Reasons for Itching Under Skin

Pruritus, or itchy skin, is most commonly caused by rashes or dry skin, according to MayoClinic.com. However, in some cases, the itching sensation occurs not on the surface of the skin, but under it. 

Aug 16, 2013 | By Owen Pearson

Reasons for Itching Under Skin Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/
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Pruritus, or itchy skin, is most commonly caused by rashes or dry skin, according to MayoClinic.com. However, in some cases, the itching sensation occurs not on the surface of the skin, but under it. Pruritus under the skin typically does not respond well to topical treatments such as anti-itch creams and lotions. In these cases, there are typically underlying causes producing the itching sensations.

Liver Disease

A healthy liver directs bile to the intestine, where it is used in the processing of food and elimination of waste. However, when the liver becomes diseased, the damage can cause bile to back up in the bloodstream. Bile contains salt compounds that are deposited beneath the surface of the skin. These salt compounds produce intense, chronic itching. According to Dr. James F. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," cirrhosis is one of the most common types of liver disease. Other liver disorders that can cause pruritus are bile duct paucity, which is characterized by too few bile ducts from the liver to the intestines, biliary atresia, a complete absence of bile ducts.

Kidney Failure

People with kidney failure are often prone to severe itching beneath the skin, according to the National Institutes of Health. Pruritus often worsens during or immediately after dialysis. This is because dialysis prevents the body from removing uremic toxins from the body. Itching may also be caused by elevated levels of the parathyroid hormone, which is common during kidney failure.

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http://www.livestrong.com/article/186446-reasons-for-itching-under-skin/

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Diseases and Conditions

Itchy skin (pruritus)

Causes

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Possible causes of itchy skin include:

• Dry skin. If you don't see a crop of bright, red bumps or some other dramatic change in the itchy area, dry skin (xerosis) is a likely cause. Dry skin usually results from environmental factors such as hot or cold weather with low humidity, long-term use of air conditioning or central heating, and washing or bathing too much.
• Skin conditions and rashes. Many skin conditions itch, including eczema (dermatitis), psoriasis, scabies, lice, chickenpox and hives. The itching usually affects specific areas and is accompanied by other signs, such as red, irritated skin or bumps and blisters.
• Internal diseases. These include liver disease, malabsorption of wheat (celiac disease), kidney failure, iron deficiency anemia, thyroid problems and cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma. The itching usually affects the whole body. The skin may look otherwise normal except for the repeatedly scratched areas.
• Nerve disorders. Conditions that affect the nervous system — such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, pinched nerves and shingles (herpes zoster) — can cause itching.
• Irritation and allergic reactions. Wool, chemicals, soaps and other substances can irritate the skin and cause itching. Sometimes the substance, such as poison ivy or cosmetics, causes an allergic reaction. Food allergies also may cause skin to itch.
• Drugs. Reactions to drugs, such as antibiotics, antifungal drugs or narcotic pain medications, can cause widespread rashes and itching.
• Pregnancy. During pregnancy, some women experience itchy skin, especially on the abdomen, thighs, breasts and arms. Also, itchy skin conditions, such as dermatitis, can worsen during pregnancy.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/itchy-skin/basics/causes/con-20028460

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Is a High-Acid Diet Risky for People with Kidney Disease?

Experts have long conjectured that high-acid diets (heavy in meat) aggravate kidney dysfunction, a disease that interferes with the kidney’s ability to eliminate acid from the body.

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Danica Collins

This is a FACT.

According to Dr. Ernesto Molmenti, surgical director at North Shore University Hospital Transplant Center in Manhasset, N.Y, at least 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease (CKD). 

Experts have long conjectured that high-acid diets (heavy in meat) aggravate kidney dysfunction, a disease that interferes with the kidney’s ability to eliminate acid from the body. A new study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology supports this suspicion. 

Patients with chronic kidney disease who consumed a high-acid diet (mostly meat) were three times as likely to develop kidney failure as CKD patients who consumed a low-acid diet (rich in fruits and vegetables).

Researchers analyzed data collected from 1,486 patients participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) for an average of 14.2 years. High levels of dietary acid strongly correlated with a significantly higher progression to kidney failure.

Lead researcher Tanushree Banerjee, PhD (UC San Francisco) suggests that patients diagnosed with kidney dysfunction reduce their intake of meat and substantially increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables. She explains:

“Patients with chronic kidney disease may want to pay more attention to diet consumption of acid rich foods to reduce progression to kidney failure, in addition to employing recommended guidelines such as taking kidney-sparing medication and avoiding kidney toxins. The high costs and suboptimal quality of life that dialysis treatments bring may be avoided by adopting a more healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables.”

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Further Related Reading:

• Cutting Back Belly Fat and Processed Foods Can Reduce Kidney
• Fact or Myth: Does Vitamin C Cause Kidney Stones?
• Fact or Myth: Diet Soda is Harmless

http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/fact-or-myth-is-a-high-acid-diet-risky-for-people-with-kidney-disease/

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Chronic Kidney Disease

Last Updated: August 29, 2013

This post is on Healthwise

This topic provides information about chronic kidney disease. If you are looking for information about sudden kidney failure, see the topic Acute Kidney Injury.

Having chronic kidney disease means that for some time your kidneys  have not been working the way they should. Your kidneys have the important job of filtering your blood. They remove waste products and extra fluid and flush them from your body as urine. When your kidneys don't work right, wastes build up in your blood and make you sick.

Chronic kidney disease may seem to have come on suddenly. But it has been happening bit by bit for many years as a result of damage to your kidneys.

Each of your kidneys has about a million tiny filters, called nephrons. If nephrons are damaged, they stop working. For a while, healthy nephrons can take on the extra work. But if the damage continues, more and more nephrons shut down. After a certain point, the nephrons that are left cannot filter your blood well enough to keep you healthy.

One way to measure how well your kidneys are working is to figure out your glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The GFR is usually calculated using results from your blood creatinine (say "kree-AT-uh-neen") test. Then the stage of kidney disease is figured out using the GFR. There are five stages of kidney disease, from kidney damage with normal GFR to kidney failure.

There are things you can do to slow or stop the damage to your kidneys. Taking medicines and making some lifestyle changes can help you manage your disease and feel better.

Chronic kidney disease is also called chronic renal failure or chronic renal insufficiency.

Chronic kidney disease is caused by damage to the kidneys. The most common causes of this damage are:

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure over many years.
• High blood sugar over many years. This happens in uncontrolled type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Other things that can lead to chronic kidney disease include:

• Kidney diseases and infections, such as polycystic kidney disease, pyelonephritis, and glomerulonephritis, or a kidney problem you were born with.
• A narrowed or blocked renal artery. A renal artery carries blood to the kidneys.
• Long-term use of medicines that can damage the kidneys. Examples include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such ascelecoxib and ibuprofen.

You may start to have symptoms only a few months after your kidneys begin to fail. But most people don't have symptoms early on. In fact, many don't have symptoms for as long as 30 years or more. This is called the "silent" phase of the disease.

How well your kidneys work is called kidney function. As your kidney function gets worse, you may:

• Urinate less than normal.
• Have swelling and weight gain from fluid buildup in your tissues. This is called edema (say "ih-DEE-muh").
• Feel very tired or sleepy.
• Not feel hungry, or you may lose weight without trying.
• Often feel sick to your stomach (nauseated) or vomit.
• Have trouble sleeping.
• Have headaches or trouble thinking clearly.

Your doctor will do blood and urine tests to help find out how well your kidneys are working. These tests can show signs of kidney disease andanemia. (You can get anemia from having damaged kidneys.) You may have other tests to help rule out other problems that could cause your symptoms.

Your doctor will do tests that measure the amount of urea (BUN) andcreatinine in your blood. These tests can help measure how well your kidneys are filtering your blood. As your kidney function gets worse, the amount of nitrogen (shown by the BUN test) and creatinine in your blood increases. The level of creatinine in your blood is used to find out the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The GFR is used to show how much kidney function you still have. The GFR is also used to find out the stage of your kidney disease and to guide decisions about treatment.

Your doctor will ask questions about any past kidney problems. He or she will also ask whether you have a family history of kidney disease and what medicines you take, both prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

You may have a test that lets your doctor look at a picture of your kidneys, such as an ultrasound or CT scan. These tests can help your doctor measure the size of your kidneys, estimate blood flow to the kidneys, and see if urine flow is blocked. In some cases, your doctor may take a tiny sample of kidney tissue (biopsy) to help find out what caused your kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease is usually caused by another condition. So the first step is to treat the disease that is causing kidney damage.

Diabetes and high blood pressure cause most cases of chronic kidney disease. If you keep your blood pressure and blood sugar in a target range, you may be able to slow or stop the damage to your kidneys. Losing weight and getting more exercise can help. You may also need to take medicines.

Kidney disease is a complex problem. You will probably need to take a number of medicines and have many tests. To stay as healthy as possible, work closely with your doctor. Go to all your appointments. And take your medicines just the way your doctor says to.

Lifestyle changes are an important part of your treatment. Taking these steps can help slow down kidney disease and reduce your symptoms. These steps may also help with high blood pressure,diabetes, and other problems that make kidney disease worse.

• Follow a diet that is easy on your kidneys. A dietitian can help you make an eating plan with the right amounts of salt (sodium) and protein. You may also need to watch how much fluid you drink each day.
• Make exercise a routine part of your life. Work with your doctor to design an exercise program that is right for you.
• Do not smoke or use tobacco.
• Do not drink alcohol.

Always talk to your doctor before you take any new medicine, including over-the-counter remedies, prescription drugs, vitamins, or herbs. Some of these can hurt your kidneys.

When kidney function falls below a certain point, it is called kidney failure. Kidney failure affects your whole body. It can cause seriousheart, bone, and brain problems and make you feel very ill. Untreated kidney failure can be life-threatening.

When you have kidney failure, you will probably have two choices: start dialysis or get a new kidney (transplant). Both of these treatments have risks and benefits. Talk with your doctor to decide which would be best for you.

• Dialysis is a process that filters your blood when your kidneys no longer can. It is not a cure, but it can help you feel better and live longer.
• Kidney transplant may be the best choice if you are otherwise healthy. With a new kidney, you will feel much better and will be able to live a more normal life. But you may have to wait for a kidney that is a good match for your blood and tissue type. And you will have to take medicine for the rest of your life to keep your body from rejecting the new kidney.

Making treatment decisions when you are very ill is hard. It is normal to be worried and afraid. Discuss your concerns with your loved ones and your doctor. It may help to visit a dialysis center or transplant center and talk to others who have made these choices.

Learning about chronic kidney disease:	What is chronic kidney disease? What causes it? What are the symptoms? What increases my risk for chronic kidney disease? When do I need to see my doctor?
Being diagnosed:	How will my doctor diagnose chronic kidney disease? Why is early diagnosis important? What are the stages of chronic kidney disease? What is the difference between acute renal failure and chronic kidney disease? Who should I see about chronic kidney disease?
Getting treatment:	How is chronic kidney disease treated? What type of medicines will I need to take? When is dialysis needed? Will I need a kidney transplant?
Ongoing concerns:	What is kidney failure? What is a kidney transplant? What is hemodialysis? What is peritoneal dialysis?  What type of dialysis should I have? How do I know if dialysis is working?
Living with chronic kidney disease:	What can I do at home for chronic kidney disease?  What diet changes will I need to make? What do I need to know about taking medicines?

Health Tools

Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.

Decision Points focus on key medical care decisions that are important to many health problems.

Advance Care Planning: Should I Stop Kidney Dialysis?Kidney Failure: Should I Start Dialysis?Kidney Failure: What Type of Dialysis Should I Have?Kidney Failure: When Should I Start Dialysis?

Actionsets are designed to help people take an active role in managing a health condition.

Diabetes: Checking Your Blood SugarHigh Blood Pressure: Checking Your Blood Pressure at HomeKidney Disease: Changing Your Diet

Further Reading:

• The Kidneys (Human Anatomy): Picture, Function, Definition, and Conditions
• Can antiperspirants cause kidney disease?

• Kidney Dialysis: Types and Side Effects
• Preventing Kidney Disease
• Chronic Kidney Disease-Cause
• Chronic Kidney Disease-Medications
• Chronic Kidney Disease-Other Treatment
• Chronic Kidney Disease-What Happens
• Chronic Kidney Disease-When To Call a Doctor
• See All Dialysis Topics

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/chronic-kidney-disease-topic-overview

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Hemodialysis Compared to Peritoneal Dialysis

Last Updated: August 29, 2013

This post is on Healthwise

Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are both used to treat kidney failure. Hemodialysis uses a man-made membrane (dialyzer) to filter wastes and remove extra fluid from the blood. Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneal membrane) and a solution (dialysate) to remove wastes and extra fluid from the body.

Each form of dialysis has its advantages and disadvantages.

Comparison of dialysis methods

	Hemodialysis	Peritoneal dialysis
What is usually involved	Before hemodialysis treatments can begin, your doctor will need to create a site where blood can flow in and out of your body. Hemodialysis uses a man-made membrane called a dialyzer to clean your blood. You are connected to the dialyzer by tubes attached to your blood vessels. You will probably go to a hospital or dialysis center on a fairly set schedule. Hemodialysis usually is done 3 days a week and takes 3 to 5 hours a day. You may be able to do dialysis at home. Home hemodialysis requires training for you and at least one other person. Your home may need some changes so that the equipment will work. You may have choices in how often and how long you can have dialysis, such as every day for shorter periods, long nighttime dialysis, or several times a week for 3 to 5 hours a day.	You will have a catheter placed in your belly (dialysis access) before you begin dialysis. Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of your belly, which is called the peritoneal membrane, to filter your blood. The process of doing peritoneal dialysis is called an exchange. You will usually complete 4 to 6 exchanges every day. You will be taught how to do your treatment at home, on your own schedule.
Advantages	It is most often done by trained health professionals who can watch for any problems. It allows you to be in contact with other people having dialysis, which may give you emotional support. You don't have to do it yourself, as you do with peritoneal dialysis. You do it for a shorter amount of time and on fewer days each week than peritoneal dialysis. Home hemodialysis can give you more flexibility in when, where, and how long you have dialysis.	It gives you more freedom than hemodialysis. It can be done at home or in any clean place. You can do it when you travel. You may be able to do it while you sleep. You can do it by yourself. It doesn't require as many food and fluid restrictions as hemodialysis. It doesn't use needles.
Disadvantages	It causes you to feel tired on the day of the treatments. It can cause problems such as low blood pressure and blood clots in the dialysis access. It increases your risk of bloodstream infections. Home hemodialysis may require changes to your home. You and a friend will need to complete training.	The procedure may be hard for some people to do. It increases your risk for an infection of the lining of the belly, called peritonitis.

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/hemodialysis-compared-to-peritoneal-dialysis-topic-overview

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Doctors design mini dialysis machine for babies

LONDON: Doctors in Italy have designed a miniature dialysis machine for babies, used for the first time last year to save a newborn girl, according to a new report.

23 May 2014

Usually, doctors adapt standard dialysis machines for babies, but that can be risky since the devices can't always be accurately tweaked. About 1 to 2 per cent of hospitalised infants have kidney problems that may require dialysis, which cleans toxins from the blood when the kidneys aren't working.

 

"Only a small number of (babies) need this treatment, but it could be life-saving," said Dr. Heather Lambert, a pediatric kidney specialist and spokeswoman for Britain's Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

 

Lambert and colleagues at the Great North Children's Hospital in Newcastle are working on a similar small dialysis device and other scientists have experimented with prototypes.

 

The new mini-dialysis machine, meant for babies under 10 kilograms (22 pounds), was conceived by Dr. Claudio Ronco of the San Bortolo Hospital in Vicenza, Italy and colleagues. Just weeks after the machine was licensed last summer by European authorities, they got their first patient: a 3-day-old baby girl weighing about 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds) with multiple organ failure.

 

"Her parents had already reserved the funeral," Ronco said. Instead, the baby was treated for nearly a month. She and her parents recently paid Ronco a visit.

 

"The baby was crying like crazy because she was hungry, but she's doing great," Ronco said. The baby has mild kidney problems and needs vitamin D supplements but is otherwise growing normally, he said.

 

Since then, about 10 other babies have been treated with the machine across Europe.

 

The development of the dialysis machine and its first patient were described in a paper published online Thursday in the journal Lancet. The research was paid for by an Italian kidney advocacy group. The dialysis machines cost 35,000 euros (US$47,801) and Ronco does not profit from their sales.

 

"This is a pretty major advance for the smallest infants," said Dr. Bethany Foster, an associate professor of paediatrics at the Montreal Children's Hospital in Canada, who co-authored an accompanying commentary. "I can't imagine the baby they (treated) would have survived with the current technology."

 

Foster emphasised that doctors should be cautious in deciding which babies to treat.

 

"You have to be especially vigilant with very small babies because what you're often doing amounts to heroic treatment," Foster said. "We need to be careful that we don't just do things because we can." -- AP

http://www.nst.com.my/latest/doctors-design-mini-dialysis-machine-for-babies-1.603366