Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)

Age Related Macular Degeneration, also known as ARMD or AMD, is an age related eye condition which gradually results in diminished central vision. The risk factors for this condition are age over 60, female gender, a positive family history, faulty diet (reduced intake of omega fatty acids and dark green vegetables) , excessive exposure to the sun, smoking, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and obesity.

AMD is of two types, wet and dry. Dry AMD is more common, and nearly 80-85% patients have this type of AMD.  In this type, the macula gradually gets thinner, and toxic deposits cause tiny clumps of protein known as drusen. There is a gradual and slow loss of central vision, which usually occurs in both eyes. Dietary supplements may help reduce or stabilize this condition.

The wet type of AMD is present in only about 15 % of affected individuals; however, this type is more serious and is responsible for nearly 80% of vision loss occurring from this condition. New, abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina; these cause leakage of blood and fluid, eventually leading to scarring of the macula. This type of vision loss may be faster- often occurring in a few days to a few weeks- and more extensive. Vision loss typically affects one eye. Treatment includes dietary supplementation, injection of antivascular endothelial growth factor drugs, laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, and use of low vision devices.

Dry AMD can be treated with Ayurvedic medicines using the Rasayan (rejuvenating) herbs. Use of Triphala and Mahatriphala Ghrut is beneficial, as well as the prolonged use of Netra Tarpan procedure. Medicines which help remove toxic deposits and strengthen the retina are very useful, but need to be given for prolonged periods in order to get good benefit. Associated risk factors and concurrent medical conditions need to be treated in order to give the patient the full benefit of Ayurvedic treatment.  Treated in this way, most affected individuals can retain a decent vision for more than three decades.

For patients with the wet type of AMD, the use of leeches can avert sudden and drastic vision loss. Mild and repeated purgation helps in reducing fluid build up beneath the retina. Medicines can then be given to remove toxic collection from the eyes, as well as to help reduce the abnormal vessel growth and frequent leakages. Vision can be gradually restored fully or partially (depending upon the stage at which treatment has been commenced), and further loss of vision can be prevented.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus be judiciously used to effectively treat both the dry and wet types of AMD.

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 ARMD, kindly click here

Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD)

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) is an autoimmune disease which includes Reynaud’s phenomenon (discoloration of fingertips and toes in extreme temperatures), arthritis, esophageal dysfunction, myositis (inflammation of muscles), pulmonary hypertension, sclerodactyly (swollen and hardened fingers and toes), skin rash, reduced white blood cell counts, pleuritis (inflamed coverings of lungs), pericarditis (inflamed coverings of heart), along with high levels of ribonucleioprotein antibodies. Women are ten times more affected by this condition than men.

Autoimmune diseases are those clinical conditions in which the immune system of the body becomes dysfunctional and starts targeting body organs and tissues, resulting in long term inflammation and damage. The modern, conservative treatment of MCTD is to suppress the dysfunctional immune system using steroids or immunosuppressant drugs; while this brings about an early relief from symptoms, most patients tend to relapse in the long run. The Ayurvedic treatment protocol for the management of MCTD consists of treating symptoms, treating the damaged tissues and organs, normalizing metabolism, soothing a hyper-reactive immune system, and treating all possible causes of the disease. Causes include chronic allergies, chronic inflammation, chronic infections, nutritional deficiencies, degeneration, and toxic build up in the body.

Detoxification, rejuvenation treatment of tissues and organs, immune modulation and symptomatic treatment need to be done separately or concurrently. Treating and protecting important internal organs like the heart, lungs and kidneys, and bringing about successful immune modulation, need to be accorded top priority in the long run. When it becomes apparent that the immune system is gradually functioning at optimal levels, the herbal medicines can be tapered off gradually. Depending upon the severity of the condition and the treatment response of the patient, treatment time may range anywhere from six to twenty-four months. Educating the patient about a healthy diet and lifestyle becomes important at this stage so as to enjoy optimal health and avoid a relapse of the condition.

Concurrent treatment with modern medicines and Ayurvedic herbal medicines can be safely given on a long term basis; however, adequate monitoring and testing is essential.

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

Congestive Cardiac Failure (CCF) - Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Congestive cardiac failure (CCF) is a medical condition in which the heart is unable to pump oxygenated blood to the body with its normal efficiency. CCF, if left untreated, becomes gradually progressive over time and leads to symptoms like chest pain or discomfort, breathlessness, fatigue, pain in abdomen, swelling in feet and abdomen, increased nocturnal urination, and decreased appetite.

Early diagnosis and management of this medical condition is important in order to prevent permanent and irreversible damage to the heart and increased mortality. In addition to modern conservative care, institution of aggressive Ayurvedic treatment to treat both the cause and effects of CCF can result in highly gratifying results. Ayurvedic medicines are very effective in quickly controlling high blood pressure; this reduces the work load on the heart thereby reducing heart muscle fatigue and compromised pumping action. Herbal medicines work very well to reduce atherosclerosis and obstruction in narrowed coronary vessels so as to improve the blood flow to the heart muscles. Damage to heart muscles due to valvular insufficiency, heart muscle disease, or alcohol and drug abuse can be corrected using specific herbal therapy for the same. Work efficiency of the heart can be improved using appropriate herbo-mineral therapy.

With regular treatment, affected individuals notice a definite improvement in symptoms like swelling, breathlessness, fatigue and reduced appetite. Objective tests like a chest x-ray and 2-d echo test reveal improvement in such parameters as reduction in the size of enlarged heart chambers, improved valvular efficiency, improved heart ejection fraction, reduced load on the lungs, and resolution of swelling in and around the pericardium.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus be judiciously used to treat refractory patients having CCF. Concurrent Ayurvedic treatment can dramatically improve the overall outlook of long term treatment of CCF and significantly bring down mortality resulting from this condition.

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 CCF, kindly click on this link https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com/product-page/congestive-cardiac-failure-ccf