Homeopathic treatment
Homeopathy is an amazing science for cases of chronic renal failure if used judiciously and in combination with conventional allopathic treatment.’
Before delving into homeopathic treatment let us first discuss the allopathic treatment available.
There are three procedures in allopathy for CKD:
- Symptomatic medicines with some specific medicines to control the causative disease such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and so on.
- Dialysis (Hemodialysis or Peritoneal dialysis).
- Kidney transplantation.
In allopathy, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists is used, as they have been found to slow the progression of CKD to stage 5. Although the use of ACE inhibitors and ARBs represents the current standard of care for patients with CKD, patients progressively lose kidney function while on these medications, as seen in the IDNT and RENAAL studies, which reported a decrease over time in estimated glomerular filtration rate.
The medicines and their dosage change with the stage of the disease in contrast to homeopathy wherein a detailed case taking is done and a constitutional medicine is prescribed which not only helps the poor kidneys but also treats the underlying cause of the disease irrespective of the stage of the disease.
The duration after which dialysis is required gradually reduces and the kidneys ultimately give up. Chronic dialysis patient depends on a machine for his life. These patients develop a variety of psychiatric and neurologic disorders. A neurologic disorder ‘Dialysis dementia’ is a characteristic example.
Not all can afford to get a kidney transplant done as it is very costly, and tissue rejection issues makes it tough to get a kidney for a transplant as there is very high percentage of rejection of new kidney.
All these procedures do not cure chronic renal failure; but instead they keep a person alive by performing the crucial functions of the kidneys.
Damaged kidneys cannot be repaired with the allopathic treatment. Modern medicine tries to facilitate the bodily waste products to pass out by the process of dialysis through artificial or by transplanted natural kidney.
Though homeopathy does not provide any substitute (dialysis or new kidney) for any organ (kidney) but it can revive the damaged organ if taken along with the allopathic treatment in many cases.
Homeopathic medicines along with allopathic treatment not only repairs the damaged kidneys but side by side it helps in maintaining the normal blood sugar level and blood pressure.
Kidney patients of any stage should start homeopathic treatment earliest possible for avoiding passing into the complete renal damage. Patients who are on dialysis can expect less frequent dialysis by taking the treatment.
Patients who are waiting for renal transplantation should start the treatment along with allopathic treatment; this can stop the urgent need of kidney donor which means nothing is too late for homeopathy treatment.
It also helps in reducing the side effects of the allopathic treatment improving the life of the patient.
An extensive study conducted at CCRH (Central council of research in Homeopathy, New Delhi, Govt. of India) concluded that homeopathy with its individualized therapeutic approach including the psychological aspect of the patients goes a long way not only in a better recovery of renal failure but also in minimizing the number of cases proceeding to hemodialysis and renal transplant and overcoming effectively the complications of chronic dialysis therapy.
There are 180 medicines which give great relief in CRF or chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the correct choice and the resulting relief is a matter of experience and right judgment on the part of the physician. The treatment is decided after thorough case taking of the patient. Thus, homeopathic remedies are designer made unlike allopathy in which all patients receive the same surgery, hemodialysis, renal transplant, drugs although trade name may be different.
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Ayurveda, Herbal, Unani Medicines
Is it safe to use ayurveda, herbal, unani medicines if I have kidney disease? This is a very common question that I encounter in my medical practice. Let me answer this as it is very important.
A big NO. You may think about using ayurveda, herbal, unani medicines and supplements to help with any health concerns you may have, but as a patient with kidney disease, you should not use these at all as they contain heavy metals and strong crude constituents. Most of these can cause further harm to your kidneys and even make your kidney disease worse. Also, your kidneys cannot clear waste products that can build up in your body due to these medicines.
The ayurveda, herbal, unani medicines and supplement market is a multi-million-dollar business. You may hear from a friend or a family member about a medicine or supplement that they think has improved their health or wellbeing and they suggest it to you. While this advice may be fine for them, it can be dangerous for you with kidney disease.
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What is Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) or Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem and is now recognized as a common condition that is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and complete renal failure.
It is the slow progressive loss of kidney function over the span of years, resulting in permanent kidney failure. CKD is common and may go undiagnosed until the process is far advanced and renal failure is on the horizon.
Chronic kidney failure occurs when disease or disorder damages the kidneys so that they are no longer capable of adequately removing fluids and wastes from the body or of maintaining the proper level of certain kidney-regulated chemicals in the bloodstream.
It is irreversible, and will eventually lead to total kidney failure, also known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
In the United States, there is a rising incidence and prevalence of kidney failure, with poor outcomes and high cost. Kidney disease is the ninth leading cause of death in the United States of America. Data from the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) indicated that there has been an increase of 104% in the prevalence of chronic renal failure (CRF) between the years 1990-2001. There is an even higher prevalence of the earlier stages.
Stages
Stage 1: Slight kidney damage with normal or increased filtration. Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) or output of the kidneys more than 90.
Stage 2: Mild decrease in kidney function. GFR 60-89.
Stage 3: Moderate decrease in kidney function. GFR 30-59.
Stage 4: Severe decrease in kidney function. GFR 15-29.
Stage 5: Kidney failure. GFR less than 15 or dialysis.
All individuals with a GFR less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 for 3 months are classified as having chronic kidney disease, irrespective of the presence or absence of kidney damage.
The loss of protein in the urine is regarded as an independent marker for worsening of renal function and cardiovascular disease. Hence, British guidelines append the letter ‘P’ to the stage of chronic kidney disease if there is significant protein loss.
Stage 1
Slightly diminished function: Kidney damage with normal or relatively high GFR (>90 ml/min/1.73 m2). Kidney damage is defined as pathologic abnormalities or markers of damage, including abnormalities in blood or urine test or imaging studies.
Stage 2
Mild reduction in GFR (60-89 ml/min/1.73 m2) with kidney damage: Kidney damage is defined as pathologic abnormalities or markers of damage, including abnormalities in blood or urine test or imaging studies.
Stage 3
Moderate reduction in GFR (30-59 ml/min/1.73 m2): British guidelines distinguish between stage 3A (GFR 45-59) and stage 3B (GFR 30-44) for purposes of screening and referral.
Stage 4
Severe reduction in GFR (15-29 ml/min/1.73 m2): Preparation for renal replacement therapy
Stage 5
Established kidney failure (GFR <15 ml/min/1.73 m2, or permanent renal replacement therapy (RRT)
Causes & symptoms
Kidney failure is triggered by disease or a hereditary disorder in the kidneys. Both kidneys are typically affected.
The most common causes include:
- Diabetes: Diabetes mellitus (DM), both insulin dependent (IDDM) and non-insulin dependent (NIDDM), occurs when the body cannot produce and / or use insulin, the hormone necessary for the body to process glucose. Long-term diabetes may cause the glomeruli, the filtering units located in the nephrons of the kidneys, to gradually lose functioning.
- Glomerulonephritis: Glomerulonephritis is a chronic inflammation of the glomeruli, or filtering units of the kidney. Certain types of glomerulonephritis are treatable and may only cause a temporary disruption of kidney functioning.
- Hypertension: High blood pressure is unique in that it is both a cause and a major symptom of kidney failure. The kidneys can become stressed and ultimately sustain permanent damage from blood pushing through them at an excessive level of pressure over a long period of time.
- One of the major reasons is the abuse of allopathic medicines like pain killer, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics which are nephrotoxic (toxic to kidney) and can develop into CRF.
Less common causes are:
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Reflux nephropathy
- Kidney stones
- Prostate disease
- Kidney cancer
- Reflux nephropathy
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Amyloidosis
- Sickle cell anemia
- Alport syndrome and oxalosis
Signs & Symptoms
Early symptoms such as those of slower onset chronic kidney failure:
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
- Reduced urine
Total lack of urine. Uremia which is an increase in waste products in the blood causes various symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Coma
Prevention
Some ways to help prevent or slow down the onset include:
- Monitoring blood pressure regularly.
- Taking treatment for chronic diseases such as diabetes, lupus, and hypertension.
- Avoid smoking: For people with diabetes, smoking can speed up the damage to the small blood vessels in the body.
- Not abusing over-the-counter medications.
- Getting treatment for urinary tract infections or any type of urinary problems as soon as possible.
- Reducing autoimmunity activity.
Diet
- Have limiting fluids.
- Eating a low protein diet (this may be recommended).
- Restricting salt, potassium, phosphorous, and other electrolytes.
- Getting enough calories if you are losing weight.