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.
2011年6月22日星期三
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.
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