WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR APRIL 2025

sorry for the duplicate post. I was starting to edit my post and got busy with something and missed the cut off time so posted the revised one.

Dh met with the social worker that is working with his mom. Really likes her. Then got a call from the hospice chaplain. He was explaining how his mom doesn't understand some English anymore but she said that was fine, because, yep, she is Japanese.
She was supposed to go today but rescheduled for tomorrow. She is an advocate for both him and his mom. I hope he takes advantage of the extra support for both of them.

Lisa I need that mantra too! It does not need to be done right now.

I also learned from my IRS experience. I can have the best diet in the world but stress will torpedo all the good you do for yourself. When I got that notice it unfortunately triggered other times in my life when I thought I was going to get something good (my refund check) to something that was going to create a headache for me. My blood pressure shot up to 145/90. I do have to be grateful for my self care because my blood used to be that high without stress. This was borderline and I could feel a headache coming. Getting this cleared up quickly and continuing self care (I did not raid a potato chip bag) My blood pressure returned to 118/74.

Through learning to give myself self care I am also learning the importance of listening to the signals my body is giving me. My body deserves respect it will care for me if I care for it. It will also let me know if I am harming it (stress, poor food choices, not enough positive movement, lack of good sleep, unproductive anger, harmful environment (trying to solve others problems where I absorb their monkeys). I need to listen to the cues my body gives. By becoming a better listener and following through with what my body is asking for my body will be happier and so will I. Better yet the people who surround me in life will be happier too. It is not selfish to take care of your needs! Giving others the gift to find their way with your loving gift of self-care is perhaps the best gift you can give yourself and those you love.

850850

Kidneys

First recommendation is to up my hydration. It also explains the fact why I still get leg cramps at night. The tweaks I will do to my diet are up my water intake, lower the amount of red meat I eat.

Many people, especially older people don't drink enough water.

My parents, for example, grew up in an age when carrying around a water bottle was unheard of and liquid consumption might be a small glass of orange juice and a cup of coffee at breakfast, a small glass of water at lunch, a cup of coffee in the afternoon, and a small glass of water at the end of the day for a total of about 5 small glasses of water or about 1.25 litres. I keep trying to encourage my mother to drink more water.

Because of my kidney stones and I am at about stage two of chronic kidney disease, drinking is very important to me. If I don't drink enough, my feet cramp and I get the nagging ache in my back that reminds me I always have kidney stones rattling around in my kidneys.

My liquid consumption consists of a decent sized glass of water first thing in the morning, a large cup of coffee (black of course) and a big glass of water to lunch, another big glass of water and cup of coffee in the afternoon, and usually all or part of another big glass of water in the late afternoon. Then I down another litre of water or diet soft drink in the evening. Sometimes I have a large tea as well. About 3 litres in total.

Other people, especially inactive people or people in cooler, less humid climates, probably won't need 3 litres, but aiming for 2 litres isn't a bad idea, then adjust as needed.

About Kidney Stones

"Urine has various wastes dissolved in it. When there is too much waste in too little liquid, crystals begin to form. The crystals attract other elements and join together to form a solid that will get larger unless it is passed out of the body with the urine. Usually, these chemicals are eliminated in the urine by the body's master chemist: the kidney."

There are four main types of stones:

1. Calcium oxalate: The most common type of kidney stone which is created when calcium combines with oxalate in the urine. Inadequate calcium and fluid intake, as well other conditions, may contribute to their formation.
2. Uric acid: This is another common type of kidney stone. Foods such as organ meats and shellfish have high concentrations of a natural chemical compound known as purines. High purine intake leads to a higher production of monosodium urate, which, under the right conditions, may form stones in the kidneys. The formation of these types of stones tends to run in families.
3. Struvite: These stones are less common and are caused by infections in the upper urinary tract.
4. Cystine: These stones are rare and tend to run in families. What are Cystine Stones?

https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/kidney-stones - National (US) Kidney Foundation

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/kidney-stones - The Johns Hopkins Medical site is another good one with longer descriptions and explanations about the four types and what to do.

It points out that the Struvite stones are the ones with bacteria. The others may have a little sometimes, but I don't think research has confirmed that bacteria is present with all of them. Jury is still out.

Me …

My first awareness that I have kidney stones came in 2009 when a large one got lodged. Let me tell you … that was painful!! Really painful!! Certainly got my attention!! Since then many more have been seen on CT scans. Mine are invisible on ultrasounds.

But the combination of a fairly recent ultrasound and blood test showed that I am at about Stage 2 Chronic Kidney Disease

Kidney stones may cause some damage to the kidneys and may be a contributing factor to chronic kidney disease, but not necessarily. They can be two separate things.

Some of the things we can do to prevent (or slow down) chronic kidney disease are:

• Manage your high blood pressure.
• Manage your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
• Eat a well-balanced diet.
• Don’t smoke or use tobacco.
• Be active for 30 minutes at least five days a week.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Take nonprescription pain relievers only as directed. Taking more than directed can damage your kidneys.
• Limit alcohol-containing beverages.
  
  

What foods are bad for kidneys?

In people with healthy kidneys, there aren’t necessarily bad foods or foods that hurt your kidneys. But, if you have CKD, your healthcare provider may recommend a kidney-friendly diet. Elements of a kidney-friendly diet may include:

• Avoiding foods that are high in salt. This also helps control blood pressure.
• Eating the right amount of protein. Protein creates more waste than other food groups. So, since your kidneys remove waste, lowering protein can help preserve their function.
• Eating heart-healthy foods.
• Eating foods low in phosphorus. This includes fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Foods like dairy and beans are high in phosphorus.
• Avoiding foods high in potassium like bananas, oranges and potatoes.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15096-chronic-kidney-disease

I find the Cleveland Clinic to be a good source of information on a range of health topics but there are others that are good too.

Me again …

Between the kidney stones and the Chronic Kidney Disease, my consumption of protein is fairly low, especially red meat … or even meat in general.

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Watched some Dr. Berg Videos on the Kidneys

I would recommend finding some more reputable sources on the kidneys and kidney stones rather than a chiropractor. Not that I have anything against chiropractors! I have had some very good ones, but kidneys are not usually their area of expertise.

Keep reading a variety of sources, especially peer-reviewed sources, but be sure to check the credentials. 😊

Machka in Oz

🤾‍♀️

Rosemarie- That is the sweetest compliment 💖 I am so touched.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx