More people than one might think have chronic kidney disease, also known as chronic renal failure, chronic renal disease, or chronic kidney failure. Frequently, the disease is not identified or treated until it has progressed significantly.
When a person’s kidney function is only 25% of normal, it is not uncommon for them to only just realize they have chronic kidney failure.
Treatment for kidney failure aims to stop or slow down the disease’s progression. This is typically accomplished by addressing the disease’s underlying cause. As the condition worsens and the organs’ function is severely compromised, dangerous levels of waste and fluid can quickly accumulate in the body.
SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
Screening is advised for those who are at risk because symptoms of chronic kidney disease don’t usually manifest until the later stages.
Even if one kidney stops functioning, the other can continue to function normally in chronic kidney failure, which is a slow and gradually progressing disease. Most often, signs and symptoms do not appear until the disease is fairly well advanced and the condition is severe, by which time the majority of the damage is irreversible.
Regular kidney function testing is crucial for those who are at a high risk of developing kidney disease because early detection can greatly reduce the risk of permanent kidney damage.
Chronic kidney disease’s most typical warning signs and symptoms include:
- Anemia
- Blood in urine
- Dark urine
- Decreased mental alertness
- Decreased urine output
- Edema causes swelling in the hands, feet, ankles, and, in more severe cases, the face.
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Insomnia
- Skin that itches frequently
- Loss of appetite
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects men’s ability to achieve or maintain an erection.
- regular urination, particularly at night
- Muscle cramps
- Muscle twitches
- Nausea
- Mid- to lower back pain or side pain
- Panting (shortness of breath)
- Protein in urine
- Sudden change in bodyweight
- Unexplained headaches
STAGES OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
Changes in GFR can be used to determine how far along a kidney disease is, according to the stages of kidney disease that are recognized in the UK and many other nations:
Stage 1– The GFR is within normal limits, but kidney disease has been found to exist.
Stage 2– There is kidney disease present and the GFR is less than 90 milliliters.
Stage 3– Whether or not there has been a diagnosis of kidney disease, the GFR rate is less than 60 milliliters.
Stage 4– Regardless of whether kidney disease symptoms have been found, the GRF rate is less than 30 milliliters.
Stage 5Renal failure has already occurred if the GFR is less than 15 milliliters.
It is crucial to diagnose and treat kidney disease at an early stage in order to prevent serious damage, even though the majority of patients with chronic kidney disease never advance past Stage 2.
Microalbuminuria (minor protein amounts in urine) should be measured annually in diabetic patients in order to identify early diabetic nephropathy, or kidney damage associated with diabetes.
CAUSES OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
Our bodies’ intricate filtration system is carried out by the kidneys, which also remove extra waste and fluid from the blood and expel them from the body.
The majority of waste products produced by our bodies can usually be eliminated by the kidneys, but issues can arise if the kidneys’ blood flow is impeded, if they are damaged or ill and are not functioning properly, or if the urine exit is blocked.
The majority of the time, a chronic disease (a long-term illness) causes progressive kidney damage, such as:
- Diabetes– Kidney disease is uncommon during the first 10 years of diabetes; it more frequently occurs 15–25 years after diagnosis of diabetes. Diabetes types 1 and 2 are linked to chronic kidney disease. If the patient’s diabetes is not well controlled, extra sugar (glucose) can accumulate in the blood.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)– The kidney’s glomeruli, which filter waste products, can become damaged by high blood pressure.
- Obstructed urine flow– An enlarged prostate, kidney stones, or a tumor are a few potential causes of blocked urine flow, which can cause it to back up into the kidney from the bladder (vesicoureteralreflux) and impair kidney function.
- Kidney diseases– Such as glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, and polycystic kidney disease.
- Kidney artery stenosis– Prior to entering the kidney, the renal artery constricts or becomes blocked.
- Certain toxinsEven some types of jewelry contain toxins that can result in chronic kidney failure, such as fuels, solvents (like carbon tetrachloride), and lead (and lead-based paint, pipes, and soldering materials).
- Fetal developmental problem– If, while growing inside the womb, the unborn child’s kidneys do not develop properly.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus– An autoimmune condition in which the kidneys are attacked by the body’s own immune system as though they were foreign tissue.
- Malaria and yellow fever– a known factor in kidney dysfunction.
- Some medicationsNSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen, are commonly overused examples.
- Illegal substance abuse– For example, cocaine or heroin.
- Injury-Sharp blow to the kidney(s) or other physical injury.
RISK FACTORS OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
Risk factors for kidney disease include the following situations or ailments:
- diseased kidneys run in the family
- Age: People over 60 are much more likely to have chronic kidney disease.
- Atherosclerosis
- Bladder obstruction
- Chronic glomerulonephritis
- Having kidney disease from birth is referred to as congenital kidney disease.
- One of the leading causes of risk is diabetes.
- Hypertension
- Lupuserythematosus
- Overexposure to some toxins
- Sickle cell disease
- Some medications
DIAGNOSIS OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
In addition to examining the patient and looking for symptoms, a doctor may also order the following tests:
- Blood testIf levels of urea and creatinine are consistently high, the doctor will most likely conclude that the patient has end-stage kidney disease. -A blood test may be prescribed to determine whether waste materials are being adequately filtered out.
- Urine test-Urine tests assist in determining whether urine contains protein or blood.
- Kidney scans– Kidney scans, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, computed tomography (CT) scans, or ultrasound scans, can reveal the size and shape of the kidneys, which are smaller and have an uneven shape in advanced stages of kidney disease. – The goal of these scans is to ascertain whether there are any blockages in the urine flow.
- Kidney biopsy-The analysis of kidney tissue facilitates the accurate diagnosis of kidney disease by allowing for the extraction of a small sample of kidney tissue and examination for cell damage.
- Chest X-ray– The goal of this test is to look for pulmonary edema, or fluid retention in the lungs.
- Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) test measures how much waste the kidneys can filter per minute and compares the levels of waste products in the patient’s blood and urine. Healthy people’s kidneys can typically filter over 90 ml per minute.
COMPLICATION OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
There is a risk of the following complications if chronic kidney disease leads to kidney failure:
- Anemia
- Central nervous system damage
- skin changes such as dryness
- Fluid retention
- When blood potassium levels increase, a condition known as hyperkalemia may occur, which could harm the heart.
- Insomnia
- Lower sex drive
- Male erectile dysfunction
- Osteomalacia, which causes brittle, easily broken bones
- When the membrane that encloses the heart becomes inflamed, the condition is known as pericarditis.
- Stomach ulcers
- Weak immune system
HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
People with high blood pressure or diabetes are more likely to have chronic kidney disease (CKD), also known as chronic renal disease, which gradually reduces renal function over time and can cause anemia, pericarditis, and other complications.
Here is a list of several homeopathic medicines, which are used to treat chronic kidney diseases like kidney stone treatment, along with the symptoms in which they are used. Homeopathy is an ideal and effective form of treatment for chronic kidney diseases because it is natural and tries to correct all the underlying causes of the condition.
APIS MELLIFICA :When there are dull aches in the kidney, reduced urination and micturition, edema, edematous swelling on the face, paleness, headaches, pain in the back and limbs, and albumen in high concentrations in the urine, this medication can be helpful.
ARSENIC ALBUM :Useful in all stages of CKD, but more so in the later stages when the patient’s skin starts to turn pale, he starts to look waxy, and he experiences excessive thirst and diarrhea. It’s also helpful for dyspnea attacks that occur while the patient is dozing off at night.
AURUM MUR :Helpful in treating digestive and nervous issues with extreme irritability, as well as vertigo, which may be brought on by renal diseases like morbus brightii brought on by gout or syphilis.
BELLADONA :An effective homeopathic remedy for treating kidney inflammation that is accompanied by sharp or burning pain in the lumbar region of the kidney. Given when the pain recurs and becomes more severe each time.
CANTHARIS :When urine contains blood and flows in the form of drops, this useful medication for nephritis is given. It is also very helpful in cases of post-dialysis kidney disorders with dropsy.
CONAVALLARIA :Given in irregular heartbeats, ascites, and anasarca caused by mitral insufficiency, useful in cases of nephritis brought on by heart conditions.
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