Acute Kidney Injury Is Inevitable And Deserves Everyone's Attention!

We often see news about acute kidney injury caused by various reasons, such as acute kidney injury caused by eating a plate of home-cooked food, or acute kidney injury caused by sudden excessive exercise... There are countless such cases

Click to Cistanche for kidney disease

Although I have read a lot of relevant information, acute kidney injury is still a "familiar and unfamiliar existence" to everyone. So, today let's learn about acute kidney injury.

What is acute kidney injury?

Acute kidney injury, also known as acute renal failure, is a sudden decline in kidney function in a short period (hours to weeks) caused by various reasons, resulting in disorders of water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance and nitrogen metabolism. Syndrome of product retention (such as increased serum creatinine and urea nitrogen) and decreased urine output.

Causes of acute kidney injury

① Severe infection, major surgery, acute myocardial infarction, trauma, etc.

② Blood transfusion or intravascular hemolytic reaction.

③ Caused by exogenous and endogenous nephrotoxins, such as biological toxins (snake venom, herring gall, mushrooms, etc.), chemical toxins (such as arsenic, lead, mercury, methanol, etc.), X-ray contrast agents, and inappropriate use of antibiotics (Such as sulfonamides, cephalosporin, etc.).

④ Caused by other diseases (such as epidemic hemorrhagic fever, pregnancy poisoning, etc.).

Clinical staging of acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury is usually divided into three stages: oliguric stage, polyuric stage and recovery stage according to the condition.

Oliguria phase (or anuria phase)

This is a critical stage of the disease. The patient has oliguria (urine output less than 400 mL per day) or anuria (urine output less than 100 L per day), and the excretion of nitrogen metabolites is reduced. Elevated blood creatinine and urea nitrogen may easily lead to excess water, hypertension, acute heart failure, and cerebral edema. Hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis, hyponatremia, hypochloremia, hypocalcemia, and hyperphosphatemia may occur in the short term. This period usually lasts 10 to 14 days, but some patients may experience it as long as 1 to 2 months.

polyuria period

The urine output gradually increases, reaching 2500~3000mL per day, but the renal function does not recover immediately, and blood creatinine and urea nitrogen still increase, and hyperkalemia or hypokalemia may occur. This period lasts approximately 2 to 3 weeks.

recovery period

During this period, the urine output gradually returned to normal and the clinical symptoms began to improve. However, because the protein in the tissue is greatly destroyed, patients often have symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, and muscle atrophy. Most patients can recover their kidney function within 3 to 6 months.

Acute kidney injury can occur in people without chronic kidney disease, and patients often have symptoms and signs. Here I would like to share with you some judgment methods to identify kidney problems early:

A look at the urine: oliguria, hematuria, foamy urine, and frequent nocturia;

Second, edema: edema appears on the face, eyelids, and lower limbs;

Third, look at diet: frequent vomiting or loss of appetite;

Four feelings: fatigue, easy fatigue, low back pain (not ordinary low back pain, especially the pain on the back and under the ribs on both sides with a slight tap).

Finally, I would like to remind everyone that the incidence of acute kidney injury is rising year by year, and the high mortality rate has made it a major global public health problem. Timely identification of the primary cause of acute kidney injury is critical.

How Does Cistanche Treat Kidney Disease?

Cistanche is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for centuries to treat various health conditions, including kidney disease. It is derived from the dried stems of Cistanche deserticola, a plant native to the deserts of China and Mongolia. The main active components of cistanche are phenylethanoid glycosides, echinacoside, and acteoside, which have been found to have beneficial effects on kidney health.

Kidney disease, also known as renal disease, refers to a condition in which the kidneys are not functioning properly. This can result in a buildup of waste products and toxins in the body, leading to various symptoms and complications. Cistanche may help treat kidney disease ase through several mechanisms.

Firstly, cistanche has been found to have diuretic properties, meaning it can increase urine production and help eliminate waste products from the body. This can help relieve the burden on the kidneys and prevent the buildup of toxins. By promoting diuresis, cistanche may also help Reduce high blood pressure, a common complication of kidney disease.

Moreover, cistanche has been shown to have antioxidant effects. Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body's antioxidant defenses, plays a key role in the progression of kidney disease. ies help neutralize free radicals and reduce Oxidative stress, thereby protecting the kidneys from damage. The phenylethanoid glycosides found in cistanche have been particularly effective in scavenging free radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation.

Additionally, cistanche has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation is another key factor in the development and progression of kidney disease. Cistanche's anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibit the activation of inflammation mandatory pathways, thus alleviating inflammation in the kidneys.

Furthermore, cistanche has been shown to have immunomodulatory effects. In kidney disease, the immune system can be dysregulated, leading to excessive inflammation and tissue damage. Cistanche helps regulate the immune response by modulating the production and activity of immune cells, such as T cells and macrophages. This immune regulation helps reduce inflammation and prevent further damage to the kidneys.

Moreover, cistanche has been found to improve renal function by promoting the regeneration of renal tubes with cells. Renal tubular epithelial cells play a crucial role in the filtration and reabsorption of waste products and electrolytes. In kidney disease, these cells can be damaged, leading to damaged renal function. Cistanche's ability to promote the regeneration of these cells helps restore proper renal function and improve overall kidney health.

In addition to these direct effects on the kidneys, cistanche has been found to have beneficial effects on other organs and systems in the body. This holistic approach to health is particularly important in kidney disease, as the condition often affects multiple organs and systems. che has been shown to have protective effects on the liver, heart, and blood vessels, which are commonly affected by kidney disease. By promoting the health of these organs, cistanche helps improve overall kidney function and prevent further complications.

In conclusion, cistanche is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for centuries to treat kidney disease. Its active components have diuretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and regenerative effects, which help improve renal function and protect the kidneys from further damage. , cistanche has beneficial effects on other organs and systems, making it a holistic approach to treating kidney disease.