kidney disease

2009

disease

Definition, causes and symptoms of kidney disease

The kidneys work hard every day. Your main task is to cleanse our blood. Without them, the breakdown products of metabolism would poison the body in no time. Very large amounts of urine and very small amounts of urine often indicate kidney disease and should be clarified with the doctor. Water retention (edema), especially in the arms and legs, may be due to kidney disease . Itching, nausea and fatigue associated with low urinary output suggest kidney failure or advanced kidney disease . More than a third of chronic kidney disease is the result of diabetes. Damage to the small filter stations in the kidney causes slow kidney failure.

Hypertension is both "perpetrator" and "victim" in terms of kidney disease: on the one hand it is caused by many kidney diseases, on the other hand it damages the kidneys. An inflammation of the kidneys (medical: glomerulo-nephritis), in which our own immune system attacks the kidneys, is an important cause of kidney disease and thus of slow kidney failure. There is also a genetic kidney disease like cystic kidney. They often lead to kidney failure in adulthood. Also, pathogens of cystitis can migrate through the ureter or through the blood into the kidney and trigger inflammation in the renal pelvis. Even medications can cause kidney disease. Known, but rare, is the excessive and long-term use of certain (non-steroidal) painkillers . Consequence: chronic inflammation of the kidney tissue. In the long run, a malignant kidney tumor can develop. Kidney inflammation never affects the entire kidney, but only certain parts of the organ. Most common is inflammation of the renal corpuscles. It is dangerous and often the cause of chronic renal insufficiency (here the kidneys are no longer functioning optimally, renal insufficiency can be acute or chronic) and often leads to dialysis or kidney transplantation. The kidneys fail and those affected have to go to the lavatory (medically: dialysis).

Every year about 2, 000 patients in Germany undergo a kidney disease transplant. In particular, in women there is also very often inflammation of the renal pelvis - usually as a result of cystitis. The inflammation is characterized by pain in the area of the lumbar spine, fever and a general malaise. Normally the urine is pale yellow. A darker yellow indicates that you are taking too little liquid. If the urine is dark brown, a metabolic disease may be behind it. Blood, which is already visible to the naked eye, is a serious warning signal! Possible causes: inflammation, drainage of the urinary tract or a tumor. For unpleasant smell of the urine is often responsible for an infection. Laboratory tests may indicate sugar or protein, which may indicate diabetes, inflammation or hypertension. Increased uric acid levels may be due to gout.

Treatment of kidney disease

For the evaluation of the kidney function the urine diagnostics is an important investigation. It allows conclusions about the kidney disease: Normally, the urine is pale yellow. If a kidney infection is detected early, you can usually treat them well with antibiotics. Supportive you can also treat the kidney disease by natural means. The ingredients of nettles, for example, stimulate the metabolism, increase the amount of urine and relieve discomfort when urinating. Drink two cups daily!

The active ingredients of birch leaves increase the amount of urine and help with kidney disease. Birch leaves are well suited as a tea preparation (two cups daily) to flush the kidneys and urinary tract and in "kidney semolina". Bean shells are good for kidney colic and gout. The tea (pharmacy) is used because of its effluent effect in water storage (medically: edema). Goldenrod tea from Goldenrod herb acts water-draining, antispasmodic, analgesic and antibacterial. Also available as drops (20 per day).

Prevention and self-help with kidney disease

A kidney disease that runs slowly is unfortunately common. Since it does not cause any pain, it is hard to tell early. The patient does not notice the kidney disease for a long time. Therefore, patients with conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes should have their urine and blood regularly examined by the family doctor and kidney specialists to prevent kidney disease.

To prevent kidney disease, the following tips should be heeded :

1. You should always drink enough liquid! It should be one and a half to two liters per day, on hot days, when you sweat more, or even more in PC work.

2. Caution with the salt! Too much salt can raise blood pressure and damage your kidneys. As seasoning salt can be very well replaced by fresh herbs.

3. Do not eat too much protein: urea and uric acid are degradation products of it. Too much pollutes the kidneys. Tip: Instead of meat or eggs to fish and vegetables.