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Wednesday 1 April 2015

Safe and Effective Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN)

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is an autoimmune disorder involving spontaneous inflammation of the arteries usually affecting muscles, joints, intestines, nerves, kidneys and skin.  These cause symptoms which include fever, pain, fatigue, weight loss, bleeding, and dysfunction of affected organs.  Though this disease usually affects the elderly population, it may be seen in all age groups.  The severe form of this disease can be fatal.

The modern management of this condition involves the use of steroids and immuno-suppressant drugs.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment for PAN is aimed at treating the root cause of the disease, that is, inflammation of the arteries.  The symptoms for this disease .point to a severe disturbance in the Pitta Dosha of the body; hence, herbal medicines which act on Pitta and reduce its disturbed properties, are used in high doses in the management of this condition.  The autoimmune component of the disease also needs to be handled aggressively so that inflammation of arteries can be treated at the earliest possible.

Since bleeding from different parts of the body and damage to internal organs can be quite severe in the advanced stage of the condition, it is important to initiate treatment at the earliest possible in order to bring about a rapid remission, prevent permanent damage of important organs and reduce morbidity and mortality to the maximum extent possible.  Ayurvedic treatment can be done in the form of oral medication as well as Panchkarma which mainly includes induced purgation, and courses of medicated enemas, if required.

Symptomatic treatment to reduce damage to the skin, muscles, joints, intestines, nerves, and kidneys needs to be given on a patient-to-patient basis, keeping in mind severity of the symptoms, and the need to provide treatment of the root cause.  If treatment is started early, a complete remission can be obtained within a few months, and later on, low dose treatment can be continued in order to prevent a relapse of the condition.  An acute and severe presentation of the disease requires highly aggressive treatment in the form of high doses of herbal medicines which are nevertheless very effective in controlling symptoms and bringing a rapid resolution of the disease.  Even severe forms of the disease can be treated completely within a span of six to eight months.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment can be very judiciously utilised to effectively treat PAN.  Herbal medicines are quite safe for prolonged use and can be used safely both in the pediatric as well as elderly population.

The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com