HealthTips

  Kidney stones are one of the most painful and common urological conditions, affecting millions each year. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize they have a stone until the pain becomes unbearable. Recognizing the early signs can lead to quicker treatment, less pain, and fewer complications. Here are 10 early warning signs of kidney stones you should never ignore: Pain in the Back, Side, or Lower Abdomen A dull ache or sharp stabbing pain in your lower back or side (usually on one side) is often the first and most common sign. It may come and go, increasing as the stone moves. Pain During Urination If urinating burns or causes discomfort, a kidney stone might be moving down your urinary tract, irritating the lining along the way. Frequent Urge to Urinate You might feel the need to urinate often, even if only a small amount comes out. This happens especially if the stone is near the bladder. Blood in the Urine This can appear as pink, red, or brown urine. Even small ...

  Key facts Fatty liver disease is a common condition — it happens in about 1 in every 3 .adults. It is when too much fat has built up in your liver, which can lead to liver damage. In most people liver damage can be reversed. You can prevent or improve this condition with a healthy lifestyle that includes lowering your alcohol intake. On this page What is fatty liver disease? What are the symptoms of fatty liver disease? What causes fatty liver disease? When should I see my doctor? How is fatty liver disease diagnosed? How is fatty liver disease treated? What are the complications of fatty liver disease? Can fatty liver disease be prevented? Resources and support   What is fatty liver disease? Fatty liver is when there's too much fat in your liver. Your liver is the body's main organ for processing food and waste materials. A healthy liver contains very little or no fat. If you drink too much alcohol, or eat too much food, your body turns some of the cal...

  Diet has a major impact upon your liver health. Eating unhealthy foods, or having a diet high in fats, salts and sugars can lead to liver damage or disease. Being overweight or obese can put strain on the liver, making it difficult to process the nutrients, vitamins and energy from your food. The connection between food and the liver isn’t always clear. If you feel your diet may be affecting your liver, please read on to learn more about diet and liver health. What causes fatty liver disease? The most common causes of fatty liver disease are: Being overweight, and/or extra weight around your waist Type 2 diabetes mellitus or insulin resistance High blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels Drinking too much alcohol   How can your diet cause fatty liver disease? Fatty liver disease can be caused by a few different things (see above). Depending on the cause, changes to your lifestyle and diet can help fatty liver disease. You should talk to your doctor, clinic...

  What Is Kidney Disease? Kidney disease can affect your body’s ability to clean your blood, filter extra water out of your blood, and help control your blood pressure. It can also affect red blood cell production and vitamin D metabolism needed for bone health. You’re born with two kidneys. They’re on either side of your spine, just above your waist. When your kidneys are damaged, waste products and fluid can build up in your body. That can cause swelling in your ankles, nausea, weakness, poor sleep, and shortness of breath. Without treatment, the damage can get worse and your kidneys may eventually stop working. That’s serious, and it can be life-threatening. Kidney Functions Healthy kidneys: Keep a balance of water and minerals (such as sodium, potassium, and phosphorus) in your blood Remove waste from your blood after digestion, muscle activity, and exposure to chemicals or medications Make renin, which your body uses to help manage your blood pressure Make a chemical call...

  Overview What is liver disease? Your liver is a large and powerful organ that performs hundreds of essential functions in your body. One of its most important functions is filtering toxins from your blood. While your liver is well-equipped for this job, its role as a filter makes it vulnerable to the toxins it processes. Too many toxins can overwhelm your liver’s resources and ability to function. This can happen temporarily or over a long period of time. When healthcare providers refer to liver disease, they’re usually referring to chronic conditions that do progressive damage to your liver over time. Viral infections, toxic poisoning and certain metabolic conditions are among the common causes of chronic liver disease. Your liver has great regenerative powers, but constantly working overtime to restore itself takes its toll. Eventually, it can’t keep up. What are the stages of chronic liver disease? Chronic liver disease progresses in roughly four stages: Hepatitis. F...