MUTRAVAHA SROTO DUSHTI

SPECIFIC ETIOLOGIES OF MUTRAVAHA SROTO DUSHTI

Mutravaha Srotas refers to the channels responsible for the formation, storage, and excretion of urine. These include the kidneys (Vrikka), ureters, urinary bladder (Basti), and urethra. Dushti (vitiation) of these channels leads to urinary disorders. According to Ayurveda, the root structures (Moolasthana) of Mutravaha Srotas are Vrikka and Basti.

1. IMPROPER DIETARY HABITS (AHARAJA NIDANA)

• Excessive intake of salty, spicy, sour foods: Increases Pitta and leads to inflammation in urinary tract.

• Frequent intake of dry and heavy-to-digest food: Aggravates Vata and causes dryness or obstruction in urinary pathways.

• Inadequate water intake: Leads to dehydration and concentrates urine, contributing to calculus formation and burning micturition.

2. LIFESTYLE FACTORS (VIHARAAJA NIDANA)

• Suppressing natural urge to urinate (Vega Dharana): Causes backflow pressure, increasing risk of infections and urinary retention.

• Prolonged sitting or sedentary lifestyle: Leads to poor bladder function and retention issues.

• Excessive physical exertion: Increases Vata, drying out the urinary system and causing dysuria.

3. PSYCHOLOGICAL CAUSES (MANASIKA NIDANA)

• Chronic stress, anxiety, fear: Impacts Apana Vayu and leads to disturbed urination, urgency, or dribbling.

4. PATHOLOGICAL STATES (ROGA NIMITTA NIDANA)

• Improper digestion (Agnimandya): Leads to Aama formation, which obstructs the Srotas and causes burning urination or urine retention.

• Recurrent infections or inflammation: Can damage or block urinary channels, leading to chronic urinary disorders.

5. CONGENITAL AND STRUCTURAL ABNORMALITIES

• Birth defects in urinary tract: Structural malformations cause recurrent infections, poor urine flow, or hydronephrosis.

• Stones (Ashmari): Obstruct the channels and disturb normal urine flow.

CONTEMPORARY ETIOLOGIES OF MUTRAVAHA SROTO DUSHTI

In the modern context, the following etiologies contribute to Mutravaha Sroto Dushti:

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTI): Common due to poor hygiene, microbial invasion, especially in females.

• Kidney Stones (Nephrolithiasis): Caused by dehydration, high oxalate diets, low fluid intake.

• Diabetes Mellitus: Causes glycosuria and polyuria, affecting the normal functioning of Mutravaha Srotas.

• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): In males, leads to urinary retention and incomplete voiding.

• Excessive intake of caffeine or alcohol: Acts as diuretics and irritants to urinary tract mucosa.

• Use of nephrotoxic drugs: Certain antibiotics, painkillers damage kidneys, affecting Srotas.

FEATURES OF MUTRAVAHA SROTO DUSHTI IN RELATION TO DOSHAKOPA

According to dosha predominance, the features of Mutravaha Sroto Dushti vary:

1. VATAJA DUSHTI

• Symptoms:

  • Frequent urination with dribbling (Pravahika)

  • Painful urination (Shoola)

  • Splitting or interrupted urine stream

  • Dryness in the urinary tract

• Cause: Due to dryness and obstruction caused by aggravated Vata.

2. PITTAJA DUSHTI

• Symptoms:

  • Burning micturition (Daha)

  • Yellow or reddish urine (Peeta Rakta Mutra)

  • Foul smell in urine

  • Fever and thirst associated with urination

• Cause: Due to inflammation, heat, and infection caused by Pitta aggravation.

3. KAPHAJA DUSHTI

• Symptoms:

  • Cloudy or turbid urine

  • Heaviness in bladder region

  • Slow and sluggish urine flow

  • Mucus in urine

• Cause: Due to accumulation and obstruction by Kapha and mucus secretions.

MUTRAVAHA SROTO VIDDHA LAKSHANA (SYMPTOMS OF INJURY OR DAMAGE TO MUTRAVAHA SROTAS)

When Mutravaha Srotas are severely vitiated or damaged (Viddha), the following lakshanas (symptoms) may be observed:

• Mutra Sangha (Urine retention)

• Mutra Krichra (Painful micturition)

• Mutra Atipravrutti (Polyuria)

• Mutra Alpa Pravritti (Scanty urine output)

• Mutradaha (Burning micturition)

• Mutra Srava Raktayukta (Hematuria - blood in urine)

RELEVANT SANSKRIT SHLOKAS

🕉️ अथातः स्रोतसां विज्ञानं व्याख्यास्यामः।
स्रोतांसि नाम येन धातवो वहन्ति।
(Charaka Samhita, Vimana Sthana 5/3)

🕉️ वृक्कौ बस्तिश्च मूलं स्रोतसः मूत्रवाहिनः।
तस्य मूर्च्छा विघातश्च मूत्रविघातकृन्नरः॥
(Charaka Samhita, Vimana Sthana 5/8)

🕉️ सङ्गः, मूत्रस्य सन्दारणं, मूत्रकृच्छ्रं च जायते।
(Sushruta Samhita - Srotovimana Adhyaya)