Can Ayurveda cure nephrotic syndrome?

What is nephrotic syndrome?

 

Nephrotic syndrome is a severe medical condition where a group of symptoms may collectively indicate that the kidneys are not functioning properly.

 

The symptoms include-

 

●     Excess of protein in a person’s urine, better known as proteinuria

 

●     Low levels of a protein called albumin in the blood, better known as hypoalbuminemia

 

●     Swelling in parts of the body, also known as edema

 

●     Excess of cholesterol and other fats in the blood, known as hyperlipidemia

 

Our kidneys consist of about a million filtering units called nephrons. Each nephron is made up of a filter, called the glomerulus and a tubule. The glomerulus is responsible for filtering blood and the needed substances are returned by the tubule to blood, removing wastes and excess water which becomes urine. When the glomeruli are inflamed, therefore allowing the excess protein to leak from the blood into the urine, it indicates signs of nephrotic syndrome. 

 

What are the symptoms of nephrotic syndrome?

 

 The condition of nephrotic syndrome may be known through routine blood and urine tests at a doctor’s appointment. It causes water to build up in the body.  It can cause severe swelling all over the body.

 

The results of the tests can give a clear idea of the levels of protein in the blood and urine, fat and cholesterol levels in the blood.

 

Some common signs of nephrotic syndrome are-

 

●     Weight gain

●     Swelling in feet, ankles, face, and hands.

●     Fatigue

●     Foamy urine

●     Not feeling the urge to eat 

 

Causes of nephrotic syndrome

 

A lot of different conditions can cause nephrotic syndrome. The most common conditions that may lead to the nephrotic syndrome are-

 

●     Diabetes

●     Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis

●     Minimal change nephropathy

●     Amyloidosis

 

Diseases affecting only the kidneys and leading to the nephrotic syndrome are primary causes.

 

The diseases affecting the whole body, including the kidneys, are the secondary causes of nephrotic syndrome.

 

Nephrotic syndrome occurs because of secondary causes most of the time. Diabetes is the most common secondary cause of nephrotic syndrome in both adults and children.

 

How is nephrotic syndrome diagnosed?

 

The only way to know the condition of kidneys is by testing. Doctors may recommend one or more of these tests -

 

●     Urine dipstick test: This test is conducted to check for albumin in a person’s urine. The urine sample is collected in a container during a visit to a lab. A chemically treated paper, also called a dipstick, is placed into the urine for the test. If there is a presence of albumin in the urine, it changes color.

 

●     Blood tests: Blood tests indicate whether the kidneys are filtering waste as they should. If it does not, then it could be a sign of the nephrotic syndrome.

 

●     Kidney biopsy: The doctor will look at a small piece of kidney tissue under a microscope for signs of damage in a kidney biopsy.

 

It is advised to get both urine and blood tests done to be double sure. A person may have normal blood test results but there still are chances of the presence of protein in their urine. Protein in urine is a major sign of damage to the kidneys. 

 

Are there any complications of nephrotic syndrome?

 

●     Excess water in the body. Fluid gets built up around the ankles, or in the hands. This can cause discomfort but does not lead to serious problems. Breathlessness may be caused due to fluid build-up in the lungs in cases of extreme nephrotic syndrome, however.

 

●     Blood clots. The blood can become sticky in nephrotic syndrome resulting in blood clots. These usually occur in the veins of the leg, causing swelling. These blood clots can travel into the lungs, causing chest pain, breathlessness or coughing up blood.

 

●     High cholesterol. High levels of cholesterol in the blood are common in cases of nephrotic syndrome. If the kidney specialist finds that the cholesterol levels are high over a period of years, then there is an increased risk of a heart attack. Timely treatment of nephrotic syndrome brings down the cholesterol levels itself, but in some severe cases, drugs may be needed to bring them down.

 

●     High blood pressure. High blood pressure is caused by extra water in the body and kidney issues. This leads to an increased risk of a heart attack and stroke. 

 

How is nephrotic syndrome treated?

 

Although there is no cure for nephrotic syndrome, doctors may recommend certain medications to heal the kidneys and prevent them from getting worse.

 

To control blood pressure, certain medications are available so that heart attack or a stroke is prevented.

 

To help the body get rid of the extra water and reduce swelling, certain medications can be taken.

 

 

What foods are good for nephrotic syndrome?

 

People suffering from nephrotic syndrome should monitor their diet. Foods that are good for the nephrotic syndrome are-

 

●     Peanut butter

●     Potatoes

●     Lean meats like poultry and fish

●     Rice

●     Whole grains

●     Unsalted snacks such as potato chips, nuts, or popcorn

●     Milk

●     Dried beans

●     Soybeans

●     Fresh or frozen fruits such as apples, watermelons, and oranges

●     Fresh or frozen vegetables such as green beans and tomatoes

Avoidable foods for nephrotic syndrome

 

It is recommended to avoid consuming these foods when a person is suffering from nephrotic syndrome-

 

●     Processed cheeses

●     Canned meats

●     Pickled vegetables

●     High sodium meats like ham, bacon, and sausage

●     Salted potato chips, popcorn, and nuts

 

 

Ayurveda treatment for nephrotic syndrome

 

Nephrotic syndrome is completely curable through Ayurveda. Ayurveda is a globally popular concept for its results. Ayurveda does not just account for the symptoms of a disease but also caters to other factors such as conditions of mind, body, and soul.

 

Ayurveda completely cures nephrotic syndrome and also makes it the ideal treatment alternative as it has no side effects on the body. It is affordable and result-oriented unlike other treatment alternatives such as Dialysis and kidney transplant.