Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Dissociative Disorders

Dissociative disorders constitute serious mental illness in which affected individuals escape reality in involuntary and unhealthy ways by suppressing memories or assuming alternate identities, usually to escape from or cope up with some form of trauma.  The common symptoms of this condition include memory loss for certain time periods, events and people, mental health problems, depersonalization, derealization, and a blurred sense of identity.  Dissociative disorders are usually of four types which include amnesia, identity disorder, fugue and the personalization.  Treatment for this condition includes psychotherapy, hypnosis, medication, creative art therapy, and cognitive therapy, in which collective treatment may be required with coordinated efforts by a Psychiatrist, counselor, and social worker, possibly with a support system from family and friends.  Though treatment can be difficult, many individuals suffering from this disorder are able to learn new ways of coping and lead healthy, productive lives.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment can be given either as independent therapy or as a supportive therapy to the modern management of this condition.  Joint teamwork is usually preferable in successfully and safely handling such affected individuals.  Ayurvedic medicines can be used in the management of this condition which help the affected individuals to cope up with trauma and help to adjust and accept reality.  Ayurvedic medicines work on the nervous system as well as the brain and affect the thinking process of individuals in order to remove derealization and depersonalization, and bring about acceptance of reality and normal behaviour.  Treatment needs to be aggressive and long-term in order to bring about good results.

Ayurvedic oral medication can also be supplemented with different Panchkarma treatments such as Shiro Basti, Shirodhara, medicated enemas, and full body massage.  These Panchkarma treatments help to bring about earlier results, and improve the chances of full recovery.  Depending upon the severity of the condition and degree of psychosis, most individuals affected with this condition require treatment ranging from six months to several years.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has definite and significant role to play in the management and treatment of dissociative disorders.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Botulism

Botulism is an illness which causes paralysis of muscles caused by a neurotoxin known as botulism toxin which is produced by a bacterium known as Clostridium botulinum.  This condition causes respiratory paralysis, double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty in swallowing, dry mouth and muscle weakness.  Paralysis of the respiratory muscles causes acute respiratory failure which needs to be treated in the intensive care-unit of a hospital with the help of a ventilator, along with nursing care for several weeks.  Individuals who survive an acute episode may experience fatigue and shortness of breath for several years.  Botulism is of 3 types: food borne, wound botulism and infant botulism.  Food borne botulism is considered to be a public health emergency.  The food borne and wound type of botulism can be treated with an antitoxin which blocks the action of the neurotoxin circulating in the blood.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for botulism is aimed at treating the neurotoxin, removing it from the body, and neutralizing its toxic effects on the body.  Ayurvedic herbal medicines which have a specific action on the nervous system and which strengthen the nerve cells are used in the management of this condition.  Other herbal medicines which improve neuromuscular coordination and prevent muscular paralysis are also very important in the management of this condition.  There are yet other herbal medicines which act on the neurotoxin and remove it from the body circulation either through the kidneys or through the gastrointestinal tract.

Localised treatment in the form of full body massage with medicated oils, and Panchkarma treatments like medicated enemas as are also useful in the management of botulism, along with herbal Ayurvedic medication.  These treatments can also be given as supportive therapy in addition to modern medicines and nursing care.  Especially, patients who have recovered from acute episodes and suffer from long-term fatigue and breathlessness can be helped to recover completely with the help of Ayurvedic treatment.

Depending upon the severity of the condition, most individuals affected with botulism require treatment for about 4 to12 weeks.  Patients with long-term complications may require Ayurvedic herbal treatment for about 4 to 6 months.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment can significantly improve the outcome both in acute botulism as well as in the chronic phase of the disease.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Dupuytren's Contracture

Dupuytren's contracture is also known as Dupuytren's disease, and is a comparatively uncommon condition in which the connective tissue beneath the skin of the palm gradually contracts and thickens, thus causing a deformity of the hand, with contracture of the ring finger and little finger.  A family history of this condition, diabetes, and history of tobacco and alcohol use are known risk factors for this condition.  Physiotherapy forms an important part of the management of this condition.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for Dupuytren's contracture is aimed at treating the contracture of the connective tissue in the palm, which is the main cause for this condition.  It is important to diagnose this condition and start treatment at the earliest, in order to obtain maximum benefit from treatment, and avoid long term disability.  Ayurvedic herbal medicines which have a specific action on muscles, tendons, and connective tissue are used in the management of this condition.  Anti-inflammatory medicines also have a role to play in the management of Dupuytren's contracture.

While the main treatment of this condition is in the form of oral medication, it can also be supplemented with localised therapy.  This is done in the form of application of medicated oils, ointments and pastes, which can be followed up with medicated steam fomentation.  Local therapy helps in bringing about relief from muscular spasm and pain, and delay the contracture process.  Thickening and contracture of the connective tissue can also be directly treated with herbal medicines which are known to reduce fibrosis and help in the generation of normal tissue.

Depending upon the stage of presentation of the affected individual, treatment is usually required from periods ranging from 2 to 4 months in order to bring about significant relief in this medical condition.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant role to play in the management and treatment of Dupuytren's contracture.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Cytomegalovirus Infection

Cytomegalovirus infection is a condition which is usually asymptomatic in normal and healthy individuals, but which can cause significant symptoms and affect almost any body organ in immunocompromised individuals.  An infected mother can pass on the infection to her unborn child resulting in significant congenital abnormalities, or the mother may experience frequent abortions.  The prognosis for Cytomegalovirus infection thus usually depends upon the underlying disease as well as the overall immune status of affected individual.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for Cytomegalovirus infection is usually focused upon improving the immune status of affected individuals.  Ayurvedic herbal immunomodulatory agents are used in high uses so as to boost the immune status in as short time as possible, so as to reduce the total treatment time of affected individual, reduce the severity of symptoms, prevent complications, and avoid recurrence of the infection.  In order to treat the infection, Ayurvedic herbal medicines which have a known anti-viral action can also be used to control the infection at the earliest so as to treat the symptoms and prevent long-term complications.

Pregnant women who are positive for TORCH infections or who have a history of recurrent abortions or congenital abnormalities in the newborn can be treated with Ayurvedic herbal medicines to remove the root cause of the condition.  Treatment for Cytomegalovirus infection can be started about two or three months in advance of conception, so as to prevent complications during childbirth as well as prevent congenital abnormalities in the newborn.

The duration of treatment for Cytomegalovirus infection in immunocompromised individuals depends upon the severity of the infection as well as the immune response of the patient; however, almost all individuals benefit significantly from Ayurvedic herbal treatment and can obtain a long lasting cure from this condition.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant contribution to play in the management and treatment of Cytomegalovirus infection.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Coccidioidomycosis

Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection which usually affects the lungs and is often self-limiting; however it can cause flulike illness, pneumonia or other pulmonary complications.  This condition can worsen in immunocompromised patients and spread to the skin, bone, joints and meninges.  Common symptoms of this condition include fever, breathlessness, arthritis, rash, weight loss, and lymphadenopathy.  A history of travel or residence in an endemic area is important in establishing the risk of exposure, or to confirm the diagnosis of this condition.  This condition is known to relapse and hence a follow-up of at least one to two years is necessary to confirm a complete resolution of the disease.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for Coccidioidomycosis is aimed at treating the basic fungal infection, providing treatment for complications and other symptoms, and boosting the immune status of the affected individual.  Herbal medicines which have a definite anti-inflammatory, anti-infective, and antifungal action are used in high doses and for prolonged periods in the management of this condition.  Medicines which have a specific action on the lungs and the respiratory tract are also important for treating this condition.  In advanced cases, medicines may also be required to treat infection in the skin, bone, joints, and meninges.

Symptomatic treatment for fever, breathlessness, arthritis, rash, lymphadenopathy, and weight loss are also required concurrently along with the above-mentioned treatment.  Ayurvedic herbal immunomodulatory are used aggressively in order to control infection at the earliest, prevent complications, maintain the health of the affected individual, and bring about remission of all the symptoms.  Judicious use of immunomodulatory herbal agents helps in a complete resolution of the condition as well as preventing a relapse or recurrence of this condition.

Depending upon the severity of the condition, most individuals required Ayurvedic herbal treatment for six to nine months in order to bring about a complete cure of the condition.  Immunomodulatory treatment is especially pertinent in the management of this condition.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment is thus very useful in the management and treatment of Coccidioidomycosis.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is also known as sprue, non tropical sprue, gluten enteropathy, and adult celiac disease.  This is a disease of the small intestine in which the inner lining gets inflamed and destroyed due to an immunological reaction to gluten protein, which is present in wheat, rye, barley, and oats.  This damage causes a reduction in the absorption of dietary nutrients and therefore causes nutritional, vitamin and mineral deficiencies.  Symptoms of this condition include diarrhoea, malodorous flatulence, abdominal bloating, increased amounts of fat in the stool, weight loss, fluid retention, anemia, osteoporosis, easy bruising, peripheral neuropathy, infertility and muscle weakness.  Therefore, individuals affected with this condition required vitamin and mineral supplements and should follow a gluten-free diet.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for celiac disease is aimed at treating the root cause of the condition as well as giving symptomatic treatment.  Herbal medicines which have a digestive action and improve absorption and assimilation of food are important in the management of this condition.  These medicines can only be useful if these are combined with other medicines which can help improve and regenerate the inner lining of the small intestines.  In addition, immunomodulatory herbal medicines are also used in order to prevent or cure the immunological reaction present within the small intestines.

Individuals suffering from celiac disease for prolonged periods need an aggressive therapy in the form of progressively increasing doses of Ayurvedic medicines in order to bring about a regeneration of the inner lining of the small intestine, and a remission of all associated symptoms.  These treatments are known as ‘Vardhmaan Rasayan’ in the Ayurvedic system of medicines.  Treatment is generally required for about four to six months in order to bring about a complete remission of all symptoms.  Individuals taking Ayurvedic treatment usually need to adopt a diet of yogurt, buttermilk, and juices and solutions of cereals, pulses and fruits.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Causalgia

Causalgia is also known as complex regional pain syndrome or reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome.  This is a chronic, progressive and painful condition in which the pain is intense and continuous, and completely out of proportion to the severity of injury.  This condition mostly affects the entire extremity, which shows dramatic changes in color and temperature, accompanied by intense and burning pain, skin sensitivity, sweating and swelling.  A dysfunctional sympathetic nervous system or a disturbed immune response are two causes believed to be responsible for causalgia.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for this condition is aimed at giving symptomatic treatment for pain, swelling and burning as also treating the root cause of the condition.  Ayurvedic herbal medicines are therefore used which target the sympathetic nervous system and also bring about immunomodulation in the affected individual.  Herbal medicines which remove inflammation and repair the damage done to nerve cells are useful in this condition, as also medicines which strengthen the nervous system.  Ayurvedic herbal medicines which improve the blood supply to damaged nerves are also important and are used in the management of this condition.

Ayurvedic herbal immunomodulatory agents are also very useful in the management of causalgia, in order to boost the immune status of the affected individual, reduce treatment time and treat symptoms at the earliest.  Immunomodulatory agents also bring about an early reduction in pain, inflammation and damage to the extremities as well as to the nerves supplying the affected extremity.

Oral medication can also be supplemented with localized therapy in the form of application of anti-inflammatory and soothing ointments, pastes and medicated oils.  This can be followed by medicated steam fomentation, which brings about an early control of pain and swelling.

Most individuals affected with causalgia require treatment for about four to six months, depending upon the severity of the condition.  Regular and aggressive treatment helps in bringing about a complete remission of symptoms.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment is thus very useful in the management of causalgia.

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