Abstract

DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY AS AN ANUKTA VYADHI: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW WITH AYURVEDIC CONCEPTS AND CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES

Dr. Pratiksha B. Dhule*

Abstract

Background: Diabetic nephropathy is a progressive kidney disorder occurring as a chronic microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, characterised by persistent albuminuria, declining glomerular filtration rate, oedema, and eventual progression toward chronic kidney disease. Diabetic nephropathy is defined as an increased urinary albumin excretion (UAE) in absence of the other renal diseases. Diabetic nephropathy is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, and is now among the most common cause of endstage renal disease (ESRD) in developed countries. It is a specific form of renal complication of Diabetes Mellitus (DM), a major cause of death and disability among diabetics. In Ayurveda, many Acharyas analyse the causes and pathogenesis of Prameha vyadhi which shows similarities with Diabetes Mellitus described by modern science. Classification of a disease is mainly done for the purpose of proper understanding of the disease and to formulate an effective treatment proptocol. Through this different point of view, many classifications are available from our texts of which most important is according to its Dosha predominance. Madhumeha is among the 20 sub types of Prameha and is predominantly a Vata Pradhan disease. In Ayurveda sign and symptoms of Madhumeha are given such as Prabhutamutrata, Hastapada Daha, Trushna etc. As Diabetic nephropathy is an Anukta vyadhi in Ayurvedic texts, it can be explained on the basis of Ayurvedic principles viz. dosha, dushaya, srotasa. Doshas are the very first important factors in pathogenesis of a disease.

Keywords: Diabetic Nephropathy, Madhumeha, Anukta Vyadhi, Mutravaha Srotas.