Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most common chronic illnesses in Taiwan.
When people discover abnormal kidney function during a health check-up, one of the first questions they ask is: “Will I eventually need dialysis?”
In fact, if chronic kidney disease is detected early and monitored regularly, combined with dietary control and appropriate medical treatment, there may still be opportunities to slow disease progression and reduce the future risk of dialysis.
A woman in her 70s had a thin body build and a long medical history including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, stroke, vascular dementia, recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, and pneumonia.
Her family was extremely concerned when she sought treatment because she had suffered from chronic kidney disease for many years. Laboratory tests showed:
- Creatinine: 3.1 mg/dL
- Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR): 14.6 ml/min/1.73m²
These findings indicated that her kidney function had already progressed to an advanced stage of decline.
After several months of regular Western medical follow-up combined with supportive Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment, repeat testing showed:
- Creatinine decreased to 1.9 mg/dL
- eGFR improved to 27.3 ml/min/1.73m²
Her energy level, appetite, and physical strength also gradually improved.
For patients with chronic kidney disease, the primary goal of treatment is usually not to completely reverse kidney damage, but rather to stabilize kidney function, slow disease progression, and improve quality of life.
What Is Chronic Kidney Disease?
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) refers to persistent kidney damage or abnormal kidney structure lasting for more than three months.
If kidney function declines rapidly over a short period of time, it is instead referred to as Acute Kidney Injury (AKI).
The kidneys play several important roles in the body, including:
- Removing metabolic waste products
- Regulating fluids and electrolytes
- Maintaining blood pressure stability
- Supporting red blood cell production
- Maintaining acid-base balance
As kidney function gradually declines, many metabolic processes in the body can also become impaired.
What Causes Chronic Kidney Disease?
There are many possible causes of chronic kidney disease, with diabetes and hypertension being the most common.
Other common causes include:
- Hyperlipidemia
- Aging
- Cardiovascular disease
- Urinary tract infections
- Autoimmune diseases
- Long-term medication-related kidney injury
- Chronic inflammation
Because early-stage kidney disease often causes no obvious symptoms, many patients are diagnosed only after routine health examinations reveal abnormal kidney function.
What Are the Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease?
Many people ask: “Does early kidney disease cause symptoms?”
In reality, early chronic kidney disease may cause no noticeable symptoms at all, which is why it is often called a “silent disease.”
As kidney function worsens, common symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Swelling (edema)
- Increased nighttime urination
- Poor appetite
- Shortness of breath
- Anemia
- Itchy skin
- High blood pressure
- Frequent infections
If foamy urine, proteinuria, or persistent swelling develops, medical evaluation by a nephrologist is recommended.
What Does High Creatinine Mean?
Creatinine is one of the most important laboratory markers used to assess kidney function.
When creatinine levels rise, it usually indicates reduced kidney filtration ability.
However, physicians do not rely on creatinine alone. Evaluation also includes:
- eGFR
- Urine protein levels
- Electrolytes
- Presence of edema
- Symptoms of uremia
These factors help determine whether severe kidney failure is developing.
The following conditions warrant prompt nephrology evaluation:
- Severe proteinuria
- Urine protein-to-creatinine ratio ≥ 300 mg/g
- Rapid decline in eGFR
- Potassium level > 5.5 mEq/L
- Resistant hypertension
- Recurrent kidney stones
- Unexplained edema
Early intervention provides a better chance of slowing kidney function deterioration.
How Does Traditional Chinese Medicine View Chronic Kidney Disease?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, chronic kidney disease is often associated with patterns such as:
- Qi deficiency
- Blood stasis
- Accumulation of toxic metabolic waste obstructing circulation
An ancient Chinese medical text, Correction of Errors in Medical Classics (Yi Lin Gai Cuo), states:
“Chronic disease eventually enters the collaterals and leads to blood stasis.”
This concept resembles, to some extent, the modern medical understanding of kidney fibrosis and impaired microcirculation.
Common TCM Treatment Approaches for Chronic Kidney Disease
Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment is individualized according to the patient’s constitution, symptoms, and disease stage.
Clearing Heat and Cooling the Blood
This approach may be considered for patients with chronic inflammation, proteinuria, or poor circulation.
Commonly used herbs include:
- Sheng Di Huang
- Chi Shao
- Dan Pi
- Pu Gong Ying
Tonifying Qi and Promoting Blood Circulation
This approach may benefit patients with fatigue, low energy, or recurrent infections.
Common herbs include:
- Huang Qi
- Dan Shen
Removing Turbidity and Resolving Blood Stasis
This approach may be used in later stages of CKD when metabolic waste accumulation becomes more significant.
Common herbs include:
- Da Huang
- Tao Ren
Actual herbal prescriptions should always be prescribed and adjusted by a licensed TCM physician according to the individual patient’s condition.
What Should Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Eat?
Many patients search online for: “What foods should kidney disease patients avoid?”
One of the most important dietary principles is controlling potassium intake.
As kidney function declines, the body becomes less able to eliminate potassium. Severely elevated potassium levels can potentially cause dangerous heart rhythm abnormalities.
Foods Often Considered More Suitable in CKD
Moderate intake may include:
- White rice
- White noodles
- Apples
- Asian pears
- Oranges
Foods That May Need Limitation Due to High Potassium Content
Patients may need to avoid excessive intake of:
- Chocolate
- Dried fruits
- Concentrated fruit juice
- Certain high-potassium fruits
Dietary recommendations should always be individualized according to blood test results and kidney function status.
Can Chronic Kidney Disease Be Reversed?
Many patients worry: “Does chronic kidney disease always lead to dialysis?”
Not necessarily.
Chronic kidney disease is generally considered irreversible, but the progression may still be slowed through:
- Blood sugar control
- Blood pressure management
- Regular kidney function monitoring
- Dietary management
- Healthy lifestyle habits
- Integrated Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine care
The main treatment goals are:
- Stabilizing kidney function
- Delaying kidney failure
- Reducing complications
- Improving quality of life
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a high creatinine level mean dialysis is necessary?
Not always.
The need for dialysis depends on multiple factors, including:
- eGFR
- Uremic symptoms
- Potassium levels
- Edema
- Cardiopulmonary function
Creatinine alone does not determine whether dialysis is required.
Can patients with chronic kidney disease receive Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment?
TCM may be used as supportive care, but patients should still receive regular Western medical monitoring and laboratory testing.
Patients should avoid taking unverified herbal remedies without professional guidance, as some substances may further damage kidney function.
Can kidney disease patients eat fruit?
Yes, but fruit intake should be adjusted according to potassium levels.
Patients are often advised to avoid excessive intake of high-potassium fruits, and dietary planning should ideally be guided by physicians or dietitians.
References
- Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Clinical Practice Guideline for CKD Evaluation and Management
- National Kidney Foundation. Chronic Kidney Disease Basics
- Taiwan Society of Nephrology Clinical Guidelines for Chronic Kidney Disease
- Brenner & Rector’s The Kidney, 11th Edition
- Traditional Chinese Medicine discussions on kidney disease from Jin Gui Yao Lue and Yi Lin Gai Cuo
Author | Dr. Hao-Yu Kao
Director of Hokang Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic
Attending Physician, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital