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Kidney Health


Treatments for Kidney Diseases

Treatments for kidney diseases vary according to the type and seriousness of the kidney problem. Few kidney conditions are temporary and reversible. Most are permanent and irreversible. While simple cases can be treated with preventive measures and drugs, severe cases need kidney transplants and kidney dialysis.

Preventive measures:

Healthy and balanced diets, ample fluid intake, maintenance of genital hygiene, and maintaining proper sexual health are some of the ways to avoid kidney problems. But once afflicted with kidney problems one needs to take medical treatments.

Dietary measures:

Once the kidney has started functioning below the normal level, it is advisable to give the kidney less work. Less fluid intake will reduce the filtering load on the kidneys. But if the patient is suffering from other kidney diseases like kidney infection, then more fluid intake is advised to flush out the infection. The right amount of fluid intake to balance these two conditions is to be calculated – and this can be discussed with your doctor. Intake of proteins is also to be reduced to reduce the work load of the kidneys.

Antibiotics treatment:

The immune system of the body naturally tackles many of the ailments of the body. In the case of urinary tract infections, the immune system of the body and plenty of fluid intakes should be enough to naturally heal the body. But if the infection and pain continues then antibiotics like Levaquin and Macrodantin can be prescribed.

Treatment of the cause:

Often kidney diseases are a consequence of some other underlying disease such as diabetes and blood pressure. In such cases the underlying cause of kidney problems is to be treated.

Treatments for diabetes include dietary changes, exercises, medication and insulin shots. Lifestyle changes are also prescribed for management of both diabetes and blood pressure.

Treatments for blood pressure include,
(i)Angiotensin converting enzymes which allow relaxation of blood vessels, and, (ii)Angiotensin II receptor blockers which allow relaxation of blood pressure. Both the treatments reduce blood pressure and thereby the strain on kidneys. This enables kidney to regulate blood pressure.

Research and development measures:

Scientists continue in their pursuit of finding treatments for kidney diseases. They have formulated a compound named the CFTR inhibitors which are likely to treat polycystic kidney disease successfully. Polycystic kidney disease is a genetically acquired disease. UCLA has made some breakthrough in simulated kidneys which work on the body from outside. This can replace kidney dialysis and kidney transplant as a mode of treatment. It is just a matter of time before these simulated kidneys can be placed within the body, similar to pace makers for the heart.

Talk to your doctor about any kidney concerns you may have, eat healthy food and exercise regularly.