You’re not alone

Kidney disease. It is has increased by 16% in the last decade, one in three Australians are at risk of developing kidney disease.

As many as 2 million Australians may have some form of undiagnosed chronic kidney disease, and 1 in 3 people are at an increased risk of getting it in the future. 80-90% of cases of chronic kidney disease may go unrecognised.

Chronic kidney disease is the seventh most common cause of death, exceeding diabetes, respiratory disease, and suicide… you are definitely not alone.

So what is Kidney Disease?

Kidney disease is an umbrella term used for any condition involving the kidneys that causes damage and reduced kidney function. This diminished kidney function is also called diminished kidney reserve, kidney insufficiency, or kidney failure (which technically is end-stage kidney disease).

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that are situated towards the back of the abdominal cavity, just above your waist. A trick to find them is to place your hands on your hips. Your kidneys are just below where your thumbs are located.

Kidneys are bigger than most people realise. They are the size of your fists, or the size of a conventional computer mouse. A kidney weighs approximately 150 grams (5.28 ounces). The key role of the kidneys is to filter the blood by recognising (through special sensors) imbalances within the blood and determining what stays and what does not.

Here are just some of the many benefits that the kidneys have for the body:

  • Regulation of pH levels
  • Regulation of electrolytes
  • Maintains blood pressure
  • Excretion of wastes and toxins
  • Reabsorption of glucose and amino acids
  • Production of Vitamin D
  • Helps in the production of Red
  • Blood Cells
  • And many more…

How do I know if I have Kidney Disease?

The sad truth is that for most, kidney disease will only reveal itself very late in its progression, which is because in the early stages of the kidney disease most people are asymptomatic (without symptoms). It is therefore prudent to make sure you know the early warning signs to best to protect yourself from further damage.

Though, chances are that you are reading this because you know you have kidney disease, and therefore are experiencing some or all of the following symptoms:

  • Anemia
  • High blood pressure
  • Decrease in mental function and possibly coma
  • Fluid retention/swelling
  • Abnormally dark or light skin
  • Blood in the vomit or in stools
  • Breath odour
  • Decreased alertness, including drowsiness
  • Decreased sensation in the hands, feet, or other areas
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Excessive night-time urination
  • Excessive thirst
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weakness
  • Frequent hiccups
  • General ill feeling
  • Generalized itching (pruritus)
  • Headache
  • Increased or decreased urine output
  • Nail abnormalities
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • White crystals in and on the skin

Therefore the best way to know if you have kidney disease is adequate diagnostic testing with your doctor, preferably a yearly check up.

Some of the diagnostic tests used to determine kidney disease include:

  • Urine tests
  • Blood tests
  • Imaging studies
  • Biopsy
  • Blood pressure checks

How would I get Kidney Disease?

Like all conditions there are certain factors that increase the likely hood of developing the condition or aggravating the condition. The following are the top risk factors / causes for kidney disease:

  • Poor dietary choices – alcohol, sugar, gluten
  • Medications
  • Heavy metal exposure
  • High blood pressure
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Kidney stones
  • Liver disease
  • Autoimmune disease
  • Inflammation
  • Genetics

How can a Vital Chi Practitioner help?

Vital Chi has a team of highly trained and experienced Naturopaths in Melbourne that are just waiting to help you achieve your health goals and dreams.

We offer a broad range of natural, drug-free approaches and treatments to getting you feeling amazing once more.

Naturopathy encompasses many healing approaches and infuses them to create a powerful and grounded treatment.

But I thought Kidney Disease couldn’t be treated?

This is not entirely true, even though the medical profession has been searching for an answer to kidney disease; traditional therapies have been successfully treating kidney disease for many centuries.

Through balanced lifestyle, diet and natural medicines, thousands of people have experienced the wonders that natural medicines can perform together with your self-healing.

Here’s what you can expect

  1. Your naturopath will take a holistic approach to your health, discussing your case history to establish the root cause and severity of your condition.
  2. They may recommend using precise diagnostic testing to identify the causes and contributing factors to your condition.
  3. Based on this, your naturopath will create a step-by-step program for you to follow and heal yourself; dietary and lifestyle modification, as well as prescribing herbal and nutritional medicines are all used and are tailored specifically to your symptoms and the underlying root cause.

Kidney Treatment may involve

  • Improving kidney function
  • Treating and managing your root cause (e.g. blood sugar control for diabetics, immune regulation for those suffering IGA nephropathy, or lowering ones blood pressure )
  • Increasing your body’s ability produce energy
  • Cleansing your body and kidneys

Don’t Ignore Kidney Disease

Left untreated, kidney disease can be a crippling condition: chronic fatigue, itchy and irritating skin, unpleasant urination, general feeling of poor health, and the future prospect of daily dialysis. Don’t wait a second longer you body can heal itself, you can heal yourself – given the right environment and treatment. Anything is possible. 

Make an appointment today with one of our experienced, caring naturopath’s at Melbourne Wellness, and find a natural solution to your kidney disease. You can make an appointment online, email us , or phone us on (03) 8528 2079. Our clinic in Blackburn, Melbourne, is open six days a week.

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