Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment and Long-term Management of Mitral Regurgitation

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a medical condition in which blood flows abnormally in a reverse direction from the left ventricle of the heart to the left atrium. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP), rheumatic heart disease, infective endocarditis, annular calcification, cardiomyopathy, and ischemic heart disease are the common causes for this condition. In the initial stages of this condition, there may be no, or minimal symptoms; as the disease progresses, affected individuals may experience breathlessness, lung congestion, and heart failure. Clinical history, physical examination, chest X-ray, ECG, 2-d echo, and cardiac catheterization may be required for an accurate diagnosis of this condition.

Conservative therapy includes diuretics, medicines to improve heart function, blood thinning drugs, and regular medication for prevention of infection. Surgical options include repair or replacement of the damaged valve; with repair being the preferred option for most patients. Ayurvedic herbal treatment can be added in the long term management of MR patients to improve quality of life, reduce symptoms, and postpone the requirement for surgical intervention, which has its own inherent risks.

It is important to use herbal medicines which improve heart efficiency and function, and reduce inflammation and prevent infection. However, the use of Ayurvedic medicines which act on the mitral valve, especially on the tendon chords and muscle attached to it, is of greater importance and relevance in treating MR, since the efficacy of these medicines determines the overall success and utility of the treatment.

Treatment is usually given for a period of about 6-8 months. Further treatment decisions will depend upon the response of the patient to the treatment given thus far. Maintenance therapy, in the form of a few medicines, may be required in patients with severe mitral regurgitation. Most patients with moderate mitral regurgitation may be safely managed on a long term basis with the help of Ayurvedic herbal medicines.

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 and Long Term Management of Mitral Stenosis

Mitral Stenosis is a medical condition caused due to narrowing of the mitral valve opening from the left atrium into the left ventricle. This condition is usually caused due to rheumatic fever, congenital causes, and chronic autoimmune diseases. The inflammation and resulting damage to the mitral valves may become apparent several decades after the actual infection has occurred. While there may be no symptoms with mild stenosis, as the condition progresses and the mitral valve orifice becomes less than 1cm ², symptoms of breathlessness, lung congestion, and heart failure become apparent. Atrial fibrillation may also develop gradually.

Conservative treatment includes medicines to prevent infection, reduce lung congestion, treat atrial fibrillation, and prevent embolism. Surgical treatment includes mitral valvotomy or mitral valve replacement. Ayurvedic treatment can be successfully included in the long term management of mitral stenosis. The goal of this additional treatment is to increase the symptom free period by at least another decade or so, reduce the need for surgical treatment, improve quality of life, reduce the risk of complications, and help improve overall long term survival.

Ayurvedic herbal medicines improve heart function and efficiency, reduce the load on the heart, reduce lung congestion, treat fibrillation, and help reduce inflammation and calcium deposits on the valve, thereby making the valve leaflets more pliable. Herbal medicines act on heart muscle, as well as on the tiny tendon chords attached to the valves, thereby improving the valve functional efficiency and delaying further stenosis.

Once symptoms are brought under control, other medicines are used to increase heart performance and endurance, so that the overall symptom free period is increased and overall life span of the patient too increases. The medicines required for each individual patient may differ, and the dosages required too may be different, depending upon the overall medical status of each affected individual, the response to treatment, and associated medical history and complications. Initial treatment may be for about 6-8 months, while a few medicines for maintenance may be required for another 6 months. Some patients with severe valve disease and declared unsuitable for surgery may require a few Ayurvedic herbal medicines on a lifelong basis.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus be judiciously utilized in the long term management of mitral stenosis.

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 and Management of Aortic Regurgitation

Aortic regurgitation is a medical condition in which the aortic valve does not close fully and causes some blood flow leakage back into the left ventricle while it should be pumped fully into the aorta. While aortic regurgitation may not cause symptoms initially and for a long time, eventually, affected individuals develop symptoms such as fatigue and fainting due to less oxygen supply, as well as breathlessness and heart failure due to enlargement of the left ventricle. Individuals suffering from this condition are also more at risk of getting endocarditis. Congenital causes such as a two leaflet valve instead of the normal three leaves, old age, infections like rheumatic fever and endocarditis, high blood pressure, and aortic stenosis are known causes for this condition.

A clinical history, clinical examination, and tests like ECG, 2d echo and chest X-ray are usually sufficient for a diagnosis of this condition; rarely, cardiac catheterization may be required. Conservative treatment is given in the form of regular monitoring, lifestyle changes like regular exercise, weight control and quitting smoking, and medications to reduce high blood pressure. Surgical procedures involve valve replacement using open heart surgery or by a catheter procedure known as TAVR which is less invasive.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment can be judiciously used in the successful long term management of aortic regurgitation. Herbal medicines are used to control blood pressure, reduce obesity, reduce calcium deposition and thereby reduce thickening, hardening and scarring of valve leaflets, use specific medicines to make the aortic valve and adjoining tendon chords more pliable and efficient, improve heart muscle strength, elasticity and efficiency, and improve cardiac output. If required, herbal medicines can also be given to treat or prevent long term infection and inflammation.

Most patients with mild to moderate aortic valve regurgitation can be managed very well using Ayurvedic herbal medicines. Treatment is usually required for about 8-10 months. For patients with moderately severe regurgitation, some medicines to maintain heart efficiency and normalize blood pressure may be required on a long term or lifelong basis. Patients with very severe aortic regurgitation are best treated surgically; however, those who are not fit for surgery - for various reasons - may still be managed well with Ayurvedic herbal treatment.

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 and Management of Aortic Stenosis

Aortic stenosis is a medical condition in which the aortic valve is narrower than normal and causes less blood flow into the aorta from the left ventricle of the heart. This can cause fatigue and fainting due to less oxygen supply, as well as breathlessness and heart failure due to enlargement of the left ventricle. Increased blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythm can also be caused due to this condition. Congenital causes such as a two leaflet valve instead of the normal three-leaved one, high blood pressure, obesity, old age, and infection and inflammation are known causes for this condition.

A clinical history, clinical examination, and tests like ECG, 2d echo and stress test are usually sufficient for a diagnosis of this condition; rarely, cardiac catheterization may be required. Conservative treatment is given in the form of medications to reduce high blood pressure, reduce abnormal heart rhythm, improve heart efficiency, and reduce obesity. Surgical procedures involve dilatation of the valve (balloon valvuloplasty) – usually done in children - and valve replacement using open heart surgery or by a catheter procedure known as TAVR which is less invasive.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment can be judiciously used in the successful long term management of aortic stenosis. Herbal medicines are used to control blood pressure, reduce obesity, reduce calcium deposition and thereby reduce thickening, hardening and scarring of valve leaflets, use specific medicines to make the aortic valve more pliable, improve heart muscle strength and efficiency, improve cardiac output, and treat or reduce abnormal heart rhythm. If required, herbal medicines can also be given to treat long term infection and inflammation.

Most patients with mild to moderate aortic valve stenosis can be managed very well using Ayurvedic herbal medicines. Treatment is usually required for about 8-10 months. For patients with moderately severe stenosis, some medicines to maintain heart efficiency and normalize blood pressure may be required on a long term or lifelong basis. Patients with very severe aortic stenosis are best treated surgically; however, those who are not fit for surgery - for various reasons - may still be managed well with Ayurvedic herbal treatment.

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

Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Chronic and Recurrent Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a medical condition in which there is inflammation and damage to the pancreas due to gall stones, or alcohol binges along with fatty food consumption. The pancreatic juices which are responsible for the digestion of food can cause auto-digestion of the pancreas due to the inflammation process. An acute attack can be dangerous, with the potential for serious complications like infection, peritonitis, abdominal rupture and septicaemia.

An acute attack is best treated in an intensive care unit of a well equipped hospital. However, recurrent attacks of pancreatitis can be effectively treated with Ayurvedic herbal medicines. Ayurvedic treatment can also reverse the damage and inflammation to the pancreas and prevent recurrence of attacks. Early commencement of Ayurvedic treatment can bring about a full recovery and prevent permanent damage.

Ayurvedic treatment is equally effective in both adults as well as children. An average of about 6 months of treatment is required for most patients. It is important to reduce weight and avoid intake of alcohol, tobacco, and fatty foods. Patients with gall stones need to be treated aggressively with Ayurvedic medicines.

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 Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic and recurrent skin disease characterized by itchy, inflamed, scaly patches which may cover a major part of the skin. This disease is believed to be an autoimmune disorder, in which the body’s immune system itself targets some specific organs or systems in the body, causing inflammation and damage. Inflammation, itching and recurrent breakout of skin rash can cause serious psychological stress, which can further aggravate and fuel the condition.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment can tame and gradually cure this condition using a systematic approach of detoxification, rejuvenation, and specifically targeting the skin and subcutaneous tissues with healing herbs. Chronic infection, inflammation, heavy metal toxicity, high levels of stress, and faulty diet and damaging lifestyles are important concerns which need to be addressed aggressively. While treating the condition with appropriate herbs, physicians advise patients about the daily food intake and dos and don’ts.

Recurrence is common with this condition and stress is a major contributing factor. This needs to be treated both by taking adequate medications as well as modifying attitudes, work styles, long term goals, and adopting a spiritual outlook. Exposure to adequate sunlight and fresh air is also very important for long term health.

Depending upon severity, patient compliance and response to medicines, average treatment time ranges from about 4 to 12 months.

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 psoriasis, kindly click here

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease which involves increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries, which can in the long run cause right sided heart failure and death. Weakness, breathlessness, and occasional giddiness and falls are vague symptoms; signs and symptoms of right sided heart failure usually present in advanced cases or in those without treatment. 2-d echo tests, along with a clinical history, a possible family history, and other supporting tests can help in a diagnosis.

Congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, left ventricular failure, connective tissue disease, infections, drug toxicity, chronic lung disease, high altitude disease, tumors; and disorders related to metabolic disease, blood clotting diseases, and systemic diseases,  are all possible causes for PAH. When no specific cause can be located for the condition, it is termed as idiopathic PAH.

Treatment of PAH is with drugs which bring about smooth muscle relaxation of arteries thereby causing vasodilatation and reduction in pressure of pulmonary arteries. Calcium channel blockers and derivatives of prostacycline form the mainstay of this treatment. With the use of these medications, the overall prognosis of patients with PAH has improved considerably, along with increased survival rates. Patients who do not tolerate these drugs or do not respond satisfactorily to these medications can be started on Ayurvedic treatment.

Ayurvedic herbal medicines reduce inflammation, reduce blockage, bring about vessel dilatation, and reduce resistance. Herbal medicines which act on blood, blood vessels, lung tissue, as well as the gastrointestinal system are used in combinations to bring about maximum benefit to patients. It is also important to treat the known causes of PAH. Multi pronged herbal therapy which acts on several tissues has a much better clinical effect and the patient gets sustained benefit even after cessation of therapy.

Most patients with mild to moderate severity of PAH get significant relief with about 8-12 months of treatment and maintain themselves well even without drugs for several years. Adequate life style modifications are required so that the chances for recurrence are completely avoided or minimized. Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus be judiciously utilized in the comprehensive management of PAH.

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