Low-Pressure, Low-Flow Voiding Dysfunction in an Elderly Male Treated Through Ayurveda: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION. Neurogenic bladder is a common urological condition among elderly. It results in incontinence or retention of the urine depending on the synergy of bladder smooth muscles and urethral sphincter. There can also be a condition where retention causes overflow incontinence. Retention of urine in this condition is caused by relative lack of contractility of bladder smooth muscles in response to the stretch reflex. As a result, there is no urge and therefore the bladder remains over-distended causing retention of urine. Currently, there are no absolute ways to deal with such a situation except that the patients are advised for self-help techniques of regularly evacuating the bladder. Pharmacotherapy for such condition is not promising. As the patients of neurogenic bladder are often healthy otherwise (with manageable conditions such as diabetes), a bladder dysfunction is considered as a disability that they do not want to share. In this state, any approach that offers a regeneration of bladder reflex and restoration of its functions is more than one can expect for. METHODS. An elderly male suffering with chronic urinary retention recommended for indwelling catheterization after the failure of voiding trial following the possible conventional pharmacotherapy was treated with Ayurvedic therapy. RESULTS. There was a complete symptom reversal after about 45 days of Ayurvedic therapy. The changes were stable after 3-month follow-up of the patient. CONCLUSION. This case report presents the complete symptom reversal in a case of chronic urine retention as an outcome of Ayurvedic therapy. Seeing the importance of this clinical condition and unavailability of sufficient means in conventional medicine, it requires a serious note and enquiry into its applicability in similar cases.