Is It Possible To Avoid Dialysis In Kidney Failure?

It is a question of multimillion dollars because not coming back to life seems when someone in on dialysis. So, why dialysis and how we get into the dialysis. Is it possible to avoid dialysis in kidney failure? So there are many questions regarding kidney failure.

Kidney- an organ of purification

Kidney removes waste and toxic products from blood by a process known as filtration. It works several times in a day. The main functions of Kidney are

• Remove waste and toxic material from blood.
• Control body fluid balance
• Regulate the balance of electrolytes

What happens during kidney failure?

The major reason of kidney failure is due to buildup of waste products in the body and lead into

• Weakness
• Shortness in breath
• Lethargy and confusion
• Inability to remove potassium from blood
• leading into abnormal heart beat and sudden death

Treatment

There are various factors leading into kidney failure and treating underlying causes is the first step in correcting the kidney abnormalities.
Diagnosis are based on the various test such as creatinine, BUN (Blood Urea and Nitrogen), glomerular filtration rate (GFR). But kidney failure is a slow and progressive and ends with the dialysis if not cured properly.

Dialysis

When kidney stops working then an artificial system is involved to filtrate the waste material from blood, which is known as dialysis. The dialysis is done by using a special fluid known as dialysate, which is a mixture of pure water and chemicals that are used to pull wastes from blood without removing essential molecules required by the body. In this situation patient has to go several time in a week to hospital.

Is there any alternate?

Our nature is diversified with natural herbs possessing highly valuable medicinal properties. They are like Rasayana and rejuvenate the body. They are rich in anti-oxidants, which can effectively remove the toxic compounds from body and possesses anti-inflammatory properties, induces kidney's function and regulates the electrolyte concentration. In Ayurveda there are various herbs described to treat the kidney failure, which works on the basis of treating underlying factors causing kidney failure. Along with medicinal herbs there is a need of strict diet chart recommended by experts to produce better results.

There are various herbs described which effectively remove the accumulated fluid, reduces the creatinine level, balances pH, electrolytes concentration and balances body fluid. In spite of these they effectively control sugar level in the blood, which is a most prominent factor causing kidney failure generally observed in diabetic patients. The other underlying factors such as liver disorders, cystitis, renal calculi, and cardiovascular disorders are effectively treated to control the kidney failure.

There various herbs present in the nature, which acts as natural remedy to treat kidney diseases such as Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Palaash (Butea monosperma), Rakt Chandan (P. santalinus). They are key player in treating underlying causes of kidney failure. They help in maintaining efficient functioning of kidney and urinary tract. They are;

• Coolant, soothes walls of urinary tract and promote the flow of urine
• Highly efficient in removing stones, stops bleeding and exhibits the antiseptic effect
• Nourishing and strengthening the kidneys and reproductive organs.
• Treating cystitis, renal calculi (kidney stones)
• Ensuring proper functioning of liver and improves digestion by maintaining healthy metabolism and effectively removes toxins from the body.
• Urinary alkaliser, relieves from pain during micturition, and natural cure for renal failure

Apart from given herbal medicines, there is a need of commitment from the patient side to control on his lifestyle which needs a balance in diet, mental stress, and physical activities.

Diet recommended are;

• Drink plenty of fresh sweet or sour fruit juices such as apple, oranges, pineapple, lime, grape etc., carrot juice or diluted juices of other vegetable juices esp. wheat grass, celery, and parsley.
• Avoid sugar, meat, sugar, dairy products, wheat products, and processed food with added chemicals.
• Avoid salt. Because too much salt may result in high blood pressure leading into weakening or damaging of kidneys.
• Avoid soft drinks, coffee, alcohol, tea (except herbal tea), and nicotine.
• Be moderate with rhubarb, spinach, strawberries, chocolate, wheat bran, nuts, and beets foods, which can raise the oxalane levels in the urine leading into higher risk for calcium stones.
• Fruits such as apples, watermelons, papayas, pomegranates, and grapes are recommended.
• Vegetables like kidney beans (soaked), asparagus, parsley, watercress, pumpkin, soy beans, sprouts, legumes, celery, cucumbers and green vegetables are recommended.

The only concern during kidney failure is to help kidney to remove the waste and toxic molecules from the body, maintaining pH and electrolyte concentration as well as body fluid balance. Which could only be done by balancing lifestyle including diet. Then possibility of avoiding dialysis is at higher rate.

Dr. Vikram Chauhan's Idea on Diet

Your Diet has the Single Biggest

Influence on Your Health !!!

How can our diet have such a big impact on our health?

Picture your body as a car, that has slowly evolved over time.... and you're driving this 2-million year old car. An all-natural, organic, living, breathing car. For 2 million years, this car has been using fuel such as:

Water, Seeds, Nuts, Grasses, Herbs, Roots, Fruits- like apples, papaya, pears, pomegranate, melons, Dates, plums, peaches, mangoes etc. Vegetables growing on twines like bitter gourd, pumpkin, Indian round gourd (Tinda), turnips, Cereals and Milk.

That's the fuel it is used to. More importantly, that's the kind of diet it was built on. These are the raw materials it was made of.

Then, suddenly, after 2,000,000 years… that car switches over to – for the last 100 years – a new, modern mixture of with:

Sugar, Sweets, Biscuits, Pastries, Patties, Burgers, Pizzas, Noodles, Bread, Chocolate, Cola and soft-drinks, Fats & oils, Cigarettes and alcohol, Pharmaceutical drugs (Allopathic medicines), Chemicals, pesticides, and preservatives (loads of them).

What do you think would happen to this 'vehicle'? It breaks down!

Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of diet and life style in preventing the diseases rather than treating merely the symptoms.

"If diet is right then there is no need of medicines and if diet is wrong then there is no use of medicine"

So if you want to live healthy – turn to food that is good for your health

Diet for Kidney Failure Patients

The Kidneys are the main organs responsible for the elimination of waste products from the body in the form of urine. Its accessory functions include RBC formation (erythropoiesis), maintenance of blood pressure and electrolyte balance.

Kidneys are the vital organs of the human body. Their normal and proper working is quintessential to health. When due to certain congenital or acquired factors, kidneys are not able to work properly there occurs a progressive accumulation of toxins in the body. The symptoms of such toxicity include lethargy, edema, confusion, abnormal heart rhythms etc.

KIDNEY FAILURE – ACUTE OR CHRONIC?

Kidney failure in the literal sense means a loss of kidney function in which all processes related to the kidneys are compromised. This is an emergency condition and requires immediate action. Kidney failure has been categorized into two types depending up on the onset of the disease which may be either sudden or gradual.

ACUTE RENAL FAILURE (ARF)

Acute kidney failure is a sudden loss of kidney function leading to an alarmingly high levels of toxic chemicals in the blood. The good thing is that it is a reversible process but it requires immediate attention.

CAUSES OF ARF (ACUTE RENAL FAILURE)

It may occur due to-

1. A reduced blood flow to the kidneys like in case of severe dehydration, heart diseases, Blood pressure medications etc.
2. Damaged within the kidneys – Toxins, vasculitis, certain medicines, SLE (systemic lupus erythematous), cholesterol deposits in the blood vessels of the kidney etc.
3. Blockage post the kidney system or post renal problems affecting the movement of urine out of the body. These include – bladder cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancers, kidney stones, nerve damage etc.

CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE

It involves a progressive loss of kidney function, which may occur over a period of time that varies from, person to person and the health of the patient in general. The loss of function is so gradual that it sometimes goes undetected for a long time, till then, serious damage to the kidney has already occured.

CAUSES OF CRF (Chronic Renal Failure)

The most common causes of chronic renal failure are the two type of Diabetes – type- 1&2 and Hypertension. Besides other factors include many medical conditions that are affecting the kidneys like:-

1. Recurrent kidney infections causing pyelonephritis.
2. Poly cystic kidney disease
3. Renal stones causing stasis of the waste material in the kidneys.
4. Medications that are harmful to the kidneys, excessive use of these causes the disease.
5. Hardening of the arteries.
6. Blockage in the urinary system.

DIET IN RENAL FAILURE

Renal failure patients need to be very specific about the food they are eating. There has to be a precise check on the amount of proteins, sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus that is being consumed as any excess will lead to higher levels of these elements in blood causing toxic symptoms and serious damage to the various body tissues. It is to be recommended here that the dietary recommendations do not vary much in case of either acute or chronic renal failure. However, the diet chart should be formulated, keeping in mind other primary or secondary health problems that a person is dealing with apart from renal failure.

PROTEIN INTAKE – The requirement is different for different people, so there cannot be a set guideline for the amount of protein that should be consumed by such patients. Consult your dietician and formulate a diet plan accordingly.

PHOSPHORUS INTAKE – High phosphorus levels in blood cause bone resorption and damage the blood vessels. Foods like whole grains, dairy products, nuts, beans, colas etc. have very high phosphorus content and should be avoided.

SODIUM INTAKE – High blood sodium cause elevated blood pressure levels and water retention in the body. In case of renal failure, the kidneys are not able to excrete out the extra sodium produced by the kidneys. The recommended dosage should not exceed more than 2gm/ day.

When going for a salt substitute avoid the ones containing potassium. Renal failure patients need to avoid both these cations in diet.

POTASSIUM INTAKE – Elevated potassium levels in blood cause heart problems and disrupt cardiac rhythm. Try and consume foods with low potassium content. Avoid bananas, oranges, lime, potato, bran etc. which are rich in potassium.

WATER INTAKE – Drink ample water, good enough to keep the body well hydrated. It is not recommended to overdo the process though. Drinking more than normal water will not be of any good.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

• If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels.
• Apart from water, be careful to measure the amount of fluid that you are consuming in the form of beverages.
• Avoid alcohol and quit smoking if you are habitual of the two.
• For protein replacement egg whites are a good option. For vegetarians, green gram and pink lentils can be safely consumed.
• Fresh fruit juices are good except that if you are looking to avoid potassium, orange juice and lime juices are not recommended. Apple juice can however be consumed.

Patients of renal failure tend to suffer from a loss of appetite. Therefore, it is very important to chart out a diet regimen for renal failure patients and to make them stick to it. Renal failure is an emergency condition and one should not allow malnutrition to become another reason for worsening of the symptoms.

Dietary Recommendations for Stomach Cancer Patients

Stomach cancer patients need a diet low in carbohydrates and sweets and high in protein.

Drink extra milk and eat more eggs and cheese to get this protein.

Stomach cancer patients need extra iron, calcium and vitamin D from their diets. Sardines, cabbage, broccoli, milk, eggs, cheese and bread provide calcium. Vitamin D is found in margarine, butter, oily fish and eggs. The iron in red meat is more easily absorbed by the body than the iron found in fish, soy, egg yolk, leafy green vegetables and dried fruit.

Avoid eating too much of fiber, beans and lentils as they are difficult to digest and may make the patient feel full.

To control nausea symptoms A few lemon juice drops can be consumed as and when required. Try and stick to a bland diet (less spicy) for this.

Avoid too much of liquid intake before and just after having meals.

Sweets in general are to be avoided.

Consume small and frequent meals to avoid too much burden on the stomach for digestion.

Consume snacks in between meals when hungry. Some of the examples of the snacks are:-

1. Two tablespoons of natural peanut butter on banana slices
2. Guacamole with trans-fat free crackers or pita chips
3. Greek yogurt (any flavor) plus one cup ripe of melon
4. Graham crackers with natural peanut butter

Juice prepared from Carrot, Beetroot and little ginger will also be very good for consumption.

Diet for Aplastic Anemia

• A balanced diet is important to maintaining health and well-being.
• Maintain a healthy weight -BMI should be 19-25.

Your waist circumference should be under 40 inches (102 cm), Women should be under 35 inches (89 cm).

WHAT TO EAT?

• Eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. Focus on foods high in vitamins minerals, as well as fiber, protein, and energy!
• Eat mostly foods of a plant origin, and eat a variety of colors to ensure you are meeting nutrient needs
• Eat at least 5 portions (14-21 oz) of non-starchy vegetables and fruits daily.
• Eat relatively unprocessed grains and legumes with every meal.
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily.

WHAT TO AVOID?

• Limit consumption of energy-dense processed foods.
• Limit intake of refined, starchy foods and salt-preserved, salted, or salty foods. Your sodium intake should be less than 2,400mg daily. Preserve foods without using salt.
• Consume ‘fast foods’ sparingly – complete avoidance is best of all. 
• Avoid caffeinated drinks and juices and colas with excessively high sugar content.
• Avoid open buffets, salad bars, and crowded restaurants, where germs or bacterial contamination could more easily contaminate your food.
• Do not eat raw or lightly cooked or soft-boiled eggs or raw vegetable sprouts.

 

Ayurvedic treatment of Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is known as "Grahani Roga" in Ayurveda. Many ayurvedic doctors refer to it as "Pitta-Atisaar" , Raktatisaar with imbalance of all 3 doshas.

It's a complicated disorder which can cause complicated diarrheas, abdominal pain, bleeding while passing stool.

Modern treatment focuses on usage of drugs like Mesalazine (Mesacol, Azacol Rwasa Sachets) Sulphasalazine, Immuno supprasant drugs like Azathioprine & Methotrexate ), Corticosteriods like prednisolone ( Wysolone, Predicort ) and entofoam enemas.

These offer immediate relief from the symptoms but can be very harmful in long term use.

The Ayurvedic herbs are natural alternative remedies which can be very good alternative to their chemical counterparts.

The herbs like Daemnocarpus draco ( Khoon Kaharaba) , Kutaz ( Halorrhena anti-dysendrica) Nagkesar ( Cyperus rotundus), Aegle marmelos ( Bilva ) and Jaiphal fruit rind ( Myrstica fragrans ), Vasaka ( Adhatoda Vasica) , Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), Shankhpushpi ( Convolvulus pluricaulis) are cooling in nature, astringent, stop bleeding and heal the ulcers naturally.

According to Ayurveda, Ulcerative colitis or IBD ( Crohn's disease ) is imbalance of Vata, Pitta and Kapha but mainly Pitta dosha. It is very important to restore the balance of fire element ( Pitta dosha) . It is imperative to balance the Vata dosha ( air element ) in diseases of colon as colon is the seat of Vata as per Ayurveda.

The Ayurvedic treatment of Ulcerative colitis should focus on balancing Vata, Pitta doshas.

If there is bleeding, then we can ignore the Kapha dosha for a while and even Ama dosha for a while because giving hot, pungent, Ama pachak herbs like ginger, Sanjivani vati, Chitrakadi vati and other such hot formulations can aggravate pitta and cause further bleeding.

The principle is first stop the bleeding, simultaeneouly heal the ulcers, restore vata balance and slowly start preventing formation of Ama, once the bleeding stops.

If there is no bleeding, then mild ama digestive can be started in the beginning.

The below mentioned combination of Ayurvedic minerals and bhasmas is cooling in nature. It consists of medicines made from pearls, corals , natural cooling herbs and calcium preparations which are healing, helps in blood clotting, anti-ulcers and prevents fermentation in the intestines, formation of gas and bloating and relieves colon, intestinal abdominal pain.

Nagarjuna ( an ancient alchemist) in 7th century AD developed a unique science called Rasa-Shastra in Ayurveda. Although ancient Ayurvedic texts like Charaka Samhita ( 1500 BC or may be older) and Sushruta samhita ( 1000 BC) mentioned some uses of the various metals and minerals but the science was later developed by Nagarjuna.

Anyway, other than these minerals based combinations, there are certain herbal combinations which should be given along with the minerals based Ayurvedic medicines.

The complete ayurvedic remedy for ulcerative colitis healing is mentioned here

1. Tab. Kutazghan Vati - 2 twice daily to thrice daily - The main ingredient of this is the herb Halorrhena anti-dysentrica. The name says that it is good for all type sof dysentries and diarrheas. Excessive dosage of this can cause constipation. So adjust the dosage accordingly. The tablets are made from Bark of the tree. They are purely natural, 100 % free from any inorganic matter and are perfectly safe even for kids. They help in ama digestion ( digesting the endotoxins) prevent fermentation in the intestines, stops bleeding as kutaz is astringent in nature, heals ulcers.
2. Tab. Kutazparpati Vati - 2 twice daily - it's a similar preparation made from same plant kutaz. I use it to augment the action of kutza parpati vati
3. Vatsakadi Churna - Vatsak is another name for Kutaza. There are about 8 more herbs like Punica granatum fruit rind ( Pomegranate fruit peel powder) and others to provide ulcer healing action.
4. Bael - (Aegle marmelos) - It's a big fruit like Mango with big seeds. The seed powder of Bael is useful in healing the ulcers and stop bleeding. Vatsakadi powder contains Bael as well.

So here is the final combination

1. Kutazghan Vati - 2 twice daily
2. Kutazparpati Vati -2 twice daily
3. Cap. Pitta Balance - 1 twice daily
4. Cap. Digestion Support -2 twice daily
5. Praval Panchamrit - 5 gm, Praval Pishti - 10 gm, Jahar Mohra Pishti - 10 gm, Akik Pishti - 10 gm, Kamdudha Ras - 10 gm, Mukta Pishti - 4 gm, Kaharawa ( Trinkant Mani Pishti ) - 10 gm ( To stop bleeding ), Bol Badh Ras - 5 gm, Bol Parpati - 5 gm, VIjay Parpati - 2.5 gm, Mukta panchamrit - 2.5 gm

Mix all together, make 60 sachets, Take 1 sachet twice daily with Bel Giri Sherbet - 2 teaspoonfuls )

Foods to Avoid

• Avoid milk and milk products, ( Plain Yogurt is good though ) Packaged foods, biscuits, fiber rich diet, flax seeds, Nuts, soft drinks, too much sugar rich food, alcohol and non-vegetarian diet.
• Vegetarian foods and fruits too rich in fiber should also be avoided as they can cause bleeding and rub against the ulcers.
• Some vaidyas recommend Fennel to be chewed after meals. Rather than chewing fennel, I would recommend it to be boiled and the water should be consumed ( make the decoction of fennel, cumin, Ajwain) so that it doesn't rub against the ulcers.
• Many Vaidya's recommend Chaach ( Lassi) ( check how to make lassi or mattha over internet) . It's called " Takra " in ayurveda. Takra is a milk product and in Ayurveda it is known to cure "grahni roga" but in my clinical practice I have observed that it suits many people but it does not suit many. So I leave it on patients.
• Avoid melons, cucumbers and raw salads as they may aggravate the symptoms and cause gas formation.
• Avoid heavy dinners, alcohol, red meat.
• Avoid cabbage, Peas and Cauliflower.

Food to be consumed

All the food items recommended here does not mean that you should not listen to your gut. The dietary advises mentioned here are my experiences with patients as well as what I studied. The majority of patients respond really well to this diet. Many call us and tell me that they are healed just by following the diet and not even started the Ayurvedic medicines for ulcerative colitis.

There are many items which may suit you and which may not.

1. Plain Yogurt seems to be doing good in ulcerative colitis patients. Again I would suggest that individual patients should try it. It suits almost every patient.
2. Banana
3. Pomegranate Juice- Don't consume seeds, consume 100 ml juice every day.
4. Avoid citrus fruit juices... Pomegranate juice is ok.
5. Boiled Potatoes, Rice is ok ( made into decoction of cumin water rather than plain rice)
6. Sheesham leaves ( Dalbergia sisoo ) tree leaves are good to stop bleeding and heal ulcers. Consume 2 leaves every day. They are also rich in natural iron, calcium and will help to improve hemoglobin.
7. Soups of green vegetables can be given but it should be very light and free from any fiber rich food.

To get more information about ulcerative colitis or get all the above mentioned Ayurvedic remedies for ulcerative colitis delivered at your doorstep, write to us at - herbalremedies123@yahoo.com or check our websites - www.planetayurveda.com and www.alwaysayurveda.com

Ayurvedic treatment for Neuralgia

Ayurvedic remedy for Occipital Neuralgia 

All Neuralgias are basically caused due to Vata imbalance. Sometimes it's not only vata but accompanied by Pitta imbalance. It's very important to balance both vata and pitta. Ghee, Ashwagandha, Bramhi, Guggul are excellent for Vata. Mukta Pishti ( pearls ) and other Pishti's are excellent for Pitta as well as Vata. 

1. Cap. Ashwagandha -1 twice daily 

2. Cap. Bramhi - 2 twice daily

3. Cap. Guggul - 1 twice daily ( for Vata but not good for pitta, that's why low dosage is recommended ) 

4. Here is the Classical Ayurvedic combination for stress, anxiety, fears which is good for overall health and helps in all sort of neuralgias. 

Praval Panchamrit - 5 gm 

Vriht Vat Chintamani Ras- 2 gm 

Bramhi Vati with gold - 2 gm 

Yogender Ras - 1 gm 

Yakuti - 1 gm 

Sangeyashav Pishti - 5 gm 

Mukta Pishti - 2 gm 

Praval Pisthi - 5 gm 

Akik pishti - 5 gm 

Kamdudha Ras - 5 gm 

Giloy Satv - 10 gm 

Trailokyachinta mani ras - 2 gm 

Smriti Sagar Ras- 5 gm 

Vat Gajankush Ras -  5 gm 

Vat kulantak Ras - 1 gm 

-----------------------------------------Mix all together, make 60 sachets, give 1 sachet twice daily with Honey. 

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5. Maharishi Amrit Kalash  - 1 teaspoonful twice daily- To Balance overall health and provide nutrition. 

6. Bramhi Ghritam - 1 teaspoonful twice daily or at night - To balance Vata and Pitta.