Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) – progressive decline in kidney function "Support" Homeopathy according to Dr. Banerji

Dr. Banerji Protocols

Chronic Kidney Insufficiency (Chronic Kidney Disease, CKD) – Progressive Impairment of Kidney Function

Chronic kidney insufficiency refers to kidney damage or impairment that has lasted for at least three months. Today, the more comprehensive term chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often used.

The disease can progress slowly over many years and often goes unnoticed in early stages. Significant symptoms often only appear when kidney function is severely impaired.

The kidneys become increasingly unable to perform their functions. These include, in particular, the excretion of metabolic products and the regulation of fluid, electrolytes, acid-base balance, and blood pressure.

Common Causes

The most important causes of chronic kidney insufficiency include:

• Diabetes mellitus

• Long-term high blood pressure

• Diabetic kidney disease

• Chronic glomerulonephritis

• Polycystic kidney diseases

• Chronic urinary tract obstruction

• Recurrent or severe kidney diseases

• Autoimmune diseases

• Vascular kidney diseases

• Congenital kidney diseases

• Long-term damage from certain medications or other kidney-damaging substances

Multiple risk factors may be present simultaneously.

Functions of the Kidneys

Healthy kidneys perform numerous vital functions:

• Excretion of metabolic products

• Regulation of water balance

• Regulation of sodium and potassium

• Regulation of acid-base balance

• Involvement in blood pressure regulation

• Production of erythropoietin for blood formation

• Activation of vitamin D

• Regulation of calcium and phosphate balance

With increasing kidney insufficiency, changes can therefore occur in numerous organ systems.

eGFR – Assessment of Kidney Function

An important laboratory parameter is the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Chronic kidney disease is classified into different categories based on eGFR:

• G1: eGFR ≥ 90 ml/min/1.73 m²

• G2: eGFR 60–89

• G3a: eGFR 45–59

• G3b: eGFR 30–44

• G4: eGFR 15–29

• G5: eGFR below 15 ml/min/1.73 m²

An eGFR in the G1 or G2 range alone does not yet mean chronic kidney disease. Additionally, there must be evidence of kidney damage, such as persistent albuminuria or structural changes.

Albuminuria and Proteinuria

In addition to eGFR, protein excretion in the urine is particularly important for assessment.

Increased albumin excretion can be an early sign of kidney damage.

The albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) in urine is often determined.

Albuminuria is usually classified as:

• A1: normal to slightly elevated

• A2: moderately elevated

• A3: severely elevated

The higher the albuminuria and the lower the eGFR, the higher the risk of progression of kidney disease and cardiovascular disease in general.

Symptoms

In early stages, chronic kidney insufficiency often causes no symptoms or only non-specific complaints.

With increasing impairment, the following may occur:

• Fatigue and decreased performance

• Concentration problems

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea

• Itching

• Muscle cramps

• Swollen legs and ankles

• Fluid retention

• High blood pressure

• Changes in urine volume

• Shortness of breath with fluid overload

• Pale skin due to anemia

• General weakness

The severity of the symptoms does not always directly correspond to the extent of kidney dysfunction.

High Blood Pressure and Chronic Kidney Insufficiency

High blood pressure and kidney diseases influence each other.

Persistently high blood pressure can damage the kidney vessels and glomeruli. At the same time, impaired kidney function can further increase blood pressure.

Good blood pressure control is therefore one of the most important measures to slow the progression of many chronic kidney diseases.

Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Insufficiency

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common causes of chronic kidney diseases.

Long-term elevated blood sugar can damage the fine filter structures of the kidneys, leading to albuminuria, proteinuria, and progressive loss of kidney function.

Regular checks of eGFR and albumin excretion in the urine are therefore particularly important for people with diabetes.

Disorders of Water and Electrolyte Balance

In advanced kidney insufficiency, the kidneys can no longer adequately regulate water and electrolytes.

Possible consequences include:

• Fluid retention

• Edema

• High blood pressure

• Changes in sodium balance

• Elevated potassium (hyperkalemia)

• Disorders of acid-base balance

Severe hyperkalemia can cause dangerous cardiac arrhythmias.

Renal Anemia

The kidneys produce the hormone erythropoietin, which stimulates the formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow.

In advanced chronic kidney disease, erythropoietin production may decrease.

This can lead to renal anemia with:

• Fatigue

• Decreased performance

• Pallor

• Shortness of breath

• Reduced physical capacity

Before specific treatment, other causes of anemia, especially iron deficiency, should also be considered.

Calcium, Phosphate, and Bone Metabolism

Chronic kidney diseases can alter mineral and bone metabolism.

Possible changes affect:

• Phosphate

• Calcium

• Vitamin D

• Parathyroid hormone

In the long term, this can lead to bone changes and vascular calcification. This complex is known as CKD-MBD – Mineral and Bone Disorder in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Diagnosis and Monitoring

Examinations and monitoring may include:

• Creatinine

• eGFR

• Urea

• Sodium

• Potassium

• Calcium

• Phosphate

• Bicarbonate or acid-base status

• Blood count

• Iron status

• Albumin

• Urinalysis

• Albumin-creatinine ratio

• Protein determination in urine

• Blood pressure checks

• Ultrasound of the kidneys and urinary tract

Depending on the suspected cause, further investigations or, in certain cases, a kidney biopsy may be necessary.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause, stage, and comorbidities.

Important therapeutic goals are:

• Slowing the progression of kidney damage

• Controlling blood pressure

• Reducing albuminuria or proteinuria

• Optimally treating diabetes

• Reducing cardiovascular risk

• Treating electrolyte disorders

• Controlling fluid balance

• Treating renal anemia

• Treating disorders of mineral and bone metabolism

In suitable patients, ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (sartans) and SGLT2 inhibitors play an important role in kidney protection, among others.

Specific treatment must be adapted to kidney function, potassium levels, blood pressure, and individual comorbidities.

Medications for Impaired Kidney Function

For chronic kidney insufficiency, regular review of all medications is particularly important.

Many drugs are partially or predominantly excreted by the kidneys and may need dosage adjustment if kidney function is impaired.

Certain substances can additionally stress the kidneys. These include, for example, some painkillers from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

However, medications should not be discontinued or changed independently without medical consultation.

Nutrition and Lifestyle

Depending on the stage, individual recommendations may be necessary regarding:

• Salt intake

• Protein intake

• Potassium

• Phosphate

• Fluid intake

• Body weight

• Physical activity

A general severe restriction of fluid, potassium, or protein is not sensible for every patient. Nutrition should be adapted to kidney function, laboratory values, and comorbidities.

Advanced Kidney Insufficiency

In cases of very severely impaired kidney function, metabolic products and fluid can increasingly accumulate in the body.

This can lead to uremia with symptoms such as:

• Pronounced fatigue

• Nausea and vomiting

• Loss of appetite

• Itching

• Neurological changes

• Fluid overload

• Shortness of breath

In advanced renal failure, renal replacement therapy may be necessary.

These include:

• Hemodialysis

• Peritoneal dialysis

• Kidney transplantation

The initiation of dialysis is not solely determined by a single eGFR value, but by the overall clinical condition, laboratory values, and existing complications.

Homeopathy according to Dr. Banerji

In homeopathy according to Dr. Banerji, specific homeopathic remedies and potencies are used for various chronic kidney complaints according to the Banerji protocols.

A reliable improvement of chronically impaired kidney function or prevention of the progression of chronic kidney insufficiency through homeopathic remedies has not been scientifically proven.

Necessary nephrological treatment and regular monitoring of eGFR, albuminuria or proteinuria, electrolytes, and blood pressure must therefore not be replaced or delayed.

Important Note

Chronic kidney insufficiency should be regularly monitored by a physician or nephrologist.

In cases of severely reduced or absent urine output, increasing shortness of breath, pronounced edema, impaired consciousness, severe general deterioration, or suspicion of a severe electrolyte disorder, prompt or immediate medical clarification is required.

The information on this page is for general information purposes only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Ingredients: Medorrhinum, Lycopodium, Cantharis, Aconitum napellus, Antimonium crudum, Conium maculatum