Porphyria – Modern (Allopathic) Versus Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

 Porphyrias are a group of inherited metabolic disorders, in which deficiency of enzymes causes a buildup of porphyrins, which are required for the synthesis of hemoglobin in red blood cells. This abnormal buildup affects the skin, nerves, brain, and internal organs, causing symptoms like severe abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting, muscular pain, convulsions, tingling, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, high blood pressure, tachycardia, itching and rash. Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is an acute manifestation of this condition.

The abnormal buildup of porphyrins causes urine to be typically red colored with the excretion of porphobilinogen, and this is diagnostic of the condition. Symptoms are precipitated by medications, fasting, smoking, infections, surgery, stress, alcohol, menstrual hormones, and exposure to sun. Treatment in the modern (allopathic) system of medicine is with intravenous glucose, simple pain killers, and oral or intravenous Hematin. While the acute condition can be treated adequately in a well equipped hospital, modern medicine cannot prevent further episodes, other than by recommending avoidance of the precipitating factors as well as all unnecessary medications.

The pathology suggests disturbed metabolism and creation of unhealthy blood tissue and vitiated pitta. Features are indicative of Raktapitta disease moving in the downward direction. Depending upon the exact pathophysiology, skin, brain and kidneys are also liable to be affected.

Treatment involves correction of faulty pitta and normalization of blood tissue, correction of metabolism, along with control of a disturbed vata. Other symptoms can be concurrently treated with Ayurvedic medicines. Most patients can be well controlled with Ayurvedic therapy of a few weeks to a few months. Recurrent attacks of pain can be well controlled, provided the patient meticulously avoids all known aggravating causes. Patients having severe neuropsychiatric symptoms may require prolonged treatment of about 6-10 months.

After the initial treatment, once all symptoms have gone in complete remission, it is usually sufficient to just observe the patient for any signs of recurrence or relapse. Most day to day medical issues can be easily handled with Ayurvedic medication, and the patients as well as caretakers quickly learn to manage the situation on their own. It is fortunate that most Ayurvedic medications are well tolerated by patients suffering from porphyria, and so affected individuals need not get intimidated by the long list of Allopathic medications which they cannot take.

Porphyria patients can thus be comprehensively treated and managed on a long term basis with the help of Ayurvedic herbal medicines.

The writer, Dr A A Mundewadi, is available as an online consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com For Ayurvedic herbal treatment of recurrent porphyria episodes, click here For Ayurvedic herbal treatment of porphyria with neuropsychiatric involvement, kindly click here

Migraine – Modern (Allopathic) Versus Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

 Migraine is a medical condition which affects mainly women and can prove incapacitating in nature, with symptoms such as severe headache, nausea, vomiting and light sensitivity, which may last from four to seventy-two hours. The onset is usually between ten and forty years of age; it may be aggravated with menstruation and may – in a few affected individuals – improve or disappear by the age of fifty. Nearly one billion people worldwide are estimated to be suffering from this condition, and it is believed to be more common than diabetes, epilepsy and asthma combined.

Migraine may be inherited, and triggered or aggravated by certain foods, caffeine, weather changes, bright light, menstruation, fatigue, stress, and irregular sleep and meals. While the exact mechanism of the disease is as yet not clear, it is believed that the triggers stimulate the trigeminal nerve and cause increased swelling in the blood vessels lining the brain.  This in turn releases neurotransmitters which cause pain and inflammation. Typically, this condition severely disrupts the quality of life of affected patients; in a few individuals, there may be additional symptoms related to the eyes and brain which may be severe enough to warrant hospital admission and intensive care.

The conservative management of migraine includes over-the-counter pain killers, medicines to counter nausea and vomiting, preventive medications (medicines to control blood pressure, convulsions, antidepressants, and CGRP inhibitors [which reduce nerve pain and inflammation]), biofeedback, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Avoiding the known trigger factors, stress management, relaxation training, regular meal schedule, and moderate exercise can also help reduce the severity and frequency of migraines. Other than those suffering from comorbid medical conditions, people affected with migraine usually have normal blood and imaging reports.

The Ayurvedic management of people with migraine involves taking a detailed medical history; including severity and frequency of symptoms, trigger factors, diet and lifestyle. Lifestyle and dietary modifications are suggested. Ayurvedic herbal medicines are given to provide symptomatic relief from symptoms as well as to treat the known causes, as determined by the clinical history. The treatment of hyperacidity, indigestion, constipation, and stress, go a long way in successfully treating migraine as well as preventing further episodes. It is important to treat inflammation in cranial blood vessels in order to reduce the tendency for recurrent migraine attacks, as well as to treat a hyper-reactive nervous system.

In addition to oral treatment, medicated nose drops are used to treat inflammation of blood vessels and involvement of the brain, which may – in individuals with severe migraine – mimic symptoms of stroke, blindness, and glaucoma.  Nose drops may be used both to alleviate an acute attack as well as to prevent migraine. Regular courses of medicated enemas are used to treat a hyper-reactive nervous system. A special treatment modality known as Shirobasti is used to treat severe forms of stress which may be causing recurrent attacks of migraine.

Refractory patients who do not respond well to simple oral treatment are given courses of Panchkarma detoxification treatments in the form of periodical blood-letting and induced purgation. The treatment response varies widely from patient to patient; some individuals with long-standing, severe symptoms respond dramatically to just one short course of treatment, while others with milder symptoms may require a protracted course of treatment with more medicines, that too, in higher doses.

Migraine is a chronic disease which significantly affects the quality of life of affected individuals, and is a public health issue with serious health and economic consequences. While modern medicine can reduce the severity and frequency of migraine episodes, it currently does not offer a cure. Ayurvedic herbal treatment can help provide significant improvement in patients with migraine, and can bring about a cure for most affected people.

The writer, Dr A A Mundewadi, is available as an Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com For Ayurvedic herbal treatment of migraine, kindly click here 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – Modern (Allopathic) Versus Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

 Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common medical condition which affects many individuals and is quite distressing, though it is largely benign in nature. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, discomfort, cramping, bloating, and loose motions or constipation. Symptoms vary from person to person and management may therefore vary considerably between affected individuals. A diagnosis is usually made on the basis of symptoms and by ruling out all possible organic causes. Typically, most patients have a chronic history but do not exhibit symptoms of weight loss or other serious symptoms like fever, rectal bleeding, or anemia. Stress and food allergies are believed to be important causative factors. This condition can usually be managed satisfactorily, with changes in diet and lifestyle. 

The modern management of IBS includes advice to avoid trigger factors, eat high fiber foods, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and get sufficient sleep. Treatment includes fiber supplements, laxatives, medications for diarrhea and abdominal pain, and antidepressants. Other medications to reduce intestinal spasm, hyper-motility, increased intestinal secretions, and antibiotics are also used as indicated. 

Ayurvedic herbal treatment is also aimed at specifically treating the causative factors. Herbal medicines which are used for IBS strengthen the intestinal walls, help in digestion and assimilation of food, reduce and normalize excessive movement of the intestines, regulate intestinal secretions and reduce allergy or sensitivity of the mucosal wall of the intestines. Ayurvedic treatment is also given to treat stress and anxiety, which are known causative factors of IBS. 

The successful, long term management of IBS patients requires not only symptomatic treatment but also medicines to improve the general immune status of the body as well as strengthening of all body tissues, especially blood and muscle tissues. The ultimate treatment goal for IBS is to create a sound mind along with a strong, healthy body. Modern treatment is usually required regularly or intermittently on a long term or even life-long basis, in order to satisfactorily control symptoms.  In contrast, with about six to eight months of Ayurvedic herbal treatment, patients with chronic or severe IBS improve dramatically, and most of them can learn to gradually live near normal lives without any major medication, though diet and lifestyle modifications may be required. After a complete remission of symptoms, the dose and frequency of medicines can be gradually reduced and then tapered off completely.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant role to play in the successful management and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com  To start treatment for IBS, kindly click here