Review Article
Volume 8 Issue 6
Mohammad Nazrul Islam*
June 09, 2026
Abstract
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a progressive condition characterized by a gradual decline in kidney function, leading to the accumulation of metabolic waste and fluid imbalance. The leading cause of CKD is persistent hyperglycemia due to diabetes mellitus. High blood glucose levels damage renal microvasculature, particularly the glomeruli, resulting in proteinuria. Hyperfiltration, intraglomerular hypertension, and the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) further exacerbate renal injury through inflammation, fibrosis, and vascular damage. Hypertension, often coexisting with diabetes, accelerates CKD progression by increasing intrarenal pressure and perpetuating a cycle where elevated blood pressure and renal dysfunction worsen each other. This vicious cycle significantly heightens the risk of cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction and stroke.
In the Greco-Arabic (Unani) medicine, CKD is described as a chronic imbalance in the body’s humors (Akhlat)—particularly involving a derangement of the kidneys' cold and moist temperament (Mizaj). Conditions such as Zauf-e-Kulya (renal weakness), Daffe-e-Baul ka ikhtilal (urinary dysfunction), and Istisqa (dropsy) accentuate the manifestations of CKD. Scholars like Hippocrates, Galen, and Avicenna emphasized the role of humoral imbalance and renal purification in systemic health. Avicenna notably linked Fasad-e-Mizaj (temperamental derangement) with renal dysfunction and advised dietary regulation and herbal interventions (Muqawwi-e-Kilya) for prevention and management of CKD. This integrated perspective highlights the importance of understanding CKD both through modern pathophysiological mechanisms and traditional holistic frameworks for comprehensive care.
Keywords: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD); Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs); Humoral Imbalance; Dietary intervention and Greco-Arabic management
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