Role of Panchavata in Diabetic Neuropathy - Conceptual Review

Neuropathies are the most prevalent complications of diabetes mellitus. It affects more than 50% of chronic diabetics with diverse clinical manifestations. The most common early symptoms include pain and unpleasant sensation of burning and tingling followed by numbness and loss of sensation. All these symptoms are attributed to the dysfunction of the nervous system which is very much similar to dysfunction of Vata Dosha due to Avarana explained in Ayurveda text books viz. Harsha (tingling sensation), Daha (burning sensation), Toda (pricking pain), Suptata (numbness) and other signs. In this review article, an effort has been made to understand the role of five types of Vata Dosha due to Avarana in manifesting the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy

Kulathadi Kwatha and Talisapatradi Churna In Tamaka Shwasa (Bronchial Asthma) : An Open Label, Single Arm Clinical Study

Background: Tamaka Shwasa is a Pranavaha Sroto Vikara, with predominant Dosha, Kapha and Vata and the site of origin is Pittasthana. The condition has similarity in clinical presentation with Bronchial Asthma. It leads to recurrent episodes of breathlessness, wheezing, cough and tightness of chest. Shamshodhana and Shamshamana are the two treatment modalities explained in Tamaka Shwasa. Objectives: To clinically assess the combined effectiveness of Kulathadi Kwatha and Talisapatradi Churna in Tamaka Shwasa. Materials and methods: This study was carried out by Shamanaushadhis viz; Kulathadi Kwatha and Talisapatradi Churna in 30 subjects of either sex in between the age 18-40 years, for 30 days, followed by follow up on 45th day. Collected data were tabulated and analysed using SPSS (Statistical package for social sciences) version 20 by using appropriate statistical test. Results: There was statistically significant improvement observed in the signs and symptoms of Tamaka Shwasa and Peakflow Meter with the P value <0.05. Conclusion: The trial drug Kulathadi Kwatha and Talisapatradi Churna was found beneficial in symptoms of Tamaka Shwasa

An open label single arm clinical study on the effectiveness of Akarakarabha Vati in the management of Klaibya (Erectile Dysfunction)

Background: Klaibya (Erectile Dysfunction) is one of the common sexual disorders that affects physical and psychosocial health and may significantly impact the quality of life of sufferers and their partners. Sexual health and function are important determinants of quality of life. Although lifestyle modifications and psychotherapy are considered as the first-line of treatment in Erectile Dysfunction (ED), men presenting with such complaints expect the Ayurveda physician to help them with measures and medication that can have an improved result. Akarakarabaha is a potent drug mentioned in classical textbooks which is having the Shukrasthambaka (inhibition if delayed ejaculation), Balya (strength promoting activity), Vrishya (aphrodisiac), Vajikara properties and it’s having pharmacological activities like antioxidants, aphrodisiac, immunomodulatory effect, antidepressant, anti-diabetic, and effect on testosterone. Methods: Among 11 subjects, 10 of them completed the course of treatment. They were administered with Akarakarabha Vati 500 mg twice a day with milk as Anupana after food for 30 days and 15 days after cessation of medicine. For statistical analysis subjective parameters were assessed with Cochran Q test followed by McNemar test also Friedman's test followed by Wilcoxon sign rank test, and objective parameters were assessed by repeated measure ANOVA followed by Paired t-test. Results: There was statistically significant improvement in the Klaibya Samanya Lakshana and IIEF (International Index of Erectile function) score. Conclusion: Akarakarabaha Vati is effective in the management of Klaibya (Erectile Dysfunction)

A clinical study on the combined effectiveness of Pathyadi Churna and Kshara Basti in Amavata (Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Background & Objectives: Amavata (Rheumatoid Arthritis-RA) is a disease caused due to deranged Agni leading to Ama formation. The Lakshanas are very similar to Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disorder which causes chronic inflammation and symmetric, peripheral polyarthritis. Pathyadi Churna and Kshara Basti are mentioned in the classics for the treatment of Amavata. Methods: Among 33 registered patients, 30 of them completed the course of treatment. They were administered with Pathyadi Churna 1 Karsha (12g) thrice daily before food with Ushnodaka as Anupana (adjuvant) for a period of 15 days along with Kshara Basti in a modified Yoga Basti format for the first 5 days.  Friedman's test with Wilcoxon sign rank test as post hoc was used to analyze the significance of change in Ordinal data and Repeated measure ANOVA after applying Bonferroni correction and Paired t test as post hoc was used to analyze the significance of change in Scale data. Results: There was statistically significant improvement in the primary and secondary outcome measures of Amavata. Interpretation and Conclusion: Pathyadi Churna and Kshara Basti are effective in the management of Amavata

Ayurvedic management of Chronic Kidney Disease : A Case Report

Background: Chronic kidney disease is a spectrum of different pathophysiologic processes associated with abnormal kidney function and a progressive decline in glomerular filtration rate. Globally it is the 12th cause of death and 17th cause of disability. Clinically this condition can be correlated to madumeha and mutrakshaya. Methodology: A 60yr old female patient with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease (stage 4) was advised hemo-dialysis, which she was not willing to undergo, attended out patient department of Kayachikitsa, at SDM College of Ayurveda & Hospital, Hassan. Patient was treated with shamanaaushadi, Mustadiyapana basti, and with specific pathyaahara. Assessment was done before and after treatment with serum creatinine, eGFR and oedema grade. Result: After 9 days of treatment, there was significant change in the bilateral pedal oedema, urine output, general condition and also reduction in the serum creatinine. Conclusion: Chronic kidney disease was effectively managed by treatment modalities mentioned in Ayurveda after proper assessment of the dosha, dushya and vyadhi avasta

Ayurvedic management of Chirakari Vicharchika (Eczema) : A Case Report

Skin is the largest organ of the body that constitutes the first line of defence and hence is first to be exposed to disease. Among them eczema is one of the most common clinical presentations. With an incidence of 2 -3 % of all medical problems and about 30 percent of all the dermatitis. Eczema is a non-contagious inflammation of the skin, characterised by erythema, scaling, oedema, vesiculation and oozing. In Ayurveda it is correlated with Vicharchika because of similar features like Kandu, Srava, Pidaka. Vicharchika is considered as Kshudra Kushta.[1] In the contemporary science there is no satisfactory treatment available with a lot of side effects and increased rate of recurrence. The unique line of management in Ayurveda helps in removing disease right from its root. Here is a case of Vicharchika (eczema) treated with this thinking to highlight treatment principles

Ayurvedic Management of Ankylosing Spondylitis - A Case Report

Introduction: Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a sero negative chronic inflammatory arthritis of unknown cause that primarily affects the axial skeleton which usually begins in the second or third decade of life with a male to female ratio of 3:1. The prevalence rate of AS in India is 0.03%. It is clinically correlated to Danda Apatanaka in Ayurveda. It is caused due to the vitiated Vata and Kapha Dosha which enters the Dhamani and causes stiffness of the body. Due to its known complications and its tendency to hamper the quality of life, there is a need for an effective Ayurvedic intervention. This report is based on a case of Ankylosing Spondylitis which presented with pricking pain over nape of the neck and low back associated with stiffness and restricted movements, swelling over nape of neck right shoulder and right side of face, associated with restricted movements of right upper limb. Methods: This case was diagnosed as Danda Apatanaka and was treated with Basti Karma, Abhyanga along with oral medications. Assessment was done before and after treatment using relevant scales. Result: After 2 weeks of treatment pain and swelling over the nape of neck, right shoulder and face resolved completely, pain and stiffness of low back reduced, pain in right upper limb reduced and patient was able to perform normal movements. Stiffness of neck still persisted. Conclusion: Ankylosing spondylitis can be effectively managed by Ayurvedic treatment modalities after proper assessment of the involved Dosha and Dhatus

A cross sectional study to develop a scale on health related QOL for assessing the effect of Unhealthy Food Habits in apparently Healthy Subjects

Background: Non communicable diseases continue to be an important public health problem and are responsible for the major proportion of mortality and morbidity in India and about 60% of deaths in India are due to these diseases. This is due to drastic change in the life style and food habits which are affecting the quality of life of the person. Early identification of these indicators can result in early remedy to prevent the forthcoming diseases. With this aim a cross sectional study was planned to develop a scale for the assessment of HRQOL in the persons consuming unhealthy food habits. Objectives of the Study: To develop a validated scale to assess the HRQOL in healthy individuals who have unhealthy food habits. Methods: All the data regarding the components which are taken as an indicator of HRQOL were compiled and critically analyzed for construction of the domains and item generation. The content validity was carried out by giving to 5 experts as a process of pretesting of the questionnaire and for checking the face value. Questionnaire administration was done on 77 healthy subjects as a first set of analysis and later on 111 healthy subjects development and validation. For internal consistency Cronbach’s alpha was run, & for item reduction Principal component analysis (PCA) was done and components were extracted and accordingly domains were reframed. Reframed questionnaire was administered to the 270 healthy subjects and to check reliability Cronbach’s alpha was done. Scoring was done based on the mean of all domains to create the scale. Results: Initially 104 items were framed based on the intense literature search, after content validity no items were deleted. So, 104 questions were administered for 1st assessment after checking the internal consistency 28 items were deleted and 76 items remained. After the 2nd set of assessment with deletion of 7 items 69 items remained. After data extraction 43 items remained which were used for the generation of the scale scoring. The scoring was done based on the mean of all the domains. Conclusion: This developed self-assessment scale will help in the assessment of effect of unhealthy food habits over the HRQOL in apparently healthy subjects. This will give the scoring for the HRQOL which was calculated based on the mean of all the domains

Ayurveda management of Adharanga Vata (Cervical Myelomalacia) – A Case Report

Myelomalacia is a radiological finding in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), shown as the hypo or hyper-densities in the spinal segments of the affected area. It is associated with focal cord atrophy and is resultant of spinal cord injuries like cord compression in most of the cases. Other causes include ischemic changes, syrinx formation, and cervical spondylosis myelopathy. In Ayurveda it is co-related to the Adharangavata (~weakness in the lower limbs). A 69year old patient was admitted in the apex hospital located in the western ghats in Karnataka with reduced strength in the both the legs and was unable to walk without support. The patient was treated with Shamanaushadhi (~Palliative medicines) & Basti (medicated enema). The results obtained were promising and encouraging. The patient achieved strength in both the legs and he was able to walk without support for more than 300mts. This approach has shown that cervical myelomalacia can be managed with Ayurveda and helps in avoiding the disease progression and surgical management