Treatments in Conventional Medicine and Their Limitations
Conventional medicine focuses on managing underlying diseases and using medication for renal protection.
- BP & Glucose Control: Crucial for slowing the progression of CKD.
- Medication: ACE inhibitors or ARBs are used to lower intraglomerular pressure and reduce proteinuria.
- Fluids & Electrolytes: Correcting fluid balance in acute kidney failure.
- Dialysis: Hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis is performed if end-stage renal failure develops.
[Limitations]
While ACE inhibitors are effective in reducing proteinuria, their use may be restricted in advanced renal failure due to risks like hyperkalemia.
Additionally, there is a lack of drugs that can drastically increase reduced GFR or regenerate fibrotic tissue.
BM's Integrative Solution: Protecting Renal Barriers and Promoting Waste Excretion
BM Korean Internal Medicine Clinic strengthens the glomerular barrier and promotes the excretion of residual waste without burdening the kidneys.
- Tonifying Kidney & Astringing Essence (補腎固澁): For persistent proteinuria, we use formulas containing Astragalus (Hwanggi) or Cornus Fruit (Sansuyu) to strengthen the glomerular sieve and prevent protein leakage.
- Resolving Stasis & Unblocking Collaterals (化瘀通絡): We use herbs like Salvia (Dansam, 丹蔘) to improve microcirculation in the kidneys, inhibiting glomerular sclerosis and fibrosis.
- Promoting Urination & Draining Turbidity (利濕泄濁): For Azotemia (elevated Cr), we use enema therapies with Rhubarb (Daehwang) or herbal medicines to promote the excretion of uremic toxins through the intestines, reducing the burden on the kidneys.
Evidence-Based Korean Medicine (Scientific Evidence)
Studies prove that Korean Medicine treatments are effective in inhibiting the progression of chronic kidney disease and reducing proteinuria.
- Renal Protective Effect of Astragalus: According to a meta-analysis, Astragalus injection or extract significantly reduces proteinuria, increases serum albumin levels, and inhibits renal fibrosis in patients with chronic kidney disease.
- Zhang HW, Lin ZX, Xu C, Leung C, Chan LS. Astragalus (a traditional Chinese medicine) for treating chronic kidney disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2014;2014(10):CD008369. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd008369.pub2
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- Combination Therapy with Herbal Medicine for IgA Nephropathy: Research shows that combining herbal medicine with conventional treatment (ACEi/ARB) for IgA nephropathy patients offers superior proteinuria reduction and lowers the risk of renal function deterioration, making it an Optimal Strategy. Furthermore, Herbal Medicine Monotherapy demonstrated superior or comparable efficacy rates to chemical drugs alone (ACEI or ARB), proving its sufficient clinical value.
- Ma S, Jiang Y, Qian L, Wang M, Xu S, Wang G. Efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine versus angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and their combinations in the treatment of IgA nephropathy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2024;15:1374377. doi:10.3389/fphar.2024.1374377
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- Clinical Effect of Rhubarb on Chronic Renal Failure (CRF): It has been clinically proven that Rhubarb is an effective and safe agent for CRF patients, lowering serum creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and increasing the overall clinical treatment rate.
- Huang W, Rao Y, Li L, Li C, An Y. Clinical effect of rhubarb on the treatment of chronic renal failure: A meta-analysis. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2023;14:1108861. doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1108861
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