Rheumatoid Arthritis

Renal function may be impaired by diseases or drugs that effect the renal parenchyma, by extra renal disorders such as acute circulatory failure or as a result of conditions in which there is obstruction to outflow of urine. The deterioration of kidney function that ensues may be acute or chronic and of varying degree of severity.

Acute renal failure is caused by diseases like acute glomerulonephritis, bilateral pyelonephritis, severely high blood pressure and systemic lupus erythamatosus while chronic renal failure may result from conditionslsuch as progressive glomerulonephritis, chronic pyelonephritis, polycystic disease of kidneys and tuberculosis of kidneys.

According to Ayurveda, kidneys are the roots of madovaha srotas (channel of fat tissue) and are made up of rakta and meda dhatus (blood and fat tissues). So diseases arising out of these dhatus (tissues) can affect kidneys and cause their failure. Madhumeha (diabetes) is well-known for it.

According to Ayurveda this disease is caused by the blockage of minute body channels called srotas. The body channels involved in this case, known as mutravaha srotas, carry urine and are responsible for the flow of liquid into and out of the kidneys. If there are blockages in the incoming srotas the kidneys are denied fluids and shrinkage occurs. However, if the outgoing channels are blocked, swelling occurs. There are very effective Ayurvedic herbs, such as punanarva that can clean these channels and reduce swelling and rejuvenate the kidneys. Ayurvedic treatment aims at strengthening the kidneys, restoring its filtration capacity and general functioning of the kidneys. This line of treatment can eliminate the need for reliance upon dialysis.

• Controlling blood pressure, blood sugar level, cholesterol level, body weight, smoking and alcohol consumption is important to avoid kidney damage.
• To restrict sodium intake, salt is minimized from diet. So avoiding salty food articles like sea food, wafers etc is necessary.
• Potassium intake is regulated in kidney failure and so low potassium containing food sources like carrots, cabbage, apples etc are preferred.
• Protein intake too is regulated and low protein sources like cereals, vegetables and fruits are recommended.
• Fatty, oily and fried foods are avoided.