Chronic kidney disease basics
Kidneys are the size of a fist, and continuously they filter the blood in the body every half an hour. They work sternly to remove toxins, wastes, and excess fluids and produce urine out of the body. By keeping the apt level of fluid, they keep blood control under control. Additionally, they also secrete hormones to produce red blood cells, keep the bones strong and healthy, and regulate blood chemical composition essential for keeping the body functional.
About Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter the blood as they should. Because of CKD, excess fluid and waste may pool in the blood, causing other health problems, such as heart disease, shortness of path, etc.
Some other consequences that are imputed by an impaired kidney function include:
- Anemia or a low number of red blood cells
- Increased infections in the body
- Changes in calcium, potassium, and phosphorus levels in the blood
- Loss of appetite
- Depression or lower quality of life
- Poor memory retention
The severity of CKD may vary from individual to individual. If you delay the treatment, chances are very high that CKD will progress to later stages. CKD develops in stages, and the last stage is end-stage renal disease or kidney failure. When the kidneys stop working completely, you may be required dialysis and transplant. Both the procedures come as an immediate medical response to CKD. Along with these procedures, you can also rely on chronic kidney disease treatment in Ayurveda to rejuvenate the kidney function and ensure lifetime recovery.
It is not compulsory that all patients who have chronic kidney disease will progress to kidney failure. To manage chronic kidney disease, you need to get tested annually and make changes in your lifestyle, be particular about your medications if you are at risk.
Chronic kidney disease causes
A number of conditions are responsible for the development of chronic kidney disease. High blood pressure and diabetes are the two main causative factors. Over time, both can harm your kidneys in the backend without even letting you know.
Diabetes, which implies elevated blood sugar levels, damages the kidneys’ blood vessels, so they lose the ability to perform filtration. High blood pressure wear and tear on the small blood capillaries, including the ones that are related to the kidneys.
Other causes related to CKD include:
- Immune system diseases (kidney disease that develops due to lupus is called lupus nephritis.)
- Chronic viral infections, such as HIV and AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
- Pyelonephritis, recurrent urinary tract infection within the kidneys. If not medically treated, it can lead to permanent kidney damage.
- Inflammation in the tiny filters (glomeruli) in your kidneys.
- A genetic condition called polycystic kidney disease, where fluid-filled sacs develop in your kidneys.
- Congenital anomalies in the urinary system can block the urinary tract or affect the kidneys.
Chronic kidney disease signs
Chronic kidney failure, or acute kidney failure, is a slow and gradual decline in kidney function; it is so why a person cannot recognize the signs and symptoms of kidney disease until the damage is extreme or you are in later stages. By this time, the damage is mostly irreversible, and you cannot get better without chronic kidney disease treatment in Ayurveda. It is important that people who are at risk of CKD should get themselves yearly diagnosed for any uncertainty. Early detection can significantly help in the prevention of ESRD or kidney failure.
The most common signs and symptoms of chronic kidney disease include:
- anemia
- blood in urine
- dark urine
- poor mental alertness
- decreased urine output
- edema – swollen feet, hands, and ankles
- fatigue
- shortness of breath
- hypertension
- insomnia
- itchy skin
- loss of appetite
- more frequent urination, especially at night
- muscle cramps
- nausea
- pain on the side or mid to lower back
- weight loss or weight gain
- unexplained headaches
- inability to get or maintain an erection in males
When to see the doctor
It is important to make an appointment with your doctor if you are experiencing similar signs. However, some of these signs are often nonspecific, so tests are proximity to the clear diagnosis of CKD. If the test signifies so, you are required to take chronic kidney disease treatment in Ayurveda.
Stages
Based on the glomerular filtration rate, your doctor can tell you about the stage of CKD you are in. CKD does not happen all at once, rather in stages, from stage 1 to stage 5.
- Stage 1 – GFR rate is normal. However, there are subtle changes in kidney function.
- Stage 2 – GFR rate is lower than 90 milliliters. Little damage to the kidneys.
- Stage 3 – GFR rate is lower than 60 milliliters. Moderate damage to the kidneys.
- Stage 4 – GRF rate is lower than 30 milliliters. Close to renal failure. This is a stage hard to reverse.
- Stage 5 – GFR rate is lower than 15 milliliters. Renal failure has occurred already.
Patients with diabetes need to monitor their kidney function more frequently than others. Often they are diagnosed with albuminuria or proteinuria as an indication of CKD.
Chronic kidney disease treatment in Ayurveda
Ayurveda is one of the best remedial sciences to improve kidney function. It is wholly dependent on medicinal herbs and spices to strengthen or rejuvenate the kidneys. Ayurvedic medicines are therapeutic in nature and rich in anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic properties. By promoting urine production, medicines help to eliminate and other waste naturally from the urine.
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