CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE AND ITS AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT

INTRODUCTION

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a disease which is characterized by loss of kidney function. The kidneys get damaged in this disease. Kidneys are the excretory organs of body which filter blood and remove any unwanted wastes from the body. They maintain electrolytic and fluid balance in body. The excessive fluid and wastes are removed from the body in the form of urine. Chronic kidney disease is also known as chronic kidney failure. Kidneys don’t perform their function well and thus toxins or unwanted substances get collected in body. This leads to manifestation of other health problems such as hypertension, stroke, etc.

The severity of chronic kidney disease varies from person to person. In the early period, there are very few signs and symptoms and a person doesn’t pay much attention until the condition gets advanced.

The treatment of chronic kidney disease involves slow progression of the kidney damage, depending on the underlying cause of the disease. In severe cases, dialysis or a kidney transplant is required.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE?

Chronic kidney disease occurs because of several reasons. Following are some of the causes of chronic kidney disease:

• Inflammation of glomerulus known as glomerulonephritis
• Suffering from diabetes
• Hypertension
• Interstitial nephritis
• Presence of kidney stones causing obstruction of the urinary pathway
• Formation of multiple cysts in kidneys
• Enlarged size of prostate gland known as prostatomegaly
• Frequent infections of kidney

WHAT ARE THE FACTORS WHICH MAKE A PERSON MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE?

There are some factors which increase the risk of a person to develop chronic kidney disease. Following are the risk factors of chronic kidney disease:

• Having a genetic predisposition of the disease
• Obesity
• No physical exercise
• Increased sugar levels in blood
• Cigarette smoking
• Alcohol abuse
• Increasing age
• Any abnormal structure of the kidney
• Certain medications

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE?

As kidneys don’t function properly, the wastes get accumulated and there occurs fluid in body. The symptoms of chronic kidney disease develop slowly with time. Following are some common signs and symptoms of the disease:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Swelling in ankles and feet
• Feeling tired
• Muscle ache
• Mental confusion
• Excessive or lack of sleep
• Shortness of breath
• Itching
• Difficulty in urination

SOME OF THE COMPLICATIONS WHICH ARE ASSOCIATED WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

Kidney failure is associated with various other health related issues. Some of the following are the complications which are associated with it:

• Pulmonary edema
• Anemia
• Fluid retention in body
• Seizures
• Osteoporosis
• Complications in pregnancy
• Accumulation of fluid in body due to loss of kidney functioning
• Increased bone fractures
• Decreased sexual desire
• Erectile dysfunctioning
• Recurrent body infections
• Inflammation in heart
• Infertility

HOW CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE IS BEING DIAGNOSED?

The doctor will ask about the signs and symptoms of the disease to the patient. He will do a physical examination of the patient. He will take his family history and recommend some tests for the evaluation of the disease. Following are the tests required for the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease:

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Ultrasound
• CT scan
• MRI scan

WHAT IS THE AYURVEDIC CONCEPT OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE?

In Ayurveda, chronic kidney disease comes under the category of vrikk roga. It occurs because of the aggravation of pitta dosha. The pitta dosha further disturbs kapha and vata doshas. It is a tridoshaj roga which blocks mutravaha and medovaha strotas. Bad eating habits and unhealthy lifestyle are the main causes of chronic kidney disease. There are various ayurvedic herbs which are very beneficial for the management of chronic kidney disease such as amalaki, draksha, patola, shilajit, etc.

MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE WITH THE MEDICATIONS OF CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTRE

Here are some of the medicines of Chandigarh Ayurved centre which are used for the treatment of chronic kidney disease:

1. Gokshura Capsules

Gokshuru capsules are pure ayurvedic medicine which is very effective in kidney disorders as it has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the swelling of the abdomen. It also acts as diuretic which causes increased urine secretion from the body and removal of all the toxins. These capsules contain pure extract of Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris). It provides effective result in acute & chronic kidney disease, chronic renal failure, cystitis, and urethritis, nephropathy, and urinary tract infections.

Recommended Dosage: Take one capsule twice daily with normal water.

2. Kidney Care Tablet

Kidney plays an important role in keeping the whole body clean, well-fueled, strong and functioning properly. Kidney failure puts the body at risk, allowing waste to accumulate and damage the kidneys from inside. It is a good idea to do a kidney cleansing and keep a check on the health of the kidneys in your middle and old age. The toxins that buildup results in nausea or feeling sick to the stomach, lack of concentration and blood pressure changes are all symptoms of kidney failure.

Recommended Dosage: Take 2 tablets twice daily with normal water.

3. Kidney Care Churna

The kidney care churna is prepared from herbs like Bhumiamla (Phyllanthus niruri), Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), & Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa). These herbs in combination show anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antioxidant, analgesic, etc properties. Kidney care churna keep all kidney function tests (serum creatinine, urea, sodium, potassium, chlorine, & uric acid), etc in normal range. The use of this churna reduces swelling in the body, remove kidney stones, deal with urinary tract infection, general weakness, & fatigue, etc related to kidney patients.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 teaspoonful twice daily with normal water.

4. UTI Care Tablet

UTI Care Tablets helps to treat Urinary tract infections along with the diseases related to kidney, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra. This tablet contains pure herbal ingredients which are Yavakshar (Hordeum vulgare), kalmi Shora (Pottasium nitrate), Naushadar (Ammonium chloride), Swarna Gairik (Red ochre), etc. UTI Care Tablets are also beneficial in kidney stones, chronic kidney disease, renal colic, burning sensation or pain during micturition, and Hypertension.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice a day with normal water.

5. Detox Premium Powder

The powder contains all the Ayurvedic herbs which strengthen the immune system of the body and prevents the various complications by potentiating immune system. The powder includes :

Parwal Pishti– Parwal pishti is prepared from Coral calcium. It is mainly used in Pitta related disorders and helpful in bleeding disorders. This pishti relieves Ama dosha and improves the digestion power. It also improves the strength and immunity.

Shukta Pishti– It is prepared from Pearl oyster shell. Shukta pishti pacifies Pitta and Kapha dosha. It is the best ant-acid and relieves the abdominal distention. Shukta pishti reduces the rashes on the arms and legs.

Giloy Satva–Giloy satva includes water-soluble extract of Giloy/Guduchi (Tinospora Cordifolia). It balances the aggravated pitta and acts as a mild-antipyretic, antacid, and immuno-modulator. It also reduces burning sensation in the hands, feet, and body.

Kamdudha Ras–According to Ayurveda principles, Kamdudha Ras has Sheeta Virya thus it is beneficial in every Pitta Roga classified in Ayurveda. It is beneficial in the symptoms like burning sensation, restlessness, bleeding tendencies, excessive thirst, and hot flashes, vomiting with yellowish or sour water.

Akik Pishti– Akik bhasma contains Silicon Dioxide and some herbal extracts derived into in during processing with Aloe vera and Rose water. It is used in General debility, Restlessness. It works well in loss of appetite, weight loss, and feeling of excessive heat in the body.

Gandhak Rasayan– Gandhak Rasayan is a great antibacterial, antiviral ayurvedic medicine. It acts as an anti-pyretic, analgesic, & blood purifier.

Sutshekhar Ras–It is an important medicine used in Ayurveda, which acts on Pitta dosha and reduces the symptoms like nausea, vomiting, fever, headache, sour taste of mouth, restlessness, etc.

Recommended Dosage– Take 1 sachet twice a day with normal water.