Men's Health 7/17

Could Alkalizing Salt (URAL/ Clearogout) Help Eliminate Gout Symptoms?

3 min read

Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. This can lead to pain, inflammation, and swelling.

There are medications that can help to reduce uric acid levels, but there may be other ways to help ease symptoms. One popular option is using uric acid neutralizing salts such as Ural effervescence or Clearogout. These over-the-counter products are designed to help relieve the painful symptoms of gout by preventing the crystallisation of uric acid crystals in joints.

Could Uric Acid Alkalizing Salt (URAL/ Clearogout) Help Eliminate Gout Symptoms?

How to Use These URAL or Clearogout Effeversence Alkalizing Salt?

Alkalizing salt works by raising the pH of urine, and by keeping urine alkaline, it prevents the formation of uric acid crystals and allows for the dissolution of uric acid stones.

When taking URAL effervescence salt, it is important to follow the dosage recommendations on the label. It is also important to drink plenty of water when taking this product in order to help the body absorb it properly.

The recommended dosage is in the range of 1-2 sachets, 4 times daily. [Total 4 – 8 sachets per day]

It is advised to take each dose after a meal, and just before taking, mix your prescribed dose of medication in a full glass of cold water or juice.

What Are the Ingredients inside the URAL/ Clearogout Alkalizing Salt?

Each sachet contains Sodium bicarbonate, tartaric acid, citric acid, and sodium citrate; with/ without flavourings added.

Any Side Effects for Taking URAL or Clearogout?

It is quite safe if taken for a short period of time and in accordance with the instructions provided by health care professionals. However, some people may want to remain cautious if they consume too much alkalizing salt and wish to take it for a long duration.

The preparation contains high sodium content per sachet - which may not suitable for patients with kidney and heart problems to take for a long duration.
High blood pressure patients may consider monitoring their blood pressure during the treatment course.
May potentially reduce the therapeutic effect of some medications. Do consult with medical practitioners if you are on long-term medications.
Some may have mild diarrhoea effects after taking the alkalizing salt.

It is also advisable that a low sodium diet should be considered while using alkalizing salt.

Are There Alternative Remedies for Gout Apart of URAL/ Clearogout Alkalizing Salt?

There are many remedies for gout relief. Some people find relief from over-the-counter medications, while others prefer natural solutions. For your convenience, here are some short and long-term remedies for references:

Short term relief

Drinking plenty of water - A person suffering from gout may experience significant swelling and inflammation. Drinking more water is one way to alleviate symptoms. Increased fluid consumption can stimulate the kidneys to release excess fluid, reducing swelling in gout patients.
Taking medications - Medications such as ibuprofen, and colchicine helps to reduce the inflammation and pain associated with gout attacks.
Using ice packs to reduce swelling - Applying a cloth-covered ice pack to the affected joint can help reduce gout-related inflammation.

Long term relief

Lose weight - One of the most important things you can do to help manage your gout is to lose weight if you are overweight or obese. Obesity is a well-known risk factor for gout, which is thought to be caused by insulin resistance and its effects on urate excretion by the kidney.
Follow a low purine diet - Avoid foods that are high in purine, such as red meat, poultry, seafood, and alcohol.
Supplements to regulate the uric acid level - There are several supplements that have been shown to be effective in reducing uric acid levels and relieving the symptoms of gout.

Conclusion - Could Uric Acid Alkalizing Salt Help Eliminate Gout Symptoms?

While more research is needed, uric acid alkalizing salt may be a good choice in providing short-term quick relief for gout symptoms. However, if you have certain medication conditions, such as high blood pressure or kidney problems, you should proceed cautiously.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for gout treatment, but it may involve a variety of disciplinary actions. Gout management can include lifestyle changes, supplementation, and weight loss.

If you need help with your gout problem, do contact us.

Worried About Your Sleepless Nights?

4 min read

Do you toss and turn all night, only to wake up feeling exhausted? Do you rely on caffeine to get through your days? You're not alone. In fact, 1 in 3 adults reports struggling with some sleep issue.

It can be challenging to get enough sleep if you can't fall asleep or wake up frequently during the night. And when you're not rested, it can affect your mood, energy levels, and overall health.

Are You at Risk for Sleepless Disorder? What are the Potential Causes?

If you find yourself tossing and turning at night, if you wake up feeling exhausted instead of rested, you may be at risk for sleepless disorder. The sleepless disorder can have many causes:

1. Stress

Your cortisol levels are high in the morning and gradually decrease throughout the day. But if your cortisol levels stay high all day, you may have trouble sleeping at night. This is because cortisol can keep you awake and interfere with your sleep cycle. Too much cortisol can also lead to anxiety and stress.

2. Physical issues

Physical issues such as body pain can keep you awake by causing discomfort and disrupting your sleep patterns. Suffering from body pain can make it tough to get a good night's sleep. You toss and turn, trying to find a comfortable position, but nothing seems to help. You wake up feeling groggy and unrested, which can make it difficult to get through your day.

3. Medical problems

If you’re an asthma sufferer, you may be at risk for a sleepless disorder. That’s the finding of a study that suggests people with asthma are twice as likely to suffer from insomnia. The study didn’t determine why asthma is linked to sleeplessness, but the researchers speculate that airway inflammation caused by the condition may lead to difficulty sleeping. Other potential medical issues that cause sleeplessness disorder include sleep apnea and menopause.

4. Mental health disorders

It's not just the physical act of sleeping that's crucial to our health – our mental health is just as important. And when that's out of balance, it can have a significant impact on our daily lives. Unfortunately, mental health disorders like depression and anxiety are often accompanied by sleeplessness.

Another potential cause of the sleepless disorder is narcolepsy, a neurological disorder that causes people to fall asleep suddenly and without warning.

5. Night shift

If you work a rotating or night shift, you are at risk for a sleepless disorder. Working these shifts can disrupt your body's natural sleep-wake cycle. This can lead to problems sleeping at night and excessive sleepiness during the day.

6. On medication

Certain medications can disrupt the natural sleep-wake cycle, leading to difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Examples of medications that can cause sleeplessness to include certain antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and allergy medications.

7. Alcohol

Alcohol can disrupt sleep patterns and make it difficult to fall and stay asleep. It can also lead to morning drowsiness, a condition that makes it hard to function during the day. Because alcohol can disrupt sleep and reduce REM sleep.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for sleep troubles. However, by understanding the causes of your sleep problems, you may be able to find a better way to address them.

Don't Let Sleeping Problems Keep You Up at Night: a Good Night's Sleep Solutions at Home

One of the best ways to improve your sleep is to create a bedtime routine.

Make sure to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
Avoid watching television or working on the computer in bed.
Winding down for 30 minutes before bed by reading or listening to calming music.
Get plenty of exercise during the day, but avoid strenuous activity within three hours of bedtime.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, and don’t eat large meals within two hours of going to sleep.
Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool.

End Your Battle With Sleeplessness/ Insomnia With These Treatment Options

The treatment for insomnia is determined by what is causing your sleep problems. Some people, for example, can help restore healthy sleep patterns by developing good sleep habits (also known as good sleep hygiene). People with medical conditions such as restless legs syndrome (RLS) or sleep apnea are likely to require medical assistance in addition to good sleep hygiene to better manage or resolve the medical condition.

Behavioural therapy

Behavioural therapy can an effective way for many people to resume getting a good night's sleep.

Behavioural therapy for sleeplessness includes:

Learning about good sleeping habits (sleep hygiene)
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help you manage or eliminate worries.
Relaxation techniques
Managing the thoughts and activities (stimuli) that keep you awake
Reducing the amount of time you spend in bed when you are not sleeping
Light therapy, such as getting more sunlight or using a full-spectrum light box

Complementary approaches

While there are many prescription medications available to help, they can often come with unwanted side effects. There are also a number of complementary approaches that can be used to help overcome sleep problems. Example:

Certain plant remedies that help modulate the melatonin hormone for a better sleep routine.
Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves the use of needles to stimulate specific points on the body.
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to improve health and well-being. These oils can be used in a variety of ways, including inhalation, topical application, and ingestion. Some essential oils that are known to help with sleeplessness include lavender oil, chamomile oil, and neroli oil.
Yoga is a great way to relax and de-stress, and it can be helpful in getting a good night's sleep.

Medication

If needed, your doctor may prescribe medication for a limited time to help you sleep. Sleeping pills are meant to help people sleep, but like all medications, they should be taken as directed by a doctor. While they can be helpful for some people, they can also be dangerous, especially if taken in high doses or for long periods of time. Some of the dangers of sleeping pills include addiction, dependency, and overdose.

Conclusion- Worried About Your Sleepless Nights?

If you are experiencing difficulty sleeping, it is important to consult with your doctor to rule out any underlying health issues. There are many things you can do to improve your sleep hygiene and help you get the rest you need.

You may also want to consider seeking professional help if sleeplessness is severely impacting your daily life.

Man Cries Out in the Night: Is Nocturia Robbing You of Your Sleep?

4 min read

If you're like most people, a good night's sleep is crucial to your overall health and wellbeing. But if you suffer from nocturia, you know that getting a whole night's rest can be next to impossible. Nocturia is a condition that causes you to wake up multiple times during the night to urinate, and it can be extremely disruptive to your sleep cycle.

Man Cries Out in the Night: Is Nocturia Robbing You of Your Sleep?

Is Frequent Urination at Night (Nocturia) Keeping You Up?

Nocturia can be a pesky problem that keeps you up. It affects both men and women equally. According to studies and surveys, 69 % of men and 76 % of women over the age of 40 get up at least once per night to use the restroom.

If you are experiencing nocturia, you may not get a good night's sleep as you have to go to the bathroom several times during the night. It can be caused by many factors. Understanding the situation better can assist you in determining the best treatment option.

5 Common Causes of Nocturia

You wake up in the middle of the night. Again. You’re tired and just want to sleep, but you have to go to the bathroom. If this sounds like you, you may be wondering what’s causing your nocturia and what you can do about it.

1. Polyuria

One common cause of nocturia is polyuria, which is the excessive production of urine. Polyuria can be caused by many different things, including diabetes, drinking too much fluid, and taking certain medications.

Sometimes it can be caused by poor kidney function. When the kidneys are not functioning properly, they are unable to retain fluid, resulting in an excessive loss of fluid in the form of urine.

If the nocturia's cause is due to poor kidney function, then treatment involves improving renal function through medications and lifestyle changes.

2. Prostate enlargement

Nocturia is a very common and disruptive symptom of BPH or an enlarged prostate in men.

Because the prostate is enlarged, additional pressure is placed on the urethra (the tube through which urine flows from the bladder and out of the body) and urine is retained in the bladder. Sufferers may need to urinate more frequently or urgently, including at night.

There are a few different ways to treat prostate enlargement. One is by taking a supplement with saw palmetto extract & pumpkin seed oil. This helps to shrink the prostate and make it easier to urinate. Another option is surgery. This is usually only done if the enlargement is severe and causes problems such as urinary retention or obstruction. Medication may also be prescribed to help relieve symptoms.

3. Urinary tract infection (UTI) or bladder infection

UTIs are a common cause of nocturia, especially in women. When a UTI develops, the bacteria can spread to the bladder and cause inflammation and irritation. This can lead to an increase in the frequency of urination, as well as leakage of urine during the night.

If your nocturia is caused by a UTI, you may need to see your doctor for antibiotics.

4. Overactive bladder

When the bladder becomes overactive, it sends signals to the brain that make people feel the need to urinate even when their bladder isn't full. This can lead to frequent trips to the bathroom at night, which can disrupt sleep and cause fatigue during the day.

There are a number of things that can help relieve symptoms of overactive bladder, including lifestyle changes like reducing fluid intake before bed and avoiding caffeine and alcohol. There are also medications available that can help relax the bladder muscles and reduce the frequency of trips to the bathroom.

In a small study, researchers administered 500 to 1,000 milligrammes of pumpkin seed oil to participants. The participants' symptoms of overactive bladder improved dramatically.

5. On certain medications/ supplements

Some common medications that can cause increased urination include diuretics and blood pressure medications. Additionally, some supplements, such as celery extract, can also lead to more frequent trips to the bathroom.

Consult your doctor if you experience frequent urination after starting certain medications or supplements.

Are Nocturia and Painful Urination Related?

Painful urination, also known as dysuria, is a common symptom that can have a variety of causes and is not always related to nocturia.

The most common cause is a urinary tract infection, but other causes include prostate problems, sexually transmitted infections, and kidney stones.

Does Sleep Position Affect Nocturia?

There is currently little research into the best sleeping position for nocturia. As a general rule, choose one that is both comfortable for you, promotes restful sleep, and does not contribute to pain upon waking.

According to some studies, sleep apnea has been linked to OAB symptoms in both men and women. This could be due to the effects of apnea episodes, which can cause low tissue oxygen levels throughout the body, including the urinary system.

Sleeping on your side may help if you have sleep apnea and OAB. It is estimated that switching from back to side sleeping can eliminate sleep apnea symptoms in about 20% of people.

How Can You Prevent Having Urgent Urination at Night?

There are a few things you can do to help prevent having urgent urination at night:

Limit your fluid intake at night. Drink plenty of fluids (especially water) during the day, but limit fluids 2-4 hours before going to bed.
Control your use of diuretics.
Raise your legs or wear compression socks.
Take advantage of afternoon naps.

Take Away

In conclusion, nocturia can be a major cause of sleep deprivation and should be taken seriously. There are several causes of nocturia, and treatment varies depending on the cause. One can experiment with lifestyle changes such as limiting fluid intake before going to bed. If the urgency of urination is caused by prostate enlargement, take supplements to reduce prostate inflammation.

The best course of action is to consult with your doctor to identify and discuss treatment options.