Aspergillosis is a
disease caused by infection by Aspergillus fungi. This condition is usually seen in
immunocompromised individuals, either due to disease or due to the use of immuno-suppressive
drugs. Aspergillosis is a leading cause
of death in acute leukaemia and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The
symptoms in this condition vary according to the organ affected. If the ear canal is affected, It causes
symptoms like itching, pain, and ear discharge.
Infection related to the sinuses causes symptoms like pain, congestion
and discharge. When the lungs are
infected, common symptoms include cough, fever, breathlessness, and hemoptysis. Deep-seated infection within the body causes
symptoms like fever, chills, shock, bleeding, kidney failure and liver failure. Routine investigations for aspergillosis
include x-ray, CT scan and biopsy. In
the modern system of medicine, management of aspergillosis includes treatment
with steroids and anti-fungal medicines.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment
of aspergillosis includes specific treatment for the fungus infection,
symptomatic treatment of the symptoms, specific treatment according to the
organ affected, and immune boosting treatment in order to improve the overall immune
status of the body.
Inflammation, pain,
and other symptoms can be treated with the use of different herbal medicines
which are very useful in reducing such symptoms. Ayurvedic medicines which have
a specific antifungal, antibacterial and anti-septic action are used in high
doses in the management of aspergillosis
The most important
aspect of Ayurvedic herbal treatment for aspergillosis is to give medicines
which have a specific action on the immune status of the affected individuals. These
medicines help to reduce the infection, treat related symptoms promptly, as
well as prevent long-term morbidity and mortality. Depending upon the severity of infection, treatment
usually needs to be given for periods ranging from one to six months. Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a
specific role to play in the management and treatment of aspergillosis.
The writer, Dr. A. A.
Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
