Tabes Dorsalis is a medical condition involving a slow degeneration of the nerve cells and fibers in the spinal cord, usually caused by untreated syphilis infection, the symptoms appearing several decades after the infection. The symptoms of Tabes Dorsalis include weakness, unsteady gait, progressive degeneration of the joints, loss of neuromuscular and balance coordination, recurrent episodes of pain and disturbed sensation, dementia, personality changes, and sensory impairment like deafness, visual defects and impaired response to light. While the incidence of untreated syphilis has come down dramatically, the emergence of HIV infection at the global level has led to an increased incidence of Tabes Dorsalis.
Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Tabes Dorsalis is aimed at halting the damage and reversing the degeneration of the nerve cells and fibers in the spinal cord, improving sensory and motor dysfunction, treating possible infection, as well as boosting the immune status of the affected individual. Herbal medicines which have a specific action on nerve cells are used in high doses in the management and treatment of Tabes Dorsalis. These medicines arrest the damage to the nervous system and bring about improvement in working of the nerves. In addition, other herbal medicines are also used so as to improve the blood supply and provide improved nutrition to the nerve cells both in the brain and spinal cord. Other medicines are also used improve neuromuscular coordination as well as reduce sensory and motor dysfunction. Oral medication can also be supplemented with localised treatment in the form of massage with medicated oils followed by medicated steam fomentation.
If required, herbal medicines which have a specific anti-septic, anti-infective, and anti-inflammatory action are also used so as to reduce inflammation and infection of the nervous system. These medicines help to reduce treatment time and bring about a better improvement in the symptoms. Immunomodulatory herbal medicines are also used to boost the status of affected individuals so that infection is controlled easily, the resistance power of affected individuals improves significantly, and nerve degeneration is significantly reduced. Individuals suffering from Tabes Dorsalis, depending upon the severity and chronicity of the condition, require Ayurvedic herbal treatment for about 9 to15 months in order to get significant remission of the symptoms and obtain a cure or a near-cure. Physiotherapy of affected joints may be required in order to improve neuromuscular and joint function. Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant role to play in the management and treatment of Tabes Dorsalis.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
