Dr S S Iyer

A bladder is an organ that stores urine in the body. A prolapsed bladder occurs when the tissue present between the vagina and the bladder is stretched, resulting in a bulge in the bladder. This can result in complications such as leakage of urine and difficulty in passing the same. Based on the severity of the damage, it is classified into four categories -
 

1. Mild: A small area of the bladder bulges in the vagina
2. Moderate: The bladder bulges near the vaginal opening
3. Severe: Protrusion of the bladder occurs through the vaginal opening
4. Complete: The entire area of the bladder protrudes completely from the body via the opening of the vagina

The symptoms of a prolapsed bladder are: 

1. Feeling of intense pressure around the pelvic area
2. Infections related to the bladder
3. Pain during sexual intercourse
4. Tissues bulging out through the vaginal opening
5. Pain in the lower back region

Prolapsed bladder is caused by:

1. Childbirth: It can cause ligaments and pelvic muscles to weaken thus increasing their vulnerability to a prolapsed bladder
2. The chances of this disorder increases when one is overweight
3. Lifting heavy things
4. Strain caused by bowel movements 
5. In some cases, it may result from a chronic cough
6. Menopause, as it limits production of estrogen which helps in maintaining healthy tissues in the vagina

It is advised to check with a medical professional if you experience these symptoms, as a prolapsed bladder can worsen with time if left untreated.

No Blood, No needle, No visit to hospital, you can do yourself at home with sterile fluid. A thin layer of transparent screen like structure hangs in front of the abdominal muscles known as peritoneum. This peritoneum protects the abdominal structures and the muscle. This can also be used for performing dialysis which is carried out when the functioning of kidney gets affected. In peritoneal dialysis a thin and soft catheter is placed in the person’s belly one-two weeks before performing the procedure. 

The catheter has numerous holes in order to facilitate the infusion of fluids. Dialysis solution is prepared in a bag and the tubing is connected to the catheter placed in the abdomen thereby, the fluids absorb the waste materials from the body. The fluid is allowed to stay in your body for a particular period of time which is commonly referred as dwell time and later the fluid is drained out. 

There are two types of peritoneal dialysis, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and automated peritoneal dialysis. This is the simple form of dialysis which anybody can be performed after a short training period and this can be done anywhere in a clean private place like hotels, home and even in office. 

Procedure followed during Peritoneal Dialysis 

All you need to perform a peritoneal dialysis is catheter and transfer set, cycler, dialysis solution and safety precautions materials to stay away from getting infections. 

Step 1 - Perform a sterile aseptic technique. Wear a glove and surgical mask before connecting the catheter and transfer set. Clamp the tubing and remove the catheter once the dialysis solution enters your abdomen 
Step 2 - Allow the solution to remain in your abdomen for a particular period of dwell time 
Step 3 - Drain the fluid from the abdominal cavity into the drain bag. You may feel a mild tugging sensation when an adequate amount of fluid is drained. 
Step 4 - After drain close or clamp the transfer set and later flush a fresh solution directly to drain bag so as to remove the air from the tubing. 
Step 5 - Close your drain bag and open your transfer set and refill your belly with fresh solution. 

Make sure you perform without giving way for infection by following the procedure.

Having a kidney disease can make it feel as if your life has spun out of control. But having some knowledge about your kidney disease can save you the stress and trauma that you might experience. Knowledge about the same can also help you take better control over your condition. Here are some frequently asked questions about kidney diseases:

1. How do you know if you are at the risk for kidney disease?
Some basic things are to be monitored to keep away from the risk:

• Blood pressure levels to be monitored at least once a year
• Urine analysis to check protein levels
• Creatinine level in your blood

2. What can we do to take care of our kidneys?
The most important thing is to ensure that your blood pressure and blood sugar are under control. Essential lifestyle changes can help keep your kidneys working longer.

3. How long can I live with Kidney disease?
Many people think that if their kidneys fail, it is the end of their life. But with modern advances in health care, this is not the case. How long you live depends on age, your overall health and how involved you are in your care. Even if you reach kidney failure you can continue to live for a long time with dialysis or kidney transplants.

4. What can be done for fatigue when you have kidney disease?
Fatigue is a common symptom of kidney disease, but there are medications to deal with it. Talk to your doctor to assess your condition and deal with it.

5. Is kidney disease hereditary?
Genetical factors can contribute to kidney disease and around 10% of kidney failures are caused by hereditary factors.

6. Do I need dialysis?
If your kidneys don’t perform their function and the serum creatinine levels reach a certain point, dialysis can be done. The dialysis machine will take over the kidney function of filtering out the impurities from your blood.

7. How long can you stay on dialysis while waiting for a transplant?
There is no set upper limit for the amount of time spent on dialysis. Some patients have gone over 25 years and it all depends on your health condition.

8. What questions should I ask my doctor?
No two people are same. Asking questions is the best way to find where you stand. So, discuss with your doctor on what percent of kidney function you have and what can be done to improve.

9. Can Dialysis be done at home?
Yes, discuss with your doctor to know how it can be done and whether it is good for you.

10. Do kidney stones lead to kidney disease?
No, they don’t lead to kidney failure. But long term obstruction of the kidney can cause kidney failure.

Many theories and as many reasons are given, but in most of the cases, cause of stone formation in the kidneys is not clear. Biochemical dysfunction seems to be the only possible explanation. Stones generally develop very slowly.

The tendency to stone formation may be hereditary. Stones may vary in size from sand particles to large stone. Urinary stones may be present for many years and may give rise to no symptoms. When a stone obstructs the urinary passage, mild pain to severe renal colic occurs. There may be restlessness, sweating, pallor, vomiting, frequent urination, blood in urine etc during pain. Attack of pain may last few hours to few days, varying in severity time to time. In many cases, urinary infection is a common occurrence. 

Homeopathic Approach 

Homeopathic treatment plan comprises of: 

1. Ultrasonography at regular interval of three to four months to monitor 
   • The size of the stone 
   • Movement of the stone along the urinary passage. 
2. Kidney function tests should be done to evaluate the function of kidneys. 
3. Urine examination may be helpful to treat the accompanying urinary infections. 
4. Parathyroid hormone and serum calcium level should be considered if the stone formation is recurrent. 
5. It is a well-known fact that some stones can pass naturally. But often they may cause severe pain and at times obstruction. But with homeopathic treatment, even moderate-sized stone can pass absolutely painlessly. 
6. Though the use of painkillers and antispasmodics can relieve the pain and spasm, but in the process can actually hamper or suspend the onward and outward movement of the stone. With homeopathic treatment, body's natural reactions are stimulated that helps throw out the stone without much discomfort. 
7. At times, it is seen that with homeopathic treatment stones gradually dissolve into sand particles and get eliminated from the urinary system without being aware of it. This can be monitored by subsequent Ultrasonograms watching the gradual reduction in the size of the stones. 
8. As stone formation is just a bye-product of body's biochemical dysfunction at deeper levels, only removal of the stone by natural or surgical means is not enough. Homeopathic treatment not only removes the stone, but can also modify the tendency to form stones by improving body's natural balance in general, and biochemical dysfunction in particular. 
9. In bilateral, multiple and recurrent stones, constitutional homeopathic treatment is far-more superior than surgery or any other therapy as it has the potential to help the body, not only throw the stone out but also improve the biochemical dysfunction to check the recurrence of stone formation.
10. Surgery can be helpful only when the size of the stone is very large, causing damage to kidney by back- pressure. Even then, homeopathic treatment is of significant importance to improve the basic biochemical defects. 
11. Constitutional Homeopathic treatment can also help avert the complication of surgery. With constitutional homeopathic treatment, accompanying urinary infections are also relieved. 
12. AND, the added advantage is that with constitutional homeopathic treatment, general health also improves. 

Dietary Restrictions: 

• Large number of dietary "take and avoid" is known to the masses, but their role is doubtful. With good constitutional homeopathic treatment and proper monitoring by ultrasography, dietary restrictions are not mandatory. 
• Increased amounts of fluid intake are advisable. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Homeopath.

Kidney failure or infections are usually unsafe and serious diseases. Their consequences affect every single other organ in the body. Minor problems in the kidney may demonstrate no side effects. However, when the sickness progresses, it can bring about numerous serious indications, for example, seizure, tissue squandering, gastrointestinal bleeding and a failure state. Total kidney failure requires routine dialysis until a transplant operation can be performed.

Homeopathy, on the other hand, is a very effective cure for kidney problems. It eradicates the problem from its roots and helps prevent any further diseases and problems in the kidney. Homoeopathic solutions have had been successful in treating kidney diseases for which standard prescription give no cure and are not effective. Some of the homoeopathic cures are as follows:

1. Ammonium carb's rubrics: Taken when there is excruciating pee. This includes white, burning, insufficient, painful or orange urine with drowsiness and weakness.
2. Apis mel's rubrics: These are used when there is general oedema or swelling, kidney aggravation and inability to pass urine.
3. Arsenic alb's rubrics: This occurs when there is trouble in passing urine. Also useful in case of uremia, nephritis, urgent need to urinate or urinating without knowing.
4. Aurum met's rubrics: When there is difficulty in maintenance of urine and the urine constitutes of mucous like residue.
5. Berberis' rubrics: When there is hypertension, renal (kidney) stones, dull yellow or green urine and neuralgic pain originating from the kidneys.
6. Cannabis indica’s rubric: Used in case of a urinary tract diseases.
7. Cantharsis' rubrics: This is used in cases of delicacy in kidney regions, renal colic and nephritis (kidney irritation).
8. Chelidonium's rubrics: These are effective when a person goes through the urge of urinating a lot at night when there are abundant urination and pale white pee.
9. Cuprum Aas' rubrics: When there is kidney failure, excruciating pee and stained pee.
10. Cuprum met's rubrics: It is used when a person goes through bed-wetting, extremely watery urine, and feels shooting pain in the urethra.
11. Helonia's rubrics: Used when there is kidney irritation, albuminous (white) pee, sickliness, cramps and bluntness.
12. Juniper's rubrics: Used when there is difficulty in retaining water.
13. Kali carb's rubric: Used in case of kidney stones, and is a general solution for problems in the kidneys.
14. Sanicula's rubrics: Used when the bladder is swollen, there are kidney stones and kidney irritation.
15. Terebinthum's rubrics: When there is blood in the urine, kidney irritation and urinary tract aggravation.
16. Urea's rubrics: In cases of are general oedema (swelling because of water maintenance) and extreme pain in the urethra.
17. Opium's rubrics: Used in cases of uremia (a type of blood disease), general oedema, dark stool, white urine, concealment of urine, swelling of the stomach, mucous-like urine and uremic shakings.