Definition of creatinine
Creatinine is defined as the residues of chemicals arising from muscle metabolism. The body’s production of creatinine depends on the muscle mass of the person. Its levels are lower in women than in men; due to the large muscle mass in men compared to women. Creatinine is a metabolite of creatinine phosphate.
The creatinine refers to the health of the kidneys, which are put in the urine, because it is easy to measure, those who have a healthy kidneys have a small amount of creatinine or even zero because the kidneys filtered, and those with kidney disease, the levels of creatinine in their blood is high, Creatinine clearance (CrCl) rate). The rate of creatinine clearance is linked to glomerular filtration (GF) rate, which is one of the tests used to evaluate kidney function.
How to reduce creatinine
Methods that rapidly reduce creatinine include:
- Reduce stressful exercise: By exercising excessively, the body converts keratin to creatinine at high levels. Although exercise is necessary, excessive exercise is not healthy and increases creatinine levels.
- Drink plenty of water: As mentioned above, dryness leads to increased creatinine. In order to avoid this, it is advisable to drink plenty of water, ie 8 to 10 cups daily. Drinking plenty of water helps to release creatinine from the body through the urine.
- Reduce sodium consumption: It holds fluid in the body, leading to less urination, so creatinine stays in the body, so you should stay away from foods that contain too much sodium, including processed foods, and fast food.
- Avoid the following foods:
- Protein-rich foods: Red meat, fat-free meat, eggs, fish and milk. The reason for avoiding them is that the protein weighs on kidney disease patients.
- Foods high in potassium include chocolate, cocoa powder, nuts, plums and avocados. Foods rich in phosphorus include cheese, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and nuts. The reason for reducing them is that potassium and phosphorus are high in patients Kidneys, avoiding these foods helps to lower creatinine levels.
- Meat: It is advised to avoid eating too much; because it increases the proportion of creatinine, unless the person seeks to increase the size of his muscles weekly.
- Maintaining a Healthy Diet: For example, instead of using red meat as a source of protein, it can be replaced with other sources, including cucumbers, carrots, lettuce, radish, cabbage, cauliflower, and cauliflower. , Also advised not to eat foods rich in refined sugar, and avoid alcohol, soda, tea, and replace it with water.
- Use of household herbs: There are home-based herbs that help reduce creatinine, including chamomile, cinnamon and ginseng.
- Use of medicines: Such as calcium channel blockers and diuretics that help lower creatinine levels. Calcium channel blockers are an expansion of the blood vessels, which helps blood flow to the kidneys, thereby reducing creatinine. Diuretics increase kidney output to eliminate waste, but diuretics should not be used excessively because they increase creatinine levels. There are also many other drugs that help control high creatinine levels.
How to prepare for screening creatinine filter
Before taking the creatinine clearance test, you should first inform your doctor of what medications are used, whether prescribed or not. Some medications may increase creatinine levels without affecting kidneys, including:
- Your doctor may adjust or stop the dose before the test.
Natural proportions of creatinine
The normal blood creatinine ratios in males are 0.6 to 1.12 milligrams per deciliter, whereas in adult females it ranges from 0.5 to 1.1 milligrams per deciliter, and in infants it is 0.2 milligrams per deciliter or more, determined by the development of their muscles.
For middle-aged adults who have many muscles, the proportions are higher. Older people have less creatinine than those who are malnourished, chronically ill, or have lost too much weight.
Symptoms of high creatinine levels
Symptoms of high creatinine levels include:
- Frequent night urination.
- The urine turned dark.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Breathing difficulty.
- Itching.
Causes of high creatinine levels
Factors that cause high levels of creatinine include:
- Kidney disease.
- Drought.
- Excessive exercise.
- Some drugs, including chemotherapy for cancer, ACE inhibitors, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which include aspirin and ibuprofen.
- Hypertension.
- Loss of too much blood.
- Thyroid problems.
- Increase muscle building.
- Eat plenty of red meat.
- Creatinine is used as a dietary supplement.