Sodium phosphate is a laxative product. It is available in a prescription form that you take before medical procedures like a colonoscopy, which is a visual examination of your colon with a flexible scope. Oral sodium phosphate, or OSP, is...
Hydralazine is an antihypertensive. This medicine lowers blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and making it easier for the heart to pump blood through the body. As a vasodilator, hydralazine decreases blood vessel resistance by relaxing the...
Nephrotic syndrome is a type of kidney disease that can cause symptoms such as swelling of your arms and legs, as well as weight gain related to fluid retention. There are many causes of nephrotic syndrome including diabetes, lupus, heart...
The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse explains that healthy functioning kidneys process waste through the urine . In addition to the filtering process, healthy kidneys also stimulate the hormones erythropoietin, renin...
Urine is produced in the kidneys, and is delivered to the bladder via the ureter. The urine is stored in the bladder until the organ is full, and is carried outside the body through the urethra. Kidney reflux occurs when urine does not flow from...
Lower leg swelling can occur as a result of an injury or condition directly related to the leg or as a result of conditions that involve distant organs and affect the whole body. Inferences about the causes of leg swelling can be made based on the...
Maintaining a healthy heart provides you with several benefits. Cardiac diseases not only affect the heart but they also have an impact on blood vessels and other organs of the body including the brain, lungs and kidneys. The risk factors for...
When kidneys are unable to filter the blood, dangerous levels of fluid and waste collect in the body. According to MayoClinic.com, acute kidney failure can happen over the course of hours or days, and is most likely to occur in critically ill...
Adults with chronic kidney disease have a great risk for high blood pressure and its potentially fatal complications. Limiting your sodium intake helps you control your blood pressure and kidney disease symptoms such as edema, or body swelling....
Gradual swelling of the legs, also known as edema, can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. For example, leg swelling can indicate kidney problems or even heart failure. Raising the legs, wearing compression stockings, watching salt...
Toned muscles can contribute to a fit, healthy appearance. For those with a fast metabolism, gaining weight and muscle can make achieving a muscular physique difficult --- but not impossible. If you desire to experience fast muscle and weight...
Retaining water means that your body is holding on to more water than in normal circumstances. Water retention, also referred to as edema, swelling or bloating, can be a symptom of kidney or liver disease, or heart or thyroid problems. Some water...
The kidneys play several different roles in the body. They filter blood to regulate its mineral and water content, and in the process make urine. Kidneys help synthesize vitamin D, regulate blood pressure and signal the bone marrow to make red...
Your main source of vitamin D comes from exposure to the sun. The rays of sunlight that coat your skin trigger your body to form vitamin D. Staying in the sun just five to 30 minutes per day in the early and midafternoon can be enough to get your...
Some women retain water just before their menstrual period while other people find their ankles swelling if they eat a diet high in salt. Diuretics, substances that encourage the removal of excess water from the body through the kidneys and urine,...
Kidney disorders may occur for a variety of reasons. Hydronephrosis is a type of swelling in one or both kidneys that occurs as the result of another condition, making it a symptom of a disorder or disease, rather than a specific illness. Certain...
Hydronephrosis is a condition in which excess fluid (urine) builds up in one of both of the kidneys, causing swelling and inflammation. This condition is typically a symptom of another underlying medical problem, such as a kidney stone. Contact...
Cardiovascular exercises, or "cardio" as it is often referred to, is an effective way to strengthen your muscles and keep your heart healthy. These exercises can include a wide range of different activities including running, jogging, walking,...
Kidneys are major organs in the body that are used to filter toxins from the blood. Kidneys turn waste into urine and transport it to the bladder. Kidneys also play a major role in sending hormones to bone marrow to aid in red blood cell...
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and is needed for a number of functions throughout the body. Although calcium is found in various foods, some people may need to take calcium supplements to ensure that they are meeting their daily...
Pediatric kidney disease is a term used to describe any type of kidney disease that develops in children under the age of 19, explains KidsHealth, a children's medical information website established by the Nemours Foundation. In healthy patients,...
The National Kidney Foundation reports that 26 million Americans suffer from chronic renal failure. Uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure are the two main causes of chronic renal failure. High blood sugar levels cause damage to the kidneys...
Kidney diseases are characterized by a decrease in kidney function for three or more months consecutively, notes the National Kidney Foundation. The kidneys serve a vital role in removing waste and excess fluid from the body through urination....
Joints are the parts of the skeleton that allow the body to move in different ways. The three types of joints--hinge, pivot and ball-and-socket--are filled with synovial fluid to facilitate free movement. Muscles, ligaments, cartilage and tendons...
The kidneys remove waste matter and regulate the blood pressure and salt balance. When the kidneys don't function properly, symptoms such as swelling, excess urination, shortness of breath and cardiovascular difficulties arise. If these problems...
