Chronic kidney disease occurs after the kidneys have ceased function. It is the job of the kidneys to filter the blood and keep the blood clean for the body. Waste products and extra fluid are removed from the blood and is later excreted in the urine by the kidneys. In chronic kidney disease, this function stops and the body will build the waste levels of the blood, in turn, making the patient sick. Chronic kidney disease is also referred to as chronic renal failure or chronic renal insufficiency.
Who Can Get Chronic Kidney Disease?
Chronic kidney disease is most often present in people with some form of kidney damage lasting a long period of time. There is no age determination for contraction of the disease.
Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease
The root cause of chronic kidney disease is kidney failure or extensive kidney damage. This damage can be related to many factors including the presence of other illnesses. The most common causes include:
- High Blood Pressure
- High Blood Sugar Levels (Diabetes)
- Polycystic Kidney Disease
- Pyelonephritis
- Narrowing of the Renal Artery
- Enlarged Prostrate
- Kidney Stones
- Tumors of the Kidney
- Long Term Use of medications such as Advil, Tylenol or Celebrex
Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease
The waste fluids take very little time to build up in the blood stream . Symptoms may begin occurring as soon as a few months after the kidneys begin to fail. The most common symptoms of chronic kidney disease include:
- Decrease in Urination
- Edema
- Fatigue
- Sleepiness
- Lack of Appetite
- Weight Loss
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Trouble Sleeping
- Headaches
- Confusion
Over the Counter Treatments for Chronic Kidney Disease
There are no known over the counter treatments for chronic kidney disease.
Alternative Treatments for Chronic Kidney Disease
There are several alternative therapy paths that the patient may choose when fighting off chronic kidney disease. When choosing an alternative therapy, these nutrients, vitamins and herbs can be added to the daily diet.
- Calcium – helps increase the efficacy of nutrients in the body
- Magnesium – works similarly to calcium
- L-Arginine – aids in kidney function
- L-Methionine – increases circulation within the kidneys
- Multi-Enzyme Complex – aids in food digestion
- Potassium – boosts kidney function
- Vitamin A – helps heal the urinary tract
- Vitamin B Complex – fluid metabolism
- Vitamin C – boosts natural immunity, increases acidity of urine
- Vitamin E – boosts immunity
- Herbs to Include in the Diet for Chronic Kidney Disease
- Dandelion Root – natural diuretic
- Cranberry – immunity booster, kills bacteria
- Celery – natural diuretic
- Parsley – natural diuretic
- Hydrangea – natural diuretic
- Uva Ursi – natural diuretic
When is Medicinal Treatment Necessary?
Chronic kidney disease can lead to death if the waste and fluid continues to build up in the blood stream over a long period of time.
Medical Treatments for Kidney Disease
Once the kidneys have failed, the only two treatment options available are dialysis and a kidney transplant.
Dialysis is the mechanical cleansing of the blood. The blood is taken out of the body, cleaned of all fluid and waste and returned to the body.
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