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

Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disease of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by abdominal pain and a change in bowel movement. Abdominal bloating or distension is also present. Altered bowel habits include diarrhea, constipation, or both in an alternating manner. In spite of the chronicity, affected individuals do not lose weight. In fact, weight loss, blood in stools, acute onset, late age onset, progressive symptoms, nocturnal symptoms, fever, and painless diarrhea are symptoms which may point to some other organic causes.

The management of this condition consists primarily in providing psychological support, dietary advice, and the use of medicines for troublesome symptoms. While this condition is chronic, with a relapsing and remitting nature, life expectancy remains unaffected, and most patients learn to manage their symptoms well enough by paying attention to dietary triggers. Psychological interventions are effective, and include cognitive-behavioural therapy, dynamic psychotherapy, and hypnotherapy.

IBS is primarily believed to be a functional disorder, with the absence of a specific and unique organic pathology. Increase or a change in bowel motility, increased pain sensitivity of the bowels, and increased psychological disturbance are associated with this condition. In recent times, some patients’ medical work-up has demonstrated the presence of organic pathology such as increased microscopic inflammation in some parts of the bowels, and a change in the bacterial population in the intestines. Some patients report onset of IBS after a chronic infection or after an episode of chronic diarrhea.

The Ayurvedic herbal treatment of IBS depends upon the history and presentation of the disease and its symptoms. It is important to look for organic causes which may mimic the symptoms. Herbal medicines which improve digestion and treat distension are important in the treatment of IBS. Medicines which increase or decrease bowel movement are used as required. Ayurvedic medicines also significantly reduce inflammation in the intestines, and therefore bring about remission on a long term basis.

Herbal medicines are also used to strengthen the nervous system and bring into harmony the psychological status of affected individuals. Reassurance, appropriate medicines, and simple dietary changes form the mainstay of IBS treatment. Along with the digestive treatment mentioned in the previous paragraph, these measures help immensely in reducing the hyperalgesia and disturbed intestinal motility, which are the hall marks of this condition. Medicines may also be required to treat chronic infection, or the after-effects of severe infection, if the history documents commencement of IBS after an infection.

Depending upon the severity of symptoms and the psychological status of affected individuals, Ayurvedic herbal treatment may be required for periods ranging from a few months to a few years.  However, a majority of affected individuals are able to live near normal lives, with a few modifications in lifestyle and food habits.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Eczema

Eczema is an eruption of the skin, usually preceded by intense itching. The eruptions, which are actually fluid filled vesicles, usually rupture with the leakage of fluid, following by crusting of the rash. Most individuals have a hereditary component, and are also usually susceptible to asthma, and hay fever. Most individuals gradually outgrow the tendency to eczema by 5 years of age; those who do not, may have chronic and persistent affliction. Environmental factors are also responsible, like excessive dryness. Rough, tight clothes, harsh chemicals, sweating, rubber or plastic gloves, and frequent washing can also cause or aggravate the condition.

Diagnosis is usually made by looking at the characteristic appearance and distribution of the rash, along with a detailed history of its appearance and trigger factors. Rarely, a biopsy may be required for a confirmed diagnosis. Treatment is usually with anti-inflammatory and anti-itch creams as well as steroid applications. Emollient creams help preserve moisture in the skin and are helpful. Antibiotic applications or oral medicines are sometimes required to treat secondary infection. Individuals are advised to keep the skin clean, avoid known irritants, and wear loose, soft clothing.

There is always some element of hypersensitivity or allergy in the manifestation of eczema. While steroid and antihistamine applications suppress this sensitivity, Ayurvedic herbal medicines work directly on the skin, the subcutaneous tissue, and the vascular apparatus, to reduce sensitivity, treat inflammation, remove accumulated toxins and damaged tissue, reduce hyperpigmentation and strengthen the affected skin parts. Medicines are also given to heal the lesions and modulate overall immunity so that the tendency to recurrence subsides gradually.

For patients who have extensive lesions all over the body, or have intractable eczema not responding to standard oral treatment, generalized detoxification is done using Ayurvedic Panchkarma procedures. These include induced emesis, induced purgation, and bloodletting. A systematic course - or courses - of these detoxification procedures are done and followed up with oral treatment for helping the skin lesions subside fully, without recurrence. For limited, localized, and long-standing eczema, sometimes just simple bloodletting from a nearby vein does wonders as a standalone treatment.

From the point of view of Ayurved, dietary advice is an important part of treatment, both for early and complete healing, as well as for preventing recurrence. Dietary recommendations for eczema – and for all skin diseases in general – include avoiding excess of salt, curds (yogurt), sweets; fermented, fried or acidic food items; and fruit salads prepared in milk. Other than these, even other food items known to aggravate the condition, should be avoided. Breathing and relaxation techniques help in reducing stress. Clothing and lifestyle choices which act as triggers should also be avoided.

For most people affected with eczema, Ayurvedic herbal treatment of about 6-8 months usually suffices to bring about a complete remission. Further treatment at tapering doses, or dietary advice, suffices in bringing about a recurrence. Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus be judiciously used in the comprehensive management and treatment of chronic eczema.

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