Diet & Fitness of Polycystic Kidney Disease

Although there’s no evidence showing that a good diet and fitness can slow down the growth of kidney cysts, we have to admit a healthy life style can effectively prevent the occurrence of many complications. Here the following are some diet and fitness tips for you.
Diet
1> Limit the intake of protein. Usually, the daily intake of protein for PKD patients should be limited to 0.6-o.8g/(d.kg). It is better for you to eat some high quality protein like eggs, milk, lean meat and so on. And limit the intake of vegetable protein such as peanuts, bean and bean products.
2> Limit the intake of salt. For PKD patients, their kidney function can be affected by the growing kidney cysts. Thus they will fail to remove excessive wastes from body. If you eat too much salt, a retention of water and salt will be easy to happen.
3> Avoid drugs with renal toxicity. A majority of the patients would like to take some drugs to ease their clinical symptoms. However, some of the drugs may does great harm to the kidneys. You’ d better ask for your physician’ s suggestion before taking them.
Fitness
Experts recommend that PKD patients should fight against their kidney disease by changing their lifestyle. They should pay attention to control their high blood pressure, do some proper exercises like shadowboxing and so on. When the cysts grow to a larger size, patients should avoid strenuous exercises and abdominal trauma in case of kidney cyst rupture.

In a word, only when you treat your disease effectively and prevent it properly in daily can you live with PKD and enjoy a normal life. If you want to know more information, please feel free to consult our online doctor or leave a message below. Best wishes!

Atrophic Kidney Disease Causes And Treatment

What Causes Atrophic Kidney?
Atrophic kidney is a term used when the size of the kidney becomes small due to any kidney disease or due to non functioning kidney. An atrophic kidney is very diminutive in size. It may be due to impairment of blood supply to the kidney or damage to the functioning units of ‘nephrons’. Following are the conditions that can cause shrinkage of the kidney, in other words kidney atrophy.
Long standing kidney infections such as pyelonephritis, poly cystic kidney, and other chronic renal diseases that can affect the nephrons.
Renal Ischemia; it occurs payable when there is less circulation of blood to the kidneys. Inadequate circulation of blood may decrease the oxygen supply to the kidney. This may affect the kidney function and cause atrophy. The reason for ischemia as a result of atherosclerosis (narrowing of the artery due to accumulation of fat in its wall) of the renal artery.
Blockage of the renal artery as a result of a blood clot.
Reflux nephropathy.
Damage to the renal parenchyma as a result of obstruction in the urinary system.
Compression of blood vessels as a result of renal cyst.
Pain while passing urine, pain in the abdomen, blood in urine, increased frequency to urinate are some of the symptoms of renal atrophy.
Treatment And Removal Of Atrophic Kidney
Atrophic kidney can be singular or bilateral. It depends on what the cause is. When a person is diagnosed with atrophic kidney the first thing the doctor wants to find out is how much is the kidney functioning. At this stage, it is not important to know the size of the the kidney and the percentage of its function left. If the kidney is completely non functional as a consequence of complete damage to the kidney, there is no other option left but to remove the non functional kidney.
However, when the kidney is found to be functioning even at its minimum, all attempts are made to revitalize the kidney function. In the the case of urinary tract infection that is responsible for kidney atrophy, necessary medications are administered to reverse the bad kidney function. If the patient is affected by kidney failure due to chronic kidney disease he may require undergoing dialysis. There may be a need for renal transplant in the future.

Few lifestyle changes can help reduce the chances of atrophic kidney. Excessive use of alcohol can play a spoilsport in kidney problems. Therefore, if a person is suffering from kidney disease he should stop alcohol consumption. If you are suffering from renal failure, you should ask your doctor regarding the intake of fluid and water. Also you should consume less amount of salt. Do not steal any medication without consulting your doctor.

Kidney Stones and Carrot juice

Carrot juice is one good choice for patients with Kidney Stones,It is harmless to the kidneys and it also has many health benefits for many health issues such as kidney disease,Kidney stones high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, high blood glucose,uric acid etc. Besides, carrot juices have the following health benefits. If high creatinine is caused by high blood pressure or diabetes, carrot is a good home remedies because it can help control further renal damages due to abnormal blood pressure or blood sugar levels so as to control or lower high creatinine levels. Carrot contains materials that can help lower blood sugar levels. Other ingredients such as quercetin and kaempferol can help increase coronary blood flow, lower blood cholesterol. Besides, carrots can help lower high blood pressure and strengthen heart functions, therefore it is a natural and beneficial food choice for patients with hypertension or coronary heart disease. What is more important, eating carrots or drinking carrot juice can help improve immune functions. Carotene can be turned into vitamin A so as to help enhance the body’s immunity and disease-resistance ability. Lastly, carrot juice is recommended as part of a diet for people with IgA Nephropathy and kidney stone. It is believed to help fight off bacterial infections in the kidney, as it contains vitamin A. This juice can help line the kidneys with its natural alkaline minerals, which has been shown in some cases to help restore the diseased kidney over time. To prevent kidney stone formation or recurrences, you can:
• Avoid excesses of alcohol, caffeine, sugar, fat, and refined carbohydrates
• Avoid aluminum containing antacids
• Limit sodium (salt) to two grams daily or less
• Reduce animal protein and avoid purine protein (organ meats, shellfish, brewer’s and baker’s yeast, herring, sardines, mackerel, and anchovies)
• Avoid excess phosphorous in soft drinks by quitting or cutting down
• Abate smoking (small amounts of cadmium in tobacco)
• Reduce intakes of vitamin D—enriched food (milk, cheese)
• Reduce high oxalate foods (spinach, beet greens, parsley, rhubarb, black tea, nuts, and cocoa)
• Increase water and liquid intake to reach a urine volume of two quarts daily
• Increase fiber intake
• Increase cranberry intake (unsweetened, in capsulated concentrate form)

• Increase intake of high magnesium-to-calcium ratio foods (avocado, potato, tomato, banana, orange, barley, buckwheat, rye, oats, brown rice, cashews, sesame seeds, soy, lima beans. Pass it on to your family and friends. It may be very useful.

Diet to Lower High Creatinine Level

Creatine is a nitrogenous organic acid that is naturally produced in the human body where it is primarily stored in the muscles to supply energy to the body’s cells. When creatine is metabolized, creatinine is produced and eliminated from the body through the kidneys. When kidneys aren’t functioning well, levels of creatine in the body is increased causing problems.
Higher serum levels of creatinine indicate kidney damage or failure. For this, your doctor will prescribe a renal diet. As your kidneys' workload is lightened and the rate of damage slows, your creatinine levels will become lower. Renal diets focus on controlling protein, potassium, phosphorus, sodium and liquids.
Protein
Chicken dinner
Your body uses protein to build and repair tissues and muscles and to fight off infection. When protein is broken down, like any other food, it produces certain waste products. One of these is urea, which damaged kidneys have trouble filtering out of the bloodstream. Most renal diets require you to monitor and limit your protein intake. Your doctor, dietitian or nutritionist will tell you how much and what types of protein you can consume. You will probably be allowed certain amounts of complete proteins from animal sources (lean beef and chicken, for example) and certain amounts of incomplete proteins from plant sources (beans and lentils).
Potassium
When your kidneys aren't working well, your potassium levels can become too high. This can be serious and even cause sudden heart failure. Potassium is found in many foods, and you must carefully monitor your potassium intake on a renal diet. You may be asked to limit or eliminate leafy green vegetables, broccoli, bananas, potatoes, oranges and apricots, all of which are high in potassium, and encouraged to choose lower potassium foods including cucumbers, carrots, lettuce, apples, cranberries, grapes and rice.
Phosphorus
Your body uses phosphorus and calcium to keep your bones strong and to keep your muscles and nerves working normally. Calcium and phosphorus must remain in balance. When you have kidney damage, your body has trouble maintaining this balance. You often end up with too little calcium and too much phosphorus. Your body then steals calcium from your bones to try to restore the proper balance, and your bones become weak and brittle. You may also experience pain in your bones and joints and itchy skin. Foods that are high in phosphorus include sardines, cola, nuts, cheese, liver, peanut butter and beer. You may also be asked to avoid eggs and dairy products.
Sodium
We need sodium, but most of us consume far more than we need. Avoid foods with added salt, including nuts, bacon, pickles, olives, sauerkraut and luncheon meats. Watch out for salt in processed food products including canned soup, canned vegetables, sauce mixes and bouillon cubes. Carefully monitor the amount of sodium you consume. Controlling your salt intake may also make it easier for you to control your fluid intake.
Fluid
When your kidneys aren't working properly, they have problems removing excess fluid from your body. Your doctor may limit your fluid intake to prevent high blood pressure, swelling and shortness of breath. Remember to include soup, ice, ice cream, sherbet and gelatin in your fluid intake.

If you want such a detailed list suitable for yourself, you can consult the online doctor or leave a message to us, and we are glad to give some suggestions.

Symptoms of High Creatinine Levels

Creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism. When muscles work, they break down proteins, including the amino acid creatine, to produce energy. Most creatine is consumed but about 2 percent enters the bloodstream as creatinine. The kidneys remove most creatinine. Levels of creatinine can be affected by age, sex, race, diet, muscle mass, some medications, and chronic disease, such as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, diabetes and kidney disease. The normal range of creatinine in blood serum is 0.75 to 1.3 mg/dL for men and 0.6 to 1.1 mg/dL for women. Normal values may vary slightly depending on the laboratory and the technique used.
The symptoms of kidney dysfunction differ broadly. A few people may have an accidental finding of brutal kidney disease and high creatinine on routine blood work without having any symptoms at all. For few others, depending on the cause of problem, a lot of dissimilar symptoms may be present including:
Dehydrated sensation.
Fatigue
Shortness of breath.
Bewilderment or disoriented
Headache
Loss of appetite
Weight changes
Low-grade fever
A high level of creatinine is not a direct cause of symptoms, and someone with above-normal levels may notice no change. Symptoms associated with high creatinine are most often caused by an underlying illness that affects kidney function. The most frequent cause is kidney disease itself. Symptoms of kidney disease can include fatigue, headaches, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, weight loss, itchy skin, swelling in the hands and feet, frequent or painful urination or a change in the color of the urine.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are also associated with kidney failure. Other symptoms may indicate muscle destruction, hypothyroidism, or diabetic ketoacidosis as the cause of elevated creatinine. A high creatinine level does not necessarily mean the person has chronic kidney disease, but indicates the need for other tests.

Causes of Swelling in the Feet

Swelling, or edema, in the ankles and the feet could be due to serious health problems. A variety of causes of lower extremity swelling should be investigated by a physician to prevent complications associated with an underlying and treatable health disorder.
Kidney Failure
Individuals with intermittent or persistent swelling in the ankles and feet may be experiencing kidney failure due to uncontrolled diabetes, dehydration, severe high blood pressure, obstruction that blocks urine flow and autoimmune disorders. Other causes of kidney failure include hemorrhage, shock, sepsis (infection in the bloodstream), injury or severe trauma and major surgery. Swelling in the lower extremities occurs when the kidneys cannot keep up with filtering waste products from the body, causing fluid retention. Acute kidney failure may be life-threatening.
Poor Circulation
Vascular disease, such as peripheral artery disease and severe varicose veins, can lead to ankle and foot swelling, especially with prolonged standing or sitting. Causes of peripheral artery disease include smoking, plaque buildup from high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure. Poor circulation from disease in the veins is known as chronic venous insufficiency. Other symptoms include intermittent pain with walking, feelings of "heaviness" in the extremities and coolness to touch in the feet. In severe cases the feet can become a dusky color indicating impaired blood flow that could indicate a clot has formed from pooling (stagnation) of blood flow.
Thrombophlebitis
Inflammation of the superficial or deep veins in the legs can cause swelling. Foot and ankle swelling brought about by thrombophlebitis is the result of trauma to the vein, often from a direct blow. Individuals with blood clotting disorders can have thrombophlebitis. In addition to swelling, the condition causes pain to the touch, redness and warmth over the affected area.
Lifestyle
Wearing ill fitting shoes and socks with elastic that constrict circulation can cause the feet and ankles to swell. Other lifestyle factors causing fluid retention and impaired circulation in the lower extremities include consuming too much salt, obesity and lack of exercise. Diabetics are especially prone to poor circulation, making proper footwear a primary focus to prevent swelling, which can lead to ulcers and amputation.
Cellulitis
Cellulitis is caused by a bacterial infection that can affect the skin of the legs and ankles. Swelling in the feet and ankles accompanied by warmth, fever, blistering, rash and pain require evaluation and treatment that should not be delayed. Infection from cellulitis can spread throughout the body, causing serious illness.
Medications
Commonly used medications to treat high blood pressure, known as calcium channel blockers, can cause ankle and foot swelling that is not dangerous. Swelling can extend to the thighs or affect the entire leg. Hormones and steroids, as well as antidepressants, known as MAO inhibiors, also can cause fluid retention with resultant foot and ankle swelling.

If patients have other symptoms or discomforts besides feet swelling such as fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, chest pain, it is recommended to see a doctor and seek proper treatment as soon as possible according to the underlying cause.

Skin problems in chronic kidney disease

Skin involvement in chronic renal failure is characterized by a multitude of different aspects. Often pruritus, xerosis cutis, hyperpigmentations, and actinic elastosis occur. These symptoms tend to alter and are aggravated relatively quickly when chronic renal insufficiency leads to compulsory dialysis treatment.
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is a devastating condition associated with the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents in patients with CKD. At present, no therapies are available for this complication. Preventive measures include use of iodine-based contrast agents, particularly in patients with CKD stage 4 and 5. If gadolinium contrast is necessary, administration of low volumes of the more stable macrocyclic ionic types of gadolinium-based contrast agent is advocated. Hemodialysis following gadolinium exposure might offer benefits but evidence is lacking.
The following natural remedies all show good effects on itchy skin.
Full bath therapy. As its name refers, this therapy is like taking a bath. Patients are required to enter the medicinal soup that made with special Chinese herbs that have the effect of discharging the toxins. The toxins will be removed through sweating and urinating. The medicinal soap will replenish some necessary substances to tonify the skin. So itchy skin will be well relieved.
Hot Compress Therapy. The finely shattered herbs will be applied on bilateral Shenshu acupoints. With an osmosis device, the herbs will be permeated into kidney lesions, achieving such goals: eliminating the toxins, recovering the original qi. The kidneys will work as normal. The problems such as excessive toxins, dry skin, high phosphorus level can all be solved. So itchy skin can be treated and it cannot occur again.

If you want to know more natural remedies, you can send me an email to renal-disease@hotmail.com. for consultation.

CKD: Is It Good for You to Drink Excessive Fluid

Although adequate fluid intake is an essential requirement for survival, excessive fluid intake can increase morbidity and mortality in stage 5 CKD patients.
One of the main functions of the kidney is to balance fluid in the body and with kidney failure, the commonest problem is being able to get rid of excess water. Excess water in the body is called fluid overload. It causes high blood pressure and may eventually contribute to heart disease.
If the water content of the body reaches very high levels, the accumulating fluid causes the body to swell - starting at the ankles, due to gravity - and spreading up the body. Eventually, if not treated, the excess fluid will settle in the lungs, causing a life-threatening condition called pulmonary oedema.
As the kidneys become less able to keep the body's fluid level balanced, you will have to watch how much you drink. Some patients have greater restrictions than others, but it's essential for most kidney patients to regulate their fluid intake.
Fluids include all beverages, foods that melt (ice, popsicles, ice cream, gelatin), and soup. Although it is interesting to note that almost all foods contain some fluid (meat is approximately 50% fluid, while the fruits/vegetables are approximately 90% fluid) and contribute an estimated 800-1,000 cc of fluid daily, this amount is offset by insensible fluid losses estimated at 1,000 cc/day through evaporation (skin, respiration) and stool.
Because adequate nutrition is key to improved health outcomes, dialysis patients who gain too much fluid between treatments should never be advised to eat less, but rather to drink less. Strategies to assist patients in decreasing fluid intake include:
· Avoiding salt and salty foods
· Maintaining blood sugar control (for people with diabetes)
· Using mouth sprays or mouthwash to relieve dryness
· Chewing gum
· Sucking on a lemon wedge or sour hard candy
· Freezing allowed fruit (e.g., grapes)
· Consuming ice (in measured amounts), popsicles
· Using a measuring cup to check the volume of household cups and glasses
· Keeping a fluid intake chart
· Filling a water pitcher with daily fluid allowance (and discarding amounts equal to other beverages consumed during the day to keep track of fluid intake)
· Using smaller cups/glasses
· Drinking from thirst rather than from habit.

Having been encouraged to drink more in earlier stages of CKD, patients new to dialysis often report difficulty adjusting to fluid restrictions. Although fluid intake is usually unlimited in predialysis patients, Wenzel and colleagues (Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2006;1:344-346) suggest that patients not be advised to increase fluid intake above normal requirements except in certain conditions (i.e., urolithiasis, salt-wasting nephropathy, diabetes insipidus).

Causes of Low Creatine Level

The causes of low creatinine levels include chronic conditions that lead to declines in creatinine production along with declines in muscle mass.
One of the most common causes is loss of muscle mass. This can occur naturally with aging, leading to lower creatinine levels in older adults. It can also be associated with wasting diseases, sudden weight loss, myasthenia gravis, muscular dystrophy, and injuries that force people to take bedrest. Any condition that leads to a decline in muscle mass can result in low creatinine levels.

Another reason can be a low protein diet. Creatinine is produced through the processing of protein and if a patient is eating unusually low levels of protein, the body will be making less creatinine. Pregnancy is also associated with low creatinine levels because of the redirection of nutrients to the baby. Even when a woman is eating a balanced diet with another nutrition for two, the levels of certain nutrients in her blood can be skewed because the developing fetus has such high energy and nutrition demands.

Focal Glomerulosclerosis

Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a rare disease that attacks the kidney’s filtering system (glomeruli) causing serious scarring. FSGS is one of the causes of a serious condition known as Nephrotic Syndrome.
How is FSGS diagnosed?
FSGS is diagnosed with renal biopsy (when doctors examine a tiny portion of the kidney tissue), however, because only some sections of the glomeruli are affected, the biopsy can sometimes be inconclusive.
What causes FSGS?
FSGS is “idiopathic,” which means it arises without a known cause, so researchers are actively trying to learn more.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Early stages of glomerulosclerosis may not cause any symptoms.
Your doctor may suspect kidney disease because you develop high blood pressure or show protein in your urine.
If very large amounts of protein are lost in the urine, swelling of the ankles and eyelids may occur, because the body retains water (edema). This may also cause rapid weight gain and a make high blood pressure harder to control.
If the condition is advanced, the symptoms may be like those of kidney failure. People report fatigue, a poor appetite, headache, itchy skin, shortness of breath and/or nausea.
How are focal glomerulosclerosis and FSGS treated?
Treatments for FSGS include corticosteroids (often called “steroids”) and other immunosuppressive drugs (such as cyclosporine). These medications are used to decrease proteinuria and improve kidney function. Urine is tested for protein frequently during treatment, because having less urinary protein is a sign that the treatment is working.
Another important part of treatment is to control blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels, factors that add to the risk of complications from kidney disease. Certain blood pressure medicines, called ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors and ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers), are used to reduce the protein loss and blood pressure. Diuretics are medicines that help the body get rid of excess fluid and swelling. These can be used to lower your blood pressure too.

Some diet changes may be needed, such as reducing salt and protein in your food choices to lighten the load of wastes on the kidneys.

Stage 5 of Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5 – End-stage renal failure (or late chronic renal insufficiency)
The terms end-stage renal failure and end-stage renal disease are used interchangeably, and the abbreviation ESRD is commonly used. Typically, patients will have kidney function in the area of 10-15% or so. These are the common symptoms you may experience at this stage
Symptoms that can occur in stage 5 CKD include:
§ Loss of appetite
§ Nausea or vomiting
§ Headaches
§ Being tired
§ Being unable to concentrate
§ Itching
§ Making little or no urine
§ Swelling, especially around the eyes and ankles
§ Muscle cramps
§ Tingling in hands or feet
§ Changes in skin color
§ Increased skin pigmentation
Because the kidneys are no longer able to remove waste and fluids from the body, toxins build up in the blood, causing an overall ill feeling. Kidneys also have other functions they are no longer able to perform such as regulating blood pressure, producing the hormone that helps make red blood cells and activating vitamin D for healthy bones.

If you are diagnosed with stage 5 CKD and want to know more about this, you are always welcomed to leave us message renal-disease@hotmail.com. And you can get instant help within 24hours.

Suggested Diet for Polycystic Kidney Disease

A polycystic kidney disease diet is a specialized renal diet that is followed by people suffering from polycystic kidney disease.
This disease is unlike other kidney diseases that are caused by the food we eat,high blood pressure or diabetes.Polycystic kidney disease,or PKD in short as it is more commonly known,is a genetic disorder.This means that a person has a large tendency to develop this disease if this runs in the family because of the genes inherited.
Things You Should Eat
Eat a mostly low-fat diet full of fruits and vegetables, which are high in helpful antioxidants. Plant proteins also help lower blood pressure and may help slow the growth of kidney cysts. As published in volume 57 of Kidney International in 2000, studies in lab animals show that soy protein slows the progression of PKD, but try to stick with traditional fermented soy products like tofu, miso, and tempeh.
You should also get plenty of omega-3 fatty acids from sources like cold-water oily fish (salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies and sardines), flaxseed or linseed, and walnuts and pecans. Some studies with rats indicate that omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed oil in particular, help reduce inflammation and slow the progression of PKD (Kidney International, 1999, volume 55).
Try to eat a lot of high-fiber foods that can combat insulin resistance -- high insulin levels have been linked with heart disease and faster rates of PKD progression. Good sources of fiber, in addition to fruit and vegetables, are whole grains and legumes.
Unlike other forms of kidney disease, PKD requires higher levels of potassium, so load up on foods like papaya, prune juice, honeydew and cantaloupe melon, banana, raisins, mango, pears and oranges and orange juice.
Foods to Avoid
Reduce or eliminate animal proteins. Limit animal products to occasional broths, poultry, fish, low-fat cheese and egg whites, keeping quantities to 3 oz. per day or less.
Avoid excess amounts of salt, which causes your blood pressure to rise. This includes products like processed foods, soups, chips and soy sauce.
PKD patients should drink lots of water since water helps flush out waste products and helps you avoid dehydration, a common symptom of PKD. Avoid caffeine -- which causes dehydration -- found in coffee, chocolate, black tea, green tea, white tea, cola and even some decaf products.

Although moderate alcohol intake can be OK in healthier patients, drinks should be limited to two per day for men and one per day for women. Instead, try spritzers made with cranberry, apple or grape juice mixed with mineral water or sodium-free seltzer.