KundanKidneyCare - Kundan Kidney Care Centre

There are so many reasons we should maintain our health to prevent kidney disease in the first place, or maintain as much health as possible after contracting the disease. But if kidney failure progresses so far that a transplant occurs, most people would expect that the surgery solves everything. With a lower rate of organ rejection than ever before, almost all transplant recipients should finally rest easy that health problems related to diseased kidneys are over. Right?

Unfortunately, that may not be entirely true.
Over time, more than half of all kidney transplant recipients develop endocrinal, or hormonal, problems. These can lead to later health issues such as diabetes, higher cholesterol levels, and even osteoporosis. Kidney patients may feel that it’s just not fair, to be at risk of something like diabetes because of failing kidneys, and then be at risk for the same thing after that problem was supposedly rectified.

The reasons for these risks stem in part from the procedures connected with the transplant itself. Immunosuppressants are given to transplant patients to help the body not reject the new organ. But these suppressants include drugs that can reduce the body’s ability to make insulin. By some accounts, as many as one-quarter of kidney transplant patients develop diabetes some time after their surgery.

Other complications may involve leptin levels. Leptins help to regulate appetite, but researchers have recognized another correlation in which they are involved. In transplant patients, when leptin levels are high, bone production appears to be reduced, meaning the possible development of osteoporosis.

Transplantation can save lives, but it’s not the ideal solution to kidney disease. The real solution should be for people to be in excellent health before any disease can develop. And if it does occur, they need to try to heal the kidneys and maintain the best health possible in the meantime.

(Further reading: The Times of India, January 6, 2011; RxPG News, December 27, 2010)

Risk Factors

Kidney Disease and Painkiller Safety

KundanKidneyCare May 13, 2015

If a person’s kidneys become compromised, one of the first steps often taken is to alter their diet. Good exercise and a healthy lifestyle are also vital. But as they plan how to eat and exercise, many people forget another important element in trying to keep their kidneys healthy: common, everyday painkillers.

The labels on these painkillers, with suggested dosages and durations for use, are on the containers for a reason. In general, no painkiller should be taken for more than three days for a fever, or for longer than ten days for pain. This is why doctors recommend that even if a person’s kidney function is normal, they should take as low a dose of painkillers as possible, and should take them for the shortest possible time.

Yet some people have conditions for which painkillers are actually recommended: for example, a heart condition for which they take aspirin. Are these patients now doomed to choose between heart problems and kidney problems? Fortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case. The aspirin dose is usually low enough that it doesn’t affect kidney function.

Aspirin, in fact, seems to be the painkiller that does the least harm, at least when taken in moderate amounts. Yet the characteristic that makes them most useful with heart problems (blood thinning) can cause other health issues. So the user still must be careful about potential stomach bleeding or ulcers, and if their liver is compromised, even aspirin could be off the table as a painkiller.

Some painkillers, the NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), can actually cause a form of kidney disease called chronic interstitial nephritis, if taken for too long. Ibuprofen and naproxen are the main culprits for this. They should be avoided by anyone who knows their kidneys have impaired function, and should be used with a doctor’s guidance if the patient has other issues like liver disease or high blood pressure.

Acetominophen seems to be the only relatively safe painkiller if the patient can’t tolerate aspirin. Doctors warn against drinking alcohol while taking this drug, but kidney patients should be treating alcohol moderately anyway. And even this medicine should be taken under a physician’s guidance.

People inevitably need painkillers from time to time. But the more they know about how these medicines affect the kidneys, the less casually they may take them. Convenient and effective as they are, these drugs can still have devastating side effects, especially when it comes to kidney health.

Kidney Disease

Kidney Diseases Have Bad Impact on Sex Life

KundanKidneyCare May 13, 2015

Kidney diseases can adversely affect your sex life by decreasing sexual interest and ability. There are a variety of factors that contribute to this including chemical and physical changes and medication which impinge on sexual function.

The body undergoes chemical changes when it is afflicted with a kidney disease which affects hormones, circulation, energy level and nerve function. Meanwhile, physical changes may also make kidney patients feel less sexually attractive. For example, steroids cause water retention resulting to weight gain, acne and hair growth or loss. Surgical scars can also make patients insecure about their bodies. All these contribute to the loss of sexual interest and functioning.

Kidney Transplant and Dialysis Patients

There is also concern that sexual activity may harm the patient by interfering with dialysis access. However, health care professionals contend that as long as no pressure is applied on the access site that will cause damage, sexual activity should not be hampered. Meanwhile, patients who received kidney transplants should wait for the scars to heal before resuming sexual activity. It is best to consult with your doctor when you are uncertain.

In contrast to transplant patients, dialysis patients have more sexual problems because of fatigue and anemia. However, even transplant patients can have concerns because of factors like stress, age, relationship issues and physical conditions. Those on dialysis treatments should maintain their positive attitude on sex to decrease the chances of having severe sexual problems. Interest in sexual activity may return when the patient starts to feel better, physically and emotionally, as a result of the treatment. Sometimes, the interest is no longer there and couples may require the help of a professional sex therapist.

Physical and Psychological Sexual Problems

Health care professionals have these recommendations if the problem is physical in nature. Men who have difficulty maintaining an erection have the option of getting penile implant surgeries that place semi-rigid rods into the penis. Other options are: use of male hormones, use of oral and injectable medications and use of external suction devices. Doctors trained on impotence can provide all the information needed by the patient.

Meanwhile, women kidney patients may suffer from vaginal dryness and pain during sexual activity. Dryness is caused by lower hormone levels. This can be addressed by changing the blood pressure medicine or with extra hormones. Meanwhile, pain associated with intercourse can be addressed with the use of a water-soluble vaginal lubricant. Patients are advised against using petroleum jelly because it may increase the risk of infection. Again, doctors can provide the information on available options.

If the problem is psychological, relaxation and physical exercises will help control anxiety towards sexual function. Kidney failure gives a person a lot of negative emotions like anxiety and depression which cause decreased sexual interest and functioning. These emotions also drain a person’s energy. If relaxation and physical exercises do not help, sex therapy is an option. However, some of the options given for physical sexual problems may also help even if the problem is psychological.

Problems such as low sexual interest, reaching climax too early or too long, painful intercourse, and erection challenges can be addressed by the sex therapist. When sex therapy is sought as a solution, sexual education for the patient or for both partners is the first step. This is followed by communication exercises to help the couple relate better to each other. Stress reduction activities such as relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga may also be recommended. The sex therapist may further introduce ways of improving skills on how to give and receive pleasurable touches. Look for licensed sex therapists with backgrounds in psychiatry, psychology, social work or is a physician.

Kidney Diet

What are Electrolytes?

KundanKidneyCare May 13, 2015

Electrolytes are the smallest of chemicals that are important for the cells in the body to function and allow the body to work. Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and others are critical in allowing cells to generate energy, maintain the stability of their walls, and to function in general. They generate electricity, contract muscles, move water and fluids within the body, and participate in myriad other activities.

The concentration of electrolytes in the body is controlled by a variety of hormones, most of which are manufactured in the kidney and the adrenal glands. Sensors in specialized kidney cells monitor the amount of sodium, potassium, and water in the bloodstream. The body functions in a very narrow range of normal, and it is hormones like renin (made in the kidney), angiotensin (from the lung, brain and heart), aldosterone (from the adrenal gland), and antidiuretic hormone (from the pituitary) that keep the electrolyte balance within those normal limits.

Sodium: Sodium is a component of salt. 2.5 grams of salt provides 1 gram of sodium. Although salt is the major source of sodium in our food, sodium is also a component of other ingredients, such as sodium bicarbonate used in baking and monosodium glutamate used as a flavour enhancer. It helps regulate the fluid balance in your body. Processed food also has high amount of sodium, this includes, smoked meats, processed cheese, ham, bacon, sausage, corn chips, pickles, pretzels, potato chips, salted nuts etc. Some items may not taste salty but are very high in sodium e.g. canned soups, ketchup, mustard, relishes and other canned food.

When it is recommended to limit your salt intake, there are other ways to add flavour to your food. Herbs and spices can be used in meal plans. Try to find pure spices and avoid the one that are mixed with salt.

You may use garlic, pepper, onion, paprika, vinegar and wine.

Potassium: It regulates nerve and muscle function. In renal failure patients it is very important to understand this element. Increased level may cause itchiness, heart trouble and restlessness.

Main source of Potassium are bananas, avocadoes, dried beans, dried fruits, milk, nuts, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, peas etc. If you report shows high level of potassium, we recommend dipping the vegetables in hot water for at least 15 – 20 mins, spills the water and then cook them.

Calcium and Phosphorus: These minerals work hand in hand to keep your bones strong and healthy. In renal failure patients kidneys are not able to filter out the phosphorus completely. Imbalance in these two may cause bone disease, calcification of arteries and organs including the heart.Phosphate binders are recommended to address the excessive phosphorus in blood.

Main source of Phosphorus are cheese, milk, yogurt, dried beans, nuts, chocolate and soda drinks.

Magnesium: Magnesium is an often forgotten electrolyte that is involved with a variety of metabolic activities in the body, including relaxation of the smooth muscles that surround the bronchial tubes in the lung, skeletal muscle contraction, and excitation of neurons in the brain. Magnesium acts as a cofactor in many of the body’s enzyme activities.

Magnesium levels in the body are closely linked with sodium, potassium, and calcium metabolism; and are regulated by the kidney.

Symptoms of magnesium imbalance involve the heart with rhythm abnormalities, muscles with weakness and cramps, and the nervous system, potentially causing confusion, hallucinations, and seizures.

Bicarbonate (HCO3): This electrolyte is an important component of the equation that keeps the acid-base status of the body in balance.

Water + Carbon Dioxide = Bicarbonate + Hydrogen

The lungs regulate the amount of carbon dioxide, and the kidneys regulate bicarbonate (HCO3). This electrolyte helps buffer the acids that build up in the body as normal byproducts of metabolism. For example, when muscles are working, they produce lactic acid as a byproduct of energy formation. HCO3 is required to be available to bind the hydrogen released from the acid to form carbon dioxide and water. When the body malfunctions, too much acid may also be produced (for example, diabetic ketoacidosis, renal tubular acidosis) and HCO3 is needed to try to compensate for the extra acid production.

Measuring the amount of bicarbonate in the blood stream can help the health care practitioner decide how severe the acid-base balance of the body has become.

Kidney Diet

Why Diet is Important?

KundanKidneyCare May 13, 2015

It is very important for people with chronic kidney disease to understand that the key to good health is good nutritional and balanced food.

Kidney failure patients need to modify their diet. Each patient has different needs; this leaflet will give a general idea about how you may determine the intake of certain nutrients such as protein, calories, potassium, sodium, phosphorus and liquids. You may need to modify or tweak these guidelines to best suite your condition

Calories: This is the fuel for the body to function properly. Right amount of calories from different sources are required to keep your body healthy.
Protein: Protein is used to build and repair tissue. The best sources of protein are dairy products, eggs, meat, poultry (chicken, turkey etc.) and lentils.

Carbohydrates: This also provides the fuel to the body in the form of starches and sugars. The main sources are breads, cereals, fruits, grains and vegetables. Diabetic patients must watch their diet to control their blood sugar.

Fat: Fat is a nutrient. It is crucial for normal body function and without it we could not live. Not only does fat supply us with energy, it also makes it possible for other nutrients to do their job. Certain kinds of fat may also be recommended for patients concerned with their lipid levels.

Potassium: It regulates nerve and muscle function. In renal failure patients it is very important to understand this element. Increased level may cause itchiness, heart trouble and restlessness.
Main source of Potassium are bananas, avocadoes, dried beans, dried fruits, milk, nuts, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, peas etc. If you report shows high level of potassium, we recommend dipping the vegetables in hot water for at least 15 – 20 mins, spills the water and then cook them.

You may use garlic, pepper, onion, paprika, vinegar and wine.

Kidney Disease

Kidneys Can Recover

KundanKidneyCare May 13, 2015

It’s sometimes been a controversial claim: that diseased kidneys can be regenerated, and that those facing dialysis or even transplants because of kidney disease may one day be able to have their kidneys healed instead. Some branches of non-traditional or non-Western medicine have actually had good success treating and even regenerating diseased kidneys with carefully crafted herbal treatments. But certainly the Western style of allopathic medicine has often been reluctant to consider the possibility of regeneration and healing, let alone actually embrace the idea.

However, there is now evidence, coming from Western medical research itself, that kidneys can indeed be regenerated. A team working through Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the University of Pittsburgh have discovered stem cells in zebra fish kidneys that can be transplanted into other zebra fish to generate new nephrons.

These nephrons are the filtering structures inside kidneys. In humans, because stem cells disappear around the time of birth, people lose the ability to regenerate these structures. But the information derived from research with the zebra fish suggests that there are indeed ways to regenerate diseased kidneys. The research may suggest different ways than those used in herbal medicine, but these results at least opens a door to considering what hasn’t been considered before. Western medical practitioners may now begin to reconsider the claims made by their counterparts practising natural medical treatments.

This work with zebra fish is just one of the ways that stem cell research is revolutionizing the practice of medicine. And even though the research comes from the more Western, allopathic side of the medical equation, there really doesn’t need to be an either/or choice about it. With the wellbeing of the person with kidney disease being the goal of all treatment, any insight that improves their health and may eventually lead to a cure can be a welcome development.

Kidney Disease, Kundan Kidney Care Centre, Risk Factors

Physical Fitness Improves Kidney Disease Outcomes

KundanKidneyCare May 13, 2015

It may seem a little unfair to talk to patients with kidney disease, especially those on dialysis, about how physically fit they are, when they’ve already got so much to deal with. It may be tempting for them to feel that they need to keep quiet and relaxed so they don’t strain anything. But keeping as fit as possible can actually help their condition.

We already know that interconnections in the body mean that if you have one physical problem, like diabetes, you have a higher likelihood of developing others such as hypertension or kidney failure. In the same way, strengthening the body to deal with or prevent one problem can ease a related problem. So a person may find that by getting some exercise they will lower their blood pressure and perhaps lose some weight. This, in turn, will ease the strain on the kidneys. And having good muscle tone and a well functioning cardiovascular system will always be of benefit.

The National Kidney Foundation recommends exercise for kidney patients, but also recognizes that they shouldn’t overdo things. It’s probably not a wise move, for example, to plan a climbing excursion to Mount Everest. But after consultation with a doctor, these patients can engage in certain recommended activities. Heavy lifting is probably out, but there are other things that can be done, some of them fairly strenuous.

For example, a type of workout that exercises a large array of muscle groups at once, and goes on continuously, can be very beneficial. This would include things like swimming, walking, cycling, or even skiing. Exercise sessions should go perhaps 30-45 minutes, every second day, three days a week.

Kidney patients may be uneasy about the extra work they might make their bodies do by exercising. But under a doctor’s supervision, getting themselves in as good a shape as possible will only do them good.

(Further reading: National Kidney Foundation)

Kundan Kidney Care Centre

Our Products

KundanKidneyCare May 11, 2015 Leave a comment

The herbs in our products are carefully chosen and have known safety profiles. We have avoided inclusion of any chemicals, steroids and metals, which might pose risks. You may continue taking prescription drugs that are recommended by your nephrologist however, if you wish to start our treatment you must stop all other herbal/homeopathic or any other supplements.

We at KKCC are committed to producing the finest high potency herbal products possible. We buy herbs from there indigenous regions to ensure that the proper climate, soil and water crucial to the content of active ingredients are present, as most herbs indigenous to one region cannot have the same content if grown in another region. We buy herbs that are harvested at the proper time to ensure optimum potency of the active ingredients in each herb.

Once the herbs arrive at the manufacturing plant, it is examined macroscopically and microscopically by the Master Pharmacist. All products are manufactured under the GMP certification guidelines to ensure the highest effectiveness and almost eliminate the potential of side effects.

Our products are tested twice, once by our supplier and then by an independent third party lab. Additional tests are also performed to ensure that our products are absolutely free of any heavy metals, steroids or chemicals.

Our products are produced and marketed in the form of capsules and tablets.

Kidney Diet, Kidney Disease, Kundan Kidney Care Centre

Kidney Disease and Packaged Foods

KundanKidneyCare May 10, 2015

Nephrologists in India have concluded that one thing those with kidney disease should avoid is packaged foods. And needless to say, this precaution doesn’t just apply to India. Pre-packaged foods, full of preservatives and other chemicals, are prevalent all over the world. So this caution applies in many other countries as well.

Doctor K.C. Prakash, a senior consulting nephrologist for the Apollo Hospitals in India, reminds people of the bad effects from some of these extra chemicals in packaged food. He notes that one effect of eating a lot of this food is an increase of potassium in the body. Those suffering from chronic kidney disease or renal failure have less ability to eliminate potassium. Therefore, if they accumulate too much potassium, it could result in heart problems or outright heart failure.

Another problem with packaged food is that it tends to be much saltier than freshly cooked food. Extra salt is one thing that helps preserve these meals, after all, to extend their shelf life. Yet it’s a well-proven fact that too much salt can cause or worsen hypertension (high blood pressure), which also puts a strain on the kidneys.

There are other substances in these foods, such as phosphorus, that cause problems with other parts of the body. But for people in renal failure or even in the early stages of kidney disease, the salt and extra potassium alone should be enough to set off alarm bells. Checking labels to find the actual contents in packaged food can be a real eye-opener.

These cautions are helpful for both kidney patients and those with healthy kidneys. Eating fresh, healthy foods is almost always recommended for achieving or maintaining good health. This information about how packaged foods can affect people with kidney disease just provides one more reason.

(Further information: Times of India, December 29, 2010)

Kidney Disease, Kundan Kidney Care Centre, Risk Factors

Lupus and Kidney Disease may be a Deadly Combination

KundanKidneyCare May 8, 2015

Kidney disease is related to a great many other diseases and conditions, the most common being high blood pressure and heart and stroke problems. But another condition it’s often linked with is lupus. And for those who have both lupus and kidney disease, the prognosis is unfortunately not good.

Systemic lupus erathymatosus, usually just called lupus, causes damage to the skin, joints, brain, and also to the kidneys. In fact, according to an article on the HealthDay website (Kidney Disease Could Be More Deadly for Kids With Lupus, Friday December 17, 2010), about eighty percent of children with lupus also suffer kidney damage. But whether it’s adults or children who have end-stage kidney disease caused by lupus, all have a higher likelihood of death from any cause than those who have the same kidney problems stemming from a different source.

Researchers from both Johns Hopkins University and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia studied the cases of 98,000 children, and this conclusion is what the evidence suggested. Children were 2.4 times more likely to die, when suffering from kidney disease caused by lupus, than children whose disease was caused by something else. Adults had a slightly better record, yet they were still almost twice as many times more likely to die.

While many causes seemed to lead to death for people with kidney disease caused by lupus, the most common cause, according to the study, seemed to be cardiovascular disease and cardiac arrest. For this reason, the researchers suggest that patients with the lupus-kidney combination probably need extra monitoring for atherosclerosis, or the thickening of the walls of the arteries. And when kidney patients are also diagnosed with lupus, that should send up a red flag of warning, so doctors can be more alert to the increased risks of death.

The study, entitled Increased risk of death in pediatric and adult patients with ESRD secondary to lupus, is published in the January 2011 issue of the journal, Pediatric Nephrology.

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Author Archives: KundanKidneyCare

Even With a Kidney Transplant, it’s Still Not Over

Kidney Disease and Painkiller Safety

Kidney Diseases Have Bad Impact on Sex Life

What are Electrolytes?

Why Diet is Important?

Kidneys Can Recover

Physical Fitness Improves Kidney Disease Outcomes

Our Products

Kidney Disease and Packaged Foods

Lupus and Kidney Disease may be a Deadly Combination