Thursday, April 12, 2007

Reasons for Kidney Stone Occurrence

Kidney Stone occurrence depends on edible consumed in Day-to-Day life. Mainly kidney stones are caused due to elements in Food and type of Water consumed. Also geographically the stone formation malady may vary for countries differently. Apart from Kidneys stones, the process of stone formation can take place in other organs like Gall-Bladder, Tonsils or Urinary Bladder.

Kidney Stones are found primarily in three forms: Phosphates, Calcium Oxalate and Urates. Type of Kidney stones can be determined by Type of hardness of stones. Urates are Hardest of all, Calcium Oxalates are also harder and Phosphates are soluble nature. Intensity, seriousness and damage depend on Type and Size of stone. Larger and Harder the stone causes greater damage to Kidneys. It is always recommended by doctors to drink around 25-30 glasses of water on daily basis to flush out kidneys and remain healthy.

Kidney stones can be caused due to less intake of fluids, consuming calcium based food products, higher intake of tomato, rice, Potato, etc and consuming Non-Vegetarian food like fish and meat and liquor. In most of cases it is found that kidney stones occurrences are hereditary as well.

Normally in such condition patient shows symptoms of Nausea and vomiting, pain can be felt in loins and testicles, pain may subside if passage of urine is free as the same indicates passage of stone through urinal. In some cases blood may pass as stone gets out of kidneys.

As corrective measures there is no specific medicine to dissolve stone, however medication can be suggested to lesser pain and restore normal urinary flow thereby reducing future possibility of major kidney problem. Also in case of bigger stones the same is recommended to be surgically recommended as the bigger stone has high potential to further damage kidneys.

Sunday, March 4, 2007

What is Nephroptosis ?

When there is mobility witnessed of kidneys, it is called as Nephroptosis. Such situation can be known by X-ray or else physical examination of patient can determine the same. This can be caused due to lifting heavy things, putting in very tight outfit, physical labor, and pressure on organs like Liver.

Patient shows symptoms of uneasiness in bladder, constipation, heavy lower abdomen. These are symptoms though not objective symptoms. In such cases doctors generally operate patient to proper wandering Kidneys. . In case of movable kidneys pad binders on abdomen are also tried and are successful in solving problems and providing almost complete relief to patients.

Generally the same situation is seen more in women. In case of women showing excessive mobility resulting into pain and improper flow of urine, doctors generally operates patient (Nephropexy). Proper binding and padding ensures normalcy. In case of thin ladies if such situation occurs they are generally advised by doctors to put on weight, consume fat and protein rich diet and improve on physical activity. In case of patient complaining of pain normally analgesics are advised by doctors to relive pain.

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Reasons for Pain in Kidney (Inflammation of Pelvis) and (Renal Colic)

Pelvis is the Kidney Part from which urine drains into ureter. By any means in case bacterial infection results into functioning of free flow of urine is called as Pyelitis. Normally, this obstruction can be partial or full part of Urine flow.

In such case patient shows High Temperature also may shiver and show resistance. There can be pain resulted in Loins. In such cases any antibiotic with its normal dosage days can be suggested to stop infection going further. Paracetamol or Antispasmodic can be suggested to relieve pain. Dosage is to be adhered to as per Medical Advice. During and after medication Urine examination has to be carried out. In case of any blockage or congestion it is advisable to take plenty of fluid to reduce burning, irritation and make urine basic/alkaline. In case of severe pain patient can be injected with pain killer medication.

Renal Colic:

There can be pain in Kidneys due to infections or presence of Stone in Kidney. This pain can result due to bloating of kidneys resultant of accumulation of urine. Also, movement of Kidney stones or process in which stone is about to leave Kidney can cause this pain.

This condition causes unbearable pain which can be felt in Urethra or Pelvis as well. Patient may have a feeling of urinal however actually urine may come in drops and not properly. The pain may further reach to thighs and be intermittent in nature. This pain can subside in case of restoration of normal functioning of urination.

In such condition Lasix can be suggested to restore normal flow of urine. Also to reduce pain Anti-spasmodic can be suggested. Externally, massage or Hot water treatment can be given on outer part of Kidney/abdomen. Water/fluid intake is increased and patient may be made to consume oral liquids like coconut water, aerated soda water or milk mixed with water with more amount of water and less milk.

Friday, February 23, 2007

What is Bed-Wetting?

Enuresis is termed as bed-wetting. This condition is common to bed-wetting of children at night and can be extended to teenagers and rarely seen in Old and Aged –Person in cases of loss of control of bladder activity. However, all cases of Bed-Wetting cannot be termed as Enuresis as the same act can occur due to fright, laugh, sneezing as well.

In few cases it was seen in Children wherein their Psychology was built due to some kind of Threat or Fright from people coming in their vicinity resulting into Bed-Wetting.

This is may be caused due to suppressing urinal for longer time, can be part of habit, not emptying bladder, consumption of more of liquid diet and avoiding at times calls of nature.

Measure:

The same condition can be managed by avoiding consuming liquid one-two hours prior going to bed, emptying bladder/urinal before going to bed, consuming hot (Not Liquid) before going to Bed.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Sugar in Urine-Glycosuria


When high amount of Sugar is found present in Urine it is called Glycosuria. This kind of situation can be seen present during time of Pregnancy, Cholera, Nephritis (Malfunctioning of Kidney), Pancreatic diseases, Over straining, Diabetes Mellitus.

Patient may go for urine frequently. The quantity of urine may be quite high i.e. 50 ounces in a day or even more. Urine may be clear with pale color. Urine can be highly acidic. Also to note that just glucose presence cannot be termed as Glycosuria. However, all urine tests showing glucose presence can be termed as Glycosuria. Normally, body absorbs specific amount of glucose if high level of sugar is consumed then absorbing capacity by any means the same may lead to Kidneys excrete extra amount of sugar through urine.

As corrective measures it would be advisable to consume food low in carbohydrates. However, it is important to consult doctor as self medication can be risky. Food which contains carbohydrates, milk, sugar, jaggery, honey, etc are very useful for body functioning and should not be eliminated completely; however the same with reduced quantity can be consumed. It is always advised to consume food which is easy to digest and contains low sugar ingredients.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Understand Inflammation of Kidney (Nephritis)

This is one of the most serious kinds of Kidney disorder. Nephritis is inflammation of Kidney. This may be caused due to side effects of fevers like Typhoid, Malaria. Improper functioning of excretory organs can also result in this condition. Disorders resulting due to infections and toxins can be responsible for this condition. This can be caused due to Mercury, Drugs effecting Kidney functioning and poisonous food.

Normally patient shows signs of fever. Vomiting sensation or Nausea can be seen in patient. There is burning sensation during passage of urine, also patient witness pain at the time of urination. Patient may show convulsions, blood pressure may shoot up, there can be pain in back. Eventually, this all may lead patient to go in coma or even may result into death.

As corrective measures mainly the effect of the same should be analyzed. In case only one Kidney is affected the other kidney present can take care of overall functioning of Kidneys, however in case infection is spread in both Kidneys the chances of survival are very less. An effort should be made to stop infection reaching other kidney. Incase of convulsive pains can be controlled by Analgesics and Antispasmodic drugs. Even injection is given in case of acute pain. In such cases urinal should be restored and Lasix is given for same.

It is advisable to carry out Urine test for starting allopathic treatment. As this disorder is resulting due to inflammation, antibiotics controlling infections are recommended. Ordinary Nephritis can still be handled and controlled and is not much complex. However in case of acute Nephritis patient should be rushed to doctors to avoid serious condition and required Urine and Kidney function test should be conducted to understand the gravity of disorder. To retain normal flow of urine aerated water, plain water or coconut water, barely water can be consumed. However, looking at severity of problem patient should be taken to concerned doctor immediately.

Monday, February 19, 2007

Know – Kidneys and Urination Process

Kidneys are Organs in our body that is responsible to eliminate toxins from the blood. Kidneys are filter and do not allow any vital substance to escape from body while they are functioning properly and healthy. When there is Kidney disorder, these toxins get mixed with blood and vitiate our body. Kidneys are full of Blood vessels and retain essential constituents of blood that are important to maintain balance and functioning of body. Kidney also comprises of urineferous tubules which can take up urine from blood.

Urination Process:

The Filtered urine reaches Urinary Bladder through Ureters and comes into bladder slowly. Eventually, bladder gets filled in with urine which results into urgency to pass urine. Urethra (tube) takes Urine from bladder to exterior. In Males, Urethra is almost 20 cms and In Female is 3.5 cms.

There can be cases wherein there is urge to pass urine, however urine may not be passed or could come out in painful manner. This may be caused to following reasons:

  • Ureters may have got narrowed or lost its elasticity.
  • Kidney Functioning may not be proper. Either of the Kidneys may be diseased or not functioning.
  • Kidney’s might be unable to produce Urine and the same results into spread of Urea in system called Anurea.
  • Urine containing harmful elements.
  • Urinary Bladder unable to hold stored urine and mechanism of Bladder is incompetent.
  • Insufficient intake of water may also result into this kind of situation.
  • There is higher quantity of loss of fluid due to loose motions, cholera, vomiting or Dehydration
  • Urinray Bladder gets bloated due to suppressed urine resulting into pain and swelling.
  • Kidney stone formation or Cancer ,Tuberculosis of Kidney

Please note that when Urine is clean, transparent, white with yellowish stinge, without burning sensation, regularized discharged, no feeling of residual, no blood, pus or other infection and no straining and pressure feeling while urinating indicates proper urination.

Whereas, Urine with pain, urine chocolate color or black or dark brown, bad smell, frequent urgency or hesitancy, thick and turbid indicates some kind of infection. Improper functioning of Kidney may result into large amount of sugar may come in blood or urine.

Sunday, February 18, 2007

UREMIA and its Implications

The condition where excessive amount of Urea and other nitrogenous waste elements are present in Blood signifies UREMIA. It is kind of urinary poisoning which can be caused due to impure water/salt metabolism and chemical decomposition of complex substances by body.

These waste products are excreted in Urine by Kidneys. Now, incase of Kidney failure, these waste elements are found in Blood instead of Urine. This condition results in feeling of nausea, vomiting, restlessness, and if not treated well in time may also lead to serious complications. Normally, such cases are subjected to dialysis. Actually, Uremia and Anuria are closely related disorders as one may lead to other, however the disease and condition can be classified into acute and chronic forms.

Uremia patient may show symptoms of severe headache, experience breathing problem, may feel restless as mentioned earlier and suffer High Blood Pressure as well. Whereas in advance or chronic stage apart from above mentioned symptoms patient may show excessive hiccough, Diarrhoea ,Renal Asthma/Dyspnoea, itching of skin, fluctuations in body temperature resulting into end stage conditions.

Measures in Chronic and persistent unfavorable Kidney Disorder symptoms:

In situation as mentioned above treating patient with Medicines may not be of much use as symptoms are very complex in nature and even good doctors/physicians may face problems. One viable option practiced is Kidney Transplant, however in case of any infection that may also not work. It is also very costly treatment. Homepathic or Urine Therapy treatment can be also tried in case allopathic treatment is not affordable or feasible subject to guidance and advice of concerned physician.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Food Consumption and its Implications on Kidney

Human body needs food for proper functioning. In case Food Consumption is in- sufficient the same results in depletion of energy resulting further into down conditioning of body as essential minerals intake like Carbohydrates, Fats, Vitamins, Proteins and other Minerals are forbidden. However, if Food itself is not rich in Minerals and other nutrients body will suffer from its deficiency resulting into related Disorders. On the Other hand, if particular nutrients are consumed in higher quantity than required by Body, Disorder will relate accordingly for excessive intake e.g) Proteins prohibited for Kidney Disorders as too much of Protein affects functioning of Kidneys, Fats for Obesity and Carbohydrates for Diabetic body.

There are certain chemical changes that take place when food is consumed and it is up to Human Body to receive and reject particular constituent of food as per requirement. The unwanted part is excreted out of body through urine, sweat and faeces. In case any one of this excretion is not functioning properly can lead to serious complications as toxins/residual/unwanted has to come out of body.

Kidney problems can be caused due to excessive consumption of mentioned food items:

1) Excessive consumption of Rice and Potato can lead to stones of Calcium Oxalate Origin as they help to form Oxalate of Calcium resulting into Kidney stones. Calcium rich products consumed in excess can lead to stones in Kidney.

2) Reduced Water intake reduces urine quantity and allows foreign elements to settle in urinary passage resulting into Kidney problems.

3) Excessive consumption of Proteins also disturbs normal functioning of Kidney and results into Protein Urea.

4) Excessive Fats would obstruct urine flow resulting into Kidney problems.


What happens when Kidney fails to produce Urine?

When there is suppression of Urine and not a single drop of urine is passed over days it results in condition called as ANURIA.

This leads to Irritation to patient. Patient can experience problems in his vision. There is nauseatic feeling and may have Vomiting sensation. Patient suffers from several convulsions and may suffer from severe Headache as well. Body temperature may be abnormal and patient will feel cold and shivering.

The same calls upon for proper diagnosis and subjective treatment. In many cases, catheter is used for diagnosis as it is a serious and complicated problem, without wasting time the same should be reported to urologist. Patient should be rushed to nearby Nursing Home or Hospital wherever proper facilities are available.

This is a condition of Kidney which may be improved by Dialysis. In such situations normally other Important Organs can also be affected like Brain, Heart if neglected. This condition of Kidney may cause Problems in Ureters, Hysteria, Intense Blockage or patient is traumatized.

Monday, February 12, 2007

Kidney Failure and Peritoneal Dialysis in Children

As metabolic rate in children is fast it results in accumulation of solutes which the damaged kidney’s cannot handle. Growth and intellectual development in children stops and slows down. This leads to imbalance of endocrine function. It is very difficult to achieve successful dialysis in children, there has been progress witnessed in renal Replacement Therapy in Children.


End Stage Renal Disease in Children are small fraction of total End Stage Renal Patients. The causes of ESRD in Children can be attributed to Hereditary Renal Disorder and Renal Lesion. The same can be divided into 50:50 %. Whereas in adults it almost 80% of the disease is attributed as acquired renal disease.

Peritoneal Dialysis in Children:

The Membrane of Peritoneum of child is functionally different from that of adult and Peritoneal transport change as per normal growth and development. The study of peritoneal surface area in Children and Adult was carried out and was found that Peritoneal Surface Area of is almost twice that of Adult as per Putiloff whereas Wegner suggestion that Peritoneal Surface Area approximated to Body Surface Area in Adults. According to Mass-Transfer Area Co-efficients (MTAC) for various solutes Peritoneal Solute transfer in children can be characterized.

It was also found that MTACs for Urea, Uric Acid and Creatinine and Glucose was similar to adult reference values. Protein levels were found higher in children then adult reference values. Conclusively, only peritoneal transfer of protein is demonstrated as age dependent, beyond neonatal period. Also to state that adequate fluid transfer is difficult to be achieved in infants and younger children. The fluid Transfer problems were observed due to fast decline of dextrose concentration. The patient’s peritoneal membrane transport functions can be compared to population norms by Peritoneal Equilibrium Test.

Monday, January 29, 2007

Kidney, Its Functions in the Human Body

By: Bishal Boro

The kidneys are like the bean formed excretory organs in the vertebrates. Kidneys are the Part of urinary system; it helps in the filtering out of the wastes particularly urea from the blood plus excrete them, all along by means of water, as the urine. In the medical field which studies kidneys and its various diseases affecting the parts of kidney is called as the nephrology, starting from the Greek name for the kidney; the adjective sense "kidney connected is renal, from the Latin. In human beings, kidneys are situated in the posterior area of the abdomen. Which is present one on both side of the spine; the exact right kidney sits merely below the liver, and the left underneath the diaphragm as well as adjoining to the spleen. Apart from that each kidney are the part of the adrenal gland which is also known as the suprarenal gland. The common irregularity inside the abdominal cavity reasons up by the liver consequences in the right kidney to be rather less important than the left one.

In the normal human adult, every kidney is on 11 cm long and regarding 5 cm thick, and also weighing 150 grams. The Kidneys weigh around 0.5 percent of the person's whole body weight. These kidneys are the "bean-shaped" organs, as well as include a concave side facing here medially. On top of this medial feature of each kidney is the opening, known as the hilum, which own up the whole of renal artery, the renal nerves, vein and the ureter.

The external portion of our kidney is called as the renal cortex, which sit directly underneath the kidneys as the loose adjoining tissue/fibrous capsule. Profound to the cortex all lays the renal medulla that is separated into 10-20 renal pyramids in human beings. Each pyramid jointly with the connected overlying cortex appears as the renal lobe. The slant of every pyramid known as the papilla empties keen on a calyx, plus the calyces unfilled into the renal pelvis. The pelvis sends out urine toward the urinary bladder by means of the urethra. The kidneys are the retroperitoneal this means that they lie at the back of the peritoneum, the inside layer of the abdominal cavity. These are just about at the vertebral stage T12 to L3, plus the right kidney typically lies slightly lesser than the left in arrange to provide accommodation the liver. The upper division of the kidneys is partially secluded by the eleventh and the twelfth ribs, and each entire kidney is surrounded with two layer of fat "the perirenal fat as well as the pararenal fat which help in the process of cushion it. Within very rare cases, this is also possible to have originated three kidneys.
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About the Author:
well i have been writting articles on various topics till date. which includes about health and medications as main subjects and looking forward to write about various other topicds too.
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Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Diabetes Doesn't Have to Lead to Chronic Kidney Disease

By: Groshan Fabiola

Diabetes causes damage to the kidneys by causing harm to the small blood vessels that make the kidneys filters. If the filters get really damaged then chronic kidney disease develops. This is an incurable disease but it can be controlled. An early treatment of diabetes helps by reducing the damage the kidneys receive so that when dialysis is needed the kidneys won't fail.
If identified at the right moment the physician will be able to give you a treatment that will stop the disease to damage further the body. Insulin dependent diabetes (Type 1) can be diagnosed very easy and early because of the very rapid symptoms, so that the kidneys won't get damaged. If one has type 1 diabetes he`ll surely know it, but if he has type 2 or non-insulin dependent diabetes he may not find out about it for years because the first symptoms appear after at least 3 years. This means that the small blood vessels that make up the kidneys filters are already damaged by the high sugar level in the blood. This is when one of the first kidney disease symptom appear. It is called microalbuminuria and it is characterized by a really high volume of protein in the urine. That protein should have remained in the blood but because the damage sustained by the kidneys it reaches the urine.
After someone is diagnosed with diabetes of any type, he should do regular microalbumin checking. This will help a physician to see if there's any damage on the kidneys. The doctor will give you a plan to keep. This isn't a radical plan; type 1 diabetes ill people need to take their insulin while type 2 just needs to watch their diet and make allot of exercise.
If a patient has a high blood pressure and diabetes in the same time he has more chances to develop kidney disease (also know as nephropathy). In this case he will be prescribed ACE inhibitors to get the blood pressure. Studies have show that ACE inhibitors are a good treatment against kidney disease even if the patient has a regular blood pressure.
If someone is diagnosed with diabetes it his crucial he has a healthy life. Alcohol and cigarettes will only get in the treatments way. Psychical exercise should be made as often as possible.
Not in all cases a patient diagnosed with diabetes will develop chronic cancer disease. If you live a healthy life and you follow your doctors advice you can reduce and even avoid kidney damage.
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About the Author:
So, if you want to find out more about diabetes or even about diabetes treatment please follow this link http://diabetes-info-center.com/
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Friday, January 19, 2007

Chronic Kidney Disease Symptoms

By: Jessica Deets

The kidneys remove waste products and excess fluid from the body through the urine. They also serve to regulate the sodium, potassium, phosphorus and calcium levels. Additionally, the kidneys remove toxins from the blood and release hormones into the blood stream to regulate blood pressure, and to have strong bones and to make more red blood cells.

Chronic kidney disease involves damage to kidneys where they can't regulate these bodily functions anymore. Kidney disease problems manifest themselves when wastes accumulate in the blood and you feel fatigued. Complications include heart disease, high blood pressure, anemia, bone problems, and nerve damage. Often kidney disease occurs gradually over time. Kidney disease can lead to kidney failure, and once the kidneys fail, either a transplant or dialysis is needed to stay alive.

Two main causes of chronic kidney disease are high blood pressure and diabetes (although kidney disease can also cause high blood pressure). For diabetics, they have to monitor their blood sugar level. If it gets too high and can cause damage to other organs, such as to the kidneys, heart, nerves, and eyes. While high blood pressure can lead to strokes, heart attacks, or chronic kidney disease, because of the blood pressure effect on the blood vessels.

Anyone can get chronic kidney disease at any age. Early detection and treatment can often keep chronic kidney disease from getting worse. Some of the symptoms of kidney disease could include fatigue, concentration difficulty, a lack of appetite, insomnia, swelling in the extremities (such as feet and ankles), muscle cramps, dry skin and frequent urination.

If you have any of these conditions, see your doctor for help. You can work together to determine the cause of any of these symptoms. If it is chronic kidney disease, your doctor may recommend a special diet to minimize buildup of the waste products and fluid in your blood. Your doctor may recommend that you see a renal dietitian (they specialize in diets for kidney disease).

The goal is to control the amount of protein, phosphorus and sodium that you eat in order to reduce the workload on your kidneys. This helps to keep your body healthy.

This information is not meant to replace medical advice. If you need medical advice see your physician. Your physician can work with you to come up with a solution for your lasting health. Copyright (c) 2006
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About the Author:Jessica Deets has been researching the internet for over 4 years and finds valuable information to help people. The website at http://www.legalsteroidalternative.com/ has information, news and a current blog regarding steroid alternatives.

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Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Getting Tough On E. Coli Can Help Prevent Kidney Failure

by: News Canada

(NC)-Despite the fact that Canada's food supply is among the safest in the world, sometimes the food we eat can make us sick.

Foodborne illness, of which there are more than one million cases reported each year, results from the presence of a harmful strain of bacteria called E. coli, which is found in contaminated aliments. These bacteria produce toxins that cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever and vomiting.

One particular strain of E. coli may lead to a condition known as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), which causes damage to the kidneys - particularly among children and the elderly. Common foods that contain harmful E. coli are beef, pork, lamb and poultry. However, as Montrealer Pascale Dupont discovered, these are not the only potential sources. Her 9-year-old daughter Émilie developed HUS through an E. coli infection she most likely contracted after eating mussels.

"My daughter was in the hospital for weeks and had to undergo dialysis treatments because of kidney failure due to infection," explained Dupont. "While she is no longer on dialysis, her kidneys were permanently damaged, and she will likely need dialysis again in the future."

According to Dr. Marie-Josée Clermont, a nephrologist at Montreal's St-Justine Hospital, "Infections could be prevented if people recognized that they play an important role in ensuring the safety of the foods they eat."
To help reduce the risk of foodborne illness, The Kidney Foundation of Canada recommends the following four guidelines:
CLEAN: Wash hands, utensils and surfaces with soap and hot water before, during, and after food preparation. Wash raw vegetables; lettuce should be washed leaf by leaf to remove all visible soil.
SEPARATE: Don't cross-contaminate by allowing uncooked foods and their juices to come into contact with one another. Use a separate cutting board for raw meats and vegetables. Always keep foods covered.
COOK: Cook food thoroughly at proper temperatures and serve immediately.
CHILL: Freeze or refrigerate perishables, prepared foods and leftovers within two hours. Thaw meats in the microwave or in the refrigerator, but never at room temperature.
For further information, visit The Kidney Foundation of Canada's Web site at www.kidney.ca.
About The Author
News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.
News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Herbal Supplements and Chronic Kidney Disease--What You MUST Know

By Lisa Barger

If you're struggling with chronic kidney disease, or CKD, you've probably considered trying alternative treatments like herbal supplements to help you deal with this serious medical condition. But before you begin an herbal regimen there are a few things you should know.

As a CKD patient, you may be less able to tolerate herbal supplements than a person with healthy kidneys would be. Many of the most common "diuretic" herbs may cause irritation or even permanent damage to your already fragile organs. And even if your doctor gives you a green light to pursue herbal remedies, it's important to remember that many herbal supplements aren't tested for purity, safety or efficacy.

It's a good idea to discuss with your doctor any herbal supplements you're taking or thinking about starting but a few are considered especially dangerous for CKD patients. Using information from the Council on Renal Nutrition, the National Kidney Foundation recommends that you take extra care before using these herbs:

  • Artemisia
  • Autumn Crocus
  • Black Pearl
  • Chapparal
  • Comfrey
  • Horse Chestnut
  • Lobelia
  • Mandrake
  • Pennyroyal
  • Periwinkle
  • Pokeroot
  • Sassafras
  • Senna
  • Vandelia
  • Yohimbe

This is by no means a complete list. And don't forget that some of the most popular herbal supplements are known to interact with the medications you may already be taking. Blue cohosh, St. Johns wort, ginko and echinacea are only a few herbs known to interact with a number of prescription medications. If you're a transplant patient you should be especially careful because an interaction with your anti-rejection medications could potentially put you at risk for rejection of your new kidney.Remember, only your doctor is qualified to give you advice about herbal supplements. Ask him for more information.

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Lisa Barger is a traditional naturopath specializing in natural health education. To learn more about Ms. Barger's belief in "Empowerment through Education" or to take a free online natural health class see her website, http://www.LisaBarger.com

Monday, January 8, 2007

How Hypertension Is Linked To Diabetes And Kidney Failure?

By: Ng Peng Hock

Are you aware that about 40 percent of Asian diabetic patients with hypertension eventually develop kidney disease, 10 percent of these patients will require dialysis within 10 years of diagnosis? And, only 25 percent of these dialysis patients will survive for 5 or more years from the time of initial diagnosis of their kidney ailment.
Both high blood sugar levels and hypertension increase the risk of kidney failure for diabetics. Presence of protein in urine is the earliest sign of kidney disease.
On the other hand, hypertension is also a risk factor for non-diabetic kidney disease and contributes to kidney failure. Apparently, high blood pressure increases the pressure within the kidney filter, leading to its damage and to the leakage of protein in the urine. A substance presented in the blood stream and in the tissues, known as angiotensin II, contributes to hypertension-related damage and scarring in the kidney.Hence, blocking the effects of angiotensin II by drugs is an important part of the treatment of hypertension and kidney disease. Basically, there are 3 approaches to the treatment of hypertension and diabetic kidney disease:
1. controlling the patient’s blood sugar to bring it to normal levels,
2. reducing blood pressure to optimal levels,
3. blocking the effects of angiotensin II.
These approaches are most effective when used together. Intensive treatment to achieve normal blood sugar levels through oral drugs insulin, a strict low-carbohydrate diet, avoidance or cession of smoking, regular exercise and maintenance of a healthy body weight can reduce the risk of diabetic kidney disease.
It has been shown that control of hypertension can slow down the progress of kidney disease. Maximum benefit can be achieved when the patient’s blood pressure is below 130/80 mmHg. This target blood pressure level can be maintained usually with more than one type of blood pressure lowering drug. Two classes of drug, Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), have been shown to prevent or slow down kidney failure independent of their effects on blood pressure. When used early in the treatment of hypertension, these two drugs show their effectiveness in eliminating protein in the urine and preventing the onset of diabetic kidney disease.
It is mandatory for all diabetic patients to have urine testing for protein in order to detect the onset of kidney disease in its early stages. Furthermore, the lowering of blood cholesterol to normal levels, avoidance or cession of smoking, aspirin therapy and regular exercise are likely to prevent death from heart attack or stroke among these patients.
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Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Feel free to use this article on your website or ezine as long as the following information about author/website is included. Heart Disease Prevention - 8 Simple Ways You Can Do Immediately, Go to: http://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/

Kidneystones Symptoms, Treatment, Recurrence and Precautions

By: kidneystoneforum

Kidney stones often do not cause any symptoms. However, if they become lodged in the ureter (the thin tube between the bladder and the kidney) symptoms can be very severe. Usually, the first symptom of a kidney stone is extreme pain, which occurs when a stone acutely blocks the flow of urine. The pain often begins suddenly when a stone moves in the urinary tract, causing irritation or blockage. Typically, a person feels a sharp, cramping pain in the back and side in the area of the kidney or in the lower abdomen. Sometimes nausea and vomiting occur. Later, pain may spread to the groin. If the stone is too large to pass easily, pain continues as the muscles in the wall of the tiny ureter try to squeeze the stone along into the bladder. As a stone grows or moves, blood may appear in the urine. As the stone moves down the ureter closer to the bladder, you may feel the need to urinate more often or feel a burning sensation during urination. If fever and chills accompany any of these symptoms, an infection may be present. In this case, you should contact a doctor immediately or if you need expert advices go to kidneystoneforum.com, this is dedicated to kidneystones and it will be helpful if you are uncertain about any development. Kidneystone forum discusses the signs and symptoms at length.
The treatment of kidney stones may vary depending on the size of the stones and condition of the patient. The treatment generally aims at relieving the patient of pain, passing kidney stones through urine or removing them surgically. Some of the professional treatments discussed in kidneystoneforum.com include:
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL): It uses shock waves to break the stones into tiny pieces that are then passed in your urine.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: When ESWL isn't effective, or the stone is very large, your surgeon may remove your kidney stone through a small incision in your back using an instrument called a nephroscope.
Ureteroscopic stone removal: The stone is snared with a small instrument (ureteroscope) that's passed into the ureter through your bladder. Ultrasound or laser energy can also be directed through the scope to shatter the stone. These methods work especially well on stones in the lower part of the ureter.
Parathyroid surgery: Some calcium stones are caused by overactive parathyroid glands, which are located on the four corners of your thyroid gland, just below your Adam's apple. When these glands produce too much parathyroid hormone, your body's level of calcium can become too high, resulting in excessive excretion of calcium in your urine. Most often, this is the result of a small benign tumor in one of your four parathyroid glands. A doctor can surgically remove the tumor. Login to kidneystone forum where more alternative treatments and remedies have been discussed.
In order to avoid recurrence of kidneystones you need to bring down the level of calcium in your blood, keep your urine as dilute as possible. Kidney stones (calcium oxalate stones) form when the concentration of calcium in the kidney tubules gets to a critical concentration. There is no exact measure for "critical concentration." One way of minimizing the concentration is to always be sure that you have plenty of water to excrete. That means drinking at least 8 glasses of water each day (8 oz per glass).in additionally be physically fit. Again go to kidneystoneforum.com where you can get more professional help on this topic. As a preventive measure, one should avoid diets rich in proteins, sodium and nitrogen, and drink lot of water. But even after all the precautions; they have a tendency to reappear in a patient's body.
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Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
For more information please visit Kidney stone sufferer, Kidney stones, Kidney stone remedy, Kidney stones treatment.

Sunday, January 7, 2007

Symptoms Of Kidney Problems You Should Know

Symptoms of kidney problems generally develop over a period of years. As you know, the kidneys perform many vital functions that help maintain overall health. But if the blood vessels in the kidneys are damaged, the kidneys will not clean the blood properly and symptoms of kidney problems will develop. With impaired kidney function, the body retains more water and salt than it should, leading to weight gain.
Early kidney disease has no kidney problem symptoms, however, it can become kidney failure with little or no warning if left undetected. Kidney disease results from damage to the nephrons which are tiny structures inside the kidneys that filter blood.
Here are common symptoms of kidney problems:
• Swelling around the face, eyes, feet and ankles
• Pain or a burning sensation during urination
• Fever
• Need to urinate more frequently
• Problems controlling urination
• Blood in the urine
Of course, the symptoms of kidney problems above can be experienced due to other health conditions, so seeing your health care provider is advised. A kidney condition called nephrotoxicity occurs when the body is exposed to a toxin or drug that damages the kidneys. When kidney damage happens, you cannot rid your body of excess urine and wastes. Blood electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium become elevated and creatinine levels in the blood will also be elevated. Nephrotoxicity can be temporary due to dehydration or you may be developing kidney failure.
What causes kidney failure? Diabetes and high blood pressure are two main causes of kidney failure. Many people know that they have these diseases, but they may not know that they are at risk for kidney disease. Usually the damage happens gradually over years and in both kidneys. Since there may not be obvious symptoms of kidney problems, you're not aware it's happening.
In diabetes, the body doesn't use glucose very well. If you have diabetes, you can prevent kidney disease by keeping your blood sugar levels under control. High blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels in your kidneys. When this happens, your kidneys cannot filter wastes from your blood very well, so healthy blood pressure levels are important for kidney health.
Kidneys are important organs that deserve a little care and consideration. It's easy to ignore our kidneys until there are symptoms of kidney problems. Learn as much as you can about kidney-friendly things one can do to help keep your kidneys functioning as they were designed to do.
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Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

About the Author:Read about tips for avoiding kidney problem symptoms at http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com/kidney-problem-symptoms.html - Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com - a website of natural health articles, information and resources for healthier living.

Kidney Cleansing For Good Health

Why is kidney cleansing important? Every day, your kidneys process the blood and helps to sift out waste products (like mercury, copper, arsenic-bound chemicals and other toxins) and extra water. The waste and extra water become urine. The urine then flows to your bladder through the ureters. Your bladder stores urine until you go to the bathroom. When your kidneys become overloaded with toxins, diseases of the kidneys and bladder can happen as you are unable to discharge the waste and urine from your body.

When you do kidney cleansing, you help to cleanse the toxin built-up from the kidneys and the bladder. A cleansed kidney works optimally in its function to filter out pollutants, drugs, chemicals and other harmful materials. When you do a kidney cleanse, you also help to eliminate urinary tract infections and dissolves kidney stones.

What are some of the other functions of the kidneys? Other than being vital in the elimination of metabolic wastes, your kidneys also help to regulate your blood pressure, maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, activates Vitamin D, helps in maintaining acid-base balance (excretes alkaline salts).

What are the signs and symptoms of an ailing kidney? Lower back pain, edema (“water holding") in the lungs, legs, abdomen, etc, pains that are manifested elsewhere due to poor kidney health.

How do you do a kidney cleanse? There are hundreds of herbal recipes, and many different homeopathic remedies used for cleansing kidney stones. One popular way to cleanse kidney is to a watermelon cleanse. Just purchase 20 - 100 kg of watermelon (which will make up a few huge melons) and sit in a bath filed with water. Eat all the watermelon throughout a day (as much as you can), while continually empting your urinary bladder into the water.


You will need a lot of liquid to cleanse the insides of your body. You can also choose to do water fast or a juice fast to help you produce a gallon of urine a day.

During fasting, avoid strenuous exercise. Light yoga, walking, gardening are all excellent means to stimulate your body metabolism.

However, do note that before you embark on any program, please first consult your health practitioner on how you can best do a kidney cleanse.

How to have good kidney health? It is possible to dissolve all your kidney stones in 3 weeks, but if you continue to drink tea, coffee, carbonated drinks and eat unhealthily on a consistent basis, you will begin to make new ones.

To maintain a healthy kidney, begin a regular exercise regime and also avoid alcohol, red meat, smoked meats, canned fish and canned pork. Continue to drink plenty of water and fluids everyday!
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About the Author:Sandra Kim Leong publishes information on detoxification and cleansing. Based on today’s diet and environment, she feels that detoxification should form part of one’s regular regime. Please visit her site at http://www.detox-cleansing.com/ for more information on colon cleansing, liver cleansing, kidney cleansing, etc.

Read more articles by: Sandra Kim Leong
Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Friday, January 5, 2007

Kidney Dialysis


KIDNEY BASICS:

Kidneys are made up of millions of tiny filters. Kidneys clean the blood and make urine.


Functions:
Kidneys Removes Waste – Balance Body Fluids- Control Blood Pressure – Make Red Blood Cells and keeps Bone Healthy. When Dialysis fails, these functions have to be replaced by Dialysis + Diet + Medication.

Symptoms of Organ(Kidney Dysfunction):

- Sickness, Confused and Nauseous when kidneys cannot remove wastes.

- Tired and Breathing problems and have swelling when kidney cannot Balance Body Fluid

What is Dialysis?

Dialysis is mechanism which does a function of Kidney: It uses membrane inside your body called “Peritoneum”. The Peritoneum forms a sac inside body. In Peritoneal Dialysis, this sac is filled with special solution, which comes in flexible bags.

Understand Dialysis and its Types:

For filling in and draining out the solution, you need to have a catheter. This catheter is a soft tube made up of special rubber. The Catheter is placed in the peritoneum by small surgical procedure. It is made up of silicon rubber which does not react with anything. It has two Decron Cuffs which holds it in place inside body.

The peritoneum has holes and rich blood supply which works like filter and cleans the blood. The wall of Peritoneum has “Pores” and “Holes”. It has lot of blood vessels around it. The wall separates the blood from solution, the “holes” allow small particles to pass through. The waste products pass from Blood into Dialysis solution through Peritoneum. This process is called as Diffusion i.e It is like everything tries to go from more crowded to less crowded place. Waste products are more crowded in the blood, so they pass into dialysis solution through the peritoneum.

The solution has sugar: Dextrose or Glucose in it. It is nature of Glucose to attract water. The extra water in blood is pulled out by glucose which is called as “Osmosis”. Osmosis is caused by glucose dissolved in dialysis solution.

The solution of Glucose or Dextrose comes in bags with normally different concentration i.e. 3.86%,2.27% and 1.36%. The same termed as Strong, Medium and Small. The stronger bag removes more water from the blood. High percentage denotes more strength.

This removal process of water from blood stops after few hours. Both the sides (blood and Solution) equally crowded. No waste can pass from blood into dialysis solution. The glucose leaves the solution and goes into blood by diffusion over period of time as it can no longer remove waste from blood. Hence, after few hours, you have to drain out the old solution and fill it in new solution to start cleaning process all over again.

Exchange Process: The following situation leads to draining of Old Solution and filling of New solution and is called exchange. Doctors shall prescribe number of exchanges you need to do in agricultural day.

When you do all exchanges on time, dialysis is taking place continuously, which is just like functioning of KIDNEYS.

THERE ARE MAINLY TWO TYPES OF CONTINUOUS DIALYSIS

CAPD: CONTINUOUS AMBULATORY PERITONIAL DIALYSIS:
CCPD: CONTINUOUS CYCLIC PERITONIAL DIALYSIS

CAPD: This is methodology wherein you do Dialysis yourself. You are free between
Dialysis.
CCPD: The machine does it for you while you sleep.