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Kidney disease is one of the most underestimated illnesses that affect people across age groups. Nearly 14% of the total general population lives with chronic kidney disease (CKD). According to the National Kidney Foundation, CKD is accountable for more deaths than breast or prostate cancer. Despite such high incidence, there is a substantial lack of awareness about kidney disease symptoms.
In the article below, Dr Mohit Khirbat, a renowned nephrologist in Gurgaon, discusses the various signs of kidney disease that one must be aware of.
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Before we set on to discuss the common signs of kidney disease, it is important that we understand what kidney disease means?
As the name suggests, kidney disease is an ailment of the kidneys. Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located at the back of the abdomen right below your ribcage. Kidneys are responsible for the following functions –
Having kidney disease means that your kidneys are unable to perform the above-given functions properly. Kidney disease has various complications – a damaged kidney can affect the process of filtration in your body. As a result, waste and toxins can collect inside your body leading to health problems such as nausea, weakness, poor sleep, and shortness of breath.
Kidney disease is generally classified into two categories, based on their causes – acute kidney disease and chronic kidney disease.
As mentioned above, chronic kidney disease develops over several months or even years. This ailment often shows several early signs of kidney disease.
Here are some common symptoms of kidney disease you should know:
1. You are more tired: Fatigue is among the first early signs of kidney disease. In a small cross-sectional study of nearly 87 patients living with advanced chronic kidney disease, profound fatigue was noted as one of the top symptoms of kidney disease.
When your kidneys stop working with their everyday capacity, you tend to develop a buildup of toxins and waste in your body. These impurities can make you feel easily tired.
In addition, you may also see a significant drop in your energy levels. The collection of these toxins can also contribute to a decreased level of concentration. International Society of Nephrology (ISN) notes that fatigue is also a sign of depression which is commonly seen in patients with advanced renal disease.
2. You have difficulty in sleeping: There is a well-established link between sleep and kidney function. Your sleeping pattern impacts your kidney’s health and its functions.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, your kidney function is regulated by the sleep-wake cycle. Your kidneys function 24 hours a day and your sleep cycle helps in coordinating its workload. Patients living with chronic kidney disease experience a variety of sleep disorders.
A poor sleep pattern, increased sleepiness during the day, poor nighttime sleep and more among the early signs of kidney disease. The primary reason for these signs is the collection of toxins in your body.
3. You have an increased need to urinate: Damage to the filters of your kidney can lead to increased urination, especially during the night. Having an increased urge to urinate at the night (nocturia) is a well-known sign of kidney disease.
Nocturia is remarkably common in chronic kidney disease with approximately 64 % affected patients.
4. You see blood in the urine: When you think about what are the signs of kidney disease, you must consider the presence of blood in the urine. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering toxins from your blood. In this process, they usually reserve the blood cells.
However, when the kidney function is damaged, some of the blood cells begin to leak and appear in the urine.
5. You have swollen feet and ankles: Another vital function of your kidneys is to balance the levels of fluids in your body. When you are living with kidney disease, the excess fluid cannot escape and gets collected in your body. This accumulation of excess body fluids can lead to swelling in your feet and ankles.
6. You experience a loss of appetite: Due to kidney damage, you are likely to experience a variety of toxins remain in your body. This pile of toxins can affect your eating habits and appetite.
Several people (nearly 10% of people experiencing end-stage renal disease) experience a loss of appetite as one of the early signs.
7. You have skin dryness & itching: Other signs and symptoms of kidney disease include skin dryness and itching. Dermatological issues pertaining to the skin are highly common in people living with chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease with almost 40% of the patients being affected.
Skin itching may vary from moderate to severe in person to person. Dry and itchy skin is also a sign associated with mineral and bone disease, that is often found in people living with kidney disease.
8. You have foamy urine: One of the most common kidney disease symptoms includes having foamy urine. When your kidney gets damaged, it allows for a large amount of protein to leak out through urine. This protein presents in the form of foamy urine – with bubbles.
9. You feel muscle cramping: One of the common kidney disease pain symptoms is muscle cramps or twitches. As a result of reduced kidney function, your body is not able to regulate fluids and electrolytes leading to cramping. Components such as reduced calcium or phosphorus levels are leading factors for this symptom.
10. Your eyes are puffy: When your kidneys are not working properly, various minerals and protein get collected in your body. The accumulation of these components may settle be displayed in the form of puffiness under the eyes.
Additionally, chronic kidney disease is caused by diabetes and high blood pressure which can put a strain on the blood vessels of your eyes leading to vision problems.
Your ideal method of treatment for kidney disease will depend upon its cause, the severity of your symptoms, stage of kidney disease and your overall health.
Majorly, there are four treatment options available to patients living with kidney disease:
You can expect to feel kidney pain on your sides or middle and upper back areas. Sometimes, the pain experienced due to kidney disease can also progress to the abdomen or groin.
If you are wondering – is back pain a symptom of kidney disease? – the answer may be, yes. However, kidney pain in the back can also be caused due to other health conditions. It is best to consult a verified nephrologist in case you experience this symptom.
Kidney disease symptoms can be easily misinterpreted. It is essential for people of all ages to understand these signs and symptoms so that you can practice prevention and take the necessary treatment at the right time.
For more information, book an appointment with Dr Mohit Khirbat, a leading nephrologist at the CK Birla Hospital.
Ques: What is the first sign of kidney disease?
Ans: Fatigue, loss of appetite, foamy urine and changes in urinary output are some early signs of kidney disease.
Ques: What are the stages of chronic kidney disease?
Ans: Chronic kidney disease progresses over time through five stages. These are:
Ques: How can I protect my kidneys?
Ans: You should restrict your sodium intake, limit caffeine, exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep to protect your kidneys.
Ques: Which are the best foods to protect kidney function?
Ans: Top foods for better kidney function include cauliflower, blueberries, egg whites, garlic, cabbage, olive oil, bell pepper and onions.
Irritable and itchy anal cavity, trouble passing stools, bloody stools, and discomfort when you sit for a long time? – chances are you may have experienced these conditions at some point in time in your life. You’re not alone! 50% of the Indian population suffers from haemorrhoids. It is reported that 20% of cases suffer from piles and fissures together. However, many of us often fail to understand the fundamental difference between piles and fissure since both have similar symptoms.
In this article, Dr Mayank Madan, a leading general surgeon in Gurgaon, explains the difference between piles and fissures.
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Piles or haemorrhoids are inflamed veins in the rectal or anal region that may protrude outside, causing discomfort.
An anal fissure, on the other hand, is a small cut on the lining of the anal cavity.
Here are some essential differences that can help you understand what are piles and fissures.
| Piles | Fissures |
| Swollen veins in the anal canal, rectum or anus | Tear or cut of anal skin |
| Painless during the initial phase and increases as the swelling becomes more prominent | Very painful and uncomfortable with little or more bleeding |
| Piles are a result of prolonged constipation, pregnancy or chronic cough, physical strain | This occurs during pregnancy, as a result of obesity or an injury to the anal cavity, to people with Crohn’s disease, passing hard stools and chronic diarrhoea |
Piles Vs fissures are often misinterpreted due to overlapping signs and symptoms. Here is a detailed overview of piles fissures to help you grasp a better understanding.
Piles can be broadly categorised into three types:
The symptoms and treatment options purely depend on the kind of haemorrhoid you have and its severity. When deduced in the initial stages, you can even treat it with simple lifestyle changes and natural home remedies.
Internal haemorrhoids occur as hard lumps in the back passage inside the rectal cavity. You might not feel them initially as that region has very few pain-sensing nerves. However, in case you have prolonged constipation or strained bowel movement, then this can cause occasional bleeding and pain.
Internal haemorrhoids can be further classified based on their severity:
Some of the standard inner piles’ symptoms include:
External haemorrhoids are more prominent and painful as they occur in the outer region of your anal canal. They usually are covered with regular skin and have pain nerves surrounding them. This variant of piles is more painful and has a high risk of clots, skin tags, and other related skin infections.
Thrombosed haemorrhoids are characterised by a blood clot that prevents blood flow. Sometimes these haemorrhoids burst and start bleeding due to excessive blood. If you are wondering if these are bleeding haemorrhoids are dangerous, worry not! Although thrombosed haemorrhoids can cause a lot of pain and discomfort, they are usually benign.
Unlike piles, anal fissures can be very painful right from the beginning. The light tear on the moist tissue of the anal region can cause painful itching and spams in the anal sphincter.
Depending on the severity of the condition, fissures can be categorised as:
Acute fissures are freshly developed and thus, can be treated easily. One can encourage the self-healing of these fissures with simple home remedies.
If left untreated, however, they can manifest as chronic fissures in the future.
These are fissures that last for more than 8-12 weeks and need medical assistance to heal.
Along with the anal tear, chronic fissures also involve a swelling commonly known as a skin tag, and extra tissue growth known as hypertrophied papilla.
Usually, anal fissures entail a searing pain at the bottom. However, other fissure symptoms that you may experience are:
A typical fissure or haemorrhoid is easy to manage and would take a minimum of 6-8 weeks to heal completely.
You can try the following methods for the best treatment for piles and fissure for faster healing:
Depending on the severity of the condition, your medical practitioner might prescribe stool softeners, over-the-counter creams and topical ointments.
One can treat these health issues without operations, but in severe cases, your doctor may suggest surgery of piles and fissure. Depending on your condition, you can also opt for advanced methods including laser treatment for piles and fissure.
Certainly, you would know the difference between fissure vs piles. However, their symptoms can be managed by slightly altering your lifestyle.
Here are some recommendations you should follow if you are suffering from piles and fissure:
You can prevent the onset of piles fissures with good lifestyle choices. The preventive measures for these conditions entail promoting healthy bowel movement.
For many people, discussing anorectal disorders can be embarrassing and acts as a barrier to getting the right care. But these issues are liable to worsen if not addressed immediately. To seek the right care, it is essential to stay informed about your condition. Thereby, one should know the primary difference between piles and fissure. To avoid further health complications, one must seek medical advice as early as possible.
To get the best laser treatment for piles and fissures, visit CK Birla Hospital or book an appointment a leading general surgeon in Gurgaon.
Ques: What is the primary difference between piles and fissures?
Ans: Piles are swollen blood vessels while fissures are cuts, tears or cracks of the anal skin.
Ques: How to get rid of piles permanently?
Ans: To get rid of piles permanently, you should eat high-fibre foods, more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Ques: Can piles and fissures occur together?
Ans: Piles and fissures can happen together or separately.
Ask a pregnant woman how she is feeling and you will hear either absolute happiness or absolute discomfort. During the route of pregnancy, there seems to be no in-between. While pregnancy is a beautiful phase, it comes with its own share of distress, for instance – back pain. Approximately 50-80% of women are affected by lower back pain pregnancy. However, there is a very simple solution to this worry – physiotherapy during pregnancy.
Physiotherapy in pregnancy is an effective practice to reduce painful symptoms such as lower back pain, pelvic pain and involuntary urination.
In this article, Dr Aruna Kalra, a renowned obstetrician & gynaecologist at the CK Birla Hospital explains the various benefits of physiotherapy for pregnant women.
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Physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, is an evidence-based technique that involves the science of movement to promote healing and holistic fitness. It includes a wide array of exercises and massages.
While any person, irrespective of age and gender, can benefit from this technique, physiotherapy during pregnancy has well-defined advantages.
Our body produces a hormone known as relaxin. While both men and women form relaxin, this hormone is primarily produced in pregnant women. It is responsible for preventing any damage to a woman’s body during childbirth.
The production of relaxin increases significantly during the second trimester. Primarily, this hormone is aimed at the loosening of the birth canal and preparing your body for childbirth. However, besides the birth canal, high levels of relaxin result in the loosening of other ligaments in your body. While on one hand relaxin facilitates the flow of blood, it leads to muscle, joint and body pain, on the other. This side-effect of relaxin is the fundamental cause of your lower back pain pregnancy. The transitory loosening during this period of pregnancy can make your muscles and ligaments weak for a long period of time.
Physiotherapy during pregnancy is a helpful approach in dealing with the pain resulting from an increase in relaxin. This practice can assist in alleviating from muscle pain through the means of specific exercises and massages. The targeted exercises not only help in reducing pain but also maintain the strength of muscles.
As discussed above, antenatal physiotherapy can help in reducing pain and improving the strength of muscles. While a majority of pregnant women complain of the lower back pain, there are other areas that physical therapy can help with.
Some common issues pregnancy physiotherapy can deal with are:
It is important to remember that the source of your pain and discomfort is the increase in levels of relaxin. However, the location of your pain can be unique. The role of physiotherapy in pregnancy is identifying the precise location of the pain and addressing it to minimise ache.
Physiotherapy benefits pregnant women in multiple ways. The role of physiotherapy in pregnancy has both, long and short-term advantages. Some of the top benefits include:
As your pregnancy progress across three trimesters, physiotherapy and exercise during pregnancy also vary.
1. First trimester: The first trimester is the time when you are just getting used to pregnancy and the various changes it brings. Your physical activity, diet and physiotherapy will aim at assisting you in getting used to these changes. Your physiotherapist will begin by educating you and your partner about maternal and fetal changes and what to expect.
Physiotherapy in the first three months focuses on your posture, challenges at home and work and pre-existing musculoskeletal problems (if any).
Your physiotherapist will slowly assist you in correcting your postural at workplace and home. He/she will offer you techniques for safe lifting and mobility and treat any musculoskeletal problems you had been suffering from.
2. Second trimester: By the second trimester, you are well into pregnancy and accommodating the tremendous changes in your hormones and your body. Physiotherapy in the second trimester of pregnancy helps you in keeping up with these shifts.
Your physiotherapist will start exercises after completion of the anomaly scan and with clearance from your primary consultant.
Physiotherapy in the second trimester focuses on stretching techniques to improve the flexibility of the lower limbs and pelvis. You will be instructed to do mobility and strengthening exercises for the spine and the abdomen. The goal of this exercise during pregnancy is to enhance fitness and emphasise on pain management.
3. Third trimester: By the last three months of your pregnancy, your physiotherapist will focus on promoting strength and flexibility. You will be assisted towards labour coping strategies such as relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, positioning to facilitate labour and techniques to use in the pushing stage.
Physiotherapy in the third trimester of pregnancy involves advanced strengthening for the spine and abdomen, pelvic floor exercises, techniques to improve the flexibility of the lower limbs and pelvis and pain management.
Your choices during pregnancy will help in deciding the health of your fetus. Physiotherapy during pregnancy is a preferable choice for expectant women who wish to inculcate exercise and relaxation in their life.
Make sure to visit a verified and qualified physiotherapist and follow their correct instructions to avoid any complications.
For personalised guidance on antenatal care, book an appointment with Dr Aruna Kalra, the best obstetrician in Gurgaon at the CK Birla Hospital.
Is physiotherapy safe during pregnancy?
Yes, physiotherapy is a completely safe and effective method of pain management, exercises and relaxation during pregnancy.
How can physiotherapy help in pregnancy?
Physiotherapy during pregnancy has a large number of benefits. It helps an expectant mother to engage in physical activity, relaxes sore muscles, strengthens muscles, improves flexibility and offers pain management.
Is exercise recommended during pregnancy?
Yes, nearly 30-40 minutes of regular exercise is recommended for pregnant women to have a smooth and safe pregnancy, labour and childbirth.
Who should not exercise during pregnancy?
A pregnant woman who is suffering from severe anaemia, chronic heart or lung conditions, placenta previa or other complications should avoid doing exercise.
Congratulations on becoming a new mother!
A brand-new era of your life is about to start. Needless to say, with a baby in your life, your routine must have turned upside down. However, the birth of a child does not only affect your routine but also your bodily functions. After delivery, your body tries to get back to how it was before pregnancy. Externally, you will notice a change in your size and shape. Internally, your organs will resume their functions to maintain your health, meaning, you can also expect your periods after delivery.
In this article, Dr Anjali Kumar, a leading obstetrician at the CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon, discusses all that you should know about your first period after delivery.
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During the 9 months of your gestation, there is a break in the process of menstruation. It is a matter of simple biology that while you are hosting a fetus in your womb, you will not have periods. For most women, this gap is welcomed with a sense of relief. Thanks to pregnancy – you don’t have to worry about staining your trousers or deal with premenstrual syndrome for several months.
Nonetheless, periods after delivery make a comeback and it is, often, unpleasant. You should aware of first menstruation after pregnancy in advance to avoid any additional discomfort.
Your first period after pregnancy will not come almost instantly. The time period of menstruation post-delivery for every woman is varying. If you are wondering, after delivery when periods will come? The answer lies in the practice of breastfeeding.
If you are not breastfeeding your newborn, you can expect your cycle to start in 6-8 weeks. This time can also vary from one woman to another. On the other hand, if you are exclusively breastfeeding (meaning that your child is only feeding on your breastmilk), your periods can delay even more.
The link between varying times of breastfeeding and periods exists entirely because of hormonal function. Prolactin hormone that helps in the production of breast milk can suppress reproductive hormones. Due to this suppression, your body is unable to ovulate and menstruation is halted.
Getting your period will also affect your breastmilk to some extent. The overlap in hormones affects your breastmilk which can be felt by, both, you and your child. Your period may affect the composition or taste of your milk or there may be a decrease in supply. Every woman experiences some type of change differently. However, as these transitions are temporary, they should not be a cause of concern for the mother.
The long lag in the resumption of the menstrual cycle can make you wonder – does menstruation occur after pregnancy? But yes, it does. There is no well-defined schedule for when menstruation will happen. However, if you have any concerns or worries, you should address them to your obstetrician.
First postpartum periods appear for everyone differently. It is evident that your body has been tremendous changes through the course of pregnancy and would require time to readjust. Coming back to normalcy will be a gradual process. Until then, the natural biological processes will affect your body somewhat uniquely.
Since your body is again adjusting to the process of menstruation after a lengthy gap, you can expect some changes. Some top changes include:
The majority of differences in your periods after pregnancy is due to the extra collection of uterine lining that needs to shed. Due to this extra lining, you are likely to experience intense pain and cramping. With time, these symptoms will reduce and your body will get back to normal.
A variety of health concerns prior to pregnancy can affect your postpartum periods. For instance, if you were suffering from thyroid, you are likely to experience a heavier flow.On the other hand, if you were suffering endometriosis before pregnancy, your first period after pregnancy may be lighter.
Your postpartum periods after cesarean delivery are not majorly different from periods after a normal vaginal delivery. You can expect vaginal discharge and heavier bleeding because your body is trying to shed the tissues that were lining your uterus during pregnancy.
Initially, during postpartum, you can expect to notice heavier flow and clots in your periods. Over time, your flow will become light and provide a way to a creamy white or red colured discharge called lochia. This vaginal discharge, lochia, continues for upto 6 weeks by which time you will get your first period.
Lochia is a great indicator to identify postpartum period symptoms. You can identify whether you bleeding is associated to periods or if it is related to some other health complication. Lochia has a very distinct odour which cannot be identified as foul. It become lighter in colour and texture, gradually. Pregnancy-related discharge increases with exertion or activity.
If your postpartum period symptoms do not match the above given description, you should consult your healthcare provider for a checkup.
An ectopic pregnancy is one in which the fertilised egg implants itself outside the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies are uncommon and may require extensive recovery.
Periods after ectopic pregnancy may occur anywhere between 2-10 weeks. You can expect your first period after ectopic pregnancy to be more painful. However, the symptoms are usually manageable.
It is evident that your periods after pregnancy are going to be heavier and painful. However, these symptoms should not aggravate to a level of unbearable discomfort.
Watch out for the following symptoms:
Apart from these symptoms, if your periods have been absent for more than three months after you have stopped breastfeeding or if you notice that your menstruation is relatively scarce, you should talk to your doctor immediately.
Most women return to their normal cycle soon after giving birth. If your period was ‘normal’ prior to pregnancy, it will occur every 21 to 35 days post pregnancy, while the bleeding may last anywhere between 2 to 7 days.
However, ‘normal’ here may also relate to what you were experiencing before your pregnancy. If you have a history of painful periods or endometriosis, for example, you will likely continue to have painful periods over time.
In the weeks after birth, your body is still as fragile as it was during pregnancy. While you may be eager to return to your regular routine quickly, you must take things slow.
Avoid heavy lifting or doing any strenuous exercise. Most importantly, follow all your doctor’s instructions for recovery and ensure that you go for your postnatal checkups regularly. A comprehensive postpartum checkup should be done within 4 to 6 weeks after giving birth.
By learning about periods after delivery or postpartum health, you can prepare in advance and cope with the symptoms in a better way.
For more information, consult Dr Anjali Kumar, a leading obstetericin and gynaecologist at the CK Birla Hospital.
Do periods start immediately after delivery?
You can expect your periods to start within 6 weeks of delivery. However, the time may vary since every woman is different.
Can I get pregnant after delivery without period?
Yes, you can get pregnant again before getting your first period after previous pregnancy if you ovulate timely. However, you will not be fertile immediately after delivery.
Do periods hurt more after C section?
You are likely to experience heavy and painful periods irrespective of normal delivery or C-section.
Will my period affect my breast milk?
Yes, you may expect a decrease in breastmilk supply when you get your first period post pregnancy.
Joint pain is a common complaint in older people. Surprisingly, there is also a rising prevalence of bone and joint pain in younger adults. Nearly 20-25% of the Indian population living with chronic pain is affected by musculoskeletal disorders involving the joints. The alarming incidence rate provokes a fairly common question – why joint pain occurs?
There are various answers to this question. In this article, Dr Ashwani Maichand, a leading orthopaedic doctor at the CK Birla Hospital, will help us understand joint pain reason and its management.
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Before we move forward to learn about the different joint pain reason, let us understand what is meant by joint pain?
Your joints are the connecting parts in your body where two bones meet. It is because of the anatomy of joints in the skeletal system that you are able to move your body. There are four main types of joints:
A discomfort, ache or soreness felt in a joint is called joint pain, medically known as arthralgia. Joint pain is mostly the result of an underlying health condition that stifles your range of movement. Your bone and joint pain may vary from mild to debilitating. Mostly, the severity of joint pain is characterised by your age.
Joint pain can be caused as a result of an illness or injury to the joint. Sudden joint pain causes are mostly associated with injury or trauma. In other cases, a detailed investigation and diagnosis are required to find out the core cause of pain. These pains may arise due to old age, injury, or an underlying condition such as arthritis. Joint pains are also sometimes due to exertion of your limbs and multiple other causes. You do not necessarily require a visit to the doctor unless the pain is hampering daily activities.
Joint pains have a varied level of seriousness and based on the reasons they might require you to act in different ways. There are almost 15 different joint pain causes. Here, we outline some common joint pain causes include:
Arthritis: There are two forms of arthritis that might impact your joint pain – Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).
Sometimes arthritis is also a factor of sudden joint pain causes. The onset of arthritis can also affect in the form of acute pain.
Bursitis: Commonly seen in the major joints, bursitis causes the fluid-filled sacs near the joints (also known as bursae) to get inflamed.
Lupus: This is an inflammatory disease when the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. The joints are often a commonly affected area.
Chondromalacia Patella: This is a term used for the damage of the cartilage under the kneecap.
Tendinitis: This is the irritation of the tendons or thick fibrous tissues that attached the bone to the muscle.
Fibromyalgia: This is a condition where widespread muscle pain and tenderness are often accompanied by fatigue as well as sleep, and mood issues.
Osteoporosis: A condition that leads to the weakening of bones which cause them to get susceptible to breaking and damage.
Joint pains can also happen because of injury, overuse of the joints, infectious diseases like mumps and flu, cancer, and infections.
Joint pains do not always require medical attention. But if you are going through any of the below joint pain symptoms and you are unsure about why you are experiencing the same, you must visit a doctor:
You must also visit the hospital’s emergency room if you have:
When you go to your doctor, he/she will most likely perform a physical exam to understand and diagnose your condition. If the injury is serious, he might even order an X-Ray to understand the root cause of your joint pain. In fact, this is by far the most common way to diagnose arthritis-related damage.
If your doctor suspects the root cause of your joint pain as something more severe, he can request a blood test to determine the same. This could be for autoimmune diseases, influenza, or any other viral ailments.
Your doctor may ask for a sedimentation rate test to understand the extent of your inflammation as well as a full blood count.
Depending on the nature of the problem, joint pain treatment can range from medical treatment to home remedies for joint pain.
In the case of home treatment, one can implement them in the case of both varieties of arthritis – both OA and RA. The following methods are very impactful for joint pain relief:
Regular Exercise: Keeping your joints active helps them slow down the damage. Regular exercise for joint pain is advised, however, a very intense routine is not recommended, as it can cause further inflammation and discomfort. Low impact physical activities such as yoga for joint pain can be done to help relieve symptoms.
If your condition is significantly more serious, your doctor might ask you to undergo surgery to ease joint pains and other related issues. They might also need to draw out excess fluid, especially in the case of gout or infections.
In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the doctor is most likely to prescribe joint pain medication and lifestyle changes. Thereafter, they might suggest other methods to keep a check on your inflammation and prevent it from getting out of control.
Joint pain is a natural result of wear and tear in our joints. While, in most cases, it is not terribly crippling, some individuals might face significant trouble in these situations.
If your joint pain is making your movements difficult, you must visit your doctor and understand their diagnosis to maintain good health. We hope you may have gained a clearer understanding of why joint pain occurs.
For more information or personalised guidance, book an appointment with Dr Ashwani Maichand, a leading orthopaedic doctor at the CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon.
Ques: When should I worry about joint pain?
Ans: If your joint pain is caused due to an injury or if it is hampering your daily activities, you should seek medical intervention immediately.
Ques: What are the common causes of joint pain?
Ans: Common causes of joint pain include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, lupus, osteoporosis and injury.
Ques: How can I relieve joint pain at home?
Ans: You can relieve joint pain at home by doing low impact exercises, hot and cold compressions and eating more fibre.
Ques: Which vitamin deficiency can lead to joint pain?
Ans: A deficiency of vitamin D can cause joint pain and related problems.
‘Drinking is injurious to health’ – all of us are familiar with this health advisory. The ill-effects of alcohol are evident among people of all age groups. There is no good time for heavy drinking. However, there is a most definitively a bad time – pregnancy. Alcohol during pregnancy poses harm to not only the expectant mother but also the unborn child.
In this article, Dr Aruna Kalra, a top obstetrician and gynaecologists at the CK Birla Hospital, talks about the effects of using alcohol during pregnancy and how much alcohol is ok during pregnancy.
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Alcohol consumption during early pregnancy can pass on to the placenta and to the unborn baby through your blood. Your unborn child cannot process any quantity of alcohol due to the limited development of body organs. When the alcohol enters the fetal bloodstream, it can interrupt the baby’s growth leading to several complications.
The common side-effects of alcohol during pregnancy include:
Binge drinking (heavy alcohol consumption) during pregnancy has life-threatening consequences. It can also lead to a higher incidence of Fetal alcohol syndrome, a chronic condition in children whose mothers have excessive amounts of alcohol during their pregnancy.
Fetal alcohol syndrome is the most prevalent reaction to alcohol consumption during pregnancy. It is a health condition that causes brain damage and other growth problems. Every child with this condition is affected differently. Fetal alcohol syndrome leads to physical deformities, restrictions to brain development and behavioural issues. The side-effects of alcohol during pregnancy translate adversely in the form of fetal alcohol syndrome.
Some of the common symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome are:
If you are wondering how much alcohol is safe during pregnancy, the brief answer to this question is – no. Researchers have not been able to identify exactly how much alcohol is safe for mothers-to-be. Medical experts recommend that a pregnant woman should completely avoid the intake of alcoholic drinks.
If you are wondering what harm a small glass of wine could do, then you may want to rethink. No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy. You should avoid having that occasional drink.
Alcohol is extremely unsafe, especially during the first trimester. Your baby undergoes tremendous development in the first 3 months. Your chances of a miscarriage and premature birth increase significantly if you drink at this time.
After 3 months of pregnancy, the likelihood of birth defects in your baby rises upon alcohol intake. There is no good time to drink if you are planning to conceive, well into pregnancy or even breastfeeding.
When you know the aftermath a drink can do, you would definitely want to quit. The question is ‘how can I quit?’.
The safety of your unborn child is reason enough to avoid alcohol. You may not be in the need of motivation at this sensitive time. However, since pregnancy is a major life-event, your family and friends may want to celebrate this milestone. It can be somewhat difficult to avoid alcohol during social events such as parties.
Here are some tips to help you avoid drinking alcohol during pregnancy:
If you have difficulty quitting alcohol, you can always ask your OB-GYN or primary healthcare provider to support you.
For some women, pregnancy arrives packed as a surprise gift. It is possible that you may be oblivious to pregnancy and have had a few drinks.
If you are a light-drinker and consumed only a few drinks, you should not be panic. Light drinking at the most initial stage of pregnancy may not cause major complications. You should discuss this situation with your healthcare provider and avoid drinking again during pregnancy.
However, you must consult your OB-GYN immediately in case you have consumed a large amount of alcohol. Your doctor can perform a variety of screening tests and preventive measure to maintaining the safety of your pregnancy.
Every day is a dry day during pregnancy and rightly so. Alcohol during pregnancy can have adverse effects on the mother and the child. Considering that precaution is better than cure, you must avoid completely restrict alcohol consumption during this period. Try to steer away from your doubts about how much alcohol is ok during pregnancy? Because no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy.
Book an appointment with Dr Aruna Kalra, best obstetrician at the CK Birla Hospital to learn more about safe and healthy pregnancy.
Ques: How early in pregnancy does alcohol affect the baby?
Ans: Alcohol can affect the baby right from early pregnancy i.e. during the 1st trimester.
Ques: How much alcohol is safe to drink during pregnancy?
Ans: No amount of alcohol is considered safe during pregnancy.
Ques: How can drinking alcohol during pregnancy affect my baby?
Ans: Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can hinder fetal development, damage brain and spinal cord cells, cause heart defects and other abnormalities in the baby.
Ques: Which complications affect mothers from drinking alcohol during pregnancy?
Ans: Mothers can experience a loss of the pregnancy, preterm delivery and childbirth and labour complications.
Do you find yourself rushing to the bathroom every 20 minutes? If yes, then this article is for you. Frequent urination in men is a commonly shared woe. Most men, especially in the age group of over 50 years, experience distressing symptoms associated with urination. In this article, we will explore the various reasons for frequent urination and ways to manage it.
In the piece below, Dr Shalabh Agrawal, a leading urologist at the CK Birla Hospital, explains the reasons for frequent urination in males.
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Urination is our body’s natural mechanism of getting rid of waste fluids. Your urinary tract includes your kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra.
Urine is produced in the kidneys where the waste and toxins are filtered from the blood. Then the urine flows through the ureters and gets stored in the bladder. Through the urethra, the urine is passed from the bladder and out of our bodies. On average, a person urinates nearly 4-8 times during the day.
Frequent urination in men is exactly what the name entails. It is majorly a symptom of an underlying condition that causes a person to pass urinate several times (more than 4-8 times) throughout a day. In this condition, a man experiences a reduced ability to hold urine in the bladder and an increased urge to pass urine.
Frequent urination is often associated with an underlying health condition. It can even compel you to wake up several times in the night to urinate. The condition in which your bladder forces you to wake up in the middle of the night is known as nocturia.
Everyone, irrespective of age and gender, can be affected by frequent urination. However, some men have an increased risk of suffering from this problem than others.
Older men, above the age of 50 and men with an enlarged prostate are at a higher risk of being affected by frequent urination.
As mentioned above, frequent urination is a sign and symptom of another health condition. Experiencing an increased need to urinate implies that there may be something wrong with a part of your urinary tract.
There are several different causes of frequent urination. Various health issues can affect the organs of your urinary tract.
Here are some common reasons for frequent urination in men:
Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Urinary tract infection in men is a highly common bladder infection. UTI is classified into two types – the upper tract UTI (the one that affects the ureters or kidneys) and the lower tract UTI (the one that affects the bladder or urethra). UTI is more commonly found in women, as compared to men. However, the prevalence of this infection in men is also rising.
Along with frequent urination, the symptoms of UTI include painful urination, burning sensation while urinating, pain in the lower abdomen and blood in the urine.
Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH): Benign prostate hyperplasia or prostate enlargement is among the top causes of frequent urination in men. It is an age-related health condition that leads to abnormal growth of the prostate. The enlarged prostate, then, begins to press against the urethra and causes the bladder to weaken.
Common symptoms of BPH, besides frequent urination, are a feeling that the bladder is full, even right after urinating, a weak flow or stream of urine, disrupted urine flow and more.
Bladder stones: If you are wondering why frequent urination occurs, bladder stones may be the answer. Bladder stones are small hard deposits of minerals that form inside the bladder. This condition happens when minerals found in the urine crystalise and clump together.
Changes in the urine colour, blood in urine, a disrupted flow and increased urge to urinate are common causes of bladder stones.
Prostatitis: The prostate gland sits right below your bladder. It is responsible for the production of seminal fluid. Prostatitis is a condition that causes the prostate gland to swell and become inflamed. It is a common condition that mostly affects the health of men over the age of 50 years.
Frequent urination symptoms can indicate the presence of this ailment. Other common signs include pain in the groin, genitals or pelvic area and flu-like symptoms.
Urinary incontinence: Urinary incontinence is the inability to hold urine often leading to involuntary leakage. Simply put, urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. Incontinence is widely different from frequent urination. Urinary incontinence is associated with urine leaking while frequent urination is related to an increased frequency.
There are different types and symptoms of urinary incontinence such as stress incontinence, urge incontinence, functional incontinence and overflow incontinence.
Diabetes: Diabetes is a chronic condition that leads to increased levels of sugar in the blood. The kidneys of a diabetic person have to work extra to filter excessive blood sugar. Sometimes, the kidneys cannot function properly due to which the extra glucose is excreted from your body through urine. Excretion of sugar can also lead to dehydration.
Frequent urination symptoms are common in a person suffering from type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Interstitial cystitis: Interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome is a chronic condition that leads to pain and pressure in the bladder. Interstitial cystitis is more commonly found in women as compared to men.
Common symptoms include chronic or intermittent pain, pressure or discomfort in the bladder, frequent urination day and night.
If you are wondering what is the reason for frequent urination, one of the above conditions may be your answer. However, only an experienced urologist can diagnose the problem correctly.
The management or treatment of frequent urination depends upon its underlying cause. If the symptoms begin to disrupt the quality of your life, you should instantly seek medical intervention.
Your urologist will perform a variety of tests and analysis to diagnose the correct cause of frequent urination. Here is what you can expect during the diagnosis:
Your healthcare provider may order additional tests to confirm the diagnosis if they suspect the need for it.
The treatment of frequent urination depends upon the reason behind it. Your healthcare provider will aim to manage or treat the underlying cause leading to urinary symptoms.
If you are passing urine frequently due to diabetes, your doctor will offer effective management of your blood sugar levels. If the same is caused due to an infection such as UTI, then you will be offered certain medications to treat the bacterial infection.
Along with medication, your healthcare provider will help you regain bladder control through training and exercises. There are different forms of bladder training techniques used by doctors to control the constant urge to urinate male.
Frequent urination can easily translate into a habit. It is, however, possible to effectively control the urgency through some natural measures, such as:
Frequent urination in men is a leading cause of distress in older men. This condition can also equally impact younger men.
If you are experiencing increased frequency to urinate along with symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, pain in the lower back or side, changes in urine or abnormal discharge, you should immediately seek medical intervention.
For more information or personalised guidance on men’s urinary health, book an appointment with Dr Shalabh Agarwal, a leading urologist at the CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon.
Ques: What is the cause of frequent urination in males?
Ans: There are several reasons for frequent urination in men including prostate problems, urinary tract infection, sexually transmitted infection, diabetes and more.
Ques: How many times a day should a man urinate?
Ans: Normally, a man should urinate four to eight times a day.
Ques: When should you see a doctor about frequent urination?
Ans: You should see a doctor if you experience fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, cloudy or smelly urine, abnormal discharge and loss of appetite along with frequent urination.
Ques: Is frequent urination at night a sign of diabetes?
Ans: Yes, diabetes can cause frequent urination in the day and even at night.
Ques: Is frequent urination bad for the kidneys?
Ans: Yes, frequent urination can cause damage to kidney function.
Arthritis is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the joints. However, this one symptom is used to describe more than 100 different types of arthritis. One of the more common types is osteoarthritis. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), nearly 9% of men and 18% of women suffer from osteoarthritis across the globe. Osteoarthritis is highly prevalent and mostly affects the shoulder joint. Several men and women, worldwide, are living with the symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis.
In this article, Dr Praveen Tittal, a leading orthopaedic doctor at the CK Birla Hospital, explores what is osteoarthritis of the shoulder?
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Your shoulder is made up of three bones – upper arm bone, shoulder blade and collarbone. These bones make up two joints inside your shoulder:
The ends of your shoulder bones are protected by a smooth white tissue known as articular cartilage.
Osteoarthritis is the degenerative wear and tear of the articular cartilage. Over several years of use, the smooth protective tissue between the bones decreases. As a result, the bones of a joint rub against each other causing pain and swelling.
As the name suggests, osteoarthritis in the shoulder joint is a degenerative joint disease of the shoulder. When this ailment affects the glenohumeral joint, it is known as glenohumeral osteoarthritis shoulder.
Glenohumeral osteoarthritis shoulder is more common and prevalent than arthritis in the acromioclavicular joint.
The primary symptom of osteoarthritis in the shoulder joint is pain. However, shoulder osteoarthritis symptoms are characterised by pain that occurs while moving the shoulder or after you have moved the shoulder.
Other common symptoms of shoulder arthritis include limited or restricted range of motion, a clicking noise while moving the shoulder joint and an increase in pain while sleeping.
As mentioned above, shoulder osteoarthritis is a condition that is caused by the wear and tear of the shoulder joint. Over a span of several years, shoulder arthritis occurs due to overuse or aging. Primarily, osteoarthritis of left shoulder or even the right shoulder happens when the cartilage (soft tissue) in between the bones of the joints begin to break down.
Shoulder arthritis is highly common in people over the age of 50 years. However, it can also affect younger people. Mostly, in young people, this ailment is a result of injury or trauma, for example, shoulder dislocation or fracture.
It is evident that no person is exempt from developing osteoarthritis. However, the risk for osteoarthritis of right shoulder or left increases due to:
Your orthopaedic doctor will conduct a few tests to diagnose osteoarthritis of left shoulder or osteoarthritis of right shoulder. Before a shoulder osteoarthritis treatment is offered, it is important to draw a thorough diagnosis. Here is what the diagnosis protocol entails:
After the diagnosis is complete, your doctor offers the right shoulder osteoarthritis treatment depending on your overall wellbeing, age and health.
Shoulder osteoarthritis treatment is unique for every patient. Several factors such as your overall general health, age, past medical records, the severity of symptoms and more determine which treatment is ideal for you.
Here are some common methods of shoulder osteoarthritis treatment:
Osteoarthritis shoulder replacement is also known as shoulder arthroplasty. It is a partial or total invasive procedure and is often recommended as a last resort for advanced arthritis. Osteoarthritis shoulder surgery recovery time is nearly 3-6 weeks.
Another treatment procedure is stem cell therapy- stem cell therapy doctors for osteoarthritis of the shoulder. It is a fairly new method that involves the use of stem cells (building blocks of human tissue) for the treatment of arthritis.
As mentioned above, the shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in human body. Due to its excessive use over the years, nearly everyone is at a risk of developing an arthritic condition concerning the shoulder.
Shoulder osteoarthritis is a common ailment that affects several people in India. Despite its rising figures, the treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder is accessible.
Book an appointment with Dr Praveen Tittal, a leading orthopaedic doctor at the CK Birla Hospital to learn more about treatment methods for shoulder conditions.
Ques: Is osteoarthritis of the shoulder common?
Ans: Yes, osteoarthritis of the shoulder is the most common form of arthritis affecting the shoulder.
Ques: What does osteoarthritis of the shoulder feel like?
Ans: Osteoarthritis of the shoulder is characterised by pain, swelling, stiffness and reduced range of motion of the shoulder.
Ques: Can shoulder osteoarthritis be cured?
Ans: No, there is no cure for shoulder osteoarthritis. However, this ailment can be treated effectively to relieve symptoms and improve strength.
Ques: What is the best treatment for osteoarthritis?
Ans: There are several treatment methods for osteoarthritis. The best treatment for each patient is distinct and depends upon their health, symptoms and age.
Also, read: What is frozen shoulder? Causes, prevention and treatment
Do you know more than 76 million Indians suffer from diabetes? It means that 1 out of 6 people with diabetes in the world is from India. Clearly, the high incidence rate of this illness is alarming. However, what is even more startling is the serious complications diabetes can lead to, such as, diabetic kidney disease.
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) or diabetic nephropathy affects more than 25% of people living with diabetes. Despite such high figures, there is less light shed on the relationship between diabetes and kidney disease.
In this article, Dr Mohit Khirbat, a leading nephrologist at the CK Birla Hospital, discusses everything you may need to know about diabetic kidney disease.
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Before we begin to grasp an understanding between diabetes and kidney disease, let us learn what these illnesses mean, individually.
Diabetes is a chronic illness in which the blood sugar levels in your body become too high. It is because your body is unable to make or use insulin (the chemical responsible for turning sugar into energy) in the intended way. There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.
A kidney disease, on the other hand, is the inability of kidneys to function properly. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering the waste and extra fluids out of your blood. Kidney disease can cause waste to build up inside your body leading to kidney damage.
Diabetic nephropathy is among the top kidney disease complications of diabetes. It is a condition that leads to loss of kidney function in people suffering from diabetes. To put it simply, diabetic nephropathy is a kidney disease resulting from diabetes. This condition can occur in both type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients.
This ailment develops gradually over several years. It is possible to overlook diabetic kidney disease symptoms in its early stages. It is, thus, important to learn and track signs and symptoms reflecting diabetic kidney disease.
Diabetic kidney disease symptoms can be detected early with the help of routine screenings and checkups. If you are living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you should regularly get tested for kidney disease.
As mentioned above, DMK progresses slowly over the years. Whether kidney disease is a result of diabetes or not, it is divided into 5 stages. Medical experts measure estimated glomerular filtration rate (e-GSR) to check the kidney function level and determine these stages.
Stage 1: Normal kidney function
Stage 2: Mild loss of kidney function
Stage 3: Mild to a severe loss of kidney function
Stage 4: Severe loss of kidney function
Stage 5: Kidney failure
Your kidneys are made up of millions of tiny blood vessel clusters. Uncontrolled or poorly controlled blood sugar levels can cause damage to these blood vessels. Diabetic kidney disease is caused when the damaged blood vessels lead to a decreased or complete loss of kidney function.
Furthermore, damage to blood vessels can lead to high blood pressure. High blood pressure or hypertension can aggravate kidney function leading to kidney disease.
While all diabetic patients are prone to developing diabetic nephropathy, some people have a higher likelihood than others. Common risk factors for diabetic kidney disease include:
You should seek diabetic kidney disease diagnosis if you experience any of the above-given symptoms. A variety of tests are ordered to diagnose diabetic nephropathy. Your healthcare provider will determine the right types of tests based on your condition.
Some of the most common tests recommended for this condition are:
Diabetes and kidney disease treatment depends upon various factors such as the severity of your symptoms, your overall health and age. Medical experts determine which treatment protocol should be ideal for you. To treat diabetic nephropathy, your healthcare provider may first aim to manage your diabetes.
Here are some diabetes and kidney disease treatment protocols:
The medicinal approach is useful in patients who have mild diabetic nephropathy. If your condition is advanced or severe, you may be offered one of the following treatments:
If diabetic nephropathy is left untreated or unmanaged, it can lead to several different types of complications over months or years, such as:
You can expect to see some form of minor changes in the kidney function after 2-5 years of diabetes diagnosis if you have uncontrolled blood sugar and hypertension. A more serious form of kidney damage is usually seen in diabetic patients within 10 years.
It is evident that diabetes can cause kidney disease, however, there is little information on the reverse, that is, whether or not kidney disease can cause diabetes.
Studies have shown that kidney diseases can increase the risk of diabetes. When kidneys lose their ability to function, the waste products keeps building up in your blood. One such waste, known as urea, also increases as a result of kidney damage. Increase in the levels of urea has been linked with an increased probability of diabetes.
The dietary management of diabetic nephropathy can be an effective way to control kidney damage and improve your health. Here are some recommendations on foods to eat and foods to avoid with kidney disease and diabetes.
Legumes (beans), peas, squash, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, corn, oatmeal, quinoa, barley, non-starchy vegetables, water, herbal tea, almond milk or soy milk, greek yogurt, popcorn, whole-grain crackers, whole grain cereals.
Fruit juice, soda, sweetened iced tea and coffee drinks, white bread, multi-grain bread, white pasta or rice, muffins, croissants, sugary cereals, chips, pretzels, sweetened dried fruit, cookies, cake, ice cream, candy, syrup.
Mild kidney damage from diabetes is reversible with the help of an actively monitored lifestyle and medical management.
Here’s what you can do to reverse diabetic nephropathy:
Diabetic Kidney Disease affects nearly 1/3rd people living with diabetes. However, an active life, healthy diet and routine checkup with your medical expert can help in reducing your risk of this ailment.
For more personalised guidance on diabetes and kidney disease, book an appointment with Dr Mohit Khirbat, a top nephrologist at the CK Birla Hospital.
Ques: What are the signs of stage 1 kidney disease?
Ans: The presence of protein in the urine and/or physical damage to the kidney are common signs of stage 1 kidney disease.
How long does it take for diabetes to cause kidney damage?
Ans: It takes about 2-5 years for mild diabteic kidney disease to develop.
Ques: Can you reverse kidney damage caused by diabetes?
Ans: Yes, you can reverse mild kidney damage from diabetes with lifestyle moderations and clinical management.
Ques: Is diabetic nephropathy curable?
Ans: No, there is no cure for diabetic nephropathy but you can slow down the progression of the disease, significantly.
