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In a blood test, creatinine is one of the values that are most taken into consideration since it allows us to assess how well the kidneys work; a fundamental organ since it is in charge of purifying the organism and eliminating all the toxins accumulated in it. Thus, high creatinine is a condition that requires medical treatment.
The optimal levels of creatinine in the body should range between 0.75 and 1.3 mg / dl in the case of men . For women , optimal levels are between 0.6 and 1.1 mg / dl . If the values are above these levels, it is a clear indication that the kidneys are not working properly, which leads to a buildup of creatinine in the bloodstream.
What is creatinine?
Creatinine is a waste of muscle mass and activity. It is an organic compound that originates from the normal metabolism of the muscles that make up the body. Creatinine production is subject to variations in muscle mass, as well as kidney function.
Thus, the elevation of creatinine values usually occurs when there is a certain problem in the kidneys , such as an infection or kidney failure, for example. However, in certain cases, this condition can also occur as a result of certain muscle problems, such as the breakdown of the fibers of certain muscle groups as a result of an injury.
Causes of high creatinine
Here are the main causes of high blood creatinine levels.
Urinary tract obstruction
Known as urinary tract obstruction, or urethral obstruction, it is a blockage in one or both tubes that are responsible for transporting urine from the kidneys to the bladder . It is a relatively mild condition, as long as the appropriate treatment is established in the initial phases; otherwise, symptoms can quickly become severe, and even cause death.
Symptoms depend on where the obstruction occurs, as well as the type and whether it is partial or complete. The warning signs that occur in the vast majority of cases are the following: pain, more or less urine, the presence of blood in the urine and high blood pressure.
Renal insufficiency
This is one of the most common causes of elevated blood creatinine levels. It is a relatively serious disease that occurs when the kidneys are unable to filter toxins from the body .
Some of the symptoms of this condition are the following: swelling, fatigue and tiredness for no apparent reason, skin rash, bad breath, chills and dizziness. Kidney failure occurs especially in older people.
Dehydration
The dehydration can also cause this condition. When a certain patient has not consumed enough water and the body is dehydrated, it is not able to adequately purify the blood, thus raising its creatinine levels.
Thus, it is very important to hydrate properly, especially during the summer season; it is infants and the elderly who are most likely to become dehydrated.
Type 2 diabetes
This disease can lead to an increase in creatinine levels as it causes kidney failure . It is best to maintain normal insulin levels to avoid any type of kidney problem.
Breakdown of muscle fibers
Although in the vast majority of cases high creatinine levels are associated with kidney problems, this condition can also be caused by a muscle problem; more specifically, by the decomposition of the fibers of a set of muscles.
It can be the result of an injury or any other problem that causes great damage to the muscles due to excessive physical exercise.
High creatinine: symptoms
High creatinine is not a cause in itself, but one more symptom of a certain kidney disease . Therefore, the symptoms that accompany elevated creatinine values are those of kidney-related conditions: tiredness, fatigue, frequent and severe headaches, nausea, weight loss, swelling of the feet and hands, and pain. when urinating.
These are the general symptoms of this type of disease. In addition, patients with creatinine may present others typical of the condition they suffer from. It is important to see a doctor to make a timely diagnosis and establish the appropriate treatment for the disease that has raised blood creatinine levels.
Is having high creatinine levels serious?
As we have pointed out, the analysis of creatinine levels in the body helps to determine the functioning of the kidneys. Therefore, levels above normal of this substance implies a certain kidney disease. The severity of it basically depends on the amount of creatinine accumulated in the bloodstream.
However, it is worth noting that high creatinine values are not necessarily related to chronic kidney disease.
Tips for lowering creatinine levels
If after a blood test your creatinine levels are high, there are a series of tips that are worth taking into account to take care of the kidneys and, thus, lower these levels.
- Hydration: hydration is one of the most important factors in purifying the kidneys and, therefore, the body. It is advisable to drink two liters of water daily. In addition, it is advisable to consume fruits and vegetables daily since in addition to providing very beneficial nutrients for the health of the body, they are foods with a large amount of water.
- Hypertension: High blood pressure is one of the main enemies of kidney health. Therefore, if you suffer from hypertension, it is important that you see your doctor to establish the appropriate treatment.
- Food: to take care of the health of the kidneys you must eliminate certain foods from your diet such as coffee, alcohol, legumes, organ meats, celery, spinach, potatoes and scallops.
- Diuretic foods: it is highly recommended that you follow a diet rich in diuretic foods such as asparagus, pineapple, artichokes or broccoli.
- Exercise: of course, practicing physical exercise on a regular basis is very important to take care not only of the health of the kidneys, but also of the body as a whole. However, it is also not good to overdo it as drastic changes in muscle mass can raise blood creatinine levels.
- Medicinal plants: there is a large selection of medicinal plants with diuretic and cleansing properties that help greatly to eliminate toxins and prevent fluid retention. One of them is the hair tail; also grass, which helps prevent urinary tract infection. Other plants that can be of great help to lower creatinine levels are dandelion and chamomile.
Hello Readers, I am Nikki Bella a Psychology student. I have always been concerned about human behavior and the mental processes that lead us to act and think the way we do. My collaboration as an editor in the psychology area of Well Being Pole has allowed me to investigate further and expand my knowledge in the field of mental health; I have also acquired great knowledge about physical health and well-being, two fundamental bases that are directly related and are part of all mental health.