Proteinuria and Unani treatment

Proteinuria—also called albuminuria or urine albumin—is a condition in which urine contains an abnormal amount of protein. Albumin is the main protein in the blood. Proteins are the building blocks for all body parts, including muscles, bones, hair, and nails. Proteins in the blood also perform a number of important functions. They protect the body from infection, help blood clot, and keep the right amount of fluid circulating throughout the body.

As blood passes through healthy kidneys, they filter out the waste products and leave in the things the body needs, like albumin and other proteins. Most proteins are too big to pass through the kidneys’ filters into the urine. However, proteins from the blood can leak into the urine when the filters of the kidney, called glomeruli, are damaged.

Proteinuria is a sign of chronic kidney disease (CKD), which can result from diabetes, high blood pressure, and diseases that cause inflammation in the kidneys. For this reason, testing for albumin in the urine is part of a routine medical assessment for everyone. Kidney disease is sometimes called renal disease. If CKD progresses, it can lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), when the kidneys fail completely. A person with

ESRD must receive a kidney transplant or regular blood-cleansing treatments calledeople with diabetes, hypertension, or certain family backgrounds are at risk for proteinuria. In the United States, diabetes is the leading cause of ESRD.1 In both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, albumin in the urine is one of the first signs of deteriorating kidney function. As kidney function declines, the amount of albumin in the urine increases.

Another risk factor for developing proteinuria is hypertension, or high blood pressure. Proteinuria in a person with high blood pressure is an indicator of declining kidney function. If the hypertension is not controlled, the person can progress to full kidney failure.

African Americans are more likely than Caucasians to have high blood pressure and to develop kidney problems from it, even when their blood pressure is only mildly elevated. In fact, African Americans are six times more likely than Caucasians to develop hypertension-related kidney failure.

Other groups at risk for proteinuria are American Indians, Hispanics/Latinos, Pacific Islander Americans, older adults, and overweight people. These at-risk groups and people who have a family history of kidney disease should have their urine tested regularly.

Proteinuria has no signs or symptoms in the early stages. Large amounts of protein in the urine may cause it to look foamy in the toilet. Also, because protein has left the body, the blood can no longer soak up enough fluid, so swelling in the hands, feet, abdomen, or face may occur. This swelling is called edema. These are signs of large protein loss and indicate that kidney disease has progressed. Laboratory testing is the only way to find out whether protein is in a person’s urine before extensive kidney damage occurs. Until recently, an accurate protein measurement required a 24-hour urine collection. In a 24-hour collection, the patient urinates into a container, which is kept refrigerated between trips to the bathroom. The patient is instructed to begin collecting urine after the first trip to the bathroom in the morning. Every drop of urine for the rest of the day is to be collected in the container. The next morning, the patient adds the first urination after waking and the collection is complete.

Points to Remember

• Proteinuria is a condition in which urine contains a detectable amount of protein.

• Proteinuria is a sign of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

• Groups at risk for proteinuria include African Americans, American Indians, Hispanics/Latinos, Pacific Islander Americans, older people, overweight people, people with diabetes or hypertension, and people who have a family history of kidney disease.

• Proteinuria may have no signs or symptoms. Laboratory testing is the only way to find out whether protein is in a person’s urine.

• Several health organizations recommend regular checks for proteinuria so kidney disease can be detected and treated before it progresses.

• A person with diabetes, hypertension, or both should work to control blood glucose and blood pressure.

Unani Treatment

1. Lu’aab bahdana or Lu’aab isabgol or Lu’aab Tukhm khatmi 10 ml

2. Sheerah Khaskhas 7 gm or Sheera zarshak 5 gm along with Arq Gau zaban 100 ml, Sharbat Anar sheerein 20 ml, or Sharbat Neelofar 20 ml or Sharbat Zarshak 30 ml.

3. Kunjad safaid 20 gm along with sugar is beneficial in every type of Zoa’f kulliya.

4. After giving Munazziz wa mushil, Halwa supari pak 20 gm along with milk.

5. Halwa mochras 20 gm along with milk also beneficial.

6. Majoon Sar’at 5 gm

7. Qurs Koknar 5 gm

8. Kateera, Tabasheer, Gil Armani, Qabrsi, Gil Makhtoom, Sandal safaid, Gulnar, Aqaqia, Rabal soos, Gul surkh, shadanj odsi magsool, Tukhm khurfa muqasar, Khar khusk, Sa’t gilo, Sat silajeet, Kushta qlai, Marvareed each 2 gm, Tukhm khaskhas, Magaz tukhm khayareen each 4 gm, Nishastan, magaz tukhm kaddo, Magaz badam, Magaz fandaq, Magaz Chilgoza, Mochras each 3 gm. Grind all and make powder, use this powder 10 gm twice daily. Very effective formulation for Zoaf kulliya.