Kidney And Ayurveda
How do I know I have Proteinuria?
Ayurveda is a science that attempts to understand the laws and facts of the universe. This attempt is well seen in the “Panca-Bhautika Theory of Ayurveda''. It is adopted as the basis for the super-structure of Ayurvedic literature. The “Tridosa Theory”, which has evolved from the idea of Panca–Bhautika's source of the universe, is the key to the interpretation of pharmacological, pathological, and therapeutic factors in the treatment of diseases. The diseases in Ayurveda are understood by identifying the root cause of the disease and thus working on it.
How will you know that you have Proteinuria?
Proteins in our body are used to build muscles and bones, regulate the amount of fluid in your blood, fight off infections, and repair damaged tissues. Normally, kidneys filter the excess protein through the urine. But when the kidneys do not function properly, this leakage is more than desired.
Proteinuria can be assessed by recognizing the following symptoms.
Puffy eyes
Blurred vision
Nausea or vomiting
Loss of Appetite or unwillingness to consume food
General body weakness
Edema of limbs
Foamy urine
Change in urine output
Change in color of urine
Blood in urine
Continuous Headache for a long time
How to Diagnose Proteinuria?
Diagnosis of proteinuria is not difficult. A simple urine analysis can help you diagnose the presence of proteins in urine.
Urine test: A routine urine analysis can reveal abnormalities in your urine.
Blood test: A normal blood sample test to quantify protein levels in the blood.
Dipstick test
The dipstick test is used as an initial indicator to test the presence of protein in the urine. It is simple and easy to conduct. This test requires a urine sample immediately analyzed for the existence of proteins, blood, etc., indicative of renal disease.
A large group of the adult population may have positive findings from the dipstick test; however, a very small percentage will have a condition that requires treatment. It indicates that the dipstick has a high rate of false positives. If mild to moderate Proteinuria is detected with a dipstick test, the test has to be repeated in 2-3 weeks. In case of severe Proteinuria, further diagnostic testing is required.
Urine collection test
Proteinuria is also diagnosed by quantifying the protein in urinary excretion in a 24-hour period. This test involves the collection of all urine excreted over a day, which is then analysed for the quantity of protein.
The testing period can be started at any time of the day. Most patients start this test in the morning. The bladder should be emptied at the beginning of the day with no sample taken out. The urine should be collected in containers every time the individual needs to urinate until exactly 24-hours after the start time.
In healthy people, the excretion of more than 500-1000 mg of protein in a 24-hour period may be considered indicative of an abnormality in the functioning of the kidneys. This may propose further investigation, like blood analysis or kidney biopsy. More than 2 g of protein per day indicates a glomerular malfunction.
Proteinuria can also be diagnosed by calculating the protein: creatinine ratio. When the kidneys function normally, they remove creatinine from the blood to keep the levels in the blood and urine in balance. The ratio of the protein to creatinine in the urine sample is a good indicator of quantifying protein excreted in a 24-hour period. An individual excreting more than 30 mg of albumin for every 1g of creatinine is considered to have Proteinuria.
What level of protein is alarming?
A normal range of protein in urine is <150 mg per day. If your urine has >150mg of protein daily, you may have Proteinuria.
What foods to be avoided with Proteinuria?
Due to Proteinuria, the levels of protein in the blood/body decreases. So it is always advised to consume more proteins in case of Proteinuria and limit the intake of a few food items.
Foods rich in sodium and potassium should be decreased.
Carbohydrates consumption in limited amounts.
Reduce consumption of refined sugar; instead, natural sweeteners are promoted.
Consumption of semi-cooked and canned foods is strictly avoided.
Saturated fatty acids use should be avoided
Self-medication should be avoided.
Can Ayurvedic Medicine cure Proteinuria?
Ayurvedic medicines for Proteinuria are always helpful for people suffering from Proteinuria. Ayurveda treatment for fixing proteinuria uses herbs and natural resources. Ayurvedic kidney treatment always suggests lifestyle changes as a measure of treatment. Proteinuria ayurvedic treatment works on the rejuvenation of all of the organs involved. This system of therapy possesses restorative capabilities by using the herbs like Dandelion root, Punarnava, Kaasni, Triphala, Gokshuradi Guggulu, Shirish, guitar, musta, etc. to promote normal kidney function. These herbs work towards complete alleviation of the diseases.
Lifestyle management suggestions for Proteinuria
Proteinuria, due to any reason, can be managed by adopting a healthy lifestyle after treatment. By including these preventive measures and proteinuria ayurvedic treatment, one can reverse the state of proteinuria. These daily routine measures are helpful in the selection and rejection of foods and activities. These suggestions include the following:
Start exercising regularly like walking, swimming, running, or yoga. Pranayama helps in improving the overall health of all.
Limit the use of table salt in your food. The sodium in table salt reduces kidney function and removes less water resulting in higher blood pressure—so self-restraint of preserved foods, pickles, etc. Salt is the most common preservative, used in pickles and chutneys can be dangerous for kidney patients.
Udvartan (dry massage with some medicines) prescribed in Ayurveda has shown results for diabetes, obesity and kidney patients.
Protein-rich foods are recommended to compensate for protein loss in people suffering from Proteinuria. This may vary upon the degree of disease and person to person.
Soaking vegetables for 20 minutes beforehand increases the loss of potassium from foods and thus be of immense help to patients suffering from proteinuria.
Keep your varying blood pressure near normal.
Include large amounts of fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains, as these help to keep your system clean and healthy.
Diabetes in the advancing stage affects kidney health. Reducing the amount of sugar in your diet will help in managing diabetes and thus be helpful for kidney health. A regular steam bath may help reduce fat in obese, diabetics, leading to other kidney problems.