The two kidneys, bean-shaped organs each the size of a small fist, are just above the waist and towards the back of the body. They are part of the urinary and detoxification systems, filtering out waste products from the blood for elimination via urine. They also help to maintain water and mineral balance.
But like any organ system in the body, they need maintenance for optimal performance, and things can go wrong.
Kidney problems
Kidney problems include pain, infection, kidney stones, kidney failure, and cancer. The CBC, the most routine blood testing panel, looks at – among many other things – signs that the kidneys may be stressed. These signs may occur before there are any symptoms, or can help to determine whether pain in the kidney area is indeed due to kidney problems.
Not all things such as chemicals and metals that influence kidney function will produce symptoms that appear to directly involve the kidneys. Altered renal (kidney) function may cause changes in blood pressure, blood volume, hormonal changes, neurological symptoms, fluid buildup and puffiness, and other systemic effects in some cases related to lowered potassium levels. Kidney problems can affect the levels of the hormone aldosterone, leading to high blood pressure.
Kidney pain
Pain in the kidney area can be caused by almost any kidney problem such as infection. Pain in the area of the kidneys can also be caused by low potassium.
Kidney infection
Kidney infections can cause pain in either or both kidneys, usually a dull ache. Such an infection can be detected by noticing bacteria in a urine sample. The bacteria E. coli is the most common cause of the kidney infection pyelonephritis. The usual route for a kidney infection is from a urinary tract infection, or UTI. However, a lesser known source of kidney infection is from infected or root-canalled teeth.
Kidney stones
Kidney stones are another cause of kidney pain, but in this case the pain is sudden, sharp, and excruciating. They tend to affect men more than women, and the higher your weight, the greater the risk of kidney stones.
Chemical crystals in the kidneys from calcium or oxalates may be eliminated or deposited as sediment or stones, which can block the urine-transporting tubules causing considerable damage and pain.
Most kidney stones are formed of calcium oxalate, and can respond to a low-oxalate diet. Oxalates are found in the diet in deep leafy greens and some nuts, beans, soy, and beets, among other foods. Oxalate also forms from eating excessive protein, as is sometimes the case when one is following a very low carb diet. Some stones are of uric acid, and these types are more common in people over 50.
Quick weight-loss diets can contribute to kidney stone formation, as they often cause the burning off of body tissues and the release of large amounts of body waste, which includes oxalic acid and uric acid.
People who habitually sleep on one side and have kidney stones usually have them on the side they sleep on. The correlation may be related to the blood flow to the kidneys. Changing the sleeping position may, in such cases, reduce stone formation.
One of the most important recommendations is to drink a lot of water, which helps decrease the concentration of, dissolve, and flush out stone-forming elements in urine. Lemon juice in warm water can help to acidify the urine and dissolve stones. Magnesium in the diet may counterbalance calcium and reduce the formation of kidney stones. Increasing magnesium and decreasing calcium intake can help; however, some kidney stones can form when there is too little calcium, so it’s important to have your mineral status evaluated such as at CAM.
Kidney disease
Nephropathy, or kidney disease, occurs in 20-40% of those with diabetes. If untreated, it can lead to kidney failure and the need for dialysis. The most important factors for the development of nephropathy are high blood glucose and high blood pressure. An annual blood test that measures albumin, a protein that leaks into the urine if the kidneys are damaged, is recommended for those with diabetes or other risk factors.
Some people with kidney disease have been known to improve after their root-canaled teeth were extracted, as discovered by Dr. Weston Price and verified by others
Dialysis
Dialysis is mechanical filtering of the blood, in which machinery does what healthy kidneys should do. Like most medical intervention, though, it doesn’t work as well as the body’s own cleansing system, and it has risks of its own. It also can’t be done indefinitely; if there is a kidney problem that can’t be resolved, a transplant may eventually be needed.
Causes of kidney problems
Many toxic chemicals focus on the kidney as their target organ. These include:
- Heavy metals, especially mercury which is found in metal dental fillings
- Halogenated hydrocarbons such as cleaning fluid
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Advil, or aspirin in large doses, as well as some other medications
- Ethylene glycol, which is the major component of antifreeze
- Pesticides and herbicides
Subluxations of the T-10 and T-11 vertebrae can lead to kidney problems, as the nerves from these vertebrae serve the kidneys.
Kidney support
Plenty of water is needed to help the kidneys filter out and excrete toxins. Oils are needed for kidney health. Symptoms of linoleic acid (omega-6 oil) deficiency include kidney degeneration as oil soluble vitamins A and D are not carried to their destinations. Some mineral and herbal products are available that can help keep or restore kidney health.
If you suspect a kidney problem, have it evaluated by the professionals at CAM.
