The human body consists of a complex web of organs and they’re meant to work in harmony so that one can perform his/her daily tasks, exert energy for various functions without any hindrance, and lead a healthy life. But that’s not always certain and organs could definitely face a roadblock. One such condition is Kidney Disease. Kidneys function like filters, cleaning waste, toxins, and excess water from your blood. They also play a role in maintaining bone and red blood cell health. As kidney function decreases, waste accumulates in your blood due to reduced filtration leading to serious health concerns.
Throughout human history, various healing traditions and practices have emerged, and Ayurveda is undoubtedly one of them. It stands as a time-tested and revered approach to health and healing. Ayurveda has not only offered relief but also transformed the lives of countless people, providing remedies for various ailments and guiding them towards a state of balance and vitality.
What is Chronic Kidney Disease in Ayurveda?
In Ayurveda, urine formation begins in the intestine and filtration happens in the kidneys. When there’s an imbalance in the ‘agni’ or fire element, it disrupts urine formation and filtration, leading to waste accumulation in the body, termed ‘ama sanchaya’ or toxin buildup. In other words, it is a condition where there is a reduction in the kidney’s ability to filter blood. This is common among people who have hypertension or diabetes. It is termed “Chronic” because the function or the performance of the kidney tends to reduce over time. Kidneys play a very important role in eliminating waste products and excess water through urine. They also serve as the body’s natural filtration system, removing toxins, maintaining optimal fluid balance, regulating blood pressure, aiding in the production of red blood cells, and even producing the active form of vitamin D which is essential for maintaining strong and healthy bones.
Factors like age, genetics, blood pressure, and uncontrolled blood sugars impact the functioning of the kidney with time. This stops the kidney from filtering the waste from the body, and as a result, the waste builds up in the blood. CKD can progress to kidney failure commonly known as end-stage kidney disease. Although not everyone with CKD will suffer renal failure, the condition will worsen if left untreated.
The Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease
The early stages of Kidney disease do not showcase any symptoms. As the condition worsens the body starts showing symptoms like:
- Loss of Appetite
- Foamy or bubbly pee
- Puffy eyes
- Dry and itchy skin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- High blood pressure
- Darkening of skin
- Trouble concentrating
- Swelling of hands, feet, and ankles
- Weakness and low energy level.
The Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease
High blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes are the two most common causes of chronic kidney disease. But there are other factors that lead to the disease. This includes: Factors that cause chronic kidney disease are:
- Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Glomerulonephritis , an inflammation of the kidney’s filtering units (glomeruli)
- Interstitial nephritis an inflammation of the kidney’s tubules and surrounding structures
- Polycystic kidney disease or other inherited kidney diseases
- Prolonged obstruction of the urinary tract, from conditions such as enlarged prostate, kidney stones and some cancers
- Vesicoureteral reflux, a condition that causes urine to back up into your kidneys
- Recurrent kidney infection, also called pyelonephritis
How Do You Know If Something is Wrong with Your Kidney?
As stated earlier, the body does not show any symptoms in the early stage. It starts showing once the condition advances. The symptoms can vary in people, so it’s advised to visit a healthcare professional if you feel there’s something wrong.
The Role of Ayurveda in Chronic Kidney Disease
Ayurvedic experts state that the ancient Indian medical system provides holistic ways to address a variety of health issues, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). Chronic kidney disease can be effectively treated with ayurveda since it targets the illness’s underlying causes. Kidney failure occurs when the condition of kidney disease reaches an advanced level. Ayurveda is a gentle and effective approach for reducing kidney damage and aids in rejuvenating damaged kidney cells. It has even successfully treated stage 4 and stage 5 chronic kidney disease without the need for dialysis or transplantation.
Here’s why you need to choose Ayurveda
- Offers only natural medications manufactured from herbs.
- Works to repair the kidneys’ damaged parts and functioning.
- It offers a comprehensive prescription of diet, lifestyle, medicine, and therapies.
The Diagnosis
Firstly, your healthcare professional will assess your medical history, and then conduct a physical examination. They would gather information about the current medications and symptoms. Patients having CKD will show no symptoms until the condition advances to severe stages.
The healthcare professional will then advise you to take a urine test and a blood test to see if the kidneys are functioning well. The urine test will look for protein (Albumin) and blood in the urine, which are normally not present in healthy, well-functioning kidneys. The blood test looks for the presence of excessive levels of creatinine (a muscle waste product) as well as the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) – This tells how well your kidneys filter blood and how many milliliters per minute your kidneys filter blood. The GFR is used to assess the stage of your renal disease.
Prevention
Do follow these steps to improve the functioning of the kidney.
- Meet your healthcare provider (nephrologist) on a regular basis. They will monitor your health on a timely basis.
- If you have diabetes, you must control your blood glucose (sugar).
- Avoid consumption of painkillers as this may worsen kidney disease.
- Keep a check on your blood pressure levels.
- Quit smoking
- Follow a kidney-friendly diet plan. Limit protein in-take, Sodium (Salt), Potassium, eat food that will reduce blood cholesterol levels.
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight.
Conclusion
At Sreeragam Ayurveda Retreat, your health will be in good hands, and you’ll experience the power of ancient Ayurvedic wisdom that has been healing people for centuries. With natural remedies and personalized treatments Ayurveda promises you better kidney health and overall well-being.