End Stage Renal Disease : Causes, Symptoms, And Home Remedies

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End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is an alarmingly advanced stage of kidney disease. At this stage of the disease, the kidneys lose more than 90 percent of their normal ability of filtering the blood by eliminating toxins (waste) and extra water from the body. With chronic kidney disease classified into 5 stages on the basis of the severity of damage caused to the kidneys at each stage, End Stage Renal Disease is the final stage or Stage 5 of the disease. The progression of chronic kidney disease between the 5 stages is generally a gradual process which can span between 10 to 20 years.

End Stage Renal Disease is essentially a stage of kidney failure because the damage caused to the kidneys due to a chronic kidney condition cannot be repaired or reversed. With the kidneys functioning at less than 10 percent of their ability at this life-threatening stage, toxins start building up in the body due to the inability of the kidneys to flush them out. The condition can usually lead to several other health complications, particularly those related to bone health, blood pressure, and the production of red blood cells.End Stage Renal Disease patients have to undergo advanced medical treatments like Dialysis or require donor kidneys for survival.

Causes of End Stage Renal Disease

The two most common causes of End Stage Renal Disease are Diabetes and High blood pressure (Hypertension). These medical conditions can cause chronic kidney disease and, over a period of time, lead to serious kidney damage.

Diabetes and Hypertension are considered the main reasons for kidney failure because Diabetes causes damage to the small filters in the kidneys due to excess blood-sugar levels; while Hypertension causes damage to the blood vessels in the kidneys, making it difficult for the kidneys to eliminate toxins effectively.

Besides these two conditions, some of the other causes of End Stage Renal Disease include:

  • Chronic infections or blockages in the urinary tract
  • Autoimmune disorders such as lupus and IgA nephropathy
  • Injury or severe blow to the kidneys
  • Use of painkillers in extreme
  • A genetic condition called ‘Polycystic kidney disease’ in which growth of cysts in the kidneys hampers normal kidney functions.

Symptoms of End Stage Renal Disease

There are some symptoms which hint at a severe deterioration of kidney functions; thereby indicating the possible onset of End Stage Renal Disease. These symptoms, most commonly, include:

symptoms of ESRD

  • Changes in urination
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Swelling in the face
  • Swollen hands and ankles
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weight loss
  • Chest pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Metallic taste in the mouth due to uremia
  • Fractures, bone pain, or muscle cramps
  • Changes in skin and nails
  • Epidermal rashes or itching
  • Edema (water retention)
  • Sleep problems
  • Confusion and poor concentration
  • Sexual dysfunction.

Home Remedies for End-Stage Renal Disease

Some beneficial home remedies can be effective in managing the Symptoms of End Stage Renal Disease. These remedies are:

Adopt a Low-Salt Diet

Reducing salt in the diet ensures that the fluid balance in the body remains appropriate so that the excessive strain which End Stage Renal Disease puts on the kidneys does not get worse. A low-salt diet would ideally include the addition of fruits and vegetable to the diet, and avoiding frozen and spicy foods.

Check Potassium Intake

Patients suffering from End Stage Renal Disease should ensure that their intake of potassium from foods is optimum, in accordance with their case. While some patients may be asked by the doctors to consume low-potassium foods and avoid bananas, oranges, tomatoes, spinach, potatoes, and other high potassium concentration foods; other patients may be asked to increase their potassium intake.

Drink Baking Soda Mixed in Water

Baking soda has the ability to neutralize the acid content in the body and, thereby, slow down the pace of progression of End Stage Renal Disease and other kidney problems. To benefit from this remedy, patients suffering from kidney disorders should regularly drink a mixture of one teaspoon of baking soda in one glass of water.

Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Patients with kidney ailments can benefit considerably from the use of extra virgin Olive oil for cooking. Replacing other oils with Olive oil in food preparations can facilitate the detoxification of the body and soothe inflammation. Overall, Olive oil use can slow down the progression of chronic kidney disease.

home remdies for ESRD

Keep Yourself Hydrated

Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. But in end-stage or so fluid intake has to be limited to avoid the extra burden on kidneys. Water has unique dissolving properties that dilute the urine, and this dilution prevents the formation of clusters of minerals and salts (stones) in the body.

Prefer Herbal Tea

Nettle leaf tea is best for kidney patients. Tea prepared out of coriander, thyme and fennel seeds is the best home remedy for nausea and vomiting that is a very common complication of kidney failure.

Final Note

Along with the above-mentioned home remedies, patients of End Stage Renal Disease should also reduce their protein intake, and drink parsley juice and Aloe Vera juice. These home remedies can stimulate the kidneys and ease the symptoms of chronic kidney disease.

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