Category: Primary Hyperaldosteronism/Conn’s Syndrome

Abstract

Human anatomy and physiology is complicated. There are a number of functions within our body that are continuously carrying on. Organs in our body secretes a plenty of secretions that keeps the functioning of various systems in normal limits. Any changes or fluctuations  in these secession can impact the health seriously. In this text we are going to discuss the increased levels of aldosterone from the adrenal glands which is known as hyperaldosteronism. Further, we shall see some detail of the condition and also discuss its management in the contemporary system of medicine as well as in the traditional system of Indian medicinal system of Ayurveda. Let’s discuss!!

Introduction

Hyperaldosteronism is a condition which is characterised by increased secretion of aldosterone by the adrenal glands which results in decreased levels of potassium in the blood and increased excretion of hydrogen ions.the condition is also termed as Conn’s syndrome. This is also pronounced as mineralocorticoid excess. In Ayurveda, the condition of hyperaldosteronism can be correlated with tridosha imbalance or vitiation of three doshas according to the symptoms as well as causes. We shall further see its ayurvedic aspect in this text. Now let’s discuss the causes, classification, features and management of the condition of hyperaldosteronism.

Causes of Hyperaldosteronism

1. Genes and diet are the main causes of Hyperaldosteronism but following are some diseases that cause the condition.
2. Adrenal hyperplasia
3. Adrenal adenoma
4. Fibromuscular dysplasia
5. Renioma
6. Renal tubular acidosis
7. Nutcracker syndrome
8. Ectopic tumours
9. Left ventricular failure
10. Cor pulmonale
11. Massive ascites
12. Proximal renal tubular acidosis

Signs and Symptoms

Hyperaldosteronism can be asymptomatic but below are the symptoms that can be present.

1. Headache
2. Fatigue
3. High blood pressure
4. Hypokalemia
5. Hypomagnesemia
6. Hypernatraemia
7. Polyuria
8. Tingling sensation
9. Polydipsia
10. Numbness
11. Nocturia
12. Blurry vision
13. Vertigo/dizziness
14. Intermittent or temporary paralysis
15. Muscle weakness
16. Muscle spasms

Investigations

1. Increased aldosterone to renin ratio in primary hyperaldosteronism.
2. Normal or decreased aldosterone to renin ratio but with high renin in secondary hyperaldosteronism.
3. High resolution CT scan of abdomen
4. ECG
5. Urinary aldosterone

Management of Hyperaldosteronism

1. Removal of high-potassium
2. low-sodium diet (for primary)
3. High-sodium diet (for secondary)
4. Spironolactone
5. Eplerenone
6. Potassium sparing diuretics
7. COX2 inhibitors
8. Surgery for adrenal adenoma

Complications

1. High blood pressure
2. Erection problem and gynecomastia prolonged use of medicines that block the effect of hyperaldosteronism.

Ayurvedic aspect and management of Hyperaldosteronism

Ayurveda is a traditional system of Indian medicine that has been serving mankind and lighting the way of people how to lead their day to day life. Ayurveda is full of life that teaches people the good doings that benefit the people physically, mentaly and spiritually.

Ayurveda is based on the three humours that are vata, pitta and kapha. Balance of these results in health whereas imbalance/vitiation of these is the cause of diseases.
Further Pitta dosha is responsible for metabolism and various secretions and kapha dosha causes the abnormal growths when vitiated and otherwise provides stability to the body. Lastly, vata dosha is responsible for all the body movements.

In Ayurveda, the correlation of the condition of hyperaldosteronism can be well established with the tridosha vitiation as the kapha vitiation causes the hyperplasia of the adrenal glands, pitta vitiation leads to the increased secretions of the aldosterone and vata vitiation results in increased blood pressure (rakta gata vata). All the dosha interconnects with each other, thus all the causes and symptoms give a clear indication of tridosha imbalance. Hence, establishing health can be achieved by correcting the imbalance of three doshas.

Herbs such as Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), Pipaltvak (Ficus religiosa), Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Dalchini (Cinnamomum tamala), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Kachnar Bark (Bauhinia variegata), Varuna (Crataeva religiosa), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki/Baheda (Terminalia bellirica) etc are effective in balancing the three doshas which eventually manages hyperaldosteronism. Some of the ayurvedic medicines available that effectively helps in managing hyperaldosteronism includes dashmoolarishta, kachnaar guggul, triphala guggul, arjunarishta etc. These above said medicines provide relief in hyperaldosteronism very well.

Herbal Remedies for Hyperaldosteronism by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is a well known GMP certified, ISO 9001:2015 certified and US-FDA registered Ayurvedic Company, which adhered to the aim of manufacturing quality Ayurvedic products as mentioned in the various ancient texts of Ayurveda. formulations are manufactured without additives and preservatives and other kinds of chemicals or artificial flavouring agents which causes a number of side effects on the human body. Products prepared at Planet Ayurveda are pure and do not contain any kind of adulteration. The products are purely organic and vegetarian and gluten free. Planet Ayurveda extends its products which are beneficial in Hyperaldosteronism.

1. ARJUN TEA
2. ARJUNA CAPSULES
3. BRAHMI CAPSULES
4. KANCHNAAR GUGGUL
5. NAVKARSHIK CHURNA

Product Description

1. ARJUN TEA

Arjun tea is a product of Planet Ayurveda. It is a helpful remedy that relaxes the mind and all the bodily symptoms associated with stress such as palpitations, anger etc. It contains the goodness of arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and other herbs. With managing the symptoms of vitiated pitta and kapha dosha, it benefits the people suffering from Hyperaldosteronism. Arjun tea reduces the blood pressure and pacifies pitta which eventually normalises the levels of aldosterone in the bloodstream.

Dosage : One cup daily.

2. ARJUNA CAPSULES

Arjuna capsule is a product of Planet Ayurveda that contains the standardised extract of herb Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna). It is a potent cardiotonic and anti oxidant as well. It is known for its pitta and kapha shamak (pacifier) properties. As Hridya (heart) is a place of mana (mind), all the activities of mind are controlled by heart. It relieves  tiredness and fatigue. It is effective in boosting heart health and so is helpful in managing high blood pressure, reduces the levels of aldosterone and helps in decreasing the hyperplasia of adrenal gland. With these magnificent properties Arjuna capsules effectively manage the condition of hyperaldosteronism.

Dosage : Two capsules twice a day.

3. BRAHMI CAPSULES

Brahmi  Capsule is a product of Planet Ayurveda formulated with the tremendous herb Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri). It has sheet virya (cold potency) that has soothing properties. Brahmi is very good medhya rasayan (brain tonic), agnivardhak (increases digestive fire ) and rasayan (immunomodulator) according to Acharya Charak. Brahmi pacifies the kapha and vata dosha thus helpful in hyperplasia and hypertension. Brahmi contains powerful antioxidants that boost brain function, reduce inflammation, lowers blood pressure and prevents anxiety and stress. Hence with these tremendous properties Brahmi capsules are effective in managing hyperaldosteronism.

Dosage : One capsule twice a day.

4. KANCHNAAR GUGGUL

Kanchnaar guggul is beneficial in hyperaldosteronism as it reduces the size of the abnormal enlargement of the adrenal glands. It is filled with the herbs that are known to reduce the abnormal sizes of the tissues and reduce pain. Ingredients of the kachnaar guggul include kachnar bark (Bauhinia variegata), amalaki (Emblica officinale), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), bibhitaki (Terminalia billerica), ginger (Zingiber officinale), marich (Piper nigrum), pippali (Piper longum), varuna bark (Crataeva religiosa), tejapatra (Cinnamomum tamala), guggul (Commiphora mukul) etc. The formulation reduces the size of the hyperplasia of adrenal glands. Thus it is a magical formulation that Ayurveda has in uncontrolled and abnormal tissue growths. With its anti-inflammatory and cutting the abnormal sizes to its original size, Kanchnaar Guggul manages hyperaldosteronism very effectively.

Dosage : Two tablets twice a day.

5. NAVKARSHIK CHURNA

Navkarshik Churna is a product of Planet Ayurveda that is composed of a number of herbs including haritaki (Terminalia chebula), bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), amalki (Emblica officinalis), vacha (Acorus calamus), neem (Azadirachta indica), manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa), giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), daruhaldi (Berberis aristata) etc. The churna benefits the patient with hyperaldosteronism by its tridosha balancing properties. Furthermore, Navkarshik churna helps in removing ama dosha from the body and helps in managing the high blood pressure and fatigue and other various symptoms associated with hyperaldosteronism.

Dosage : One tsp twice a day with warm water.

Contact my assistant to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or call at +91-172-5214040

Conclusion

Our body secretes various hormones that are required for the normal physiological functions. Hormones in normal limits keeps the body and mind healthy but decreased or increased leads to a disease and becomes troublesome. Hyperaldosteronism is a similar condition that can develop from a number of factors. Secretion of aldosterone from adrenal gland increases that results in a number of symptoms that are quite problematic and can affect overall health and can cause injury to major organs. In the modern system of medicine, there is no permanent cure available though the surgery is indicated in some of the cases but the chances of recurrence remain high. But in Ayurveda, the management is done permanently and the balance of all the three doshas is established with the herbal formulations. There are herbs available that decrease the size of the adrenal hyperplasia impeccably and help in controlling or checking the inappropriate levels of aldosterone in the body naturally.