Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL)

Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL) usually affects unborn or newborn children, with premature babies most at risk from this condition.  PVL is caused by lack of oxygen or blood flow to the periventricular areas of the brain, which results in softening of the brain tissue and death of the white matter of the brain.  This affects the nerve fibers which carry messages from the brain to the body muscles.  This can result in motor disorders, delayed mental development, coordination problems, and impaired hearing and vision.  This condition can also cause bleeding in the brain, leading to cerebral palsy.  The diagnosis of PVL is usually made by an ultrasonography examination of the head.  There is no specific treatment for this condition and management is symptomatic and supportive.  Periodical medical screening is usually advised.  The severity of brain damage determines the overall outcome for this condition and may range from a presentation with mild symptoms to significant disability.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for PVL consists of the use of herbal medicines which have a specific action on the brain and central nervous system.  These medicines are used in high doses in order to reverse brain damage and salvage the maximum possible function of the central nervous system.  This in turn prevents long-term neuromuscular and sensory disability.  Herbal medicines which reduce bleeding, help repair and regeneration of nerve cells, and which normalise the metabolism of damaged cells are very useful in the management of this condition.

Aggressive Ayurvedic herbal treatment can help to minimise long-term damage, improve quality of life as well as overall life span of affected children.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment usually needs to be given for periods ranging from six months to two years, depending upon the extent of damage and severity of symptoms seen in affected children.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a definite role to play in the management of Periventricular Leukomalacia.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS)

Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) is a motor neuron disease in which the nerve cells controlling voluntary muscles degenerate and die, causing a progressive muscular weakness.  Unlike Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), PLS affects only upper motor neurons.  PLS is considered hereditary only if occurring in childhood.  The usual onset is after 50 years of age, with a progression over several decades.  Symptoms usually commence from the lower extremities and include imbalance, weakness, clumsiness, muscle cramps and pain, spasticity, speech and swallowing impediments, difficulty in breathing, hyper-reflexia, emotional labiality, bladder urgency, and occasionally, cognitive changes.  There are no specific diagnostic tests for this condition; this is usually done by exclusion of other diseases and through long-term observation.

The modern treatment for PLS is symptomatic, with drugs to reduce spasticity and muscle cramps, and the use of physiotherapy and speech therapy as required.  PLS is known to usually cause gradual and progressive disability.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for PLS is usually similar to that of ALS.  Medicines which act on the brain and central nervous system are used in high doses in the management of this condition.  In addition, medicines which act on the neuromuscular junctions as well as on muscles and tendons are also useful in the management of this condition.  Medicines which have a direct action on the body metabolism are also useful while treating this disease.

Localised treatment in the form of fomentation and massage using medicated oils and pastes also helps in bringing about a significant relief from symptoms.  Progressively higher doses of herbal medicines are given in order to bring about the maximum possible improvement as early as possible.  Ayurvedic treatment needs to be continued for periods ranging from 12 to 18 months.  Treatment can stabilise symptoms, bring about a gradual remission of the disease, prevent further deterioration and considerably improve quality of life as well as overall life span of affected individuals.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant role to play in the management and treatment of PLS.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Leigh's Disease

Leigh's disease, also known as Sub- Acute Necrotizing Encephalomyelopathy (SNEM) is a rare, neuro-metabolic disorder affecting the central nervous system.  The inherited disorder usually affects infants between 3 months and 2 years of age; this condition is rarely seen in teenagers and adults.  Mutations in mitochondrial DNA cause a failure of the mitochondria of brain cells, causing a severe dysfunction of parts of the brain stem and basal ganglia.  This in turn causes a severe degradation of motor skills.

The symptoms of this condition include rigidity, tremor, tics, convulsions, poor sucking ability, loss of head control, loss of appetite, vomiting and irritability. In the late stages of this disease, lactic acidosis causes respiratory and kidney failure as well as heart problems.  This condition usually causes early death.  There is no treatment for this condition in the modern system of medicine; affected infants are usually advised a high fat and low carbohydrate diet.

The Ayurvedic herbal treatment of Leigh’s disease consists in giving Ayurvedic herbal medicines in high doses in order to normalise the metabolism of brain cells to the maximum extent possible.  Herbal medicines which have an affinity for the central nervous system and which bring about a positive immunomodulation of the entire body are used in the management of Leigh’s disease.  Medicines which have a direct action of modulating the metabolism of the body are also useful in the management of this condition.

The aim of Ayurvedic treatment is to reduce damage and improve motor skills to the maximum extent possible, improve quality of life, and improve life span of affected infants to the maximum extent possible.  Herbal medicines can be powdered and administered to affected infants and are safe for long-term use.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a positive role to play in the management and treatment of Leigh’s disease.

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

Bronchiectasis -- Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Bronchiectasis is an uncommon disease resulting in an abnormal and permanent dilatation of bronchi (airways) due to chronic or repeated infections.  The symptoms include chronic cough with muco-purulent sputum, lasting from months to years; hemoptysis; breathlessness; chest pain; fever; and weight loss.  The diagnosis is based on a history of the symptoms, sputum examination, chest X-ray, and HRCT of chest.  Vitamin D deficiency is usually common in bronchiectasis.  The X-ray or HRCT of chests can reflect different types of bronchiectasis – based on their structural and pathological features - which include cylindrical, varicose and cystic.  The modern treatment for bronchiectasis includes antibiotics, bronchodilators, steroids, dietary supplements, oxygen, hospitalization for exacerbations, and surgery.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for bronchiectasis includes treatment of infection, repair and strengthening of the affected bronchi as well as damaged parts of the lung, and boosting the immune status of affected individuals.  Medicines which are very useful in the treatment of this condition have a specific affinity for the respiratory tract, repair damage to the ciliary hair in the mucosal linings of the airways, and improve the specific immune status of the lungs and the respiratory tract as a whole.

General medicines may also be given to improve the overall immune status of affected individuals so as to reduce the frequency of infections.  Herbal medicines can be given in high doses in order to treat and fully cure the infection and reverse damage to the affected part of the lung.  Separate treatment can also be given to prevent further bouts of infection in the affected lung.

Depending upon the severity of the condition, Ayurvedic herbal medicines are required for periods ranging from six to nine months, in order to bring about significant improvement in affected individuals.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment can reduce or fully control symptoms, prevent exacerbations, improve quality of life, and improve overall life span of affected individuals.  Ayurvedic herbal medicines thus have a definite role to play in the management and treatment of bronchiectasis.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Erythema Dyschromicum Perstans

Erythema dyschromicum perstans is a skin disease which is also known as Ashy Dermatosis.  In this condition, early legions may be reddish in color; however, the characteristic appearance is of grey, round, oval or irregular skin patches, usually on the trunk, extremities or face.  No other abnormality is seen in this condition, which is usually observed in people with dark skin.  This condition is present more in young adults and especially women.  It is often considered to be a type of Lichen planus, and is usually diagnosed by its characteristic appearance, or by a skin biopsy.  The standard modern treatment for this condition includes oral steroids, topical steroids, ultraviolet treatment, laser treatment, chemical peels, and Clofazimine.  However, this condition is usually resistant to treatment and may persist for years, after which it may subside on its own.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for this condition is based on the treatment which is usually given for lichen planus.  The aim of treatment is to treat the skin, the subcutaneous tissue, and the blood vessels within the skin and subcutaneous tissue.  The main focus is on the use of herbal medicines which have the ability to modify the immune status of affected individuals, as well as the capacity to normalise skin color.  Additional herbal medicines may be given to boost the immune system as well as general health of affected individuals.

Treatment is usually given for periods ranging from three to six months, depending upon the severity of the disease in affected individuals.  Treatment is continued till there is a complete resolution of the skin lesions, after which the dosage of medicines can be gradually tapered and stopped altogether.  Overall, when treatment is given in this fashion, results are quite satisfactory and relapses are quite rare.

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 Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO)

Neuromyelitis optica, also known as NMO or Devic’s disease, is a simultaneous inflammation and demyelination of the optic nerve as well as the spinal chord.  This condition is different from multiple sclerosis.  The symptoms include weakness and paralysis of the lower extremities, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and varying degrees of blindness. This condition is caused due to an autoimmune reaction in the body which is demonstrated by the presence of antibodies the blood.  This condition may be associated with other systemic diseases.  There is no cure for this condition in the modern system of medicines. Acute attacks can be satisfactorily treated with intravenous steroids, plasmapheresis, and the use of immuno-suppressants.  The acute condition subsides in a few weeks; however, nearly 85% patients relapse.  One characteristic of this disease is that the maximum disability is from acute attacks, while the chronic condition is rarely progressive.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for neuromyelitis optica involves the use of Ayurvedic herbal medicines to bring about immunomodulation of the body as well as to simultaneously treat both the inflammation as well as the degeneration of nerves within the eye and spinal chord.  Treatment involves a comprehensive protocol of herbal medicines which act on the retina; medicines which act on the nervous system and have a strengthening effect on the brain and spinal chord; medicines which have anti-inflammatory properties; and medicines which reverse the autoimmune process going on in affected individuals.

In addition to the use of herbal tablets to be taken orally, supplementary treatment can also be given in the form of eye drops as well as local applications in the form of medicated oils and ointments to be used directly on the back and lower extremities.

Depending upon the severity of the condition, Ayurvedic herbal treatment is usually required for periods ranging from six to eighteen months.  This treatment stabilizes the patient, prevents further degeneration of vision and lower limb disability, and brings about recovery to the maximum extent possible.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a definite role in the management of neuromyelitis optica.

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 Leber’s Optic Atrophy

Leber’s optic atrophy is a hereditary degeneration of nerve cells in the retina, leading to acute or sub acute loss of central vision.  This condition is usually observed in young adult males, and is transmitted through the mother.  Vision loss is usually observed in one eye, followed by the other eye a few weeks to a few months later.  There is no specific treatment for this condition in the modern system of medicine.  Affected individuals are monitored on a long-term basis and are asked to avoid the intake of substances which can aggravate the condition such as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs like ethambutol as well as some anti-hypertensive medications.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for Leber’s optic atrophy involves the use of medicines which have a specific action on the eye and optic nerve and which strengthen the nerve cells within the retina.  Medicines which act on the nervous system can be utilised with good results in the treatment of this condition.  Medicines which act on the blood tissue and ‘Majja’ tissue of the body are used very effectively in the management of this condition.  Medicines need to be given in high doses and for prolonged periods ranging from 12 to 18 months in order to control the condition, prevent further degeneration of vision and salvage vision to the maximum extent possible.

Early commencement of Ayurvedic herbal treatment is important in order to restore vision and improve the quality of life of affected individuals.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a definite role to play in the management of Leber’s optic atrophy.

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