Most people know that kidney stones are up there with some of those painful experiences humans can fathom, and build-up of calcium deposits is partly to blame. Meanwhile, women of a certain age are encouraged to take calcium supplements to protect their bones. With reports showing that stones are become increasingly common among American women, a link between the two becomes questionable.
As one might expect, data show that taking calcium supplements may increase the risk of kidney stones. According to a study in the July issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, post-menopausal women, the group who are especially prone to loss of bone density and the occurrence of osteoporosis, were examined.
The study consisted of 36,282 subjects who, at the start of the study, took in virtually the same amount of calcium daily (about 1,145 milligrams). They were randomly assigned to take supplements of calcium (500 milligrams) plus Vitamin D (200 international units) twice daily with meals or to take placebo pills for seven years. During that time, kidney stones developed in 830 of the women. The development of kidney stones was 17 percent more common among women taking the supplements than among those in the placebo group.
The development of kidney stones was recorded just once for each participant; recurrences were not noted, which might have affected the results.
How do I prevent kidney stones?
Drink plenty of water and do this often. In my early twenties I had a stone, and so I went to see a urologist. He told me not to drink tea or other drinks that dehydrate you and to drink more water, so that the mineral deposits don’t have as much of a chance to collect and built up. Also, it is widely known that consuming cranberry juice can help prevent urinary tract problems.
What are warning symptoms?
You should call your doctor if you have
• extreme pain in your back or side that will not go away
• blood in your urine
• fever and chills
• vomiting
• urine that smells bad or looks cloudy
• a burning feeling when you urinate
The important thing to remember is that you should always drink enough water to get your urine clear. The amount of water we need daily is different for everyone, but doctors will note that that is one way you can judge for yourself if you are hydrating yourself well.
2011年6月29日星期三
Tea your blues away with Figaro’s Herbal Blends
INTRODUCING Figaro Herbal Blends! More than just coffee, Figaro Coffee Company now offers a variety of herbal blends infused with herbs and fruits to soothe your senses this season. If the extreme weather conditions these days make it easy for you to catch a cold and other diseases and your usual coffee beverage just won’t suit your needs to be rejuvenated, Figaro introduces four indigenous and original herbal blends: Sambong, Lagundi, Banaba and Pito Pito with distinct characteristics to relieve you from all the stress and diseases.
Figaro Sambong Blend is a hot cup of tea infused with basil and lemon believed to be a diuretic agent effective in dissolving kidney stones. Sambong leaves and roots when dried and made into tea is popular among elders who seek for herbal medicines to treat colds, sinuses and migraines. The aroma of Sambong Blend infused with the fragrant basil and the tanginess of lemon creates a relaxing and soothing experience with a distinct common juice taste you’d surely enjoy.
Figaro Lagundi Blend is a cup of hot tea infused with mint and orange believed to be an effective treatment for common cough, bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and pharyngitis. The mix of orange and mint to the dried lagundi leaves creates a refreshing and comforting experience from any person who need healing from cough after that rough day at the office. ‘Don’t let that cough make you rough. The minty and fruity taste of Lagundi will give you that extra energy to accomplish your tasks for the day.
Figaro Banaba Blend is a hot cup of tea infused with tarragon, anise and grapes believed to have cleansing abilities that aides in lowering the blood and sugar level of people with diabetes. The dried leaves and roots of Banaba are also used by our elders in treating kidney stones and wounds especially those who have gone surgery. Tarragon has an aroma relatively similar to anise popular in French cooking and proven to have the presence of estragole, a known carcinogen beneficial to a recuperating body. The sweet spice of Tarragon and anise with the fruity grapes in dried Banaba leaves create a perfect taste to cap off that exhausting day.
Figaro Sambong Blend is a hot cup of tea infused with basil and lemon believed to be a diuretic agent effective in dissolving kidney stones. Sambong leaves and roots when dried and made into tea is popular among elders who seek for herbal medicines to treat colds, sinuses and migraines. The aroma of Sambong Blend infused with the fragrant basil and the tanginess of lemon creates a relaxing and soothing experience with a distinct common juice taste you’d surely enjoy.
Figaro Lagundi Blend is a cup of hot tea infused with mint and orange believed to be an effective treatment for common cough, bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and pharyngitis. The mix of orange and mint to the dried lagundi leaves creates a refreshing and comforting experience from any person who need healing from cough after that rough day at the office. ‘Don’t let that cough make you rough. The minty and fruity taste of Lagundi will give you that extra energy to accomplish your tasks for the day.
Figaro Banaba Blend is a hot cup of tea infused with tarragon, anise and grapes believed to have cleansing abilities that aides in lowering the blood and sugar level of people with diabetes. The dried leaves and roots of Banaba are also used by our elders in treating kidney stones and wounds especially those who have gone surgery. Tarragon has an aroma relatively similar to anise popular in French cooking and proven to have the presence of estragole, a known carcinogen beneficial to a recuperating body. The sweet spice of Tarragon and anise with the fruity grapes in dried Banaba leaves create a perfect taste to cap off that exhausting day.
2011年6月26日星期日
Keeping hydrated, adjusting diet could help prevent kidney stones
Oh, summer in the South – lounging on the beach, swimming all day, fishing at the lake, a glass of cold sweet iced tea to cool down those hot days and warm nights.
And let’s not forget the kidney stones.
Men and women who live in hot and humid climates like the southeastern United States are more likely to develop kidney stones – those hardened masses that can pass quietly out of the body or become lodged in the urinary tract causing extreme pain.
“There is a higher incidence of stones in the southeastern United States,” said Dr. Jason Phillips, a urologist with Urological Associates of Dothan. “People who have never had stones before will move here and start making stones.”
And in the summer when it’s warmer, people may be even more prone to have kidney stones develop, Phillips said. That’s because it’s harder to stay hydrated enough to keep stones from forming. Diet also plays a role with some southern favorites on the list of foods that can increase the risk of kidney stones.
The most common types of kidney stones are made up of calcium and oxalate or phosphate – all found in a normal diet.
So what can you do?
Stay hydrated, first and foremost, Phillips said. If you’re prone to kidney stones, drink plenty of water and stay away from large amounts of tea and coffee since they act as diuretics and dehydrate you. Increasing the citric acid in your system by drinking lemon- or lime-based drinks can keep stones from forming. Avoid foods high in oxalates – peanuts, green leafy vegetables and rhubarbs, just to name a few.
A kidney stone basically develops from crystals in the urine. Normally, the urine stops these crystals from forming, but in some people the process just doesn’t work that smoothly.
Someone with a family history of kidney stones may be more likely to develop stones, but it’s difficult to pinpoint one specific cause. The formation of kidney stones can be linked to diet, certain metabolic and hereditary disorders, urinary tract infections and renal disease, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases within the National Institutes of Health.
Having an excessive number of kidney stones can lead to other health issues, Phillips said. They can cause infections and even damage kidney tissue over time.
Treatment for kidney stones can involve a number of measures. Smaller stones may pass if a patient drinks enough water to move it along. Pain medicine might be prescribed. There are some medications that may prevent kidney stones or dissolve those that form.
Medical treatments for kidney stones include shockwave therapy for stones high in the ureters or in the kidneys, a ureteroscopy for stones lower in the ureters or bladder. And for stones too large to remove or that won’t respond to shockwaves, surgical removal through the back may be the only option.
The type of kidney stone you have will determine your treatment.
Pain associated with kidney stones can begin in the back and side as the stone moves from the kidney and into the ureter, blocking the flow of urine. Pain can spread into the abdomen and the groin as the stone moves toward the bladder.
“In order to have pain from kidney stones, it has to block something,” Phillips said. “Just having a stone doesn’t cause pain unless it’s moving or causing obstruction.”
And let’s not forget the kidney stones.
Men and women who live in hot and humid climates like the southeastern United States are more likely to develop kidney stones – those hardened masses that can pass quietly out of the body or become lodged in the urinary tract causing extreme pain.
“There is a higher incidence of stones in the southeastern United States,” said Dr. Jason Phillips, a urologist with Urological Associates of Dothan. “People who have never had stones before will move here and start making stones.”
And in the summer when it’s warmer, people may be even more prone to have kidney stones develop, Phillips said. That’s because it’s harder to stay hydrated enough to keep stones from forming. Diet also plays a role with some southern favorites on the list of foods that can increase the risk of kidney stones.
The most common types of kidney stones are made up of calcium and oxalate or phosphate – all found in a normal diet.
So what can you do?
Stay hydrated, first and foremost, Phillips said. If you’re prone to kidney stones, drink plenty of water and stay away from large amounts of tea and coffee since they act as diuretics and dehydrate you. Increasing the citric acid in your system by drinking lemon- or lime-based drinks can keep stones from forming. Avoid foods high in oxalates – peanuts, green leafy vegetables and rhubarbs, just to name a few.
A kidney stone basically develops from crystals in the urine. Normally, the urine stops these crystals from forming, but in some people the process just doesn’t work that smoothly.
Someone with a family history of kidney stones may be more likely to develop stones, but it’s difficult to pinpoint one specific cause. The formation of kidney stones can be linked to diet, certain metabolic and hereditary disorders, urinary tract infections and renal disease, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases within the National Institutes of Health.
Having an excessive number of kidney stones can lead to other health issues, Phillips said. They can cause infections and even damage kidney tissue over time.
Treatment for kidney stones can involve a number of measures. Smaller stones may pass if a patient drinks enough water to move it along. Pain medicine might be prescribed. There are some medications that may prevent kidney stones or dissolve those that form.
Medical treatments for kidney stones include shockwave therapy for stones high in the ureters or in the kidneys, a ureteroscopy for stones lower in the ureters or bladder. And for stones too large to remove or that won’t respond to shockwaves, surgical removal through the back may be the only option.
The type of kidney stone you have will determine your treatment.
Pain associated with kidney stones can begin in the back and side as the stone moves from the kidney and into the ureter, blocking the flow of urine. Pain can spread into the abdomen and the groin as the stone moves toward the bladder.
“In order to have pain from kidney stones, it has to block something,” Phillips said. “Just having a stone doesn’t cause pain unless it’s moving or causing obstruction.”
Ozzie Guillen says this too shall pass
You think you're tough? Bow down to Chicago White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen. He is the very definition of tough.
Guillen recently passed a kidney stone and still managed the Sox on the same day. Anyone who has ever dropped a stone will tell you that you do not feel like managing anything other than dictating your last will and testament. No, what you want to do is curl up into the fetal position and cry for your mama.
Unfortunately, sources indicate Ozzie's problems with the English language may have led to mental suggestion creating the stone. Apparently someone said to him that "managing the White Sox must be as bad as passing a kidney stone" -- and he didn't realize it was a metaphor.
Meanwhile, Chicago Cubs Manager Mike Quade must be wondering what the metaphor is for running the Cubbies -- passing a billy goat?
Let's review a few more moments from the week that was before advancing to the main courses in our Brunch that will be prepared by some of our leading sportswriting chefs.
• Former President George W. Bush decided it was hip to help the Rangers set a Guinness Book of World Records mark for most people wearing sunglasses in the dark during a game against the Astros. Again, President Bush decided to do this. That explains a lot.
• Tweet of the Week from SB Nation's Holly Anderson about tennis star Venus Williams: "OK, everybody stop calling Venus' outfit 'UNIQUE' like it's acceptable for a grown woman to wear a ROMPER on television." Ouch.
• You got to love this. Eight is the number of German octopuses that will be used to predict scores in the FIFA Women's World Cup. Best octopus becomes the official replacement for Paul -- the octopus wizard that correctly nailed all of Germany's games in the last World Cup before tragically passing on. Got to be an octopuses' dream (the predicting, not the passing on).
• Hey, Oregon, I got some hot tips on Florida's best high school football players from 2009. Call me.
• Jason Hunter, defensive end for the Denver Broncos, was struck in the chest by a kitchen knife allegedly thrown by his girlfriend. He'll be OK but we can neither confirm nor deny that the Broncos would like his girlfriend to drop by for a workout.
• Reports indicated the Cleveland Browns my make a bid for former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor in the supplemental draft. Oh, come on, he may have done some bad things but hasn't he suffered enough?
• Quote of the Week and probably the Month comes from driver Danica Patrick about going full speed on the bumpy turns at Iowa Speedway: "That took some ovaries to do because I wasn't really excited to do it but I did it."
• Lakers forward Ron Artest has filed paperwork to be legally known as Metta World Peace. I think we all are thinking the same thing: How did he ever come up with such a strange name as Metta?
And now we move to the main dishes in this last Brunch for June with a strong emphasis on what once was our national pastime. Yes, we're talking baseball. Enjoy.
• At the top we mentioned Cubs Manager Mike Quade, the latest in a long line of Cubbie managers just waiting to be fired. But Dan McGrath of The New York Times tells us that at least Quade continues to manage with a smile on his face and a song of baseball in his heart.
• The debate continues on whether hiring Jack McKeon, 80, to manage the Marlins once again was a brilliant move or mere publicity stunt. Either way McKeon is doing things his way just as he did in 2003 when the club won the World Series as Clark Spencer explains for The Miami Herald. Pay particular attention to his use of "poo-poo and pee-pee passes" when a player wants to be excused from the dugout.
• But if the Cubs and Marlins think they have troubles, read about what a day at a Dodgers' game is like for Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times. The day started with getting a prime ticket for $2.55 on the Internet and got cheaper and cheesier from there.
• Speaking of troubles, Manager Jim Riggleman told the Washington Nationals that he either got a new contract or he was out the door. In effect, the Nationals said don't let the door slap your rear side on the way out. Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post is not impressed with Riggleman's bluff or his managing career.
Guillen recently passed a kidney stone and still managed the Sox on the same day. Anyone who has ever dropped a stone will tell you that you do not feel like managing anything other than dictating your last will and testament. No, what you want to do is curl up into the fetal position and cry for your mama.
Unfortunately, sources indicate Ozzie's problems with the English language may have led to mental suggestion creating the stone. Apparently someone said to him that "managing the White Sox must be as bad as passing a kidney stone" -- and he didn't realize it was a metaphor.
Meanwhile, Chicago Cubs Manager Mike Quade must be wondering what the metaphor is for running the Cubbies -- passing a billy goat?
Let's review a few more moments from the week that was before advancing to the main courses in our Brunch that will be prepared by some of our leading sportswriting chefs.
• Former President George W. Bush decided it was hip to help the Rangers set a Guinness Book of World Records mark for most people wearing sunglasses in the dark during a game against the Astros. Again, President Bush decided to do this. That explains a lot.
• Tweet of the Week from SB Nation's Holly Anderson about tennis star Venus Williams: "OK, everybody stop calling Venus' outfit 'UNIQUE' like it's acceptable for a grown woman to wear a ROMPER on television." Ouch.
• You got to love this. Eight is the number of German octopuses that will be used to predict scores in the FIFA Women's World Cup. Best octopus becomes the official replacement for Paul -- the octopus wizard that correctly nailed all of Germany's games in the last World Cup before tragically passing on. Got to be an octopuses' dream (the predicting, not the passing on).
• Hey, Oregon, I got some hot tips on Florida's best high school football players from 2009. Call me.
• Jason Hunter, defensive end for the Denver Broncos, was struck in the chest by a kitchen knife allegedly thrown by his girlfriend. He'll be OK but we can neither confirm nor deny that the Broncos would like his girlfriend to drop by for a workout.
• Reports indicated the Cleveland Browns my make a bid for former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor in the supplemental draft. Oh, come on, he may have done some bad things but hasn't he suffered enough?
• Quote of the Week and probably the Month comes from driver Danica Patrick about going full speed on the bumpy turns at Iowa Speedway: "That took some ovaries to do because I wasn't really excited to do it but I did it."
• Lakers forward Ron Artest has filed paperwork to be legally known as Metta World Peace. I think we all are thinking the same thing: How did he ever come up with such a strange name as Metta?
And now we move to the main dishes in this last Brunch for June with a strong emphasis on what once was our national pastime. Yes, we're talking baseball. Enjoy.
• At the top we mentioned Cubs Manager Mike Quade, the latest in a long line of Cubbie managers just waiting to be fired. But Dan McGrath of The New York Times tells us that at least Quade continues to manage with a smile on his face and a song of baseball in his heart.
• The debate continues on whether hiring Jack McKeon, 80, to manage the Marlins once again was a brilliant move or mere publicity stunt. Either way McKeon is doing things his way just as he did in 2003 when the club won the World Series as Clark Spencer explains for The Miami Herald. Pay particular attention to his use of "poo-poo and pee-pee passes" when a player wants to be excused from the dugout.
• But if the Cubs and Marlins think they have troubles, read about what a day at a Dodgers' game is like for Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times. The day started with getting a prime ticket for $2.55 on the Internet and got cheaper and cheesier from there.
• Speaking of troubles, Manager Jim Riggleman told the Washington Nationals that he either got a new contract or he was out the door. In effect, the Nationals said don't let the door slap your rear side on the way out. Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post is not impressed with Riggleman's bluff or his managing career.
2011年6月22日星期三
Why Climate-Related Heat Waves Will Be Bad for Your Health
The start of summer officially kicked off on Tuesday at 1.16 pm ET with the beginning of the summer solstice and the Northern Hemisphere's longest day of the year. That day, the Northern Hemisphere absorbed more sunlight than it has or will have on any other day of 2011. Our planet will release that sunlight in the coming weeks in what will hopefully not be a repeat of summer 2010 – the year of record-high summer temperatures in the Northeast – because if this forthcoming study in Climatic Change is anything to go by, scorching temperatures this summer could bring a lot worse than sweaty brows and frizzy hair.
The study, conducted by scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Purdue University and the National Center for Climatic Research, identifies a number of illnesses and health conditions exacerbated by unrelenting heat, including diabetes, urinary tract and renal diseases such as kidney stones, respiratory conditions, accidents and even suicide attempts. For every 2 degrees the mercury in your thermometer rises over 85 Fahrenheit, hospital admissions for conditions such as diabetes and kidney disorders are predicted to rise by 13 percent.
“Unlike previous studies, we identified threshold temperatures for several health outcomes beyond which disease rates will increase rapidly,” Bo Li, the lead author of the study, said in a statement.
The researchers also forecast increased incidence of heat-sensitive illnesses and conditions in tandem with predicted warming and its accompanying intense and frequent heat waves for the years between 2059-2070. Hospital admissions for heat-related conditions under one well-studied climate change scenario will increase by seven percent over time, according to the study's senior author Jonathan Patz, and hospitals and public agencies will need to plan accordingly. And stay inside with the air-conditioning on if you're under five or over 85 – the study found that the very young and the very old are at the biggest risk for hospitalization during heat waves.
The study, conducted by scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Purdue University and the National Center for Climatic Research, identifies a number of illnesses and health conditions exacerbated by unrelenting heat, including diabetes, urinary tract and renal diseases such as kidney stones, respiratory conditions, accidents and even suicide attempts. For every 2 degrees the mercury in your thermometer rises over 85 Fahrenheit, hospital admissions for conditions such as diabetes and kidney disorders are predicted to rise by 13 percent.
“Unlike previous studies, we identified threshold temperatures for several health outcomes beyond which disease rates will increase rapidly,” Bo Li, the lead author of the study, said in a statement.
The researchers also forecast increased incidence of heat-sensitive illnesses and conditions in tandem with predicted warming and its accompanying intense and frequent heat waves for the years between 2059-2070. Hospital admissions for heat-related conditions under one well-studied climate change scenario will increase by seven percent over time, according to the study's senior author Jonathan Patz, and hospitals and public agencies will need to plan accordingly. And stay inside with the air-conditioning on if you're under five or over 85 – the study found that the very young and the very old are at the biggest risk for hospitalization during heat waves.
Summer's Arrival Increases Risk of Kidney Stones
With research studies showing the incidence of kidney stones on the rise in the last 30 years, Californians should be mindful that today's arrival of summer increases risks, say experts at one of Northern California's largest urological medical practices.
About one in 300 Americans suffer kidney stones annually, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In California, doctors say the incidence rises each year along with outside temperatures.
"As the weather gets warmer and drier every year, we see a significant increase in kidney stones," said Dr. Judson Brandeis of Pacific Urology. "The trend starts in spring and continues into the summer heat and aridity."
More men than women are sufferers, according to the NIH. While risks generally increase with age, people of ages 20 to 40 can also be more prone in the summer due to increased outdoor exertion and chances of dehydration, a major factor in stone formation.
Three simple preventative measures can be effective, Dr. Brandeis says:
The easiest step is simply to drink more water. Lemonade can also help, due to a concentration of citric acid, a natural stone inhibitor.
A low-oxalate diet can reduce intake of the chemical compound calcium-oxalate, a contributor to stone formation. Oxalate is found in berries, certain vegetables and nuts and seeds. For more information: http://www.pacificurology.com/diet-a-kidney-stones.
Recent studies have shown that foods high in calcium, including dairy products, may help prevent calcium stones – contrary to what doctors used to think. However, taking calcium in pill form may increase the risk of developing stones.
The prevalence of kidney stones rises as men enter their 40s and continues to rise into their 70s. For women, the prevalence of kidney stones peaks in their 50s. People with a past history of stones are more prone to a recurrence, said Dr. Brandeis, and might consider avoiding food with added vitamin D and certain types of antacids with a calcium base.
About Pacific Urology
With clinics in Concord, Walnut Creek, Antioch, Brentwood, San Ramon, and Livermore, Pacific Urology is one of the San Francisco Bay Area's largest urology practices. Pacific Urology was formed in 1995 by six urologists in solo practice joining into one group.
About one in 300 Americans suffer kidney stones annually, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In California, doctors say the incidence rises each year along with outside temperatures.
"As the weather gets warmer and drier every year, we see a significant increase in kidney stones," said Dr. Judson Brandeis of Pacific Urology. "The trend starts in spring and continues into the summer heat and aridity."
More men than women are sufferers, according to the NIH. While risks generally increase with age, people of ages 20 to 40 can also be more prone in the summer due to increased outdoor exertion and chances of dehydration, a major factor in stone formation.
Three simple preventative measures can be effective, Dr. Brandeis says:
The easiest step is simply to drink more water. Lemonade can also help, due to a concentration of citric acid, a natural stone inhibitor.
A low-oxalate diet can reduce intake of the chemical compound calcium-oxalate, a contributor to stone formation. Oxalate is found in berries, certain vegetables and nuts and seeds. For more information: http://www.pacificurology.com/diet-a-kidney-stones.
Recent studies have shown that foods high in calcium, including dairy products, may help prevent calcium stones – contrary to what doctors used to think. However, taking calcium in pill form may increase the risk of developing stones.
The prevalence of kidney stones rises as men enter their 40s and continues to rise into their 70s. For women, the prevalence of kidney stones peaks in their 50s. People with a past history of stones are more prone to a recurrence, said Dr. Brandeis, and might consider avoiding food with added vitamin D and certain types of antacids with a calcium base.
About Pacific Urology
With clinics in Concord, Walnut Creek, Antioch, Brentwood, San Ramon, and Livermore, Pacific Urology is one of the San Francisco Bay Area's largest urology practices. Pacific Urology was formed in 1995 by six urologists in solo practice joining into one group.
2011年6月19日星期日
Guillen passes kidney stone, then manages game
Manager Ozzie Guillen knew from experience that he had kidney pain Sunday morning.
Guillen, 47, passed a kidney stone but felt well enough to manage the White Sox's 8-2 victory.
"I feel drugged out," Guillen said after the game. "But I feel better."
Guillen had kidney pain seven years ago before a game in Chicago. This time, he knew what the cause of his pain was when he woke up. He praised trainer Herm Schneider for arranging hospital accommodations that enabled him to pass the kidney stone and return to Chase Field two hours before the game.
Guillen was adamant to treat the problem as soon as possible to prevent an overnight stay.
"I don't want to miss the (Cubs) game (Monday)," he said, "but early in the game I was a little dizzy."
Stay sharp: Because the Sox are reverting to a six-man rotation and have a day off Thursday, Edwin Jackson will have six days before his next start Friday against Washington.
"Everyone is different," Jackson said of starters' routines with extra rest. "Some do less. I try to throw as much as possible so I stay in a rhythm."
Extra innings: Adam Dunn made his first start in right field since 2009 and made a running catch to rob Ryan Roberts of a hit to end the third inning. … Former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali was a guest in the suite of Sox general manager Ken Williams. … Paul Konerko's 52 interleague home runs trail only Jim Thome (57) and Ken Griffey Jr. (55).
Guillen, 47, passed a kidney stone but felt well enough to manage the White Sox's 8-2 victory.
"I feel drugged out," Guillen said after the game. "But I feel better."
Guillen had kidney pain seven years ago before a game in Chicago. This time, he knew what the cause of his pain was when he woke up. He praised trainer Herm Schneider for arranging hospital accommodations that enabled him to pass the kidney stone and return to Chase Field two hours before the game.
Guillen was adamant to treat the problem as soon as possible to prevent an overnight stay.
"I don't want to miss the (Cubs) game (Monday)," he said, "but early in the game I was a little dizzy."
Stay sharp: Because the Sox are reverting to a six-man rotation and have a day off Thursday, Edwin Jackson will have six days before his next start Friday against Washington.
"Everyone is different," Jackson said of starters' routines with extra rest. "Some do less. I try to throw as much as possible so I stay in a rhythm."
Extra innings: Adam Dunn made his first start in right field since 2009 and made a running catch to rob Ryan Roberts of a hit to end the third inning. … Former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali was a guest in the suite of Sox general manager Ken Williams. … Paul Konerko's 52 interleague home runs trail only Jim Thome (57) and Ken Griffey Jr. (55).
Painful season with Cubs, ChiSox both under .500
Ozzie Guillen's kidney stone just might be the perfect metaphor for this baseball season in Chicago.
The White Sox and Cubs are set to open a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field on Monday, and it's safe to say this has been an unpleasant year for both teams.
Guillen's kidney stone on Sunday in Arizona was just another painful moment in a season that has left fans on both sides of town wincing.
Claiming they were "All In" after signing slugger Adam Dunn and re-signing Paul Konerko, the White Sox still rank among the AL's biggest disappointments at 35-38. They can blame that on an 11-22 start, but at least they're back in contention in the Central division.
The Cubs (29-41) still have a long way to go, even if they've shown some promise of late.
It's never dull when these crosstown rivals get together.
The White Sox and Cubs are set to open a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field on Monday, and it's safe to say this has been an unpleasant year for both teams.
Guillen's kidney stone on Sunday in Arizona was just another painful moment in a season that has left fans on both sides of town wincing.
Claiming they were "All In" after signing slugger Adam Dunn and re-signing Paul Konerko, the White Sox still rank among the AL's biggest disappointments at 35-38. They can blame that on an 11-22 start, but at least they're back in contention in the Central division.
The Cubs (29-41) still have a long way to go, even if they've shown some promise of late.
It's never dull when these crosstown rivals get together.
2011年6月14日星期二
Tuesday pregame Rangers notes
Good news on the Matt Harrison front ... his kidney stone has passed, and he expects to make his start Saturday at Atlanta despite a bruised left triceps muscle suffered Sunday. His plan was to play catch today, though rain is expected for the next few hours. But he said he can move the arm without pain.
The message that was sent Sunday by manager Ron Washington to shortstop Elvis Andrus has been received and is not a lingering issue. Andrus is starting at shortstop and batting second after getting pulled in the ninth inning Sunday for a bad, lazy throw an inning earlier.
Josh Hamilton remains third in outfield voting for the All-Star Game, some 352,000 ahead of fourth-place Jacoby Ellsbury. The Red Sox center fielder made large gains in the past week. Hamilton could be hurt by the lack of home games this month, but Rangers fans can vote online at mlb.com. Adrian Beltre and Michael Young are second in the voting at third base and designated hitter.
Darren O'Day was a little rusty in his first session throwing to hitters since he had left hip surgery. He will throw again, probably in a couple days, and will have to show that he can field his position before being sent out on a rehab assignment. He remains confident that he can return by June 26.
The message that was sent Sunday by manager Ron Washington to shortstop Elvis Andrus has been received and is not a lingering issue. Andrus is starting at shortstop and batting second after getting pulled in the ninth inning Sunday for a bad, lazy throw an inning earlier.
Josh Hamilton remains third in outfield voting for the All-Star Game, some 352,000 ahead of fourth-place Jacoby Ellsbury. The Red Sox center fielder made large gains in the past week. Hamilton could be hurt by the lack of home games this month, but Rangers fans can vote online at mlb.com. Adrian Beltre and Michael Young are second in the voting at third base and designated hitter.
Darren O'Day was a little rusty in his first session throwing to hitters since he had left hip surgery. He will throw again, probably in a couple days, and will have to show that he can field his position before being sent out on a rehab assignment. He remains confident that he can return by June 26.
O'Day throws, Harrison better
Darren O'Day climbed on the Yankee Stadium mound and threw to several Rangers' hitters, taking an important step in his recovery.
Manager Ron Washington watched O'Day carefully and said the submariner was "rusty."
"We'll continue to get him out there like we did today," Washington said. "He threw some good pitches, but there was inconsistency. It was nice to see him on the mound."
O'Day said it felt good to throw to hitters and that he feels like his target date of late June (June 26) is still very realistic. He'll throw another bullpen in two days. O'Day said ran harder as well on Tuesday.
"My command was a little off, but that's to be expected," O'Day said. "Overall it was a positive day."
Other notes:
* Maybe LHP Matt Harrison's luck is changing for the better. He anticipates to make his next start as scheduled. Harrison's blister has hardened and is not an issue. And he passed his kidney stone on Monday afternoon. He had the kidney stone in his locker (in a pill bottle) and plans to take it in for testing so maybe he can find out how the stone formed and if there's anything he can do to prevent them in the future.
As for his bruised left triceps, he had it wrapped and has treated it with ice the last few days. He will throw a bullpen session on Wednesday after playing catch on Tuesday.
* Elvis Andrus reiterated that he got the message that Washington was sending by pulling him on Sunday. Andrus knows his focus must be better (more on that on the blog tomorrow). Andrus is in the lineup and batting second.
* Craig Gentry is in tonight's game against lefty CC Sabathia. Washington said he likes the way Gentry is playing and plans to have the right-handed hitter in the lineup against lefties. That's despite Gentry hitting just .148 against lefties this season (4-for-27).
Manager Ron Washington watched O'Day carefully and said the submariner was "rusty."
"We'll continue to get him out there like we did today," Washington said. "He threw some good pitches, but there was inconsistency. It was nice to see him on the mound."
O'Day said it felt good to throw to hitters and that he feels like his target date of late June (June 26) is still very realistic. He'll throw another bullpen in two days. O'Day said ran harder as well on Tuesday.
"My command was a little off, but that's to be expected," O'Day said. "Overall it was a positive day."
Other notes:
* Maybe LHP Matt Harrison's luck is changing for the better. He anticipates to make his next start as scheduled. Harrison's blister has hardened and is not an issue. And he passed his kidney stone on Monday afternoon. He had the kidney stone in his locker (in a pill bottle) and plans to take it in for testing so maybe he can find out how the stone formed and if there's anything he can do to prevent them in the future.
As for his bruised left triceps, he had it wrapped and has treated it with ice the last few days. He will throw a bullpen session on Wednesday after playing catch on Tuesday.
* Elvis Andrus reiterated that he got the message that Washington was sending by pulling him on Sunday. Andrus knows his focus must be better (more on that on the blog tomorrow). Andrus is in the lineup and batting second.
* Craig Gentry is in tonight's game against lefty CC Sabathia. Washington said he likes the way Gentry is playing and plans to have the right-handed hitter in the lineup against lefties. That's despite Gentry hitting just .148 against lefties this season (4-for-27).
2011年6月12日星期日
Sunday Thoughts: Press Conferences
Imagine you’re a new hardware manufacturer and you’re planning on going to E3 next year. Your venture capitalists, private investors and Mafia contacts have given you almost infinite funding for the big show, so you can really start things off with a bang. In fact you want things to go so well you’re going to hold a big press conference and show off just what you can do. How should you go about it?
Well you’re a hardware manufacturer so you probably want to get things off to a good start by showing off your console. First thing’s first, make sure you actually announce what you have is a console. Sure, you might have some really amazing tech that isn’t in the box itself but you really should show some kind of box, sphere, or floating holo-disk.
People like boxes, they can understand a box. It’s reassuring to know there’s something under your TV that’ll hum lightly and let you show off to all your friends. I mean that’s obviously what the box is all about really, showing off. Without that how will they know just how cool or cutting edge you are? By actually playing games on it? Please.
The other upside to showing the box is it lets people work out whether or not it’ll fit into their entertainment centre. They also need to know whether or not it’ll match their front room’s décor, and if it looks cool enough that they can put it on a beautifully lit pedestal in the centre of the room. Remember, it’s all about showing off.
You may have a cool controller, but it's the almost featureless box people want to see.
Next make sure you have an absolutely huge screen at your press conference. People can’t possibly be expected to see anything that’s not displayed on a screen at least fifty feet high. Remember the dimensions of your screen have absolutely no relation to the size of your venue, even if you’re somewhere fairly small the screen still needs to tower and vaguely intimidate those in attendance; if it’s not huge then the press will never learn to fear and respect your gigantic face.
The other reason a giant screen is a necessity is it lets you say things like “…and only our console has the power to make images so mindbogglingly massive.” This is, of course, hugely impressive. Never mind the fact that the consumers who will buy your console don’t actually have screens the size of a small building in their front rooms. It’s not your fault if your the people buying your console don’t have a giant screen to play games on, they just need to know that if they wanted to rent out a theatre and convert the back wall so it was entirely made of screen they could. If they’re not up to that then they’re clearly lazy. At least you tried to show them how games should really be played.
Now, let’s look at the people demonstrating your console. There’s two routes to go here. If you’ve got some kind of motion controller you need to get people who have no sense of shame and are annoying as possible. Make sure you’ve got a script so utterly cringe-worthy that your audience will want to actually hide under their chairs in embarrassment. At least some of your demonstrators should be children, and rather than actually talking about the game they should have some kind of banter that no-one who plays games outside of a press conference has ever partaken in.
On the other hand, if you’re showing off games that use a more traditional controller you’ll want to do things a bit differently. You still need two people on stage, one talking and one playing. The one playing the demo should be utterly stone-faced and clearly concentrating fiercely on not screwing up. At no point should it look like they’re actually having fun, you don’t want to push people’s expectations too high. If they look like they’re focusing so hard that some kind of psychic ability might actually reveal itself, then you’ve got it spot on; looking like they’re trying to pass a kidney stone is probably a little bit too far.
As for the person describing the demo they’ll want to talk over as much of the demo as possible, explaining exactly what’s going on. At no point must your audience be left to figure out what’s happening by actually looking at the screen, or be allowed to let the demo sink in. If that happens they might be able to work out what the game’s really about, rather than what you say it’s about.
If you suspect that even someone talking constantly isn’t going to be enough of a distraction, you’ll need to replace the person playing the demo with a celebrity who looks as awkward as is physically possible. This should distract the press and public from the content of your demo, as they wonder “What on earth is that dude doing on stage?”
Well you’re a hardware manufacturer so you probably want to get things off to a good start by showing off your console. First thing’s first, make sure you actually announce what you have is a console. Sure, you might have some really amazing tech that isn’t in the box itself but you really should show some kind of box, sphere, or floating holo-disk.
People like boxes, they can understand a box. It’s reassuring to know there’s something under your TV that’ll hum lightly and let you show off to all your friends. I mean that’s obviously what the box is all about really, showing off. Without that how will they know just how cool or cutting edge you are? By actually playing games on it? Please.
The other upside to showing the box is it lets people work out whether or not it’ll fit into their entertainment centre. They also need to know whether or not it’ll match their front room’s décor, and if it looks cool enough that they can put it on a beautifully lit pedestal in the centre of the room. Remember, it’s all about showing off.
You may have a cool controller, but it's the almost featureless box people want to see.
Next make sure you have an absolutely huge screen at your press conference. People can’t possibly be expected to see anything that’s not displayed on a screen at least fifty feet high. Remember the dimensions of your screen have absolutely no relation to the size of your venue, even if you’re somewhere fairly small the screen still needs to tower and vaguely intimidate those in attendance; if it’s not huge then the press will never learn to fear and respect your gigantic face.
The other reason a giant screen is a necessity is it lets you say things like “…and only our console has the power to make images so mindbogglingly massive.” This is, of course, hugely impressive. Never mind the fact that the consumers who will buy your console don’t actually have screens the size of a small building in their front rooms. It’s not your fault if your the people buying your console don’t have a giant screen to play games on, they just need to know that if they wanted to rent out a theatre and convert the back wall so it was entirely made of screen they could. If they’re not up to that then they’re clearly lazy. At least you tried to show them how games should really be played.
Now, let’s look at the people demonstrating your console. There’s two routes to go here. If you’ve got some kind of motion controller you need to get people who have no sense of shame and are annoying as possible. Make sure you’ve got a script so utterly cringe-worthy that your audience will want to actually hide under their chairs in embarrassment. At least some of your demonstrators should be children, and rather than actually talking about the game they should have some kind of banter that no-one who plays games outside of a press conference has ever partaken in.
On the other hand, if you’re showing off games that use a more traditional controller you’ll want to do things a bit differently. You still need two people on stage, one talking and one playing. The one playing the demo should be utterly stone-faced and clearly concentrating fiercely on not screwing up. At no point should it look like they’re actually having fun, you don’t want to push people’s expectations too high. If they look like they’re focusing so hard that some kind of psychic ability might actually reveal itself, then you’ve got it spot on; looking like they’re trying to pass a kidney stone is probably a little bit too far.
As for the person describing the demo they’ll want to talk over as much of the demo as possible, explaining exactly what’s going on. At no point must your audience be left to figure out what’s happening by actually looking at the screen, or be allowed to let the demo sink in. If that happens they might be able to work out what the game’s really about, rather than what you say it’s about.
If you suspect that even someone talking constantly isn’t going to be enough of a distraction, you’ll need to replace the person playing the demo with a celebrity who looks as awkward as is physically possible. This should distract the press and public from the content of your demo, as they wonder “What on earth is that dude doing on stage?”
Matt Harrison vs. Francisco Liriano
The Texas Rangers look to split a four-game series with the Minnesota Twins on Sunday at Target Field (1:10 p.m. on ESPN 103.3 FM) as they wrap up the first of three straight road series. Matt Harrison is scheduled to start for the Rangers against the Twins’ Francisco Liriano.
Matt Harrison (5-5, 3.48 ERA): Harrison returned Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers after missing a start while suffering from a blister and a kidney stone. He lasted four innings allowing four runs -- three earned -- on eight hits in an 8-1 loss to the Tigers. ...Harrison’s kidney stone still hasn’t passed, but he’s still scheduled make his 12th start. ...Harrison has faced the Twins five times and is 0-1, posting a 9.64 ERA with one save. His only start against the Twins came during his rookie season in 2008 at the Metrodome where he went five innings and gave up eight earned runs. ...Harrison is 2-1 with a 2.65 ERA in three day games this season. In five road games, opposing batters are 23-107 (.215) against Harrison this season.
Francisco Liriano (3-6, 5.20 ERA): Liriano returned Tuesday from the disabled list (left shoulder) and lasted five innings in a 1-0 loss to the Cleveland Indians. He allowed only three hits and struck out seven. ...Liriano last started against the Rangers Aug. 26 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. He gave up two earned runs in seven innings, allowing five hits while fanning six in a 6-4 win. ...Liriano’s 201 strikeouts last season were fifth-best in the American League, but the only top-5 statistic he’s posting this season are his 35 walks -- third most in the AL. ...Liriano did pitch the first no-hitter of the season May 3 against the Chicago White Sox.
Hitters: Five Twins batters who have faced Harrison are a combined 5-for-10 with a 1.000 slugging percentage. Justin Morneau is 2-for-4 with two doubles, three RBIs and a walk. Delmon Young has two hits, including a home run, and three RBIs against Harrison. ...The Rangers are 17-for-59 (.288) with a .353 on-base percentage against Liriano. Adrian Beltre has the most hits on Liriano, going 6-for-22 with a home run, two RBIs and three walks. Elvis Andrus is 0-for-6 against Liriano with a strikeout.
Matt Harrison (5-5, 3.48 ERA): Harrison returned Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers after missing a start while suffering from a blister and a kidney stone. He lasted four innings allowing four runs -- three earned -- on eight hits in an 8-1 loss to the Tigers. ...Harrison’s kidney stone still hasn’t passed, but he’s still scheduled make his 12th start. ...Harrison has faced the Twins five times and is 0-1, posting a 9.64 ERA with one save. His only start against the Twins came during his rookie season in 2008 at the Metrodome where he went five innings and gave up eight earned runs. ...Harrison is 2-1 with a 2.65 ERA in three day games this season. In five road games, opposing batters are 23-107 (.215) against Harrison this season.
Francisco Liriano (3-6, 5.20 ERA): Liriano returned Tuesday from the disabled list (left shoulder) and lasted five innings in a 1-0 loss to the Cleveland Indians. He allowed only three hits and struck out seven. ...Liriano last started against the Rangers Aug. 26 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. He gave up two earned runs in seven innings, allowing five hits while fanning six in a 6-4 win. ...Liriano’s 201 strikeouts last season were fifth-best in the American League, but the only top-5 statistic he’s posting this season are his 35 walks -- third most in the AL. ...Liriano did pitch the first no-hitter of the season May 3 against the Chicago White Sox.
Hitters: Five Twins batters who have faced Harrison are a combined 5-for-10 with a 1.000 slugging percentage. Justin Morneau is 2-for-4 with two doubles, three RBIs and a walk. Delmon Young has two hits, including a home run, and three RBIs against Harrison. ...The Rangers are 17-for-59 (.288) with a .353 on-base percentage against Liriano. Adrian Beltre has the most hits on Liriano, going 6-for-22 with a home run, two RBIs and three walks. Elvis Andrus is 0-for-6 against Liriano with a strikeout.
2011年6月8日星期三
India urged to double health spending to aid its impoverished sick
ALIGARH // When Nasir Khan cried out at night from the searing pain of kidney stones, the entire slum could hear him.
A magic healer promised an inexpensive cure through chanting while pinching his side where the kidney stones were lodged, but it only made it worse. His condition became life-threatening, and doctors said he would need surgery for a fourth time.
The operation cost him - and his extended family - their home.
Without insurance and unable to get a loan, they sold the broken brick shack in the industrial north Indian city of Aligarh for 250,000 rupees (Dh20,500). It had been home to the Mr Khan, 35, his four brothers, three wives and 11 children.
"There is no choice. It is my life," Mr Khan said in gasps, writhing atop a crude wooden cot as his relatives hovered helplessly nearby. He screamed for his mother. He screamed for Allah. He screamed for anyone to deliver him from the pain.
His story is repeated so often across India it evokes little sympathy, yet it represents one of the biggest threats to India's battle to lift its poor up from squalor.
Each year, the cost of health care pushes 39 million people back into poverty, according to a study published in The Lancet medical journal. Patients shoulder up to 80 per cent of India's medical costs. Their share averages about 3,000 rupees (Dh246.4) annually per person - a crippling sum for the 800 million or so Indians living on less than US$2 (89 rupees) a day.
A diagnosis of asthma, a broken leg or a complicated childbirth can mean having to choose between medicine or food, spending on treatment or relying on prayer.
While India boasts an economic growth rate near 9 per cent, the wealth has done little to help millions burdened by poverty and disease. The poor, aside from struggling to afford care, also face extreme shortages of doctors and medicines.
The situation is particularly dire in rural areas, where more than 70 per cent of the country's 1.2 billion people live. Some desperate patients resort to seeing quacks. Others pay bribes. Many simply don't seek help until it is too late.
The World Bank and other experts have warned that failure to address the country's healthcare woes could take a toll on long-term growth.
Yet India's government spends comparatively little on health care: just 1.1 per cent of the country's GDP, a figure that has not changed much since 2006 when China was spending 1.9 per cent; Russia, 3.3 per cent and Brazil, 3.5 per cent, according to World Health Organisation figures.
Dr K Srinath Reddy, the president of the Public Health Foundation of India and a member of a government-commissioned committee recommending reforms, said: "The political will is simply not there yet. We have to help realign the country's priorities."
Statistics that might highlight areas of need are scarce, thanks to erratic case reporting, few autopsies and a tradition of quick cremation that destroys evidence of disease. WHO reports often leave India out for lack of data. A recent study in The Lancet suggests malaria deaths could be 10 times higher than estimated.
India, which says hospital costs impoverish a quarter of all patients, has vowed to raise spending on health to 3 per cent of GDP by 2015 and provide universal primary health care - but it is an unfulfilled promise that has been made before.
The Lancet, in a series on India in January, urged the government to double its pledge to 6 per cent by 2020 or jeopardise its ability to shake off poverty.
"What is the point of economic success if there is nothing in it for the population?" editor Richard Horton said.
Meanwhile, India boasts a thriving medical tourism industry with shiny private clinics luring tens of thousands of foreigners for everything from bargain tummy tucks to experimental stem-cell treatments in an industry estimated to be worth nearly 100 billion rupees. The pharmaceutical industry is making lifesaving drugs at cut-rate costs, private hospitals are pioneering advances in open-heart surgery and medical schools are churning out physicians eager to work in the West.
A magic healer promised an inexpensive cure through chanting while pinching his side where the kidney stones were lodged, but it only made it worse. His condition became life-threatening, and doctors said he would need surgery for a fourth time.
The operation cost him - and his extended family - their home.
Without insurance and unable to get a loan, they sold the broken brick shack in the industrial north Indian city of Aligarh for 250,000 rupees (Dh20,500). It had been home to the Mr Khan, 35, his four brothers, three wives and 11 children.
"There is no choice. It is my life," Mr Khan said in gasps, writhing atop a crude wooden cot as his relatives hovered helplessly nearby. He screamed for his mother. He screamed for Allah. He screamed for anyone to deliver him from the pain.
His story is repeated so often across India it evokes little sympathy, yet it represents one of the biggest threats to India's battle to lift its poor up from squalor.
Each year, the cost of health care pushes 39 million people back into poverty, according to a study published in The Lancet medical journal. Patients shoulder up to 80 per cent of India's medical costs. Their share averages about 3,000 rupees (Dh246.4) annually per person - a crippling sum for the 800 million or so Indians living on less than US$2 (89 rupees) a day.
A diagnosis of asthma, a broken leg or a complicated childbirth can mean having to choose between medicine or food, spending on treatment or relying on prayer.
While India boasts an economic growth rate near 9 per cent, the wealth has done little to help millions burdened by poverty and disease. The poor, aside from struggling to afford care, also face extreme shortages of doctors and medicines.
The situation is particularly dire in rural areas, where more than 70 per cent of the country's 1.2 billion people live. Some desperate patients resort to seeing quacks. Others pay bribes. Many simply don't seek help until it is too late.
The World Bank and other experts have warned that failure to address the country's healthcare woes could take a toll on long-term growth.
Yet India's government spends comparatively little on health care: just 1.1 per cent of the country's GDP, a figure that has not changed much since 2006 when China was spending 1.9 per cent; Russia, 3.3 per cent and Brazil, 3.5 per cent, according to World Health Organisation figures.
Dr K Srinath Reddy, the president of the Public Health Foundation of India and a member of a government-commissioned committee recommending reforms, said: "The political will is simply not there yet. We have to help realign the country's priorities."
Statistics that might highlight areas of need are scarce, thanks to erratic case reporting, few autopsies and a tradition of quick cremation that destroys evidence of disease. WHO reports often leave India out for lack of data. A recent study in The Lancet suggests malaria deaths could be 10 times higher than estimated.
India, which says hospital costs impoverish a quarter of all patients, has vowed to raise spending on health to 3 per cent of GDP by 2015 and provide universal primary health care - but it is an unfulfilled promise that has been made before.
The Lancet, in a series on India in January, urged the government to double its pledge to 6 per cent by 2020 or jeopardise its ability to shake off poverty.
"What is the point of economic success if there is nothing in it for the population?" editor Richard Horton said.
Meanwhile, India boasts a thriving medical tourism industry with shiny private clinics luring tens of thousands of foreigners for everything from bargain tummy tucks to experimental stem-cell treatments in an industry estimated to be worth nearly 100 billion rupees. The pharmaceutical industry is making lifesaving drugs at cut-rate costs, private hospitals are pioneering advances in open-heart surgery and medical schools are churning out physicians eager to work in the West.
Against doctor's orders
Justin Melton woke up urinating blood.
It was May 14, a Saturday. It was the second and final day of the 3A East Regional Track Meet. Melton was scheduled to compete in four different events. He won them all.
Tuesday is when the pain came. It was a sharp, stabbing pain that came out of his lower back and extended all across his midsection. It was the worst pain of his life for a kid whose suffered torn ligaments and broken bones on the football field.
Still in agony, Melton went to the emergency room on Wednesday morning.
After checking for a wide range of culprits like an appendicitis, the hospital took a CT scan and saw a kidney stone about the size of a pencil eraser. They gave him some pain pills to help while he was trying to pass it, but the pain made him so nauseous that he couldn’t keep them, or the food he was supposed to take them with, down. Doctors prescribed him a drug called Dilaudid to be given through IVs, which Melton said was several times stronger than morphine.
“I don’t know what happened, man,” Melton said. “Someone above was looking out for me because Thursday morning, I woke up and they were going to send me to Cheyenne for surgery to get the stone removed because it was blocking my urine from leaving my kidney and my kidney was swelling up.”
Before leaving to drive south on I-25 to Cheyenne, Melton called track coach Wes Gamble to let him know he wasn’t going to make it to the state meet in Casper. Gamble told Melton not to worry about it. His health comes first. On the side though, the two, along with the rest of the Bearcat squad, knew they couldn’t win a state championship without Melton.
“I hung up the phone with him and I could tell that he was about in tears, but I hung up the phone and sat there for a minute and beat the hell out of my bed in the hospital and got my knuckles all bloody,” Melton said. “I stood up, ripped the IVs out of my arm and said, ‘Mom, Dad, we are going to Casper.’”
Melton’s mom, Junan, took some convincing. She was concerned about him rupturing a kidney or worse during the state meet, where Melton was expected to compete in the long jump, 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter dashes over the next three days. His dad, Rusell, sided with his son. It was the last track meet of his high school career. If he could tolerate the pain, then go for it. Over the next 15 minutes, they talked mom into rolling the dice and drove west instead of south.
Junan texted Gamble’s wife right away, telling her to tell him not to scratch Melton from his races. If Gamble had already told the officials to replace Melton, there was no going back on it. She reached him as he was talking to the officials, but before he told them to scratch Melton.
“I’m just glad that didn’t happen. Someone was looking out for me,” Melton said.
The long jump was scheduled for 11 a.m. As Melton walked toward his teammates at Kelly Walsh High School, the wind was howling on the wrong side of freezing. Snow was falling. Melton’s face was almost as pale as the white flakes. His pupils were dilated. His head was loopy from all the painkillers still clinging to so many of his nerve endings.
“What are you doing here?” A stunned Gamble asked.
“I’m long jumping, coach,” Melton answered.
“Alright. We’ll see how you feel when you’re running down the runway,” Gamble said.
Running in the 200-meter dash prelims wasn’t very painful, but the sudden stopping and the hard landings of the long jump hurt. His swollen kidneys throbbed with each heavy step.
“You know what it’s like jumping up and down on a full stomach? Imagine that times 20,” Melton said.
After the long jump and 200-meter dash, Melton went to see a specialist in Casper. The doctor told him the intense pain on Tuesday and Wednesday was when the kidney stone was passing through three small passages in the ureter, which connects the kidneys to the bladder. He most likely got the kidney stone in the first place from being dehydrated. It has always been a bad habit. He never takes drinks with him on the bus, forgets to drink water during meets, and the team doesn’t stop for dinner on the way home.
“‘I’ll probably never get dehydrated again,” Melton said.
Friday, he felt a little better and by Saturday he was feeling great for the finals. He won three out of four events and broke his own 3A state record in the 100-meter dash by .02 seconds. Douglas took second overall at the state meet, losing to Lander by 11 points.
“This year, I was a lot more excited for the team score (than individual medals). Gamble and I had done some serious number crunching to see what the team scores might end up like, and we were right there. I think me not winning hurt us a little bit and the incidents in the 300-meter hurdles was just bad luck,” Melton said, referencing Ty Etchemendy being disqualified for knocking a hurdle into another lane and Michael Addleman false starting. “What can I say about Ty Etchemendy. That kid is a freak. I can’t wait to come back and watch him over the next couple years. What happened to him was just bad luck.”
The weekend brought around another argument between Justin and his mom. He had prepaid $1,400 to go to Puerto Vallarta with about two dozen fellow seniors and chaperones. However, he still hadn’t passed the kidney stone. After much begging, Junan once again let Justin chase a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the risk of his health.
“I kind of got away with murder there,” Melton said.
Junan packed his bags with enough medication that he may now be on the DEA’s radar for suspicion of drug trafficking, but she let him get in the car and head off to the Denver airport.
At 3 a.m. at DIA, Melton gritted his teeth through 20 seconds of searing pain, which suddenly subsided when the kidney stone finally passed through the last of his system. Behind it was more than a week’s worth of urine.
“It took forever. I think I took the world record. It took at least three minutes,” Melton recalled.
When he was finally done, Melton greeted his friends, celebrating like he just scored a touchdown in the state championship. He also called his mom and left a voicemail with the good news. Now he could enjoy his vacation and she didn’t have to worry . . . as much.
“It timed up just perfect. Like I said. Someone has been looking out for me for awhile now.”
It was May 14, a Saturday. It was the second and final day of the 3A East Regional Track Meet. Melton was scheduled to compete in four different events. He won them all.
Tuesday is when the pain came. It was a sharp, stabbing pain that came out of his lower back and extended all across his midsection. It was the worst pain of his life for a kid whose suffered torn ligaments and broken bones on the football field.
Still in agony, Melton went to the emergency room on Wednesday morning.
After checking for a wide range of culprits like an appendicitis, the hospital took a CT scan and saw a kidney stone about the size of a pencil eraser. They gave him some pain pills to help while he was trying to pass it, but the pain made him so nauseous that he couldn’t keep them, or the food he was supposed to take them with, down. Doctors prescribed him a drug called Dilaudid to be given through IVs, which Melton said was several times stronger than morphine.
“I don’t know what happened, man,” Melton said. “Someone above was looking out for me because Thursday morning, I woke up and they were going to send me to Cheyenne for surgery to get the stone removed because it was blocking my urine from leaving my kidney and my kidney was swelling up.”
Before leaving to drive south on I-25 to Cheyenne, Melton called track coach Wes Gamble to let him know he wasn’t going to make it to the state meet in Casper. Gamble told Melton not to worry about it. His health comes first. On the side though, the two, along with the rest of the Bearcat squad, knew they couldn’t win a state championship without Melton.
“I hung up the phone with him and I could tell that he was about in tears, but I hung up the phone and sat there for a minute and beat the hell out of my bed in the hospital and got my knuckles all bloody,” Melton said. “I stood up, ripped the IVs out of my arm and said, ‘Mom, Dad, we are going to Casper.’”
Melton’s mom, Junan, took some convincing. She was concerned about him rupturing a kidney or worse during the state meet, where Melton was expected to compete in the long jump, 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter dashes over the next three days. His dad, Rusell, sided with his son. It was the last track meet of his high school career. If he could tolerate the pain, then go for it. Over the next 15 minutes, they talked mom into rolling the dice and drove west instead of south.
Junan texted Gamble’s wife right away, telling her to tell him not to scratch Melton from his races. If Gamble had already told the officials to replace Melton, there was no going back on it. She reached him as he was talking to the officials, but before he told them to scratch Melton.
“I’m just glad that didn’t happen. Someone was looking out for me,” Melton said.
The long jump was scheduled for 11 a.m. As Melton walked toward his teammates at Kelly Walsh High School, the wind was howling on the wrong side of freezing. Snow was falling. Melton’s face was almost as pale as the white flakes. His pupils were dilated. His head was loopy from all the painkillers still clinging to so many of his nerve endings.
“What are you doing here?” A stunned Gamble asked.
“I’m long jumping, coach,” Melton answered.
“Alright. We’ll see how you feel when you’re running down the runway,” Gamble said.
Running in the 200-meter dash prelims wasn’t very painful, but the sudden stopping and the hard landings of the long jump hurt. His swollen kidneys throbbed with each heavy step.
“You know what it’s like jumping up and down on a full stomach? Imagine that times 20,” Melton said.
After the long jump and 200-meter dash, Melton went to see a specialist in Casper. The doctor told him the intense pain on Tuesday and Wednesday was when the kidney stone was passing through three small passages in the ureter, which connects the kidneys to the bladder. He most likely got the kidney stone in the first place from being dehydrated. It has always been a bad habit. He never takes drinks with him on the bus, forgets to drink water during meets, and the team doesn’t stop for dinner on the way home.
“‘I’ll probably never get dehydrated again,” Melton said.
Friday, he felt a little better and by Saturday he was feeling great for the finals. He won three out of four events and broke his own 3A state record in the 100-meter dash by .02 seconds. Douglas took second overall at the state meet, losing to Lander by 11 points.
“This year, I was a lot more excited for the team score (than individual medals). Gamble and I had done some serious number crunching to see what the team scores might end up like, and we were right there. I think me not winning hurt us a little bit and the incidents in the 300-meter hurdles was just bad luck,” Melton said, referencing Ty Etchemendy being disqualified for knocking a hurdle into another lane and Michael Addleman false starting. “What can I say about Ty Etchemendy. That kid is a freak. I can’t wait to come back and watch him over the next couple years. What happened to him was just bad luck.”
The weekend brought around another argument between Justin and his mom. He had prepaid $1,400 to go to Puerto Vallarta with about two dozen fellow seniors and chaperones. However, he still hadn’t passed the kidney stone. After much begging, Junan once again let Justin chase a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the risk of his health.
“I kind of got away with murder there,” Melton said.
Junan packed his bags with enough medication that he may now be on the DEA’s radar for suspicion of drug trafficking, but she let him get in the car and head off to the Denver airport.
At 3 a.m. at DIA, Melton gritted his teeth through 20 seconds of searing pain, which suddenly subsided when the kidney stone finally passed through the last of his system. Behind it was more than a week’s worth of urine.
“It took forever. I think I took the world record. It took at least three minutes,” Melton recalled.
When he was finally done, Melton greeted his friends, celebrating like he just scored a touchdown in the state championship. He also called his mom and left a voicemail with the good news. Now he could enjoy his vacation and she didn’t have to worry . . . as much.
“It timed up just perfect. Like I said. Someone has been looking out for me for awhile now.”
2011年6月6日星期一
NCCo Executive Paul Clark treated for painful kidney stone
New Castle County Executive Paul Clark was treated at Christiana Hospital today for a painful kidney stone.
Clark was beginning his remarks at a morning event in Newark when the pain hit, which Clark likened to “someone hitting you in the kidney with a baseball bat.”
Clark, 55, was treated at the hospital, where the kidney stone apparently passed, and drove himself home around 3:30 p.m.
The county executive was with Gov. Jack Markell and others at the Newark Municipal Building to celebrate the town getting a Great American Main Street Award. The national award was given for the success of the Downtown Newark Partnership, a public-private initiative that focuses on downtown improvement projects.
Clark had to cut his speech short. He tried to drive himself to the hospital, but the pain got so bad he had to pull over and call county paramedics for a ride.
He said he now understands why even women who have experienced childbirth have called passing a kidney stone one of the most painful things a person can experience.
“When I was a kid I had a broken arm reset without anesthesia,” Clark said. “That was nothing compared to this.”
Clark was beginning his remarks at a morning event in Newark when the pain hit, which Clark likened to “someone hitting you in the kidney with a baseball bat.”
Clark, 55, was treated at the hospital, where the kidney stone apparently passed, and drove himself home around 3:30 p.m.
The county executive was with Gov. Jack Markell and others at the Newark Municipal Building to celebrate the town getting a Great American Main Street Award. The national award was given for the success of the Downtown Newark Partnership, a public-private initiative that focuses on downtown improvement projects.
Clark had to cut his speech short. He tried to drive himself to the hospital, but the pain got so bad he had to pull over and call county paramedics for a ride.
He said he now understands why even women who have experienced childbirth have called passing a kidney stone one of the most painful things a person can experience.
“When I was a kid I had a broken arm reset without anesthesia,” Clark said. “That was nothing compared to this.”
Notes: Matt Harrison plans to start Tues
Despite still not passing a kidney stone, Rangers pitcher Matt Harrison said he's planning on starting Tuesday's game against the Tigers.
Harrison, 25, went to a Cleveland hospital on Friday night because of the pain and then stayed at the team hotel on Saturday. He was back at the ballpark on Sunday and threw a bullpen session.
“It was fine," Harrison said about the bullpen session. "I didn’t feel any pain throwing. I ran to see if it would hurt bouncing up and down and that was fine. I guess tomorrow I’ll just go out there and throw.”
Harrison said Monday that he experiences pain in the mornings when he wakes up and sometimes late at night, but doesn't believe it will impact his ability to pitch on Tuesday.
The Rangers, though, will have a backup plan. Dave Bush is slated to spot start (again) if he isn't needed in Monday's game.
Other notes:
* Josh Hamilton said he tried to back off a little bit in Tampa Bay to guard against injuries, but "felt off" and isn't worrying about it any more. He said he'll try to play as smart as he can but can't alter his game much. "I'm telling myself to just relax and play," Hamilton said.
He said he didn't fight manager Ron Washington when he told him he was getting a day off, saying he knows he needs the time and has to utilize it wisely.
"I need my rest and can take time to work on things, but also give my body a break," Hamilton said. "I feel good."
Hamilton noted that usually in rehab assignments he gets a chance to play the field for five innings, then six, seven, etc. This time, he was only the DH, so he didn't get that easing in period. That makes the off days important. And he added that despite hitting two homers in two days, he doesn't believe getting a day off will hurt his rhythm.
* Brandon Webb said he could throw a bullpen session Tuesday or Wednesday and then hopefully pitch in a game after that. His rehab was stalled last week with rotator cuff inflammation, but he says medication appears to be working and he feels better. But he's yet to throw hard since feeling the discomfort, so the club will see how he feels after his next session and decide the next step from there.
* Washington said his team will have to grind through a tough stretch of road games this month. They are only in Arlington for three days before heading back out for a 10-game, 11-day trip through Minnesota, New York and Atlanta. "How do you stay fresh in 101-degree heat out there?" Washington said. "That's what the schedule is and we have to keep getting after it."
* Washington said he put Craig Gentry in as a defensive replacement for Endy Chavez on Sunday in Cleveland because he feels like Gentry can run down balls in the gap better and he wanted to be sure anything hit deep could be snagged.
* Scott Feldman (right knee) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session today. He says he's curious to see how he feels following it.
Harrison, 25, went to a Cleveland hospital on Friday night because of the pain and then stayed at the team hotel on Saturday. He was back at the ballpark on Sunday and threw a bullpen session.
“It was fine," Harrison said about the bullpen session. "I didn’t feel any pain throwing. I ran to see if it would hurt bouncing up and down and that was fine. I guess tomorrow I’ll just go out there and throw.”
Harrison said Monday that he experiences pain in the mornings when he wakes up and sometimes late at night, but doesn't believe it will impact his ability to pitch on Tuesday.
The Rangers, though, will have a backup plan. Dave Bush is slated to spot start (again) if he isn't needed in Monday's game.
Other notes:
* Josh Hamilton said he tried to back off a little bit in Tampa Bay to guard against injuries, but "felt off" and isn't worrying about it any more. He said he'll try to play as smart as he can but can't alter his game much. "I'm telling myself to just relax and play," Hamilton said.
He said he didn't fight manager Ron Washington when he told him he was getting a day off, saying he knows he needs the time and has to utilize it wisely.
"I need my rest and can take time to work on things, but also give my body a break," Hamilton said. "I feel good."
Hamilton noted that usually in rehab assignments he gets a chance to play the field for five innings, then six, seven, etc. This time, he was only the DH, so he didn't get that easing in period. That makes the off days important. And he added that despite hitting two homers in two days, he doesn't believe getting a day off will hurt his rhythm.
* Brandon Webb said he could throw a bullpen session Tuesday or Wednesday and then hopefully pitch in a game after that. His rehab was stalled last week with rotator cuff inflammation, but he says medication appears to be working and he feels better. But he's yet to throw hard since feeling the discomfort, so the club will see how he feels after his next session and decide the next step from there.
* Washington said his team will have to grind through a tough stretch of road games this month. They are only in Arlington for three days before heading back out for a 10-game, 11-day trip through Minnesota, New York and Atlanta. "How do you stay fresh in 101-degree heat out there?" Washington said. "That's what the schedule is and we have to keep getting after it."
* Washington said he put Craig Gentry in as a defensive replacement for Endy Chavez on Sunday in Cleveland because he feels like Gentry can run down balls in the gap better and he wanted to be sure anything hit deep could be snagged.
* Scott Feldman (right knee) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session today. He says he's curious to see how he feels following it.
2011年6月1日星期三
Causes of Kidney Problems
Kidney is one of the important organs of our body, which works as a filter for flushing out waste products and various toxins from our body through urine. It is also responsible for regulating electrolyte levels from the body, which is very important for living a healthy life. Here are some of the causes of Kidney problems:
Improper Diet: Unhealthy diet is one of the most important causes of kidney issues, as food that is high in calcium may lead to kidney problems such as stone or other related issue. So, patient of kidney problems should avoid food, which is high in calcium.
Obstruction of the bladder: Problems in bladder can also cause backpressure to kidneys, as the urine float back into the kidneys. Therefore, the kidneys can be damaged due to the backpressure of urine. This condition can be serious, so immediate supervision of doctor is required.
Caffeine and Junk Food: Excess consumption of caffeine such as tea, coffie and junk food can also be responsible for kidney stones or other problems, as it disturbs our metabolism and digestive system.
Wrong Medications: Wrong medications and excess consumption of vitamins A and D are also related to the formation of calcium in the body.
The above-mentioned causes can help readers to get a better understanding about the disease, which can be used to take preventive measures to get rid of kidney issues. It is strongly recommended to consult your doctor before following any of the mentioned measures in the article.
Improper Diet: Unhealthy diet is one of the most important causes of kidney issues, as food that is high in calcium may lead to kidney problems such as stone or other related issue. So, patient of kidney problems should avoid food, which is high in calcium.
Obstruction of the bladder: Problems in bladder can also cause backpressure to kidneys, as the urine float back into the kidneys. Therefore, the kidneys can be damaged due to the backpressure of urine. This condition can be serious, so immediate supervision of doctor is required.
Caffeine and Junk Food: Excess consumption of caffeine such as tea, coffie and junk food can also be responsible for kidney stones or other problems, as it disturbs our metabolism and digestive system.
Wrong Medications: Wrong medications and excess consumption of vitamins A and D are also related to the formation of calcium in the body.
The above-mentioned causes can help readers to get a better understanding about the disease, which can be used to take preventive measures to get rid of kidney issues. It is strongly recommended to consult your doctor before following any of the mentioned measures in the article.
Delhi zoo water not fit for consumption
New Delhi: A year after nearly 20 blackbucks died in the Delhi zoo because of contaminated water, little has been done. A study by the central pollution control board reveals that the water in the zoo remains contaminated.
The report found high levels of dissolved solids - upto 16 times over the permissible limit of 500 milligrams per litre. This can lead to kidney stones and intestinal infections in mammals. High levels of Biological Oxygen demand were found upto 35 milligrams per litre way above the limit of 3 milligrams per litre, beyond which, fish don't survive. The total hardness of the water too was 5 to 8 times beyond the normal.
High levels of Total Dissolved Solids or the minute solid particles found in water ranged from 950 to 8000 mg/litre that is 2 to 16 times more than the permissible limit of 500 mg/L. This can lead to kidney stones and intestinal infections in mammals. High level of Biologial Oxygen Demand or the amount of oxygen required ranged from 19- 35 mg/L in the water bodies. The limit should be just 3mg/L.
The Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh who was at the zoo after the death of a giraffe last week, raised concern.
Jairam Ramesh said, "When I heard of the giraffe, first thing that came to my mind was that the water was contaminated."
Blocked drains at the zoo are also leading to the backflow of the sewage water which is further posing a threat to the health of the animals.
Wildlife activist Kartick said, "It's a city problem basically. MCD/PWD there are so many agencies - they control water supply going out of zoo and if that chanel is not cleared, Delhi zoo will not get its water out."
Zoo officials however maintain that safe drinking water is being supplied to the animals separately.
Water in the hippopotamus pond looks highly contaminated even through the naked eye. While various agencies are on a mission to de-silt the drains, the question is will this happen by the time monsoon arrives when there is always a risk of water logging and sewage contamination.
The report found high levels of dissolved solids - upto 16 times over the permissible limit of 500 milligrams per litre. This can lead to kidney stones and intestinal infections in mammals. High levels of Biological Oxygen demand were found upto 35 milligrams per litre way above the limit of 3 milligrams per litre, beyond which, fish don't survive. The total hardness of the water too was 5 to 8 times beyond the normal.
High levels of Total Dissolved Solids or the minute solid particles found in water ranged from 950 to 8000 mg/litre that is 2 to 16 times more than the permissible limit of 500 mg/L. This can lead to kidney stones and intestinal infections in mammals. High level of Biologial Oxygen Demand or the amount of oxygen required ranged from 19- 35 mg/L in the water bodies. The limit should be just 3mg/L.
The Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh who was at the zoo after the death of a giraffe last week, raised concern.
Jairam Ramesh said, "When I heard of the giraffe, first thing that came to my mind was that the water was contaminated."
Blocked drains at the zoo are also leading to the backflow of the sewage water which is further posing a threat to the health of the animals.
Wildlife activist Kartick said, "It's a city problem basically. MCD/PWD there are so many agencies - they control water supply going out of zoo and if that chanel is not cleared, Delhi zoo will not get its water out."
Zoo officials however maintain that safe drinking water is being supplied to the animals separately.
Water in the hippopotamus pond looks highly contaminated even through the naked eye. While various agencies are on a mission to de-silt the drains, the question is will this happen by the time monsoon arrives when there is always a risk of water logging and sewage contamination.
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