Vogt Koyanagi Harada (VKH) Syndrome, also known as uveodermatologic syndrome, is a rare disease which affects the melanocyte-containing organs present in the body, including the eyes, hair, skin and inner ears. Individuals affected with this condition present with symptoms of uveitis (inflammation of the inner parts of the eye), visual impairment, white skin patches, whitening of hair, and meningitis. This condition is believed to have an autoimmune origin, resulting from a dysfunction of the T helper cells of the body. It is seen more in people of Asian, Latin and Mediterranean origin. Treatment in the modern system of medicine is usually symptomatic, and prognosis is not very good.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment of Vogt Koyanagi Harada Syndrome is aimed at treating the dysfunctional immune system as well as providing corrective treatment for the affected tissues of the body. Symptomatic treatment is provided for the eyes, ears, skin, hair as well as brain. Ayurvedic treatment is basically focused on giving medicines to treat the blood tissue as well as providing strengthening treatment for the central nervous system.
Medicines which treat vat and pitta vitiation are especially useful in the management of this condition. Most patients affected with this condition require treatment for about 6 to 9 months to obtain significant benefit from treatment. Treatment is tailor-made for each patient according to the presentation and severity of symptoms. Regular treatment provides considerable relief to almost all patients suffering from this condition. Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant role to play in the management of Vogt Koyanagi Harada (VKH) Syndrome
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
