Glomerulonephritis In Ayurveda: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

By Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) and Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S

Glomerulonephritis is inflammation of the tiny filters in kidneys (glomeruli). Glomeruli remove excess fluid, electrolytes and waste from the bloodstream and pass them into urine. Glomerulonephritis can come on suddenly or gradually.

Glomerulonephritis occurs on its own or as part of another disease, such as lupus or diabetes. Severe or prolonged inflammation associated with glomerulonephritis can damage your kidneys. Treatment depends on the type of glomerulonephritis.
Read more about Glomerulonephritis – Modern view

Symptoms

· Pink or cola-colored urine from red blood cells in your urine (hematuria)
· Foamy urine due to excess protein
· High blood pressure
· Fluid retention (edema) with swelling evident in face, hands, feet and abdomen

Causes

The disease runs in families and sometimes the cause is unknown. Conditions that can lead to inflammation of the kidneys’ glomeruli include:

Strep throat infection
Skin infection (impetigo)
Bacterial endocarditis
Viral infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C
Immune diseases
Lupus
Goodpasture’s syndrome
IgA nephropathy
Vasculitis
Polyarteritis
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Read – Varicose Veins – Ayurvedic Treatment, Herbs, Home Remedies

Conditions likely to cause scarring of the glomeruli

· High blood pressure
. Diabetic nephropathy
· Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Treatment

Some cases of acute glomerulonephritis, especially those that follow a strep infection, might improve on their own and require no treatment.
If there’s an underlying cause, treatment depends on the cause

For acute glomerulonephritis and acute kidney failure, dialysis can help remove excess fluid and control high blood pressure. The only long-term therapies for end-stage kidney disease are kidney dialysis and kidney transplant.

Lifestyle and home remedies

· Restrict salt intake to prevent or minimize fluid retention, swelling and hypertension
· Consume less protein and potassium to slow the buildup of wastes in your blood.
· Maintain a healthy weight
· Control your blood sugar level if you have diabetes
· Quit smoking
Read – High Potassium, Kidney Disease and Leaching of Vegetables

Glomerulonephritis In Ayurveda

Ayurveda correlation of this condition, the etiological factors, pathogenesis, and treatment principles, role of Panchakarma and useful medicines and herbs shall be similar to those of Nephritis. When it comes to treatment, many things shall be taken into care especially in the progressive stages of the disease wherein there is kidney damage and the patient is undergoing dialysis. Medicines like decoction, liquid herbal supplements and strong medicines especially the herbo-mineral compounds and strong cleansing therapies shall be avoided.

The main approach will be strengthening the kidneys with Rasayanas like
Chandraprabha vati,
Monitored doses of Vanga Bhasma and Shilajatu,
Trivanga Bhasma,
Shiva Gulika,
Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris),
Dashamula Kashayam,
supportive enemas in the form of
dashamula kshira vasti and mustadi yapana vasti and matra vasti with Guggulutiktakam Ghritam, Masha Taila, Narayana Taila or skillful mixture of ghee and oil and treatment of Vataja Prameha shall be administered.

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