Clinical Efficacy of Hammam (Steam Bath) in the management of Du'f-i-Kulya (Renal insufficiency / renal debility)

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) refers to a gradual loss of renal function over time. It is usually asymptomatic in the initial stages and thus hard to diagnose. According to the Unani System of Medicine (USM), this is seen as a Murrakkab (compound) disease and can be correlated under the broad term- Du'f-i-Kulya (Weakness of the Kidney). The main etiologies are diabetes, hypertension, and glomerulonephritis. Risk factors like age, family background, cardiovascular disease, and obesity play a part in its onset. CKD is diagnosed using blood tests to measure creatinine levels and urine tests for proteinuria. CKD stages range from mild impairment (Stage 1) to total kidney failure (Stage 5). Treatment involves managing underlying conditions, diet modification, and medication. Later stages can be treated using dialysis or a kidney transplant. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential in slowing the course of disease and decreasing complications such as cardiovascular diseases. Ongoing monitoring and education of the patient are critical to enhancing outcomes for patients with CKD. Worldwide, CKD occurs in about 10-15% of the population. Contributing factors to this figure include diabetes, hypertension, and an increasing elderly population. The World Health Organization emphasizes that CKD is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in low- and middle-income nations. Although the majority of the population suffering from CKD choose traditional treatment, many challenges to healthcare create problems in the management of CKD. Thus, it becomes a need of the hour to discover an alternative solution for the efficient management of the disease. Treatment modalities of the Unani System of Medicine consist of three principal branches viz, Ilaj Bil Tadbeer wat Taghziya, Ilaj Bil Dawa, Ilaj Bil Yad. One of the Famous Tadabeers, Hamam-i-Buhari (steam bath), is Effective in lowering the disease burden of CKD by lowering the levels of Serum Urea and Creatinine and causing subjective betterment in the patients. The term Hammam is itself derived from the Arabic root Hamm, which signifies "spreader of warmth" or that which produces heat. As per Ibn-i-Sina, the term Hammam has been taken from the word ‘Alhamim’, that is, the intensity of summer heat. The term Hammam is used to indicate a bathroom or toilet in most dialects of colloquial Arabic. Hammam such as Riyazat and Dalk belongs to Asbab-i-ghair zaroriyah, which implies that they are not necessary for the survival of life, but if they are done, they keep the body healthy if the body is healthy, and they regain health if the body becomes ill or diseased. The current research is concerned with the presentation of such a case with raised and abnormal Renal Function Study and how effective the Ilaj Bil Tadbeer (Regimen) - Hamam-i-Bukhari (steam Bath) is, in the management of the condition.