Renal Tubular Acidosis is a medical condition. When the kidney is unable to acidify urine, it leads to the accumulation of acid in the body. Usually, when blood is filtered by the kidney, it passes through the tubules of the nephrons (the functional unit of the kidney).

Before it flows into the bladder from the kidney, the urine undergoes an exchange of salts, acids and other solutes. Renal tubular acidosis results in the formation of excessive amounts of acid because the kidneys cannot drain them. This may happen because the kidneys cannot reabsorb the alkaline bicarbonate ions from the urine in the early segment of the nephron or because of inadequate production of acidic hydrogen ions in the latter half of the nephron.

Renal Tubular Acidosis is simply associated with abnormal urinary acidification. Other functions of the kidneys remain unimpaired.
There are several different types of renal tubular acidosis-

  Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA)
This is the most fundamental form of RTA. It is characterized when the hydrogen ions are not secreted into the lumen of the nephron by the alpha-intercalated cells of the medullary collective duct of the distal nephron. When this happens the pH of urine cannot be brought down below 5.3. Renal excretion is inhibited and hydrogen ions are not eliminated which leads to academia. At the same time, Potassium ions cannot be absorbed by the cell which leads to hypokalemia. The end result is protein retention and potassium excretion. Distal RTA can lead to the urinary stone formation, calcium deposits in the kidney, rickets and osteomalacia and Sjogren s syndrome.

  Proximal RTA
When proximal tubular cells reabsorb 85% of filtered bicarbonates and 60% of filtered sodium from the urine, then this again leads to academia. The distal intercalated cells, however, function normally and so the academia is not as severe as in case of Distal RTA. The alpha-intercalated cells can acidify urine to a pH of 5.3 or less because they produce hydrogen ions. Proximal RTA is also associated with Fanconi Syndrome which is characterized by aminoaciduria, uricosuria, glucosuria, and tubular proteinuria.

  Combined distal and proximal RTA
Inherited carbonic anhydrase II deficit leads to combined distal and proximal RTA. This is accompanied by osteopetrosis, cerebral calcification, and renal tubular acidosis. Cases of combined distal and proximal RTA are very rare.

How is RTA understood?
The following steps are applied to analyze Renal Tubular Acidosis-
  Determining the anion gap in acidosis. The normal Anion Gap is 8-12 (4-6 mEq/L)
  Separating the renal from the extrarenal causes of normal anion gap acidosis
  Classifying the types of RTA
  If it is distal RTA, further tests will be necessary to support the diagnosis

How is RTA diagnosed?
Three types of tests can reveal if a person is affected by Renal Tubular Acidosis-
  Urine test
  Acid load test
  Physical examination

Treatment of RTA-
Doctors prescribe either or both of the following two types of therapies-

  Alkali therapy- The pH level of urine is restored and electrolytes are balanced
  Vitamin D supplements- If RTA leads to bone deformities or rickets, your doctor will prescribe vitamin supplements to strengthen your bones.

Timely diagnosis can prevent the effects of Renal tubular Acidosis from becoming compounded. With the right medication, a person can lead a healthy normal life.

What Should You Know About Renal Tubular Acidosis?

Blood circulation is one of the most important functions in our body because blood is the medium that carries oxygen and all the significant nutrients to the different organs. When blood circulation takes place, a certain pressure is exerted on the arteries of the heart and the blood vessels. However, when this pressure increases, a condition called high blood pressure develops whereby the systolic and the diastolic pressure escalate above the normal levels. High blood pressure not only leads to the damage of the heart, the brain and the eyes, it also leads to the impairment of the kidneys.

To combat a fast-paced life in an urban setting, we adapt certain lifestyle measures which serve some of the core purposes, like satiating our hunger, quickly. One of these measures includes the intake of canned products. With canned foods, cooking becomes faster and easier. But, one of the major downsides of canned foods is that too much of it can lead to the development of high blood pressure.

The link between BPA and canned foods
BPA or Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical that is present in high concentrations in canned foods and beverages. According to researchers, our body contains the reproductive hormone, estrogen in a particular amount. However, BPA mimics the properties of estrogen and tampers with the cells of the heart and our blood vessels that are otherwise sensitive to estrogen, thereby increasing the chances of high blood pressure. Because of that, same reason BPA can also lead to the development of cardiovascular disorders.

BPA is also the primary chemical used to prepare the food containers or the cans. That is why when people drink or eat from these cans, the body accumulates the chemical as well.

According to medical experts, the systolic pressure rises by 5 mm of Hg after consuming two bottles of canned beverages. To detect this effect better, a medical team conducted a study using 60 men and women, among whom some were asked to drink soy milk from canned bottles and the remaining drank the same product from glass bottles. After this, these 60 men and women underwent a urine test. The test results showed that those who drank from canned bottles had a significant amount of BPA in the urine, which concluded the fact that canned foods are not such a healthy option after all.

What can you do?
So instead of opting for canned foods, another option is basing your diet around fruits and salads. But not the canned variety, but the homemade ones. If you are strapped for time, then you can look for salad bars and cafes. Else simply look for easy to prepare recipes online, prepare the food and store them in your freezer.

How Can Canned Food Products Affect Your Kidneys?

Cystitis is a painful condition when due to the inflammation of the urinary bladder, an individual is unable to comfortably relieve himself/herself. Such conditions are often painful and cause irritation and frustration among the patients. But it should also be noted that cystitis is not an uncommon infection of the urinary tract and can be treated well. Furthermore, homeopathy tries to use the body s own defence to cure diseases and infections; thus this is a very natural form of treatment, which is used to cure cystitis.

The common symptoms of this disease include the urge to frequently relieve oneself, an increase in the number of times one goes to urinate, painful urination and at times all these are accompanied with vomiting and nausea.

Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathic remedies for cystitis are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution etc. A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) is also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions. The symptoms listed against each medicine may not be directly related to this disease because in homeopathy general symptoms and constitutional indications are also taken into account for selecting the homeopathic remedies for cystitis. 

Cantharis: When the main cause of your cystitis is an inflamed bladder, Cantharis is the best remedy. Such inflammations are often accompanied with burning sensations in the urinary tract apart from a frequent urge to relieve oneself. Cantharis seems to do wonders when it comes to treating any kind of inflammation or infection. As for the burning sensation, it provides immediate relief to this. It might take some time before the cystitis is completely cured with Cantharis, but at least the patient gets some relief, gradually leading to its complete cure. The urinary tract is a very sensitive area of the human body. Any infection or inflammation in the area should be dealt with carefully. Thus, an experienced homeopathic practitioner is the right person to come to your aid. Also, it needs to be seen first whether homeopathy suits you in general or not.

Apis Mellifica: Apis has more than one use when it comes to treating cystitis. First, it is seen that Apis helps in reducing pain and burning effect while urinating in this condition, which might give rise to corroded skin. Second, it is used to treat individuals of all ages. It can be administered in the right dosage to an infant who has problems in passing urine. It can also be given to young boys who have developed cystitis due to kidney infections. Moreover, it can be used to cure cystitis in any individual who is suffering from chronic inflammation of the bladder.

Thus, Cantharis and Apis are the two most effective homeopathic remedies to cure cystitis occurring in an individual. It is always recommended to consult a specialized homeopath before taking any medication.

How To Treat Cystitis With Homeopathy?

Urinary incontinence is a health condition in men, which causes loss of bladder control. Urinary incontinence usually occurs in cases of medical conditions such as an enlarged prostate, Parkinson's disease and diabetes, and may also occur after a prostate surgery. Urinary incontinence is an irritating and embarrassing condition, but with proper treatment, it can be cured.

Here are several methods used to treat urinary incontinence:
1. Caffeine, soda and carbonated drinks cause irritation in the bladder and worsen the symptoms of urinary incontinence. Alcohol is a diuretic and increases the amount of urine too. So abstain from coffee, alcohol and soft drinks to make a difference.

2. Dietary adjustments are required for the treatment of urinary incontinence. Several spicy and acidic food items can make urinary incontinence worse. Hence, you should avoid having such foods for some time.

3. Urinary incontinence can lead to stress and you must get rid of it for better health. You can try relaxation techniques, such as meditation and breathing exercises. Biofeedback is another option by which you can observe your bladder muscle contractions on a monitor.

4. You should try a behavioral technique known as bladder training. This would require you to urinate every half hour, in spite of not having the urge. Slowly try to increase the time in between the bathroom breaks.

5. You need to flex your muscles to gain control over urinary incontinence. Kegel exercises can be practiced as these boost the strength of your pelvic muscles. You should find the right muscles that are required to stop the passing of gas.

6. Pads and disposable undergarments can be used by men. These help in preventing leaks and also protect the skin from irritation and odor.

7. There are several medicines, which help in the treatment of urinary incontinence in men. Some of these work to relax muscles for preventing unwanted bladder contractions, while others help in blocking the nerve signals to the bladder. Drugs used for the shrinking of an enlarged prostate may also be used in some cases.

Surgery is the ultimate option for the treatment of urinary incontinence. Options include a male sling for urinary incontinence. A type of material is wrapped around the urethra for compressing it. Leaks because of coughing, sneezing or laughing are prevented. Artificial sphincter implants may also be used for treatment of urinary incontinence. A cuff is used in order to close the urethra. Urine is released by squeezing the pump to open the cuff. A device similar to a pacemaker is used to stimulate nerves, which help in relaxing the bladder and pelvic floor.

Urinary incontinence is a condition which causes reduced self confidence in men. But there are several ways to treat this condition which include home remedies as well as medications and surgery.

Urinary Incontinence Treatment Options in Men

Hunner's ulcers, simply put are painful ulcers in your urinary bladder. These ulcers are inextricably linked to another disorder called the painful bladder syndrome or intestinal cystitis. They occur in 10 to 15 percent of people with interstitia cystitis. These, in fact, are red patches or lesions on the bladder wall which can stiffen tissue and cause reduced bladder capacity. Hunner s ulcers bleed, ooze pus and can be of different sizes. The ulcers in the bladder can be extremely painful and uncomfortable.

These are called Hunner s ulcers because they were first described by Dr. Guy LeRoy Hunner, a Johns Hopkins gynecologist, in 1915. Since Hunner s ulcers are seen only in people with intestinal cystitis, it s important to know more about this painful life-altering bladder disorder before we can even understand how to deal with them.

Interstitial cystitis (IC)
IC is also called painful bladder syndrome. Another important thing to know about IC is that it strikes more women than men. IC is a chronic disorder and there s no cure for it. It causes recurring bouts of pain and pressure in the urinary bladder and the pelvic area. This is often accompanied by an urgent and frequent need to urinate. Sufferers may have to rush to the  loo  as much as 40, 50, or 60 times a day.

Diagnosis
Hunner's ulcers can only be accurately diagnosed by doing a cytoscopy which involves inserting a fibre-optic tube through the urethra to look at the bladder wall closely. During this procedure, a tissue sample from the bladder wall is usually also taken to rule out bladder cancer. Cytoscopy is usually done with hydrodistention under local anesthesia. This involves filling the bladder with a liquid for stretching it to provide a closer view of the bladder wall. Usually, a urologist performs this surgery along with a gynaecologist. IC and also Hunner s ulcers are both a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that they re diagnosed only after a number of other conditions have been ruled out.

Hence, the urologist will first take your thorough medical history, followed by a physical exam and a pelvic exam for women patients and perform tests for ruling out infection, and other disorders like bladder stones and cancer, kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, endometriosis, sexually transmitted diseases amongst others. Only after these tests are inconclusive or uncertain and if there is blood in urine, will the urologist go for cystoscopy.

Treatment
There's no cure for IC, but Hunner s ulcers can be cured by burning them off the bladder wall. Called fulguration, the process uses electricity or laser to burn the ulcers on the bladder wall. Resection is also used in which skin from around the Hunner s ulcer is cut for removing both the ulcer and the inflamed tissue around it. The problem is that ulcers may recur in the same location.
So, managing IC becomes critical. Your doctor can try to treat the patient with one treatment or with a combination of treatment depending on the condition of the patient.

Pain medicines are the first line of treatment to manage Hunner s ulcers and IC both, and many patients do go in for this. Patients also find relief by modifying their diet to remove foods and drinks like caffeinated beverages- tea, coffee, colas etc. Sodas, artificial sugars and fruit juices, especially Cranberry juice can trigger intense pain and discomfort, so these are usually contraindicated. Another important aspect is patient education about normal bladder function and tips on self-care and behavioural modifications like stress control to manage Hunner s ulcers.

Hunner's Ulcer In Urinary Bladder - How They Can Be Treated?

Two kidneys are present on either side of the spine, above the waist. The kidneys perform important functions of cleansing the blood, controlling blood pressure and maintaining salt and mineral balances. Kidney related issues are to be treated as soon as they occur as failing to do so might lead to kidney failure, which is a serious condition.

Ayurvedic approach for treating kidney related problems
Each type of medical treatment has their distinctive approaches towards such treatment and so does Ayurvedic care. The weak body is toned up in a natural way in the first stage. The second stage is the prevention of diseases using natural remedies and the final stage is treatment through ayurvedic care.

Causes for kidney related issues and Ayurvedic care for such issues
The causes for kidney related issues are toxins, anatomical abnormalities, abiotic stress, mental imbalance, the easy entrance of microvita, and side effects of various allopathic medicines. One major reason for kidney related problems is the side effects of modern medicines or over dosage of allopathic medication. On the contrary, the medication system of Ayurveda effectively treats all the issues in a natural way without imposing ill-effects to the human body.

When to seek Ayurvedic care?
A few symptoms, the occurrence of which indicates that you should consult a doctor for checking of kidney related issues are nausea, weakness, ankle swelling, vomiting and shortness of breath. A few other symptoms are high blood pressure or urea and decreased hemoglobin. If these symptoms are due to kidney related problems, Ayurveda cure for kidney related issues is one of the best options for recovery.

Prevention of kidney failure- Ayurveda treatment to avoid dialysis
"Prevention is better than cure." If kidney problems arise, it is best to take preventive measures to avoid kidney failure. A few things that help in preventing kidney failure are controlling blood pressure, controlling blood sugar and improving breathing pattern. Diet plays a major role in preventing kidney failure. Ayurveda approach insists the change of acidic diet to an alkaline one. Diabetes and blood sugar can also lead to kidney failure. According to Ayurveda, natural remedies are available to treat chronic kidney failure patients. Dialysis can be avoided and the kidney functions can be restored with the help of a few herbal remedies in the Ayurveda approach. The level of creatinine and urea are controlled effectively by Ayurveda treatment

Recovery using Ayurveda care for kidney failure patients
Kidney damage for a period of 3 months or more is known as chronic kidney failure. The treatment of underlying cause, treatment of damaged kidneys and treatment of dhatus (body tissues) which makes up the kidneys are done in the case of Ayurvedic care. The kidneys are made up of "Rakta" and "Meda" and treating these two will lead to recovery. The benefits of using Ayurvedic medications for kidney related issues are plenty. The kidney damage is recovered, the risk of death can be reduced to a significant extent and frequency of dialysis can be minimized effectively.

Kidney Issues - How Ayurveda Can Help You?

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