TCM may provide effective alternative treatment for diabetic kidney disease

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may be an effective alternative treatment for diabetic kidney disease, according to a case report published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Diabetic kidney disease is a common complication associated with both Type 1 and 2 diabetes. However, the clinical treatment available for the disease is limited and often has side effects. Clinical treatment available for the disease is primarily focused on controlling blood sugar level and lowering blood pressure and urine protein. As a result, researchers continue to search for alternative treatments for the disease.

A team of researchers from Guang’anmen Hospital of China looked at a case report of a 72-year-old woman diagnosed with diabetic kidney disease. She experienced several side effects of diabetic kidney disease, such as fatigue, cold sensation in the lower extremities, convulsion of the lower limbs, and frequent urination at night. In addition, the patient had a dark purple tongue with white and yellow fur and sublingual varices. She underwent several tests which revealed that her fasting blood glucose was 5.7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L), serum creatinine 159 micromole per liter (μmol/L), blood urea nitrogen 13.6 μmol/L, blood uric acid 493 picomole per liter (pmol/L), and blood pressure 138/65 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). For her treatment, she received TCM treatment of the modified Shenzhuo formula, Dahuan, Shuizhi, and Danshen for seven years.

The research team concluded that treatment with TCM might be used as an effective alternative treatment for diabetic kidney disease as it showed good results, improving her condition.

More on diabetic kidney disease

Also known as diabetic nephropathy, diabetic kidney disease is a type of kidney disease caused by diabetes. Diabetes is the major cause of kidney disease. In fact, around one out of four adults with diabetes also suffer from kidney disease.

The kidneys are responsible for filtering wastes and excess water out of the blood to produce urine. In addition, the kidneys help regulate blood pressure and produce hormones that are needed by the body to stay healthy. Therefore, when the kidneys are damaged, they will not be able to filter blood normally, which in turn can lead to wastes building up in the body.

So how does diabetes cause kidney disease? High blood sugar can impair the blood vessels in the kidneys, which in turn will cause them to function properly. Furthermore, a lot of people with diabetes also develop high blood pressure, which can also impair the kidneys.

The best way to prevent kidney diseases caused by diabetes is to aim to maintain healthy blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Another way is to practice healthy habits, such as stopping cigarette smoking, limiting salt and sodium intake or following a diabetes meal plan developed by a dietitian, exercising regularly, maintaining or attaining a healthy weight, and getting enough sleep – at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night. (Related: Diabetes SOLVED: “iThrive” videos reveal secret to reversing type-2 diabetes and healing yourself without dangerous pharmaceuticals.)

Read more news stories and studies on diabetes by going to DiabetesScienceNews.com.

Sources include:

Science.news

ScienceDirect.com

NIDDK.NIH.gov