Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN)

 Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a rare autoimmune disorder which involves generalized inflammation of small arteries in the body affecting mostly the skin, joints, peripheral nerves, intestines and kidneys, though the lings are usually spared. Common symptoms include fever, night sweats, weight loss, skin ulcerations or tender nodules, and severe muscle and joint pains, developing over weeks or months. PAN may be related to Hepatitis B and C infections, as also to genetic mutations. This disease can have serious long-term complications, especially if associated with intestinal, renal, heart or brain damage.

 Conservative treatment is usually with steroids and immune suppressant drugs. The overall outlook can be considerably improved with these medicines; however, the long term prognosis still remains grim. Since multiple organs and body systems may get involved, this condition may require comprehensive management by a group of multispecialty physicians.

 Ayurvedic herbal treatment is very effective in comprehensively treating PAN including the inflammation and damage to arteries, as well as treating and preventing long term complications. Herbal medicines can treat inflamed arteries, reduce the formation of micro aneurysms, and prevent long term damage, blockage and infarct, which cause long term damage to the organs they supply. Herbal medicines can also induce healing in inflamed arteries without compromising on immunity. Associated symptoms, or known causes, such as hepatitis, and chronic infections, need to be treated separately with appropriate herbs. 

For a complete remission and to prevent long term relapses, the full spectrum of Ayurvedic treatment needs to be given, including detoxification, rejuvenation, and immune modulation. The various stages of these treatments need different medicines, while the herbs for the presenting symptoms and PAN pathology are continued concurrently. 

Depending upon the type of presentation, the severity of presenting symptoms, and the stage at which treatment has been commenced; Ayurvedic herbal treatment needs to be given from periods ranging from 4 months to nearly 18 months, in order to be able to fully treat all the clinical presentations of PAN. Judiciously used, Ayurvedic herbal treatment can successfully manage and treat PAN, and significantly reduce morbidity and mortality resulting from this disease. Early commencement of treatment ensures a more complete cure and reduces the chances for long term complications or relapse.

 

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 PAN, kindly click on this link https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com/product-page/polyarteritis-nodosa-pan 

Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Hepatorenal Syndrome

Hepatorenal syndrome is a medical condition characterized by the development of kidney failure in patients having advanced, chronic liver disease. Nearly 40 % of patients having liver cirrhosis and ascites (fluid collection in the abdominal cavity) stand a risk of developing this condition. The resulting damage in the kidneys is functional, not structural, and is believed to result from constriction of the renal arteries, with concurrent vasodilatation in the body periphery. Type 1 hepatorenal syndrome has an average survival of 2-10 weeks, while type 2 has a median survival of 3-6 months. Liver transplantation is currently the only mode of treatment in modern medicine, which can improve long term survival; however, this procedure is prohibitively costly, involves a long waiting period, and has the potential for serious complications.

Blood and urine tests as well as other tests like abdominal ultrasonography may help diagnose other causes of kidney failure, since hepatorenal syndrome is primarily a diagnosis of exclusion. No specific modern medicine is currently known to be useful in the treatment of this condition. It is important to look for precipitating factors like infection and obstruction, which can be potentially treated completely, with chances of reversing the condition. Paracentesis (removal of accumulated water from the abdominal cavity) can relieve symptoms and may also help partially reverse the condition.

Hepatorenal syndrome is one medical condition where the timely institution of Ayurvedic herbal treatment can dramatically change the characteristically poor prognosis of this disease. Treated with high doses of herbal medicines, ascites can be virtually cleared up within one to two months.  Depending upon the severity of liver and kidney damage, liver and kidney parameters return to near normal levels within three to six months. It is important to commence treatment at the earliest in order to get maximum beneficial results.

It is equally important to maintain the morale of the patient, since modern medicine has little to offer other than liver transplantation, and most patients can be devastated on receiving this information. Regular monitoring of the patient is essential by different health professionals, including the nephrologist, general physician, and nutritionist. This can help maintain the patient’s health and day-to-day care, and detect any new or unforeseen medical situations.

          Ayurvedic herbal medicines are usually continued in high doses till the patient is completely asymptomatic, with stable liver and kidney parameters for at least three to four months. After this, the dosage of medicines may be gradually tapered with careful monitoring. In order to prevent a relapse, in most patients, it is advisable to continue a few medicines for the kidney and liver on a long term basis, or possibly, lifelong.

            Most patients can lead near normal lives with a good quality of life, and with the minimum possible medication. Ayurvedic herbal medicines can thus be utilized in the successful and comprehensive management of hepatorenal syndrome.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Meniere Disease

Meniere disease, also known as idiopathic endolymphatic hydrops, is a disease of the inner ear involving increased pressure within the inner ear endolymphatic system. This causes the typical symptoms of episodic vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and a sensation of fullness in the ear, known as aural fullness. When there is no known cause for this condition, it is known as meniere disease; with a known cause responsible for the condition, it is termed as meniere syndrome.

Metabolic disturbances, hormonal imbalance, trauma, autoimmune disorders, allergy, and various infections can cause this condition. Severe attacks of vertigo can be debilitating. The disease runs a chronic course with remissions and exacerbations. Most patients eventually stabilize; however, with long term hearing loss and imbalance as permanent features.

Modern treatment is aimed at giving symptomatic relief from the episodic vertigo, which is the most distressing symptom in this condition. There are specific medicines which are used for this on a short term basis. In addition, medicines like steroids and diuretics reduce inflammation and fluid pressure in the inner ear.

Ayurvedic treatment can be used on a more comprehensive basis to treat all the symptoms associated with meniere disease. Herbal medicines reduce the inflammation and swelling in the inner ear both on a short term as well as long term basis. Other herbs help reduce the inner ear damage and provide nutrition to the sensitive components of the inner ear so as to help reduce hearing loss, and improve hearing to the maximum extent possible. There are also some herbs which have a specific action of treating tinnitus in the ears.

While acute, severe vertigo is best treated with modern medicines, moderate level and mild vertigo, as well as chronic and recurrent vertigo, can be treated more effectively with the help of Ayurvedic herbal medicines. Depending upon the severity of symptoms, patients affected with this condition may require treatment for about 4-8 months. Rasayan (tonification) level Ayurvedic medicines are also available which can help to improve immunity, remove chronic inflammation, and prevent recurrence of meniere disease.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease which involves increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries, which can in the long run cause right sided heart failure and death. Weakness, breathlessness, and occasional giddiness and falls are vague symptoms; signs and symptoms of right sided heart failure usually present in advanced cases or in those without treatment. 2-d echo tests, along with a clinical history, a possible family history, and other supporting tests can help in a diagnosis.

Congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, left ventricular failure, connective tissue disease, infections, drug toxicity, chronic lung disease, high altitude disease, tumors; and disorders related to metabolic disease, blood clotting diseases, and systemic diseases,  are all possible causes for PAH. When no specific cause can be located for the condition, it is termed as idiopathic PAH.

Treatment of PAH is with drugs which bring about smooth muscle relaxation of arteries thereby causing vasodilatation and reduction in pressure of pulmonary arteries. Calcium channel blockers and derivatives of prostacycline form the mainstay of this treatment. With the use of these medications, the overall prognosis of patients with PAH has improved considerably, along with increased survival rates. Patients who do not tolerate these drugs or do not respond satisfactorily to these medications can be started on Ayurvedic treatment.

Ayurvedic herbal medicines reduce inflammation, reduce blockage, bring about vessel dilatation, and reduce resistance. Herbal medicines which act on blood, blood vessels, lung tissue, as well as the gastrointestinal system are used in combinations to bring about maximum benefit to patients. It is also important to treat the known causes of PAH. Multi pronged herbal therapy which acts on several tissues has a much better clinical effect and the patient gets sustained benefit even after cessation of therapy.

Most patients with mild to moderate severity of PAH get significant relief with about 8-12 months of treatment and maintain themselves well even without drugs for several years. Adequate life style modifications are required so that the chances for recurrence are completely avoided or minimized. Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus be judiciously utilized in the comprehensive management of PAH.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN)

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a rare autoimmune disorder which involves generalized inflammation of small arteries in the body affecting mostly the skin, joints, peripheral nerves, intestines and kidneys, though the lings are usually spared. Common symptoms include fever, night sweats, weight loss, skin ulcerations or tender nodules, and severe muscle and joint pains, developing over weeks or months. PAN may be related to Hepatitis B and C infections, as also to genetic mutations. This disease can have serious long-term complications, especially if associated with intestinal, renal, heart or brain damage.

Conservative treatment is usually with steroids and immune suppressant drugs. The overall outlook can be considerably improved with these medicines; however, the long term prognosis still remains grim. Since multiple organs and body systems may get involved, this condition may require comprehensive management by a group of multispecialty physicians.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment is very effective in comprehensively treating PAN including the inflammation and damage to arteries, as well as treating and preventing long term complications. Herbal medicines can treat inflamed arteries, reduce the formation of micro aneurysms, and prevent long term damage, blockage and infarct, which cause long term damage to the organs they supply. Herbal medicines can also induce healing in inflamed arteries without compromising on immunity. Associated symptoms, or known causes, such as hepatitis, and chronic infections, need to be treated separately with appropriate herbs.

For a complete remission and to prevent long term relapses, the full spectrum of Ayurvedic treatment needs to be given, including detoxification, rejuvenation, and immune modulation. The various stages of these treatments need different medicines, while the herbs for the presenting symptoms and PAN pathology are continued concurrently.

Depending upon the type of presentation, the severity of presenting symptoms, and the stage at which treatment has been commenced; Ayurvedic herbal treatment needs to be given from periods ranging from 8 months to nearly 18 months, in order to be able to fully treat all the clinical presentations of PAN. Judiciously used, Ayurvedic herbal treatment can successfully manage and treat PAN, and significantly reduce morbidity and mortality resulting from this disease. Early commencement of treatment ensures a more complete cure and reduces the chances for long term complications or relapse.

The writer, Dr A A Mundewadi, is available as an Ayurvedic consultant at  www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com  and www.ayurvedaphysician.com  You can start treatment for this condition here

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss and hearing impairment are conditions which can severely affect quality of life, confidence, academic performance as well as earning potential, in addition to increasing the risk to life and limb. Hearing loss can be present at birth, or present later on in life. It can be bilateral or unilateral; it can also happen suddenly or present gradually. Medically, hearing loss can be classified into three types: (1) Sensorineural (2) Conductive and (3) Mixed.  Causes include wax, eardrum perforation, chronic infection, trauma, exposure to loud sounds, diseases of the inner ear or middle ear, tumors, congenital defects, drugs and old age.

The treatment of hearing loss depends upon the known causes for the condition. Conservative management includes avoiding causes where possible, treating allergies and chronic infection, and providing nutrients which may help improve hearing. Such treatments help overcome mild to moderate hearing loss; however, severe hearing loss - both of the sensorineural and conductive types - requires more aggressive management in the form of using hearing aids and surgical implants.

Specific Ayurvedic treatment can be provided depending upon whether the hearing loss is of the sensorineural type or the conductive type. For conductive hearing loss, medicines which act on the bone tissue are used in addition to herbs which have a specific action on the ear and aid in hearing. For sensorineural hearing loss, herbal medicines are used which act specifically on the inner ear and strengthen the auditory nerve. Additionally, if there is a known cause for the hearing loss, it also helps to treat this cause separately. For mixed type of hearing loss, a combination treatment is invariably required.

The average treatment time for hearing loss is about six to eight months. With the availability of newer and better herbal and herbomineral combination medicines, improvement is possible in sensorineural hearing loss of about 70-90%, while the improvement for conductive hearing loss is in the range of 60-80%. Refractory patients may require longer periods of treatment. It also helps to adopt a healthy lifestyle, take adequate rest and nutrition, and avoid stress and exposure to loud sounds.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a unique role to play in the successful management and treatment of hearing loss.

The writer, Dr A A Mundewadi, is available as an Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) – Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Pulmonary hypertension, also known as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), is a rare medical condition in which the pressure in the blood vessel of the lungs increases much beyond normal. Due to various reasons, the blood vessel contract and become hard, making it difficult for blood to flow through. This causes increased strain on the right side of the heart, resulting in right sided heart failure and symptoms like breathlessness, fatigue, swelling of the ankles, and blue lips.

PAH is of different types: idiopathic; familial; secondary to other diseases; and associated with left heart disease, lung disease, and thrombo-embolic disease. Conservative treatment includes the use of medications which relax blood vessels and prevent narrowing, prevent blood clots, remove excess fluid, and help the heart pump blood more efficiently. Lifestyle changes like regular light exercises help improve symptoms. Some patients may require oxygen therapy. Blood clots may require surgical removal. Patients who do not respond satisfactorily to medications may require lung or heart-lung transplantation.

Ayurvedic treatment can help achieve good control of symptoms, reduce the hardening and blockage of blood vessels, and treat known causes for this condition. Patients with mild to moderate severity of symptoms achieve control with about 4 to 6 months of treatment. Patients with severe PAH may require more aggressive and prolonged treatment. Most patients who achieve a remission of symptoms do well for prolonged periods without any medication; however, regular monitoring is desirable. Such individuals should also take care to avoid extreme or harsh climatic conditions, and strenuous lifestyles.

Ayurvedic treatment is especially useful for those patients who do not respond satisfactorily to modern medications and are also not good candidates for surgery. Ayurvedic herbal treatment can prove to be a life saver for such patients with PAH.

In the late stages, blocked and constricted, hardened blood vessels can get fibrosed, leading to a further aggravation of the situation. Since medicines may not be so effective at this stage, it is advisable to commence treatment at the earliest to get the maximum possible results.

The writer, Dr A A Mundewadi, is available as an Ayurvedic consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com

Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy – Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is a rare disease which is mainly of genetic origin.  This condition causes an overgrowth of the endocardium, the innermost layer of the heart muscles. The excess amount of muscle causes a severe compromise of the heart function of pumping blood. This condition can cause life threatening arrhythmias, severe heart failure and sudden death. The risk of sudden death can be alleviated using an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Medicines are given to reduce the force and rate of heart contractions. Treatment is also given in the form of surgery to directly cut off the excess muscle, and catheter based alcohol ablation. Both procedures can cause serious complications, with high probability of recurrence.

Ayurvedic treatment can be judiciously used to successfully treat this condition. It is important to start treatment at the earliest, immediately after diagnosis, since this can give the best possible results. Delay in starting treatment can lead to the possibility of serious complications including sudden death. In addition, in the long run, the enlarged muscle may be replaced with fibrous tissue, at which stage a reversal with medications may not be possible.

Ayurvedic treatment can be given concurrently with modern medications. Regular treatment is essential, with a follow up 2D echo test at every three months, to ensure that the patient is responding well to treatment. A definite reduction the interventricular septal thickness can be recorded with about 6 months of treatment. It is advisable to continue treatment till a near normal-thickness interventricular septum is visualized. Depending upon the degree of response, treatment duration of about 12 to 18 months is recommended.

Most patients can lead a near normal life after completing a full course of Ayurvedic treatment. Since this is a hereditary, genetic disorder, a lifelong periodical follow up is mandatory in order to pick up a possible recurrence of the condition. Depending upon the severity of recurrence, small courses of treatment can be repeated as required.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Acute Intermittent Porphyria (AIP)

Acute Intermittent Porphyria (AIP) is an acute manifestation pf porphyria, which is an inherited metabolic disorder. Deficiency of enzymes leads to deficient conversion into heme and thereby accumulation in the body of porphyrins. This causes neurological, visceral, psychiatric, or cutaneous manifestations of symptoms including severe abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting, muscular pain, convulsions, tingling, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, high blood pressure, tachycardia, itching and rash.

Urine in the acute presentation is typically red colored, and contains high amounts of porphobilinogen, which is diagnostic of this condition. Treatment is with intravenous glucose, simple pain killers, and oral or intravenous hematin. Medications, fasting, smoking, infections, surgery, stress, alcohol use, menstrual hormones, and exposure to sun are known to precipitate symptoms of this condition.

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.

The writer, Dr A A Mundewadi, is available as an online consultant at  https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com  and www.ayurvedaphysician.com  For Ayurvedic herbal treatment of AIP, kindly click on this link https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com/product-page/porphyria-aip  For Ayurvedic herbal treatment of porphyria with nervous system involvement or with motor neuron disease, kindly click on this link https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com/product-page/porphyria-cns-mnd  

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Cholesteatoma

Cholesteatoma is a noncancerous growth which can occur in the middle ear canal.  This usually results from keratinizing squamous epithelium in the middle ear and/or mastoid process. Though this is not a cancerous growth, it can cause considerable destruction of the inner and middle ear and surrounding regions.  It can therefore cause deafness, giddiness, ear discharge, pain and irritation of the facial nerve, and rarely cause infection and damage to the brain.  A chronic and persistent ear discharge accompanied by deafness is usually taken to be due to cholesteatoma unless proved otherwise.  Physicians need to be very alert in order to diagnose this condition in a timely manner.  Modern management of this condition is by surgery; however the surgery itself can cause permanent damage and hearing loss.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for cholesteatoma is aimed at treating the growth aggressively so as to cause a complete remission at the earliest and prevent damage to the middle and inner ear structures as well as surrounding organs and brain.  Herbal medicines which reduce tumor growth as well as act specifically on the ear are used in high doses.  There are several medicines and herbal combinations which have a specific action on different diseases of the external and internal ear organs.  A combination of these medicines is used in order to treat and cure the disease.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment may be required for periods ranging from three to six months; however, regular assessment is important in order to ensure that the disease is responding to treatment so as to prevent risk of life and other complications.

The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com