Periventricular leukomalacia
is a medical condition which affects unborn or newborn children. Premature babies are most at risk from this
condition, which results from a lack of oxygen or blood flow to the periventricular
areas of the brain. This causes a softening
and death of the white matter of the brain, resulting in a disruption of nerve
impulses from the brain to the body muscles.
PVL can cause symptoms such as motor disorders, delayed mental
development, coordination problems, and impaired hearing. In addition, cerebral
palsy may result due to bleeding in the brain.
An ultrasonography examination of the head is usually required to make
the diagnosis of PVL. There is no
specific treatment for this condition in the modern system of medicine. Treatment of symptoms is symptomatic and
supportive, with periodical medical screening.
The overall outcome for this condition depends upon the severity of
brain damage which can cause symptoms ranging from very mild symptoms to significant
disability and early death.
Brain damage and
death of brain cells in the first few months of life carries with it a serious
morbidity and mortality, and puts a severe constraint on the available and
possible treatments. Ayurvedic treatment
for PVL consists of the application of highly aggressive therapy for prolonged
periods in order to bring about the maximum possible improvement. Herbal medicines have some strong advantages
in the medication possible for PVL, since these can be given in high doses and
for prolonged periods even for very small children. The mainstay of treatment is the use of herbs
which have a specific action on the brain and the central nervous system. These medicines help in strengthening brain
cells, in reversing brain damage to the maximum extent possible and bringing
about new interconnections between the brain cells so as to normalize the
transmission of nerve impulses from the brain cells to the body muscles.
Herbal medicines
which have a specific action of normalizing metabolism of damaged cells are very
useful in the management of this condition. These medicines are useful in
reversing damage to the periventricular areas of the brain. Improvement is slow to take place; however,
regular treatment for periods ranging from one to two years can bring about
noticeable improvement in affected children, along with a significant
improvement in neuromuscular and sensory disability.
Complex herbo-mineral
combinations of medicines are best avoided while treating children affected
with PVL. Herbal medicines, as mentioned
earlier, are the safest for prolonged use.
Useful medications to strengthen the brain include Ashwagandha (Withania
somnifera), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Bala (Sida cordifolia),
Yashtimadhuk (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri),
and Shankapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis).
Herbal medicines which normalise metabolism and are useful in reversing
brain damage include Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica), Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Pippali
(Piper longum), Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Kutaj (Holharrhina antidysentrica),
Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Patha (Cissampelos pariera), and Saariva (Hemidesmus
indicus).
Localized treatment
in the form of light, full body massage, using medicated oils, can also be used
to supplement oral herbal therapy. The
aim of Ayurvedic herbal treatment is to minimize long-term damage, improve
quality of life, reduce symptoms, improve neuromuscular coordination and sensory
ability, and increase the overall life span of affected children. Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a
definite role to play in the management and treatment of Periventricular leukomalacia.
The writer, Dr. A. A.
Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
