Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Hepatorenal Syndrome

Hepatorenal syndrome is a medical condition characterized by the development of kidney failure in patients having advanced, chronic liver disease. Nearly 40 % of patients having liver cirrhosis and ascites (fluid collection in the abdominal cavity) stand a risk of developing this condition. The resulting damage in the kidneys is functional, not structural, and is believed to result from constriction of the renal arteries, with concurrent vasodilatation in the body periphery. Type 1 hepatorenal syndrome has an average survival of 2-10 weeks, while type 2 has a median survival of 3-6 months. Liver transplantation is currently the only mode of treatment in modern medicine, which can improve long term survival; however, this procedure is prohibitively costly, involves a long waiting period, and has the potential for serious complications.

Blood and urine tests as well as other tests like abdominal ultrasonography may help diagnose other causes of kidney failure, since hepatorenal syndrome is primarily a diagnosis of exclusion. No specific modern medicine is currently known to be useful in the treatment of this condition. It is important to look for precipitating factors like infection and obstruction, which can be potentially treated completely, with chances of reversing the condition. Paracentesis (removal of accumulated water from the abdominal cavity) can relieve symptoms and may also help partially reverse the condition.

Hepatorenal syndrome is one medical condition where the timely institution of Ayurvedic herbal treatment can dramatically change the characteristically poor prognosis of this disease. Treated with high doses of herbal medicines, ascites can be virtually cleared up within one to two months.  Depending upon the severity of liver and kidney damage, liver and kidney parameters return to near normal levels within three to six months. It is important to commence treatment at the earliest in order to get maximum beneficial results.

It is equally important to maintain the morale of the patient, since modern medicine has little to offer other than liver transplantation, and most patients can be devastated on receiving this information. Regular monitoring of the patient is essential by different health professionals, including the nephrologist, general physician, and nutritionist. This can help maintain the patient’s health and day-to-day care, and detect any new or unforeseen medical situations.

          Ayurvedic herbal medicines are usually continued in high doses till the patient is completely asymptomatic, with stable liver and kidney parameters for at least three to four months. After this, the dosage of medicines may be gradually tapered with careful monitoring. In order to prevent a relapse, in most patients, it is advisable to continue a few medicines for the kidney and liver on a long term basis, or possibly, lifelong.

            Most patients can lead near normal lives with a good quality of life, and with the minimum possible medication. Ayurvedic herbal medicines can thus be utilized in the successful and comprehensive management of hepatorenal syndrome.

The writer, Dr A A Mundewadi, is available as an Ayurvedic Consultant at  https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and www.ayurvedaphysician.com  For Ayurvedic herbal treatment of hepatorenal syndrome, kindly click here

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Hepatorenal Syndrome

Hepatorenal syndrome is a condition in which an individual with established liver disease simultaneously develops kidney failure.  The liver disease has to be chronic, advanced and with the presence of portal hypertension and ascites.  In this scenario, individuals who have a low arterial blood pressure, reduced sodium levels in the blood and severe urinary sodium retention have a high risk of renal vessel constriction, which usually causes renal failure.  The common signs and symptoms of this condition include a reduced urine output, progressive decline in renal function, and all the symptoms of chronic liver disease.  Hepatorenal syndrome is a potentially serious condition with high morbidity and mortality and therefore requires treatment by a team of specialists, and intensive care in the acute stage.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for hepatorenal syndrome is aimed at simultaneously treating the liver disorder as well as improving kidney function.  Herbal medicines which have a specific action on the liver and help in regeneration of the liver cells, and reduce inflammation as well as obstruction within the liver, are used in high doses in the management of this condition.  Restoration of the functioning of the liver to optimum levels and reduction of obstruction within the liver help in reducing portal hypertension as well as resolving fluid accumulation within the abdomen, which is known as ascites.  A correction in liver function also gradually brings about reduction in the risk factors for kidney failure.

Simultaneously, herbal medicines which have a specific action on the kidney are also used in high doses in order to prevent or treat kidney failure.  Herbal medicines are used to improve kidney function as well as improve the blood supply to the kidneys, resulting in a gradual correction of metabolism in the body and in the blood.  Herbal medicines are also used to flush the toxins generated in the process either through the kidneys or through the gastrointestinal tract.

Most individuals affected with hepatorenal syndrome, depending upon the severity of the condition, require Ayurvedic herbal treatment for periods ranging from six to nine months, in order to bring about a remission of the condition and possible cure.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant role to play in the management and treatment of Hepatorenal syndrome.

The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com  and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com