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Could Chinese Herbal Medicine Be Taken For Kidney Failure?

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Posted on Sat, 21 Sep 2013
Question: can chinese herbal medicine improve failing kidneys?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aditya Bhabhe (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No evidence to support their use

Detailed Answer:
Hi there

Thanks for your query.

There is no evidence or published scientific study available which shows that Chinese herbal medicines are beneficial in Chronic kidney disease.

On the other hand there are definite case reports of kidney damage with the unsupervised use of certain Chinese herbal slimming medications, which contained the compound Aristolochic acid.

Thus as a Nephrologist I would not recommend the use of these drugs to patients who believe in the modern scientific medicine, until there is definite evidence in favor of their use.

If you could provide more details of your kidney problem I will certainly be able to offer you more suggestions to control the progression of chronic kidney disease.

Hope this was helpful.

Regards and Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aditya Bhabhe (45 hours later)
thanks. i have been informed that i have 5 stage renal failure. is ther any help besides dialisys?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aditya Bhabhe (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Treatment Options for renal failure

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

If there is no contraindication, then the best therapeutic option for Stage V renal failure is to get a kidney transplant. However for this you need to have a detailed discussion with your nephrologist. He/she needs to determine if you are a suitable candidate medically and otherwise.

If this is not a feasible, then the next option is dialysis. Here again you have a choice of hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD).

With PD you can do your own treatment at home. With HD you may choose to take the treatment at home or in the hospital.

However let me say that we do not need to initiate any of these treatments immediately just because you are suffering from Stage V chronic kidney disease.

A lot of patients with stage V CKD are otherwise healthy and really the decision to start HD has to be taken looking into the entire clinical picture.

We also need to see if there are any reversible conditions which if treated can improve the renal function partially. Again this needs a detailed evaluation of you past history, lab results , medications etc.

Hope this is helpful.

Good luck

Aditya Bhabhe

Note: For further queries related to kidney problems and comprehensive renal care, talk to a Nephrologist. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Aditya Bhabhe

Nephrologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 495 Questions

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Could Chinese Herbal Medicine Be Taken For Kidney Failure?

Brief Answer:
No evidence to support their use

Detailed Answer:
Hi there

Thanks for your query.

There is no evidence or published scientific study available which shows that Chinese herbal medicines are beneficial in Chronic kidney disease.

On the other hand there are definite case reports of kidney damage with the unsupervised use of certain Chinese herbal slimming medications, which contained the compound Aristolochic acid.

Thus as a Nephrologist I would not recommend the use of these drugs to patients who believe in the modern scientific medicine, until there is definite evidence in favor of their use.

If you could provide more details of your kidney problem I will certainly be able to offer you more suggestions to control the progression of chronic kidney disease.

Hope this was helpful.

Regards and Best wishes.