Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
is a medical condition which relates to reduced supply of oxygen to the
brain. In older children and adults, it
is also known as global hypoxic-Ischemic injury or cerebral hypoxia. In neonates, this condition usually occurs
before the onset of labor but may also be caused during labor or
postnatal. In the neonate it may cause
considerable brain damage, leading to abnormal levels of consciousness, muscle
tone, reflexes, feeding, respiration, and convulsions. In older children, drowning and asphyxiation are
common causes; whereas in adults, it is usually caused due to cardiac arrest or
cardiovascular disease, causing secondary hypoxia. In terms of severity,
cerebral hypoxia can be classified as diffuse, focal, global, and massive. The reduction in oxygen supply causes damage
or death of the brain cells, and -- depending upon the severity -- can cause
temporary symptoms, long-term motor and sensory disability, paralysis, coma or
death. The management is primarily
supportive, and depends upon the neurological disability and organ dysfunction. Immediate management relates to supply of
oxygen, hypothermia (in neonates), removal of known causes, as well as other
supportive intensive care.
Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy,
irrespective of age, needs to be treated as a medical emergency, and time is of
utmost importance in preventing disability, reducing brain damage, and saving
life. At this stage, treatment is best
done with the help of modern medicines in hospitals equipped with intensive
care facilities. However, once the acute
stage has passed, long-term disability and complications can be reduced or
prevented with the help of Ayurvedic herbal treatment.
Ayurvedic medicines
can be utilised to treat the known causes of the condition, especially
cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and/or blockage of arteries and
capillaries. The main treatment consists
of using herbal medicines in high doses, which have a specific action of
strengthening the nervous system and brain.
These medicines can reduce or revert brain damage, and can help build up
synaptic connections between the nerve cells as well as improve the functioning
of the entire brain
This treatment can be
supplemented by localised treatment in the form of Ayurvedic Panchkarma procedures
such as generalised massage, fomentation using medicated decoctions, and other
specialized procedures like Shirodhara.
The duration of
treatment depends upon the severity of symptoms and extent of damage seen in affected
individuals. Treatment is usually
required for periods ranging from 3 to 15 months. Ayurvedic herbal treatment can significantly
improve quality of life of individuals affected with cerebral hypoxia. It can also significantly reduce disability,
prevent complications, and improve overall survival of affected
individuals. Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus
has a definite role to play in the management of hypoxic Ischemic encephalopathy
or cerebral hypoxia.
The writer, Dr. A. A.
Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com
