Nephritis & Pyelonephritis – Spiritual Meaning, Causes, Symptoms, Prevention

Nephritis describes a condition in which the kidney’s tubules and nearby tissues become inflamed. This can lead to kidney damage. The kidneys are some of the most hard-working organs in the human body, aside from the heart. They filter about 50 gallons of blood every day.

There are a few types of nephritis:

Glomerulonephritis – it produces inflammation in the glomeruli, which are clusters of capillaries which transport blood and behave as filtering units.

Pyelonephritis – it is typically caused by E. Coli, a bacteria that is found in the small intestine of the body. E. Coli travels in the bladder and the kidneys through the urethra causing this condition.

Interstitial nephritis – when you have this condition, the spaces between tubules inside the kidney become inflamed.

Causes

Common causes of this condition include:

Heredity factors – you are at a much higher risk of developing this condition if any of your parents have been diagnosed with it.

Medicines – it has been seen that people who have been taking certain medicines for a long period of time may be more prone to this condition, as compared to the others. More than 100 drugs are known to trigger it, including:

• proton pump inhibitors (a group of drugs whose main action is a long-lasting reduction of stomach acid production);
• angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors;
• calcium channel blockers;
• diuretics, especially those with a sulphonamide moiety;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• antibiotics, such as – vancomycin, rifampicin, isoniazid, macrolides, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and penicillins.

Bacteria – one of the most frequent causes of this inflammatory condition is the streptococcus bacteria, a type of bacterium which can cause minor illnesses as well as serious and deadly diseases.

Autoimmune disorders – this occurs when your immune system starts to attack normal parts of the body, instead of invaders.

Symptoms 

Common symptoms may include:

• high blood pressure;
• pelvic pain;
• fever (high temperature);
• vomiting sensations;
• nausea;
• pain while urinating;
• swelling of the legs, feet, mouth, and face;
• abdominal pain;
• blood in the urine.

Spiritual Meaning of Nephritis 

Like all organs which come in pairs, the kidneys are related to the idea of partnership. Just as the lungs represent friendship and communication, the testicles and ovaries sexual relationships and eros, the kidneys represent the complementarity that unconsciously releases a part of us to the partner.

We usually attract people who represent our shadow, the aspect of what we would like to become or to repress, but which we have not yet integrated.

If you have kidney problems, it is likely that you are projecting your deficiencies and problems onto your partner or others. As a result, you are very sensitive, often disappointed and frustrated and criticizing others. Your consciousness is the leader of the body. Wake up to reality as soon as possible.

Spiritual Meaning of Pyelonephritis

As in all cases of inflammatory processes, it indicates an acute challenge or a conflict in finding the partnership or relationship that you have not yet resolved consciously. Now the conflict affects the kidneys and attracts your attention. Have a look at your problem and everything related to it. Try to accept and work with it consciously.

Prevention

Lose Weight

Extra weight forces the kidneys to work harder and filter wastes above the normal level.  Over time, this increases the risk of any type of kidney disease.

Therefore, if you are carrying some extra pounds, it may be time to lose this unnecessary burden on your physical body.

Avoid Junk Food

Give up junk foods, including – crackers, potato chips, instant potato mix, nachos, cheese spreads, hamburgers, hot dogs, burritos, french fries, onion rings, fried chicken, and deli meats.

All these foods are high in phosphorus, sodium, trans-fats, and food additives  – all of which can have a negative effect on the kidneys.

In addition, avoid sugar-sweetened drinks, caffeine, and alcoholic beverages, since they are high in calories and have no nutritious need or value.

Exercise

Exercise is important for many reasons. It helps you to:

• sleep better;
• build self-esteem and self-confidence;
• prevent injuries;
• build endurance and strength;
• control cholesterol and blood pressure;
• prevent many diseases including heart disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, kidney disease;
• maintain a healthy weight.

Therefore, if you are not active now, start practicing a moderate physical activity for 30 minutes or more on a daily basis or 60 minutes every second day.

Blood Pressure

Keep your blood pressure under control. This can be done through a combination of physical exercise, a plant-based diet, low sodium (table salt), and alcohol intake.

Furthermore, stop smoking, don’t drink alcohol, and reduce your stress by having good sleeping patterns (be in bed at 22.00 PM and have 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep), spend time in nature (during the day for vitamin D), and a daily meditation session.

References

https://academic.oup.com/ndt/article/28/6/1371/1836033
http://jasn.asnjournals.org/content/20/5/1103.full
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25403681