Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Avascular Necrosis (AVN)

Loss of blood supply to the end part of long bones results in a gradual cellular death and collapse of bone, causing pain, limitation of movement, and destruction of the joint. This condition is known as avascular necrosis (AVN), and mostly involves the hip joint, though other long bones and even small bones may also be affected. Trauma and drugs like corticosteroids can cause AVN; organ transplant recipients are also more susceptible.

Modern treatment options for AVN bring about limited results. Reduction in weight bearing by restricting activity and using crutches; pain relieving drugs; medicines like biphosphonates and vasodilator drugs; and heat therapy, bring about some degree of improvement. Surgical options include core decompression, bone grafting, and total hip arthroplasty. Poor prognostic factors include age over 50 years, stage 3 or more disease progression  at the time of diagnosis, death of more than a third of the weight bearing area of the joint, and lateral involvement of the joint.

Ayurvedic herbal medicines can be judiciously used to bring about significant relief or even a complete cure in patients suffering from AVN. Herbs increase blood circulation to the affected bone, increase micro-circulation, reduce swelling, flush out dead tissue, and even help in bone remodeling. In the early stages of the disease, treatment of about 4-6 months is sufficient, while those having an advanced condition require treatment with high doses of herbs for about 6-8 months. Highly refractory patients also need medicated enemas in addition to the oral treatment.

Ayurvedic treatment can also be given in concurrence with surgical procedures to provide maximum benefit; it can also be offered as a treatment option for patients with failed surgeries.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a definite role to play in the treatment and management of AVN.

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

You can start treatment for this condition here

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) – Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Pulmonary hypertension, also known as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), is a rare medical condition in which the pressure in the blood vessel of the lungs increases much beyond normal. Due to various reasons, the blood vessel contract and become hard, making it difficult for blood to flow through. This causes increased strain on the right side of the heart, resulting in right sided heart failure and symptoms like breathlessness, fatigue, swelling of the ankles, and blue lips.

PAH is of different types: idiopathic; familial; secondary to other diseases; and associated with left heart disease, lung disease, and thrombo-embolic disease. Conservative treatment includes the use of medications which relax blood vessels and prevent narrowing, prevent blood clots, remove excess fluid, and help the heart pump blood more efficiently. Lifestyle changes like regular light exercises help improve symptoms. Some patients may require oxygen therapy. Blood clots may require surgical removal. Patients who do not respond satisfactorily to medications may require lung or heart-lung transplantation.

Ayurvedic treatment can help achieve good control of symptoms, reduce the hardening and blockage of blood vessels, and treat known causes for this condition. Patients with mild to moderate severity of symptoms achieve control with about 4 to 6 months of treatment. Patients with severe PAH may require more aggressive and prolonged treatment. Most patients who achieve a remission of symptoms do well for prolonged periods without any medication; however, regular monitoring is desirable. Such individuals should also take care to avoid extreme or harsh climatic conditions, and strenuous lifestyles.

Ayurvedic treatment is especially useful for those patients who do not respond satisfactorily to modern medications and are also not good candidates for surgery. Ayurvedic herbal treatment can prove to be a life saver for such patients with PAH.

In the late stages, blocked and constricted, hardened blood vessels can get fibrosed, leading to a further aggravation of the situation. Since medicines may not be so effective at this stage, it is advisable to commence treatment at the earliest to get the maximum possible results.

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

Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy – Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is a rare disease which is mainly of genetic origin.  This condition causes an overgrowth of the endocardium, the innermost layer of the heart muscles. The excess amount of muscle causes a severe compromise of the heart function of pumping blood. This condition can cause life threatening arrhythmias, severe heart failure and sudden death. The risk of sudden death can be alleviated using an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Medicines are given to reduce the force and rate of heart contractions. Treatment is also given in the form of surgery to directly cut off the excess muscle, and catheter based alcohol ablation. Both procedures can cause serious complications, with high probability of recurrence.

Ayurvedic treatment can be judiciously used to successfully treat this condition. It is important to start treatment at the earliest, immediately after diagnosis, since this can give the best possible results. Delay in starting treatment can lead to the possibility of serious complications including sudden death. In addition, in the long run, the enlarged muscle may be replaced with fibrous tissue, at which stage a reversal with medications may not be possible.

Ayurvedic treatment can be given concurrently with modern medications. Regular treatment is essential, with a follow up 2D echo test at every three months, to ensure that the patient is responding well to treatment. A definite reduction the interventricular septal thickness can be recorded with about 6 months of treatment. It is advisable to continue treatment till a near normal-thickness interventricular septum is visualized. Depending upon the degree of response, treatment duration of about 12 to 18 months is recommended.

Most patients can lead a near normal life after completing a full course of Ayurvedic treatment. Since this is a hereditary, genetic disorder, a lifelong periodical follow up is mandatory in order to pick up a possible recurrence of the condition. Depending upon the severity of recurrence, small courses of treatment can be repeated as required.

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

Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Medical Conditions Related to the Heart

In the modern age of stress, modernization, globalization, pollution, and global warming, diseases of the heart are a leading cause for death worldwide. Ayurvedic management of these conditions is comprehensive and highly successful. A short summary of medical conditions and their Ayurvedic treatment is given below.

Hypertension or high blood pressure has become very common in the young and middle aged population, due to high stress, and competitive lifestyles. Ayurvedic treatment with simple herbs, coupled with relaxation techniques, deep breathing and Reiki, can very well manage mild to moderate blood pressure, without the need for modern anti-hypertensive drug therapy.

Congenital diseases related to the heart can be managed - and in most children, successfully treated - with the use of Ayurvedic herbs and herbo-mineral medicines. It is important to commence treatment at the earliest, immediately after diagnosis, and to continue treatment for at least six to twelve months. Conditions like Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) and Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) fall in this category. Even babies just a few months old can be safely treated with Ayurvedic medicines.

Most mild to moderate conditions related to the valves of the heart can be very well treated with Ayurvedic medicines. Both valve stenosis and regurgitation can be successfully treated with good long term results. Even with patients having severe involvement of the heart valves, surgery can be successfully delayed for several decades with aggressive Ayurvedic treatment. Aortic stenosis and regurgitation, and Mitral Stenosis and regurgitation fall in this category.

Medical conditions involving the heart muscle, usually called myopathies, are quite serious and have significant morbidity and mortality. Ayurvedic treatment can be judiciously used to treat these conditions, though the treatment time required here is more. Conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and restrictive cardiomyopathy fall in this category.

Congestive cardiac failure needs to be treated keeping in mind the known causes for the condition. Most patients can be successfully treated if Ayurvedic treatment is continued for about two to three years. Complete success can be obtained using a combination of Ayurvedic medicines and heart health supplements.

Coronary artery disease (CAD), causing angina (with partial blocks) or heart attacks (with complete blocks), have become very common even in young people. Ayurvedic treatment, combined with a healthy life style - including regular exercises, deep breathing techniques, yogasanas, and healthy food - can completely reverse CAD in most people.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment is thus very useful in successfully managing most medical conditions related to the heart.

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

Chronic Pancreatitis - Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Chronic pancreatitis is a condition in which the patient experiences chronic or intermittent severe abdominal pain, due to a chronic, continuing inflammatory process which gradually destroys the pancreas either fully or partially. The presence of stones, cysts, increased lobularity, dilated ducts and calcification are typical signs of chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic enzyme blood levels are either normal or mildly elevated. In time, the organ gradually loses its functions and the patient may end up with complications like diabetes and malabsorption syndrome.

            Alcohol abuse, gall bladder stones, autoimmune disorders, and trauma are the known causes of chronic pancreatitis, while in some patients the cause remains unknown. Standard treatment includes pain management, prevention and treatment of known causes, treatment of organ insufficiency or failure, and surgery.

            Ayurvedic herbal medicines can be very effectively used in chronic pancreatitis to reduce pain and prevent or minimize long term, irreversible damage to the organ. Herbal medicines can reduce the inflammation in the pancreas and thereby prevent long term complications like cyst formation and calcification. Treatment can change according to the known cause of the condition. It is advisable to start Ayurvedic treatment at the earliest possible since this can bring about a complete reversal of the inflammation and a complete cure. Even patients with chronic history and visible damage to the pancreas have made a complete recovery without a recurrence. Children with recurrent pancreatitis also do well with Ayurvedic treatment and recover completely with treatment.

Any fresh episode of pain can usually be treated successfully with Ayurvedic medicines, with very few exceptions.  Most patients who tend to relapse or do not respond well to treatment usually have a history of faulty compliance to treatment, inadequate diet control and a tendency to binge on fatty foods and alcohol. Average treatment time for chronic pancreatitis is six to eight months, depending upon the severity of organ damage and the response to treatment.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment is therefore a viable treatment option for chronic and recurrent pancreatitis. Early treatment can prevent irreversible damage and bring about complete recovery, with minimal chances of recurrence.

The writer, Dr A A Mundewadi, as available as an Ayurvedic Consultant at    www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com  and www.ayurvedaphysician.com  You can start treatment for this disease here

Hyperhidrosis - Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Hyperhidrosis refers to excessive perspiration especially from the palms, soles, and armpits as well as the head and forehead. This medical condition can cause social embarrassment, depression, and inability to do office work like writing or handling paper documents. Hormonal disorders, diabetes, obesity, stress and high temperatures can aggravate this condition.

The modern treatment of hyperhidrosis consists of the local use of antiperspirants, oral anticholinergic medicines, iontophoresis, Botox injection, surgical denervation, radiofrequency ablation, surgical removal, and subcutaneous liposuction. However, major concerns with these treatments are limited improvement; repeated sittings for treatment; considerable treatment cost; serious or troublesome side effects, and recurrence of symptoms.

Excessive sweating is believed to be due to an overactive autonomic nervous system. In Ayurvedic pathophysiology, it is believed that faulty Meda (fatty tissue) metabolism results in excessive production of waste material, thereby causing excessive sweating.

The primary treatment of hyperhidrosis, therefore, is to normalize the Meda metabolism. Medicines which act on the Meda tissue and also on the overactive autonomic nervous system are given in high doses or rubbed locally on affected body parts. It is also beneficial to treat stress, obesity, diabetes mellitus and other conditions which aggravate or cause excessive sweating.

Complete cessation of sweating is not desirable, since sweating regulates body temperature, maintains fluid balance, and keeps the skin and sweat pores soft. Patients may require Ayurvedic treatment for periods ranging from three to six months or more. Later, the patient can be treated with reduced doses to prevent a relapse of the condition.

Ayurvedic treatment is safe for long term use, and significant relief can be obtained on a very long term basis. In addition to reduction of excessive sweating, patients report feelings of improved relaxation, increased confidence, and better control while handling stressful situations; and these results are reported several months to even several years after stopping treatment. Ayurvedic treatment therefore has a significant role to play in the management of hyperhidrosis.

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

Addiction – Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Physical and emotional dependence on alcohol, tobacco, or drugs is labeled as addiction. Severe addictions can cause ill health, antisocial behavior, absence from work, emotional and physical trauma to the family, economic deprivation, and significantly increased morbidity and mortality. Usually, family members bring the affected individual for treatment; a few individuals come directly seeking treatment. Drug addiction is best treated in a specialized institution using a multi-disciplinary approach. However, most patients having tobacco or alcohol addiction can be safely treated on an outpatient basis.

The mainstay of treatment while handling addiction is to normalize and protect the metabolism of the body as well as the mental state of affected individuals. Herbal medicines are given to improve liver function, detoxify body tissues, protect the heart and nervous system, and improve elimination through the intestines and kidneys. Herbal medicines are also given to improve alertness, concentration and confidence, while reducing stress.

Affected individuals are advised a diet consisting predominantly of milk, ghee, honey, fruits, and vegetables. Recommendations are given to be in good company, remain busy, and get involved in interesting and fruitful work. Professional counseling may be required for serious emotional, family and work related issues.

Ayurvedic treatment has a very good effect on people affected with alcohol and tobacco addiction. Some individuals have reported giving up the use of tobacco or alcohol within just one week of starting treatment. However, it is important to not discontinue treatment due to a risk of relapse. An average of three to six months’ treatment is usually required to completely get an individual off the addiction. It is important to monitor the patient and see that all vital organs are working well and the person is mentally stable.

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 tobacco, alcohol, or gutkha addiction, kindly click on this  link https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com/product-page/addiction-tobacco-alcohol-and-gutkha