Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD)

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a medical condition involving a mix of several autoimmune diseases. Patients typically complain of Reynaud’s phenomenon, swollen fingers, joint pain, hardening skin, pulmonary hypertension, difficulty in swallowing, and painful muscles. The presence of U1 RNP and snRNP antibodies is diagnostic of this condition. Women are affected more than men. The presence of pulmonary hypertension and other symptoms related to the cardiovascular system indicate an adverse prognosis.

Most patients are managed with drugs to treat pain and swelling, low dose steroids, and immune suppressing agents. Symptomatic treatment is given for difficulty in swallowing and acid reflux. Patients with pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease as well as heart involvement require special attention.

The Ayurvedic treatment of MCTD involves detoxification, reduction of generalized inflammation, and special rejuvenation therapy for the cardiovascular system and musculoskeletal system. Once the symptoms gradually start subsiding, immune modulating herbs are introduced slowly. Special care is required since most patients are already on steroid and immune suppressant therapy. As inflammation decreases, the body gradually starts accepting immune modulation and immune strengthening treatment.

Treatment is continued till all symptoms are completely in remission; at this stage, modern medicines like steroids and immune suppressant drugs need to be tapered off gradually. This stage is highly sensitive, since the patient may experience an aggravation of symptoms for about 1-2 months.  Counseling and encouragement needs to be given to the patient at this stage to continue with the treatment. Once the aggravation subsides, then further treatment can be given to treat any residual symptoms and build up the immune system of the body so that it works to the patient’s advantage.

Treatment is then gradually reduced in dosage and frequency so that the patient can start living a life free of medication. Most patients with MCTD, or for that matter, any autoimmune disease, require regular treatment for a period of about 12 to 18 months for a complete remission of the disease with complete cessation of all modern drugs.   It is important to educate the patient to adopt a healthy life style and healthy eating habits, as well as avoid stress, so as to prevent a relapse of the condition.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a specific role to play in the successful management and treatment of MCTD.

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 MCTD, kindly click here

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss and hearing impairment are conditions which can severely affect quality of life, confidence, academic performance as well as earning potential, in addition to increasing the risk to life and limb. Hearing loss can be present at birth, or present later on in life. It can be bilateral or unilateral; it can also happen suddenly or present gradually. Medically, hearing loss can be classified into three types: (1) Sensorineural (2) Conductive and (3) Mixed.  Causes include wax, eardrum perforation, chronic infection, trauma, exposure to loud sounds, diseases of the inner ear or middle ear, tumors, congenital defects, drugs and old age.

The treatment of hearing loss depends upon the known causes for the condition. Conservative management includes avoiding causes where possible, treating allergies and chronic infection, and providing nutrients which may help improve hearing. Such treatments help overcome mild to moderate hearing loss; however, severe hearing loss - both of the sensorineural and conductive types - requires more aggressive management in the form of using hearing aids and surgical implants.

Specific Ayurvedic treatment can be provided depending upon whether the hearing loss is of the sensorineural type or the conductive type. For conductive hearing loss, medicines which act on the bone tissue are used in addition to herbs which have a specific action on the ear and aid in hearing. For sensorineural hearing loss, herbal medicines are used which act specifically on the inner ear and strengthen the auditory nerve. Additionally, if there is a known cause for the hearing loss, it also helps to treat this cause separately. For mixed type of hearing loss, a combination treatment is invariably required.

The average treatment time for hearing loss is about six to eight months. With the availability of newer and better herbal and herbomineral combination medicines, improvement is possible in sensorineural hearing loss of about 70-90%, while the improvement for conductive hearing loss is in the range of 60-80%. Refractory patients may require longer periods of treatment. It also helps to adopt a healthy lifestyle, take adequate rest and nutrition, and avoid stress and exposure to loud sounds.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a unique role to play in the successful management and treatment of hearing loss.

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

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