The National Kidney Foundation states that drugs can cause kidney problems. Abuse of street drugs like heroin and crack and misuse of over-the-counter analgesics can permanently damage kidneys. Various prescription drugs can also cause problems,...
Chronic kidney disease, or CKD, refers to progressively failing kidneys. There are five stages, and the fifth stage is kidney failure, requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation. Diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease are leading...
Creatine is a chemical compound that is produced by your pancreas by combining the amino acids L-glycine, L-arginine, and L-methionine, and it is stored mainly in your skeletal muscles to be used in energy metabolism. Creatine is often used as a...
Cyclosporine is a difficult drug to manage. Not only is getting a consistent serum concentration difficult, it also can cause some of the very conditions that it is calculated to cure. This paradoxical effect happens with several kidney...
The kidneys excrete waste, remove excess fluid, balance electrolytes, stabilize blood pressure and have an effect on red blood cell production. Vital to survival, the kidneys face daily toxin exposure. Toxins can originate from from chemicals,...
Although a single kidney can function adequately to meet the needs of the body, individuals with one kidney should be extra vigilant when it comes to limiting risk factors for kidney disease. Health problems like hypertension and diabetes...
Creatine is a protein found in human muscle tissue and breast milk. Creatine is needed for chemical reactions that produce energy for muscle contractions. In infants, problems with creatine synthesis may impair motor control development. Although...
Genital and oral herpes is caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Infection with HSV causes outbreaks of sores on the genitalia, as well as in and around the mouth, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...
NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are a class of drugs used to control pain and reduce fever. In higher doses, they also mediate inflammation and swelling. (See References 1) NSAIDs typically act by inhibiting the synthesis of...
Valacyclovir, sold under the brand name Valtrex, is a medication that treats herpes (viral infection that causes chicken pox or shingles) in children and adults, states Drugs.com. Tell your doctor whether you suffer from autoimmune disorders such...
Creatinine results from a metabolic breakdown of creatine phosphate, an amino acid compound used in skeletal muscle contraction. According to the "Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests," the daily production of creatine and creatinine...
Vancomycin is classified as an aminoglycoside antibiotic. This class of antibacterials is effective against many gram-positive organisms, according to Pearson Nurse's Drug Guide 2010. Vancomycin has the potential to be very toxic; it is used to...
Creatine is a legal dietary supplement that is popular among strength athletes and bodybuilders. It's readily available in most health food stores and even at grocery stores. According to the California State University at Stanislaus, creatine...
The kidneys function to maintain acid-base balance and remove excess fluid and waste in the body. The kidneys may not function properly as a result of ischemic or nephrotoxic injury, sepsis, diabetes or hypertension. Low kidney function may be an...
Super Detox Formula is a health supplement developed by 4Life. This product purports to make your liver stronger through a detoxification process. According to 4Life, the Super Detox Formula helps to regulate your liver function, treats cirrhosis,...
Genital herpes is caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), possible symptoms of genital herpes include sores around the genitalia or anal area that appear within...
Valtrex is a brand name of the medication valacyclovir hydrochloride which is used to treat cold sores, shingles, chickenpox and herpes. Although there can be many benefits of taking Valtrex, there are also many potentially serious side effects as...
Linford Christie and Sally Gunnell won gold medals in the 1992 Barcelona Summer Games after taking creatine. Since that time, many athletes and body builders routinely take creatine to build muscle. Even the Olympic Committee approves of this...
After your kidney transplant, your nephrologist will regularly test your blood and urine. The many lab tests he will order include measuring the protein in your urine. Healthy kidneys keep protein in the blood. Protein getting lost into the urine...
Whey protein and creatine powder or pills are two popular nutritional supplements among bodybuilders and athletes. You can consume these supplements to enhance physical performance and build muscles faster and more effectively. However, while both...
Chronic renal failure is the result of a gradually progressive loss of kidney function. A 2007 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that nearly 17 percent of the U.S. population age 20 and older has chronic kidney...
The kidneys perform multiple functions vital to survival. Most people are not aware of the many risk factors for kidney damage. Kidney damage can lead to chronic kidney disease and kidney failure. Over 26 million Americans have chronic kidney...
Black pepper is derived from black peppercorns, which are the dried unripe berries from a woody vine called Piper nigrum. Black pepper contains oils, alkaloids and resins that have a variety of properties beneficial for health, particularly...
According to the Federal Drug Administration, zinc chloride is an injectable prescription drug, administered by a health professional, that provides your body with zinc, a trace metal that is integral to the healing process and helps promote a...
Creatine is a chemical found in muscles and certain foods. It is also a type of dietary supplement commonly used for improving exercise performance and muscle mass. Typical administration of creatine uses a "loading dose" of 20 g per day for five...
When kidney function declines and creatinine rises, patients start turning over every stone as they try to avert renal failure. This search often leads them to look into vitamins and herbal supplements. While this approach may be helpful with...
Aloe vera, a spiky succulent plant native to Africa, has been used medicinally for centuries, although there is limited evidence to support its effectiveness. According to the National Institutes of Health, aloe is used orally to treat...
The word "chemotherapy" may evoke fear in patients, many of whom are concerned about side effects. Most people are familiar with the traditional symptoms associated with chemotherapy, such as nausea and vomiting. But chemotherapy can affect every...
Green tea has been used for thousands of years in India, Japan and China to treat wounds, improve heart health and regulate blood sugar. It also helps decrease free radical production, which has been associated with illness and disease, notes the...
