Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct Syndrome (EVAS)

The vestibular aqueduct is a tiny bony canal which extends from the inner ear endolymphatic space towards the brain.  Enlarged vestibular aqueduct can cause symptoms associated with hearing and balance, and this is known as enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome (EVAS).  Genetic and environmental factors are responsible for this condition.  About 70 to 80% of this condition causes only hearing loss and is therefore non-syndromic.  The Pendred syndrome causes hearing loss as well as thyroid dysfunction and is seen in one-third cases of EVAS.  Sometimes the neck as well as the kidneys can also be affected in addition to hearing dysfunction.  Usually, hearing is normal in the first few years of life.  Hearing loss becomes noticeable in early childhood, usually after incidents like head trauma, upper respiratory tract infection, jumping, and air travel. Usually there is a gradually progressive hearing loss, tinnitus as well as vertigo.  Children experience balance and coordination problems.  Hearing loss is usually sensorineural in origin, but may rarely also be due to conductive hearing impairment.  The long-term course of this condition is variable, and varies from few symptoms to profound hearing loss as well as severe associated symptoms.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for EVAS is related to providing symptomatic improvement according to the presentation of symptoms in each individual.  Herbal medicines are given to possibly reduce the size of the bony canal which is responsible for symptoms.  Other herbal medicines are used to reduce the pressure of the excess fluid which is responsible for causing hearing loss and other symptoms. Long-term Ayurvedic treatment is also given so as to protect the outer and inner sensory hair from getting damaged due to EVAS.

Associated symptoms in the syndromic condition need to be treated accordingly.  The main aim of treatment with Ayurvedic herbal medicines is to bring about in improvement in the hearing loss as well as prevent long-term permanent damage related to the ears as well as to the other organs in the body.  Herbal treatment is safe for long-term use and can therefore be safely used both in children as well as affected adults.  Treatment with Ayurvedic herbal medicines needs to be started as early as possible, in order to obtain the maximum possible benefit from treatment.  Ayurvedic treatment initially needs to be given for periods ranging from six months to one year, and later on can be given as required.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant role to play in the management and treatment of EVAS.

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

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an acquired immune-related inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nervous system, usually involving the nerve roots.  This condition involves the loss of protective covering of the peripheral nerves.  Symptoms of CIDP can be quite variable, and include numbness, tingling, pain, burning pain, progressive muscular weakness, loss of deep tendon reflexes, and abnormal sensation.  This condition usually results from an auto immune reaction.  The symptoms may be progressive and intermittent.  Autonomic dysfunction may be present in addition to the other symptoms, and includes symptoms like giddiness, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and cardiac problems.  Investigations like electromyography and nerve conduction studies are necessary for the diagnosis of CIDP.  The modern management of CIDP includes the use of steroids, plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobin and immuno-suppressants.  The prognosis of this condition is variable and includes relapses and remissions.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for CIDP involves the use of herbal medicines which have a specific action on nerve cells and on the entire nervous system.  These medicines help in a gradual and progressive regeneration of damaged peripheral nerves, and thereby gradually reduce symptoms.  Medicines may also be given for immunomodulation of the affected individual, so as to reduce the auto immune reaction and prevent further damage to the nervous system.  Specific symptoms need to be treated separately.

Supplementary treatment can be given in the form of local massage of the entire body or the affected limbs with the use of medicated oils, as well as the use of fomentation using medicated steam.  This treatment can hasten the process of recovery and provide a sense of well-being.

Depending upon the severity of the condition, treatment can be given for periods ranging from 6 to12 months.  Most individuals affected with CIDP usually obtain significant improvement with the help of Ayurvedic herbal treatment.  Long-term treatment with herbal medicines can also help to prevent relapses.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment is thus very useful in the management and treatment of CIDP.

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 CIDP, kindly click here

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Aspergillosis

Aspergillosis is a disease caused by infection by Aspergillus fungi.  This condition is usually seen in immunocompromised individuals, either due to disease or due to the use of immuno-suppressive drugs.  Aspergillosis is a leading cause of death in acute leukaemia and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The symptoms in this condition vary according to the organ affected.  If the ear canal is affected, It causes symptoms like itching, pain, and ear discharge.  Infection related to the sinuses causes symptoms like pain, congestion and discharge.  When the lungs are infected, common symptoms include cough, fever, breathlessness, and hemoptysis.  Deep-seated infection within the body causes symptoms like fever, chills, shock, bleeding, kidney failure and liver failure.  Routine investigations for aspergillosis include x-ray, CT scan and biopsy.  In the modern system of medicine, management of aspergillosis includes treatment with steroids and anti-fungal medicines.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment of aspergillosis includes specific treatment for the fungus infection, symptomatic treatment of the symptoms, specific treatment according to the organ affected, and immune boosting treatment in order to improve the overall immune status of the body.

Inflammation, pain, and other symptoms can be treated with the use of different herbal medicines which are very useful in reducing such symptoms. Ayurvedic medicines which have a specific antifungal, antibacterial and anti-septic action are used in high doses in the management of aspergillosis

The most important aspect of Ayurvedic herbal treatment for aspergillosis is to give medicines which have a specific action on the immune status of the affected individuals. These medicines help to reduce the infection, treat related symptoms promptly, as well as prevent long-term morbidity and mortality.  Depending upon the severity of infection, treatment usually needs to be given for periods ranging from one to six months.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a specific role to play in the management and treatment of aspergillosis.

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

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