not drink excessively or smoke.

It is best to quit drinking and smoking to help protect you from chronic kidney disease.

Contact Houston Kidney Specialists Center today to request an appointment and benefit from comprehensive chronic kidney disease prevention and treatment options.

It is normal to focus on the face when we think about aging signs – forehead creases and fine lines around the eyes and mouth.  But your face is just one area where your aging signs occur; for many, the neck ages faster.  A neck lift can significantly improve the appearance of your neck by removing excess skin and fat around your jawline, creating a more defined and youthful look.  However, like any other form of plastic surgery, you don’t want to jump into getting a neck lift Reston before you are fully informed.  Below are important things you should know before the procedure.

An initial consultation is vital

Preparing in advance is essential for any cosmetic surgical procedure.  While you should do your research, one of the best places to get accurate information is from your plastic surgeon.  They will have all the information about neck lifts you need to know and personalize their answers.  During the consultation, your doctor will evaluate your health and discuss your surgical goals and expectations; this can be exciting and intimidating.  All these emotions, paired with the new information you are receiving, can be overwhelming.

Neck lifts require a board-certified plastic surgeon

It is easy to assume that everyone offering neck lifts is a board-certified plastic surgeon, but this is not always the case.  You are most likely to get the best results when you work with a board-certified surgeon if you choose any other surgeon.  Board-certified surgeons use newer techniques and technology, have the most rigorous training, and invest in ongoing education while committing to best practices and maintaining high standards.

Besides being board-certified, you want to ensure that you work with a skilled surgeon.  Ensure that your surgeon has performed similar procedures; a surgeon could be experienced with plastics but struggle to deliver the best neck lift results.  Therefore, find a surgeon specializing in facial and neck procedures but if you can’t find one, make sure they have the experience level you are comfortable with.

There are potential side effects and complications

A neck lift is a surgical procedure, meaning it is associated with the general side effects of surgery.  For example, there is the risk of adverse reactions to anesthesia, bleeding, hematoma, scarring, infection, nerve injury, and skin loss.  It is also possible that you are not satisfied with the procedure’s results.  In such an event, a second surgery may be an option.

Swelling and bruising are normal after a neck lift; these may take several weeks or months to disappear fully.  Meanwhile, you will need to wear a special garment that compresses your neck to help reduce the swelling.

You require downtime

If you are considering getting a neck lift, you should factor in the time you will need to heal.  You may need to take some time off school or work; therefore, schedule surgery during the most convenient time.  During your recovery period, you will need to protect your skin from the sun, wear loose clothing and be gentle with your incisions.  Your surgeon will give you detailed care guidelines to ensure seamless healing and lower the risk of complications.

If you have further questions about a neck lift, consult your surgeon at Rostami OP.

Most people are likely to suffer from teeth injuries when engaging in some contact sports such as martial arts, boxing, and judo. Since people know how teeth injuries can be painful and hard to treat, they usually look for ways to protect their mouths. One commonly used method is the mouth guards due to their effectiveness. Midtown mouthguards are the best solution if you are engaging in these sports and worrying about your teeth. The following are the common myths you should not believe if you are looking to have mouthguards.

Athletes cannot use them with Braces

Most people believe they are not qualified to have mouthguards if they have braces since they believe wearing them will not have any impact. However, even if you have braces, you are a candidate for mouthguards as long as you engage in active sports. The mouthguards are usually customized for every person in a way that they accommodate any overlapping treatments or dental imperfections that you could be having.

They are Only Used for Contact Sports

Most people believe that mouthguards are only used by individuals who engage in contact sports. They believe sports are the only place they have a high risk for oral-facial injuries. However, even though they are mostly used in contact sports, they are still used in other places. They also solve bruxism, where people clench and grind their teeth when sleeping, by offering a barrier between the lower and the upper teeth.

They cannot protect if they do not Cover All Molars

Some people believe that for their mouthguards to be effective, they must cover all the molars. The truth is that if they cover all the molars, the person will feel more uncomfortable, and the condition could trigger a gag reflex. Mouth guards are designed to protect the impact zones, which are highly vulnerable areas. In most instances, the impact zones are the areas in front of your teeth and under your molars.

All of them are the same

Some people believe that all mouthguards look the same. Since most of them are not created for aesthetic purposes but for protection purposes, they seem similar to most people. However, even though many of them look familiar, some people go the extra mile to seek customized mouthguards that look more attractive.

They are Not Helpful at All

Some people have highlighted that there is no need to wear mouthguards since they will not protect you from an injury. The main reason they believe this is because some people have suffered from concussions when wearing them. The truth is that even though they protect you from many injuries, they do not protect you from all of them. You should wear them since they will reduce the risk of injury by a large margin.

If you are engaging in contact sports, there is no need to risk your teeth. Visit Charles M. Marks, DDS & Dental Associates, for outstanding that will leave you smiling. The specialists will check your teeth before offering you the best treatment. Visit the facility to have the best protection that will reduce the risk of oral injuries by a huge margin.