Creatinine is a chemical waste product of creatine. We must remove the waste from our body as soon as possible to protect ourselves from diseases. If these waste products accumulate, it creates problems/diseases. The most beautiful aspect of Ayurveda is that it personalises the healing process for you. Ayurvedic treatment for creatinine has been providing exceptionally commendable results. Ayurvedic medicine for creatinine uses herbal preparations to enhance the functioning of kidneys. Creatinine treatment in Ayurveda comprises following a right diet and healthy lifestyle along with ayurvedic medicines.
What is creatinine?
Creatine is an amino acid made by the liver, pancreas, kidneys, and, to a lesser degree by the brain. It is synthesised from arginine and glycine and transported to muscles and the brain, where the enzyme, known as creatine kinase, is highly active.
Creatinine is produced by normal muscle metabolism. The creatinine then enters the bloodstream and is filtered by the kidneys. The process of removal of body waste by kidneys helps you maintain a normal creatinine level.
We must consider that normal blood or urine creatinine levels vary according to body size and muscle mass. For example, a normal range:
- Men 0.6 -1.2 mg/dL
- Women 0.5 – 1.1 mg/dL
Symptoms and Causes of Low Creatinine
The symptoms of low creatinine levels in the body depend on the condition causing it. Low creatinine levels are caused by:
- A muscle disease known as Muscular Dystrophy. Muscular dystrophy causes muscle weakness, pain, and stiffness in muscles and decreases mobility.
- Liver disease- Poor liver function interferes with the production of creatine, which is the reason for low creatinine. The problem leads to jaundice, pain, and swelling in the abdomen. Pale, bloody, or tar-colored stools are also produced in such cases.
- Excess water loss-There are certain conditions or states where we can observe excess water loss from the body. E.g., the state of pregnancy, case of excess water intake. Intake of certain medications like diuretics can also cause this.
It is a well-known fact that creatinine is produced by the breakdown of muscle tissues. A low level of creatinine indicates that people might have low muscle mass. This never indicates some serious medical problem.
There are many commonly observed reasons for low muscle mass like ageing, malnutrition, low protein diet (due to some medical condition), etc.
Low vs. high creatinine levels
The factors responsible for low creatinine levels differ from the causes of high creatinine. Creatinine levels are also indicative of kidney health. When creatinine, a waste product, begins accumulating in the body, doctors must test to assess kidney health.
As there are various reasons related to low levels of creatinine, there are multiple reasons found associated with high creatinine levels too:
- dehydration
- kidney damage/ kidney failure
- kidney infections
- reduced blood flow to the kidneys
When the creatinine levels in the body rise, it may show some symptoms like:
- changes in frequency/quantity of urination
- chest pains
- fatigue
- high blood pressure
- muscle cramps
- nausea
- vomiting
Ways to diagnose low creatinine levels
It is your doctor’s decision to choose a test to assess the creatinine level in your body. A doctor can use multiple tests to check your creatinine levels. One option is the serum creatinine test (it measures the amount of creatinine in your bloodstream). Another method is the presence of creatinine in urine.
If we should not ignore the presence of the higher amount of creatinine in the body, we should not ignore the lower levels of creatinine in the body too. When your lab results confirm low creatinine levels in your body, your doctor may suggest a few more tests to rule out the presence of muscular disease. These tests may include a muscle biopsy or a specific muscle enzyme test to check for muscle damage.
Treatment options available for low creatinine levels
Treatment for any disease depends upon the underlying cause. Supposedly you have a muscular disorder; then the treatment would focus on treating the related condition and reducing the pain in muscles, the caused weakness, and degenerating muscles. Options available to treat such conditions include corticosteroids that may help you improve your muscle strength or therapy to improve your quality of life.
You may observe low creatinine levels during pregnancy, but these low creatinine levels should normalise after giving birth.
There are certain medications that may hamper the excretion of creatinine from your blood. If you are taking medications that are contributing to lower levels of creatinine, then you must talk to your doctor to adjust your dosage or switch to another medication.
Low muscle mass treatments
If your physician is not diagnosing any underlying medical condition responsible for a reduction in muscle mass, medical treatment may not be suggestive for such cases. In such cases, you might be recommended the ways to increase your muscle mass and normalise your creatinine levels.
Increasing your physical activity and strength training exercises for a few days a week can increase your muscle mass. It is advised to consult your doctor before starting a new exercise program. A few commonly suggested exercises include:
- aerobics
- biking
- swimming
- walking
- weight lifting
It is always advised to improve your nutrition status if you suffer from extreme weight loss or low muscle mass. Small, frequent healthy meals, five to six times a day, are suggested in such cases to improve your health. One must include a diet consisting of protein-rich foods, fruits, and vegetables.
How can Ayurveda help you?
Ayurveda is based on a different approach to treat chronic kidney disease too. Ayurveda, the science of life. Ayurvedic treatment for creatinine includes the measures that treat and cures the high levels of creatinine in the body. Ayurveda says that the cause lies with the rakta or medha dhatu which eventually vitiates the Vata, Pitta or Kapha dosha and ultimately results in kidney diseases. Pacification of these doshas is needed to treat the disease. In Ayurveda, all kidney related disorders are considered as Prameha. Prameha, comprising the group of symptoms described in the ancient Ayurvedic texts, includes clinical conditions involved in obesity, prediabetes, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome.
Ayurveda is amongst the best options to bring down these creatinine levels in a natural manner.
Ayurvedic herbs for creatinine treatment easily available are:
- Punarnava: This herb has anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces the oedema of feet and joints. This herb helps in maintaining healthy urine flow and revitalises the body.
- Varun: Varun has been found as a powerful ayurvedic medicine for creatinine. It has a compound known as lupeol, it deactivates the glycolate oxidase enzyme and thus prevents the accumulation of oxalate in the body. It has been proved effective in treating creatinine problems.
- Kaasni: There are many kidney diseases that have been treated with kaasni herb . It is said to be a miraculous medicine for creatinine treatment in Ayurveda. Its anti-inflammatory action helps in preventing and relieving the inflammation in the kidneys. It has been found effective in treating respiratory troubles, chronic constipation, and low haemoglobin also.
- Palaash: Palaash is considered as the best herb used in ayurvedic medicines for creatinine problem and all other kidney problems. Its antimicrobial and anthelmintic action eliminates the intestinal worms and parasites. For problems related to the digestive system, cold and sore throat, chewing palash leaves can also help.
- Gokshur: This herb that has profound cooling effects. It relieves inflammation and helps to treat chronic kidney diseases naturally. It also combats renal infections and enhances the body’s immunity.
It is always advised to take any herbs or herbal preparations under strict medical supervision only.
Disclaimer: The purpose of the content on this page is not to substitute any professional medical advice but to only provide information to the reader. If the reader is a kidney patient, we recommend not making any diet or routine changes without consulting his/her doctor or dietitian. For further advice, you can use this helpline: +91-9871712050 number or visit www.karmaayurvedahospital.com.