Ayurvedic Treatment For Hyperaldosteronism/ Conn’s Syndrome

Abstract

Human body has a complex structure as well as functions. Endocrine system controls almost all the functions of the body. Endocrine system is composed of a complex meshwork of glands and organs. Some glands are very tiny like the size of the pea or rice grain and some are very large, about 5-6 inches.  It produces a variety of hormones that help in  coordinating the metabolism of the body, growth and development, stress levels and mood, energy level, reproduction and a lot of other things going inside our body. All the hormones should be secreted in the proper amount so that our body works in harmony. Its abnormal amount leads to diseased conditions. One of its glands is the Adrenal gland which lies above both the kidneys. These are two in numbers. Adrenal gland secretes aldosterone hormone when it is produced in excess it is called hyperaldosteronism. Other hormones it produces are cortisol, androgenic steroids, epinephrine and norepinephrine. So here in this article we will be discussing in detail about hyperaldosteronism, whats its causes, risk factors, Ayurvedic point of view and its management in modern as well as indian system of medicine.

Introduction

Hyperaldosteronism is an endocrine disorder, in which the adrenal gland becomes hyperactive and secretes too much of aldosterone. Basically aldosterone is responsible for regulating the body’s blood pressure, sexual development and maintaining the levels of sodium and potassium in the blood. There are two adrenal glands situated at the top of the kidneys also known to be suprarenal glands. When there is less blood circulating in the kidneys it activates the renin-Angiotensin-aldosterone system. This system causes reabsorption of salts, increasing the blood volume thus restoring the blood pressure. So to maintain blood pressure aldosterone is a crucial hormone.

A person may suffer from hyperaldosteronism and still be asymptomatic and experience greater issues. Mostly the hypertension caused by high aldosterone is medication resistance hypertension.

There are mainly two types of hyperaldosteronism- primary as well as secondary.

Primary Hyperaldosteronism: When there is hyperaldosteronism is due to dysfunctioning of adrenal gland itself. This condition is also called Conn’s Disease.

Secondary Hyperaldosteronism: When the other part of the body or gland controls the adrenal gland and secretes much aldosterone.

Causes

1. Hereditary and familial hyperaldosteronism
2. Non cancerous tumours (benign)
3. Diet
4. Adrenal hyperplasia
5. Adrenal adenoma
6. Adrenocortical carcinoma
7. Obstructive renal artery disease
8. Renal hypertension
9. Diseases like nephrotic syndrome, heart failure and liver cirrhosis that causes fluid retention
10. Ascites
11. Nutcracker syndrome
12. Excess of diuretic medications

Sign And Symptoms

1. High blood pressure (hypertension) especially medication resistant hypertension
2. Low level of potassium (hyperkalemia)
3. Muscle weakness and muscle cramps
4. Numbness
5. Fatigue or feeling of tiredness all day long
6. Polyuria or polydipsia
7. Blurred vision and other vision problems
8. Pain in chest
9. Dizziness or vertigo
10. Shortness of breath
11. Palpitations
12. Temporary paralysis

Diagnosis

1. Blood investigations rise of aldosterone-ratio in primary aldosteronism and normal or decrease aldosterone-renin ratio in secondary aldosteronism.
2. CT abdomen (high resolution) or MRI scan
3. Urine investigation to check levels of aldosterone
4. ECG
5. Adrenal vein sample to test the amount of aldosterone
6. Other tests like sodium loading test, saline infusion test, fludrocortisone suppression test and captopril challenge test.

Prevention

1. Exercise (30 min)
2. Reducing consumption of caffeine and alcohol
3. Avoid smoking
4. Low sodium diet in case of primary aldosteronism and high sodium diet in secondary aldosteronism.

Management of Hyperaldosteronism

1. Medications like mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist such as spironolactone, Eplerenone
2. Diuretics- potassium sparing
3. COX 2 inhibitors
4. Surgical removal of adrenal adenoma

Complications

1. Medication resistant high blood pressure
2. Prolonged use of medications for hyperaldosteronism can cause erectile dysfunction and gynecomastia in males
3. Heart attack or heart failure
4. Stroke
5. Kidney failure

Ayurvedic aspect and management of Hyperaldosteronism

Ayurveda or traditional system of Indian medicine widely practised in India or other parts of Asia. It originated in India around 3000 years ago. It promotes health care through both preventive and curative aspects. Ayurveda has a solution to every problem. Hyperaldosteronism in Ayurveda is caused due to vitiation of all three doshas that are vata, pitta and kapha along with vitiation of meda dhatu. In hyperaldosteronism there are mainly two symptoms such as hypertension and low potassium levels (hypokalemia). Hypertension is due to derangement of vyana vayu , a type of vata inside the body. It is correlated to rakta gata vata (vata dosha in blood). Aggravation of vata is due to vataj nidana. In impaired or excess hormone production there is obstruction of the flow of vata dosha due to other doshas and dhatus and this concept is called avarana. Here in hyperaldosteronism or conn’s disease the pathway of vyana vayu is blocked by pitta and kapha dosha and meda dhatu. And hypokalemia is simply due to vitiation of vata doshas. The management protocol includes balancing pitta and kapha dosha and meda dhatu and maintaining the reflow of the vyana vayu.

There are plenty of herbs in ayurveda used to manage the symptoms due to hyperaldosteronism like Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Varuna (Crataeva religiosa), Pipaltvak (Ficus religiosa), Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), Kachnar Bark (Bauhinia variegata),  Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia) and many more.
Kachnar is the best suited herb for all the granthi vikars (endocrine disorders).

Along with this to balance and maintain harmony in the endocrine system Yoga and meditation plays a vital role. Some of the ancient ayurvedic formulations to manage hyperaldosteronism are kachnaar guggul, arjunarishta etc.

Herbal Remedies for Hyperaldosteronism by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is a herbal manufacturing company and is a renowned GMP certified company promoting Ayurveda at global level. Formulations prepared by the company are in the form of vatis (tablets), churan (powder), liquids (syrups), jams, capsules. All the preparations by  Planet Ayurveda are 100% pure, herbal, vegetarian and natural. Supplements are formulated under the supervision of MD Ayurveda experts. With the goodness of magical herbs, Planet Ayurveda has formulated various preparations to manage hyperaldosteronism. All the formulations are formed strictly refering  the ancient Ayurvedic test. The herbs used are pure, uncontaminated and unadulterated. All these herbal remedies are free from preservatives, additives and chemicals. These are safe to use.

1. Arjun Tea
2. Arjuna Capsules
3. Brahmi Capsules
4. Kanchnaar Guggul
5. Navkarshik Churna

Product description

 1. Arjun Tea

This wonderful Arjun tea is a product of Planet Ayurveda Prepared with the natural unadulterated herbs. The stem bark of Arjuna possesses enumeral pharmacological benefits including antioxidant, inotropic, antihypertrophic, lowering blood pressure, anti platelet and many more. Along with Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) other herbs it includes  Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Pipal Tvak (Ficus religiosa), Dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Chhoti Elaichi (Elettaria cardamomum). It relieves the blockage in the channels caused by Kapha and pitta dosha hence reverting back the flow of vyana vayu hence balancing the hormonal release of aldosteronism. Arjun tea improves the blood flow to the blood vessels and muscles. Hence this tea is magically treating the hyperaldosteronism.

Dosage : One cup daily.

2. Arjuna Capsules

Arjuna capsules is patent herbal formulation of Planet Ayurveda. It is a single herb formulation containing Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna). It is kashaya rasa dravya (astringent in taste) and is sheet virya (cold potency). The cold potency of the herb is responsible for lowering down the blood pressure and also lowers the kapha and pitta dosha hence lowering the meda dhatu as a result the obstruction in the channels is cleared. Arjuna is a potent antioxidant removing all the toxins from the blood. It strengthens the endocrine symptom. It maintains blood pressure, decreases hyperplasia of adrenal glands, lowering aldosterone level in the blood. It strengthens the heart muscles which maintain the healthy blood flow to all the organs and tissues hence relieving the symptoms like fatigue, muscle spasm, weakness etc. Arjun capsules is a great herbal formulation to manage hyperaldosteronism.

Dosage : 2 capsules two times a day after meals

3. Brahmi Capsules

Brahmi capsule is the effective herbal formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda. It is a single herb formulation containing brahmi (Bacopa monnieri). Brahmi is a nootropic drug that enhances brain performance. Brain has a hypothalamus that controls all the other endocrine glands. Brahmi is also a Rasayana (immunomodulatory), agni vardhak (increase digestive fire). It is having cold potency hence calming in nature thus lowers down the hypertension. It also reduces hyperplasia of the adrenal gland. It also has some other wonderful properties like anti oxidant, anti inflammatory, antianxiety, anti stress. With all of these tremendous properties brahmi capsules are very effective in managing hyperaldosteronism or conn’s disease.

Dosage : 2 capsules two times a day after meals

4. Kanchnaar Guggul

Kanchnaar Guggul is an ancient Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation reformulated by Planet Ayurveda with the amalgam of pure herbs. The main content that is kanchnar (Bauhinia variegata ) is very potent in all granthi vikara (endocrine glands). It reduces the increased size of adrenal gland ,and manages its hyperplasia. The other important contents are amalaki (Emblica officinale), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), bibhitaki (Terminalia billerica), guggul (Commiphora mukul),  ginger (Zingiber officinale), marich (Piper nigrum), varuna bark (Crataeva religiosa). It controls the abnormal growth of the tissues maintaining  healthy growth of the tissues. This wonderful herbal preparation is very effective in hyperaldosteronism.

Dosage : 2 capsules two times a day after meals

5. Navkarshik Churna

Navkarhik churan is a formulation of Planet Ayurveda. Navkarshik churna balances all three doshas that are vata, pitta and Kapha. The herbs it contain are  amalki (Emblica officinalis), haritaki (Terminalia chebula),  bibhitaki (Terminalia ), manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), vacha (Acorus calamus)  kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa), giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), neem (Azadirachta indica), daruhaldi (Berberis aristata) etc. It is a very effective immunomodulator  (increases immunity of the patient), anti inflammatory. It acts as a very effective blood purifier (purifies rakta dhatu). It improves the condition of hyperplasia of adrenal gland. Navkarshik churna is very effective in managing hyperaldosteronism.

Dosage : One tsp twice a day with warm water after meals

Conclusion

Our body revolves around  the axis of the endocrine gland to work efficiently. Hypothalamus is the master gland controlling all the other glands including adrenal gland. Adrenal gland is situated over kidneys secreting various hormones like cortisol, aldosterone etc. Aldosterone  is the hormone responsible for maintaining blood pressure and electrolyte balance (potassium, sodium). Allopathic medications for long use provide various complications like erectile dysfunction, gynecomastia in males. So one needs to improve its lifestyle, do some healthy  diet changes, regular exercise, yoga and meditation. Ayurveda provides the complete care of the patient with hyperaldosteronism. It balances the doshas and dhatus which are the root cause of the disease. Along with these potent herbal formulations there is no chance of side effects. Above article is all about the detailed description of  hyperaldosteronism or conn’s disease and its fair management.