Primary Lateral
Sclerosis (PLS) is a motor neuron disease in which the nerve cells controlling
voluntary muscles degenerate and die, causing a progressive muscular
weakness. Unlike Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis (ALS), PLS affects only upper motor neurons. PLS is considered hereditary only if occurring
in childhood. The usual onset is after 50
years of age, with a progression over several decades. Symptoms usually commence from the lower
extremities and include imbalance, weakness, clumsiness, muscle cramps and pain,
spasticity, speech and swallowing impediments, difficulty in breathing,
hyper-reflexia, emotional labiality, bladder urgency, and occasionally,
cognitive changes. There are no specific
diagnostic tests for this condition; this is usually done by exclusion of other
diseases and through long-term observation.
The modern treatment
for PLS is symptomatic, with drugs to reduce spasticity and muscle cramps, and
the use of physiotherapy and speech therapy as required. PLS is known to usually cause gradual and
progressive disability.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment
for PLS is usually similar to that of ALS.
Medicines which act on the brain and central nervous system are used in
high doses in the management of this condition.
In addition, medicines which act on the neuromuscular junctions as well
as on muscles and tendons are also useful in the management of this
condition. Medicines which have a direct
action on the body metabolism are also useful while treating this disease.
Localised treatment
in the form of fomentation and massage using medicated oils and pastes also
helps in bringing about a significant relief from symptoms. Progressively higher doses of herbal
medicines are given in order to bring about the maximum possible improvement as
early as possible. Ayurvedic treatment
needs to be continued for periods ranging from 12 to 18 months. Treatment can stabilise symptoms, bring about
a gradual remission of the disease, prevent further deterioration and
considerably improve quality of life as well as overall life span of affected
individuals. Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus
has a significant role to play in the management and treatment of PLS.
The writer, Dr. A. A.
Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
