Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection which usually affects the lungs and is often self-limiting; however it can cause flulike illness, pneumonia or other pulmonary complications. This condition can worsen in immunocompromised patients and spread to the skin, bone, joints and meninges. Common symptoms of this condition include fever, breathlessness, arthritis, rash, weight loss, and lymphadenopathy. A history of travel or residence in an endemic area is important in establishing the risk of exposure, or to confirm the diagnosis of this condition. This condition is known to relapse and hence a follow-up of at least one to two years is necessary to confirm a complete resolution of the disease.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment for Coccidioidomycosis is aimed at treating the basic fungal infection, providing treatment for complications and other symptoms, and boosting the immune status of the affected individual. Herbal medicines which have a definite anti-inflammatory, anti-infective, and antifungal action are used in high doses and for prolonged periods in the management of this condition. Medicines which have a specific action on the lungs and the respiratory tract are also important for treating this condition. In advanced cases, medicines may also be required to treat infection in the skin, bone, joints, and meninges.
Symptomatic treatment for fever, breathlessness, arthritis, rash, lymphadenopathy, and weight loss are also required concurrently along with the above-mentioned treatment. Ayurvedic herbal immunomodulatory are used aggressively in order to control infection at the earliest, prevent complications, maintain the health of the affected individual, and bring about remission of all the symptoms. Judicious use of immunomodulatory herbal agents helps in a complete resolution of the condition as well as preventing a relapse or recurrence of this condition.
Depending upon the severity of the condition, most individuals required Ayurvedic herbal treatment for six to nine months in order to bring about a complete cure of the condition. Immunomodulatory treatment is especially pertinent in the management of this condition. Ayurvedic herbal treatment is thus very useful in the management and treatment of Coccidioidomycosis.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
