Kidneys are also known as the filtering organs. These are the two bean-shaped organs above the waist on both sides of the spine. These two works continuously and remove all the waste materials, excess minerals and water from our body, consequently protecting us from life-threatening conditions.
Cancer is amongst the most deadly challenges spreading drastically in the 21st century. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, cancer caused 10 million deaths in 2020. The kidney cancer survival rate is low.
Ayurveda, an age-old phenomenon, aims at holistic health. It not only treats but suggests a lifestyle that helps keep you disease-free throughout your life. Now, the question is – Can Ayurveda treat Cancer? Are there any medicines or drugs in Ayurveda that can help cancer patients? The answer is “Yes”! Ayurvedic treatment for Kidney can help Kidney Cancer patients if detected in the early stage. Kidney treatment in Ayurveda aims and works to cure the root cause of the disease; it can be a boon to the prevailing Kidney Cancer Disease. It made scientists focus research on complementary and alternative medicine for cancer management.
Let’s try understanding the types, signs, probable causes, and possible Ayurvedic treatment for kidney cancer.
Let’s know the various types of Kidney Cancers
Despite class, caste, creed, age or gender, kidney cancer can affect anyone. Kidney cancer can be understood as an uneven and uncontrolled increase in the number of body cells. It can occur in either one or both kidneys. This uneven growth forms a lump inside the kidneys and thus hampers the normal functioning of the kidneys. The most common types of kidney cancer are
Renal Cell Carcinoma
This is one of the most common types of kidney cancer. It can be seen mostly in adults. This develops in the proximal renal tubules that make up the kidney’s filtration system.
Wilms Tumor/ Nephroblastoma
This type of cancer is commonly seen in children. This cancer is treatable, and children can have a healthy life post-treatment. Generally, it develops in one kidney and can affect both kidneys too.
Transitional Cell Carcinoma/ Urothelial Carcinoma
This type of cancer typically develops in the urinary system in adults. It is most commonly seen in the kidney region, where the kidney stores urine (known as the renal pelvis) before moving to the bladder. It starts by developing with the lining of the renal pelvis and later reaches the bladder. This type of cancer can be detected with the most common symptoms of blood in the urine, continuous back pain, etc.
Renal Sarcoma
This type of cancer is scarce. It occurs in the soft tissues and the thin layer surrounding the kidneys. In most conditions, it is developed due to secondary involvement with a retroperitoneal origin. The cases of this kidney cancer are less than 1% in all cases related to kidney cancer.
How can you identify if you have Kidney Cancer?
In the early stages of kidney cancer, you rarely experience any symptoms. Also, some symptoms are casually ignored by most of us and should be the must-noted symptoms. These can be the significant signs one is experiencing, and the person is likely to be suffering or, in a later stage, might develop kidney cancer. On the contrary, it is also true that if you are experiencing these symptoms, it would not always be due to kidney cancer. It can be due to some other medical conditions also. The modern medicine system of allopathy has helped in kidney cancer diagnosis. These signs and symptoms of kidney cancer can be cured from the roots with the help of Ayurveda treatment naturally.
Some of the most prevalent Kidney Cancer symptoms are-
- Anaemia
- Blood in urine or hematuria
- Cold, flu, urinary infections, and fever.
- Decreased or loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- High blood pressure
- Lumps on the side or back
- Pressure or pain in the back and sides
- Swelling in the legs or the ankles
- Sudden weight loss
But, one should always pay attention to any sign or symptom, or you will lose the timely opportunity to catch the disease. Apart from the signs, the causes are also essential and must be known.
Ayurvedic Kidney Cancer Treatment.
Scientists throughout the world put their best efforts into fighting kidney cancer. The principle of Ayurveda treatment is based on the equilibrium of tri-doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha). This can be obtained from herbs or herbal extracts known for ages to prevent and cure different cancers and tumours. Scientists are now focusing on adopting a natural lifestyle, which is also the basis of Ayurveda.
Ayurvedic kidney treatments provide better results for many diseases and conditions with no side effects. It works on the roots, providing a sense of relief to the patient for a long duration. Since Ayurveda aims for holistic health, it advises other measures like counselling, yoga, meditation, pranayama, etc., for cancer treatment. While finding Ayurvedic medicines for kidneys, the following points are suggested-
Rasayanas, are the special preparations that help in the renovation of health and also promote longevity of good health.
Resist the consumption of foods that causes tri dosha, i.e., imbalance in Vata, pitta, and Kapha
Ayurvedic medicines or drugs help treat or reverse kidney cancer in its 1st or 2nd stage. If it reaches the 3rd or 4th stage, it becomes tough to manage entirely, but the pain can be reduced through Ayurveda.
Ayurveda helps re-establish a healthy digestive system.
Ayurveda, to some extent, can work as co-therapy with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
The most positive aspect of Ayurveda is that these Ayurvedic medicines minimise the adverse effects of other adopted treatments.
Some studies suggest that Honey which is generally prescribed in Ayurveda, can induce apoptosis in renal cell carcinoma.
