Multiple sclerosis an Ayurvedic approach - A Critical View

Autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system attacks self-molecules as a result of a breakdown of immunologic tolerance to autoreactive immune cells. Autoimmune disorders are on the rise globally and affect 8.5% of the population worldwide. Multiple sclerosis (MS), the most prevalent neurological disability is an autoimmune disease of Central nervous system characterized by chronic inflammation, demyelination, gliosis and neuronal loss. Although the aetiology and pathogenesis of MS remains unclear, several studies illustrate that the cause of MS is multifactorial and include genetic predisposition together with environmental factors. Therapies for MS are based on the use of antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory drugs, but these treatments are not able to stop the destruction of nerve tissue. Hence a comprehensive management programme is strongly recommended for all patients with multiple sclerosis, enhancing health-related quality of life through advocating wellness, addressing aggravating factors, and managing comorbidities. Multiple Sclerosis can be understood as anuktavata vyadhi based on similarity of symptoms as there is no direct correlation in Ayurvedic classics. With immunosuppressant or cortico-steroids as only available treatment in modern sciences, Ayurveda can be ray of hope. The scope of Ayurvedic Management and preventive aspects mainly concentrates on improving the quality of life and decrease dependency by patients on others. Hence here an attempt is made to analyse the disease and its management

Management of Cerebral Atrophy in Ayurveda

Cerebral Atrophy is a degenerative condition where there is wasting or shrinkage of the brain due to loss of cerebral volume. In brain tissue, atrophy describes the loss of neurons and the connections between the brain tissues. Cerebral atrophy is a common feature of many of the diseases that affect the brain. Rates of cerebral atrophy differs in different degenerative pathologies and depending upon the area of brain involved, the manifestation of the symptoms occurs which can be generalized or focal. It is not possible to reverse brain atrophy after it has already occurred but there may be some ways of preventing it or slowing it down. However, preventing brain damage, especially by preventing a stroke, may reduce the amount of atrophy that may develop over time. Healthy lifestyle strategies could minimize the atrophy that is normally associated with aging. In Ayurveda, this particular condition is not described as it is but it’s pathology can be understood on the basis of Tridoshas. Nervous system is related to aggravation of Vata Dosha due to diet and lifestyle changes which aggravate Vata in body. As old age is a period for Vata aggravation thus atrophy is common in old age therefore approach for the treatment of Cerebral Atrophy is according to Vata Vyadhi by nourishing the body with Snigdha Dravya (oily substances), Panchakarma (therapeutic cleaning of body) etc. Cerebral atrophy can also be understood on the basis of concepts of Majja Dhatu Kshaya.[1] Therefore here an attempt is made, to understand Cerebral atrophy from both modern and Ayurvedic concepts and to discuss the management of the condition from Ayurvedic point of view

Hypertension : From Ayurvedic Understanding

Hypertension is a grave condition of raised blood pressure due to the stress related lifestyle, in which the blood vessels have persistently raised pressure which makes the pumping of heart deligent. Due to this increased pressure on heart , the pressure exerted on vessels supplying different body tissues and organs gets increased and can damage respective organs. It is an early stage of pathogenesis and a risk factor for the development of diseases affecting organs like heart, brain, kidney etc. Many people with hypertension stay undiagnosed for long period or until got diagnosed incedentally, therefore it can be considered as a silent killer. An estimated 1.13 billion people worldwide are suffering from Hypertension, therefore normalizing the abnormally raised blood pressure is a challenging task to be considered. In Ayurveda, systemic arterial hypertension can be understood on the basis of involvement of vitiated Doshas where there is the involvement of Vata and Pitta predominant Tridosha, which hampers the flow of these Doshas in respective Srotas (micro-channels ). The concept of Avarana (occlusion in the functioning of Dosha in normal state) gives a better understanding of Hypertension which should be considered for the better outcome of treating the disease from Ayurvedic perspective. Therefore here an attempt is made, to understand Hypertension from both modern and Ayurvedic concepts and to discuss the management of the condition from Ayurvedic point of view

Conceptual and clinical approach of Immunology in Ayurveda

Immunology is the study of immune system, involved in protecting the body from various infections. Immune system occurs in innate, acquired and artificially induced forms and it deals with the response of body towards antigens and determines whether it is self component or not. It protects body from infections through various lines of defence. Activation, immunodeficiency and hypersensitivity of immune system contribute towards diseases. The functioning of immune system is detected by sensitive immunoassays. The concept of immunology is known since ancient period and Acharyas has mentioned about the Vyadhikshmatva (tendency of body to fight against diseases), which plays an important role in recovering from any disease. The Bala (strength) of person is an important factor to maintain the health and to keep the life free from diseases. With the changing lifestyle, descending quality of food, unfavorable environmental changes, the strength of body is reducing and the ability of body to fight against diseases is decreasing day by day, giving rise to many autoimmune diseases and infections. Ayurveda in its literature has given detailed daily practices that one should follow to keep the body balanced and improve immunity like Dinacharya, Ratricharya, Ritucharya (practices with seasonal variations), Pathya (wholesome), Apathya (unwholesome) and Rasayana concepts has been mentioned as a contributing factor towards immunity. Above mentioned Ayurvedic concepts are helpful in increasing the immunity, rejuvenating the body and also improving the nourishment by reaching at microcirculation level to the tissues. Therefore here an attempt is made, to understand Immunology by considering concepts of Ayurveda

Role of Ayurveda in the management of Vandhyatva w.s.r. to Infertility

Vandhyatva (infertility) is a condition of one year of intercourse without conception involving a male and a female partner. This health problem is present since ancient period and is increasing with the changing lifestyle. Stress and working pattern with multiple other factors affects the health and motility of spermatozoa leading to abnormalities in the factors which are essential for the conception. It is hard to accurately pinpoint male infertility prevalence across the globe since many cases do not get reported in many countries. Some studies concludes infertility cases close to 48 million couples worldwide, 50% infertility cases are women related, 30% are caused due to male infertility, and rest due to other factors. There is increasing public awareness for the implications of this problem and about the advancement available in the field of infertility. Many concepts and medicine are introduced by modern practitioner but they are not free from side effects. In Ayurveda, Vandhyatva (infertility) is a condition where, due to factors like Sukra Dosha (unhealthy semen), Ativyayama (over exercise), loss of Bala (low strength) and improper Ahara (food) and Vihara (lifestyle) etc., the Beejamsha (spermatozoa and ova) gets defected and finally leads to reduced fertility of Sukradhatu (sperm). In Ayurveda, this condition is managed with multiple concepts of correcting the states of Dhatu and Doshas. Balya (which increases strength of body), Vrishya (which increase fertility), Brumhana (which nourishes body), Rasayana (nourishing tissues) and Vajeekarana Dravya (increasing sexual potency) are used effectively in improving sexual wellness. Therefore here an attempt is made, to understand Vandhyatva (infertility) from all aspects of reduced fertility and management of the condition from Ayurveda point of view has been elaborated

Obesity : An Ayurveda Prospective

Obesity is widely regarded as a pandemic, with potentially distress consequences for human health. In developing countries, average national rate of obesity is low, but these figures may distinguish higher rates of obesity in urban communities. There is increasing public awareness of the heath implications of obesity. Many patient are seeking medical help for their overweight, other present with one or more of the complications of obesity, and increasing numbers are being identified during health screening examinations. WHO states that, about 250 million cases of obesity are being reported every year. Many efforts are being made to find out a reliable remedy for this burning problem, so many concepts and medicine are introduced by modern practitioner but they are not free from side effects. In Ayurveda, Sthaulya (obesity) is a condition where, due to aggravation of Doshas, there is improper transformation of nutrition, more of Medodhatu is formed and inappropriate nutrition goes to nourish other Dhatus of body. In Ayurveda, this condition is managed with multiple concepts of correcting the states of Dhatu and Doshas. Many Medohara drugs have been mentioned and can be used but the selection of the drug should be made accurately on the basis of patients physiology and with respect to Dosha, Desha, Kala etc. Therefore here an attempt is made, to understand Sthaulya (Obesity) from both modern and Ayurvedic concepts and to discuss the management of the condition from Ayurvedic point of view

Understanding Vatarakta w.s.r. to Gout through Ayurveda

Vatarakta, a common metabolic disorder is a grievous medical condition present in the society. Vatarakta as the name suggest is the vitiation of Vata Dosha and Rakta Dhatu (blood). In this condition the normal flow of Vata is obstructed by Rakta leading to symptoms starting from Paada (foot) and Hasta (hands). It is a Vatapradhana (Vata predominant) Tridoshaja Vyadhi. Vatarakta is a major Vatavyadhi caused due to Avarana (occlusion) pathology. The symptomatology of Gout has striking similarities with those explained in Vatarakta. Gout is a common type of arthritis due to uric acid disturbance where excess uric-acid in blood stream forms crystals in the joint that causes intense pain, swelling and stiffness, it usually affects the joint in the big toe. Numerous studies have established the impact of gout on patient’s morbidity and mortality. Despite major advances in treatment of gout, many patients with gout are not properly controlled and continuing with recurrent flares of gouty arthritis. Therefore, here an attempt is made, to understand Vatarakta (gout) from both modern and Ayurvedic concepts and to discuss the management of the condition from Ayurvedic point of view

Management of Shirobhitapa w.s.r to Essential Hypertension - A Case Study

Hypertension is called a silent killer because it rarely causes symptoms before it damages the heart, kidneys or brain. It is estimated that 600 million people are affected worldwide with hypertension. By the year 2025, approximately 1 in 3 adults aged over 20 years, totally 1.56 billion people worldwide, will have hypertension. Many works have been carried out on hypertension to evaluate the perfect diagnosis and mode of treatment on the basis of Ayurvedic principles, different nomenclatures also have been adopted by Ayurvedic scholars like Shonitamada, Raktagata Vyana Vayu, Shiragatavata, Rakta Chapa, Raktavrita Vata, Raktavriddhi, Raktavata etc