The kidneys are the body's primary organs for excreting water. When kidney disease prevents water from being excreted and it accumulates in the body, renal edema occurs.
The severity of edema varies. Mild cases may show no visible swelling, only weight gain or slight morning eyelid puffiness. Severe cases can involve obvious whole-body swelling, even pleural and peritoneal effusions, causing weight gain of tens of kilograms.
A Nephrotic Syndrome Patient "Trapped" by Edema for 5 Years
Mr. Chen, 55 years old, is a nephrotic syndrome patient whose most prominent symptom was bilateral lower limb edema. Initially, the swelling was mild and improved with rest, but over time, the episodes became more frequent and progressively worse, forcing him to take it seriously. Over 5 years, he visited many places — Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai — trying both top-tier hospitals and specialty hospitals, going wherever he heard the results were good.
He admitted that some hospitals did achieve results, but the condition would relapse before long. Years of treatment had left him physically and mentally exhausted.
It wasn't until coming to Jingkang TCM that the hospital's specialists developed an integrated Chinese-Western treatment plan, using the distinctive "Meridian Kidney-Protection Therapy" combined with "Shao's Kidney-Strengthening Carp Soup." In less than a month, Mr. Chen's edema significantly subsided, his weight dropped from 102.7 kg to 92 kg, and his related indicators improved dramatically.
Severe Bilateral Lower Limb Edema, Yet Clinging to Folk Remedies
Diabetic nephropathy is one of the more serious complications of diabetes. Mr. Zhang had a long history of diabetes, and in the past six months, edema had gradually appeared in both lower limbs. If he had gone to a regular hospital for examination, any experienced doctor would have recommended kidney function tests.
Instead of seeking proper medical treatment, he believed in the notion that "folk remedies cure serious diseases." He found some folk remedies from unknown sources and used them daily to soak his swollen legs and feet.
After a period of time, not only did the swelling in both lower limbs not decrease, but the folk remedies caused his legs to darken and the edema to worsen.
Attending physician Yao Pengfei stated that the patient had already developed kidney abnormalities, and failing to receive proper treatment only worsened his condition.
Upon admission to our hospital, in addition to swelling and weakness in both lower limbs, he also experienced abdominal distension, back pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, and poor sleep.
Based on Mr. Zhang's examination results and symptoms, specialists tailored an integrated Chinese-Western treatment plan. While controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, they applied the "Meridian Kidney-Protection Therapy" combined with "Shao's Kidney-Strengthening Carp Soup" for targeted regulation and treatment.
Before discharge, Mr. Zhang's edema had subsided by a total of 19 kg, and his serum creatinine decreased from 528.4 μmol/L to 408.6 μmol/L, with relief of uncomfortable symptoms.
Why Is "Kidney-Strengthening Carp Soup" So Effective for Edema?
Edema is one of the most common symptoms in kidney disease patients. To address this symptom, Professor Shao Debín, an expert from our hospital's "Meridian Kidney-Protection Therapy" research group, has conducted years of dedicated research and refinement, adding special kidney-nourishing and kidney-protecting Chinese herbal medicines to the traditional "Carp Soup" formula. This helps elevate qi dynamics, disseminate lung qi, and promote urination. Clinical findings show that "Shao's Kidney-Strengthening Carp Soup" can rapidly achieve the effects of promoting diuresis, reducing edema, and supplementing protein, greatly benefiting kidney disease patients.
