Treatments For Renal Insufficiency

Renal insufficiency often termed as renal failure is a medical condition caused by the inefficiency of the kidneys to filter toxins and waste products from the blood. This condition may result from either acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease.

Renal failure or insufficiency is actually nothing but a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate of the nephrons. This condition is detected by elevated levels of creatinine.

Symptoms of renal failure

The symptoms associated with renal insufficiency may differ from person to person. Usually, the earlier stage shows little or no symptoms, but as the disease progresses, the symptoms tend to worsen. Arrhythmias, shortness of breath, swelling of limbs, bone damage, itching, vomiting, uremia, dark urine, muscular cramps, weight loss, nausea etc are commonly observed symptoms in people suffering from this disease.

Treatment options of renal insufficiency

There are a wide range of treatments available to control renal failure and they differ as per the cause of the disease and the severity. There is actually no cure for this disease. It can only be treated and the symptoms can be controlled. So as to aid slow progression of this disease, one can make use of herbal medications.

Other treatment measures include some lifestyle modifications such as protein restriction, salt intake regulation, control of high BP etc. Also, fluid retention should be avoided. Potassium should not be consumed in excess as it tends to cause high level of abnormal heart rhythms and may lead to osteoporosis and other bone issues. Smoking and alcoholism is a strict no-no. Other than these, use of common OTC drugs such as those mentioned below should be minimized. Diet should include apricots, bananas, milk, cheese, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables and fibrous foods to keep bowels clean.

Ulcer medications

Pseudo ephedrine and certain herbs should be taken in moderate amounts.

Laxatives

Use of laxatives such as milk of magnesia, Mylanta etc should be stopped. Instead, try high fiber foods to clear the bowels.

Analgesics

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, ibuprofen etc are known to aggravate symptoms of this disease. Hence these medications should be taken only when prescribed by a doctor.

Losing weight, reducing stress and dietary modifications can replace lost kidney function effectively. Antibiotics may be needed to reduce chances of any infection.

In case of severe cases of renal failure and irreversible damage to the kidney, renal replacement therapy or kidney transplant may be required.

Control of renal failure

Monitoring blood glucose levels, diet and lifestyle modifications and regular BP checks should be done so as to prevent and stop the disease at the very first stage. Also, other complications arising due to renal failure must be treated. Fluid retention may be treated by help of using diuretic medications.

Anemia may be treated by erythropoesis stimulating agents and drugs. Bone diseases occurring due to renal failure may be treated by sunbathing which increases the vitamin D uptake which is essential for bone health. Phosphorous binding agents also help increase bone density and prevent bone problems.