Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Aortic regurgitation (AR or AI)

Aortic regurgitation (AR), also known as aortic insufficiency (AI), is a medical condition in which the aortic valve is incompetent and thereby allows a backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle.  This may be due to damage to the valves or enlargement of the originating part of the aorta (the aortic root).  This can result from infections, drugs, or diseases like hypertension and chronic autoimmune disorders.  Conventional management involves the use of medicines to control blood pressure and reduce peripheral resistance, thereby reducing the load on the heart.  Long-term AR normally results in enlargement of the left ventricular, symptoms like breathlessness, and in the long run, congestive cardiac failure (CCF).  Surgical treatment involves replacement of the defective valve.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for AR is aimed at treating the known cause of the condition.  Herbal medicines are used in order to reduce any possible chronic infection, improve the functioning of the heart, treat damaged heart muscle as well as damaged and enlarged aortic root, and strengthen the tendons attached to the valves.  A combination of such treatments is helpful in bringing about a gradual improvement in the functioning of the valves, thereby reducing symptoms.  This helps to gradually reduce the load on the overburdened left ventricle and thereby reduces or prevents left ventricular hypertrophy and the long-term risk for congestive heart failure.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment needs to be given for periods ranging from 6 to 12 months in order to bring about significant improvement in patients suffering from AR.  Herbal treatment is completely safe for long-term use and can be used along with conventional modern therapy.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment can significantly improve the quality of life of patients suffering from AR and can also improve overall survival, as well as reduce the requirement for surgery.

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 Auto Immune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA)

Auto immune hemolytic anemia, also known in short is AIHA, is a disease related to the blood cells.  Normally red blood cells have a lifespan of 100 to120 days; in this disease the cells get destroyed prematurely within a few days or weeks, and in severe cases may cause acute anemia and require blood transfusions. Affected individuals display symptoms of mild jaundice and anemia.  The liver and spleen may be enlarged.  As the name of this disease suggests, this disease has an auto immune origin.  The dysfunctional auto-immune status may result from infections, drugs and diseases like chronic auto immune disorders and cancers.  Treatment is usually with steroids and immune suppressants; if this does not work, splenectomy is a viable surgical option.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for AIHA is usually aimed at treating any known cause for the disease.  In addition, medicines which improve the immune status of the body are used in high doses.  Medicines which act on the liver and spleen are also used in high doses.  These medicines need to be given for chronic periods ranging from 8 to 12 months.  A combination of such Ayurvedic medicines gradually helps to improve the blood picture and improve the viable lifespan of red blood cells.  This gradually normalizes the size of the spleen and reduces the need for blood transfusions.

AIHA is a rare disease which is quite refractory to conventional treatment.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment can bring about significant improvement in such patients and cause long-term or permanent remission of the disease.

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

Safe and Effective Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN)

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is an autoimmune disorder involving spontaneous inflammation of the arteries usually affecting muscles, joints, intestines, nerves, kidneys and skin.  These cause symptoms which include fever, pain, fatigue, weight loss, bleeding, and dysfunction of affected organs.  Though this disease usually affects the elderly population, it may be seen in all age groups.  The severe form of this disease can be fatal.

The modern management of this condition involves the use of steroids and immuno-suppressant drugs.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment for PAN is aimed at treating the root cause of the disease, that is, inflammation of the arteries.  The symptoms for this disease .point to a severe disturbance in the Pitta Dosha of the body; hence, herbal medicines which act on Pitta and reduce its disturbed properties, are used in high doses in the management of this condition.  The autoimmune component of the disease also needs to be handled aggressively so that inflammation of arteries can be treated at the earliest possible.

Since bleeding from different parts of the body and damage to internal organs can be quite severe in the advanced stage of the condition, it is important to initiate treatment at the earliest possible in order to bring about a rapid remission, prevent permanent damage of important organs and reduce morbidity and mortality to the maximum extent possible.  Ayurvedic treatment can be done in the form of oral medication as well as Panchkarma which mainly includes induced purgation, and courses of medicated enemas, if required.

Symptomatic treatment to reduce damage to the skin, muscles, joints, intestines, nerves, and kidneys needs to be given on a patient-to-patient basis, keeping in mind severity of the symptoms, and the need to provide treatment of the root cause.  If treatment is started early, a complete remission can be obtained within a few months, and later on, low dose treatment can be continued in order to prevent a relapse of the condition.  An acute and severe presentation of the disease requires highly aggressive treatment in the form of high doses of herbal medicines which are nevertheless very effective in controlling symptoms and bringing a rapid resolution of the disease.  Even severe forms of the disease can be treated completely within a span of six to eight months.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment can be very judiciously utilised to effectively treat PAN.  Herbal medicines are quite safe for prolonged use and can be used safely both in the pediatric as well as elderly population.

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

Highly Successful and Effective Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Avascular Necrosis (AVN) of the Hip

Avascular necrosis is a disease resulting from death of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply.  The hip bone is the most commonly affected due to this condition and long-term disease leads to eventual collapse of the joint. Modern management consists of the use of biphosphanates to reduce or slow down calcium loss from the bone, decompression surgery, physiotherapy, and - as a last resort – surgical joint replacement.

This condition usually causes severe pain, stiffness, and limitation of joint movement.  Activities of daily living are restricted because of this disease.  Most patients who resort to decompression surgery seldom obtain any benefit from the procedure.  Total joint replacement is a costly procedure and does not offer full joint mobility.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment is highly effective and successful in the management AVN of the hip.  Treatment consists of aggressively using herbal tablets which are safe and effective for long-term use.  Additionally, a medicated enema is given weekly along with local application of medicated oils and fomentation.  Graded physiotherapy is also beneficial along with other treatment.  This combination treatment is very effective and successful in treating all the symptoms of AVN related to pain, stiffness, and limitation of movement.  Most people affected with AVN can walk normally and lead a normal life after a few months of Ayurvedic treatment.

In order to prevent further deterioration of the joint and to prevent a relapse, medicines can be continued in low dose as a supplementation therapy.  However, most patients consider themselves fully cured within a few months of treatment.  It is important to initiate Ayurvedic herbal treatment at the earliest possible in order to get maximum benefit and a complete cure.  The greater the joint destruction at commencement of therapy, the longer is the treatment required to reverse the entire pathology as well as all the symptoms.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus be judiciously utilized in successfully and effectively treating AVN of the hip joint.

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 Acute intermittent Porphyria (AIP)

Acute intermittent Porphyria (AIP) is an acute manifestation of a metabolic medical disorder which is part of a group of inherited disorders.  AIP results from accumulation of porphyrins in the body due to deficiency of certain enzymes which are responsible for conversion of porphyrins into heme.  Heme is usually present in all the body tissues, but is mostly found in red blood cells, bone marrow and the liver.  The acute presentation causes symptoms like severe pain in abdomen, constipation, vomiting, muscular pain, convulsions, tingling and weakness, confusion, hallucinations, high blood pressure, and tachycardia.  The skin can also be affected, causing symptoms like itching and rash.

The modern management of AIP consists of hospital admission, intravenous glucose, and hematin tablets, if available.  There is no medication in the modern system of medicine to prevent or cure this problem.  Simple Ayurvedic medicines can be used to control as well as reduce symptoms like abdominal pain and vomiting, and thereby prevent or reduce the need for hospital admission.  Regular use of Ayurvedic medicines based on the Ayurvedic interpretation of the disease can gradually control all symptoms and help the disease go into a complete remission.

After an initial phase of treatment for about six months, most patients affected with AIP can manage very well on their own without the need for multiple medications.  AIP can be precipitated by medications, fasting, smoking, infections, surgery, stress, menstrual hormones, excessive use of alcohol, and exposure to the sun.  It is therefore very important to avoid all aggravating factors and adopt suitable lifestyle modifications.

It is heartening to note that AIP can be very systematically treated and controlled with the help of Ayurvedic medicines, using Ayurvedic principles of treatment.

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

Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)

Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) is a medical disorder resulting from dysfunctional bone marrow production. While there is a simple and universal paucity of red blood cells and white blood cells in aplastic anemia, in MDS, in addition, these cells also display morphological abnormalities.  MDS causes symptoms of anemia, fatigue, fever, heart disease, bleeding, reduced urine output and shock. MDS can be primary or secondary; the later type is usually caused by the side effects of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, viral infection, exposure to chemicals, and a genetic disposition.

MDS can be successfully treated with the help of Ayurvedic herbal medicines which have a specific action on the bone marrow.  Medicines which are effective on the Majja dhatu (tissue) are useful in the management of MDS;  in addition medicines which act on the blood tissue as well as liver and spleen are also effective in the management of symptoms. Medicines need to be given in high doses and for prolonged periods on order to be effective, so that they can bring about a remission and prevent relapse.

In order to increase the effectiveness of treatment and reduce treatment time, simple Ayurvedic Panchkarma procedures are added to the oral treatment.  These include giving a series of medicated enemas (basti); especially, a medicine known as Tikta Ksheer can be effectively used as a series in the management of MDS.  This enema is known as Tikta Ksheer Basti.  Given in small amounts (100ml), these can be safely administered, without any contraindications, to all affected individuals without any risk of side effects.

Treatment ranging from six to ten months is usually very effectively in successfully managing patients affected with MDS. It is important to initiate treatment at an early stage in order to bring about an early and complete treatment response as well as prevent further complications such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML).  At this point, it is heartening to note that even such complications can be effectively treated with Ayurvedic medicines. Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus significantly reduce morbidity and mortality from MDS and most such patients can be very successfully managed on a long-term basis.

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

Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Acute Intermittent Porphyria (AIP)

Porphyria is a complex group of inherited disorders resulting from faulty and incomplete conversion of porphyrins into heme.  Though heme is present in almost all body tissues, it is most commonly found in the red blood cells.  An acute presentation of this condition is known as acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), since the attacks are intermittent and recurrent, and cause acute symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting, muscular pain, high blood pressure, red urine, itching and skin rash, and symptoms related to the nervous system.

This acute presentation is usually treated with intravenous glucose and the use of the medication, Hematin, where available.  Most such patients are sensitive to many medications which have to be strictly avoided, once the diagnosis has been made.  AIP can be precipitated by medications, fasting, smoking, infections, surgery, stress, and excessive use of alcohol or exposure to sun.  Other than conservative treatment of the acute stage, which is usually done in the intensive care section of hospitals, there is no known preventive or curative treatment for this condition in the modern system of medicine.  However, using Ayurvedic pathophysiology, this condition can be treated very effectively with simple medicines and simple procedures of Panchkarma.

AIP is usually treated with herbal medicines which have a digestive and antispasmodic action as well as medicines which have a lubricating and laxative action.  Other than these, medicines which treat an overactive nervous system, as well as an overactive metabolism, are useful in the management of this condition.  Thus, medicines which are useful in the treatment of Vata and Pitta doshas are utilized in the management of AIP, as well as in the long-term management of porphyria.  Simple Panchkarma procedures such as full body massage and fomentation (mild snehan and swedan), and simple matra basti (medicated enemas in low doses) are highly effective in treating acute stage of AIP as well as preventing further attacks.

Most such patients go into full remission within a few months of treatment and can then be managed with low doses of medicines, a strict diet in which aggravation of vata and pitta have to be avoided, as well as suitable lifestyle modifications in order to avoid precipitating an acute attack.  AIP as well as porphyria can thus be effectively managed and treated successfully using the Ayurvedic system of medicine.

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