MDR tuberculosis stands for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, while the term XDR stands for extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis. These medical conditions are of serious concern in the current world-wide scenario related to tuberculosis treatment. An increasingly large number of patients affected with tuberculosis have shown no improvement with the current standard regimens for tuberculosis treatment. This is gradually creating a situation where the tuberculosis bacilli are gradually becoming treatment resistant. This situation will significantly increase the mortality from this disease, and may drastically alter the current known prognosis of this disease.
The modern treatment of MDR and XDR tuberculosis employs the use of several second line and third line anti-bacterial agents which, in addition to being very costly, are also highly toxic. Therapy with these drugs is therefore a very tricky issue, and results shown so far have not been very promising. The use of Ayurvedic medicines, either as additional therapy or as stand-alone drugs, has assumed considerable importance in the treatment of MDR and XDR tuberculosis.
The role of Ayurvedic medicines in the treatment of resistant tuberculosis is many-fold. These medicines act directly on the tuberculosis bacilli and render them inactive. These medicines also improve both the local as well as general immunity of the body, so that the weakened response of the body to the bacterial onslaught is strengthened, and the inflammatory response is inhibited or prevented altogether. Ayurvedic medicines also help the body to repair the damage done by the tuberculosis infection. The toxic effects of modern medicines on the liver, kidneys and other organs can be prevented or minimised, and the organs can be helped to repair themselves. Ayurvedic medicines also help to revitalise the body and improve weight.
Ayurvedic treatment, given for about six months, can thus help to give a new lease of life to people affected with MDR and XDR tuberculosis.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com
