Kidneys are responsible for filtering the excessive fluids and waste products from the blood which is then eliminated in the urine.
Chronic kidney failure refers to the loss of functioning of kidneys over months or years.
In advanced stages, there is a backup of dangerous levels of wastes and fluids in the body. This condition is also called chronic kidney disease.
The term "chronic kidney disease" refers to the long-lasting damage to the kidneys that can get worse with time.
If the damage is very worse, then the kidneys may stop working. This condition is also known as kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
What is the Ayurvedic view of Chronic Kidney Disease?
In Ayurved, chronic kidney diseases come under "Vrikk Roga" in which there is an imbalance in the tridoshas (Vata, pitta, and Kapha) which causes an accumulation of ama in the strotas.
What are the causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
Anyone can get chronic kidney disease. Some people are more at risk than others and there are several causes that increase the risk for CKD include:
- Diabetes mellitus: too much glucose level in the blood can damage the tiny filters in the kidneys
- High blood pressure (hypertension): With time, high BP can put a strain on the small blood vessels in the kidneys and stop the proper functioning of kidneys.
- Heart-related disease or high cholesterol: There is a build-up of fatty deposits in the blood vessels supplying the kidneys, which can make it harder for them to work in a proper manner.
- Having a family member with kidney disease
- Being over the age of 60 years or old
- kidney infections
- glomerulonephritis - kidney inflammation
- Polycystic kidney disease - This is an inherited condition where abnormal growths called cysts develop in the kidneys.
- Blockages in the flow of urine - Such conditions are kidney stones that keep coming back or an enlarged prostate.
- Long-term use of certain medicines - Medications such as lithium and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are also the main cause.
What are the stages of chronic kidney disease?
Changes in the GFR rate assess the stages of advanced kidney disease is. In the UK, and other countries, the stages of chronic kidney disease are classified as follows:
- Stage 1 - In this stage, the GFR rate is at a normal range. However, evidence of kidney disease has been detected.
- Stage 2 - In stage two, the GFR rate is lower than 90 milliliters, and evidence of kidney disease has been detected.
- Stage 3 - GFR rate is lower than 60 milliliters in this stage, and regardless of whether evidence of kidney disease has been detected.
- Stage 4 - GRF rate is lower than 30 milliliters, and there is regardless of whether evidence of kidney disease has been detected.
- Stage 5 - In this, the GFR rate is lower than 15 milliliters and renal failure has occurred.
Most of the patients with chronic kidney disease rarely progress beyond Stage 2.
It is important for kidney disease to be diagnosed and treated early which prevents the serious damage.
What are the symptoms of kidney failure?
There are one or more of the following symptoms if the kidneys are beginning to fail such as:
If the kidneys stop working suddenly then it is acute kidney failure, and you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
Having one or more symptoms may be a sign of serious kidney problems.
What is the Ayurvedic Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease?
Panchakarma is the best way to detoxify your body internally as well as externally.
Chandigarh Ayurved Centre provides three procedures for Kidney patients along with the ayurvedic medicines mentioned above:
Various panchakarma procedures for chronic kidney disease patients are:
Kshara Basti: Kshara Basti is given to the kidney patients which is prepared from teeksha dravyas and gomutra.
It is effective in kaphaja, amaja, & medoja conditions and treats mutrakrichh, mutra sharkara, shoola, mutrashmari, etc.
Patra potli pind sweda: In this procedure, medicated leaves are wrapped in a bag and it is dipped in medicated oil.
The whole body of the patient is massaged with this bag. It reduces pain as well as inflammation related to CKD.
Anuvasan Basti: This Basti is prepared from Brihat, saindhav, etc and administered in kidney patients. It provides wonderful results to the chronic kidney patients.
Chandigarh Ayurved Centre provides a wonderful kit that contains a combination of various herbs that increases the functioning of kidneys. This kit is known as "Kidney Care Kit" that comprises of UTI care tablet, Detox premium powder, gokshuradi guggul, and kidney care churna.
UTI care tablets are prepared from ingredients like Yavakshar (Hordeum vulgare), kalmi Shora (Pottasium nitrate), Naushadar (Ammonium chloride), and Swarna Gairik (Red ochre). It provides effective results in acute as well as chronic kidney disease like urethritis, chronic renal failure, cystitis, nephropathy, urinary tract infections, & prostatitis.
Recommended Dosage: Take 2 tablets twice daily with normal water.
Detox Premium Powder is a herbo-mineral preparation that comprises of various ingredients like Parwal Pishti, Kamdudha Ras, Shukta Pishti, Varun twak, Gandhak Rasayan, Giloy satv, Gokshru, etc. This combination gives effective results to kidney patients by reducing the serum creatinine level and maintains all other kidney function test levels. It also treats edema, general weakness, shortness of breath associated with CKD.
Recommended Dosage: Take 2 teaspoonful twice daily.
Gokshuradi Guggulu is a classical herbal formulation that contains ingredients like Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris), Shuddha Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Pippali (Piper longum), Black Pepper (Piper nigrum), Amla (Emblica officinalis), etc.
These tablets show anti-inflammatory, analgesic, muscle relaxant, properties. These herbal tablets improve the kidney functioning and act as a diuretic.
It also gives results in urinary tract infection, difficulty in passing urine, kidney stones, excessive uric acid, etc.
Recommended Dosage: Take 2 tablets thrice daily with normal water.
Kidney care churna is prepared from herbs like Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) and Bhumiamla (Phyllanthus niruri).
These herbs ineffective combination show anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antioxidant, analgesic, etc properties.
As the name suggests, it improves all kidney functions and keeps kidney function tests (serum creatinine, urea, sodium, potassium, chlorine, & uric acid), etc in the normal range.
It also reduces swelling in the body, remove kidney stones, deal with urinary tract infection, general weakness, & fatigue, etc related to kidney diseases.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 teaspoonful twice daily with normal water.
