INTEGRATIVE HOPE IN ADVANCED CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE: AN AYURVEDIC CASE APPROACH

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a progressive and irreversible disorder characterized by a gradual decline in renal function, with Stage V CKD or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) being the most advanced stage. Conventional management strategies such as pharmacological therapy, dialysis, and transplantation, though effective, are associated with high costs, accessibility issues, and long-term complications. Ayurveda correlates CKD with Vrikka Vikara or Mootravaha Srotas Dushti, where impaired digestion (Agnimandya), accumulation of toxins (Ama), and vitiation of Vata and Kapha Doshas result in renal damage and systemic manifestations. A 45-year-old male presented to Jeena Sikho Lifecare Limited Hospital, Allahabad, India with Stage V CKD and a history of hypertension for three months. Symptoms included Daurbalya (weakness), Kasa (cough), Shwasa (dyspnea), Phenila Mutra Pravritti (frothy urine), Aruchi (loss of appetite), Vibandha (constipation), and Prishta Shoola (back pain). Management included Panchakarma therapies, Ayurvedic formulations, and Pathya Apathya (diet and lifestyle modifications). The patient showed marked symptomatic improvement including relief of weakness, normalization of appetite and bowel habits, resolution of dyspnea, reduction of urinary frothiness, and partial relief in back pain. Vital parameters such as weight and blood pressure remained stable. Biochemical investigations revealed significant improvement: urea decreased from 222 mg/dL to 82.21 mg/dL, serum creatinine from 9.96 mg/dL to 5.05 mg/dL, and uric acid from 5.9 mg/dL to 3.0 mg/dL, with stable sodium and potassium levels and normalization of calcium.