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Rheumatism and Joint Disorders
Rheumatism, Ligament Tears, Chronic Backaches and Joint Pains
- Vata Dosha is mainly responsible for joint related ailments and an effective management of Vata Dosha leads to a actual pain relief in these conditions. These problems generally arise out of two basic pathologies, First Amavata — where Ama is a principal element. In this case the pain typically aggravates after applying oil, or during monsoons, cold weathers. The second is degenerative and needs special types localized therapies like, Panda Sweda, Vapan Bastis.
- For localized complaints like Chronic back ache Kati basti and Anuvasana basti help a lot by regenerating or healing the damaged tissue and restoring its function to optimal. After it is found that sports injuries or accidental injuries heal over time or conditions like ligament tears require surgical procedures. Certain cases of ligament tares respond very well to "Panchakarma" therapies and give a greater relief. Surgical joint replacement can be a second option in most of the cases and knee joints can be restored to a great extent which brings back the optimal quality of life without actually replacing the joint.
- Ayurvedic medicines actually correct the degenerative pathology by going inside the system and preventing further damages. A joint if artificially replaced only assures a smoother functioning of that particular joint. Unless the underlying process of degeneration is stopped, similar process can take place in any of other joints in our body.
- Old healed injuries or fractures are often painful during winters, these respond very well to Ayurvedic medicine and one can get a permanent relief in such conditions. The third condition that affects joints is "Vatarakt" is commonly known as the Gout. It is again a systemic disorder and needs an intense detoxification for quality relief.
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PCOS Infertility and Other Issues
In general we observe the age of ?rst menstruation has grossly altered. 25 to 30 years ago the age for getting first periods was some where between 13 to 14 years. It has now changed to as early as 10 to 11.This is primarily a result of altered food habits and diet patterns.
Let us have a review of modern perspective of PCOS, commonly known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It is a condition in which a woman’s levels of the sex hormones Estrogen and Progesterone are out of balance. This leads to the growth of ovarian cysts (benign masses 0n the ovaries). PCOS can affect a womens menstrual cycle, fertility, cardiac function, and her appearance.
The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, doctors believe that hormonal imbalances and genetics play a vital role in the cause. Women are more likely to develop PCOS if their mother or sister also has the condition. Overproduction of the hormone Androgen may be another contributing factor. Androgen is a male sex hormone that women also produce. Women with PCOS often produce higher-than—normal levels of androgen. This can affect the development and release of eggs during ovulation. Excess insulin (a hormone that helps convert sugars and starches into energy) may cause high androgen levels.
Symptoms of PCOS typically start soon after a woman begins to menstruate for the very ?rst time. The type and severity of symptoms varies from person to person. The most common characteristic of PCOS is irregular menstrual periods.
PCOS is marked by a decrease in female sex hormones, this condition may cause women to develop certain masculine characteristics, such as: excess hair on the face, chest, stomach, thumbs, or toes, decrease in breast size, deeper voice, hair loss and associated symptoms may include acne, weight gain, pelvic pain, depression etc.
Conventional treatment involves lifestyle changes such as weight loss and exercise, along with birth control pills may help with improving the regularity of periods, excess hair growth, and acne. Metformin and Anti androgens may also help. Other typical acne treatments and hair removal techniques may be used. Efforts to improve fertility include weight loss, Clomiphene, or Metformin. In Vitro fertilization is used by some in whom other measures are not effective.
Menstrual disorders: PCOS mostly produces Oligomenorrhea (fewer than nine menstrual periods in a year) or Amenorrhea (no menstrual periods for three or more consecutive months), but other types of menstrual disorders may also occur. Infertility generally is because of chronic Anovulation.
Ayurveda considers two different aspects of female reproductive elements i.e. Ovum the "Stree Beeja" and the Aartava or the menstrual fluid. Normal menstrual fluid should not actually have any kind of odor, should not stain the cloth or the stains should be easily washed off with water, there should not be any clots or strands. There should be very little or no discomfort at the time of commencement of cycle.
Approximately 80% of women complain off these problems. Many women consider these symptoms to be normal and enough cognizance is not given to these issues. Many young girls complain off a terrible discomfort, scanty menses, breast heaviness, body ache, lack of mental energy and are always low during this entire period or at least on first day of menses.
PCOS is a condition that does not develop in a short span of time, it is a chronic problem that aggravates subtly and is often ignored for many months or years together. It is about a habit of your body to produce a surplus than what is normal tendency. This results in the formation of substandard quality of female egg(s). There could be issues related to maturation of these eggs as well and becomes the reason of primary
Going for a typical treatment and hormone supplementation influences the process greatly for a certain time bound phase and conceptions becomes a possibility in some of the cases. This line of treatment does not ensure the retraction of female body physiology. This when ignored in later stagers lead to an excess of menses during monthly cycle and off cycle as well. This later ends up in ‘Raktapradara’ and later end up in hysterectomy as it is believed to be the ultimate cure to this problem of heavy bleeding.
This actually serves as a beginning of many problems that a lady faces in her near future. A normal monthly cycle represents a perfect balance of three Doshas in her body and an ensures and appropriate production of all the Dhatus and Malas. Every lady should always take the notice ofminutest variation in her monthly cycle and take it as a cause of concern.
The problem of white discharge during the cycle or off the cycle is not normal and needs to be medically addressed. Ayurveda recommends a specific routine for a menstruating woman and is actually very appropriate for her health. Ideally lady should take ample amount of rest and should not do any heavy physical activity during this phase. The body system undergoes major changes during menstruation. A lot of heat is produced during this time and is expelled out of body. Ideally physical contact / intercourse during this duration should be avoided.
Infertility: Ayurveda characterizes female and male infertility individually. Problems related to
reproduction tissues have been considered separately and there are eight distinct types of problems explained about the Semen and (Aartava) Menstrual blood. There are twenty distinct types of conditions that are typically found in context to uterine cavity and other organs.Few of these conditions are can be surgically rectified while few are non curable. Apart from this there are further physiological types of infertility. In most of the couples with infertility problems the laboratory findings show a normal results, still the causes infertility remains unknown, such cases are labeled as Unexplained Infertility. We need to consider the health at three different levels
1- Physical body as a whole2- Organic level reproductive organs
3- Psychological ailment
The treatment typically includes full body detoxiï¬cation for both the partners followed by specialty medicines so as to rectify the actual problem. There are special types of ‘Basti’ regimens that are administered in uterine cavity. They actually cleanse and condition the uterine cavity. In men Uttar basti is administered through the penis and problems related to seminal tissue are Retraction by this method.
We need to actually take care of the female body system as a whole and fortify it. The female partner has to take care and nourish the baby after a successful conception. An impaired status of health results in recurrent abortions or IUGR (Intra Uterine growth Retardation) or low birth weight of baby.
Ayurveda has an in-depth knowledge about enhancing the fertility, planning the desired progeny, its appropriate growth and necessary care to be given after that. Ayurveda can manage all the problems of menstruation and provide a long-lasting reliefs. The process may involve use of "Bastis" and other "Panchakarmas" for detoxification, along with internal treatments for pacification of doshas.
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Diabetes, Peripheral Neuropathy
“Mootrshu Pipilika Abhidhavanti” is a quote from "Charak Samhita" that clearly mentions the presence of sugars in urine, sweat of a diabetic person and it actually means ants are attracted to urine of such a person. The only thing that they were not able to quantify was the presence of sugar in urine as technological advancements were not available in those days.
Diabetes is a resultant of altered body physiology and a disturbed mechanism failing to metabolize the glucose in body. The unutilized sugar keeps on circulating in blood and further excess is excreted through urine. The blocked receptors create a false crunch of glucose and do not allow enough glucose levels to reach the brain. Brain passes the wrong signals to body parts and sugar stored in body is drained further to the blood stream resulting in increased blood sugar levels. This is a cyclical process and keeps in continuation until a proper management is provided.
Neuropathy is a natural and logical phenomenon that occurs in a prolonged diabetes case, typically when sugar is not within a normal range. There is always excess of sugar in blood and it affects every substance / organ it encounters. It blocks entry of certain nutrients and substances inside cells and this deprives them off nutrients creating a quench and lack. Constant presence of sugars on surface makes the membrane weak and alters the permeability of these membranes.
When this sugar starts affecting the Neuronal Structure the Neuropathy sets in. To name a few burning sensations of palms and soles, tingling in body parts, excess thirst, fatigue and many more.
What Ayurveda can offer?
Ayurvedic medicines do not contain any specific ingredient that Will lower the blood glucose level, as insulin or a typical diabetic tablet will do. Then what role does Ayurvedic medicines play in such patients?
Many a times it is found that in spite of sugar levels being normal many patients often develop symptoms of Neuropathy, fatigue, lack Ofconï¬dence, weakness or body ache. The dose of diabetic medicines often goes on increasing and shifts to medicines ofhigher order and more complex molecules are now required.
So far, we have observed that Ayurvedic medicines enhance the basic body physiology in a way of action that enhances the conventional medicines. Thus a better control on sugar levels is achieved.
It is a rare case that a complete control of blood sugar levels without any typical Anti -diabetic drug is achieved. This is possible in a very limited number of cases. Most of the cases we have been successful in reducing the dose of insulin or the strengths of the tablets.
Ayurvedic medicines give a quality relief in patients with Peripheral Neuropathy. Symptoms like burning sensation, excessive thirst, fatigue relieve very quickly, also the Gastro—Intestinal tract disturbances.
A second cause of concern is diabetic wounds, which often are difficult to heal. Special care is needed and internal medications are necessary for such wounds to heal. Only good control of sugar levels does not solve the problem in these cases. Specialty dressing, wound cleaning techniques, Dhoopan karma, Patradana yield great help in healing of such wounds. Many a times amputations can also be avoided if intervention is received at the right time. Diabetic patients often experience skin problems, irritations and rashes. These arise as a result of Vitiation of Rakta dhatu, Meda dhatu and Mamsa dhatu and are called as Prameha Pidaka. These need to be managed by detoxification techniques.
If a patient is newly diagnosed with Prameha or diabetes, we generally employ Vamana chikitsa as a large amount of Kapha and pitta doshas can be eliminated from body and later on as per requirement further management is done.
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Cancers and Their Management
Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. Not all tumors are Cancerous; Less potent tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal bleeding, prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss, and a change in bowel movements. While these symptoms may indicate cancer, they may have other causes. Over 100 types of cancers affect humans.
Tobacco use is the cause of about 22% of cancer deaths. Another 10% is due to obesity, poor diet, lack of physical activity, and excessive drinking of alcohol. Other factors include certain infections, exposure to ionizing radiation and environmental pollutants. In the developing world nearly 20% of cancers are due to infections such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Human Papilloma Virus Infection. These factors act, at least partly, by changing the genes of a cell. Typically many genetic changes are required before cancer develops. Approximately 5—10% of cancers are due to inherited genetic defects from the victims parents. Cancer can be detected by certain signs and symptoms or screening tests. It is then typically further investigated by medical imaging and confirmed by biopsy.
Many cancers can be prevented by not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, not drinking too much alcohol, eating plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, vaccination against certain infectious diseases, not eating too much processed and red meat, and avoiding too much sunlight exposure. Early detection through screening is useful for Cervical and Colorectal Cancer. The benefits of screening in breast cancer are controversial. Cancer is often treated with some combination of radiation therapy, surgery, Chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Pain and symptom management are an important part of care. Palliative care is particularly important in people with advanced disease. The chance of survival depends on the type of cancer and extent of disease at the start of treatment. In children under 15 at diagnosis the five-year survival rate in the developed world is on average 80%. For cancer in the United States the average five-year survival rate is 66%.
In 2012, about 165,000 children under 15 years of age were diagnosed with cancer. The risk of cancer increases significantly with age and many cancers occur more commonly in developed countries. Rates are increasing as more people live to an old age and as lifestyle changes occur in the developing world. The financial costs of cancer were estimated at $1. 16 trillion USD per year as of 2010.
Cancer is something which does not find a one to one mention in Ayurvedic texts. Because of its nature that certain varieties essentially form a tumor like structure they can be roughly be correlated with "Granthi Roga", "Arbuda Roga", "Apachai" and certain other.
We need to understand first what is cancer. Cancer is a disorder at a much deeper level where the natural mechanism of our body to reproduce/regenerate a particular set of cell in its normal/required quantum.
An uncontrolled/ rampant growth of these cells often contributes forming a solid structure and is represented as a cancer. The metastasis is nothing but the spread of these cells in other body tissues and their localization.
The problem is at a much sub level and of a grave pathology and involving a number of causative agents. It is naturally difficulty to treat category and at times if condition is a very much advanced it is incurable.
Conventionally, Radiation, Chemotherapy is employed which actually target the malignant affected cells and kill them and control their growth. Well these do not alter the tendency to grow and deviate from their natural pattern. Often we recommend that modern line of treatment can go along with Ayurvedic line of management.
Ayurvedic medicines basically aim at this tendency to deviate from the normal pattern, naturally it is a very time consuming process. Secondly, certain medicines also act on these tumors and affected cells as well. Adverse effects of Chemotherapy are well-known and they can be very well managed by Ayurvedic medicines or even it is possible that chemo therapy drugs are better tolerated if combined with Ayurvedic medicines. Benign tumors, Glioma, Blastema are often challenging but yes with a good diet control and
"Panchakarma" therapies they can be managed. Their size can shrink and spread can also be arrested.It is possible till now in few cases there was a complete reversal of cancer and patients are living a normal life free of cancer, while in certain cases we could enhance their quality of life and the life span.
In management of cancers the most important aspect is the exact stage in which the patient reaches the Ayurvedic Doctor. General trend is that Ayurvedic treatments are opted as a last resort and trial basis. The trend should change and a joint approach is very much necessary to aid a quality and long lasting result. Dietary restrictions form a major component of any ayurvedic treatment. It is not that every person using tobacco gets cancer and a person not using tobacco will not get cancer.
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Respiratory Disorders
Asthma is commonly referred to as a long-term inflammatory disease of the air tract in the lungs. It is characterized through variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow, obstruction, and Bronchospasm. Symptoms include episodes of Wheezing, Coughing, Chest Tightness, and shortness of breath. These episodes may occur a few times a day or a few times per week. Depending on the person, they may become worse at night or with exercise.
Asthma is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Environmental factors include exposure to air pollution and allergens. Other potential triggers include medications such as Aspirin and Beta Blockers. Diagnosis is usually based on the pattern of symptoms, response to therapy over time, and Spirometry. Asthma is classiï¬ed according to the frequency of symptoms, Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEVl), and peak expiratory flow rate. It may also be classiï¬ed as Atopic or Non-Atopic, where Atopy refers to a predisposition toward developing a Type 1 hypersensitivity reaction.
There is no cure for asthma. Symptoms can be prevented by avoiding triggers, such as allergens and irritants, and by the use of inhaled corticosteroids. Long-Acting Beta Agonists (LABA) or Antileukotriene agents may be used in addition to inhaled Corticosteroids if asthma symptoms remain uncontrolled. Treatment of rapidly degrading symptoms is usually with an inhaled Short-Acting Beta-2 agonist such as Salbutamol and corticosteroids taken by
mouth. In very severe cases, intravenous corticosteroids, magnesium sulfate, and hospitalization may be required.In 2015, 358 million people globally had asthma, up from 183 million in 1990. It caused about 397,100 deaths in 2015, most of which occurred in the developing world. It often begins in childhood. The rates of asthma have increased signiï¬cantly since the 19605. Asthma was recognized as early as Ancient Egypt. The word "asthma" is from the Greek 060a, asthma, which means "panting".
Respiration is a very well controlled activity of two Vayu types, namely Prana and Udana. The primary imbalance of these two leads to general coughing, difï¬culty in breathing. A prolonged exposure to this agent causing the vitiation develops respiratory disorders and conditions like asthamas. A routine trend takes you to Bronchodilators that give a temporary relief and requiring a gradual increase in dose and frequency of these medicines. We hardly pay attention to dietary habits like use of Curds, Soft drinks, Refrigerated foods, Fish, Fruit salads, Milk and fruits taken together precipitate doshas in a large quantity. These when accompanied by factors Vitiating the respiratory system start showing minor symptoms.
Initially, it starts with simple cough and cold, which responds to home remedies as well. This becomes more often and troublesome and nor needs the introduction of antibiotics as it is no often accompanied by fever of a mild grade. This further intensiï¬es requiring higher level Anti Gitics, Anti—Pireciscs and Bronchodilators, at times intravenous administration of medicines may also be needed.
The immunity starts compromising and the cycles often repeat upon exposure to slightest infection. The Victim is labeled as allergic to dust/pollen/milk products etc. He further is advised to use Bronchodilators on a regular basis and this further weakens the respiratory system, and now the person / kid is a completely Asthamatic patient.
The difference must act in the beginning as we modify the diet chart, and control the production of excess quantity of Kapha Dosha, Ama Dosha. The existing deposits are cleansed by local fomentation and massage of special oils fortify with herbs that impart good strength to respiratory system.
Certain medicines liquefy the deposits and route them through the system Via stools, uriner as sputum. The immunity slowly starts improving and requirement of Bronchodilators goes on lowering. The advised exercises and daily fomentation with salt bags and oil enhance lung function and their capacities are gradually regained. This enables a better flow and absorption of oxygen in system and thus in body over all.
The patient starts improving, gradually develops immunity and slowly quits Bronchodilators. Any growth or deviations of nasal septa are also covered during treatment and most of the respiratory issues settles. Yogasana and Pranayama aide significant role in this process
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Shirorogas, Migraine
"Shiroroga" is an extensively described condition in Ayurveda. They are mainly of nine different types and are resultant of imbalance of three Doshas. The most commonly found entities among these nine are Sooryavarta and Arshavabhedaka.
Sooryavarta is characterized by headache pattern that generally starts with the onset of sun and is at a peak by afternoon and the pain gradually subsided with the decent of Sun i.e. by evening. This is generally associated with Vitiation of Pitta Dosha and other symptoms can include chronic Hypersacidity. Patient generally takes some or the other kind of pain killers and tries to control the pain.
Ardhavabhedaka is typically the pain experienced by either side of head. It can be right left, front or back. This is dominated by Vitiation of Vata Dosha or Pitta Dosha or at times both together.
The third ailment in which a Chronic Rhinitis is found and patient often feels a heaviness in head and a mild pain persists. This generally does not respond to any of the conventional treatments and is a typical kind of irritation feeling. All these conditions typically affect the quality of life immensly and the professional sphere as well.
In women this can be many times associated with menstruation and post menstruation the pains subside and again aggravate till the next cycle.
You may notice variations like pain aggravation by staying empty stomach or it can relieve after eating a proper meal.
The main causes lie in the Vitiation of ‘Agni’ due to altered eating habits. Many times, people from marketing domains skip their lunch and tea or random oily fried snacks is the main food that they eat during the entire day. This is generally followed by a heavy meal or no meals and some quantity of alcohol. This causes the actual disaster and is the root cause of all the problems.
Ayurveda offers a quality and permanent relief in all such conditions. The key modalities involve use of Nasya and Shirodhara treatments. Dietary modification is Vital in the direction to avoid complete relief and stable results.
Internal medications generally include use of some medicated ‘Ghee’ along With tablets and decoctions as per the case requirement.
Generally, a typical and chronic case requires a duration of around 6 to 8 months of medication and 15 to 30 days of Panchakarma therapies.
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Beauty and Rejuvenation
Skin and Hair Care
Amongst all the common skin problems Psoriasis, Herpes and certain Balk is discolored are major sources of concern. Generally, these conditions are managed by use of some topical steroid based ointments or systemic steroids. Skin conditions are a result of Vitiation of Rakta Dhatu along with Meda and Manmsa Dhatu. The accompanying Dosha actually decided the pattern of skin condition. The typical Psoriasis is described as “Oudumbar Kustha” in Ayurveda. These are generally very lousy and require very long term treatments and diet control.
Herpes is called as the Visarpa and these are of seven different types according to Ayurveda. The principal contributor Dosha decided the nature of clinical condition in herpes. Antiviral are drug of choice in such cases. Ayurveda offers a different line of thinking and treatment. In many cases where Neurological damage takes place because of long Herpes, the patient often complaints burning in those regions. These can be very well managed by application of certain ‘Lepas’.
Sheetapitta commonly known as the Urticaria, is typical problem and is experienced by many patients. A most common trend it to take some Antihistamine tablets and attain a temporary relief. The dose and frequency of these tablets goes on increasing and thickness of red patchy eruptions also increases.
The primary requirement is to modify the diet and implement proper medication. A therapy called as Raktamokshana greatly aids in patients with all sorts of skin diseases. Virecha is also said to be best treatment in skin conditions.
We also have found that there is a gross misunderstanding amongst people that any discolorations of skin or patchiness on skin or butterfly pigmentation on face is a local problem. The problem actually lies in their digestion and a compromised quality of Rasa Dhatu. This is responsible for these discolorations, or overall dullness darkness of the complexion. A correction in this Rasa Dhatu function relieves the symptoms and restores the things to their normal tone and color.
Jalouka Therapy
Rakta Mokshana
Netra Tarpana
Avagaha Swedan
Janu Basti
Abhyanga
Prusthavansha Basti
Peti Swedana
Beauty Therapies
Pinda Swedana
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome : Grahani
Typically characterized by an ill formed stool and a painful deï¬cation. Ayurveda mentions of a novel organ/part of small intestine that connects the stomach and the small intestine. It is called as ‘Grahani’ and actually plays a key role in our digestion process. It actually sorts the digested and undigested matter and allows the passage for only completely digested matter towards small intestine.
A disturbed mechanism of this organ fails to sort the content and allows the passage entire matter in a mixed state to small intestine and the passage further. The further organs receive the contents that they are not meant to absorb or process. They are further transferred to large intestines and where again the specific part is absorbed and remains are converted to a slimy form. This slime forms a coating in the inner side of large intestine and starts narrowing the Lumen. This also prohibits the absorption of forthcoming contents and this layering thickens and gradually the consistency of stools starts disturbing. It turns more or less ill forms and can be at times watery or well formed.
A quality output of digestion is not produced resulting in the substandard quality of digestive juice and lack of certain elements in this Ahara Rasa. This disables the ‘Sharira Dhatus’ to derive the required nutrients, as they do exist in Ahara Ras.
Gradually person starts feeling weak, there is a constant fatigue, a constant thirst sensation, an indication of lack of energy to do any tasks and so on. This actually is the onset of forthcoming IBS problem. In mean stage this excessive water intake further dilutes the quality of Pitta and it becomes in capable of digesting the food and further decorates the qualities of Ahara Rasa and a Vicious cycle is set in motion and continues till we don't break it With proper medications.
Now the patient need to strain for stools and in this effort many times bleeding per rectum can occur and this further weakens the patient, often strains of leafy vegetables are found in stools of such patients.
A proper diet and management can restore the Grahani function and control the condition to a great extent. A very chronic Grahani cannot be completely cured and patient has to follow certain diet and a minimal medication for relief.