Symptoms Of Kidney Disease
Kidney disease is called a silent disease as there are often few or no symptoms. In fact, you can lose up to 90 per cent of your kidneys functionality before experiencing any symptoms. Some signs and symptoms include:
- a change in the frequency and quantity of urine you pass, especially at night
- blood in your urine
- changes in the appearance of your urine
- puffiness around your legs and ankles
- pain in your back
- pain or burning when you pass urine
- high blood pressure.
If your kidneys begin to fail, waste products and extra fluid build up in your blood. This, and other problems, gradually leads to:
- tiredness and inability to concentrate
- generally feeling unwell
- bad breath and a metallic taste in the mouth.
Who Is It For
The Kidney disease solution program can be beneficial for people suffering from kidney problems with limited options for dealing with their kidney problems. If you have kidney problems, you may consider trying out the program to determine the positive impact it has for your overall health. For those who are in the late stages of kidney disease, the program can even potentially reverse the disease.
If youre not suffering from kidney disease, you might consider trying the program since everyone can benefit from the suggestions, recipes, and exercises in the program. It doesnt only focus on improving kidney function but also changing your lifestyle and diet to achieve better overall health. After all prevention is always more effective than treatment.
However, anyone with medical conditions should consult first with their physician prior to taking the program. The program is also not recommended for pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers, as well as anyone under the age of 18 years old.
How Do I Cope With Kidney Failure
Learning you have kidney failure can be a shock, even if you have known for a long time that your kidneys were not working well. You may feel sad or anxious.
Reach out for support from your health care team and your family, friends and community. They can help you make changes to feel your best while you get dialysis and may be waiting for a kidney transplant.
To feel your best, your doctors will recommend that you:
- Go to every dialysis visit and consider getting a kidney transplant.
- Have visits with a nephrologist.
- Meet with a dietitian to help you create and follow a kidney-friendly eating plan.
- Keep your blood pressure at a healthy level. They may prescribe blood pressure medicines
- Keep your blood sugar at a healthy level if you have diabetes.
- Be active for 30 minutes on most days of the week.
- Drink less alcohol and quit smoking or using tobacco.
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Your Skin Is Noticeably Dry And Itchy
Besides filtering waste materials and extra fluid from your blood, your kidneys also play an important role in maintaining the right balance of minerals in your blood and keeping your bones healthy.
Dry, itchy skin can be a side effect of the mineral and bone disease that often occurs with chronic kidney disease when your kidneys are no longer able to keep sodium, potassium, calcium, and other important minerals in your blood properly balanced.
Swollen Or Puffy Face
Why this happens:
Failing kidneys don’t remove extra fluid, which builds up in your body causing swelling in the face.
What patients said:
My sister, her hair started to fall out, she was losing weight, but her face was really puffy, you know, and everything like that, before she found out what was going on with her.
My checks were always puffy and tight. Sometimes they would even hurt.
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Coronavirus Kidney Damage: A Serious Sign
Organ systems like the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys rely on and support one anothers functions, so when the new coronavirus causes damage in one area, others might be at risk. The kidneys essential functions have an impact on the heart, lungs and other systems. That may be why doctors note that kidney damage arising in patients with COVID-19 is a possible warning sign of a serious, even fatal course of the disease.
Can Kidney Failure Be Prevented
While kidney failure from chronic kidney disease cant be reversed, you can do many things to help preserve the kidney function you have today. Healthy habits and routines may slow down how quickly kidneys lose their functional abilities.
If you have chronic kidney disease or kidney failure, youll want to:
- Monitor your kidney function, with your doctors help.
- Keep your blood sugar levels under control, if you have diabetes.
- Keep your blood pressure levels in a normal range.
- Avoid smoking.
- Make healthy diet choices, such as limiting foods high in protein and sodium.
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Difficulty In Sleeping During Night
When kidneys fail to filter waste products properly, toxins remain present in human blood instead of leaving from the body via urine. This may cause difficulty in sleeping. In addition, there is a close connection in between chronic kidney disease and obesity, while the problem of sleep apnea becomes common among individuals suffering from chronic kidney diseases.
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Who Developed The Kidney Disease Solution Program
The Kidney Disease Solution was created by Duncan Capicchiano and his wife, Fiona Chin, from Melbourne, Australia. They founded a wellness clinic in Melbourne with more than 13 health professionals who are natural.
As fully qualified Naturopaths both have a combined background in natural and herbal medicine.
The program began as an alternative treatment option for Fionas mother, who was suffering from stage-4 renal failure. The couple put together an all-natural treatment plan that helped improve her condition in only 12 weeks. After 6 months of treatment, she improved from stage 4 to stage, and she lived healthily for the remainder of 10 years.
Due to the success they have had with Fionas grandmother, they decided to launch and share their treatment approach to those suffering from kidney disease.
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Things To Consider When Choosing A Hemodialysis Treatment Plan
When you are deciding on hemodialysis and what schedule is best for you, it is important to consider how the treatment will fit with your life. You know yourself and your daily routine best. Taking this into account can help you follow the plan you choose.
This table will help you compare hemodialysis in a center and at home.
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/8swollen Hands And Legs
If your feet and legs are often swollen, you should get your kidneys examined from a doctor. Disturbance in kidney function can lead to sodium retention in the body, which in general should have been passed out through the urinary tract. Sodium retention is responsible for swelling in your hands and legs.
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Why Are The Kidneys So Important
Most people know that a major function of the kidneys is to remove waste products and excess fluid from the body. These waste products and excess fluid are removed through the urine. The production of urine involves highly complex steps of excretion and re-absorption. This process is necessary to maintain a stable balance of body chemicals.
The critical regulation of the bodys salt, potassium and acid content is performed by the kidneys. The kidneys also produce hormones that affect the function of other organs. For example, a hormone produced by the kidneys stimulates red blood cell production. Other hormones produced by the kidneys help regulate blood pressure and control calcium metabolism.
The kidneys are powerful chemical factories that perform the following functions:
- remove waste products from the body
- remove drugs from the body
- balance the bodys fluids
- release hormones that regulate blood pressure
- produce an active form of vitamin D that promotes strong, healthy bones
- control the production of red blood cells
Below you will find more information about the kidneys and the vital role they play in keeping your body functioning.
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Eat Plenty Of Fruits And Vegetables
Study after study has shown that people who eat more fruits and vegetables are less likely to develop kidney disease.
Aim for at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day! One serving is:
- One cup raw
- 1/2 cup cooked or canned
- 1 piece of fruit
Diet patterns that include plenty of fruits and vegetables, like the DASH or Mediterranean diet, are amazing for both kidney and heart health!
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/8concentration Issue And Weakness
As per a study conducted by Temple University, if you are witnessing any problems like decrease in global cognitive ability or have trouble memorizing something, it could be a sign of decreased kidney functioning. A decline in kidney function can lead to the buildup of toxins and impurities in the blood. This can make you feel tired, weak and you may also find it difficult to concentrate. Even worse, kidney failure can also lead to toxin build-up in the brain and can cause major confusion. So it is best to consult a doctor.
What You Need To Know
You have two kidneys, located near the middle of your back, just below the rib cage. Each is about the size of your fist. Tiny structures called nephrons are inside each kidney and they filter the blood. There are about a million of them.
The kidneys are responsible for removing wastes, toxins and extra water from the body balancing important salts and minerals in the blood and releasing hormones to help control blood pressure, manage anemia and help maintain strong bones. The waste and extra water removed by the kidneys become urine. The urine flows through tubes called ureters. It goes to your bladder, which stores the urine until you go to the bathroom.
When the kidneys are damaged, they cant filter blood as they should. The result can be a build-up of wastes in your body, as well as other problems that can harm your health.
One in three American adults is at high risk for developing kidney disease today. Yet most arent able to identify the signs and symptoms. One in nine American adults has kidney disease and most dont know it.
At first, kidney disease is silent. Symptoms often dont appear until the kidneys are badly damaged. Many people dont have any symptoms until their kidney disease is advanced. Blood and urine tests are the only way to know if you have kidney disease.
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Keep An Eye On Your Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is very hard on kidneys. In fact, high blood pressure is the #1 cause of kidney disease. So, controlling your blood pressure is key to keeping your kidneys healthy.
A normal blood pressure is less than 120/80. Your doctor will probably check your blood pressure at each appointment.
Your blood pressure is often higher at the doctors office compared to at home. Your doctor may ask you to take your blood pressure at home to see if there is a difference.
Taking your blood pressure at home is easy! You just need to get a blood pressure cuff* and follow the instructions on the machine. Take your blood pressure a few times a day for a week or so. Keep a log of your blood pressure readings to bring to your doctor.
Signs You Could Be Suffering From Kidney Disease
As far as vital organs go, its safe to say that the average person knows far more about their heart, brain, lungs, or stomach than they do about their kidneys. But knowing exactly what your kidneys do to keep your body healthy and learning which signs and symptoms may indicate that theyre not working as well as they should is often the best way to identify kidney disease in its earliest, most treatable stage.
Situated toward the back of your upper abdominal cavity, your kidneys are primarily responsible for filtering extra water and waste products out of your blood, so it can be excreted from your body through urine.
Although these fist-sized, bean-shaped organs are strong and efficient when theyre healthy, theyre also susceptible to damage particularly when theyre consistently subjected to the effects of uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure, or some other condition that impairs kidney function.
If your kidneys sustain too much damage over time, theyre no longer able to filter your blood properly. This chronic and progressive condition, commonly known as chronic kidney disease, affects more than 30 million adults in the United States, many of whom wont even know they have it until its either very advanced or leads to kidney failure.
Although getting tested for kidney disease is the only way to know for sure if you have it, knowing how to recognize its early symptoms may be exactly what prompts you to get tested in the first place.
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What Is The Best Treatment For Me
You should consider many things when choosing a treatment for kidney failure, including your lifestyle, your age, any other health problems you may have, and whether you have a friend or relative to help you. Your decision should be based on more than your medical history and your doctor’s opinion. It should also be based on what you and your family wants. Learning about your treatment choices will help you decide which one is best for you.
Should I Be Worried About Kidney Disease
Its important to note that symptoms associated with kidney disease are very general. They can be caused by other illnesses. In fact, around one in ten adults in Australia have signs associated with chronic kidney disease.
So, theres no need to panic please read about the risk factors such as diabetes, blood pressure, age and weight, then visit your doctor for a Kidney Health Check. Your doctor will ask about your familys medical history, along with a few questions on your general health and well being. Theyll check your blood pressure and ask you to do a urine test and blood test while youre there, too.
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The Benefits That Come From Kidney Disease Solution
With this program, you will reap the advantages you are likely to observe in your kidney health and function:
- An integrated and comprehensive treatment for kidney disease.
- An all-natural approach to treatment that does not rely on drugs, supplements, or procedures
- Improved overall health through simple lifestyle changes
- Improved diet through knowing the best foods to eat and what to avoid for healthy kidneys
- Reduced stress and improved sleep by guided yoga and meditation
- More vitality throughout the day
What Are Kidney Numbers
The two numbers youll need to become familiar with to assess your kidney health are your albumin to creatinine ratio and your estimated glomerular filtration rate . Well refer to these as your kidney numbers.
The ACR measures how much of the protein albumin is present in your urine. This protein is not bad your body needs it. But it should be in your blood, not your urine. If too much of it is present, that could indicate one or both of your kidneys are not functioning properly. Your ACR can be assessed through a simple urine sample.
The eGFR measures the amount of creatinine in your blood, then plugs that number into a formula that takes into account your age, gender, and body size. The resulting number is your eGFR. As you may remember, creatinine is a waste product that should be in the urine, not the blood, if your kidneys are functioning properly. With a simple finger prick blood test, a doctor can evaluate the amount of creatinine in your blood and estimate your GFR.
Note: Your actual GFR number is more complicated to determine and requires experienced personnel, so it is typically only performed in research settings and transplant centers. The eGFR is recommended as a sufficient measure of kidney health by the National Kidney Foundation. The eGFR is typically a reliable indicator of kidney health but in some cases could be inaccurate and require further testing, particularly if you have had a limb amputated, are malnourished, or highly obese.
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Inability To Eat Meat And Dairy
Interestingly enough, advanced kidney disease can make protein-rich foods like meat and dairy taste absolutely terrible. According to the Kidney & Urology Foundation of America, that’s because these foods break down into nitrogen and creatinine, waste products that unhealthy kidneys are unable to filter out of the bloodstream.
Signs You May Have Kidney Disease
More than 37 million American adults are living with kidney disease and most dont know it. There are a number of physical signs of kidney disease, but sometimes people attribute them to other conditions. Also, those with kidney disease tend not to experience symptoms until the very late stages, when the kidneys are failing or when there are large amounts of protein in the urine. This is one of the reasons why only 10% of people with chronic kidney disease know that they have it, says Dr. Joseph Vassalotti, Chief Medical Officer at the National Kidney Foundation.
While the only way to know for sure if you have kidney disease is to get tested, Dr. Vassalotti shares 10 possible signs you may have kidney disease. If youre at risk for kidney disease due to high blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of kidney failure or if youre older than age 60, its important to get tested annually for kidney disease. Be sure to mention any symptoms youre experiencing to your healthcare practitioner.
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