A case report on ayurvedic management of acute renal colic

Background: Acute renal calculus is a common recurrent and emergency condition with an annual incidence of one to two cases per 1000. Lifetime risk of its recurrence is 10–20% in men and 3–5% in women. It is an important cause of acute renal failure. About 12% of the population of India is reported to have urinary stones. Acute attacks are managed by analgesics, antispasmodics and use of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In this case report we report an acute renal colic case managed by Ayurveda treatment without using any modern analgesics. Case Summary: A 34 year old male patient presented with severe pain in abdomen radiating from lower back to pubic symphysis, vomiting and nausea. Diagnosis of ureteric stone was confirmed by Ultrasonography (USG) of abdomen. We gave him local snehana (~local massage with sesame oil), nāḍi svedana (~fomentation), basti (~medicated enema) and oral Ayurveda medicines. Reduction in acute pain was achieved in three hours. Painless removal of stone was also achieved in seven days. Conclusion: This case study provides an example of successful management of acute renal colic with Ayurveda treatment alone and without using any modern analgesics. This case study also gives leads for the experiments on role of gut in the management of pain. Clinical trials on Ayurveda management of acute renal colic are warranted.