2018 March Articles Archives

Working for a World without Prejudice

Modern society is more of a multicultural melting pot than ever before; but unfortunately, prejudice remains a big problem.

Prejudice is a preconceived idea or judgement against a person (or group of people) that isn’t based on reason or reality. This leads to discrimination against individuals and groups, based on judgements about factors like their race, class, sexual orientation or religion.

Prejudice leads to hate speech and hateful actions. It’s important that we all speak up against prejudice, to prevent hateful behaviour from becoming the norm.

How to Fight Prejudice & Foster Diversity

Here’s how you can be part of the solution:

Challenge your own assumptions

We all grow up with prejudices and stereotypes – it can be embarrassing to admit this, but it’s necessary to acknowledge it!

Are there certain groups of people you look down on? Why do you feel that way? Do you make an effort to understand those people, or do you dismiss them based on an assumption? Acknowledge your own preconceived ideas, challenge them and work towards changing them.

Educate yourself

Prejudice starts with ignorance, so education is the best way to defeat it. Find accurate, unbiased information about other cultures and different ways of life. Do so with an open mind and you’ll be amazed at what you can learn.

Encourage acceptance in the next generation

Be a role model for your children, by demonstrating a respect for other cultures, races and walks of life.

Encourage your children to interact with classmates from other cultures and backgrounds. Point out stereotypes in the media your kids consume (movies, commercials and TV shows), and talk openly about why these stereotypes aren’t realistic.

Get involved

Show support for those who have been the victims of prejudice. Make monetary donations to causes that focus on educating people and putting a stop to prejudice. Attend rallies or workshops to support these causes.

Don’t dismiss “small” acts of prejudice

Take prejudice seriously and address it, even if it’s a “minor” matter like name-calling or an inappropriate joke. Remember, a slur or harsh statement could easily turn into harassment, harassment could escalate to threats, and threats could lead to physical violence.

By educating yourself and others, you can build a healthier society where prejudice and discrimination make way for acceptance and unity!

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_speech

www.dailymaverick.co.za

www.gov.za/speeches/international-day-elimination-racial-discrimination-2017-15-nov-2016-1457

www.politicsweb.co.za

www.splcenter.org

www.welections.wordpress.com

Better Care for Your Kidneys

Everyone knows that the kidneys are involved in urination, and for most people, that’s about as much thought as these little bean-shaped organs get.

Your kidneys are actually extremely important, multi-functional organs that don’t get enough credit. They play many vital roles in a healthy, functioning body, and it’s important to know what they do and how to care for them.

What Your Kidneys Do for You

The kidneys’ main function is to help remove waste products from the bloodstream, and get rid of them through the urine. But these remarkable organs work hard to do so much more than that.

Kidneys also support your body in the following ways:

Regulating the amount of fluid in the body, through urine production
Regulating your blood pressure, by producing a hormone that narrows the arteries
Making red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body
Producing active vitamin D, for strong bones and a healthy immune system

What is Kidney Failure?

Kidney failure is a serious medical condition that means the kidneys are no longer able to properly filter waste products from your bloodstream. There are two main types of kidney failure, namely acute and chronic.

Acute kidney injury is a sudden loss of kidney function that develops within 48 hours. Chronic kidney disease is a slow loss of kidney function, which happens over time.

The most common symptoms of kidney disease are changes in urination:

Foamy, bubbly or dark-coloured urine
Blood in the urine
More frequent urination during the night
Difficulty urinating, or a decrease in the volume of urine

There are plenty of other less obvious signs too, which aren’t directly linked to urination, but are still symptoms of what happens when things go wrong with your kidneys.

These symptoms include:

Swelling/ water retention in the legs, ankles, feet, face or hands
Fatigue or anaemia due to a decrease in red blood cells
Shortness of breath, due to lack of oxygen-carrying red blood cells
Severe itching or skin rashes, caused by a build-up of waste in the body
A metallic taste in the mouth, due to a build-up of waste in the bloodstream
Nausea or vomiting, due to waste build-up
Dizziness or difficulty concentrating, caused by a lack of oxygen being carried to the brain

Diabetes, high blood pressure and heart problems all increase the risk of kidney failure, but lifestyle (diet and exercise) also plays a role. The good news is, with a few healthy habits, you can ease the load on your kidneys and do your best to protect them.

Easy Ways to Protect your Kidneys

Firstly, make sure you’re hydrated. That means drinking plenty of fresh, clean water. Other drinks like juice, coffee or tea can contribute a little towards hydration – but caffeine is a diuretic, and most juices are full of sugar and additives too. There’s simply no substitute for pure water.

Top Tip: If your urine is pale (straw-coloured or lighter), that’s a good sign that you’re getting enough fluid. Darker shades of yellow can be a sign of dehydration.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet that’s high in fruits and vegetables. This will help you get enough of the nutrients and antioxidants that support kidney health.
Avoid eating salty foods, or adding salt to every meal. Too much salt raises the sodium levels in your bloodstream, making it harder for your kidneys to remove the water (causing water retention). This leads to higher blood pressure and added strain on the kidneys.
Avoid smoking and drinking. Having alcohol and nicotine in your system forces your kidneys to work harder to remove those added toxins from your blood. Not to mention the other health complications that smoking and drinking can cause!
Monitor your blood pressure regularly. If it is high, you may have a higher risk of kidney failure, so speak to your health care practitioner about the right way to manage it.
Regular exercise and a healthy body weight will reduce the workload on your kidneys. Just 30 minutes of physical activity every day will keep you fit.

Your kidneys do so much for you; say thank you by taking good care of them!

Sources

http://www.activebeat.co

http://www.mayoclinic.org

http://www.medicinenet.com

http://www.actiononsalt.org.uk/salthealth/factsheets/kidney/index.html