When we think of kidney disease, we often picture an older adult battling high blood pressure or diabetes. But what if the real danger is actually lurking in children? Have we misunderstood the signs? Are the kids issues undetected? Pediatric kidney disease are rarely talked about, yet they can have lifelong consequences. Unlike adults, who have clear signs, children often exhibit symptoms so subtle that even the most attentive parents and doctors could miss it.

Dr Narendra Shetty, Chief Wellness Officer at Kshemavana emphasizes, "Kidney diseases in children often go unnoticed because their symptoms mimic common childhood conditions. Early detection is key to preventing long-term complications."

The Silent Symptoms

A child who frequently wets the bed or seems tired throughout the day could very easily be dismissed by calling him "lazy" or saying that he is just "going through a phase". But what if that bedwetting is a sign of an underlying kidney disorder? What if their fatigue signals something far more serious than just a lack of sleep?

Adults show obvious symptoms like swelling, high blood pressure, or reduced urine output. However, for children, it may be easier to overlook. Poor appetite, developmental delays, and general fatigue are often attributed to other childhood conditions or simply brushed off as normal. And for infants and toddlers—who cannot verbally express their discomfort—signs like excessive crying, restlessness, or irritability are often misunderstood, delaying crucial diagnoses.

Dr. Shetty explains, "Children may not always communicate their discomfort effectively, making it crucial for parents and pediatricians to stay vigilant for subtle signs of kidney dysfunction."

The concern is that the symptoms kids go through, often falls under the same category of common childhood infections. A child suffering from frequent urinary tract infection (UTI), could actually be vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), a condition where urine flows backward from the bladder to the kidneys, potentially causing long-term damage. However, because UTIs are more common in children, the actual condition may go undetected.

Routine kidney function tests (RFTs) are rarely conducted in children unless there’s a specific reason. This lack of screening means many kidney issues remain hidden until the disease has progressed significantly, making treatment more complex and the impact more severe.

Why Pediatric Kidney Diseases Are Different?

In adults, kidney diseases are more often than note linked to lifestyle choices. However, in pediatric conditions, they are congenital or genetic. Some of the children are born with structural abnormalities that impair kidney function from the start. These conditions, if left undiagnosed can stunt physical growth. They could also delay developmental milestones and lead to long-term health complications.

Children’s kidney diseases also tend to progress differently. They may remain silent for years, only surfacing when the damage is irreversible. In contrast, adult kidney disease usually progresses slowly, with symptoms appearing over time due to factors like hypertension or diabetes.

Is Kidney Health Only About Drinking Water?

If you think like this, then you may need to think again. Maintaining a healthy kidney is more than just drinking water. It has a lot to do in what you eat and what don't you eat. A high-sodium diet can raise blood pressure, putting unnecessary stress on the kidneys. Processed foods loaded with sugar and preservatives are equally harmful. Encouraging home-cooked meals over packaged snacks can go a long way in protecting children’s kidney health.

Hydration plays a key role in maintaining kidney function. While dehydration can cause kidney stones and urinary tract infections, excessive fluid intake in children with conditions like nephrotic syndrome can lead to swelling and other complications.

But diet alone isn’t the only villain. Environmental factors—such as exposure to heavy metals in contaminated water, pesticide-laden foods, air pollution, and overuse of certain medications—can silently damage the kidneys over time. Long-term exposure to toxins like arsenic, lead, and mercury can cause severe renal impairments, yet many parents remain unaware of these hidden dangers.

Dr. Shetty warns, "Children are more vulnerable to environmental toxins than adults. Clean water, organic foods, and limiting unnecessary medications can go a long way in safeguarding their kidney health."

Chronic Kidney Disease

In children with chronic kidney disease or CKD, dialysis and kidney transplants have long been the option. However, science could do more. One breakthrough in pediatric kidney care is the recombinant growth hormone (rGH) therapy which helps improve growth in children with CKD who suffer from malnutrition and stunted development.

Emerging treatments such as stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine are also showing promise. Scientists are working on lab-grown kidney tissues that could one day replace damaged kidneys, offering new hope to children who would otherwise require transplants.

A more holistic approach is also gaining traction. Dietary changes, including a low-protein, alkaline-based diet supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids, can slow kidney disease progression. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, herbal treatments, and even specific yoga poses are being explored to complement traditional medical treatments.

‘Birds of a feather stick together’ is often used to define people who share similar traits. It is human nature to find comfort with someone who is more similar to you in certain ways like your preference of socializing, shared hobbies as well as temperaments. Having a partner who gels with you because you both are similar can be a blessing, however could it also be a set back? You may have also heard ‘we attract people who are similar to us’ however, did you know this could also apply to what mental health conditions you may suffer with?

A massive study published in the Exploratory Research and Hypothesis in Medicine, looked at the health records of over 14.8 million people and found a clear trend: people with a mental health diagnosis are more likely to marry someone who also has a similar condition. This isn't just a recent trend; it's a pattern that has been growing for decades and is seen in different cultures, from Taiwan to Nordic countries.

Do We Attract People Similar To Ourselves?

The study, which analyzed the health records of over 14.8 million people in Taiwan, Denmark, and Sweden, found that people with a mental health diagnosis are much more likely to marry someone with a similar condition. The pattern has become more common over the last several decades. The researchers have a few ideas why this happens:

Shared Understanding

It's possible that people who have gone through similar mental health challenges feel a special connection. They might feel more understood and accepted by a partner who knows firsthand what they're dealing with. This shared experience can build a strong bond.

Growing More Alike

Sometimes, partners in a long-term relationship start to become more similar over time. Because they live together and face similar challenges, their behaviors and experiences can begin to match up, a process researchers call "convergence."

Social Stigma

Unfortunately, there's still a lot of social judgment around mental illness. This can make dating and finding a partner more difficult. This reality might lead people with mental health conditions to have a smaller group of potential partners, making it more likely they'll end up with someone who also has a similar background.

Do Our Mental Health Conditions Affect Our Families?

This study also uncovered some important findings about how this trend can affect families and overall health.

Passing on Conditions

When both parents have the same mental health disorder, their children are twice as likely to develop the condition themselves. This risk is highest for conditions that are known to have a strong genetic link, such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder.

Physical Health Risks

Mental health issues don't just affect the mind; they can also impact the body. For example, people with depression are at a 40% higher risk of developing heart and metabolic diseases.

Strained Relationships

Previous studies have already shown that marriages where one partner has a mental health condition have a higher chance of divorce. These new findings add to that by showing that the marriage itself is often formed between two people who are already facing similar mental health challenges.

It is truly never too late to turn your life around and find a better version of yourself, and this neurologist is proof of that. Although you may have heard of many weight loss stories, where people overcame many difficulties and lost multiple kgs, it can be a much more difficult task to find that motivation yourself.

From 100 kgs to 70 kgs, Dr Sudhir Kumar shared his weight loss journey on social media platform X. He shared his experience and realistic tips that helped him lose the extra pounds and take a step towards a healthier future.

How Dr Sudhir Kumar Lost the Weight

Dr. Kumar's journey started in November 2020. At that time, he had some habits that weren't great for his health: he worked long hours (16-17 per day), got very little sleep (4-5 hours), and ate a lot of junk food and sweets. He weighed 100 kg and found it difficult to even walk 5 km.

To start his transformation, he focused on a simple exercise: running. But he didn't jump into it all at once. He began slowly by walking 5 km, and over the next few months, he gradually increased his distance to 10 km. After that, he started jogging and then running. His main goal was to focus on the time he spent being active, not how fast he was.

How Did Losing Weight Helped Dr Sudhir Kumar?

Later, in December 2022, he also added strength training at least three times a week to build muscle and burn more calories. These lifestyle changes led to some incredible results, both on the scale and in his overall health.

• He went from weighing 110 kg down to a healthy 70 kg.
• He felt more awake and focused at work and had more energy throughout the day.
• His resting heart rate dropped from 72 beats per minute to a much healthier 40-42 bpm, showing how much stronger his heart had become.
• His blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure all got better, reducing his risk for many serious health problems.
• He also noticed a boost in his self-esteem and self-confidence.

What Are Dr Sudhir Kumar's Top Weight Loss Tips?

Dr. Kumar shared the most important lessons he learned, hoping they will inspire and guide others.

• The most important thing is to show up and be active every single day. Being consistent is more important than working out at a high intensity.
• Run at a pace that you enjoy, not one that competes with others. Your speed will naturally get better over time as you get fitter.
• Don't just stick to running. Adding other activities like strength training or cross-training will keep you from getting bored and help prevent injuries.
• Exercise works best when you also change what you eat. Focus on reducing your total calories and try eating within a specific time window each day.
• Getting 7-8 hours of sleep is non-negotiable. Good sleep helps your body recover, improves your mood, and gives you the energy you need for your workouts.
• Dr. Kumar reminds everyone that these are just helpful tips, not strict rules. He strongly advises talking to a doctor before making any big changes to your diet or exercise routine.

If you’ve ever felt trapped in a cycle of sniffles, sore throats, and relentless coughing, you’re not alone. For many, recurrent colds and coughs aren’t just seasonal annoyances, it can hamper your productivity, sleep, and overall well-being. Antibiotic resistance is growing, rendering many susceptible to infections that no longer yield to standard treatments. While reaching for antibiotics may seem like the quickest fix, overuse can backfire, weakening your body’s defenses and fueling resistance. But what if there was a way to break this cycle, strengthen your immunity, and tackle the root causes rather than just the symptoms? Today, more people are exploring gentle, personalized approaches like homeopathy that work with your body, not against it, to put you back in control of your health.

Dr. Ritula Talwar, homeopathic doctor and science expert, highlights that "homeopathy provides a means of curing recurring cough and cold by engaging with the body's natural self-curing processes instead of just suppressing symptoms." She points out that it focuses on individualized treatment, overall well-being, and immune boost, thus minimizing the use of antibiotics.

What Are The Basic Homeopathy Principles?

At its core is the principle of Similia Similibus Curentur, or "like cures like." It relies on using highly diluted substances, which induce specific symptoms in healthy people to cure similar symptoms in sick people. But what makes homeopathy even more appropriate for repeated cough and cold is the fact that it is a personalized and holistic system.

Dr. Talwar states, "No two patients are ever the same. Two individuals with chronic colds can be given entirely different treatments based on their symptoms, mental state, way of life, and overall constitution. The aim is not just to address symptoms but to boost the immune system of the body and allow long-term resistance.

This personalized methodology makes homeopathy different from the traditional medicine, which generally uses a prescription that is good for everyone. Homeopathy considers every individual as an intricate system in which the physical, mental, and emotional well-being are integrated.

Is Immunity Boosting The Focus of Recurrent Infection Treatment?

One of the key goals of homeopathy in the treatment of recurrent cough and cold is building up the immune system. Through the treatment of underlying vulnerabilities instead of just tackling the immediate symptoms, homeopathy can decrease the intensity and frequency of infections.

"Recurring coughs and colds usually point to a weak or out-of-balance immune system," Dr. Talwar points out. "Homeopathic treatments subtly encourage the body's inherent defense mechanisms to keep it battling infections more efficiently without the constant use of antibiotics."

Safety is another benefit. Homeopathic treatments are very diluted and essentially side-effect-free compared to conventional treatment, so they can be used over the long term.

Common Homeopathic Remedies for Cold and Cough

Although remedies need to be individualized, some of the homeopathic remedies are more commonly indicated for respiratory problems:

For Cold:

Allium Cepa: Watery nasal discharge, better in warm rooms.

Arsenicum Album: Scalding nasal discharge with restlessness, particularly in people who huddle for warmth.

Belladonna: Acute high fever, flushed face, and headache upon exposure to cold.

Natrum Muriaticum: Sneezing, nasal obstruction, colds induced by emotional stress.

Pulsatilla: Thick yellow-green mucus, made worse in warm rooms; usually given to moody, clingy people.

For Coughs:

Bryonia Alba: Dry, sore cough, made worse by motion.

Phosphorus: Tickly, hoarse cough, made worse by speaking or cold air.

Rumex Crispus: Dry cough elicited by cold air, scratchy throat.

Aconitum Napellus: Cough developing suddenly after exposure to cold wind.

Antimonium Tartaricum: Moist cough with thick phlegm, rattling in chest.

These treatments exemplify the homeopathic concept of treating each patient's symptoms in accordance with its unique features, as opposed to treating all colds and coughs in the same way.

Can You Use Homeopathy with Usual Allopathic Treatments?

An integrative strategy can provide the advantages of both. Homeopathy, by strengthening immunity and addressing underlying susceptibility, can decrease antibiotic dependency while at the same time effectively managing symptoms.

Dr. Talwar stresses, "For those suffering from repeated or chronic respiratory infections, homeopathy can be an addition to mainstream medicine by achieving long-term health and reducing the frequency of recurrent courses of antibiotics. But it is absolutely important to see a qualified homeopath to get proper assessment, dosing, and selection of remedies.

Even with homeopathy, serious or chronic symptoms like high fever, struggling to breathe, or chest infections—need timely care from mainstream medical experts. The trick is balance: employing homeopathy to boost immunity and treat mild-to-moderate recurrent infections but saving antibiotics for severe ones.

Homeopathy focuses on prevention in addition to healing. Taking into consideration emotional well-being, lifestyle, and individual vulnerabilities, homeopathic doctors seek to develop a robust, resilient immune system that can fend off chronic bouts of infections.

Dr. Talwar explains, "Chronic cough and cold are not necessarily an isolated condition—they're a symptom from the body, usually suggesting that the immune system is in need of support. A customized homeopathic remedy treats these imbalances at their source, allowing patients to achieve sustained health and comfort."

This patient-focused approach encourages patients to become active agents in their own health, embracing lifestyle modification, dietary changes, and stress management techniques in addition to homeopathic treatment.

Dr. Ritula Talwar, Homeopathic Physician & Scientific Support, Zeon Lifesciences Pvt Ltd