Kidney Health

Your kidneys...not just another pretty organ.  They are a significant part of our health, and it's not that easy to find after market replacement parts so, let's take care of the pair we have.  But how?

A lot of our kidney health depends on how healthy our overall lifestyle is and general health.  Many diseases of the kidney can be avoided with a little care.  As is true for most things, poor kidney health happens gradually, before we even feel the discomfort of symptoms.

You could probably guess the number one best, thing we can do for optimal kidney health...but there are 4 more important things listed after, and this is just the start of good kidney health.

1.  Water.  Kidneys enjoy being well hydrated with something other than soda.  (Sometimes, I have to say things we don't want to hear.) It's true. Water assists in the process of flushing out toxins from our system.  So, drink up! 
2.  Control your sweet tooth.  This seems like an odd thing that would affect your kidneys, but too much sugar and create a rise in uric acid.  Too much uric acid and your joints are never going to forgive you!  Uric acid crystals can settle in some joints.  This is called Gout and it's a painful inflammatory disease.  
3. Manage your blood pressure.  Did you know that hypertension is one of the known leading causes of kidney disease?  Our bodies are amazing machines and each organ, down to the smallest cell relies on each other to function well.  So, keep your heart healthy and your kidneys will thank you. 
4. Eat protein in moderation.  I know, Keto is all the rage but too much of a good thing, is simply too much of a good thing.  Protein contains nitrogen and ammonia, two things that the kidneys filter out of our system.  Too much protein and the kidneys may struggle to keep up with the added and extreme load.  Make sure you check in with your favorite provider here at Madison Women's clinic before you start extreme diets or lifestyle changes. 
5. Make sure your vitamin and mineral levels are normal.  Vitamins like Magnesium, can help get rid of extra calcium which could lead to kidney stones.  B6 and Vitamin D can create kidney stones and damage if they are deficient.  Again, make sure you work out these levels with your provider. 

Don't let problems with your kidneys go too long before getting medical attention.  There are probably more 'at home' cures out there for urinary tract infections than any other issue but don't assume this is always the best way to go.  It's best to check first with your doctor, so that more damage isn't done. 

Vaccines May Not Be As Bad As You Think

Vaccines get a bad rap and are the center of attention and controversy time and time again.  We hear the horror stories of vaccinations that media tends to run too far with and many of us just don't take the time to educate ourselves on the facts.

 

This post isn't actually about childhood vaccinations or about the flurry of angst that always crowds out the truth.  This is about the good things that can happen when we vaccinate...ourselves!  As grown women!

If you are one who believes in vaccinating your children, you tend to religiously follow the prescribed spacing of each vaccine but what about you?  Personally, I couldn't tell you the last time I had a shot of anything preventative...well, maybe Tetanus because I have an irrational fear of lock jaw, so let's figure this out together.

Here is a short list of why vaccines may be a good idea for your grown up self...

• As we age, our immune system isn't as agile as it once was.  This means there can be fewer antibodies moving around to fight off the intruders.  Getting boosters every 10 years can be like a...well, a boost to your immune system.  
• Many diseases that were once eliminated are coming back with a vengeance, perhaps you've seen the latest articles circling the web on measles.  That's not fun to suffer through when you are 6, let alone 66.  If your job takes you to mingle in large groups of people such as a teaching, vaccinations should be on your radar.  Maybe, at your next yearly check up, visit with your provider on which vaccines to focus on. 
• If you have a chronic medical condition such as Asthma or Diabetes, a vaccine for pneumonia can be a lifesaver.  Literally. 
• If you are a parent or a caregiver of a person with a compromised immune system, vaccinating yourself could mean you are helping to protect them.  Some people and children with chronic and life threatening conditions can not receive live vaccines which leaves them vulnerable but if those around them remain healthy, they have a fighting chance. 

What are the common vaccines recommended for those in the midlife bracket?  

1. Influenza
2. Tetanus
3. Shingles
4. Pneumonia
5. Meningitis
6. Hepatitis A and B

If you are interested in more information, click HERE to take a brief quiz from the Centers For Disease Control to see what they recommend.  Don't forget, our providers would love to help you navigate the confusing world of vaccines.