Author: Suparna Sil

Kidney stones are solid lumps of deposits consisting of various minerals like calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, uric acid and a combination of many other salts such as magnesium, ammonium and from phosphates of other salts. Medically speaking, kidney stones are termed “renal calculi”. The stones can vary in size from a small grain to as large as a golf ball in some cases. The salts are produced from urine and once they form a deposit, it can be very painful. The formation of these lumps can start in our body when our urine is too thick due to not drinking…

The concept of fitness is understood by many people that it basically means doing some strenuous exercises using sophisticated gym equipment to keep our bodies healthy and fit. Actually, this is not the case. Overall fitness is defined by the good physical condition that is maintained with the help of a balanced and nutritious diet along with proper exercise. In layman’s terms, fitness means good health. As we age our basal metabolic rate (BMR) reduces which in turn reduces the capacity of the heart and other vital organs of the body. As the capacity of the heart reduces we keep…

Renal failure is also commonly known as kidney failure. While most people are well aware of the name of the disease, most of us do not know the reasons behind it. Renal failure is often found in animals like cats, dogs, tortoises and even in elephants leading to their death due to untimely diagnosis and treatment. In many cases it occurs due to heredity, choosing the wrong types of foods and from not drinking enough fluids. Definition Renal failure is a medical condition in which kidneys, which acts like a strainer in our body, fails to filter waste materials from…

Sadly, there are too many people who do not understand the importance of physical activity in one’s daily life. Physically active people tend to have much better health when compared to sedentary individuals. A physically fit person always enjoys the benefits of good health and thus can lead a disease free life. To keep ourselves healthy we should participate in some type of moderate physical activity on a daily basis besides our daily work schedule. This is because when we work for 8-10 hours a day, many of us are only working mentally but not physically (office workers versus labor…

Glaucoma is a very common disease of the eye and anyone can suffer from it without even showing any symptoms at all before turning to blindness. That’s why it’s necessary for all of us to have some knowledge about keeping our eyes healthy in order to save our vision. Glaucoma is a disease caused by the damage of the optic nerve leading to blindness if undetected and left untreated. It can remain undetected until the optic nerves are significantly damaged by the fluid pressure in the eye. The damage of the optic nerve by the excessive fluid pressure creates “blind…

Working out daily with a variety of exercises is one of the keys to staying healthy and fit for a lifetime. Although we already know how important exercise is, many of us still make common workout mistakes every day at the gym. This may lead to many harmful effects on our bodies instead of keeping us healthier. Some basic rules need to be followed before we actually start working out. For example, warming up by doing some light cardiovascular training before starting an intense workout is a must to prevent injuries and to allow a gradual increase in our heart…

Antioxidants are substances that can prevent various harmful effects caused in the human body by active oxidants. Antioxidants not only prevent the oxidation of various free radical reactions in the body but can also help to reduce damage caused by the active reactions of free radicals. All living organisms require oxygen for their metabolism to help break down complex carbohydrates, proteins and fats into smaller forms in order to provide energy to our body. While doing so, oxygen produces free radicals which in turn produce chain reactions in cells that may eventually lead to the death of the cell. These…

Flavonoids are water soluble polyphenolic compounds that usually contain 15 carbon atoms. The structure appears like a linear chain containing three carbon atoms joined by two benzene rings. There are around 4,000 different varieties of flavonoids and many of them are found in various fruits, vegetables and common beverages like tea, coffee, soybeans and fruit juices. Flavonoids are classified into seven major types: Flavones Flavonols Flavonones Isoflavonoids Anthocyanins Chalcones Catechins Flavonoids have gained importance recently because of their tremendous health benefits which include having anti-tumor, anti-platelet, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidants properties. Some of the flavonoids can also be used for…

Hyponatremia is an electrolyte condition caused by the deficiency of sodium Na+ ion in the blood plasma. The normal concentration of sodium ion for a normal person is between 136-145 milliequivalent per liter, but if this level reduces below 130 meq/L or lower, the patient may slip into a coma. It is one of the most common electrolyte disorders found in elderly persons. However, it may also affect patients of any age group if the excess of water in relation to salt concentration is not balanced properly. Sodium ion is distributed within the human body in various percentages. For example,…

Caffeine is a mild central nervous system (CNS) stimulant drug with a bitter taste. Pure caffeine is a white crystalline solid belonging to the category of xanthine alkaloid and is usually derived from a decaffeinating process in tea and coffee. Caffeine is available in various quantities in different fruits, seeds and in leaves of plants. It can be found in the seeds of coffee plants, in the leaves of a tea bush or from the kola nut. The presence of caffeine in these plants can help to reduce the parasites and insects feeding on them and thus prevents them from…