Kidney Diseases

There are several types of problems that may occur to the kidney or bladder. Glomerulonephritis occurs when the minute filtering units of the kidney become swollen and inflamed. There are 2 forms of glomerulonephritis that affect children. Cystitis is infection of the bladder, and pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidney.

Pyelonephritis can be chronic or acute. A kidney infection is often serious, requiring hospitalization.

Bright's disease involves nephritis, a chronic inflammation of the kidneys, and it is characterized by blood/protein in the urine with associated hypertension and edema. The kidney can not properly excrete salt and other wastes, resulting in retention of salt and water (edema). When the bloodstream becomes toxic with wastes due to kidney malfunction, uremia develops.

Symptoms

The symptoms include chills, fever, urgency and frequency of urination, back and abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. The urine is cloudy and often bloody. Pain may be sudden to intense in the back just above the waist and running down to the groin. See the doctor if you have these symptoms.

Treatment

Nutrients

Distilled water, 6-8 oz. every hour while awake (extra fluids are very important, quality of water is essential for proper urinary tract function). Acidophilus tablets or liquid, 3 tablets per day or liquid 3 times per day, is especially important if taking antibiotics. Vitamin B6, 50 mg. 3 times per day, reduces fluid retention. Choline, 1,000 mg. Vitamin C plus bioflavonoids, 2,000-4,000 mg. daily, acidifies the urine, potentiates immune function, and aids healing. Dandelion root or extract and pumpkin extract, taken as directed on the label, aids in excretion of the kidney's waste products. Calcium, 1,500 mg. daily (calcium and magnesium should be in 2-1 ratio in the body. Do not take bone meal.). Magnesium, 750 mg. per day. Hydrochloric acid (HCL) and digestive enzymes, taken as directed on the label, is necessary in digestion (for the elderly, but omit if stomach ulcers are present). L-Arginine, 500 mg. 4 times per day (food sources are: legumes, fish, soybeans, and seeds). L-Methionine, taken as directed on the label, is for improved kidney circulation. Lecithin, 1 tbsp. 3 times per day, is needed for nephritis. Multimineral complex, taken as directed on the label (mineral depletion is common in kidney disease. Vitamin A emulsion, 25,000 IU per day in divided doses, is important in healing of urinary tract lining and in immune function. Vitamin B complex, 100 mg. per day, is needed for nephritis. Riboflavin (B2), 25 mg. 3 times per day. Vitamin E emulsion or capsules, 800 IU emulsion daily; or 200 IU capsules gradually increasing to 1,000 IU, promotes immune function and is an important free radical destroyer. Zinc, 50-80 mg. per day, is an immunostimulant necessary for healing.

Herbs

Agrimony
Alder
Aloes
Alum, wild, root
Asparagus
Barley
Bearberry (Uva ursi)
Beech tree
Birch, bark
Blazing star, rough
Boneset, purple
Borage
Broom, tops
Buchu
Burdock, great, root
Butterbur
Butternut bark
Caraway seeds
Carrot, wild
Celandine
Centaury, American
Chaparral
Cherry, wild
Cleavers
Clover, red
Clover, white
Cocklebur
Cohosh, black
Comfrey
Couch grass
Cubeb berries
Cucumber seeds
Dandelion
Elderberry
Elm, slippery
Flaxseed
Fleabane
Geranium, wild or spotted
Ginseng
Goldenrod, tea
Goldenseal
Gooseberry leaves
Grape, Rocky Mountain, root
Gravel root
Gravel weed
Gumweed
Heal-all
Heart's ease
Hibiscus flowers
Horsemint
Horse radish
Horsetail
Indian hemp, black
Indigo, wild
Jalap, wild
Joe-Pye weed
Juniper, berries
Knotgrass
Knotweed
Labrador tea
Linden
Lucerne
Marshmallow, root
Mayflower
Meadowsweet
Milkweed, four-leaved
Mugwort
Mullein, common
Myrrh
Nettle
Oat
Onion, nodding wild
Parsley
Pennyroyal, American
Pipsissewa
Plantain
Pumpkin seed
Pyrola, leaves
Quinine, wild
Raspberry, leaves
Rose hips
Sage, bud
St. John's wort
Sarsaparilla, hairy
Sassafras, root tea
Sanicle, black
Shepherd's purse
Sorrel, wood
Sourwood
Speedwell, common
Spignot
Stoneroot
Strawberry, wood
Sunflower
Sweet flag
Tamarack
Toadflax
Trumpet weed
Twinleaf
Twitch
Violet
Wahoo
Walnut, black
Watermelon, seed tea
Water-plantain, common
Yarrow
Yellow dock

Recommendations

Drink one quart of marshmallow tea daily. It will help to strengthen the bladder, to cleanse the bladder and kidneys, and to expel kidney stones. Diet should be low-protein, obtaining protein from vegetable sources, such as: peas, bean, lentils, mushrooms, and asparagus. High protein diets cause the body to lose calcium, and when this is excreted, it passes through the kidneys and can cause painful kidney stones.

Protein is broken down by the liver and kidneys. Accumulation of protein can result in uremia, which is the toxic build-up of protein waste (such as urea) in the bloodstream.

Drink 3 glasses of unsweetened cranberry juice daily. It inhibits growth of bacteria by acidifying the urine.

Diet should consist of 75% raw foods. Reduce intake of potassium and phosphates. Do not use any salt or potassium chloride (salt substitute). Also avoid fish, meat, eggs, spinach, rhubarb, Swiss chard, beet tops, tea, chocolate, and cocoa because of their high oxalic acid content. Excess oxalic acid may lead to kidney stones.

Eat garlic, potatoes, asparagus, parsley, watercress, celery, cucumbers, papaya, and bananas. Watermelon and pumpkin seeds are also beneficial. Watermelon should be eaten alone. Eat seeds, sprouts, and green vegetables. Avoid dairy products except those that are soured such as yogurt, buttermilk, and cottage cheese. Goat's milk is acceptable.

Suggestions

Women having recurrent bladder or kidney infections should not use tampons, and should always wear cotton underwear. Never Nylon. Recurrent urinary tract infections indicate the possibility of a serious underlying problem------See The Doctor!

Cautions

Omit iron supplements while this problem exists.

Definition