Kidneys, the two bean-shaped organs present in the vertebrates have significant functions in the human body. These two organs of size about 11 centimeters receive blood from the renal arteries and discard it in the renal veins. The functional unit of kidneys is nephrons and any damage to these nephrons means damage to the kidneys or say, kidney disease. Kidneys being important to the body assist in the body fluid control, acidic-basic balance, fluid osmolality, toxins removal, and electrolyte concentrations. Between all these functions when the kidneys fail to perform their task efficiently it troubles other related organs as well. Kidney failure is the inefficiency of kidneys to perform their function well. In this blog, we will read more about kidney failure and certain Ayurvedic methods for the treatment of kidney failure.

Ways in which the kidney fails

Kidneys can lose their functioning in different ways. The reason behind the failure of a kidney can be direct, indirect, genetic, and non-genetic. Generally, there are five major ways in which the kidneys fail. There can be other reasons as well but these five are broadly recognized ones.

• Acute prerenal kidney failure
• Chronic prerenal kidney failure
• Acute intrinsic kidney failure
• Chronic intrinsic kidney failure
• Chronic post-renal kidney failure

Acute prerenal kidney failure - Renal hypo-perfusion is the major cause behind this type of kidney failure. Renal hypo-perfusion is the sudden decline in blood flow to the kidneys. Complications that can result in this condition include any health condition and medicine causing decreased blood flow.

Causes of APKF are -

a) Excess dehydration
b) Medicines interfering blood supply
c) Major blood loss
d) Low blood pressure
e) Severe burns
f) Diseases of liver and pancreas

Modern treatment for this condition focuses on the correction of the resultant condition whereas Ayurveda kidney failure treatment corrects the causes to put an end to the disease.

Chronic prerenal kidney failure - This is a condition when there is low blood flow to the kidneys for a longer period of time. In such a situation, kidneys start shrinking and lose their functioning capacity. Many conditions such as low cardiac function, hardening of renal arteries, and chronic liver failure can lead to continuous hypo-perfusion.

Acute intrinsic kidney failure - This happens when a sudden loss in the kidney’s functioning occurs due to any direct damage to it. Some very well known causes of AIKF are acute glomerulonephritis, acute tubular necrosis, and acute interstitial nephritis. It is important to identify and correct the cause of this kidney failure to attain a quality life once again.

Chronic intrinsic kidney failure - Any intrinsic kidney disease, causing long-term damage to the kidneys leads to chronic intrinsic kidney failure. Direct trauma to the kidneys is the reason behind intrinsic kidney disease. Trauma such as lack of oxygen and severe bleeding directly harm kidneys.

Chronic post-renal kidney failure - Any persistent damage to the kidneys can be a reason behind chronic post-renal kidney failure. For example, a persistent hindrance in the urinary tract leads to the prevention of urination and eventually causes kidney failure.

The normal efficient kidneys can lose their functioning in these ways. Kidney failure is a whole process that occurs in five different stages. The human to recognize the disease and look for the cure as soon as possible can treat these stages as an alarm. In each stage, the GFR of a person falls down and worsens the health of kidneys. Depending upon the remaining kidney abilities, the stages of kidney failure are classified in the following manner.

Stages GFR (Glomerular filtration rate) value
Stage 1 GFR >90mL/min
Stage 2 GFR =60 to 89mL/min
Stage 3 3A (GFR = 45 to 59mL/min)
3B (GFR = 30 to 44mL/min)
Stage 4 GFR = 15 to 29mL/min
Stage 5 GFR < 15mL/min

The best kidney failure treatment in Ayurveda is inclusive of certain beneficial herbs that help to prevent, regulate, and fight these causes of kidney failure expertly. Moreover, we will further study the benefits of Ayurveda for a failed kidney in detail.

Ayurveda and kidney failure

Ayurveda is the only ancient treatment method available. It is native to India but its efficiency is known by countries all around the world. Ayurveda describes this body as a gift from nature that can be best nurtured by nature only. Ayurveda is inclusive of herbs, shrubs, yoga, meditation, and water. All these factors of Ayurveda come together to treat a disease efficiently and balance the doshas of human. Ayurveda holds many herbs that treat a failed kidney and guidelines that accompany these herbs for the betterment of kidneys. Best kidney failure treatment in Ayurveda has these widely known herbs-

a) Punarnava - This herb balances and rejuvenates Kapha in the best way possible. It is widely used as an ingredient in Kapha-reducing formulas. This herb also benefits the heart and liver.

b) Gokshura - This herb bears small flowers. It has numerous health benefits and provides the human body with energy and work as a vitalizer. It is a fitness booster that helps the patients of kidney disease to regain energy.

c) Kaasni - Many herbal medicines are prepared with this herb, which benefits kidneys. It eliminates excess fluid from the body. It also works for the betterment of the liver.

d) Palash - Palash is a dry season deciduous tree that bears red flowers. Apart from being a medicine, it has many other usages. The medicinal quality of Palash makes it a suitable companion for ill kidneys.

e) Guduchi - This is the most valued herb. It treats kidney disease efficiently and assists in the treatment of allergies, chronic skin disorders, gout, hepatitis, jaundice, cold, flu, and cure side effects caused by drugs.

Apart from these herbs, many lifestyle changes in Ayurveda kidney failure treatment play an important part in the prevention of kidney failure.

a) Keep the blood pressure normal.
b) Lose weight if you are overweight.
c) Control the levels of glucose in blood.
d) Quit habits of smoking and drinking.
e) Do a regular and light exercise.
f) Limit the intake of calcium and phosphorus.
g) Monitor the intake of potassium.
h) Keep the body hydrated.
i) Limit the intake of sodium.

Adopting these guidelines of Ayurveda in life can help in the prevention as well as the progression of the disease. Click here to know more about kidney failure.