When you have kidney disease, your kidneys cannot remove extra potassium in the right way, and too much potassium can stay in your blood. When you have too much potassium in your blood, it is called hyperkalemia, or high potassium. Having too much potassium in your blood can be dangerous
Why are CKD patients advised to restrict potassium in diet?
Potassium is an important mineral in the body that is needed for the proper functioning of muscles and nerves and to keep the heart beat regular.
Normally, the level of potassium in body is balanced by eating potassium containing foods and removal of excess potassium in the urine. Removal of excess potassium in the urine may be inadequate in a patient with chronic kidney disease and can lead to the accumulation of a high level of potassium in the blood (a condition known as hyperkalemia).
The risk of hyperkalemia is less in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis compared to those on hemodialysis.
The risk differs in both groups because the process of dialysis is continuous in peritoneal dialysis while it is intermittent in hemodialysis.
High potassium levels can cause severe muscle weakness or an irregular heart rhythm that can be dangerous.
When potassium is very high, the heart can stop beating unexpectedly and cause sudden death. High potassium levels can be life threatening without noticeable manifestations or symptoms (and therefore it is known as a silent killer).To avoid serious consequences of high potassium, CKD patients are advised to restrict potassium in diet.
What is normal potassium level in blood? When is it considered high?
The normal serum potassium (level of potassium in blood) is 3.5 mEq/L to 5.0 mEq/L.
When the serum potassium is 5.0 to 6.0 mEq/L, dietary potassium needs to be limited.
When the serum potassium is greater than 6.0 mEq/L, active medical intervention is needed to reduce it.
A serum potassium greater than 7.0 mEq/L is life threatening and needs urgent treatment such as emergency dialysis.
Classification of food according to potassium content:
To maintain proper control of potassium in blood, food intake must be modified as per the doctor’s advice. On the basis of potassium contents, foods are classified into three different groups (high, medium, and low potassium containing foods).
High potassium = More than 200 mg/ 100 gms of food
Ayurveda suggests that most individuals have bi-doshic constitution (Vata-Pitta, Pitta-Kapha, Vata-Kapha) in their bodies. These doshas can influence their overall mental well-being. Let’s look at these doshas and how they can influence our mental health.
Vata dosha: This dosha enables our quick thinking capabilities, unlocks our creativity and innovation, and can optimize our intuitive power. People with a dominant Vata dosha may come across life situations that can make them anxious. When dosha levels go up, one may have to deal with fear, anxiety, insomnia, isolation, etc.
Pitta dosha: Pitta dosha helps us with determination, intelligence, competitiveness, and confidence. When these dosha levels go up, individuals may feel more angry, irritated, frustrated, or incompetent. In addition, sweating, heartburn, diarrhea, and hypertension can spike Pitta dosha levels.
Kapha dosha: Kapha energy is associated with strength, steadiness, and reliability. People with a dominating Kapha may often resist change and be stubborn in usually uncomfortable situations. This may lead to high-stress levels. For people with a dominant Kapha dosha, stress may result from comfort eating, lack of motivation, tiredness, lethargy, etc
How Does Body React When You Are Stressed?
When the body perceives a threat, the nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. This actually prepares your body to be more alert. However, when stress becomes a regular phenomenon, high levels of cortisol can show several detrimental effects on the body. Increased cortisol level is associated with High blood pressure, Sugar imbalance, Muscle stiffness, and Increased heart rate. These physiological effects lead to health issues such as Pain, Fatigue, Low immunity, Sleep problems, Depression & Anxiety, etc.
Stress Managementin Ayurveda
Anxiety and depression can take place simultaneously. One of the main reasons why we experience this disorder is because of severe mental stress. Therefore, it is important that we learn to control and manage our stress. This will indubitably make things easier and we will start to feel lighter.
One of the best methods for Stress Management in Ayurveda is meditation. Meditation helps you relax and reset your system.
The other methods in Ayurveda for stress are yoga and practicing mindfulness.
Get counseling from our experts to manage Stress and Anxiety!
Depression and anxiety are often observed to co-exist. Too much mental stress is a trigger that can result in mental disturbances leading to depression or anxiety. Stress is actually a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened. When you sense danger whether it’s real or imagined, the body’s defence kicks into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the “fight-or-flight” reaction, or the stress response. However, excessive stress when left unmanaged can result in several illnesses including mental disorders such as Depression and Anxiety .
What Is Ayurveda’s Treatment Approach to Depression and Anxiety?
From the Ayurveda point of view, depression is caused due to Kapha imbalance which vitiates the Vata further vitiating the pitta resulting in interference in the normal functioning of the nervous system leading to depression.
The Ayurvedic Management for stress or anxiety reduction begins with proper counselling that examines a patients detailed history, (diet) AaharCharya and (lifestyle modification) Dincharya recommendations.
Practicing yoga and pranayama along with Ayurveda therapies has proven to be beneficial in reversing or halting the progression of the disease.
Dinacharya:
An ideal daily routine is called the Dinacharya. Ayurveda takes into account the nature’s master cycle and suggests activities to follow in dinacharya like Waking up an hour before dawn.
Drink a one glass of warm water.
Brush your teeth and scrape tongue. Massage your body with sesame oil as per your dr advised .
Practice Yoga and breathing exercises/Pranayam.
Meditate for about 15 minutes.
Take a Bath: A bath calms nervous system which releases tension and soothes the mind. Additionally, you can add ⅓ cup Ginger powder and ⅓ cup baking soda to the water to facilitate relaxation and healing. This combination encourages proper circulation, sweating, and detoxification, and is soothing, which is very essential when stress is elevated. Use hot water for kapha and vata, and warm water for pitta.
Have warm, nourishing and wholesome breakfast.
Lunch should be taken between 12 and 1P.M. A short walk is recommended after lunch.
Sleeping in the day is prohibited in ayurveda.
Dinner should be taken around 6 – 7 P.M, at two-three hours before bedtime.
Walk to aid digestion. Massage soles of your feet before going to bed at 9.30 – 10.30 P.M.
Practice Oil Pulling:
Swishing around in mouth and gargling with warm, untoasted sesame oil or medicated oil helps eliminate tension from the jaw, improves the sense of taste, and removes natural toxins from the mouth, teeth, and gums.
Abhyanga (Ayurvedic Oil Massage): This ancient practice of self-massage with oil help calm the nervous system, lubricate and rejuvenates the tissues, and promotes healthy circulation throughout the body. Also, the oil forms a protective sheath around body that can help to buffer the nervous system against stress.
Every morning, before bathing, massage about ¼–½ cup warm organic oil into the skin. Biopurificatory measures like Shiodhara may also help destress.
Practice Nasya: The practice of applying medicated oil to the nasal passages is Nasya therapy. It soothes these delicate tissues, helps in unobstructed breathing, soothes accumulated stress, and supports mental clarIty.
Massage Your Feet Before going to Bed: This practice grounds the energy, soothes the nervous system, decreases stress, calms the mind, and helps in sound sleep.
Read an Uplifting or Inspiring Book:
A good, inspirational read can help the entire system of body to relax and rejuvenate a bit.
Foster Good Relationships:
Often engage in a good laugh, a loving connection, a reassuring hug, a sympathetic ear, and other encouraging relational signs that we are, indeed, supported.
Get Sufficient Rest: A sound sleep is very important to reduce stress. It has considerable restorative functions and plays a major role in repair and rejuvenation of tissues (in the brain and the body), but it also allows for the removal of metabolic wastes and natural toxins.
Exercise: The accumulated tension can be released by regular exercise. Other than tension, exercise is extremely crucial to move inactive mental and emotional energy, and improve the circulation.
Yoga and Meditation:
Yoga moves prana in human body, helps to dissipate tension, clears stagnation, and encourages fluidity, both in the tissues as well as in the mental and emotional spheres. This capacity can be developed through the cultivation of passive awareness with the help of meditation, and a far healthier response to stressful situations can be informed.
Supportive Diet:
A wholesome source of nourishment is essential, it is best to emphasize on healthy, whole foods that are rich in fibre and vitamins.
Avoid
processed foods ,packed food , soft & hard drinks, stimulants like coffee, and refined sugars.
Rasayana therapy:
Ayurveda mentions a number of herbs which promote health in the mind-body of an individual. These herbs specifically bolster the mind and the nervous system, and can help one to face our daily challenges with a sense of ease
Are you suffering from too much stress?Manage it with Ayurvedic therapy!
How Do The Ayurvedic Therapy For Depression And Anxiety Work?
As per the Ayurveda theory, aggravation of prana vayu affects the normal functioning of the nervous system thereby triggering mental imbalance. Hence Ayurvedic treatments for Depression and Anxiety focus on pacifying the aggravation of vata to regain normal functions.
Ayurveda has some excellent therapies to manage anxiety.
Shirodhara and Nasyam have been proven to be the most effective line of treatments to counter anxiety.Stimulation of vital centers through Shirodhara and Nasyam with proper nourishment of the brain helps improve the pre-existing conditions. Moreover Ayurvedic medicines rich in calcified butter helps cross the blood brain barriers and provide nourishment to the brain.
Shirodhara:
This healing massage involves the continuous pouring of medicated oil on the forehead with pendulum motion for a specific period of time. Shirodhara may also include the pouring of decoctions, buttermilk, or even water.Continuous pouring of oil on the forehead stimulates and soothes the hypothalamus to induce sleep by reducing Stress. This therapy is performed for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the condition of the person. The person is also given a gentle head massage before or during the procedure.Shirodhara boosts the immune system and improves the blood circulation around the head and face to effectively treat Hypertension, Insomnia, Depression, and Jetlag. Abhyangam
A full body massage (Head to Toe) done with medicated herbal oils. Increases blood circulation thereby eliminating toxins from the body. Stimulation of vital pressure points leads to nervous stimulation leading to stress reduction.
Padabhyangam
Herbal foot massage that focuses on vital pressure points to balance the Doshas. Stimulation of vital points induces mental calmness and relief from stress.
Nasyam
It includes administration of medicated drugs or oils through nostrils. It stimulates the vital centers of brain that regulate emotions.
Pizhichil
Pizhichil is the squeezing of warm medicated oil onto the body of the patient from a piece of cloth that is periodically soaked in a vessel containing the medicated oil. The squeezing of warm medicated oils helps the system to retune itself thereby inducing both physical and mental relaxation. The stress and tension building up in the system due to various factors often leads to oxidative stress which can be effectively combated by Pizhichil.
KizhiKizhi
uses powders, herbs, rice, sand tied in a muslin cloth to make small satchels. These powders, herbs, rice or sand sacks are then heated and lightly pounded over the body or specific parts of the body as needed. This leads to improvement in circulation. Enhanced circulation reduces the oxidative stress thereby relieving the psycho-physical symptoms of stress..
It is grass-like plants are found in the rocky areas during rainy season. In some areas, it is found throughout the year .It is a perennial plant.
Two other species Evolvulus alsinoides and Canscora decussata are also used as Shankhpuspi Convolvulus microphyllus is described here as it has more medicinal value.
Shankhpusphi
Appearance
From the wooden root base, 4-12 inch long, hairy branches grow out which then spread all over the ground and grass Leaves are ½ to 1½ inch long, broad at the base and taper towards up. When crushed, they smell like radish leaves.
Flowers are white or dull white or dark pink and round like fennel.
Fruit is brown in colour, small, oily and shiny It contains 4 seeds which are brown or black in colour. Complete plant has violet or brown coloured hairs all over it.
Chemical Composition
It contains alkaloid – shankhpushpin and two Crystalloids.
Properties
It is astringent, cold potency, unctuous, sticky and bitter. It promotes intellect and cures epilepsy like mental problems. It is beneficial for memory, skin glow and physical strength. It is anthelmintic and antitoxic.
1. Give 3-6 gm of its powder with sugar and milk every morning.
2. It improves memory power. It also cures the fatigue due to constant study.
3. Give 2-4 gm of its powder with 1 gm powder of bach to children regularly. It makes the child very intelligent, sharp and bright.
4. In the old age, take 10-20 mg of its juice every morning or give 2-4 gm of its powder with honey, ghee and sugar, every morning for 6 months. It smoothens the wrinkles on the skin and promotes physical strength, memory power and intelligence.
5. Give 3-6 gm of its powder with honey followed by milk. It promotes intelligence.
Epilepsy:
1. Give 2 gm of its juice with honey to the patient, every morning and evening. It is beneficial in epilepsy.
2. Take 10-20 gm of its juice with 500 mg of kooth powder. Give this to the patient with honey. It cures psychosis epilepsy.
3. Give 10-20 gm of its juice with honey. It is beneficial in all types of psychosis, insanity.
Headache:
Take 1 gm Shankhpushpi 250 mg khurasani ajowan. Give this to the patient with warm water. It cures headache within 5 minutes.
Vomiting:
Take 2-teaspoonful juice of its whole plant and add a pinch of black pepper powder in it. Give this to the patient with honey, repeatedly. It controls vomiting.
Eneuresis:
In children, who wet the bed at night; mix 2 gm powder of Shankhpushpi and 1 gm sesame in milk and give this to the child, before going to bed.
Diabetes:
1. Give 6 gm of its powder with cow’s butter or water to the patient, every morning and evening. It is beneficial in diabetes.
2. To cure the weakness due to diabetes, give 2-4 gm powder of Shankhpushpi or its 10-20 mg juice to the patient.
Sun stroke:
When the patient becomes unconscious during fever and starts howling, at that time to help the patient sleep, give 5-10 gm churna with honey.
Bleeding: Give 10-20 mg juice with honey It immediatelystops the bleeding.
Hypertension: Give its 10-20 mg fresh juice, every morning, afternoon and evening to the patient.
Within a few days, it cures problem of high blood pressure permanently.
Bhumi Amla helps in managing liver disorders and reverses any damage caused to the liver due to its hepatoprotective, antioxidant and antiviral activities.
It also helps to prevent ulcers by reducing gastric acid production as well as protecting the stomach lining against damage caused by excessive gastric acid.
Family name Eubhorbiaceae
Sanskrit :Bhudhatri, Tamalki, Bahuphala
Hindi :Bhui Amla, Bhom Aawali
Marathi : Bhui Aanwali
Bengali : Bhui Aanwala
Punjabi : Patal, Aamla
Kannada : Kirunnelli
Telugu: Nailvusari
Introduction
This annual herb grows in the rainy season, bears flowers and fruits in winter, and then dries and dies in summer. It is found all over India. Its fruits are round but very small and for this reason they are called Bhudbatri
Appearance
The plants have very soft stem that are straight, reddish and slightly split.The branches look like spread feathers. The leaves are arranged alternately on the branches and are quarter to half inch long, dense, oblong with rounded tips. They are faded greay on the lower side of the surface. The flowers are single and grow from the junction of the leaves and the branches.
The fruits are round like those of dhati and grow in rows below the branches .
Chemical Composition
One leaves contain bitter chemicals known as hypo Phyllanthine.
Properties
It is light, dry, coil, bitter, pungent and a little sweet. It cures cough and thirst, pit, and blood disorders, itching, and wounds.
This is a Magical herb for curing all types of liver disorders.
Medicinal Usage
Mouth problems
Prepare cold decoction of 50 gm leaves in 200 ml water. and use this to gargle. It cures mouth problems.
Swelling of breasts: Apply paste of its whole plant.
Bronchitis and bronchial asthma:
Boil 50 gm of the entire plant in 1/2 litre water till it is reduced to 1/4″.
Give this to the patient in quantities of 1 teaspoonful, twice a day.
It is beneficial for curing cough and bronchitis
Jaundice: Grind 10 gm of its root and give it with 250 ml milk every morning and evening, on empty stomach.
Abdominal pain: Boil 20 gm leaves in 200 ml water. Strain solution and give in little amounts. It cures abdominal pain & diarrhoea.
Chronic diarrhoea: Boil its 50 gm whole plant in 400 mil water till 1/4 water is left.
Add 5 gm fenugreek seeds in it.
Give little amount of the solution to the patient.
Diabetes: Give 15 gm whole plant powder with 20 black peppers 2-3 times a day.
It cures even chronic diabetes. Metrorrhagia: Give 5 gm powder of its seeds with water in which nice has been washed, for 2-3 days. It cures excessive blood flow in menstrual cycle. Also, its root’s powder can be given in a similar manner. Liver related disorders: Grind solid the shade dried fruit and take 10 gm of the grinded mixture in an earthen pot and boil it with 400 ml water till water is reduced to 1/4″. Strain the solution and give this to the patient in the morning on empty stomach and in the evening, one hour before meal. It cures liver disorders, jaundice, swelling and ulcer etc.
Therefore, it should not be taken without consulting with a doctor. Dalchini should be taken under the supervision of your Ayurvedic doctor.
Welcome to Ayurdeva Sankalp Clinic India. We were established in the year 2018 with a mission of spreading awareness in Ayurveda and managing chronic obstinate lifestyle disorder. Ayurveda sankalp Clinic was established in the year 2020 with a view to provide people a holistic approach towards preventing and curing diseases through Ayurveda.
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