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How to Treat Hyponatremia ( Low Blood Sodium) in Ayurveda

ABSTRACT

Hyponatremia is the medical condition when the level of serum sodium goes below 135 mEq/L. It is a medically important and common imbalance of electrolyte which can occur due to various situations or medical illnesses like renal failure, heart failure, pneumonia, liver failure etc. Hyponatremia can be mild to severe in form depending upon the level of sodium decreased in serum. In this write up we will learn all about Hyponatremia and its management through herbal remedies.

INTRODUCTION

There are various electrolytes present in the body and sodium is one of them. It is an essential one which helps to maintain the water balance around and inside the cells of the body. This water balance maintained by sodium is important for nerve functioning and proper muscle function along with maintaining normal blood pressure. The insufficiency of sodium in blood is termed as hyponatremia.

This imbalance is caused due to either too much water (diluting the sodium) or too less sodium creating an imbalance. The normal level of sodium in blood should be around 135-145 mEq/L. However when the sodium goes down to range below 135 mEq/L, the condition is hyponatremia.

When this level of sodium decreases in the cells, too much water starts to move inside the cells resulting in their swelling up. To be noted, this is not a minor change but a major one which can alter almost all the other functions of the body resulting in various signs and symptoms. Various diseases affecting the liver, kidneys, heart, or certain medicines can cause this condition. However the condition can usually be reversed with proper treatment and the patient gets back to being healthy.

Hyponatremia

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Signs and symptoms in patients suffering from hyponatremia can differ depending upon the speed of depletion of sodium. If the sodium level in blood falls slowly and gradually then the patient is likely to not experience any of them, however if the depletion occurs at a faster rate then the complaints are severe. Some of the common signs and symptoms seen are

Fatigue
Lack of energy or lethargy
Weakness
Nausea and vomiting
Headache
Spasm or cramps in muscles
Changes in mental status
In severe cases the patient can have seizures, loss of consciousness and coma

CAUSES

Low sodium or hyponatremia, i.e. low sodium level in blood can occur due to various reasons. The basic cause behind it can be losing a lot much water and electrolytes. Some of the major causes for hyponatremia are:

Severe diarrhea or vomiting
Intake of diuretics
Intake of antidepressants or other certain medications
Kidney failure or other kidney disease
Liver disease
Dehydration
During exercise drinking water in large quantity
Congestive heart failure or other heart ailments
Adrenal gland disorder affecting its ability to maintain a balance of potassium, sodium and water in the body
Hypothyroidism
Diabetes insipidus in which the body does not make the antidiuretic hormone
Inappropriate antidiuretic hormone syndrome resulting in retention of water in the body
Polydipsia i.e. excessive thirst leading to drink too much water
Cushing syndrome

DIAGNOSIS

Hyponatremia can easily be detected by a simple blood test which will indicate the low levels of sodium in the blood. Medical history presenting the signs and symptoms will make your doctor doubt hyponatremia further on blood tests. Even if the patient does not have signs and symptoms regular metabolic panels will show it up. On discovering the low level of sodium in your blood further urine tests are advised to check its level in urine. The Results of the urine test will help to determine the exact cause behind hyponatremia.

If the level of sodium in urine is high, it means there is increased loss of sodium from your body and if the level is low in urine as well, this indicates the low intake or there is too much water in the body.

TREATMENT

Treatment for hyponatremia depends upon the cause of it. However the certain measures taken conventionally are:

Decreasing the intake of fluid
Treatment of underlying cause like liver, kidney, heart or brain disease
Cutting off the diuretics or adjusting the dosage
Intravenous infusion of sodium solution
Other symptomatic treatment is given for weakness, headache, nausea etc.

Ayurveda here can help in treating the underlying condition and maintaining the level of the sodium in the body naturally. There are certain herbs and compounds which help in making a balance between electrolytes in the body. Ayurveda is the holistic science which not only treats the presenting complaints but also deals to eradicate the root cause behind it.

HERBAL REMEDIES BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda is a very well known herbal pharmaceutical company that indulges in the production of herbal medicines and products. All the production is under the strict supervision of the MD Ayurveda doctors and classical Ayurvedic literature is the base of the production. No dye, chemicals, fillers, preservatives, colors, and yeasts are used in any herbal medicine which enhances their efficiency. For hyponatremia, Planet Ayurveda offers a combination of herbal remedies that helps in management of the ailment.

Product List

Chitrakadi vati
Lavan bhaskar churna
Brahmi capsule
Neuroplan syrup

Product Description

Herbal Remedies for Hyponatremia

1. Chitrakadi vati

It is classical Ayurvedic formulation prepared from various herbs like Pippali (Piper longum), Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Maricha (Piper nigrum), Chavya (Piper chaba) etc. Chitrakadi vati helps in treating diarrhea and hence prevents dehydration. These tablets also improve the function of the liver.

Dosage– Take 2 tablets twice daily after meals with plain water

2. Lavan bhaskar churna

The chief ingredient of this churna is Rock salt, Black salt, Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Peepal (Ficus religiosa), Black cumin (Nigella sativa), Anardana (Punica granatum), Black pepper (Piper nigrum), Piplamool (Piper longum) etc. Lavan bhaskar churna helps to fill the sodium deficiency in the blood that is too naturally. It also helps to relieve gastric issues like constipation, gas, bloating etc.

Dosage– Take 1 tsp twice daily with buttermilk or plain water

3. Brahmi capsule

Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) in standardized form is used to prepare these herbal capsules. Brahmi is known as the brain tonic and hence these capsules help to treat the ailments of the nervous system like confusion, weak memory, seizures and irritability.

Dosage– Take 2 capsules twice daily after meals with plain water

4. Neuroplan Syrup

This multi herbal syrup as the name suggests helps to maintain a good nervous system balance and help to treat its ailments as well. In hyponatremia, Neuroplan syrup helps to treat seizures, loss of consciousness, confusion, and other brain related symptoms. It is prepared from Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus) etc herbs.

Dosage– Take 2 teaspoon twice daily after meals with plain water

CONCLUSION

Hyponatremia is a common ailment that can affect people of any age or gender. However people suffering from kidney, liver, heart or brain disease are more prone to it also the severity of symptoms depends upon the level of the sodium. Some patients even might not have any complaints while others can have serious conditions. Herbal remedies by Planet Ayurveda help in refilling this deficiency of sodium and maintain the balance of electrolytes in the body naturally.

7 Reasons Why You Should Start Eating Karela (Bitter Gourd)

Overview

Bitter Gourd (Karela) is also known as Balsam Pear or Bitter Melon. It is also called Momordica charantia and is a climbing shrub that grows in tropical climate. It belongs to the same plant family as cucumbers, pumpkin and squash. It is despised for its bitter taste but is considered one of the best foods to be consumed because of its various health benefits. Bitter Gourd is not a vegetable but a fruit as the part of the plant that is used for consumption and for medicinal purpose.

Bitter Gourd is packed with nutrients ranging from iron, magnesium, calcium, beta carotene, vitamin c and potassium. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber. It is a good source of Omega 6 fatty acid, linoleic acid, and Oleic acid. Bitter gourd is very beneficial in managing disorders like diabetes and asthma.

The leaves and Bitter Gourd itself can be consumed for health benefits. It can be either cooked as a dish, baked, boiled, fried or consumed as raw juice. It can be either made into a smoothie along with apples and spinach or be cooked as soup. It is also available in form of baked chips, pickles and chutneys. There are numerous reasons why one should start eating Bitter Gourd.

Some of the most important reasons are listed below:

Weight Management:

Bitter gourd is a natural agent for treating obesity. The fruit is low in calories, fats and carbohydrates. 100 grams of Bitter Gourd contains just 20 calories. It has the ability to keep one fuller for a longer period of time. The pods of Bitter gourd contain 80% water. Bitter melon contains antioxidants that improve metabolism and flush out toxins from the body. Regular consumption of Bitter Gourd helps in relieving constipation and indigestion. Thus, it is very useful in losing weight.

Blood Purifier:

The anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties of bitter gourd help it to clear toxins from the body, purify it and improve blood circulation throughout the body. Bitter Gourd juice should be consumed in the morning on an empty stomach to detox the body. It helps with controlling blood clotting too, thus helping the wounds to heal faster.
Bitter Gourd is used to treat acne, rashes, psoriasis, toxemia, blood boils and itching in any part of the body. It is rich in folate and is very useful for menstruating women and pregnant women to prevent anemia and maintain blood iron levels. Bitter Gourd is known to reduce neural tube defects in developing baby if consumed at the time of pregnancy.

Treats Respiratory disorders:

Bitter Gourd is a simple home remedy to relief cough, cold, improve breathing and clear up the sputum. The pods of Bitter Gourd is used to treat asthma.

Manages Diabetes:

Bitter gourd contains polypeptide-p (p insulin), alkaloids and charatin which help in reducing blood sugar levels naturally for Type 2 diabetic patients. Consuming bitter gourd, helps in regulating metabolism, thus prevents unpredictable spikes and drops in insulin levels.
Bitter gourd increases the absorption of glucose by the liver, fats and muscle tissue thus helps in reducing blood sugar levels and reduces demand on pancreas for insulin.
Bitter gourd acts as a hypoglycemic agent. Consuming bitter gourd juice increases the uptake of glucose and improves the glycemic control. Bitter Gourd activates the kinases protein that helps in absorption of sugar, thus aids in bringing diabetes under control.
Plant based insulin in bitter gourd also helps patients with type 1 diabetes. A glass of bitter gourd juice, daily (50 ml) is the most successful home remedy for diabetes.

Cleanses the liver:

A glass of bitter gourd juice daily acts as liver tonic and heal all kinds of liver problems. The juice cleanses the bowel and prevents liver failure by strengthening the anti-oxidant activity of the liver enzymes. It is very helpful in improving liver and kidney functions. It repairs liver and increases its capacity to clean blood.

Improves Eye sight:

Bitter Gourd is a good source of Lutein and Zeaxanthin and Vitamin A. It helps in preventing cataract development and progression.
Vitamin A also plays an important role in cell communication and aids in new cell growth and development.
Consuming Bitter gourd (raw, cooked or in juice form) helps in maintaining better vision by supporting retinal function and nourishing the corneas and conjunctival membranes.
Bitter Gourd is also a great home remedy to treat dark circles. It helps in preventing all vision related problems and strengthens the eye sight over time.

Boosts Skin and Hair Health:

The regular consumption of Bitter Gourd protects the skin from blemishes and acne. The vitamin C content in Bitter gourd makes it a power anti-oxidant that fights harmful free radicals and prevents wrinkles. This fruit contains anti-ageing properties as it keeps the tissues strong by facilitating collagen production thus it slows down the aging process naturally. It also protects the skin from Ultra Violet rays damage. Consuming Bitter Gourd helps to get rid of deep skin infections.

How to Use

Applying Bitter gourd juice to the scalp decreases hair loss and graying of the hair. It treats dandruff, scalp itchiness, split ends and rough hair. The juice may be applied directly to the scalp or mixed with some curd. Biotin, Zinc and Vitamin A and C help in imparting shine and luster to the hair.

Other Benefits of Bitter Gourd

Bitter Gourd has proved to be beneficial for HIV/AIDS patients as they contain phytochemicals which improve immunity and reduce the overall infection and inflammation in the patient. It also helps in lowering cholesterol levels, thus reducing risk of heart problems.
Bitter Gourd is a rich source of Vitamin C that protects our cells from free radicals involved in cancer development. It boosts immunity and helps in iron absorption in the body. It also improves stamina and energy levels of the individual and aids sound sleep.
To make Bitter Gourd less bitter one can sauté it in olive oil or sprinkle some salt over the cut bitter gourd pieces and let it sit for few minutes. Soaking Bitter Gourd in Tamarind juice also helps in taking away the bitterness.