Nephritis (Inflammation of the Kidneys)
Nephritis is simply an inflammation of the kidneys. The kidneys work hard filtering out waste and excess fluid from the body. When the kidneys become swollen, their abilities to function properly are impaired. This causes the body to accumulate excess water and waste in the blood stream, and blood and protein may be spilled in the urine. Depending on the underlying cause, the condition can be mild and unnoticed or extremely serious.
Symptoms
Almost half of people suffering from nephritis do not get any noticeable symptoms. For those who do develop symptoms, they may include dark colored or foamy urine, a change in the amount of urine produced (either reduced or increased), blood in the urine, unintentional weight loss, frequent hiccups, swelling in the legs, face or around the eyes, headaches, nausea, fatigue, fever, an increase in blood pressure, or abdominal and joint pain in more severe cases. You may also notice generalized itching, easy bruising, decreased alertness, twitching muscles or cramping, seizures, increased skin pigmentation (it may appear yellow or brown) and a decreased sensation in the hands, feet or other areas.
Causes
Nephritis can result from many underlying problems. Infections from strep throat, HIV, hepatitis and urinary tract infections can lead to this problem. It can be a side effect from certain antibiotics and diuretic medications, as well as certain poisons. It may be a symptom of an autoimmune disorder like lupus, a cancer like myeloma, or a disease of the blood vessels like vasculitis. Diabetes and high blood pressure can cause scarring of the kidneys that sometimes can lead to nephritis. It can also be part of an inherited condition.
Cautions
Some people only manifest symptoms when nephritis becomes severe enough to cause kidney failure. If you feel you have symptoms, see a doctor for diagnosis. If it is mild, it can be cured quickly. If it is due to a more serious problem, it can cause kidney damage, disease or renal failure, so see a professional to get it diagnosed and treated.
Herbal Treatments
Internal Applications
- Flax – this herb is a natural anti-inflammatory and can be effective against this problem. Take the tea as directed on the label.
- Myrrh – this astringent herb can help cleanse the kidneys in chronic cases. Take the tincture as directed by your professional herbalist or naturopath.
- Pipsissewa – this herb is antiseptic and can be used to treat inflammation of the kidneys. It is available as a tincture, a tea or a capsule.
- Uva ursi – this herb is astringent and can be used to treat the kidneys. It can be found as a tea, a tincture or capsule.
- Astragalus – this herb is useful for treating blood and protein in the urine. This improves kidney function and can be useful for nephritis. Rehmannia root can be combined with astragalus for an even more effective remedy for this problem.
- Traditional Chinese medicine – the following combination has been shown to be very effective in treating nephritis: cooked rehmannia root, astragalus root, cornus fruit, moutan bark, water plantain rhizome and wild yam root. Cordyceps mushroom, rhubarb root and salvia root are also useful for this ailment.