Blood in urine, medically known as Hematuria is not usually a cause of concern, but it can translate into an adverse condition if left unevaluated. The kidneys and other structures in the urinary tracts such as urethra (tube connecting the bladder to the outer part of the body); bladder (that stores the urine) and ureters (tube joining the bladder to the kidney) are the sources of blood flow to the urine. Hematuria can be accompanied by symptoms such as discharge of tea-colored, brownish-red or pink colored urine due to the presence of red blood cells, traces of which can only be detected under the microscope.

Underlying causes behind this disorder might be

Urinary tract infection is where the bacteria enter the body through the urethra and begin to proliferate in the bladder.
Kidney infections (pyelonephritis) is when bacteria infiltrate into the kidneys from the bloodstream or travel up from the uterus to the kidneys.
A kidney or a bladder stone is marked by the minerals in the concentrated urine precipitating out and molding into crystals that deposit on the bladder or kidney walls.
Enlarged prostate is a condition in which the prostate gland, that is situated just below the bladder surrounding the upper part of the urethra, starts growing as males head towards their middle age.
Kidney disease such as glomerulonephritis causes swelling of the kidneys, thus disrupting the filtering system.
Bladder, kidney and prostate cancer are also possible causes.
Hereditary disorders such as sickle cell anemia (a hereditary disease of the red blood cells in the hemoglobin) can also pose as a cause behind this disorder.
Kidney injury as a result of heavy blows, accidents or injuries sustained while playing a spot can also contribute to this condition.
Medications such as penicillin or the anti-cancer drug  cyclophosphamide 
Strenuous physical exercises like intense workout or running may also result in Hematuria.
Treatments
There is no fixed cure for Hematuria; instead the doctor would work on treating the repressed conditions behind the symptoms, such as prescribing antibiotics to heal the urinary tract infection or a medicine to shrink and normalize the enlarged prostate or administer a shock wave therapy to destroy the kidney or bladder stones. 

Blood in Urine - 10 Reasons Behind It!

What is Diabetic Nephropathy?

Diabetic nephropathy (Diabetic Kidney Disease) is defined as the progressive damage to the kidneys caused by diabetes. It is characterised by the scarring of the glomeruli in the kidneys due to prolonged diabetes mellitus.

What Causes Diabetic Nephropathy?

Diabetes is a condition characterized by high concentration of blood sugar. Although the cause of Diabetes Nephropathy is not yet well defined, it is likely that the high sugar levels in the blood damage the blood vessels present in the kidneys that help to filter waste products, thus resulting in decreased kidney function and ultimately, kidney failure.

Not everyone with diabetes suffers from diabetic nephropathy. Although, factors that can increase your chances of getting diabetic neuropathy are-

Smoking

Poor control of blood glucose

High blood pressure

History of kidney diseases

What are the symptoms of diabetic nephropathy?

In the early stages, there may be no symptoms at all, but as the disease progresses, you may notice swelling in the extremities like your feet. Thus it is recommended to get your blood albumin levels tested on a regular basis. If it is diagnosed in early stages, the damage can be reversed. Other symptoms that can indicate damage to the kidneys are-

Severe malaise

Headaches

Nausea

Lack of appetite

Frequent voiding

Itchiness of skin

General feeling of illness

Diagnostic tests that can confirm diabetic nephropathy are-

Routine urine test (urinalysis) - Kidney diseases are detected by the presence of a protein in the urine called albumin and this condition is called albuminuria. Other parameters that must be regularly monitored are-

Blood pressure

Cholesterol levels in your blood

How can you treat/ manage diabetic nephropathy?

If this type of nephropathy is diagnosed in the early stages, the damage to the kidneys can be reversible. The key to managing diabetic nephropathy are-

Diet: Reduce the dietary intake of salt, phosphorous and potassium in the advanced stages.

Glycemic Control: Monitor your blood glucose levels regularly

Management of Hypertension: It is important to manage your blood pressure as it can have a direct effect on the coronary blood vessels which in turn pump blood to the various blood vessels of the body

Renal Replacement Therapy: In chronically ill patients, renal replacement therapy is the best option. This can include haemodialysis (a procedure to flush out toxins from the blood, such as urea), peritoneal dialysis or ultimately renal transplantation.

Diabetic Nephropathy - Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Often, early stages of kidney diseases do not come with specific signs and symptoms and most people will remain unaware of their condition. However, certain symptoms may be perceived that may indicate that a person is suffering from early stages of kidney failure. When you are diagnosed with kidney failure (also known as renal failure) in the initial stages, certain measures can be taken to retard the progression of the renal disease. This can also help reverse the condition and improve the quality of life of the patient. On the basis of a typical cause, the symptoms of kidney failure are grouped into specific categories that are given below. If you notice any of the specified renal failure symptoms, it is recommended to immediately fix up an appointment with your doctor and get your diagnostic tests done. 

Symptoms of Renal Failure from the accumulation of waste products in the body: 

Metallic taste in mouth 
Nausea and vomiting 
Facing difficulty in concentrating 
Loss of appetite 
Aversion towards meat (protein aversion) 
Itching or pruritus 
Symptoms of Renal Failure from the accumulation of fluid in the body: 

Dyspnoea or shortness of breath (this happens due to the accumulation of fluid in the lungs).
Swelling is seen in the feet, hands or face. 
Symptoms of Kidney Failure from damage to the kidneys: 

The amount of urine production changes, though it is not a reliable sign Haematuria or blood in the urine (usually in microscopic quantity). 
Frothiness or foam in the urine (usually happens when protein is present in the urine). 
Symptoms of Kidney Failure due to decreased blood production (anemia): 

Dyspnoea or shortness of breath. 
Fatigue Weakness. 
Confusion If you happen to feel cold all the time. 
The following diagnostic tests will be performed by your doctor in order to determine whether the symptoms are the manifestation of a kidney failure or not: 

Urine analysis - In this test, a sample of your urine is tested to find traces of blood, white blood cells or proteins which may indicate a problem in kidney function. 
Blood Tests - This includes tests for BUN and creatinine in the blood which are usually removed from the blood if the kidneys function properly. 
Actions must be taken when you show signs and symptoms of kidney failure: 

It is common that the symptoms of early renal failure are not always prominent, but if any of the above symptoms are witnessed, it is recommended to met a physician to determine whether they are caused by a kidney disease. You can pen-down the symptoms that you feel are related and bring it to the doctor when you fix up the next appointment. It is essential to know about your disease at the earliest as it will give you time and the ease of taking measures to retard the damage process and will decrease or delay the probability of undergoing dialysis or kidney transplant.

Kidney Failure - What Should You Know About it?

Dialysis refers to the medical procedure that removes toxins, solutes, and excess water from the blood in patients whose kidneys cannot perform the blood filtration process naturally. Dialysis is advised to those patients who have been diagnosed with chronic kidney failure (CKF) or chronic kidney disease. In such cases, the kidneys of the patient lose their ability to expel the body s waste in the form of urine, which is a case of kidney failure. The condition of kidney failure is fatal in nature and this is why dialysis (artificial urine removal) is prescribed but it is highly uncomfortable to the patient and is also costly. This is why patients do not want to get dependent on dialysis and look for other remedies as once one gets on dialysis, there is no looking back. There is no allopathic medicine that can cure kidney failure and restore its normal functions. 

A kidney transplant is the only option but if one takes recourse to homeopathy, a cure is possible. Homeopathy does not offer a replacement for dialysis but it does have medicines that can restore the damaged kidneys to the normal state. 

How?
Well, homeopathic medicines work in three ways   they control the conditions that cause damage to the kidneys and thus, prevent further damage to the kidneys, they remove the root cause of renal failure, and they strengthen the immune system of the patient, helping the organs of the body to perform normal functions without any problem. Homeopathic medicines have worked in many patients and when the treatment is done under watchful and expert eyes, the patient can start experiencing relief within a few weeks. After some months, the patient can get rid of their kidney problem completely and lead a normal life. Homeopathic medicines have many advantages over dialysis and allopathic treatment, including the following:

Homeopathic treatment course has a shorter duration in comparison to allopathy that can stretch for the lifetime of the patient. The former takes two to five years, depending on the severity of kidney failure, to cure the patient.
Homeopathy does not have any side effects but dialysis and kidney transplant are painful for the patient and also take a toll on the body. Though transplant is a popular remedy, it may not be successful and is not advisable for all patients with renal failure.
Homeopathy is cost-effective whereas dialysis is expensive.
Homeopathy aids those patients who have a high rejection percentage of a new kidney (who are looking to get kidney transplant). If such patients take homeopathic medicines, then this percentage can come down.
Homeopathy works in a holistic manner. It also treats the tumors and cysts of the kidney, which allopathy does not. The former also takes care of disorders and diseases associated with renal failure such as diabetes and hypertension, an advantage that is missing in the case of latter.
Some homeopathy remedies that are known to cure kidney failure include Aconyte, Apocynum, Belladonna, Digitalis, Kali chloricum, and Phosphorous. These medicines can be taken on a normal basis by patients but it is recommended to consult an expert homeopathic practitioner for the treatment of renal failure. Such a practitioner can diagnose and treat the problem accurately and in lesser time.

Dialysis Can Be Stopped By Homeopathy!

When your kidney function falls below a certain point, it is referred to as a kidney failure or renal failure. Fortunately, you can still continue to lead a normal life with the right treatment for renal failure. Here are the three best treatments that you can choose depending on your condition and lifestyle:

1. Dialysis: Dialysis is the process that takes over the function of your kidneys to filter out the waste from your blood and maintain the proper balance of chemicals in the blood. You may use dialysis for many years or as a short-term treatment while waiting for a kidney transplant. Dialysis is not a cure for kidney disease, rather it helps you deal with renal failure. It is life-saving and without it, the kidneys will no longer function.

There are two types of dialysis treatments that you can choose from:

Hemodialysis   This type uses a machine to remove waste from the blood and sends it back to your body. It can be done at home or at a dialysis center.
Peritoneal Dialysis   This type uses the lining of your belly called the Peritoneum to do the work of your kidneys. A catheter and dialysis solution is used to carry out the function.
There are benefits and complications for each type of dialysis. The treatment decision will largely depend on the patient s illness and their past medical history. Discuss with your doctor to decide the best option for you.

2. Kidney Transplant: Kidney transplants can provide a better quality of life than dialysis and can be seen as a potential cure for kidney failure. A healthy kidney from a live donor or deceased donor is surgically placed in your body as a replacement to the failed kidneys. Although this may be a better option for you, it has certain shortcomings. There is an element of rejection and you may have to wait for a long time to get a donor. Extensive testing and anti-rejection medications are prescribed with this treatment.

3. Palliative Care: Rather than cure, it is the care that people with serious illness need. With so much to deal with, the patients have an array of tough questions and challenges to deal with. Patients need to take into account all medical options and care options based on their condition and severity of the renal failure.

Making the right treatment choice is difficult and that too when you are ill. It is normal to be fearful and worried about the risks involved. Get support from your family and doctor to help you make the right treatment choice. It may also be helpful to visit a dialysis or transplant center to talks to others who have been through these treatments.

3 Best Treatments for Renal Failure!

What are the functions of the kidney? 

The kidneys filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. As kidneys fail, the waste accumulates in the body. The two most important enzymes, which kidney makes are erythropoietin & renin. Erythropoietin are made by the kidneys if there is less oxygen in the blood. It tells the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. So this means there will be more oxygen carried in the blood.

Renin is made by the kidney if there is low blood pressure, low volume of blood, or too low salts in the blood Renin make the blood vessels smaller and tells the adrenal gland to make aldosterone. It also makes a person feel thirsty and all of this makes the blood pressure go up. Since Kidney plays a very important role in the overall functioning of the body, it s very important to take care of its health. 

Let s have a look on various kind of kidney disease including the one which are chronic:

Kidney stones
Kidney Infections
Glomerulonephritis
Congenital Kidney disease
Diabetic Nephropathy
Hypertensive Nephropathy
Cancer 

Now what is Chronic Kidney Disease?
Chronic kidney disease include conditions that damage your kidneys and decrease their ability to keep healthy by doing the jobs listed, if it gets worse, wastes can build to high levels in the blood and make person sick.
Chronic kidney disease is caused by diabetes, high blood pressure and other disorders.

What causes chronic kidney disease?
The two main causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes & high blood pressure which are responsible for up to two third of the cases. Other conditions that affect the kidney are:
1. A group of diseases that cause inflammation and damage to the kidney s filtering unit.
2. Inherited disease such as poly cystic kidney disease.
3. Malformation that occur as a baby develop in mother s womb.
4. Lupus and other disease that affect the body s immune system.
5. Repeated urinary infections.

What are the symptoms of chronic kidney disease?
1. Feel more tired and have less energy
2. Have trouble concentrating
3. Poor appetite
4. Trouble sleeping
5. Muscle cramping at night
6. Swollen feet and ankles
7. Puffiness around the eyes especially in the morning
8. Dry itchy skin
9. Need to urinate more often, especially at night. 
In case of the similar symptoms one needs to get it diagnosed and connect with the physician for good care and treatment. Stay Healthy!

Chronic Kidney Disease - 9 Symptoms that Can Help You Detect it 

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