Kidneys are one of the most vital organs in our bodies that are responsible for so many aspects of our health. They are to remove waste products, extra fluids, and toxins from our blood, maintain blood pressure, produce red blood cells, and balance the electrolytes in our body – however, when diseased they do not work properly and can be referred to as kidney disease; this usually comes with symptoms that develop gradually.

This blog post by Dr. Bismah Irfan mentions an Integrative Medicine Approach to Kidney Disease!

Kidney Disease Symptoms

Kidney disease often progresses slowly and remains undetected until later stages. But common indicators include 

• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Blood in the urine
• Foamy urine
• High blood pressure
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue and weakness
• Puffiness around the eyes (edema)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Trouble sleeping

If you have any of the above symptoms then you should seek the services of a healthcare provider because the disease if diagnosed in the early stages can be managed and other complications resulting from kidney diseases may occur.

What Causes Kidney Disease?

Multiple factors may contribute to kidney disease. Common culprits may include: 

• High Blood Sugar
• High Blood Pressure
• Autoimmune Diseases
• Polycystic Kidney Disease
• Glomerulonephritis
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Medication and Toxins

Functional Medicine Labs to Assess Root Cause of Kidney Disease

While conventional medicine primarily addresses symptoms, functional medicine takes an Integrative Medicine Approach to Kidney Disease – often through laboratory tests to gain greater insight into your health status. Dr. Bismah Irfan, one of the premier kidney experts, might advise these tests:

• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): This blood test determines levels of electrolytes, sugar, and protein in the client’s blood to establish a general perspective of the kidneys.
• Microalbumin Urinalysis: This test estimates the amount of albumin, a protein that is present in large quantities in blood plasma, in urine. An elevated amount can show kidney disease as the first sign of the problem.
• Urine Culture: This test identifies bacteria that are in urine to help in diagnosing urinary tract infections which can lead to kidney disease.
• Hair Elements Test: Not regarded as conventional testing, functional medicine specialists incorporate hair testing to determine minerals and heavy metals that may lead to kidney problems.
• Diabetes Panel: This group of tests assists in the determination of the extent of compliance with blood sugar management and other diabetes-related complications that may have an adverse effect on kidney function.

Integrative Nutrition for Kidney Disease

Dieting to support kidney health is key in controlling kidney disease. Here are a few dietary principles you should keep in mind:

• Limit Protein Intake
• Monitor Sodium Intake.
• Increase Your Fruit and Vegetable Intake
• Limit Potassium and Phosphorus Intake
• Limit Fluid Intake

Check out the renal diet breakfast plan recommended by Dr. Bismah here!

Dietary Changes for Kidney Disease

Here are a few dietary patterns that could prove helpful for individuals living with kidney disease:

• Mediterranean Diet: This diet pattern described here is beneficial when it comes to heart health as well as kidney health because it focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins.
• DASH Diet: There is evidence that the DASH diet is effective in reducing blood pressure and improving the condition of the kidneys, which is beneficial in many ways as time goes on.
• Low-Protein Diet: For people with stage 3 and 4 chronic kidney disease, reducing the amount of protein intake may help reduce the pressure on the kidneys and the organs’ workload.

Consult with the concerned healthcare providers or kidney specialist doctors to get a diet plan that is unique to your needs and preferences.

Final Thoughts

An Integrative Medicine Approach To Kidney Disease combines traditional treatment methods, and complementary treatments, functional laboratories, and dietary changes. Having a doctor or other healthcare personnel with such an integrative approach to treatment enables one to get an additional understanding of the situation, acquire more information about a particular disease, and actively participate in treatment and enhancement of one’s quality of life.

It is therefore very crucial to diagnose kidney disease in its infantile stage to effectively treat it. If you observe the signs that reflect a kidney ailment, do not waste much time consulting with a healthcare provider, such as Dr. Bismah Irfan, who provides clients with detailed kidney care plans developed solely for each client to ensure maximum health benefits.