Urinary Tract Infections (UTIS) – Ayurvedic Treatment, Diet and Panchkarma

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common bacterial infections, it affects more than one 125 million of the population across the world wide. E coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteos mirabilis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus are the bacterias which are responsible for this severe health concern. UTIs are caused by varieties of both gram positive and gram negative bacterias but there are certain fungi which are responsible for the infection.For a best management it is required to sort out the site of infection and  further rule out its complexity. It could be a serious concern in children and pregnant ladies if left untreated. The appropriate evidence of a UTIs infection is gathered by urine culture. Untreated cases lead to cystitis and other renal ailments.

INTRODUCTION

Urinary tract infection is a familiar contagion among men and women. The incidence is quite high among women. It is due to their physiology. It can be stated as a condition in which women will certainly face during the  span of their life  and the chances are higher among women during pregnancy. As the name indicates it is the infection of the urinary tract which could be upper or lower and both as well .It involves urinary bladder, kidneys,ureters and urethra. Mostly UTIs involve infection in the lower tract but it can involve kidneys and urethra as well. Upper tract infections are rare as compared to lower tract infections.

FACTS

1. Two in ten women will have at least one UTI in their lifespan. About 20 percent of these women will have another and 30 percent of those will have yet another. Of this last group, 80 percent will have recurrences.
2. Women have a higher chance of being prone to UTIs as compared to men because women have shorter urethra,it makes a shorter route for bacteria to reach the bladder.
3. Drinking plenty of water helps to prevent UTIs.
4. Urinalysis is done to diagnose the UTIs.
5. If the infection is higher in the body then there might be soreness and stiffness at the back.

SYMPTOMS

1. Strong urgency to urinate but it does not pass away
2. Urine seems to be cloudy
3. An intense urge to pee but few drops comes out when urinating
4. Dark and strange smelling urine
5. Pressure in the lower back of abdomen
6. As infection approaches the kidney then it might be fever and chills

CAUSES

1. Urinary Tract Infections are mostly caused by bacterias.
2. Urethra is the path for bacteria to travel inside the body.
3. Things that leads to bacteria enter into the  body are
4. Sexual Intercourse
5. Pregnancy
6. Obstruction in the path of urine most likely kidney stones
7. Not having enough fluid intake.
8. Not maintaining the proper hygiene of  genital area

DIAGNOSIS

1. Complete blood counts
2. Urine analysis
3. Urine culture
4. Cystoscopy
5. Intravenous Pyelogram

AYURVEDIC OVERVIEW

Ayurveda is an ancient science which believes that a disease is caused in the body by vitiation of dosha (vata, pitta, kapha). Infection of the urinary system is known as Mutravahastrotas vikaar. UTIs happen due to vitiation of pitta dosha in the body. This infection leads to very ill effects on the urethra, kidney and urinary bladder. When there is a high intake of oils, sour and extra cooked food with assorted spices is responsible for aggravating pitta in the body hence leads to infection. Individuals living in hot climates are much more affected. Condition associated with excess urination with metabolic dysfunction is known as Prameah. Ayurveda is one of the best approaches to deal with urinary tract infections.

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS

Ayurvedic herbs for UTIs are stated below

1. hilajit (Mineral Pitch, Asphaltum)
2. Gokshura (Tribulus Terrestris)
3. Punarnava (Boerhavia Diffusa)
4. Guduchi (Tinospora Cordifolia)
5. handan (Santalum Album)
6. aruna (Crataeva Nurvala)

PANCHKARMA FOR URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS

In ayurveda imbalance of vata ,pitta,kapha leads to an unhealthy state of life.In urinary tract diseases detoxification and flushing out urinary bladder leads to balance state of doshas and  administering tone of kidney and to normalise the functioning of apana vayu. Panchkarma is holistic approach to eradicate the root cause by elimination of toxins from the body.These six panchkarma therapies are performed in UTIs

•       Snehapana : administration of medicated ghee.
•       Abhyanga : A whole body massage that leads to increased circulation and removes blockages or strots.
•       Sweden : A kind of steam bath that pours out toxins.
•       Vasti :  A mixture of medicated herbs is administered to the colon via the anal canal.
•        Utarvasti:  Ayurvedic enema administered through vaginal or urethral route.
•        Virechana: Herbs that induce purgation (complete emptying of digestive tract ).

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR UTIs  BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda is a renowned GMP certified company offering products world wide. All the products are prepared by following the ancient ayurvedic texts under the guidance of MD ayurveda experts. All the products are safe and devoid of all kinds of adverse effects. Let’s have a look at the formulations:-

UTI CARE PACK

1. PUNARNAVA CAPSULES
2. GOKSHURADI GUGGUL
3. VARUNADI VATI
4. CHANDANADI VATI
5. RENO PLAN SYRUP

PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION

1. PUNARNAVA CAPSULES

Punarnava capsules are the capsule preparation prepared by Planet ayurveda prepared using standardised extract of Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa). In urinary tract infection, Punarnava acts by  increasing the urine flow and subsides the symptoms like burning sensation during urination. It assists the  flushing of harmful pathogens. It is a natural diuretic. It maintains the balance of  all three doshas. It increases the vata dosha and manages the level of pitta and kapha dosha. It helps in reducing the inflammation of the urinary tract because of its antiinflammatory properties.
Dosage– 2 capsules twice daily with warm water after meal.

2. GOKSHURADI GUGGUL

Dosage– 2 tablets twice daily with warm water after meal.

3. VARUNADI VATI

It is a  herbal classical product Varunadi vati has immense results in urinary tract infections. This herbal product is the combination of Punarnava (Boerhavia difiusa) that acts as diuretic, anti inflammatory plus analgesic effects that subsides pitta dosh subsequently relief in Urinary tract infections. Varun (Crataeva nurvala) helps in improving the burning micturition and it tends to have antibacterial properties. This herb is potent to kill bacterias which cause inflammation of the urethra and bladder. Gokshur ( Terbulus terrestris) balances all three doshas. Shuddha guggulu (Commiphora mukul) is also useful in urinary tract infections.
Dosage– 2 tablets twice daily with warm water after meal.

4. CHANDANADI VATI

Dosage- 2 tablets twice daily with warm water after meal.

5. RENO PLAN SYRUP

Dosage- 2 tsp twice daily with warm water after meal.

Dietary and lifestyle changes

DO’S

1. Drink water as much as possible.
2. Drink fresh lemon juice and coconut water.
3. Consume apples, grapes, peaches and figs in abundant quantities.
4. Use pink himalayan crystal salt or crystal salts rather than conventional salts.
5. Include fibre in your diet.

DON’TS

1. Avoid spicy food.
2. Donot hold the urge to urinate as it retains toxins in the body
3. Avoid exposure to heat and sunlight.
4. Avoid alcohol beverages

Conclusion

As millions of population is affected by the UTIs is considerably a huge burden for any nation Although it is a easily manageable infection if a right course of  treatment is to be given on time.Antibiotic sensitivity is leading to recurrent infection .It leads to development of bacterial reservoir in the bladder.In that case this is little bit difficult to treat.Ayurvedic approach is best to deal with this disease as there is eradication of root cause and no recurrence of symptoms found.