Erythema Dyschromicum Perstans (Ashy Dermatosis) – A Comparison of Modern (Allopathic) and Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

 Erythema dyschromicum perstans (EDP), also known as ashy dermatosis, is a skin disorder in which grey-blue colored, ashy-looking patches appear on the face, neck and trunk. The rash is usually symmetrically distributed and often spares the mucous membranes. This condition is more common in women, and is similar in histopathological nature to lichen planus.  In most cases the cause is unknown, but it may also result from parasite or viral infection, ingestion of certain chemicals, or as a result of side effects from drugs.  This condition may persist for several years and is usually resistant to treatment.

Diagnostic tests for EDP are usually negative. A skin biopsy for histopathological examination is usually done both for a diagnosis as well as to rule out other skin conditions.  Various modern medicines have been used in EDP treatment with some or partial results, but no cure as yet. These include clofazimine, ultraviolet phototherapy, topical steroid applications, antibiotics, antihistamines, chemical peels, griseofulvin, vitamins, isoniazide, and chloroquine.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for EDP is more specific, and provides a comprehensive control and cure of the condition. Herbal medicines which act on the skin and subcutaneous tissue, as well as blood tissue, are considered most useful for the management of this condition. Medicines which have an anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulatory effect are also found beneficial.

Treatment is in the form of oral medication as well as local application. Oral medication may contain bitter herbs in tablet form or as medicated ghee (clarified butter). Local application is usually in the form of herbal pastes or medicated oils. Various Panchkarma detoxifying modalities can be used concurrently so as to bring about a faster remission, and minimize the chances for recurrence. These treatments include induced emesis, induced purgation, and blood-letting.

Depending upon the severity of the condition and individual response of patients, Ayurvedic herbal treatment for EDP may be required for periods ranging from eight to twelve months.  Those who do not respond quickly to medication may require high doses of oral medications, along with Panchkarma treatments.  Refractory patients may also require specific treatment for any known cause. A dysfunctional immunity may be responsible, and may need separate herbal treatment. However, all patients invariably respond very well to treatment with a complete remission of skin lesions.

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 Ayurvedic herbal treatment for EDP, kindly click here

Bronchiectasis - A Comparison of Modern (Allopathic) and Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

 Bronchiectasis is a medical condition which involves an abnormal dilatation of the proximal and medium sized airways in the lungs. Currently, high resolution CT (HRCT) scans of the chest are the investigation of choice to diagnose this condition. The damaged bronchi are usually one and half times more dilated than normal lung bronchi, and appear in different shapes such as cylindrical, cystic or varicose.  This is a chronic and obstructive lung disease with symptoms which include breathlessness, severe cough and hemoptysis.  Severe affliction with this medical condition can cause significant morbidity and mortality.  The common causes of bronchiectasis include recurrent lung infections, incomplete treatment of infections, bronchial obstruction, hereditary lung disorders, and some auto immune diseases.

The modern management of this condition includes the use of antibiotics, chest physiotherapy, steroids, bronchodilators, and dietary supplementation. Oxygen may be required for a select few patients, while hospitalization may be advised for severe and acute exacerbations. Some specific types of bronchiectasis may require surgical treatment. Antibiotics are usually prescribed for about 7-10 days. The aggressive use of antibiotics has reduced the mortality of this condition by nearly one third that of the pre-antibiotic era. Most patients who comply with treatment regimens, practice preventive medicine strategies, and regularly follow up with their physicians, do quite well in the long run.

Modern medications are thus useful in controlling acute infection, severe and acute exacerbations, and long term management so as to prevent deterioration. However, these cannot reverse the damage already done to the bronchial airways, nor can they prevent infections by themselves. Ayurvedic herbal medicines have a very important role to play in these situations. Herbal and herbomineral medicines can be used to directly reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract and strengthen the mucosal lining in the lungs. This helps in prevention of accumulation of excess mucus in the lungs, which may be susceptible to infection. Panchkarma treatment modalities like induced emesis (Vaman therapy) can be used in a select few patients both on a therapeutic basis as well as preventive basis in order to reduce daily mucus expectoration and the frequency of infections.

This can help in improving the quality of life of patients with moderate to severe degree of bronchiectasis. There are several patients on record who had been advised continuous long term treatment with antibiotics, or even partial lung resection surgery, in an attempt to lessen the severity and frequency of exacerbations. Such patients have improved significantly with Ayurvedic treatment without the long-term need for antibiotics, or even the more drastic surgical treatment.

Ayurvedic herbal medicines work well not only in strengthening the lung tissue, but also in improving the overall health and immune status of affected individuals. Patients who have long-standing or severe bronchiectasis usually end up losing weight gradually; Ayurvedic treatment effectively takes care of weight loss associated with this disease. Patients who have bronchiectasis may also be adversely affected due to respiratory allergies and autoimmune disease. Ayurvedic herbal treatment can effectively treat these medical conditions too so as to remove the root cause of the disease. Patients with long-standing disease usually end up with respiratory or right-sided heart failure. Concurrent treatment with Ayurvedic herbal medicines has successfully treated these long-term complications in many patients.

Ayurvedic herbal medicines can thus be judiciously utilized in the successful long term management and treatment of bronchiectasis.

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 bronchiectasis, kindly click here

Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) – Modern (Allopathic) Versus Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

One of the leading causes of blindness is a medical condition known as age related macular degeneration; known in short as AMD or ARMD. As the name suggests, this condition causes degeneration of the macula, the most important and functional part of the retina, usually leading to diminished central vision. There are multiple risk factors associated with this condition and include ageing, female gender, genetics, faulty diet, excessive sun exposure, smoking, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and obesity.

This disease is classified as either wet type or dry type. The dry type aka non-exudative or non-neovascular AMD, involves a gradual process of drusen (yellowish spots) deposits within the layers of the retina, causing a gradual thinning and leading to diminished central vision. Though the dry AMD affects nearly 90 % of affected individuals, this causes limited vision loss, as the process usually stabilizes after some time.

The same does not hold true for the wet type of AMD, which causes more than 80 % of the vision loss encountered in AMD patients, though it affects only about 10 % of affected individuals. Also known as exudative or neovascular AMD, it involves growth of abnormal blood vessels beneath the retina, leading to leakage of fluid and blood. Vision loss may be sudden, dramatic and progressive, often within a few days or weeks.

The symptoms of dry AMD may be prevented or slowed down with the help of food and diet supplements such as fish, dark green leafy vegetables, garlic and onion, soy, yellow fruits and vegetables, blueberries, grapes, wine, nuts, extra virgin olive oil, zinc, copper, magnesium, selenium, fatty acids, lutein, zeaxanthin, carotinoids, vitamins A, B,  C, and D, glutathione, flavinoids, amino acids, gingko biloba, sage, bilberry and milk thistle.

Treatment for wet AMD includes injection of antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti VEGF) drugs, laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, and use of low vision devices. The anti VEGF intra-ocular injections are currently believed to be the most effective treatment for wet AMD; however, this treatment may have potentially serious short and long term side effects.

Dry AMD can be treated with Ayurvedic medicines using oral Rasayan (rejuvenating) herbs along with Triphala or Mahatriphala Ghrut (clarified butter) both orally and locally, especially in the form of a Panchkarma procedure known as Netra-Tarpan (eye lubrication). After Ayurvedic treatment, most affected individuals have been known to retain a decent vision since more than three decades.

To avert sudden and drastic vision loss in the wet type of AMD, the use of leeches on the forehead area - just outward of the eye margins – is a useful and effective treatment measure. 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. Alternating courses of Netra-Tarpan and Netra-anjan (application of herbomineral wet powders in the eyes) are required to reverse the process of neo-vascularization. For patients who still do not respond, additional treatment is given in the form of shiro-dhara (liquid medicine drip aimed at the forehead) and courses of basti (medicated enemas). In this way, 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. The standard treatment time for this is usually 4-6 months.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus be judiciously used to effectively treat both the dry and wet types of AMD, without the risk of serious long-term side effects.

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 Ayurvedic herbal treatment for AMD, click here

 

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) – Modern (Allopathic) Versus Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

 Coronary artery disease, aka CAD is a disease of the heart, commonly regarded as “heart attack”, with the well known symptom of chest pain. The arteries of the heart (coronary arteries) are normally smooth and elastic, and supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscles, which work 24x7. CAD is a process in which a collection of inflammatory cells, cholesterol and calcium, known as atheromatous plaques, deposit in the inner wall of the coronaries, thereby gradually causing obstruction. The arteries gradually harden, and the lumen gets blocked, leading to ischemia or infarct. The plaques can also break off, and cause symptoms of a heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease.

Chest pain is the commonest symptom and is diagnostic of CAD; however, people describe this symptom in different ways such as aching, burning, numbness, squeezing, tightness and heaviness. Indigestion and heartburn may have symptoms which overlap with those of CAD; hence a great degree of alertness is required to accurately diagnose CAD. It may be accompanied by associated factors such as sweating, nausea, fatigue, breathlessness, and palpitations. This condition is more common in the elderly, obese, male sex, and often linked to a family history, hypertension, diabetes, high stress, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy eating.

The diagnosis of CAD is made with a detailed medical history and physical examination, supported by blood tests, ECG, 2d-echo test, stress test and angiography. CAD treatment includes cessation of smoking and drinking alcohol, handling stress efficiently, exercising regularly, and controlling weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar. Adequate modifications need to be made in the diet by cutting down on salt, sugar, and fats, and increasing fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Unsaturated fats are recommended for use, while the use of saturated fats and trans-fats is discouraged.

The conventional treatment of CAD as per the modern (Allopathic) system of medicines is with the use of drugs like aspirin, cholesterol medicines, nitroglycerine and medications to lower and control high blood pressure. Balloon angioplasty, stent placement, and CABG are the known surgical procedures. Some new procedures introduced include stem cell use to induce angiogenesis, and enhanced external counter-pulsation.

The common complications of CAD include heart attack, heart failure, and arrhythmia. The process of CAD is unrelenting and may start as early as childhood; though actual symptoms may manifest much later on in adult life or old age. Fortunately, there are many modifiable factors which can be treated to keep this process in check and prevent an acute attack and long-term serious damage.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment can be judiciously utilised to significantly reverse this unrelenting CAD pathophysiology. Herbal medicines help to treat inflammation, and reduce or prevent atherosclerosis. Dietary advice is important in reducing weight. The arteries can be kept elastic and less prone to damage and rupture by invoking a right combination of herbal medicines, exercises, yogic asanas like shavasana; breathing techniques like “bhastrika” and “anulom” and “pratilom” techniques; and body massage and fomentation. Ayurveda advocates the right use of oils and medicated ghee (clarified butter) to treat CAD; these can be used both locally and orally with good results.

Herbal and herbo-mineral medications can be effectively used to treat heart disease right from the early, asymptomatic stage to the later stages of enlargement and failure. Panchkarma treatment modalities like medicated enemas (basti) and “hridaya-basti” (localized chest treatment) can help strengthen fatigued heart muscles and hardened arteries. Recurrent attacks of chest pain (angina) can be effectively treated using Ayurvedic medications; Ayurvedic medicines and treatment modalities are more effective than modern medicines in treating such episodes where no specific pathology can be detected using diagnostic methods. Confirmed heart vessel blocks can be effectively reversed using Ayurvedic treatment on a long term basis.

A judicious combination of modern diagnostic methods, basic modern medicines to control symptoms, and additional Ayurvedic treatment can be effectively utilized to completely cure CAD on a long term basis. Ayurvedic medicines can also effectively treat associated conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. It is important to note that an acute attack of CAD should not be ignored or taken lightly, and all affected individuals should be referred to a hospital as soon as possible.

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

Huntington's Disease – Modern (Allopathic) Versus Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

 Huntington’s disease (HD), also known as Huntington’s chorea, is a rare, degenerative neurological disease with a strong hereditary component. Children with one affected parent have a 50 percent chance of inheriting the disease. Symptoms are progressive in nature and include involuntary jerky movements, impaired muscular coordination, falls, slurred speech, difficulty in swallowing, mood changes, and dementia. Symptoms usually become apparent during middle age, and death may occur from between ten to thirty years. Rarely, children too may be affected with a juvenile form of the disease, which progresses much faster than the adult-onset disease.

 The basal ganglia and the brain cortex are the parts most affected by HD. The faulty HD gene produces abnormal triple nucleotide repeats, the sequence of which is repeated several times over. Patients with HD have 36 or more repeats (normal people have 26 or less); this causes formation of an unusually large Huntingtin protein, which is toxic and gradually causes degeneration of the brain. 

HD can currently be neither prevented nor cured; however, several medicines in the modern (Allopathic) system of medicine can help alleviate symptoms. Most of the medicines work by modulating neurotransmitters and include tetrabenazine and duetetrabenazine. Useful medicines also include antipsychotics like risperidone, olanzapine and haloperidol; antidepressants like citalopram, sertraline, fluoxetine and nortriptyline; and mood-stabilizers like lithium. In addition to medications, the long term management of people with HD includes graded physical exercise, proper nutrition, and planned care-giving.

 Ayurvedic treatment is especially useful in the treatment of Huntington's chorea, since Ayurvedic medicines are very useful in the treatment of nervous system disorders.  Ayurvedic medicines help to regenerate nerve cells, brain cells, and repair the damage to the nervous system.  Usually, degeneration of nerves involves damage to the outer covering of the nerves; this results in impaired functioning of the nerves, with a loss of nerve conduction and control of the limbs.  This results in severe impairment of the motor as well as sensory components of the nervous system. In this disease, there is a degeneration of the brain due to deposition of abnormal Hungtingtin protein. 

Ayurvedic treatment consists of oral medication as well as massage of the entire body with medicated oils, followed by fomentation; other procedures are also prescribed as required.  Panchkarma procedures help to reduce the number and dosage of oral medications, thereby reducing the chances of long term complications and bringing about increased compliance. Results are also faster and much more apparent; patients with moderate or advanced symptoms may see significant improvement with just 7-14 days of treatment! Once the symptoms are stabilized, further treatment can be planned as needed, while carefully monitoring the patient on a long term basis. This reduces the treatment free interval, thereby considerably reducing financial burden and emotional stress for patients as well as caregivers.

 Ayurvedic treatment can therefore improve or bring about a near cure in patients with Huntington's disease.  It is important to commence treatment at the earliest possible, in order to bring about maximum improvement.  Regular treatment is essential in order to obtain the required results.  To sum up, Ayurvedic treatment is very effective in the management of Huntington's disease or Huntington's chorea.

 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 Ayurvedic herbal treatment for Huntington's disease, kindly click here

Congestive Cardiac Failure (CCF) – Modern (Allopathic) Versus Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

 The heart acts as a mechanical pump to supply oxygenated blood along with nutrients to all parts of the body. Congestive cardiac failure (CCF) is a medical condition in which the heart loses its normal efficiency. If left untreated, this condition worsens over time and may lead to a complete failure of the heart, thereby causing death. CCF can be caused due to coronary artery disease (CAD), heart attack, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defects, high blood pressure, valvular diseases of the heart, as well as general medical conditions like thyroid disease, and kidney disease.

Common symptoms of CCF include breathlessness on exertion or at rest, congested lungs, fluid and water retention (causing swelling of feet and – later on - bloating of the entire body), loss of appetite, nausea, dizziness, fatigue and weakness, and rapid or irregular heartbeat. Not all symptoms may be present in all affected individuals; and some may have no symptoms at all, at least in the initial phase of the disease.

Early diagnosis and management of this medical condition is important in order to prevent permanent and irreversible damage to the heart and increased mortality. The goal of the modern (Allopathic) system of medicines is to treat the known cause, ease symptoms, improve quality of life, prevent the condition from worsening, and reduce the need for hospitalization as well as the risk of death.

Some of the medicines commonly used include ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, beta blockers, blood vessel dilators, digoxin, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, potassium, magnesium, and heart pump medications. Regular graded exercises, lifestyle modifications and regular, lifelong medical follow ups are important to maintain a good quality of life and achieve good heart control with medications. Lifestyle modifications include quitting smoking and alcohol consumption, changing diet, and reducing weight.

For patients with specific causes and advanced or severe disease, surgical treatment options may be offered. These include coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), heart valve surgery, implantable left ventricular assist device (LVAD), and heart transplant. Heart failure management is thus a team effort and includes the services of cardiology physicians and surgeons, nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists, social workers and counselors.

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 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 http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com To start Ayurvedic herbal treatment for CCF, kindly click here

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – Modern (Allopathic) Versus Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

 Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental health condition in which uncontrollable obsessions lead to compulsive behaviour. Obsessions revolve around fears (e. g. fear of germs), the need for symmetry, or unwanted thoughts related to taboo subjects or self-harm. Compulsive behaviour causes repetitive actions like frequent washing of hands, rearranging things, and repetition of words. This condition can cause frequent work absenteeism, loss of quality of life, health issues, personal distress, family disruptions, and social embarrassment.

While the exact cause of this condition is as yet unknown, it is believed that genetics, changes in brain structure and function, and an unhealthy environment, may contribute. This condition usually manifests in teenage or young adult years. While most affected individuals are otherwise completely normal, a few may have concurrent mental health issues like anxiety, depression, bipolar disease, schizophrenia, substance abuse disorder, or tics. A diagnosis is usually made using psychological evaluation while doing a clinical examination and laboratory tests to rule out other conditions.

Treatment in the modern (Allopathic) system of medicines is with medications and therapy. Medications include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants, such as fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline and clomipramine. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is considered quite effective for OCD management. It addresses the relationship of thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Exposure and response prevention is a type of CBT in which the therapist helps the client improve coping skills by a gradual exposure and practice in handling the situation or thoughts. Patients who have delusional or suicidal thoughts, and concurrent psychoses, may require hospitalization. Support groups help to cope with the condition and also with rehabilitation.

Most individuals affected with OCD usually first approach a psychiatrist for medication; however, other than controlling anxiety, these medicines usually do not offer any substantial relief. Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy (CBT) offers some benefit to such people. The advantage of Ayurvedic medicines is that these medicines are safe for long-term use and actually treat the root problem in OCD. The medicines help affected individuals to develop sufficient understanding and will power to control their obsession and curtail their compulsive behaviour. Regular Ayurvedic treatment for 6-8 months gives people affected with OCD sufficient control over themselves, and allows them freedom to enjoy their lives without the shackles of this affliction.

People who concurrently show signs of some psychiatric disorder need to be treated for that condition too. Treatment for refractory patients can be given in a combined form, with a combination of Ayurvedic medicines and CBT or Ayurvedic medicines combined with modern anti-psychotic drugs. In such situations, regular supervision of a psychiatrist is recommended. However, for nearly 90 % of people with OCD, Ayurvedic medicines and some simple counselling suffice to give significant relief from this condition.

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 OCD, kindly click here