Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Acute Intermittent Porphyria (AIP)

Acute Intermittent Porphyria (AIP) is an acute manifestation pf porphyria, which is an inherited metabolic disorder. Deficiency of enzymes leads to deficient conversion into heme and thereby accumulation in the body of porphyrins. This causes neurological, visceral, psychiatric, or cutaneous manifestations of symptoms including severe abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting, muscular pain, convulsions, tingling, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, high blood pressure, tachycardia, itching and rash.

Urine in the acute presentation is typically red colored, and contains high amounts of porphobilinogen, which is diagnostic of this condition. Treatment is with intravenous glucose, simple pain killers, and oral or intravenous hematin. Medications, fasting, smoking, infections, surgery, stress, alcohol use, menstrual hormones, and exposure to sun are known to precipitate symptoms of this condition.

The pathology suggests disturbed metabolism and creation of unhealthy blood tissue and vitiated pitta. Features are indicative of Raktapitta disease moving in the downward direction. Depending upon the exact pathophysiology, skin, brain and kidneys are also liable to be affected.

Treatment involves correction of faulty pitta and normalization of blood tissue, correction of metabolism, along with control of a disturbed vata. Other symptoms can be concurrently treated with Ayurvedic medicines. Most patients can be well controlled with Ayurvedic therapy of a few weeks to a few months. Recurrent attacks of pain can be well controlled, provided the patient meticulously avoids all known aggravating causes. Patients having severe neuropsychiatric symptoms may require prolonged treatment of about 6-10 months.

After the initial treatment, once all symptoms have gone in complete remission, it is usually sufficient to just observe the patient for any signs of recurrence or relapse. Most day to day medical issues can be easily handled with Ayurvedic medication, and the patients as well as caretakers quickly learn to manage the situation on their own. It is fortunate that most Ayurvedic medications are well tolerated by patients suffering from porphyria, and so affected individuals need not get intimidated by the long list of Allopathic medications which they cannot take.

The writer, Dr A A Mundewadi, is available as an online consultant at  https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com  and www.ayurvedaphysician.com  For Ayurvedic herbal treatment of AIP, kindly click on this link https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com/product-page/porphyria-aip  For Ayurvedic herbal treatment of porphyria with nervous system involvement or with motor neuron disease, kindly click on this link https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com/product-page/porphyria-cns-mnd  

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 

Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune disorders are caused due to a dysfunction of the immune system of the body which attacks body organs and systems assuming them to be foreign, causing more than 160 different autoimmune diseases. Conservative modern treatment is in the form of immune suppression which results in temporary improvement in the symptoms; however, most patients with serious symptoms do not benefit in the long run, and may in fact exhibit serious side effects from treatment.

Almost all affected individuals exhibit some genetic predisposition to disease, along with exposure to environmental triggers. These include allergies, chronic infections, traumatic inflammation, degeneration, nutritional deficiencies, and toxic build up in the body. Ayurvedic treatment can be given for a few months to systematically detoxify the body; this is followed up with rejuvenation therapy for the next few months. When treated in this manner, patients can be gradually given medicines to treat generalized inflammation and also to gradually modulate a compromised immunity, without showing any aggravation of symptoms.

Treatment is also given to treat specific symptoms as they present. The key to successful treatment  is to treat specific and generalized inflammation, which is the hallmark of autoimmune disease. This can result in remission of commonly occurring autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, alopecia areata, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), thyroiditis, Addison’s disease, pernicious anemia, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS), scleroderma, and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD).

Simple diet instructions are given which can be easily followed by most affected people. Avoidance of fast food, fried food, and packed food items; minimization of sugar, salt, non-vegetarian food, and dairy; and consumption of large amounts of fresh vegetables and fruits (subject to tolerance) are recommended.

Most affected individuals report significant improvement with about four to six months of Ayurvedic herbal treatment, and go into a full remission after about eight to ten months of therapy. Medicines can then be gradually tapered off and then stopped altogether. Patients who are already on steroids and other immune suppressant drugs may require more time to obtain remission of symptoms as well as to gradually get off all modern medication. Early institution of Ayurvedic herbal treatment is important in preventing permanent damage to important organs.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus be systematically used to comprehensively treat all autoimmune disorders.

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

Chronic Kidney Failure - Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Chronic kidney failure is also known as chronic renal failure (CRF) or chronic kidney disease (CKD). There are several medical conditions which can cause this condition, including persistent high blood pressure, untreated and/or uncontrolled diabetes, renal artery stenosis, advanced and chronic polycystic kidneys, medical conditions like advanced autoimmune diseases, adverse drug reactions, drug abuse, severe infections, and large, impacted kidney stones.

An early diagnosis and early institution of effective treatment is crucial in preventing permanent kidney damage. Persistent presence of albumin in the urine, and a gradually increasing creatinine level – even though it may well be within the stipulated normal range – are indicators of gradual kidney damage.

Post renal causes usually include ascending infections, and damage resulting from blockage of urine due to impacted kidney stones. Such causes can usually be treated and removed completely, and the damaged kidneys usually recover completely in most patients. Pre-renal causes include generalized conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and diseases causing inflammation in different organs, such as auto-immune diseases; Ayurvedic herbal treatment is especially useful in treating such conditions which put the kidneys at risk.

Irrespective of the cause, the end result of chronic kidney disease is damage to nephrons, which are the functional and structural working units in the kidneys. Herbal medicines act specifically on the capillaries and nephrons in the kidney to reduce infection, remove inflammation and blockage, remove damaging immune complexes, and bring about healing to damaged tissue. Most patients with up to stage 4 kidney disease improve very well with long term Ayurvedic treatment, usually ranging from 6 to 10 months. Dialysis can be given concurrently to tide over the acute stage of kidney damage. Ayurvedic herbal treatment is thus useful to treat and potentially reverse damage to kidneys, which is the hallmark of chronic kidney disease.

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

Infertility - Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Though there are multiple possible medical causes of infertility, increasingly busy and stressful lifestyles have contributed to infertility levels in many young, married couples.

Male infertility can be due to poor sperm count, poor sperm quality, and issues related to erection and ejaculation. Ayurvedic herbal medicines can be successfully used to treat these issues and are safe, effective, and improve sperm quality and quantity while also improving performance and mutual satisfaction.

Female infertility can be due to hormonal imbalance, underdeveloped organs, ovulation failure, blockage due to growths (cysts or tumors) or inflammation, failure of conception due to sperm antibodies, or failure of implantation and embryonic growth due to infections. Most such conditions can be safely and effectively treated with Ayurvedic herbal medicines.

More than a third of affected women fail to conceive in spite of all relevant examinations and reports coming out normal. Ayurvedic treatment which can be given in such a scenario is completely safe, can be given for long periods, and tends to help solve the issue without creating any new problem or side effects. Ayurvedic herbal treatment can be continued throughout pregnancy in order to prevent complications as well as to achieve safe and healthy offspring.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus be utilized to successfully treat both male and female infertility. Treatment is both safe as well as highly economical. It is important to do a thorough examination as well as perform detailed medical tests so as to locate the exact cause and provide specific and effective treatment.

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