People With Poor Kidneys Must Pay Attention To This Fatal Threat in Winter!
Jan 10, 2024
Winter is the season with the highest incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents, and patients with chronic renal failure and maintenance dialysis are extremely high-risk groups for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Friends who already have kidney disease should pay more attention to the health of blood vessels.
Click to cistanche for kidney disease
Before talking about why poor kidneys and blood vessels are more likely to suffer "disaster", let's first understand the function of our kidneys and what harm they can cause when they get sick.
The function of our kidneys
Kidney function is mainly divided into two categories, including excretory function and endocrine function.
Among them, the excretion function can discharge the end products of metabolism and excess water from the body, thereby maintaining the balance of water, electrolytes, and acid
, and maintaining the stability of the human body environment.
The endocrine function of the kidney plays an important role in maintaining hemoglobin stability, and normal regulation of bone metabolism and blood pressure.
The bad kidneys we mentioned refer to what Western medicine calls chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is kidney structural or functional abnormalities caused by various reasons for ≥3 months, including the occurrence of signs of kidney damage (albuminuria, abnormal urinary sediment, renal tubule-related lesions, abnormal histological examination, and Abnormal imaging examination) or a history of kidney transplantation, with or without glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decline; or unexplained GFR decline (<60ml/min) for ≥3 months.
So, why are blood vessels more likely to suffer if the kidneys are not good?
Common complications of chronic kidney disease
01. High blood pressure. The most common complication in patients with chronic kidney disease is high blood pressure. High blood pressure accelerates the progression of chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease also affects high blood pressure. The two influence each other.
02. Chronic renal failure. If chronic kidney disease is not cured, it will lead to chronic renal failure due to long-term proteinuria and hypertension, and may even require renal replacement therapy (hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, kidney transplantation).
03. Anemia. Patients with chronic kidney disease experience proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and varying degrees of digestive system symptoms, which lead to reduced nutrient intake and disordered secretion of erythropoietin. There is also an accumulation of toxins, inhibiting hematopoiesis, and the patient develops anemia.
04. Electrolyte disorders and acid-base imbalance. Patients with chronic renal failure will suffer from acid-base balance disorders, including acidosis, hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, and hyperphosphatemia.
To sum up, chronic kidney disease (CKD) can affect various organs throughout the body, among which blood vessels are the most commonly affected organs. Toxin accumulation, micro-inflammatory state, and high blood pressure can all lead to damage to the vascular endothelium; atherosclerosis can occur, which can cause serious complications. Blood vessel occlusion; calcific stenosis of blood vessels may occur (common in dialysis patients); calciphylaxis may also occur (common in dialysis patients), manifested in calcification of small arteries and capillaries causing skin ulcers; therefore, if the kidneys are not good, blood vessels are more likely to suffer.
It is urgent to protect blood vessels in winter
① Change bad living habits: quit smoking and drinking, and conduct appropriate physical exercises, such as jogging, swimming, Tai Chi, etc., after consulting a doctor, which can increase the compliance of blood vessels.
② Adjust diet: Control the intake of high-salt and high-fat foods, such as braised pork, fat sausage, pickled products, etc. Appropriate intake of fresh fruits (hemodialysis patients in appropriate amounts to avoid high potassium) and vegetables (hemodialysis patients can blanch vegetables before processing to avoid high potassium), low-fat, and high-quality protein foods, such as meat, milk, eggs, etc.
③ Correct application of drugs: antihypertensive drugs, lipid-lowering drugs, antiplatelet aggregation drugs, anticoagulant drugs, etc. can protect the vascular endothelium. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) should consult a doctor before use.
Of course, patients with kidney disease should not be overly nervous. What we should do is pay attention and receive regular treatment and medication to avoid complications or delays.
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.
