Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Epileptic Encephalopathies

Epileptic encephalopathies comprise an epileptic condition in which affected individuals exhibit severe forms of convulsions associated with progressive cerebral dysfunction.  This group comprises of 8 age-related syndromes, which are usually refractory to standard anti- epileptic drugs.  These include, Early Myoclonic Encephalopathy, Ohtahara Syndrome, West Syndrome, Dravet Syndrome, myoclonic status in non-progressive encephalopathies, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Landau-Kleffner Syndrome, and epilepsy with continuous spike waves.

Excessive epileptiform activity caused by bursts of electrical impulses is believed to damage the brain during its maturation stage.  This leads to severe cognitive, behavioural and neurological deficits and may also cause early death.  Symptoms of epilepsy gradually reduce in individuals who survive to their teens; however, there may be significant residual neurological and cognitive deficits.

Most of these syndromes need to be treated aggressively with a combination of new anti-epileptic drugs; however, the overall prognosis in most individuals is extremely poor.  Ayurvedic herbal medicines can be utilised in the supportive management of such individuals in order to reduce the severity of convulsions, as well as reduce the severity of cognitive, behavioural and neurological deficits.  Herbal medicines need to be given in high doses - depending upon the age of affected individuals - for periods ranging from 1 to 2 years, in order to bring about significant improvement in the overall condition of the affected patient.

Herbal medicines have the capacity to reduce severe epileptiform discharges in the brain and gradually reduce the tendency to convulsions.  Herbal medicines also strengthen brain cells and help reduce brain damage and improve overall functioning of the nervous system.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus be judiciously utilised in order to significantly control symptoms, improve quality of life, as well as improve the lifespan of affected individuals suffering from epileptic encephalopathies.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Rett Syndrome

Rett syndrome is a rare neuro- developmental disorder which exclusively affects girls.  A genetic defect causes an abnormal expression of genes, leading to defects in brain development.  This syndrome is characterized by an early normal growth, followed by a slowing of development, loss of purposeful use of hands, distinctive hand movements, slowing down of brain and head growth, problems with walking, convulsions, and intellectual impairment.  Apraxia caused by this disease leads to severe disability of motor function causing a dysfunction of body movements, especially eye control and speech coordination.  The severity and course of this disease may vary considerably from person-to-person.  Treatment is supportive and involves a multidisciplinary approach.

The Ayurvedic herbal treatment for Rett syndrome involves the long-term use of herbal medicines which help in brain development and improve the functioning of different parts of the brain to the maximum extent possible.  Herbal medicines have a direct action on brain cells as well as on the chemical neurotransmitters which transmit messages to and fro between the brain cells and from nerves to muscles in different parts of the body.

Medicines are also given which act on the metabolic activity of different tissues at the cellular level so as to normalize the abnormal expression of genes to the maximum extent possible.  This allows for normalization of tissues at the cellular level and thereby helps in normal growth and development of the brain, the entire nervous system, as well as the body tissues.

Since this is a lifelong medical condition, aggressive treatment involving high doses of herbal medicines can be given for the first 18 to 24 months so as to bring about a medical reversal of the condition to the maximum extent possible, without causing any serious adverse effects.  After this period, low dose herbal therapy can be given as maintenance in order to continue bringing about improvement as well as stabilizing the results obtained with the previous treatment.

Medical intervention by different professionals is necessary in order to handle all the disabilities and day-to-day problems resulting from this syndrome.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment can help to considerably reduce symptoms, improve quality of life, and improve overall survival in individuals affected with Rett syndrome.

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 Ataxia Telangiectasia

Ataxia telangiectasia, also known as A-T or Louis Bar Syndrome, is a rare and inherited neuro-degenerative disease.  This disease is characterized by ataxia or poor coordination and movements as well as involuntary movements due to dysfunction of the cerebellum; dilated capillaries in different parts of the body – especially in the eyes - known as telangiectasia; a reduced immunity, causing a predisposition to infections of the ear, sinuses and lungs; an inability to repair broken DNA, thereby increasing the risk of cancer; delayed milestones; early ageing; and feeding as well as swallowing problems.

This disease usually makes an appearance in early childhood.  The conservative management of this condition includes symptomatic treatment as well as special education and supervision by a team of experts.  Ayurvedic treatment can be judiciously utilised to control and manage all the symptoms of this condition.  Ayurvedic herbal medicines are primarily used to strengthen the different parts of the brain and nerves, especially the cerebellum.  Herbal medicines are also given to improve neuromuscular coordination and strengthen nerves, muscles and tendons.

Concurrent herbal treatment also needs to be given to boost the immune status of the body and normalize damaged DNA in order to prevent the risk of infections and cancers, as well as to prevent early ageing and normalize growth of the body tissues.  Treatment also needs to be given to treat dilated capillaries and strengthen blood vessels.  Overall, medicines which normalize the growth of all the tissues in the body are useful in the management of this condition.  If required, localized supplementary treatment in the form of full body massage can also be done with the help of medicated herbal oils.

The normal life expectancy for individuals with ataxia telangiectasia is about 25 years; modern management has enabled a much longer survival for affected individuals.  Additional Ayurvedic treatment can help to significantly control and treat most of the symptoms of this disease.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment can therefore definitely help to improve the quality of life of patients affected with ataxia telangiectasia.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial cystitis, also known as IC, is characterized by recurring discomfort or pain in the bladder and surrounding region.  This condition is more common in women.  The severity and frequency of symptoms varies from person-to-person, and is usually associated with a frequency of urination or an urgent need to pass urine.  IC is also aggravated by menstruation and vaginal intercourse.

Diagnosis of interstitial cystitis can only be made when there is no known or demonstrable cause for the condition, such as infection or urinary stones.  This condition is usually associated with an irritable or scarred bladder wall.  Minute bleeding spots or patches of broken skin or ulcers can also be seen within the bladder wall.  Irritable bowel syndrome may also be associated with this condition.  The modern management of interstitial cystitis includes bladder distension, bladder instillation, oral medications, electrical nerve stimulation, bladder training and surgery.  Although different treatment modalities provide some sort of relief from the condition; however, none of these have so far proved to be a definite cure for interstitial cystitis.

Ayurvedic treatment can be effectively used for the treatment of interstitial cystitis.  The demonstrable pathology of the disease can be treated by using medicines to reduce the irritation or stiffness of the bladder muscles.  Medicines can also be given to treat inflammation and ulceration which is commonly seen in this condition.  In addition, herbal medicines which have a strengthening effect on the entire genitourinary tract can be used judiciously to bring about considerable relief in the management of this condition.  Associated symptoms like irritable bowel syndrome also need to be treated separately.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment of interstitial cystitis needs to be given for periods ranging from two months to six months, depending upon the severity of the disease and individual response to the medicines.  Overall, the majority of individuals affected with interstitial cystitis can be given significant relief with the use of Ayurvedic herbal medicines.

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 Central Serous Retinopathy (CSR)

Central serous retinopathy, aka CSR, is a disease of the eyes in which there is loss of vision due to accumulation of fluid beneath the retina.  There is localised retinal detachment in mostly male patients aged 20 to 50.  The loss of vision is usually painless and sudden.  This condition may be significantly related to stress and the use of steroids.  About 80 to 90% of affected individuals recover spontaneously within 6 months; however, the remaining 10% may have persistent symptoms or recurrent episodes.  A variant known as type II CSR demonstrates more widespread retinal pathology and is associated with a more serious prognosis.

In CSR, there is accumulation of choroidal fluid beneath the retina due to breaks in the retinal pigment epithelium.  This condition can therefore be treated with Ayurvedic herbal medicines which reduce the accumulation of fluid and strengthen the retinal epithelium in order to prevent further leakage.  Ayurvedic medicines are also given to strengthen all the components of the eye so as to be stress resistant so that there are no long-term recurrences of the condition.  Treatment needs to be given for about three to four months in order to bring about a complete remission of the disease and significantly reduce chances of recurrence.  Individuals with type II CSR may need to be treated more aggressively and for longer periods.

Ayurvedic herbal eye drops can also be used to supplement the oral treatment. Some patients may need additional treatment for stress. Some individuals report concurrent problems of gastritis or kidney disease, which may need additional treatment.

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