Natural Remedies For Glomerulonephritis
Kidneys are the important organ of our body and if any disease occurs to its any part then we have to face many complications in life. Glomerulonephritis is one of them. It is known as inflammation of the tiny filters present in the kidneys. Glomeruli are present in the kidneys. They remove electrolytes, excess fluid from kidneys, removes waste from the bloodstream, and passes the toxins out with the urine. Glomerulonephritis can be acute or chronic.
Our kidneys contain millions of glomeruli that act as a filter as they remove waste from our body. When these glomeruli get damaged they no longer remove waste and excess fluid in the urine. The proteins and blood are not filtered properly and excreted with the urine.
There Two Types of Glomerulonephritis
1) Primary glomerulonephritis: It occurs without any other accompanying condition.
2) Secondary glomerulonephritis: It occurs due to other diseases like lupus, diabetes, infections or over usage of some medications.
Now let’s discuss in detail symptoms of acute and chronic glomerulonephritis:
A severe glomerulonephritis patient may not urinate for two to three days.
1.Symptoms of Acute Glomerulonephritis are
- Decreased urination
- On waking up puffiness on the face
- High blood pressure
- Presence of fluid in the lungs that causes shortness of breath and coughing
2. Symptoms of Chronic Glomerulonephritis are
- High blood pressure
- Presence of protein or blood in the urine
- Frequent urination at night time.
- Excessive protein causes foamy urine with bubbles.
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Disturbed sleep pattern
- Intense back pain
A severe glomerulonephritis patient may not urinate for two to three days.
What are the Causes of Glomerulonephritis?
The kidney contains nephrons and glomerulus. The Glomerulus is a ball-shaped tiny structure that is a part of the nephron. A nephron in a kidney contains one glomerulus along with small fluid collecting tube or tubules. Blood vessels, capillaries make up the glomeruli that filter the waste from the blood. In the end, the byproduct of this waste is urine. The urine contains the impurities from the blood and excretes them to the bladder. This urine from the kidney to the bladder passes through a tube known as ureter that leaves the body through the process of urination.
In glomerulonephritis condition, the ability of the kidneys to filter blood gets reduced. Waste gets accumulated in the blood and the kidneys get failed. This condition also causes a lack of protein in the blood because it gets expelled out through the body in the form of urine.
What are the Risk Factors of Glomerulonephritis?
It may result from throat infection caused by streptococcal infections, skin infection, infectious diseases like syphilis, tuberculosis, viral infections like hepatitis B, C and HIV, genetic factors, long term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
The acute glomerulonephritis condition may get converted into chronic glomerulonephritis. The patient with a systemic disease, diabetes, sickle cell disease and Hodgkin’s are at higher risk of glomerulonephritis.
Diagnosis of Glomerulonephritis
The diagnosis can be made through different tests:
- Urine examination is necessary
- Biopsy of the kidney
- Blood tests
- Ultrasonography
Ayurvedic Concept of Glomerulonephritis
In Ayurveda kidneys are known as “vrikk” and as glomerulonephritis is related to kidneys so it comes under “vrikk roga”. Mainly all the three doshas Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are responsible for this condition. So let’s discuss a few shlokas that show the symptoms of glomerulonephritis.
तीव्रारुजोवङ्गंणवस्तिमेढ़ेस्वल्पंमुहुमूत्रयतीहवतात।
पितंसरक्तंसरुजंसदाहंकृच्छांमुहुमूत्रयतीहपित्तात। (च।चि२६/३४)
According to this shloka of “Charak Samhita”: In mutrakricch (urinary problems) due to an imbalance of Vata there is pricking pain in bladder and groin area. The flow of urine is slow and drop wise. When there is an imbalance of Pitta dosha the urine that passes is dark yellow along with blood, very painful and causes burning sensation.
पृथङ्गमला: स्वै:कुपितानिदानै: सर्वेअथवाकोपमुपेत्यवस्तौ।
मूत्रस्यमार्गपरिपीडयन्तियदातदामूत्रयतीहकृच्छात। (च।चि२६ /३३)
This shloka states that when Vata, Pitta, and Kapha individually or in combination enter the bladder and disturb the urinary system. In a person, it causes pain while passing urine.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Glomerulonephritis
In Ayurveda, we have numerous herbs that maintain the overall functions of the kidneys. These herbs can revive the glomeruli in the kidneys so that its function should be maintained. The herbs like Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), Bhumiamala (Phyllanthus niruri), Varuna (Crataeva nurvala) help in maintaining proper functions of the kidneys.
Planet Ayurveda- a best-renowned clinic offers pack known as “Revive Kidneys Pack for advance stages” that contains seven products to deal with the glomerulonephritis condition. All products are mentioned in detail given below:
1. Phyllanthus Niruri Capsules
The standardized extract of herb Bhumiamala (Phyllanthus niruri) is used for the preparation of the capsules. These capsules deal with all the symptoms related to glomerulonephritis.
Dosage: One capsule twice daily with plain water.
2. Punarnava Capsules
As the name suggests Punarnava means to rejuvenate. It helps in rejuvenating the glomeruli. The capsules contain a standardized extract of herb Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) that gives good results in glomerulonephritis conditions.
Dosage: Two capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.
3. Varunadi vati
These are classical herbal tablets used since ancient time for kidney diseases. The tablets maintain healthy kidney by keeping a healthy urinary system. Herbs like Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), Varun (Crateva nurvala) etc are used for the formation of tablets.
Dosage: Two tablets thrice daily with plain water after meals.
4. Nephralka capsules
These herbal capsules are prepared from herbs like Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Bhumiamala (Phyllanthus niruri), Revanchini (Rheum emodi) etc. These all herbs in combination deal with the symptoms associated with glomerulonephritis.
Dosage: One capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.
5. Indian Echinacea Capsules
The standardized extract of herb Indian Echinacea (Andrographis paniculata) is used in capsules form. These capsules help in removing infectious conditions that is the reason for glomerulonephritis.
Dosage: One capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.
6. Rencure formula
These capsules are prepared from herbs like Gokshur (Tribulus Terrestris), Punaranava (Boerhavia diffusa), Rakt Chandan (Pterocarpus santalinus), Palash (Butea monosperma) that maintain a healthy urinary system. The capsules give effective results in glomerulonephritis.
Dosage: Two capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.
7. Mutrakrichantak churna
This is one of the best herbal churna for any type of kidney disease. The churna is made from herbs like Kaasni (Chichorium intybus), Varun (Crataeva nurvala), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris) etc that deals with all the symptoms associated with glomerulonephritis.
Dosage: One teaspoonful twice daily with plain water or boil a teaspoonful in 500 ml water until remaining 50 ml. Filter the mixture and drink this decoction. Always prepare a fresh one and drink.
Home Remedies for Glomerulonephritis
Home remedies are the best way to manage any health issue as they don’t cause any side-effects to the body. These are easily available at your home.
- Eat bananas as they are low in sodium, protein, sugar and high in carbohydrates. Bananas help to clean your bladder properly without causing any exertion on the kidneys.
- Consume papayas as it is also an effective remedy for glomerulonephritis condition.
- Eat raw vegetables and fruits as these work good in glomerulonephritis.
- Asparagus roots are good for treating urinary tract infections, cleanse the blood and sooth the inflammation. You can prepare a powder of its roots and take one teaspoonful twice daily with a glass of water.
- Coconut water: It is another way for cleaning your blood, fights against Urinary tract infections, maintains healthy functioning of the kidneys and bladder. Drinking coconut water helps glomeruli to clean the system. This water reduces the painful, inflammatory and burning sensation related to glomerulonephritis. So consume two to three green coconuts water daily.
Some Healthy tips for Glomerulonephritis Patients
- Always eat healthy food and avoid junk or processed food items.
- Do perform yoga poses like ardh matsyendrasana, salamba bhujangasana, bhujangasana, pashimottanasana, setu bandhasana, naukasana. It’s better if you perform all these under the guidance of a yoga instructor.
- Do meditation daily for at least thirty minutes.
- Take a sleep of at least eight hours for relaxing your mind.
- Always try to think positive as positive vibes solve and treat half of your disease.
- You can also do a brisk walk for at least twenty to thirty minutes.
- Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking as it’s not good for your health.
- Include fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lentils to your diet.
- You can use these vegetables in raw form, boiled form or prepare delicious soups from them.
- Drink water as per the requirement of the body.
If you follow all these herbal remedies, home remedies and the tips mentioned above in your daily routine than surely you will get relief from the condition in a few days. These things will keep your body healthy and increases your life-span.
