Today I am going to have a look look at the following paper: 

Liu, M., Zhang, Y., Ye, Z., Yang, S., Zhou, C., He, P., Zhang, Y., Hou, F.F. and Qin, X. (2023). Inflammatory Bowel Disease With Chronic Kidney Disease and Acute Kidney Injury. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, [online] 65(6), pp.1103–1112. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2023.08.008.

With my ongoing gut and according to my bloodwork kidney issues this paper came up in my research. As always please not I am no longer a scientific researcher and am outside of my area of expertise, this is just what I can tell from a look at the paper and knowledge I have left from 12 years ago when I was in science, I am not a medical doctor and this is not medical advice.  

Summary:

• Study analysed data from UK Biobank to assess the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI) in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

• Participants with IBD had a significantly higher risk of CKD and AKI compared to those without IBD.

• The study highlights the importance of monitoring kidney function in patients with IBD.

This study provides valuable insights into the association between IBD and kidney diseases, emphasizing the need for proactive monitoring in clinical practice.

Detailed Summary:

- Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), are at a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI).

- Potential mechanisms contributing to the increased risk include electrolyte abnormalities due to intestinal inflammation, dysbiosis leading to uremic toxins, and immune system alterations promoting renal disease progression.

- The association between IBD and kidney issues is independent of genetic risks of kidney diseases, and the risk is higher in younger participants compared to older individuals, highlighting the importance of monitoring kidney function in patients with IBD.

Creatinine gone back up

Frustratingly my blood test came back at 6pm on a Friday, because of course it did. And it also showed that my creatinine has gone back up to where it was when I was unwell with the infection. This might help me get some more tests at least but does suggest that my kidney function could be impaired.  

I am not a doctor so I will try and not spend the weekend guessing everything that could be going on. I personally still think it could be linked to the underlying gut issue, not through dehydration as I am drinking well and not going that often but because papers that I will try and summarise (in another post) suggest that IBD / gut issues can link to kidney damage. Though the decline since Feb suggests it is something acute that has caused the decreased kidney function. It is also the decline, well increase in number but decrease in function, that suggests it is nothing to do with the carnivore diet. I say this because a high meat diet is known to increase creatinine levels. 

Will update once I have spoken to the doctors. Hopefully my Op in June can still go ahead and hopefully we can get my a settled tummy and back to 100%. 

Antibiotics can lead to IBD?

I am hoping to start doing some short posts (and maybe some longer ones) looking at various aspects of science. I do aim to look at running and carnivore papers (not that such a thing would ever get any funding) but at the moment I am researching a lot into my gut issues and potential causes. 

The reason that this article actually caught my attention is because I generally have to stop taking antibiotics due to the severe stomach cramps and diarrhoea that it causes, I might in fact cover a paper next that shows antibiotic use can trigger flare ups. Anyway.

Not say I have IBD, though as discussed before many of the symptoms line up (for a mild case at least) and during that I came across a podcast about a research paper on antibiotic use and its potential link to IBD. 

Faye, A.S., Allin, K.H., Iversen, A.T., Agrawal, M., Faith, J., Colombel, J.-F. and Jess, T. (2023). Antibiotic use as a risk factor for inflammatory bowel disease across the ages: a population-based cohort study. Gut, [online] 72(4), pp.663–670. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2022-327845.

The basic conclusion of this study is that "Antibiotic exposure is associated with an increased risk of IBD, and was highest among individuals aged 40 years and older. This risk increased with cumulative antibiotic exposure.."

So there you go, there is a chance that taking antibiotics increases your risk of developing IBD. Of course you should take any medication you are advised to take and this information is me sharing the research and should not be considered medical advice. 

ibd, medical, paper, antibiotics, Crohn's, runner, gut, diarrhoea, stomach cramps,

Lots going on and not enough running

I have had a lot going on recently, none of which I think is diet related. I don't want to share all of them but here goes. The GP has said they could point towards IBD, though it would be relatively mild for IBD based off my research. 

• Low Folate - Post supplementation is fine however this can be a sign of IBD

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• Calprotectin - Had the Campylobacter infection, Calprotectin was through the roof and do still have regular diarrhoea, great fun with running. Note studies have shown a max calprotectin score of 1200 for infections, my score was 1700.

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• Fatigue - I am falling asleep during the day, I will sit on the sofa during my lunch break or to watch TV and then wake up an hour later. I also have less energy and enthusiasm for my hobbies and am struggling to concentrate on complex tasks. 

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Skin - I have patches of dry and itchy skin. The worst is under my left eye, it is red, sore and getting gradually worse. There is also a patch that comes and goes between 2 of my fingers.  

Muscle Cramping - I take an electrolyte supplement for running, if I forget to take this on a single day I will get cramping in my calf overnight. 

Diarrhoea - I experience a loose bowel movement at least once or twice most days. It is generally in the evenings or early morning and comes shortly after some severe fatigue / tiredness and the feeling of nausea. Running, something I enjoy, is also a trigger.

Stomach Cramping - The Diarrhoea is often accompanied with stomach cramps, with pain being in the lower right hand side of my chest.

Yes I am speaking to doctors about all of this.