Inflammation and
Kidney Health
Inflammation is very
prevalent in our society today. Hectic
schedules, multiple and often burdensome demands on our time and energy, poor
diets, more sedentary lifestyles, increased pollution, economic factors,
relationship issues, smoking, poor sleep or lack of sleep, and the list goes on….
These are just some of the factors that set
up a prime environment for inflammation; add to that conditions like Diabetes,
Hypertension (high blood pressure), High Cholesterol, Heart Disease and it’s
just a matter of time before something is going to happen.
Inflammation is like a noxious weed – it is hard to contain
in just one area. In fact, if you have
inflammation ANYWHERE, it’s EVERYWHERE.
So an infection in your big toe causes inflammation and that
inflammation goes even to the brain.
Inflammation has been linked to a host of ailments including cancer, heart
disease, autoimmune disorders, allergies, digestion and stomach problems, skin
issues, neurological disorders and even Alzheimer’s Disease.
In fact, some studies show inflammation, persistent
inflammation, to be a main factor in Renal (kidney) Disease (Afsar, B.,
Turkmen, K., Covic, A., & Kanbay, M. (2014). An Update on Coronary Artery
Disease and Chronic Kidney Disease. International Journal of Nephrology,
2014, 767424. http://doi.org/10.1155/2014/767424)
So let’s talk about how you can put out the inflammation
fire and reduce your risk for health issues and improve your well-being.
Reduce Stress
It is important to note, that if you are tempted to say that
you are not stressed, consider that you may have just become so accustomed to a
steady high-stress state, that you don’t notice it!
If your stress level is high, it’s a good idea to take some
time to really listen to your body – what is it trying to tell you. Stress isn’t just emotional; it’s stored,
felt and sometimes expressed physically:
Headaches, stomach or bowel issues, difficulty sleeping, back pain,
chest pain, difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly, mood swings, anger,
weight gain….. do any of these symptoms feel familiar?
The good news is that you can make it better, right
now! Here are some great tips:
BREATHE! – Deep-Breathing actually helps you make more of a
natural chemical in your body that induces relaxation, dilates blood vessels
and can lower blood pressure.
MEDITATION! - taking a time out can help you to relax,
improve circulation and re-charge.
TAKE A NAP! - even a
quick 10-15 minute power nap can give you a great boost, and can sometimes even
help you sleep better.
TAKE A WALK! –
outside when/where possible! – Exercise helps your whole body! Gives stress hormones a good exit, improves circulation,
and can help improve sleep. Exposing
yourself to some natural light is a great mood booster too!
Learn to say NO! – if you find yourself saying that you don’t
have time to take care of yourself, then it’s time to cut back on some things –
even good things – so that you have more room to do the BEST things. A great phrase when asked to help with something you really
don’t have room for is: “I’d love to, but I’m booked up!” We can’t do it ALL – and not at the same time. Pace yourself!
EAT HEALTY! If you
find yourself reaching for quick junk or fast food, energy drinks or sodas, your
body is trying to tell you that it needs ENERGY! You wouldn’t put cheap gas in a Ferrari – why
put cheap food in your body?! You’ll
feel better, have more energy, and decrease your risk for a host of health
problems when you drink plenty of WATER, and learn to eat right. – say NO to
junk!
Manage Health Conditions
If you have a diagnosis, learn how to care for yourself
properly! – Work with your doctor to ensure you understand your treatment,
medications, keep your follow-up appointments.
Talk to your Nurse Coach and learn what you can do to maintain or
improve your well-being.
Keeping blood sugars, blood pressures, cholesterol and other
markers in a normal range is an important part of reducing inflammation.
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