Divya Arora The short answer: Sodium bicarbonate can help people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who develop metabolic acidosis, a condition in which the blood contains too much acid or too little bicarbonate. It works by providing bicarbonate, which helps neutralize excess acid. However, the claim that sodium bicarbonate definitively slows CKD progression is stronger than the … Read more
The short answer Astragalus root, also called Huang Qi, has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine for kidney-related conditions. Modern research has found some potentially beneficial effects, particularly on proteinuria, albuminuria, and serum creatinine in certain groups of people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the evidence is not strong enough to … Read more
The short answer: Feeling unusually cold can occur in people with kidney disease, but cold intolerance is not a specific sign of CKD. Anemia is a common contributor, while thyroid problems, low body weight, poor nutrition, reduced blood flow, certain medications, and simply being in a cold environment can also play a role. If you … Read more
The short answer: Nausea and poor appetite can occur in advanced CKD when waste products and other metabolic changes build up as kidney function declines. This is sometimes described as uremic nausea or, less precisely, “uremic gastritis.” However, nausea in someone with stage 4 or 5 CKD should not automatically be blamed on uremia. Medications, … Read more
The short answer: Renal osteodystrophy is a group of bone changes caused by advanced or persistent chronic kidney disease (CKD). Healthy kidneys help regulate phosphorus, calcium, vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone (PTH). When kidney function declines, this balance can be disrupted, changing how bones are built and maintained. The title needs one important clarification: kidney … Read more
The short answer: Metabolic acidosis can develop in chronic kidney disease (CKD) because damaged kidneys become less able to remove acid and maintain the body’s normal bicarbonate level. Sodium bicarbonate, commonly called baking soda, can raise blood bicarbonate in some people with CKD. However, it is not a universal treatment, and taking ordinary baking soda … Read more
The short answer: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is relatively common in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly in advanced CKD and dialysis. Low iron stores can contribute to RLS, but the relationship is more complicated than simply “CKD causes iron deficiency, which causes restless legs.” Brain iron availability, anemia, uremic changes, medications, sleep problems, … Read more
The short answer: Long-standing, poorly controlled high blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels and filtering structures inside the kidneys. Over time, this can cause hypertensive nephrosclerosis, a form of chronic kidney damage associated with hypertension. However, the phrase “high blood pressure scars the kidneys” is an oversimplification. High blood pressure is an important … Read more
The short answer: PLA2R autoantibodies are blood antibodies that target phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R), a protein found on kidney cells called podocytes. They are strongly associated with primary membranous nephropathy (MN) and can help doctors diagnose the disease, estimate disease activity, monitor treatment response, and assess the risk of relapse. However, a positive PLA2R antibody … Read more
The short answer Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is not one single disease. It is a pattern of scarring seen in some kidney filters, called glomeruli, usually reflecting injury to specialized cells called podocytes. Different processes can produce this pattern, and treatment depends heavily on identifying the underlying cause. (PubMed) The most useful distinction is between: … Read more