What is Creatinine?
Creatinine can be explained as a waste product made up by the muscles. Human kidneys are designed to function in a way that it filters creatinine and other waste products out of the blood. These waste products after being filtered out leave the body through urine.
The kidney function is governed by measuring the creatinine levels in the body. Creatinine levels that exceed or fall short of the normal range may indicate the presence of a health condition.
What are normal and high levels of creatinine?
Normal levels of creatinine may vary across different hospitals and labs worldwide.
The common reference range for creatine is-
0.7-1.2 mg/dl for males
0.5-1.0 mg/dl for females
The creatinine levels exceeding these levels are considered to be high. After considering the person’s muscle mass and other factors like age, sex, and hydration levels, the doctor will draw a conclusion.
How is creatinine caused?
High levels of creatinine may suggest that the kidneys can not function properly on their own. The possible reasons could be-
Kidney stones block the urinary tract
A possible kidney infection
Glomerulonephritis
Kidney failure
Some other factors can lead to a temporary rise in creatinine levels. Dehydration and consumption of proteins in high quantities could be through food sources or nutritional supplements.
Heavy exercising and long hours of workouts can also increase creatinine levels.
steroids that help increase muscle size and certain oral medicines can also stimulate the creatinine levels in the body which may damage the kidneys.
Before undergoing a creatinine test, a person should make the doctor aware if they are on prescribed medication or on a high protein diet.
Some of the health conditions that can also damage kidneys, leading to increased creatinine levels are-
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Diabetes
What are the symptoms of high creatinine?
High creatinine levels may result in different symptoms in a person which completely depends on the cause.
Drug toxicity: The kidney may get harmed by antibiotics, drugs, and some other medications and affect its functioning. The symptoms include:
Unstable heart rate
Confusion
Fatigues
Shortness of breath
Retention of fluid
Chest pain
Kidney infection: When kidney infections are left untreated for a long period of time it may result in damage to the kidneys and in some extreme cases it can even lead to kidney failure. Symptoms include-
Nausea and vomiting
Back and side pain
Fever
Foul-smelling urine
Painful and frequent urination
Glomerulonephritis: Lupus and other infections can give birth to Glomerulonephritis, resulting in kidney damage and failure. Possible symptoms of this condition are-
Blood or protein in the urine
Swelling of face and ankles
High blood pressure
Diabetes: People suffering from diabetes may experience high blood sugar levels, making them prone to health problems including kidney disease. Type 1 diabetes has more sudden symptoms in comparison to type 2 diabetes that present over time. People with diabetes are likely to have these symptoms-
Increased thirst and appetite
Fatigue
Numb hands and feet
Blurry vision
High blood pressure: when the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is too high, it can lead to high blood pressure. It can damage the blood vessels that surround the kidneys affecting their function and leading to high levels of creatinine. Most people with high blood pressure do not find any major symptoms.
Heart disease: Congestive heart disease and other conditions that may affect the heart can also cause disruption to the kidney’s function. Symptoms include-
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Irregular heartbeat
Fatigue and weakness
Urinary tract blockage: If factors like tumors, kidney stones, or an enlarged prostate block the urinary tract, urine may get accumulated in the kidneys and disrupt its functioning, leading to hydronephrosis. Symptoms can include-
Blood in the urine
Back or side pain
Painful urination
Fever
Kidney failure: When there is a disruption in the functioning of the kidneys, it suggests kidney failure. It can either be acute (with spot-on symptoms) or chronic (symptoms developing over time).
Acute kidney failure has the following symptoms-
Confusion
Weakness
Irregularities in urine
Irregular heartbeat
Nausea and vomiting
If the kidney failure happens to be chronic, then one must watch for these symptoms-
Difficulty in sleeping
Constant itching
Muscle cramps
Lack of appetite
Ayurvedic Treatment for Creatinine
Creatinine treatment in Ayurveda helps the kidneys to recover through natural remedies. Ayurveda originated in India, however today it is a globally popular concept for its proven results.
Creatinine treatment in Ayurveda also makes it the ideal treatment alternative as it has no side effects on the body.
The Ayurveda treatment for treating creatinine is a natural, simple, and most risk-free alternative. It involves simple techniques and ensures the best results in the shortest period.