Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a condition in which the affected individual experiences a severe difficulty in breathing and also has associated symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, and fever. ARDS is usually caused due to severe body insult such as major trauma, sepsis, overdose of drugs, blood transfusion, or a major lung infection. ARDS results in significantly reduced levels of oxygen in the blood which in turn gradually leads to multiple organ failure in the body. All patients affected with ARDS need intensive care along with intravenous fluids, antibiotics, steroids, and mechanical ventilation with oxygen. In spite of all such efforts, mortality in ARDS continues to remain very high.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment can be given as additional and supportive treatment for individuals affected with ARDS, in addition to intensive supportive care. Ayurvedic treatment is aimed at improving the perfusion of oxygen from the lungs into the blood circulation by removing the blockage in the lungs. In addition to this treatment, medicines are also given to maintain circulatory perfusion of the entire body and especially for important organs such as the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs and the brain. Ayurvedic herbal medicines are also given in order to treat the known cause for the condition as well as to treat and reduce inflammation and swelling in the lungs.
Aggressive treatment with Ayurvedic herbal medicines usually results in improving the pathology in the lungs in about 4 to7 days and this improves the level of oxygen in the circulation, and the patient starts improving gradually. Ayurvedic herbal medicines are also given to improve the immunity of the affected individual so as to help fight against the infection affecting the body. Toxins and debris generated due to ARDS are removed from the circulation either through the gastrointestinal tract or through the kidneys. Combined management of modern, conservative intensive care as well as Ayurvedic supportive treatment usually results in a complete recovery of the affected individual within two to four weeks, after which further Ayurvedic treatment can be continued for another four to six weeks in order to prevent a relapse of the condition as well as long-term complications.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant role to play in the management of ARDS.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
