Leigh's disease is a
rare neuro-metabolic disorder which affects the central nervous system. It is also known as Sub-Acute Necrotizing
Encephalomyelopathy (SNEM). This
inherited disorder is usually seen in infants between three months and two
years of age, and rarely in teenagers and adults. The brain stem and basal ganglia are damaged
due to a dysfunction of the mitochondrial DNA of the brain cells, leading to a
dysfunction of these parts, which in turn causes a severe degradation of motor
skills.
Common symptoms
include rigidity, tremor, tics, convulsions, poor sucking ability, loss of head
control, loss of appetite, vomiting, irritability, and -- in the late stages --
lactic acidosis, leading to respiratory failure, kidney failure, and heart
problems. This medical condition eventually
causes early death. There is no
treatment for this condition in the modern system of medicines. Affected infants are usually observed at regular
intervals and are advised a high fat and low carbohydrate diet.
The severity and
seriousness of this medical condition calls for highly aggressive Ayurvedic
treatment, which needs to be commenced at the earliest possible. Herbal medicines can be safely given to
infants in high doses, and for prolonged periods. Herbal medicines which have a specific
affinity for the brain and the central nervous system form the mainstay of treatment
in the management of Leigh's disease. In
addition, medicines which influence metabolism and activity of brain cells are
also highly useful in the management of this condition, since these regularize
functioning of brain cells and stabilise the brain cell structure for prolonged
periods.
A combination of such
herbal medicines eventually brings about gradual improvement in the functioning
of damaged parts of the brain, leading to improvement in motor skills and
reduction in the symptoms of this condition. Specific symptoms need to be
treated separately, depending upon the presentation and severity. Full body
massage with medicated oils can also be used to supplement oral treatment with
herbal medicines. Special Panchkarma procedures such as Shiro-Dhara and Basti
can be used as additional therapy, in order to help bring about a more concrete
and early therapeutic response.
Herbal medicines
which can normalize metabolism, structure and function of brain cells include
Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica), Marich (Piper nigrum), Guggulu (Commiphora mukul),
Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Kutaj (Holharrhina antidysentrica), and Patol
(Tricosanthe dioica),. Medicines which
have a strengthening effect on the brain cells include Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera),
Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Yashtimadhuk
(Glycyrrhiza glabra), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis),
and Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri).
Herbal medicines can
be powdered and administered safely to infants, mixed with milk and honey. Ayurvedic treatment needs to be given for
periods ranging from one to two years in order to bring about the maximum
possible improvement. The main aim of
Ayurvedic herbal treatment is to reduce damage to the brain, improve motor
skills to the maximum extent possible, improve quality of life, and improve the
life span of affected children.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant and positive role to
play in the management and treatment of Leigh's disease.
The writer, Dr. A. A.
Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
