Chronic Kidney Disease
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Signs of chronic kidney disease may occur so slowly over time that the sufferer may not really realize the problem until a long term progression has occurred. Even when the disease is in advanced stages, there may not be any real decrease in the amount of urine that is produced, but there are other signs. They include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, frequent urination and swelling of the legs and eyes. In addition to these symptoms, often itching of the skin, bruising, headaches, high blood pressure, chest pain and shortness of breath can accompany some or many of the other symptoms. Because the kidneys play such an important function in all of the body's well-being, chronic kidney disease can be quite serious to the well being of the sufferer if left unchecked or untreated. In fact, renal shutdown can occur in some cases.
High blood pressure is one of the real enemies of kidney health. Blood pressure needs to be at 130/80 consistently to keep damage from occurring to the kidneys so if it is higher, the doctor will prescribe medicine to bring the pressure down. There are several different types of medications available, each doing something different to bring down the pressure. It may take some time for you and your physician to find the right combination to consistently bring down the blood pressure numbers. It should be noted that relaxation techniques, if used regularly, can also help bring down the blood pressure numbers in conjunction with your use of medication. Smoking is a huge detriment to healthy urological function and can contribute greatly to chronic kidney disease. Additionally, the amount of protein ingested, usually in the forms of red meat can also contribute to this disorder.
Cholesterol can also be a contributor to chronic kidney disease, and if this is true in a patient with urological issues, the doctor will have to address this problem through medication and the insistence of a particular diet low in fat. This disease can erode bones because of the loss of calcium and phosphorus. Appetite can be suppressed and if not addressed, bodily weakness can happen. This disease certainly is interrelated with so many other functions of the human body. But for Christians, their heavenly Father is also the Great Physician and can go to Him with all their health concerns. And even though God does not always answer in the way we would like, His love is forever faithful to us. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities and who healeth all thy diseases, who redeemeth thy life from the destruction who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies." (Psalm 103: 3-5)
Sadly, there are times when this disease is unstoppable in barrage on the urological system and the kidneys stop functioning. When chronic kidney disease produces kidney failure as is sometimes can, dialysis is the next logical step. At about the time the kidneys only have about ten percent functionality, the patient will need to be connected to a machine on a regular basis that helps remove waste, salt and extra water from the body. This process keeps a safe level of chemicals in the body such as potassium and sodium and can help control blood pressure. Dialysis at a center lasts about four hours and must occur three times a week. If the patient does not have a reversal of the disease, dialysis will have to continue for the rest of the patient's life. It is expensive, but the federal government does pay eighty percent of the cost of such treatment while health insurance often picks up most of the rest.
While diabetes and high blood pressure are the two main culprits in chronic kidney disease, there may be some hereditary factors for some people. If chronic kidney disease has run in one's family, it is absolutely critical that regular checkups of the renal system be done with one's family doctor. And non-white races are more susceptible to this disorder. African Americans are four times as likely to contract this disease as whites. American Indians have three times the risk as whites and Hispanics are twice as likely to get this disease as whites. Additionally, lead poisoning can lead to damage and the use of NSAIDs such as Aleve may also damage the kidneys when used for long term issues such as arthritis relief.
There are various suggestions for maintaining the health of one's kidneys, including the drinking of plenty of water each day. One website recommends the once a month drinking of watermelon seed tea which includes pouring a pint of boiling water over crushed watermelon seeds; the site says this will help cleanse the kidneys for a needed once a month catharsis. Many sites do recommend that tea, coffee and caffeinated drinks only be consumed in moderation to prevent kidney stones and that light to moderate exercise is also important. Since naturopathic websites abound, one can look on line to see what other kinds of suggestions are made for kidney detoxification, but the best advice is to check with one's doctor before beginning any herbal regimen. Pay attention to your body for little signs of possible chronic kidney disease such as swelling in the feet, lower back pain and perhaps holding water in other parts of the body. Listen to everything your doctor says and if you have doubts, seek a second opinion.
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