Leptospirosis is a medical condition involving infection either through the mucous membrane or lacerated skin, in which humans beings get infected by coming in contact with contaminated environmental sources, especially coming from rats. The common symptoms of this condition include fever, chills, body ache, severe headache, meningitis, liver and spleen enlargement, uveitis, kidney failure, cough and hemoptysis. Since this infection is caused due to bacteria, conventional treatment for this condition is usually in the form of antibiotics such as doxycycline. Special care needs to be taken in case of advanced infection, since this condition can cause severe liver and kidney dysfunction.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment for Leptospirosis is aimed at treating the infection, improving the immunity of the body, giving symptomatic treatment, and preventing long term complications. Ayurvedic herbal medicines which have a specific antiseptic and anti-infective action are used to treat the basic infection. Symptomatic treatment is also given for symptoms such as fever, chills, body ache, and cough. Herbal medicines which have an anti-inflammatory effect are also used in order to treat involvement of the brain, liver and spleen, eyes, kidneys and lung. These medicines reduce the inflammatory debris and toxins and remove them from the circulation either through the gastrointestinal tract or through the kidneys.
Ayurvedic herbal immunomodulatory agents are also used in the management of this condition in order to boost the immune status of the affected individual, so as to improve the response to treatment, reduce treatment time, and bring about a complete cure at the earliest. Medicines are also given to treat inflammation and damage to the liver and kidneys and restore the function of these important organs at the earliest.
Most individuals affected with Leptospirosis require Ayurvedic herbal treatment for periods ranging from two to six weeks in order to bring about a complete remission of the infection. Immunomodulatory treatment may be required for about 1 to 2 months in order to prevent long-term damage and complications involving important organs, as well as prevent a relapse of infection of the condition. Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant role to play in the management and treatment of Leptospirosis.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
