I am diabetic and according to doctor I have too much protein in my urine, how can home remedy help me?
Protein can be described as one of the most important components found in the human blood, as it performs the important functions of transporting hormones, food and other such essential substances through the bloodstream. Like protein there are several other substances present in the human body, which are filtered from by the kidneys and subsequently eliminated from the body. However, the proteins do not get excreted by the body, as the molecules are too large to go through the kidneys. Therefore, they continue to remain within the body, as they continue to carry out their important day to day functions. Therefore, if a normal person’s urine is tested at a lab, it will be seen that the protein in urine levels are quite low. A low level of protein in urine is absolutely normal, especially in younger people, after they exercise or engage in a particularly strenuous activity. However, there are certain conditions, or kidney diseases, that could lead to a condition known as proteinuria, which is characterized by a level of high protein in urine.
What is proteinuria?
Proteinuria refers to the excess of protein in the urine. It can be described as a medical condition or even a symptom of a kidney disease or other serious medical problems. There are certain diseases or conditions that affect the kidneys, due to which the protein in the body may slip through the filters of the kidneys and get eliminated from the body, through the urine. Hence, if a person’s urine has an unusually high amount of protein in it, there is a strong possibility that the person is suffering from proteinuria. Unfortunately, most people may miss the symptoms of protein in urine and may only realize that they are suffering from this problem, after going through a urinalysis, which is a test that is conducted to analyze the content that is present in a person’s urine. Fortunately, it is possible to prevent or even treat proteinuria to a great extent. However, high protein in urine causes and treatment are interrelated and therefore, it is important to know what exactly has caused the levels of protein in the urine to go to such a high level, so that the underlying condition can first be addressed & the treatment can be successful.
Proteinuria causes
There could be many factors and conditions that could act as temporary causes of protein in urine. These include fever, emotions stress, exposure to heat or cold and exercising strenuously. However, there could be other protein in urine causes, which are a lot more severe and require medical attention. Some of the most common high protein in urine causes are:
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Chronic kidney failure
- Infections in the kidney
- Heart diseases or heart failure
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
- Amyloidosis
- Malaria
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Hodgkin’s disease (Hodgkin’s lymphoma)
- The use of certain medication or drugs
- Leukemia
- Glomerulonephritis
- Multiple myeloma
- Lupus
- Good-pasture’s syndrome
- Sickle cell anemia
- Pericarditis
- Sarcoidosis
- Certain biologic therapies
Proteinuria symptoms
Unfortunately, several people do not experience any signs or symptoms that can let them know that they are suffering from proteinuria, or high amounts of protein in the urine. In fact, high protein in urine symptoms are usually only evident in case a person’s kidneys have been damaged to a great extent. However, many people get concerned when they pass foamy urine on a regular basis and decide to go in for a urinalysis, which is what lets them know that their urine contains a high level of protein and that they may be suffering from proteinuria. There may be some too much protein symptoms that are generally associated with the active underlying condition that has caused proteinuria. Some of the symptoms to look out for are:
- Frequent urination, excessive thirst and an increase in appetite, which is generally an indication of high protein in urine during diabetes
- Bone pain, caused by myeloma
- Fatigue caused by certain therapies
- Swelling in the feet, generally associated with high blood pressure
- Fever or chills, indicating the presence of an infection
- Changes in the color of urine, traces of blood in the urine and other urinating problems usually because of kidney problems.
Protein in urine test
Most people check with their doctors, if they suspect that there could be some problems with the urine, after noticing some of the symptoms. However, in order to assess the exact content of a person’s urine, the test that is recommended by a doctor is the urinalysis. If the result of a urinalysis is positive, then further tests may be recommended to determine the cause of the problem.
Treatment for protein in urine
Based on the causes or the condition, as well as the overall health of the person who is suffering from proteinuria, the doctor may recommend certain drugs to treat the condition. Some types of medication that may be prescribed include:
- Antibiotics
- Insulin
- Oran anti-diabetic agents
However there are certain side effects that are associated with these drugs and therefore, all the treatment options should be discussed carefully, by the doctor and the patient. Several doctors may also recommend dietary changes. Many proteinuria patients follow a “renal diet”, which is low in protein, potassium, magnesium and sodium. The intake of carbs should also be limited. The intake of fiber and fresh vegetables is usually beneficial, but no foods should be consumed, without getting a go ahead from the doctor.
High protein in urine of children
It is not uncommon to see small amounts of protein in the urine of children. The causes of protein in urine in children could be that child is very active, since physical activity can lead to some amount of protein being eliminated. However, consistent instances of high protein in urine in children could be an indication of a problem with the kidney. Therefore, as soon a any symptoms of urine problems become evident, it is important for parents to have a pediatrician examine the child and conduct a urinalysis, to identify the probable proteinuria causes in children. Because the levels of activity in children vary throughout the day, may doctors may need to analyze two urine sample, in order to determine the protein in urine causes in children accurately.
High protein in urine in men
Men of all ages are as prone to the condition as women are. The most common causes of protein in urine in men are excessive exercising, diabetes and kidney diseases.
High protein in urine during pregnancy
There are several women who suffer from the problem of high protein in urine in pregnancy. The causes of protein in urine during pregnancy could be pressure on the kidneys, due to a growing baby or even the presence of an infection. In some instances, it could also be a sign that the pregnant woman is developing a potentially serious condition known as pre-eclampsia. Therefore, every instance of protein in urine during late pregnancy should be carefully monitored by the doctor. Since pregnant women are usually asked to avoid most medication, it may be best to check with a doctor, about treatment for protein in urine during pregnancy. Self attempts at treating protein in urine while pregnant should be completely discouraged.
As your doctor has already told you, proteinuria refers to the condition where the concentration of serum proteins in your urine is higher than normal. You may have noticed that your urine appears to be foaming. Since you are diabetic, the most likely cause of proteinuria in your case is intrinsic renal failure due to damaged nephrons. In your case, there is no direct cure for proteinuria. Instead, you need to work at bringing your blood glucose levels within recommended levels. By treating the root cause, diabetes, you will reduce the risk of severe complications, including proteinuria, heart disease and loss of vision. There are two kinds of diabetes, Type I and Type II. Almost 90 percent of all cases are of Type II, which is a condition that requires you to make certain lifestyle and dietary changes that last for a lifetime.
Proteinuria And Home Remedy
Most diabetics respond well to a treatment that includes a recommended diet, exercise, and insulin (if required). While there are no proven natural cures that can completely cure diabetes, you can try out several home remedies that help with the symptoms of diabetes. One widely used remedy is based on the bitter gourd (or bitter melon) plant. Its natural ingredients are very effective in reducing blood sugar levels. These include charantin, a hypoglycemic agent composed of mixed steroids, and momordica, which contains a polypeptide similar to insulin. For best results, you need to drink one glass of fresh bitter gourd juice each morning on an empty stomach. In case you do not have access to the plant, you can substitute it with bitter gourd seed powder. This can be mixed with water or even added to your regular meals. Some people also claim that adding cinnamon to the diet is beneficial for diabetics; since, it appears to reverse appetite loss and regulates digestion. Include onions and garlic in your meals, since their principal active ingredients (allyl propyl disulphide and diallyl disulphide oxide) have a beneficial impact on your blood sugar levels.
However, always keep in mind that diabetes has no quick fix; please try to maintain a regulated diet, get adequate exercise and keep a close watch on your sugar levels. Make sure you do not skip meals and avoid foods that are high in salt, fat or processed sugar. You should also try to avoid excessive stress. In due time, you will greatly reduce the risk of suffering from complications such as proteinuria.
