Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Failure to Thrive in Children

Failure to thrive or growth failure is described in children whose growth has been observed to be low or decreased over time.  The causes may be either organic for non- organic and may also be of prenatal or postnatal origin.  Common symptoms of this condition include oedema, wasting, enlargement of liver, rash, changes in skin, hair color and mental status, and signs of vitamin deficiency.  Children affected with growth failure require aggressive dietary management and regular, prolonged follow-up in order to observe their growth parameters using appropriate growth charts.  The successful treatment of this condition requires coordinated efforts by medical personal from different fields which include pediatric, nutritional, mental health, and social work.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for failure to thrive in children is aimed at providing nutrition to children which can be easily digested and assimilated, as well as treating any known causes for the condition.  Nutrition is provided in the form of extracts and solutions of glucose, electrolyte solutions, milk, buttermilk, granules of cereals and pulses, and solutions of fruits and vegetables.  The diet of such children is planned according to the digestive capacity and capacity for oral intake of each individual person.  Such solutions can also be given as a slow and continuous rectal drip.

Adequate treatment needs to be given for any known cause of the condition, and therefore treatment will differ considerably according to the cause.  In addition, herbal immunomodulatory treatment can also be given to such children in order to provide long-lasting immunity to diseases.  Medicines which act on the digestive system and on the liver are especially useful in the management of this condition.  In addition, some children will benefit considerably from a complete body massage using medicated oils.

Depending upon the severity of the condition and the known cause, treatment for children with failure to thrive may be required for periods ranging from two to six months.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a definite role to play in the management of failure to thrive in children.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Dyshidrosis

Dyshidrosis is also known as pompholyx or dyshidrotic eczema and is a skin condition which causes small, fluid filled vesicles on the palms and soles.  These blisters cause intense itching and usually dry up after about 3 weeks, leaving behind painful fissures.  The risk factors for this condition include female sex, stress, history of seasonal allergies, exposure to metal salts, and frequent exposure to water.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for dyshidrosis is aimed at treating the vesicles in the palms and soles, reducing itching, and either preventing or treating the fissures which form afterward.  Treatment is also aimed at healing the skin condition and preventing its recurrence.  Ayurvedic herbal medicines which have a specific action on skin, subcutaneous tissue, and the capillaries supplying the skin, are used in the treatment of this condition.  These medicines remove the toxins from the blood, reduce allergic components which can cause skin conditions, and bring about early healing of the skin lesions.  These medicines also improve and strengthen the connective tissue of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue.

Treatment is mainly in the form of oral medication; however, this can be supplemented with Ayurvedic local therapy in the form of application of medicated ointments, pastes and oils, which have a curative and moisturizing action on the skin.  Local applications can reduce itching and also prevent or treat the formation of blisters as well as help to prevent secondary infection in the lesions.

Depending upon the severity of the condition, most individuals affected with dyshidrosis require treatment for about four to six weeks in order to completely heal the condition.  Individuals who have recurrence of the condition may require treatment for about three to four months, in order to comprehensively treat the skin condition as well as improve the immune status of the affected individuals.  Medicines may also be  required to treat stress.  Over exposure to water needs to be attended to.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Hemochromatosis

Hemochromatosis is a hereditary condition which leads to abnormal accumulation of iron in different organs of the body leading to organ toxicity.  This condition is seen more in the white race and more in males, and is usually due to an excessively high absorption of iron from the intestines.  This condition adversely affects the liver, heart, pancreas, pituitary, joints, and skin.  The common symptoms of this condition include skin pigmentation, liver cirrhosis, malignant hepatoma, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, impotence, and arthritis.  Adequate and timely treatment such as therapeutic phlebotomy (venupuncture) can prevent complications of vital organs and help the affected individual lead a normal life.  Iron supplements, red meat and alcohol need to be avoided by individuals affected with this condition.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for hemochromatosis is aimed at treating the root cause of the condition, preventing toxicity of important organs, and preventing or treating complications from this condition.  Herbal medicines are used which have a specific action on the gastrointestinal tract and thereby reduce or prevent excessive absorption of iron from the intestines, thus removing the main cause for the condition.  Ayurvedic medicines are also utilised in order to remove the excess iron either through the gastrointestinal tract or through the kidneys.

Medicines which have a specific action on the blood, the circulatory system, the liver and spleen, and the heart, are especially useful in the management and treatment of this condition.  Medicines which act on the nervous system may also be required, if involvement of the brain and nervous system is suspected.  It is important to avoid medicines which are known to contain iron or increase iron in the body.

Depending upon the severity of the condition, most individuals affected with hemochromatosis require Ayurvedic herbal treatment for periods ranging from 6 to12 months in order to bring about a significant improvement in this condition.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant role to play in the management and treatment of hemochromatosis.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is also known as Kala Azar (black fever), and is a parasitic infection which is endemic in several poor countries and presents as epidemics.  This condition is transmitted by the bite of sandfly: hence appropriate protection and preventive measures as well as sanitation are important measures in preventing the spread of this disease.  Leishmaniasis is of two types -- cutaneous, and systemic or visceral.  The cutaneous condition mainly affects the skin and mucous membranes and presents as rash, ulcers, ulceration and erosion of mouth tissue, breathlessness, stuffy nose, nose bleeds, and difficulty in swallowing.  The systemic type presents as vomiting, diarrhea, chronic fever, cough, night sweats, scaly and dark skin, thinning hair, abdominal pain, weight loss, and significant immune dysfunction.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for Leishmaniasis depends upon the presentation of the disease and whether it is cutaneous or visceral.  Ayurvedic herbal medicines which have a specific anti-parasitic action are used in high doses and for prolonged periods in order to treat this condition.  In addition, symptomatic treatment is required according to the presentations of symptoms.  Medicines which act on the skin and mucous membranes, the respiratory tract as well as the gastrointestinal tract are useful in the management of this condition

Ayurvedic medicines which act on the blood in the circulation and remove parasites as well as toxins and flush them through the gastrointestinal tract or the kidneys are especially useful in the management of this condition.  In addition, immunomodulation is an important part of treatment, since it reduces treatment time, brings about a complete cure, prevents chances for a recurrence, and helps affected individuals to develop immunity to this infection.

Depending upon the type and severity of infection, most individuals affected with Leishmaniasis require Ayurvedic herbal treatment for periods ranging from four to six months, in order to obtain a complete cure from this condition.  Immunomodulation may be required for a few months more.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant role in the management and treatment of Leishmaniasis.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Kaposi's Sarcoma

Kaposi's sarcoma is a tumour which usually accompanies AIDS.  This condition consists of lobular, infiltrating, and lymphatic lesions which produce characteristic, flat or raised purple lesions under the skin or mucous membrane lining the mouth, nose and anus.  It can also spread to other organs of the body such as lungs, liver, and intestinal tract.  The modern management of this condition involves the use of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.  With appropriate treatment, most individuals affected with Kaposi's sarcoma can survive for several decades.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for Kaposi's sarcoma involves the use of herbal medicines to treat the tumour as well as boost the immune status of the affected individual, while at the same time treating the presenting symptoms of AIDS.  Herbal medicines which have a specific action on cancer cells are used in high doses and for prolonged periods in order to comprehensively treat Kaposi's sarcoma.  Since these lesions usually commence from the skin and mucous membrane, Ayurvedic medicines which have a specific action on the skin, subcutaneous tissue, mucous membrane, and the capillaries supplying these tissues, are also used in conjunction with the above-mentioned medicines.

Immunomodulation is a very important part of treatment so as to bring about healing of the lesions, reduce treatment time, improve the chances of a complete remission of the tumour, prevent the spread of the disease, and improve overall survival.  Improvement of the immune system also helps in fighting AIDS, which is usually concurrent with Kaposi's sarcoma.  If the lesions have spread to different parts of the body such as the lungs, liver and intestinal tract, specific herbal medicines which act on these organs and tissues also need to be added to the treatment.

Most individuals affected with Kaposi's sarcoma require Ayurvedic herbal treatment for periods ranging from 9 to15 months in order to comprehensively control both the lesions as well as AIDS.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant role to play the management and treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Horner Syndrome

Horner syndrome is a condition in which the sympathetic nerve supply to the eye is disturbed, causing drooping of the upper eyelid, elevation of the lower eyelid, slow pupillary dilatation, and impaired sweating of the eye.  The cause for this condition varies according to the nature and location of different diseases which may cause pressure on the sympathetic nerve supplying the eye and may be located in the brain, the face, the carotid nerve or the chest.  Depending upon the specific disease, symptoms can therefore include hemiplegia, cough, hemoptysis, swelling in the neck, and trigeminal nerve pain.  Horner syndrome may therefore be a sign of a relatively benign cause; however, it may also be associated with a serious or life-threatening underlying cause.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for Horner syndrome is aimed at giving symptomatic treatment for the signs and symptoms of the disease, as well as treating the known cause of the condition.  Symptomatic treatment may involve treating pressure symptoms and inflammation in the sympathetic nerve supply to the eye.  Therefore, herbal medicines which have an anti-inflammatory as well as strengthening action on the nervous system are useful in the management of this condition.  Other treatments will vary and depend upon the root cause of the condition.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment may therefore be required to treat inflammation and tumor of the brain, different causes of hemiplegia, respiratory infections and tumour in the chest, and possible swelling or a tumor in the neck. 

The prognosis of Horner syndrome depends upon the root cause of the condition and may therefore vary from mild to very serious.  Duration of treatment for this condition also varies according to the cause and may be required for periods ranging from 4 to 12 months.  Morbidity and mortality in this condition is usually associated with the root cause; however, aggressive Ayurvedic herbal treatment can significantly improve symptoms, improve the chances for a cure, as well as improve the survival rate in case of serious disease.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection which can affect individuals living in temperate climates.  The risk factors for this condition include living in endemic areas with contaminated soil, exposure to a large amount of fungus, immunocompromised status, and concurrent respiratory diseases.  The common symptoms of this condition include fever, headache, chills, joint pain, skin lesions, cough, hemoptysis, breathlessness, chest pain, mouth ulcers, diarrhea, and eye inflammation.  While most individuals affected by this condition do not require treatment because of the self-limiting nature of the infection, however, acute infection may prove to be life-threatening in individuals with an immunocompromised status.  This infection in either acute, chronic, or progressive and disseminated.  The chronic infection may relapse and run a protracted course of several months to several years.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for Histoplasmosis is aimed at treating the fungus infection, improve the immune status of the affected individual, and prevent long term complications.  Herbal medicines which have a specific anti-infective and antifungal action are used in high doses, depending upon the severity of infection.  In addition, Ayurvedic immunomodulatory herbs are also used in high doses in order to rapidly improve the immune status of the affected individual, reduce treatment time, and prevent a recurrence of the condition.  Ayurvedic treatment is effective and required more in the chronic infection or individuals with recurrent or relapsing infection.

Symptomatic treatment may also be required in order to treat respiratory infection and involvement of the joints, skin, mouth and eyes.  Specific treatment is given according to the presentation of symptoms of affected individuals.  Since this disease is commonly seen in individuals with concurrent respiratory infections, specific attention is given to treat the respiratory infections and also to give specific immunomodulation for the respiratory tract.

Depending upon the severity of the condition, most individuals affected with chronic and severe Histoplasmosis infection require treatment for periods ranging from four to six months in order to achieve a complete cure of the condition.  The duration of treatment for immunomodulation varies from patient to patient and upon the severity of infection.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant contribution to play in the management and treatment of Histoplasmosis.

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