That's Fit

Do-It-Yourself diagnosis is usually a pretty bad idea; that is, unless you just so happen to have the letters M.D. that appear at the end of your signature. But for those of us without years of medical school under our belt, assuming that a particular pain, dysfunction, or even blotchy patch of skin is nothing to be concerned about can sometimes be a highly problematic for our health.

The British edition of Men's Health addresses the self-diagnosis problem in the article "7 Deadly Signs," describing how minor symptoms may actually signal major health hazards. Over the next seven days, we will provide a daily summary of one of the various aches and pains that may be indicative of a greater problem, illustrating the importance of maintaining open lines of communication with your physician and why DIY diagnosis can sometimes be dangerous.

Health Sign #2: Back Pain

Could Possibly Be: A Kidney Stone

Researchers interviewed for the Men's Health article assert that one in ten men get kidney stones, and left untreated, these stones can block urine flow, causing your kidney to swell. In many cases, the sharp-- but sometimes inconsistent -- pain felt between the ribs and hip is oftentimes attributed to lifting something improperly or any of the myriad causes of back pain. But, as stated, that pain in the back could potentially be the result of crystal aggregations of dissolved minerals in the urine.

Click HERE to read Health Sign #1: Pain in Your Foot

Low-carb dieting is one of the most popular forms of weight-loss out there, and it works! But is it healthy? Fitsugar recently asked that same question and they came up with the precautions for low-carb wannabes:

• Low-carb diets can be damaging to the health of women who are pregnant, as well as those with diabetes, kidney stones or high cholesterol.
• People following a low-carb plan might be missing important nutrients. Take a multivitamin and possibly fiber supplements if you're going to cut out carbs
• High amounts of protein can be damaging to the liver. Be sure to drink lots of water
• Remember to consult your doctor before going on any diet.
  

What do you think about low-carb diets? I think it can be healthy, but I'm not sure that I could follow one on the long term -- I'm too much of a pasta-and-bread fiend.

A famously painful affliction and butt of many jokes: the kidney stone. Common as it may be to laugh about it on a sitcom, actually having one yourself is anything but funny.

A kidney stone is just a mass of crystals that have separated from the liquid in your urinary tract. Doctors are unsure why some people seem more prone to develop them than others, but it is known that once you have one it's likely you'll develop another.

So how to prevent the whole uncomfortable scenario? Drink lots of water every day, and eat a diet rich in calcium. This doesn't mean take calcium supplements, as for some reason they actually seem to have the opposite effect. And talk with your doctor about specifics like how acidic your urine is and what specifics he may be able to narrow it down to for you personally as far as kidney stone formation causes.

Sure, the caffeine could send you into orbit, and if you're not careful, coffee can stain your teeth. But new research suggests that your must-have morning beverage is actually beneficial to your health in a number of ways.

"Scientific evidence now suggests that moderate coffee consumption 3 to 5 cups a day may be associated with reduced risks of certain disease conditions," says Roger A. Clemens, food expert with the Institute of Food Technologists. Alzheimer's disease, kidney stones, depression and others all may be effected by drinking coffee regularly.

Some research also suggests that coffee acts as a preventative agent against cancer and Parkinson's disease. In fact, you may be able to reduce your risk of developing Parkinson's by half simply by drinking one cup a day.

Good news for me, as I'm on my fourth cup, and it's not even lunch.

This is the third time in the last several weeks that I've heard good things about fruit juice.

This latest one is particularly encouraging, because it involves kidney stones. I have never experienced a kidney stone, but I hear that the pain of one is comparable to giving birth. And that rumour alone is enough for me to do anything I possibly can to ensure I never get one.

According to a recent study, orange juice helps to stave off kidney stones, more so than lemonade and other citrus beverages.

The study was small, with only 13 participants, but it found that orange juice increased levels of citrate in the urine and reduced the crystallization of uric acid and calcium oxalate, the most common components of kidney stones.

One more reason to drink your OJ.