Spondylosis – Modern (Allopathic) Versus Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

 Osteoarthritis of the spine is known as spondylosis and involves degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs as well as bone outgrowths known as osteophytes. Though the entire spine may be affected, more pronounced symptoms are seen with spondylosis of the neck and lower back regions. Spondylosis is entirely different from spondylitis, which involves inflammation; spondylolysis, which involves a defect or crack in the bony structure; and spondylolisthesis, which involves physical dislocation of the affected vertebra.

Ageing, genetics and trauma can cause or aggravate spondylosis. Chronic pain is the commonest symptom; accompanied by numbness and tingling if the disease process involves or puts pressure on nerves. This condition is managed conventionally with the use of medications, exercise, physiotherapy and lifestyle modifications; medications include non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, which reduce pain and swelling. When these measures do not suffice in controlling symptoms, additional procedures like chiropractic, acupuncture, and minimally invasive procedures like injections and surgery may be required.  All these procedures bring about limited and temporary improvement; prolonged use can give rise to serious adverse effects, and none can significantly alter the long term course of the disease.

Spondylosis is said to be associated with age related degeneration and it is generally believed that no particular medicine or procedure can influence the long term prognosis of this condition, since modern medicines only reduce swelling, inflammation and pain. However, Ayurvedic herbal medicines have a special role to play in the long term management and treatment of spondylosis, and can reverse the ageing process in the spine to a significant degree.

Ayurvedic herbal medicines can reduce the damage to the spine; strengthen vertebral bones, intervertebral discs and attached muscles and tendons; and reduce swelling due to osteoporosis. This helps to reduce and eliminate chronic pain, and also removes pressure on sensitive nerves, thereby treating related symptoms like pain, numbness, and impending paralysis. It is pertinent to mention that herbal medicines can be safely used for this treatment for prolonged periods and in high doses without any significant adverse effects.

A combination protocol of oral Ayurvedic herbs, local application of Ayurvedic medicated oils, hot fomentation, and regular exercise, can help most people suffering from spondylosis recover completely even from very chronic and severe affectations. In order to get the maximum possible benefit from Ayurvedic treatment, it is always advisable to get examined, investigated, diagnosed, and treated at the earliest possible

When standard oral herbal therapy does not suffice, additional treatment with one or several courses of medicated enemas can help bring about a quick remission in pain and other symptoms. This procedure, combined with local fomentation therapy with medicated steam, may also help minimize the chances for recurrence as well as reduce the required dosage of oral medicines.  Patients who achieve a complete remission of symptoms can maintain themselves with regular exercise, a healthy diet, and the occasional use of low dose herbal medication.

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

Chronic and Recurrent Pancreatitis – Modern (Allopathic) Versus Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

 Pancreatitis is a medical condition in which there is inflammation and damage to the pancreas due to gall stones, or alcohol binges along with fatty food consumption. The pancreatic juices which are responsible for the digestion of food can cause auto-digestion of the pancreas due to the inflammation process. An acute attack can be dangerous, with the potential for serious complications like infection, peritonitis, abdominal rupture and septicemia. Chronic or recurrent attacks, combined with inflammation, can cause scarring and cyst formation in the pancreas.

An acute attack is best treated in an intensive care unit of a well equipped hospital. This can prove to be life-saving. Timely treatment in a hospital can prevent or treat infection, stabilize the patient with intravenous fluids, provide symptomatic treatment for vomiting and abdominal pain, and help tide over the crisis. If impacted gall stones are the cause for the pancreatitis, surgery can be planned to remove the stones. Modern medicines however, cannot actually treat the pancreatitis or prevent further attacks, other than giving dietary and lifestyle modification advice to avoid the aggravating factors for this condition.

Recurrent attacks of pancreatitis can be effectively treated with Ayurvedic herbal medicines. Most patients with chronic pancreatitis complain of continuous, low grade or severe pain in the abdomen, along with nausea and loss of appetite. In this scenario, while modern medicine can provide just symptomatic and short-lived improvement, Ayurvedic herbal medicines can provide complete and lasting relief from the pain, nausea and vomiting, and help gradually improve appetite as well as normalize digestion. Ayurvedic treatment can also reverse the damage and inflammation to the pancreas and prevent recurrence of attacks. Early commencement of Ayurvedic treatment can bring about a full recovery and prevent permanent damage.

Ayurvedic treatment is equally effective in both adults as well as children, since herbal medicines are used in pancreatitis treatment, which have a wide safety margin. An average of about six months of treatment is required for most patients, in order to relieve all symptoms, prevent recurrence, and help the patient regain lost weight, especially so in children. It is important to reduce weight in obese patients and avoid intake of alcohol, tobacco, and fatty foods. Patients with gall stones need to be treated aggressively with specific Ayurvedic medicines, if this is the causative factor.

To sum up, Ayurvedic herbal medicines provide a comprehensive, safe, effective and affordable treatment for chronic and recurrent pancreatitis. No recurrence has so far been observed in patients – both adults and children – who have completed a full course of regular treatment, and have abstained from all the known and aggravating factors. While modern medicine currently has no effective therapy for chronic or recurrent pancreatitis, patients with an acute attack are best managed in hospital.

The writer, Dr A A Mundewadi, is available as an Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com  To start Ayurvedic herbal treatment for chronic pancreatitis, kindly click here

Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN) – Modern (Allopathic) Versus Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

 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. Spontaneous bleeding from multiple sites can also prove to be fatal.  PAN is therefore a very serious disorder which needs urgent attention. 

Conservative treatment is usually with steroids and immune suppressant drugs. These medicines can be life-saving since they act immediately on the body and reduce or reverse inflammation, bleeding, organ damage and multiple organ failure. The overall outlook can thus be considerably improved with these medicines; however, the long term prognosis still remains grim. In addition to these limitations, both steroids and immune suppressants have considerable side effects when used in high doses or for prolonged periods. 

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; prevent blockage, infarct, ulceration and bleeding; and thereby prevent 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, can also be 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 treating 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 (which can be quite varied).

 To sum up, PAN is a serious disorder which needs prompt and aggressive treatment, failing which it can prove to be fatal. While modern treatment can definitely prove to be rapidly effective in controlling symptoms, it is not a satisfactory long term treatment modality. That said, for acute or emergency medical care, there is no alternative to a fully equipped modern intensive care medical unit. 

Ayurvedic treatment is a slow starter and may not be recommended for an emergency situation; however, Ayurvedic herbal treatment can successfully manage and treat PAN on a long term basis, and significantly reduce morbidity and mortality resulting from this disease. Ayurvedic herbal treatment scores comprehensively on efficacy, safety, and affordability. Early commencement of treatment ensures a more complete cure and reduces the chances for long term complications or relapse. From the patients’ point of view, a judicious combination of modern and Ayurvedic treatment is the best choice to ensure a quick and complete recovery, while minimizing risk.

The writer, Dr A A Mundewadi, is available as an Ayurvedic consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com  To start Ayurvedic treatment for polyarteritis nodosa, kindly click here