Efectos de un programa de yoga de 6 meses sobre la función renal y la calidad de vida
El tratamiento de la enfermedad renal crónica se complica por muchos motivos, como la retención de líquidos, la anemia y los efectos en múltiples órganos del cuerpo. En la India, donde los tratamientos pueden ser demasiado caros y estar fuera del alcance de la mayoría de la población, muchos han confiado en el yoga como terapia alternativa.
Yoga has been practiced in India for thousands of years and includes changes in mental attitude, diet, and the practice of specific postures (asanas), breathing (pranayamas), and meditation. The exercises and postures of yoga are centered around strengthening and stretching muscles and increasing blood supply.
Yoga is well-studied in high blood pressure and diabetes
Many research studies have shown that yoga can have a beneficial effect in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cholesterol, and body weight. Yoga is also among the most studied of alternative therapies for blood pressure control. Currently, it is estimated that at least 15.8 million people in the United States (6.9% of Americans) practice yoga, which is recommended by American healthcare providers as a means of improving health. Since both diabetes and hypertension are major causes of kidney disease, researchers thought to study the effects of yoga on people with chronic kidney disease.
Researchers study its effects on chronic kidney disease
In India, 54 people with chronic kidney disease participated in a study, in which half of the participants were given yoga therapy, in addition to their blood pressure medications, water pills, and dialysis. They were observed and compared to the 25 people not given yoga therapy. After four people dropped out of the study, the remaining 50 were watched and monitored for 6 months. The participants in the yoga group were trained in specific body postures for kidneys, as well as breathing techniques, which were practiced regularly for at least 5 days a week for 40-60 minutes a day.
Resultados prometedores
Aunque no hubo diferencias significativas entre los dos grupos al inicio del estudio, después de seis meses el grupo de yoga presentó una reducción de la presión arterial, y la urea en sangre y la creatinina sérica tendían a ser más bajas que en el grupo que no practicaba yoga.
The 6-month results of this study demonstrated the benefits of yoga in improving blood pressure and kidney function, with the postures and meditation affecting both the physical and psychological aspects of living with chronic kidney disease.
Source: Hagens M, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2013, Article ID 649836, 13 pages http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/649836
Lo último de Know Rare
Nina Wachsman
Nina es cofundadora y presidenta de Know Rare
La experiencia de Nina abarca categorías terapéuticas desde enfermedades raras como la hipertensión arterial pulmonar (HAP), enfermedades autoinmunes y cáncer, y sus conocimientos abarcan desde la investigación y estrategia de mercado hasta el marketing digital y de pacientes.
Además, ha sido fundadora e inversora providencial de una empresa biotecnológica de nueva creación, ha ayudado a crear una organización de pacientes oncológicos, Aim at Melanoma, y ha trabajado en la formación de pacientes para Herceptin, la principal terapia HER2 de Genentech.
Nina también es madre, abuela, artista y autora de La galería de las bellezas, una novela ambientada en la Venecia de principios del siglo XVII.