Chronic Urticaria – Comparison of Modern (Allopathic) and Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

 Urticaria aka hives is an allergic skin reaction with characteristic red and itchy patches which usually subside within twenty-four hours without any pigmentation or scaling. When this condition persists for more than six weeks, it is known as chronic urticaria. While urticaria is usually not serious, a variant known as angioedema – involving the skin and mucous membranes, usually in the eyelids, lips, and tongue – is typically more serious and may prove to be life-threatening if not treated immediately.

A detailed medical history along with physical examination usually suffices to make a clinical diagnosis of chronic urticaria. Further investigations may be warranted with a concurrent history of parasitic infection, thyroid disorder, or autoimmune disorder. A skin biopsy may rarely be indicated with concurrent skin bleeds, autoimmune features, fever, arthritis, or if skin lesions persist for more than 24 hours at a time.

Chronic urticaria is usually idiopathic in nature; there is no definite cause which can be attributed to it, though it is now believed that an underlying autoimmune process may be one driving factor. A small subset is known as pressure urticaria, which may be caused or aggravated by pressure, vibrations, temperature changes, sweating, sun exposure and contact with water. Though rare, chronic urticaria may also be secondary to some underlying medical condition.

The modern (Allopathic) management of chronic urticaria is usually with the help of anti-histamine medications, which usually suffice to treat rash as well as itching in mild cases. For individuals with moderately severe symptoms, additional treatment with colchicine, dapsone, and steroids may be required for a limited duration. Immune modulating drugs may be required for patients who exhibit an autoimmune disease process, while a few may require thyroid medications.

In addition to a medication regime, it is also important to avoid triggers like stress, fatigue, tight-fitting clothes, alcohol, aspirin, and other non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. Soothing ointments can help relieve itching, while lukewarm baths can alleviate night-time itching. With a properly planned medication regime, nearly 50 percent patients undergo disease remission within a year, even though chronic urticaria is known to last from several months to several years. Though not serious or life threatening, this condition can adversely impact quality of life.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment is also very useful in treating chronic urticaria; this treatment can especially be put to good use in treating those patients who do not respond satisfactorily to modern medicines. While modern (Allopathic) medicines treat on a symptomatic basis, Ayurvedic medicines act to reverse the basis pathology of the disease. Ayurvedic herbs act on the skin, subcutaneous tissue, mucus membranes, capillaries, blood as well as the nervous system and thereby strengthen skin tissue, treat allergy, and prevent recurrence.

As per Ayurvedic pathophysiology, the diagnosis of chronic urticaria is further differentiated as follows: urticaria with predominantly ‘Vata’ dosha symptoms is known as ‘Sheeta-pitta’;  with dominant ‘Pitta’ symptoms, it is known as “Utkotha”; while with dominant ‘Kapha’ symptoms, it is known as ‘Udarda’. Each of these types is treated in a different way and with different herbal medicines, thereby making the Ayurvedic treatment more specific and further amenable to results, even in refractory patients. For patients with highly refractory symptoms, purification Panchkarma procedures like induced emesis, induced purgation, and bloodletting are utilized, either as stand-alone procedures, or as combinations, or even as repeat combination-procedures, if indicated, along with oral medications. Since chronic urticaria may be related to hidden, underlying causes, it is equally important to look for and treat chronic gastro-intestinal symptoms, repeated worm infestations, thyroid disorders, chronic stress, latent infections, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune processes.

It is therefore very important to take a detailed medical history, do a thorough clinical examination and reach an accurate diagnosis before commencing treatment, in order to achieve a quick and complete remission. With proper and regular Ayurvedic herbal treatment, most patients having chronic urticaria can be fully treated in about 4-8 months. Depending upon the severity, patients with underlying autoimmune disease may require treatment for longer periods. It is equally important to adopt suitable lifestyle modifications and avoid know triggers.

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

Porphyria – Modern (Allopathic) Versus Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

 Porphyrias are a group of inherited metabolic disorders, in which deficiency of enzymes causes a buildup of porphyrins, which are required for the synthesis of hemoglobin in red blood cells. This abnormal buildup affects the skin, nerves, brain, and internal organs, causing symptoms like severe abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting, muscular pain, convulsions, tingling, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, high blood pressure, tachycardia, itching and rash. Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is an acute manifestation of this condition.

The abnormal buildup of porphyrins causes urine to be typically red colored with the excretion of porphobilinogen, and this is diagnostic of the condition. Symptoms are precipitated by medications, fasting, smoking, infections, surgery, stress, alcohol, menstrual hormones, and exposure to sun. Treatment in the modern (allopathic) system of medicine is with intravenous glucose, simple pain killers, and oral or intravenous Hematin. While the acute condition can be treated adequately in a well equipped hospital, modern medicine cannot prevent further episodes, other than by recommending avoidance of the precipitating factors as well as all unnecessary medications.

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.

Porphyria patients can thus be comprehensively treated and managed on a long term basis with the help of Ayurvedic herbal medicines.

The writer, Dr A A Mundewadi, is available as an online consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com For Ayurvedic herbal treatment of recurrent porphyria episodes, click here For Ayurvedic herbal treatment of porphyria with neuropsychiatric involvement, kindly click here

Migraine – Modern (Allopathic) Versus Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

 Migraine is a medical condition which affects mainly women and can prove incapacitating in nature, with symptoms such as severe headache, nausea, vomiting and light sensitivity, which may last from four to seventy-two hours. The onset is usually between ten and forty years of age; it may be aggravated with menstruation and may – in a few affected individuals – improve or disappear by the age of fifty. Nearly one billion people worldwide are estimated to be suffering from this condition, and it is believed to be more common than diabetes, epilepsy and asthma combined.

Migraine may be inherited, and triggered or aggravated by certain foods, caffeine, weather changes, bright light, menstruation, fatigue, stress, and irregular sleep and meals. While the exact mechanism of the disease is as yet not clear, it is believed that the triggers stimulate the trigeminal nerve and cause increased swelling in the blood vessels lining the brain.  This in turn releases neurotransmitters which cause pain and inflammation. Typically, this condition severely disrupts the quality of life of affected patients; in a few individuals, there may be additional symptoms related to the eyes and brain which may be severe enough to warrant hospital admission and intensive care.

The conservative management of migraine includes over-the-counter pain killers, medicines to counter nausea and vomiting, preventive medications (medicines to control blood pressure, convulsions, antidepressants, and CGRP inhibitors [which reduce nerve pain and inflammation]), biofeedback, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Avoiding the known trigger factors, stress management, relaxation training, regular meal schedule, and moderate exercise can also help reduce the severity and frequency of migraines. Other than those suffering from comorbid medical conditions, people affected with migraine usually have normal blood and imaging reports.

The Ayurvedic management of people with migraine involves taking a detailed medical history; including severity and frequency of symptoms, trigger factors, diet and lifestyle. Lifestyle and dietary modifications are suggested. Ayurvedic herbal medicines are given to provide symptomatic relief from symptoms as well as to treat the known causes, as determined by the clinical history. The treatment of hyperacidity, indigestion, constipation, and stress, go a long way in successfully treating migraine as well as preventing further episodes. It is important to treat inflammation in cranial blood vessels in order to reduce the tendency for recurrent migraine attacks, as well as to treat a hyper-reactive nervous system.

In addition to oral treatment, medicated nose drops are used to treat inflammation of blood vessels and involvement of the brain, which may – in individuals with severe migraine – mimic symptoms of stroke, blindness, and glaucoma.  Nose drops may be used both to alleviate an acute attack as well as to prevent migraine. Regular courses of medicated enemas are used to treat a hyper-reactive nervous system. A special treatment modality known as Shirobasti is used to treat severe forms of stress which may be causing recurrent attacks of migraine.

Refractory patients who do not respond well to simple oral treatment are given courses of Panchkarma detoxification treatments in the form of periodical blood-letting and induced purgation. The treatment response varies widely from patient to patient; some individuals with long-standing, severe symptoms respond dramatically to just one short course of treatment, while others with milder symptoms may require a protracted course of treatment with more medicines, that too, in higher doses.

Migraine is a chronic disease which significantly affects the quality of life of affected individuals, and is a public health issue with serious health and economic consequences. While modern medicine can reduce the severity and frequency of migraine episodes, it currently does not offer a cure. Ayurvedic herbal treatment can help provide significant improvement in patients with migraine, and can bring about a cure for most affected people.

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

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – Modern (Allopathic) Versus Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

 Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common medical condition which affects many individuals and is quite distressing, though it is largely benign in nature. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, discomfort, cramping, bloating, and loose motions or constipation. Symptoms vary from person to person and management may therefore vary considerably between affected individuals. A diagnosis is usually made on the basis of symptoms and by ruling out all possible organic causes. Typically, most patients have a chronic history but do not exhibit symptoms of weight loss or other serious symptoms like fever, rectal bleeding, or anemia. Stress and food allergies are believed to be important causative factors. This condition can usually be managed satisfactorily, with changes in diet and lifestyle. 

The modern management of IBS includes advice to avoid trigger factors, eat high fiber foods, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and get sufficient sleep. Treatment includes fiber supplements, laxatives, medications for diarrhea and abdominal pain, and antidepressants. Other medications to reduce intestinal spasm, hyper-motility, increased intestinal secretions, and antibiotics are also used as indicated. 

Ayurvedic herbal treatment is also aimed at specifically treating the causative factors. Herbal medicines which are used for IBS strengthen the intestinal walls, help in digestion and assimilation of food, reduce and normalize excessive movement of the intestines, regulate intestinal secretions and reduce allergy or sensitivity of the mucosal wall of the intestines. Ayurvedic treatment is also given to treat stress and anxiety, which are known causative factors of IBS. 

The successful, long term management of IBS patients requires not only symptomatic treatment but also medicines to improve the general immune status of the body as well as strengthening of all body tissues, especially blood and muscle tissues. The ultimate treatment goal for IBS is to create a sound mind along with a strong, healthy body. Modern treatment is usually required regularly or intermittently on a long term or even life-long basis, in order to satisfactorily control symptoms.  In contrast, with about six to eight months of Ayurvedic herbal treatment, patients with chronic or severe IBS improve dramatically, and most of them can learn to gradually live near normal lives without any major medication, though diet and lifestyle modifications may be required. After a complete remission of symptoms, the dose and frequency of medicines can be gradually reduced and then tapered off completely.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant role to play in the successful management and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com  To start treatment for IBS, kindly click here

Eczema - Allopathic (Modern) Versus Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

 Eczema is a skin condition characterized by skin rashes accompanied by intense itching. The rash is in the form of fluid filled blisters, which rupture and then gradually heal with crusting. Along with asthma and hay fever, eczema forms a triad of allergic diseases which have a hereditary component; these may exist singly or all combined in affected individuals. Most individuals outgrow the tendency to eczema by five years of age; others may go on to have chronic and recurrent disease. Eczema may also be caused or aggravated by frequent washing; excessive sweating; the frequent use of rough and tight clothes, harsh chemicals, and rubber or plastic gloves; as also environmental factors like excessive dryness.

The diagnosis of eczema is usually made on clinical grounds taking into consideration the characteristic appearance and distribution of the rash, and the history of its appearance and trigger factors; a biopsy may rarely be required for a confirmed diagnosis. Treatment in the modern system of medicine is with the regular application of anti-inflammatory, anti-itch and steroid creams. Moisturizers help alleviate symptoms, while antibiotic creams and oral medicines treat secondary infections. Patients are advised to keep the skin clean, avoid known irritants, and wear loose, soft clothing.

There is always some element of hypersensitivity or allergy in the manifestation of eczema. While steroid and antihistamine applications suppress this sensitivity, Ayurvedic herbal medicines work directly on the skin, the subcutaneous tissue, and the vascular apparatus, to reduce sensitivity, treat inflammation, remove accumulated toxins and damaged tissue, reduce hyperpigmentation and strengthen the affected skin parts. Medicines are also given to heal the lesions and modulate overall immunity so that the tendency to recurrence subsides gradually.

For patients who have extensive lesions all over the body, or have intractable eczema not responding to standard oral treatment, generalized detoxification is done using Ayurvedic Panchkarma procedures. These include induced emesis, induced purgation, and bloodletting. A systematic course - or courses - of these detoxification procedures are done and followed up with oral treatment for helping the skin lesions subside fully, without recurrence. For limited, localized, and long-standing eczema, sometimes just simple bloodletting from a nearby vein does wonders as a standalone treatment.

From the point of view of Ayurved, dietary advice is an important part of treatment, both for early and complete healing, as well as for preventing recurrence. Dietary recommendations for eczema – and for all skin diseases in general – include avoiding excess of salt, curds (yogurt), sweets; fermented, fried or acidic food items; and fruit salads prepared in milk. Other than these, even other food items known to aggravate the condition, should be avoided. Breathing and relaxation techniques help in reducing stress. Clothing and lifestyle choices which act as triggers should also be avoided.

For most people affected with eczema, Ayurvedic herbal treatment of about 6-8 months usually suffices to bring about a complete remission. Further treatment at tapering doses, or dietary advice, suffices in preventing a recurrence. Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus be judiciously used in the comprehensive management and treatment of chronic eczema.

The writer, Dr A A Mundewadi, is available as an Ayurvedic consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com To start Ayurvedic herbal treatment for eczema, kindly click here

Behcet Disease – Modern (Allopathic) Versus Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

 An autoimmune disease is a condition in which the body’s immune system turns against itself. Behcet disease is one such, rare autoimmune disease with a classical symptom triad of oral and genital ulcers and eye inflammation. The disease causes a generalized inflammation of arteries; this in turn causes vasculitis, clot formation and aneurysms, thereby resulting in symptoms. Exposure to an infection in a genetically predisposed individual is probably the main cause of disease precipitation.

Since there are no specific diagnostic tests for this condition, diagnosis is usually made on clinical grounds, and by doing blood tests and other investigations to rule out similar-looking diseases. Symptoms usually appear between twenty to forty years of age, and tend to relapse and remit over long periods. While mild cases involve only the skin and mucous membranes, serious manifestations of the disease may affect the eyes, nervous system, heart, lungs, intestines and kidneys.

The modern system of medicine makes use of steroids, mouthwash, and eye drops to control symptoms of Behcet disease. For more aggressive symptoms, immune suppressant drugs are used to control symptoms and reduce the frequency and severity of recurrent attacks. Modern medicines can thus help to control the symptoms but cannot cure the disease. Prolonged use of steroids and immune suppressants can create a host of side effects which can adversely affect the whole body.

The Ayurvedic treatment protocol for Behcet disease includes cellular detoxification of the body and herbal medicines in high doses to treat arterial inflammation, bring about immune modulation, and treat or prevent damage to affected important organs so as to reduce mortality and morbidity from this disease. Patients who are refractory to standard herbal treatment are given additional specialized Panchkarma treatments like Raktamokshan (blood –letting) and Tikta-Ksheer-basti (courses of medicated enemas).

Once the patient starts achieving remission of symptoms, other medicines are added to normalize metabolism and bring about a rejuvenation of the body systems. This allows for a gradual tapering of medicines and prevents relapse of symptoms in the long run. Most affected individuals require treatment for periods ranging from 8 – 18 months, for a complete remission of symptoms along with cessation of therapy after gradual tapering of medicines. It is pertinent to note that Ayurvedic herbal treatment can significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality resulting from this disease in patients with severe involvement.

It is equally important to avoid known trigger factors, reduce or manage stress, adapt relaxation techniques, bring about positive lifestyle modifications, and consume healing foods, mostly in the form of fresh vegetables and fruits.

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

Spondylosis – Modern (Allopathic) Versus Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

 Osteoarthritis of the spine is known as spondylosis and involves degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs as well as bone outgrowths known as osteophytes. Though the entire spine may be affected, more pronounced symptoms are seen with spondylosis of the neck and lower back regions. Spondylosis is entirely different from spondylitis, which involves inflammation; spondylolysis, which involves a defect or crack in the bony structure; and spondylolisthesis, which involves physical dislocation of the affected vertebra.

Ageing, genetics and trauma can cause or aggravate spondylosis. Chronic pain is the commonest symptom; accompanied by numbness and tingling if the disease process involves or puts pressure on nerves. This condition is managed conventionally with the use of medications, exercise, physiotherapy and lifestyle modifications; medications include non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, which reduce pain and swelling. When these measures do not suffice in controlling symptoms, additional procedures like chiropractic, acupuncture, and minimally invasive procedures like injections and surgery may be required.  All these procedures bring about limited and temporary improvement; prolonged use can give rise to serious adverse effects, and none can significantly alter the long term course of the disease.

Spondylosis is said to be associated with age related degeneration and it is generally believed that no particular medicine or procedure can influence the long term prognosis of this condition, since modern medicines only reduce swelling, inflammation and pain. However, Ayurvedic herbal medicines have a special role to play in the long term management and treatment of spondylosis, and can reverse the ageing process in the spine to a significant degree.

Ayurvedic herbal medicines can reduce the damage to the spine; strengthen vertebral bones, intervertebral discs and attached muscles and tendons; and reduce swelling due to osteoporosis. This helps to reduce and eliminate chronic pain, and also removes pressure on sensitive nerves, thereby treating related symptoms like pain, numbness, and impending paralysis. It is pertinent to mention that herbal medicines can be safely used for this treatment for prolonged periods and in high doses without any significant adverse effects.

A combination protocol of oral Ayurvedic herbs, local application of Ayurvedic medicated oils, hot fomentation, and regular exercise, can help most people suffering from spondylosis recover completely even from very chronic and severe affectations. In order to get the maximum possible benefit from Ayurvedic treatment, it is always advisable to get examined, investigated, diagnosed, and treated at the earliest possible

When standard oral herbal therapy does not suffice, additional treatment with one or several courses of medicated enemas can help bring about a quick remission in pain and other symptoms. This procedure, combined with local fomentation therapy with medicated steam, may also help minimize the chances for recurrence as well as reduce the required dosage of oral medicines.  Patients who achieve a complete remission of symptoms can maintain themselves with regular exercise, a healthy diet, and the occasional use of low dose herbal medication.

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