Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a condition in which the affected individual experiences a severe difficulty in breathing and also has associated symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, and fever.  ARDS is usually caused due to severe body insult such as major trauma, sepsis, overdose of drugs, blood transfusion, or a major lung infection.  ARDS results in significantly reduced levels of oxygen in the blood which in turn gradually leads to multiple organ failure in the body.  All patients affected with ARDS need intensive care along with intravenous fluids, antibiotics, steroids, and mechanical ventilation with oxygen.  In spite of all such efforts, mortality in ARDS continues to remain very high.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment can be given as additional and supportive treatment for individuals affected with ARDS, in addition to intensive supportive care.  Ayurvedic treatment is aimed at improving the perfusion of oxygen from the lungs into the blood circulation by removing the blockage in the lungs.  In addition to this treatment, medicines are also given to maintain circulatory perfusion of the entire body and especially for important organs such as the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs and the brain.  Ayurvedic herbal medicines are also given in order to treat the known cause for the condition as well as to treat and reduce inflammation and swelling in the lungs.

Aggressive treatment with Ayurvedic herbal medicines usually results in improving the pathology in the lungs in about 4 to7 days and this improves the level of oxygen in the circulation, and the patient starts improving gradually.  Ayurvedic herbal medicines are also given to improve the immunity of the affected individual so as to help fight against the infection affecting the body.  Toxins and debris generated due to ARDS are removed from the circulation either through the gastrointestinal tract or through the kidneys.  Combined management of modern, conservative intensive care as well as Ayurvedic supportive treatment usually results in a complete recovery of the affected individual within two to four weeks, after which further Ayurvedic treatment can be continued for another four to six weeks in order to prevent a relapse of the condition as well as long-term complications.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant role to play in the management of ARDS.

The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Multiple Organ Failure

Multiple organ failure is also known as multiple system organ failure and is a medical condition which involves a progressively deteriorating dysfunction of two or more organs or organ systems in the body, usually resulting from severe infection or a generalised process of sepsis in the body.  Infection causes generalised and systemic inflammation in the body as a result of which multiple organ and multiple system failure gradually occurs, involving the circulatory system, lungs, liver, kidneys, intestines and central nervous system.  This is further compounded by various blood disorders which complicate the situation and reduce chances for an early recovery.  Multiple organ failure needs to be treated in the intensive care of very well equipped hospitals and involves generalised supportive care, intravenous fluids, antibiotics, steroids, and other medications to treat the overall condition.  In spite of technologically advanced supportive care in hospitals, mortality continues to be very high in individuals affected with multiple organ failure.

Because of the high associated mortality, it is very important to add Ayurvedic herbal treatment as supportive management in the treatment of all individuals affected with multiple organ failure.  Ayurvedic herbal medicines have a very important role in treating infection as well as reducing inflammation of different organs and systems in the body.  In addition to controlling and treating inflammation, Ayurvedic herbal medicines also reduce the toxins generated and remove these from the circulatory system either through the gastrointestinal system or through the kidneys.

Ayurvedic herbal medicines can also be used to boost the immune status of the body so as to help in the fight against the infection and inflammation.  Ayurvedic medicines can also be used to improve and maintain blood perfusion to vital organs and systems of the body so as to maintain and preserve life and reduce morbidity and mortality.  Depending upon the specific organs affected and the specific known cause for the condition, Ayurvedic herbal medicines can be used so as to reduce the damage to the specific organs and bring about an early recovery, with a minimisation of immediate and long-term damage.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment in such situations may be required for about two to eight weeks.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant role to play in the management and treatment of multiple organ failure.

The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a serious medical disorder in which there is a failure of generalised coagulation of the blood in the entire body.  This usually results from acute or serious infections, severe trauma, or as a result of other diseases.  Disseminated intravascular coagulation is usually characterized by generalised bleeding, septic shock, and multiple organ failure.  This condition needs to be treated in the intensive care of a hospital; however, the management in such a situation is mostly for life support and care, with the addition of steroids to treat the condition, and antibiotics for possible infection.

The Ayurvedic herbal treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation is aimed at treating the generalised inflammation process which commences in this condition.  It is this inflammation which acts upon the arteries, veins, and the capillaries and results in a generalised bleeding and oozing in the entire body.  The inflammatory process also gives rise to toxins which harm different vital organs and thereby cause multiple organ failure.  Ayurvedic medicines are given to promptly treat the inflammation, to boost the immunity of the body, and to protect all the vital organs.  Treatment is also given to treat the blood and blood vessels, so that harmful toxins and products of inflammation are swiftly removed from the body, usually through the urine.  Treatment of the inflammation also treats fever as well as infection present in the body.  Care is also taken to individually treat the vital organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys.

If not treated aggressively and correctly, disseminated intravascular coagulation can produce considerable morbidity and mortality.  It is important, in the best interest of the patient, to combine hospital intensive care and judicious Ayurvedic treatment so as to treat the condition promptly and save life.  Not only in the treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation, but in the treatment of all serious medical conditions, the benefits of Ayurvedic therapy need to be well-documented and universally publicized.

The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com