Abstract

AN OVERVIEW OF UTI ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA

Jagriti Verma* and Nidhi Garg

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Abstract

Urinary Tract Infection is an infection that affects part of the urinary tract. Lower UTI may involve the bladder (Cystitis) or urethra (Urethritis) while upper UTI affect the kidney (Pyelonephritis). Most of the UTI are caused by bacteria, but some are also caused by fungi and in rare cases by Viruses. Infections can happen in any area of urinary tract. But most infections only involve the urethra and the bladder. Urinary Tract Infections are among the most common bacterial infections worldwide, occurring in both community and healthcare settings. Although the clinical symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection are heterogeneous and range from uncomplicated (uUTI) to complicated (cUTI), most Urinary Tract Infection are usually treated empirically. UTI is the most common infection managed in general medical practice and accounts for 1-3% of consultations. Women are especially prone to Urinary Tract Infection. One woman in five develops Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) at least once during her life time. According to Ayurveda, any disease affecting the kidney and the urinary tract is classified as “Mutravaha Sroto Rog”. in particular, difficulty or discomfort while passing urine is termed as Mutrakrichra. Mutra- Urine Krichra-Difficulty passing. In Ayurveda, the symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection closely resemble a condition known as Pittaj Mutrakriccha. Acharya Charaka has explained eight types of Mutrakriccha in Charaka Chikitsa Sthana 26. In this condition, the aggravated Pitta Dosha, along with Apana Vayu, reaches the Vasti (bladder) and affects the Mutravaha Srotas, leading to painful and burning urination.

Keywords: UTI, Bacterias, Ayurveda, Mutrakrichra.