Health Education: Creatinine And Malfunction of Kidneys

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MedicineNet: WHAT IS CREATININE: 

An illustration defining creatinine and shows how it is transported through the blood stream to the kidneys and disposed of it in the urine Source: MedicineNet

WHY ARE BLOOD CREATININE LEVELS CHECKED?

The kidneys maintain the blood creatinine in a normal range. Creatinine has been found to be a fairly reliable indicator of kidney function. Elevated creatinine level signifies impaired kidney function or kidney disease.

As the kidneys become impaired for any reason, the creatinine level in the blood will rise due to poor clearance of creatinine by the kidneys. Abnormally high levels of creatinine thus warn of possible malfunction or failure of the kidneys. It is for this reason that standard blood tests routinely check the amount of creatinine in the blood.

A more precise measure of the kidney function can be estimated by calculating how much creatinine is cleared from the body by the kidneys. This is referred to as creatinine clearance and it estimates the rate of filtration by kidneys (glomerular filtration rate, or GFR). The creatinine clearance can be measured in two ways. It can be calculated (estimated) by a formula using serum (blood) creatinine level, patient’s weight, and age. The formula is 140 minus the patient’s age in years times their weight in kilograms (times 0.85 for women), divided by 72 times the serum creatinine level in mg/dL. Creatinine clearance can also be more directly measured by collecting a 24-hour urine sample and then drawing a blood sample. The creatinine levels in both urine and blood are determined and compared. Normal creatinine clearance for healthy women is 88-128 mL/min. and 97 to 137 mL/min. in males (normal levels may vary slightly between labs).

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level is another indicator of kidney function. Urea is also a metabolic byproduct which can build up if kidney function is impaired. The BUN-to-creatinine ratio generally provides more precise information about kidney function and its possible underlying cause compared with creatinine level alone. BUN also increases with dehydration.

healthhearty.com: HOW TO REDUCE CREATININE LEVELS IN BLOOD

Dehydration, creatine supplements, strain-causing activities, or even excessive intake of meat and dairy products are some of the likely factors that cause the creatinine levels in the blood to rise. Here, we will have a look at the various ways to reduce creatinine levels in the blood.

CAUSES FOR THE RISE IN CREATININE LEVELS

Due to high blood pressure, the kidneys are unable to filter out waste material properly. Therefore, people with cardiovascular diseases are given suitable medicines for lowering blood pressure. Moreover, there are certain dietary restrictions that they need to follow, besides remaining stress-free. Nevertheless, these levels need to be reduced naturally.

wikihow.com: Renal failure or impairment

If your kidneys are damaged, they cannot filter creatinine out of your body through glomerular filtration as they are supposed to. Glomerular filtration is the outflow of filtered fluid passing through your kidney.

Muscle destruction I

f you have a condition that causes the breakdown of your muscles, the broken down muscle tissue can get into your bloodstream and impair your kidneys.

High intake of meat

Eating a diet rich in cooked meat can increase the amount of creatinine in your body.

Hypothyroidism

Having a dysfunction in your thyroid gland can have an influence on your kidney function. Hypothyroidism can decrease your kidneys’ ability to properly filter waste out of your body.

healthhearty.com: TO REDUCE LEVELS OF CREATININE IN THE BLOOD

Drink Plenty of Water

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When our body gets dehydrated,the creatinine levels tend to increase. When we do not have enough fluid in our body, we produce less urine. Creatinine is washed out of our system through urine, so producing less urine will make it more difficult to flush out this toxin.You can reduce the chances of any further elevation by consuming about 8 – 10 glasses of water per day. In the morning, start your day by drinking 2 – 3 glasses of water. This will increase the frequency of urination, and as a result, more creatinine will get eliminated from the body.

On the other hand, consuming too much fluid could also have a negative effect on your kidney functions. Too much fluid could cause an increase in blood pressure, and high blood pressure can put stress on your kidneys.

Unless otherwise instructed by a doctor, it is best to keep yourself hydrated but to avoid abnormal amounts of fluid intake.

Healthy Diet

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Include plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole wheat, barley, oats, etc., into your daily diet. The protein requirement of the body can be met with lettuce, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, sprouts, radish, cucumber, cranberries and turnips. Caffeine, alcoholic and carbonated beverages are bad for this condition, as they have a diuretic effect, and may cause dehydration. Replace them with fresh fruit juice or aloe vera juice, which will keep you hydrated and at the same time provide you with good nutrition. Intake herbs like dandelion, ginseng, salvia, and cinnamon, which are known to be useful in controlling creatinine levels. Foods with refined sugar as a component should also be avoided.

Avoid Protein-Rich Food and Dairy Products

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You must stay away from foods like red meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, etc., because of their high protein content. Creatine, being a type of amino acid, is found mainly in such high protein foods. If you are looking to lower creatinine levels, then foods like chocolate, almonds, peanuts, beer, egg whites, seaweed, spirulina, sesame seeds, and gelatin should also be avoided. Dairy products will only increase the creatinine level, so avoid cheese, milk, and other dairy-based products. When less amount is supplied, then production of creatinine will also be lowered automatically by the body.

Reduce Sodium Intake

Avoid Creatine Supplements and Vanadium

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Athletes and bodybuilders often consume creatine as a dietary supplement, in order to fuel their skeletal muscles and enhance their performance. But this could be dangerous, as by supplying extra creatine, the kidney’s not only swell or increase in size but could also cause heart problems or muscle cramps. Therefore, to ensure faster reduction of creatinine levels in the blood, one must avoid creatine supplements. Vanadium is often consumed by diabetic patients, and an overdose could easily increase the creatinine levels in the blood, so one must consume it only in small amounts.

Limit the amount of potassium you consume. When dealing with kidney issues, try to avoid eating foods with a high amount of potassium because that potassium can accumulate in the body if your kidneys cannot process it correctly. Foods that are rich in potassium include:

• Dried fruits, bananas, spinach, potatoes, beans, and peas.

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High potassium foods to limit for those on renal diet with kidney disease.

Restrick Activity Level

Sleep Well

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When you sleep, most of your bodily functions decrease. This includes the body’s metabolism. As a result, the conversion of creatine to creatinine goes at a slower rate, allowing more of the creatinine already in your blood to filter out before additional toxins can build up.

Aim for six to nine hours of sleep per night, with seven or eight being an ideal amount.

Additionally, sleep deprivation can put physical stress on your entire body and force all of its parts to work harder to perform normal tasks. As a result, your kidneys can become stressed, which will decrease their ability to filter out creatinine.

wikiHow: USING UNVERIFIED HERBAL REMEDIES

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1. Drink herbal tea or Green tea  

   Certain types of herbal tea are believed to help lower the amount of creatinine in your blood. Studies supporting this benefit are limited, but the theory has not been disproved, either.

   • Drink around two 8-oz (250-ml) glasses of herbal tea each day.
   • Herbal teas worth checking out include chamomile, nettle leaf, dandelion root.
   • The idea is that these teas stimulate the kidneys and cause an increase in the production of urine. As such, more creatinine can be passed out of the body.

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2. Consider taking nettle leaf supplements. Nettle leaf may help to increase your renal excretion, with will help to eliminate excess amounts of creatinine. Nettles contain histamines and flavonoids, which can help to increase the blood flow to your kidneys, thus increasing urine filtration.
   • Nettle leaves can be taken in the form of supplements or can be made into tea.

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3. Talk to your doctor about salvia. Salvia is an herb that may increase your glomerular filtration rate, which helps to facilitate the elimination of creatinine.  Salvia contains lithospermate B, which helps to promote renal function.
   • Set up a meeting with your doctor to discuss the possible use of salvia. Do not take salvia without consulting your doctor.

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TAKING MEDICATIONS

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1.Ask your doctor about stopping certain medications. There are some medications that have been associated with high creatinine levels. Medications that can damage the kidneys pose a possible threat, but some medications used to treat kidney disease can also cause a problem.

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• If you already have kidney problems, be cautious about medications, like ibuprofen, that can cause further kidney damage when used regularly.
• ACE inhibitors and cyclosporine are both used to treat kidney disease but may cause creatinine levels to rise.
• Some nutritional supplements, like vanadium, can also cause an increase in creatinine levels and should be avoided.
• Always talk to your doctor before stopping any medication. While some of these medications may cause creatinine to rise, the good could still outweigh the bad depending on why those medications were prescribed to begin with.

2.Check into medications and supplements that may help. Depending on the underlying cause of your elevated creatinine levels and on your overall health, your doctor may advise you to include certain medications or supplements to bring those levels down.

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• Most medications that treat creatinine levels also treat an underlying problem causing an increase in those levels, so your doctor will have to diagnose the underlying condition before you can determine which medication is right for you.

3.Take diabetes medications to control your blood sugar. One common cause of kidney damage, and thus elevated creatinine levels, is diabetes. If you have diabetes, it is very important to keep your insulin levels normal to prevent further kidney damage. There are certain medications that you can take to do this.

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• Repaglinide is a commonly prescribed for diabetes. The starting dose is normally 0.5 milligrams, administered before each meal. The maximum dose is 4 milligrams, also administered before a meal. Even if you happen to skip a meal, it is important to administer the drugs.

4.Lower your blood pressure with medication. Aside from diabetes, hypertension is another factor that can contribute to kidney damage. Keeping your blood pressure under control will also help to prevent further damage to your kidneys, thus helping to lower your creatinine levels.

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• Your doctor may prescribe benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide. Normal benazepril dosages are generally between 10 and 80 milligrams a day The usual dosage of hydrochlorothiazide is between 12.5 and 50 milligrams a day.

5.Some antibiotics can be dangerous if taken incorrectly. People with kidney disease need to take smaller amounts of antibiotics than people with healthy kidneys.

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6.Take medications targeted high creatinine levels. Ketosteril is often prescribed to reduce levels of creatinine found in the bloodstream. Talk to your doctor about this medication and if it may be right for you. The regular dose is generally 4 to 8 tablets taken three time a day, at each meal. Other creatinine lowering drugs include:

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• Alpha lipoic acid (antioxidants) supplements can be used to help energize the kidneys and neutralize toxins, including creatinine. You can usually take around 300 mg each day.
• Chitosan is a weight management supplement that can also reduce the amount of creatinine in the blood. Benefits are usually reached when you take between 1000 and 4000 mg per day.

CONSIDERING MEDICAL THERAPHIES 

1.Address and treat the underlying problem. High creatinine levels are rarely an independent problem. More often than not, this issue is a symptom of something more serious. To drop the levels permanently and improve your overall health, work with your doctor to find the underlying problem and remedy that.

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• Kidney damage and chronic kidney disease are the most common causes. This damage can be caused by illness, potentially fatal infections, shock, cancer, or low blood flow.
• Type 2 diabetes is also linked to high creatinine levels.
• Other possible causes include heart failure, dehydration, excessive blood loss leading to shock, gout, physically strenuous exercise, muscle injuries, muscle disorders, and burns.

2. Research cold laser therapy. Some evidence suggests that cold laser or low level laser therapy can revitalize the kidneys and improve their overall functioning abilities. As a result, your kidneys become more capable of filtering out creatinine naturally.

 Image credit: Living Well Medical

• When used on the adrenal glands above the kidneys, cold lasers can also help reduce stress and improve sleep.
• When used on the Vagus nerve in your neck, cold lasers may help improve the circulation of blood to various organs, including the kidneys.

3.Use massage therapy. Massage therapy also will help blood circulation and reduce stress levels, which leads to pleasant sleep and relaxation.

  Image credit: Amaral Chiropractic Center 

4.Learn about blood purification therapy. While somewhat uncommon, someone who has severe kidney damage and consistently high creatinine levels may wish to consider blood purification therapy, a.k.a. hemodialysis or dialysis. The therapy is a bit extreme, but it can be very effective.

 Image credit: Kidney Disease Symptom

• During the treatment, your blood will be extracted and filtered through a machine. This machine removes creatinine and other toxins in the blood. Once cleaned, the blood is circulated back into the body.

5.Consider alternative medicine. In particular, learn about Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy. This therapy is based on traditional Chinese medicine and may help reverse minor kidney damage. Medicated baths may also help and are also rooted in traditional Chinese medicine.

• With Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy, traditional Chinese medicines are prescribed based on an individual patient’s condition. Some of these medications are applied externally, while others are applied internally via an osmoscope.
• Medicated baths can improve blood circulation. This causes the body to warm up and produce sweat. Creatinine and other toxins can then be removed from the body via the sweat.

6.Consider dialysis as a final option. If diet changes and medication do not lower your creatinine levels, talk to your doctor about dialysis. There are two types of dialysis, but the one used to lower creatinine levels is called hemodialysis.

• Hemodialysis involves using a machine to filter out waste, fluid, and salt from your blood so that your damaged kidneys do not have to.

Kidneyabc.com: Is Micro-Chinese Osmotherapy More Effective in Kidney Failure

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In the past, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant are the two common ways as the treatments of advanced Kidney Failure. However, with time goes on, some natural and conservative treatments like Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy have been invented to treat it.

As a matter of fact, Kidney Failure can be divided into two kinds: Acute Kidney Failure and Chronic Kidney Failure. The previous one can be treated by timely treatment but the latter one will need take some times. As for chronic kidney failure, Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy can help treat it effectively.

How does micro-chinese medicine osmotherapy treat kidney failure?

This therapy is invented on the basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine which is natural and healthy for patients, because these Chinese herbal medicines are produced by the machine to play the biggest medicine effects. And they are micronized and put into two bags. Patients just need to lie on the bed during the treatment process.

With the help of osmotic device, the active Chinese medicine materials will be permeated into the impaired kidney tissues and cells directly. They will be absorbed effectively to dilate the blood vessels, promote blood circulation, regulate immune system, prevent inflammation and coagulation, degrade extracullar matrixes and provide nutrients.

After several days of treatment, the damaged kidney can be repaired and renal function be improved well. The symptoms like High Creatinine, proteinuria, swelling, etc can be relieved naturally. Patients in kidney failure may have chance of avoid dialysis or kidney transplant from the root.

If you are interested in this therapy or need any help in treating Kidney Failure

 Email: kidneyabc@hotmail.com

Skype: abc.kidney

WhatsApp/Viber: +86 18730617149，+86 13503211882

As you can see, reducing levels of creatinine in the blood involve both the use of medicines to treat the underlying cause as well as some dietary changes. However, if all these efforts fail to bring about any improvement in the condition, then it is considered as a sign of kidney failure. In such cases, the patient may have to undergo dialysis.

Kidney Therapy China: IS SALVIA RECOMMENDED FOR STAGE 4 PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION

Does salvia come in a supplement form and would you recommend it with someone taking blood pressure medication?

Salvia also known as Dashen, has been successfully used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat high blood pressure. Salvia is able to lower the blood pressure by inhibiting ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme),which causes  blood vessels to narrow and blood pressure to increase.

The common treatment for high blood pressure is ACE inhibitor. They work for lots of people but also bring some side effects such as dizziness, high blood potassium level, cough, drowsiness and weakness. For those who want to avoid side effects, they can try salvia which is natural and effective treatment for high blood pressure.

Apart from blood pressure management, salvia is also good for cardiovascular diseases. It can reduce rate in kidney failure patients because cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death. Salvia has benefits for cardiovascular disease.

1. Improve blood circulation

2. Relax and widen blood vessels particular around the heart

3. Prevent the formation of thrombaxane, which reduce  blood clots from forming

4. Suppress platelet adhesion and aggression, which also can prevent blood clots from forming

5. Prevent against myocardial ischemia

Salvia can be used for stage 4 kidney failure patients with high blood pressure. Moreover, kidney theraphy China also suggest a series of Chinese medicine theraphies for patients. The treatment includes Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotheraphy, Medicated Bath, Medicinal Soup, Mai Kang Mixture, Moxibustion Theraphy and Steaming, etc. Different condition will be given different theraphy and different Chinese medicines. The active ingredients in Chinese medicine can repair injures kidney tissues and improve renal function through dilating blood vessels, improving blood circulation, preventing inflammation and coagulation, degrading extracellular matrix and providing nutrients. When renal function is improved, high blood pressure, swelling, nausea, vomiting and poor appetite,etc can all be  relieved from the root. More importantly, it is possible to reverse stage 4 kidney disease to  stage 3 or stage 2.

Salvia can be used for stage 4 kidney failure patients with high blood pressure. They can also try a series of Chinese medicine treatments to treat high blood pressure from the root.

http://www.kidneytherapychina.org/chronic-kidney-failure-treatment/2400.html

Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.

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