Early Detection and Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Uremia

The Critical Importance of Early Detection

Uremia, a life-threatening clinical syndrome resulting from severe renal unit damage, disrupts metabolic waste excretion and water-electrolyte balance. Early diagnosis and intervention are paramount, yet its insidious onset—often masked by nonspecific symptoms—frequently leads to delayed treatment.

Subtle Warning Signs

1. Loss of Appetite:
   • Caused by uremic toxin buildup affecting digestion. Misdiagnosed as gastritis (e.g., one female patient treated for “stomach issues” for over a year before correct diagnosis).
2. Pale Complexion:
   • Anemia due to reduced erythropoietin production. Progresses slowly, often mistaken for general anemia.
3. Edema:
   • Morning eyelid swelling or post-exertion foot edema, frequently dismissed as fatigue. Progresses to multi-organ (cardiac, pulmonary, CNS) involvement if untreated.

TCM Treatment: A Holistic Approach

While Western medicine relies on dialysis or transplants (often limited by resources), TCM addresses root pathology:

• Pathogenesis: Spleen-kidney yang deficiency leading to fluid retention and toxin accumulation (“turbid pathogens obstructing sanjiao”).
• Solution:
  • Jinqi Shenkang formula series: Reinforces spleen-kidney function, detoxifies, and protects renal tissue.
  • Herbal Enemas: Reduce BUN/creatinine; may delay or eliminate dialysis dependency in early/mid-stage patients.

Chronic Renal Failure Staging

Per 1992 Chinese Nephrology Guidelines:

1. Compensated Stage: GFR 50–80 mL/min; Scr 133–177 μmol/L.
2. Decompensated Stage: GFR 20–50 mL/min; Scr 186–442 μmol/L.
3. Uremia/End-Stage: GFR <10 mL/min; Scr >707 μmol/L.
   Note: BUN is unreliable for staging due to multifactorial influences.

Etiology & Progression

• Primary Cause in China: Chronic glomerulonephritis (75.64%).
• Other Causes: Lupus nephritis (5.77%), diabetic nephropathy (rising at 10.27%), and chronic pyelonephritis (0.64%).
• Global Trend: Secondary kidney diseases dominate ESRD cases.