What is chronic kidney disease?

Chronic kidney disease is a progressive loss of kidney function over an extended time. CKD means the kidneys are damaged and unable to filter the impurities in the blood. The kidneys, as they are meant to keep toxins and waste out of the body, does not perform well during kidney disease. In the advanced stage, the situation gets even more serious. Preventing and managing chronic kidney disease is important for your overall well-being. Or otherwise, it can turn fatal. Chronic kidney disease treatment in Ayurveda is one of the best approaches to improving your health and strengthen kidney function.

How does the kidney help us?

The kidneys are the prime filter of the body. Continuously they assure your blood is fit for use by the other systems of the body. Also named renal, the kidneys filter wastes, excess fluids, and other electrolytes (not needed) from the body. Additionally, they do make hormones to help control blood pressure, keep the bones strong, and make red blood cells.

For a healthy heart, it is important to have a functional kidney. The health of the heart is largely dependent on the kidney's health as well. Hence, crucially, we need to look after their health.

The sooner you know you have kidney disease, the sooner you can pick up the right treatment.

Fast facts on chronic kidney disease

The common symptoms of CKD include blood and protein in the urine, high blood pressure, and poor concentration.

Causes referred to during CKD include diabetes and high blood pressure. Polycystic kidney disease is also a cause.

There is no cure for chronic kidney disease in allopathy, so the treatment focuses on reducing symptoms.

Diagnosis commonly occurs after blood tests, urine tests, imaging tests, or biopsy.

What are the symptoms of chronic kidney disease?

Chronic kidney disease develops slowly and gradually. Even if one kidney stops working, the other can still work to assure you are healthy. It is not usual to have signs until the disease advances. Only when the condition has caused life-threatening situations, the signs appear.

So, if you are at risk of kidney disease, you need to monitor your kidney function regularly. Early detection is the key to prevent serious kidney damage in the later stages.

The most common signs and symptoms of chronic kidney disease include:

• anemia
• blood in the urine
• dark urine
• decreased mental awareness
• decreased urine output
• edema – swollen feet, hands, and ankles (face if edema is severe)
• fatigue and tiredness
• hypertension
• insomnia
• itchy skin that does not go even after applying moisturizer
• loss of appetite
• inability to maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction)
• frequent urination, mostly at night
• muscle cramps
• muscle twitches
• nausea
• pain on the side or mid to lower back
• shortness of breath
• protein in urine
• sudden changes in body weight
• unexplained headaches

It is recommended to consult a doctor if you are noticing signs or symptoms in the body. If necessary, chronic kidney disease treatment in Ayurveda should be taken to get better in no time.

What increases your risk of CKD?

You are at risk for kidney disease if you have:

Diabetes. Diabetes is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease. High blood sugar due to diabetes can damage the blood capillaries in the kidneys (tiny blood vessels called nephrons), thereby deteriorating kidney function.

High blood pressure. High blood pressure or hypertension is another leading cause of chronic kidney disease. It affects 1 in 5 people, which means those with high blood pressure can get CKD more frequently.

Heart disease. Likely, there is an association between kidney disease and chronic kidney disease. People with cardiovascular disease are more at the possibility of developing kidney disease later in life and vice-versa.

Family history of kidney disease. If your mother, father, brother, or sister has kidney disease, your risk of CKD manifolds. For those, annual diagnostic tests are important to know how your kidneys are working.

Age. A person's chance of kidney disease increases with age. The longer you have had diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, the more is the risk of chronic kidney disease.

Other causes may include:

• Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the kidney's filtering units
• Interstitial nephritis is an inflammation of the kidney's tubules and surrounding structures
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Obstruction of the urinary tract, from conditions such as enlarged prostate, stones, and cancers
• Vesicoureteral reflux is a condition that causes urine to back up into your kidneys
• Recurrent kidney infection also called pyelonephritis

We, at Karma Ayurveda, recommend patients to undergo chronic kidney disease treatment in Ayurveda as it is a natural approach. The ayurvedic viewpoint of CKD is different from the allopathic view and is believed to have a profound effect on the kidneys.

As per Ayurveda, lifestyle measures and diet reflections can help improve kidney function to a large extent. A diet is a way to slow down the progression of kidney disease and prevent a further burden on the kidneys. Additionally, the medicines made from rare herbs and spices can help provide the kidney with the required strength.

Here are some ways to manage CKD.

• Regulate your blood pressure and blood sugar goals
• Drink fluid appropriately
• Avoid alcohol and smoke
• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables that are low in potassium and phosphorus
• Consult a dietician to help curate a kidney-friendly diet
• Sleep properly
• Have a room for meditation and yoga in your life

Get yourself chronic kidney disease treatment in Ayurveda.

About This Author

Karma Ayurveda Health Karma Ayurveda Health has grown in the field of Ayurveda. Joined: February 12th, 2020