Hasaat-Kuliyah (Nephrolithiasis): A review with unani concept

Abstract

Nephrolithiasis is prevalent in 5% of population and most common type of stones is made up of calcium oxalate (Hissat-e-Tootiyah). Risk of developing recurrent stone is 50% within 5-7 years. Stones are formed from high crystals present in urine like calcium, oxalates, uric acid and low citrates, this imbalance result in stone formation. Chances of renal calculi are more common in men than women because women excrete more citrate and hence have lower incidence of stone formation. There are other risk factors which are associated with formation of stone like environmental factor, genetic factor, dietary factor and different medical conditions like gout, primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism, vit-D deficiency, excess intake of vit-D, obesity, chron’s disease. Metabolic disorders like hypercalciuria, hyperoxaluria, hyperuricemia and hyperuricosuria are associated with recurrent kidney stone formation. According to Unani philosophers potential factors responsible for nephrolithiasis are weakness of kidneys, su-e-mizaj kuliyah, Qurooh-e-Kuliyah.