What is Dialysis and Chronic Kidney Disease

It is estimated that more than 31 million American adults have chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, a survey done by the National Medical Association and Amgen shows that most adults know very little about the symptoms or treatment of the disease.

How can people be so unaware of a disease that affects so many? Like diabetes and high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease is called a “silent killer” because there are few symptoms and by the time a person realizes they have a problem, much damage has already been done.

By sharing information you can help save lives. Because chronic kidney disease happens over time, creating awareness and encouraging people to get their kidney function checked regularly may give them the opportunity to slow the progression of the disease and perhaps even prevent kidney failure. It’s time to spread the word about kidney disease.

How do normal kidneys function?


To understand how chronic kidney disease can go unnoticed, let’s take a look at how normal kidneys function and then learn how efficiently they can work even when they are damaged.

Most people are born with two kidneys. The kidneys are about the size of a closed fist. They are located in the middle back above the waist, with one on each side of the spine. The right kidney is a little lower and smaller to make room for the liver.

Most people think that the kidneys are only responsible for making urine, but there are more functions of the kidneys that affects many areas of the body.

A health kidney is responsible for:

cleaning the blood

producing urine

regulating blood pressure

balancing fluids, minerals and chemicals in the body

signaling the bones to make red blood cells

Healthy kidneys process all of the body’s blood supply every five minutes. On a daily basis healthy kidneys filter the blood, removing toxins from the bloodstream and turning it into urine that will be excreted from the body. In addition, the kidneys release renin, which is an enzyme that regulates blood pressure. The kidneys also decide when to hold on to or delete fluids, minerals and chemicals in the body to keep levels balanced and healthy. Another task of the kidneys is to signal the release of erythropoietin, a hormone that tells the bones to create red blood cells.

is kidney transplant the only option for kidney failure patients

During a kidney transplant, another person’s healthy kidney is implanted in your body to take over the work of your failing kidneys. Healthy kidneys can come from either a deceased donor (someone who has died and donated their organs) or a living donor. Although most of us are born with two healthy functioning kidneys, we only need one healthy kidney to live.

People with kidney transplants often live longer, have better health and a better quality of life than people on dialysis. You can be evaluated and listed for kidney transplant before you even start dialysis treatment. Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease or you’ve been on dialysis for years, it’s a good idea to look into kidney transplant.

Please see how Chinese therapies treat kidney failure ?

First, the cycle therapy. During this therapy, we make the circle shape around your main acupoints according to the theory of the traditional Yin and Yang. Then we can draw the toxin out of the body through the center of the circles.

Second, the hot compress therapy. During this therapy we mainly take the Traditional Chinese medicine osmotherapy. We choose the herbs according to your detailed body condition, and blend them together sufficiently. Then we compress the powder of the herbs on your kidney area, transmitting the element to your kidney by the electromagnetic wave.

Third, the feet bath therapy. There are lots of main acupoints on our feet, including the Yongquan acupoint, which is mainly relative to the kidney function. We can supply the element insufficient in your body and draw the toxins out through this acupoint.

Fourth, the moxa-moxibustion therapy. This therapy can help to regulate the disorder lying in your immune system, you know the nephropathy is a kind of autoimmune disease. To treat the disease well, we must first regulate your immune system to its best condition.

Fifth, the herbal bath. During this therapy, we will choose the herbs which can help to improve your blood circulation and remove the toxins. Your symptoms like high blood pressure, or weakness, or pain on the body will be well relieved after the therapy.

Sixth, the oral-taken therapy. The medicine we use during this therapy can help to protect your kidney function, and supply the energy to improve your kidney function; Meanwhile, it will help your blood pressure and control the infections.

Seventh, the enema therapy. This therapy is mainly aimed at the toxin accumulating in your intestinal track, and your appetite problem or the constipation problem will be relieved greatly.

If you want to know more details about this, please send your present condition to kidneyfailuretreat@hotmail.com. We will try our best to help you.

When do patients require dialysis?

Patients usually require dialysis when the waste products in their body become so high that they start to become sick from them. The level of the waste products usually builds up slowly. Doctors measure several blood chemical levels to help decide when dialysis is necessary. The two major blood chemical levels that are measured are the "creatinine level" and the "blood urea nitrogen" (BUN) level. As these two levels rise, they are indicators of the decreasing ability of the kidneys to cleanse the body of waste products.

Doctors use a urine test, the "creatinine clearance," to measure the level of kidney function. The patient saves urine in a special container for one full day. The waste products in the urine and in the blood are estimated by measuring the creatinine. By comparing the blood and urine level of this substance, the doctor has an accurate idea of how well the kidneys are working. This result is called the creatinine clearance. Usually, when the creatinine clearance falls to 10-12 cc/minute, the patient needs dialysis.

The doctor also uses other indicators of the patient's status to decide about the need for dialysis. If the patient is experiencing a major inability to rid the body of excess water, or is complaining of problems with the heart, lungs, or stomach, or difficulties with taste or sensation in their legs, dialysis may be indicated even though the creatinine clearance has not fallen to the 10-12 cc/minute level.

Chinese medicine can help you avoid dialysis. the natural treamtnets including Toxins-Removing Treatment, Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy, Medicated bath and Foot Bath are good to repair the diseased kidney and recover kidney function as much as possible.

What Treatment for Kidney Failure without Dialysis

Choosing to stop dialysis treatments (or not to start in the first place) is a difficult and personal decision. We’re here to support you in every way we can. Should you decide to stop or not start dialysis treatment, your doctor will continue to manage your care and symptoms to keep you as comfortable as possible. This is called supportive or palliative care. Here are the steps to take if you think treatment without dialysis is best for you:

1. Speak to your family. Let your family and others in your support network know your plans for future care. They can advise you if you wish, or simply listen and support you.

2. Talk to your doctor. Make an appointment with your nephrologist. He or she will discuss supportive care (also known as palliative care), explain your options and help you determine whether continuing or stopping dialysis is best for you.

3. Make advance directives. Put together your “advance directives,” a written statement outlining your medical wishes. Your Northwest Kidney Centers social worker can help you work through this to make sure your wishes are followed.

4. Put financial and legal matters in order. Finalize your will and any other financial or legal decisions that need to be made. Again, your social worker can help with this.

The natural treatments can help patients stop dialysis. The natural treatments including Toxins-Removing Treatment, Medicated Bath, Hot Compress Therapy, Steaming Therapy, Acupuncture Therapy. These therapies work to recover kidney function by extending blood vessels, promoting blood circulation, reliving inflammation and coagulation in blood, releasing hypoxia and ischemia in blood.

Are you interested in this treatment treating kidney failure without dialysis ? please add WhatsApp/Viber/Wechat+008618203203537 or leave a message below. We will try our best to help you

Information about Diabetes

A diabetic body is not able to turn food into energy properly. Problem lies in the body's production and the use of a hormone called insulin. Diabetes most frequently found in adults is diabetes mellitus type 2(type 1 is found in children). This disease occurs when the sugar concentration(glucose) in the blood is elevated.

The world health organization(WHO) defines diabetes in the following manner:

Diabetes mellitus is a state of chronic hyperglycemia produced by various factors:- Genetic, nutritional etc. The insuline harmone secrated by beta cells in the pancreas is the principal regulator of the blood sugar concentration. When this harmone is not produced efficiently the blood sugay concentration rises.

Symptoms:

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes share some similar symptoms. The most common includes lack of energy, increased hunger, weight loss, frequent urination, increased appetite, frequent or low healing of infections, excessive thrust, blurred vision, nausea, abdominal pains and weakness. While we do know that diabetes is also genetic and is passed on generation to generation. Scientists are not exactly sure of the precise cause of the disease accept that the disease may be the result of a malfunction in the boby's indocrine and immune system. Research has showed that if the immune system starts to turn itself off - prehaps the result of an auto-immune disorder, it causes a complete obliteration of the pancreases beta cells or atleast a reduction in number of functional beta cells. This than effects the amount and purity and effectiveness of the body's insuline. However, if the immune system is able to ward off an attack, the integrity of body's insuline will be maintained. More refined tests now makes it possible to detect faulty immune antibodies in blood well in advance of a person showing symptoms of diabetes. In some adults there destructive antibodies may be present years before diabetic symptoms apper. This lag time is known as the prediabetic stage.

Type 2 diabetes is develops when:-

1. The receptors on cells in the body that normally respond to the action of insuline fail to be stimulated by it. This is known as insuline resistance. In responce to this more insulin may be produced and this over production exhausts the insulin manufacturing cells in the pancreas.

2. There is in-sufficient insulin avilable.

3. The insulin that is available may be abnormal and therefore does not work properly.

Reversing insulin resistance is really a matter of understanding insulin’s role in the body. Insulin allows glucose to travel from the bloodstream into the cells, where it is used for cell functioning. When we eat foods high in refined carbohydrates, insulin levels surge to remove the sugar from the blood and get it into your cells. This mechanism works very well for the most part. But if insulin spikes too often from a diet rich in the high-carb foods that trigger insulin secretion, your cells respond by decreasing the reactivity and number of insulin receptors on their surfaces. Eventually, this prevents glucose from getting into your cells, leading to high blood sugar and depriving your cells of the energy they need to function. This is why many women with insulin resistance experience carbohydrate cravings, fatigue and weight-gain — their cells are literally starving for energy, even when plenty of glucose is available in the blood. Down the road, your body’s capacity to generate insulin appropriately becomes depleted, and the result is type 2 diabetes.

The followng risk factors increase chances of diabetes type 2-

1. Age

2. Obesity.

3. Physical inactivity - In modern society, we sit parked at our desks and in our cars for so much of the day, and food is available at almost every turn — much of which depletes the body rather than nourishing it.

4. Food we eat - Research is mounting that shows how foods high in refined carbohydrates, preservatives, pesticides, trans fats, toxins and super sugars like high-fructose corn syrup all contribute to insulin resistance.

Other but rare causes of diabetes-

1. Certain medicins.

2. Pregnancy (GESTATATIONAL diabetes).

3. Any illness or disorder that damages the pancreas and affects its ability to produce insuline e.g. pancreatities.

Remedies:

1. Blood cleaner and thinner with vitamin C.

2. Immunity Booster.

3. LDL cholestrol controller and insuline supporter.

4. Combo pack of amino acids.

5. Cyst and tumor remover.

6. Rich source of vitamin E and omega3.

7. Muscles power booster.

Potassium and Haemodialysis

Potassium is a mineral which is important for the nerves and muscles function. Potassium needs to be maintained at a safe level in the blood. Excessive potassium level in the blood can cause muscle weakness, abnormal heart rates and in extreme cases, heart failure.

Since haemodialysis can only remove a fixed amount of potassium, it is crucial to control the amount accumulated through patients’ dietary intake. Potassium is found mainly in fruits and vegetables, with small quantities found in nuts, dry beans and dairy and meat products. It is important to avoid high potassium food and take low and moderate potassium food in moderation.



AVOID high potassium foods such as

Wholegrain cereals, bread and biscuit.

Nuts, seeds and related products, e.g. chocolate, peanut butter.

Coconuts and related products, e.g. coconut milk, kaya.

All fresh/canned fruit and vegetable juice, herbal medicine drinks, strong tea/coffee, cocoa and malted beverage, milk, wine

Brown sugar, molasses, maple syrup, toffees, liquorice

High potassium salt substitute, bottled sauces, meat and vegetables extract, essence of chicken, stock cube.

Fruits and vegetables from the high potassium group.

Read more on potassium

Healthy Diet for a dialysis patients

Getting the right amount of calories

Food gives us energy. Getting the right amount of energy (calories) is important to overall health and well-being such as helping your body to use protein for building muscles and tissues. The energy need of each individual is different and depends on age, gender, body size, physical activity level, and medical condition. Some people need more energy to increase their body weight; others need to cut down their energy intake to reduce body weight.


Adequate in protein

Protein is essential for building and repairing muscles and daily growth. During peritoneal or haemodialysis, some amount of proteins is lost and therefore, patients require a higher protein intake compared to people who are not on dialysis. Eating the right amount of protein will help dialysis patients stay fit as insufficient protein intake could result in weight loss, muscle wasting, reducing the ability to fight infections and thus, leading to malnutrition.Protein can be divided into two categories: high and low quality. For dialysis diet, high-quality protein, for example, meat, poultry, fish and egg whites are more desirable. Most dairy products such as yogurt, milk and cheese also contain high-quality protein.

REMEMBER, RIGHT KIND and CORRECT AMOUNT of protein is vital for dialysis patients to stay healthy. Protein food contains phosphate. Therefore it is very IMPORTANT that dialysis patients take their phosphate binders with ALL their meals.

Find out how 1 portion of protein looks like.

Low in sodium

Most people should limit the amount of sodium in their diet regardless of kidney disease. Even if salt (a major source of sodium) is not adding during cooking, sodium can still be found in other food sources. This is because sodium is naturally found in all different types of foods, and more commonly in packaged and processed foods. Sodium is like-hydrated sponge that absorbs fluid. It makes you feel thirsty and intends to drink more. As a result, weight gain from fluid arises and consequently, increasing in blood pressure can be observed. Sodium restriction in kidney disease helps to maintain normal fluid balance.