Chronic pancreatitis is a condition in which the
patient experiences chronic or intermittent severe abdominal pain, due to a
chronic, continuing inflammatory process which gradually destroys the pancreas either
fully or partially. The presence of stones, cysts, increased lobularity, dilated
ducts and calcification are typical signs of chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic
enzyme blood levels are either normal or mildly elevated. In time, the organ
gradually loses its functions and the patient may end up with complications
like diabetes and malabsorption syndrome.
Alcohol
abuse, gall bladder stones, autoimmune disorders, and trauma are the known
causes of chronic pancreatitis, while in some patients the cause remains
unknown. Standard treatment includes pain management, prevention and treatment
of known causes, treatment of organ insufficiency or failure, and surgery.
Ayurvedic
herbal medicines can be very effectively used in chronic pancreatitis to reduce
pain and prevent or minimize long term, irreversible damage to the organ. Herbal
medicines can reduce the inflammation in the pancreas and thereby prevent long
term complications like cyst formation and calcification. Treatment can change
according to the known cause of the condition. It is advisable to start
Ayurvedic treatment at the earliest possible since this can bring about a
complete reversal of the inflammation and a complete cure. Even patients with chronic
history and visible damage to the pancreas have made a complete recovery
without a recurrence. Children with recurrent pancreatitis also do well with
Ayurvedic treatment and recover completely with treatment.
Any fresh episode of
pain can usually be treated successfully with Ayurvedic medicines, with very few
exceptions. Most patients who tend to
relapse or do not respond well to treatment usually have a history of faulty
compliance to treatment, inadequate diet control and a tendency to binge on
fatty foods and alcohol. Average treatment time for chronic pancreatitis is six to eight months, depending upon the severity of organ damage and the
response to treatment.
Ayurvedic herbal
treatment is therefore a viable treatment option for chronic and recurrent
pancreatitis. Early treatment can prevent irreversible damage and bring about
complete recovery, with minimal chances of recurrence.
The
writer, Dr A A Mundewadi, as available as an Ayurvedic Consultant at www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and www.ayurvedaphysician.com You can start treatment for this disease here
