Treatments- Specialised treatment for various disease

Lumbago(Chronic Back Pain)
Pain in the lower back is quite common now a days amongst the middle aged and old people. The causes are varied and could vary from injuries to continues use of the spine. Obesity is also a cause for lower back pain.
 
The  eitiology of Lumbago could be muscular inflammation, spasm or compression of the vertebral column. degeneration of intervertebral cartilage is also a primary cause. In modern medicines rest, analgesics topical ointments are the mainstay treatment.In ayurveda this disease is said to be caused due to the vitiation of 'vatha'. Appropriate treatments to bring 'vatha' back to normal cures the disease.

Initially massages are given to the affected part using specially medicated oils. Certain points around  the spine called 'marmas' are stimulated and 'vatha' is brought back to its normal channel.Fomentation is done on the affected part using 'kizhis'(hot boluses of medicine). This reduces the rigidity of muscles and spine. It also increases the blood circulation to the affected parts and helps in the regeneration of the damaged tissues. These procedures are followed by evacuative Panchakarma procedures like 'vasthi' and 'virechanam'(medicated enema and forced purgation).

Internal medicines are given, that help in reducing pain and inflammation. Myelin sheath damage is also cured with these medicine. Ayurveda has the best approach in the treatment of Lumbago. After the treatment advices are given on the proper sitting positions. Certain postures in yoga that are beneficial for the spine are also included in the treatment regimen.

 











Cervical Spondyloses & Disc Prolapse
  Cervical Spondyloses- Due to the constant use  wear and tear occurs to the intervertebral (7 nos) cartilages of the cervical spine. As a result the neck becomes stiff and rigid. There is a difficulty in turning the head. Intially the symptoms of cervical Spondyloses could be tingling sensations in the hands. Pain in the shoulder area and a dull ache in the arms especially on lifting and could also be the initial symptoms of the disease.

In the initial stages these disease can be cured by medication. Certain medicated oils administered internally along with decoctions are  very beneficial in the disease. Massages, fomentation and nasyam are also indicated in the disease.Use of cervical collar along with treatment greatly increases the prognosis of the disease. Pillows should be avoided  and certain exercises to strengthen the neck muscles should be practiced.

Disc Prolapse - Prolapse of the intervertebral disc causes tremendous pain. Complete prolapse of the disc causes the disc to press on the nerve roots. This causes pain and even paralysis in the areas supplied by the nerves. Complete prolapse is an emergency and should be treated surgically.

In General practice more cases of partial prolapse are encountered than complete prolapse. Such cases of partial disc  prolapse, with associated signs like numbness and pain are treated on an in-patient bases.Traction and oil massages are   the mainstay of treatment. Marma treatment is of prime importance in disc prolpase cases. The partially prolpased discs can be reinstated to their original position using spine manipulative massages.These massages are delicate and are performed by experts. X rays and scans are examined to see the extend of prolapse  before the actual process of marma massage is done. Internal medicines are also prescribed.













Rheumatoid Arthritis
  Rheumatoid Arthrities is an idiopathic chronic generalized inflammatory disease which can affect many part of the body. In the majority of cases the synovial membrane of joints , tendone sheaths and bursae is the main target organ. Persistent synovitis  leads to destructive changes  in joints and periarticular diseases.

Many  causative factors like genetic marker HLA-D4, infections and autoimmune mechanism are thought to play an important role in this disease. Most theories suggest an infective trigger followed by chronic, self perpetuating immune synovitis.

 At the onset there is  general malaise and mild fever. Joint symptoms starts in the hands and feet with mild pain and swellings in the joints, morning stiffness also present.

After the small joints Rheumatoid Arthritis affects the large joints. Cervical spine and temporo- mandibular joints are usually affected. There is synovitis median nerve compression and palmar erythema. Advanced symptoms are total joint function loss.

Immuno modulatory drugs  and anti inflammatory drugs are administered. Vathahara drugs like Bala, Devadarm, Dashamoolam, Rasna, Eranda etc.. are administered. External treatments like kizhi are done. This is followed by panchakarma. It is seen that  Ayurvedic treatment arrests the progression of Rheumatoid arthritis. Pain and inflammation of the  joints is reduced. The treatment should be repeated every year for better prognosis.















Paralysis
  Paralysis caused due to thrombosis( Stroke) manifests itself as 1.Hemiplegia 2.Paraplegia 3.Quadriplegia. according to the extend of brain damage the paralised part of the body could vary.In modern medicine after the immediate emergency of thromosis is treated, very little can be done to cure paralisis. Many patients recover on there own after a period of time, many don't . For the patients who have hemiplegia, paraplegia, Quadriplegia, ayurveda promises very good results.

The ayurvedic treatement for such conditions is multi pronged.

Internal medicines that increase the vascular circulation in the brain are given. They nourishes the brain and help new neurons to take over the functions of the dead neurons.

Pizhichil done externally provides a steady sensory stimulates to the brain. This nourishes the nerves and helps new centers in the brain to take over the function of the paralysed limb.

Miraculous results are obtained if the patients is brought in for treatment as soon as possible. special treatments like Njavara kizhi helps rebulid the wasted in chronic cases.









Hemorrhoids (Piles)
  Varicosity of the rectal veins is known as hemorrhoids. Genetic factors, work including constant sitting , constipation are all causes of this  disease. Difficulty in passing faeces, bleeding per anum, itching near  the anus, pile mass near the anus etc are all the symptoms of this disease. According to the pile mass, piles is divided into 4 degrees. In the 1st and 2nd degree internal medicines are sufficient to treat this disease.

Ksharasuthra-: Highly alkalic threads are tied around the pile mass in the 3rd and 4th degrees. This causes slow cutting of the mass and the mass is removed slowly.















Psoriasis & Skin Diseases
  Allergy and auto immune disease like (eczema) dermatitis, psoriasis, urticaria etc.. that manifest on the skin have excellent treatments in Ayurveda.Various immuno modulatory and anti toxic herbs like neem, manjishta, bakuchi,guluchi, turmeric,sandal etc.. are used internally. They purify the blood and reduce the histamines that circulate in the blood. Anti bacterial activity of these herbs prevents the purulation of these conditions.

Using panchakarma, fast elimination of the toxins is possible. This results in the quick remission of these conditions. Removal of impure blood using methods like leeching helps in the complete cure of this diseases.















Asthma & Other Respiratory Allergies
  Asthma is syndrome characterised by increase responsiveness of trechea and bronchi to various stimuli and manifested by accute, recorent and chronic attacks of wide spread bronchial-bronchiolar narrwing. Respiratory block is also caused by the deposit of phelm in the bronchi and bronchioles. To expell this snehapana and vamana can be done respiratory allergies are caused by  allergies such as pollen, house -dress -feathers animal dander, cold weather etc.. Dasamoolarishtam, Vasarishtam, Karnakasavum, Swaasanandam gulika, Agasthyarasayanam, Dasamoolarasayanam, Haridrakhandam etc are used for the management.













Diabetes
  This disease is characterised by  increase of  glucose level in the blood. Glucose in the blood is controlled by a feedback mechanism and  by the beta cells in the islet of langer hans  in the pancreas. When the glucose level in the blood increases insulin is released which converts the glucose into storable form. Diabetes is caused due to impairment of this mechanism.

Diabetes can be broadly classified into two:-
1)Insulin dependent Diabetes (IDM)
2)Non Insulin dependent Diabetes (NIDM)

The first type of diabetes is generally congenital and in that type the only form of treatment is insulin injections. In the second type the production of insulin is decreased not  totally  stopped. This disease can be treated by stimulating the pancreas to produce insulin.

Excessive thirst, frequent urination, dry mouth, weakness etc are the general symptoms of diabetes.  Diabetes can be diagnosed by blood and urine tests.

If left untreated excessive glucose levels could cause the following.
1. Cataract
2. Diabetic retinopathy
3. Diabetic neuropathy
4. Renal failure etc.
Therefore diabetes should be diagnosed and treated as  earliest.

In Ayurveda Diabetes is referred to as Madhumeha. It is considered to be a disease of kapha. Kapha hara medicines are administered in this disease. Drugs like kiriyathu, thriphala, turmeric, nimba are all very effective here. Using ayurveda the complications of diabetes can be treated very effectively.
 













Migraine & Sinusitis
  Recurrent attack of headache, varied in intensity frequency and duration may be hemi cranial or soon becomes generalised starts as vague pain and builds up to a throbbing intensity associated with pallor, anorexia, nausea vomiting and photophobia. It may last for  several hours and after vomiting has occurred may decrease  in intensity and be followed by sleep. During the head ache superficial temporal artery may be congested and pulsating.
Mainly the dosha predominant is vatha, Pitha and kapha may be anubandha doshas. For this vatha smana ie. brihmanachikitsa should be done. Application of oil daily on head before bath and medicines such as kashayam, gulika, ghritham etc.. should be taken internally. In the panchakarmachikitsa, nasyam is very effective to root out this. For this ksheerabala(101) etc are the best.

Sinusitis is caused by  the irritation of the mucus membrane lining the paranasal sinuses. Inflammation inside sinus and phlem is collected inside. That causes head ache and pain on eyes, nose etc... Anti inflammatory drugs are used. Pathyashdangom lu, varanadi lu, Gulguluthikshakam lu etc are used. Nasyam can be done using  anuthailam, thulasiswarasam etc. Certain oils are also applied on head. Fomentation gives much relief.














Obesity
  Obesity is caused by the excessive deposit of fat on the loose tissues of the body. Increase in weight causes pain and swelling on all joints, especially in  knees. Fat deposit on the arteries and causes arthrosclerosis which leads to heart disease. Obesity can be reduced by taking fat free diets and proper exercise. Lankhana therapy should be taken. Medcines like thriphala choornam, Vidangadi choornam varadi lu , Varanadi lu, Lodhrasavam, Ayaskrithi etc are effective. Udvarthanam (massage with  herbal powder) is done for obesity.


Gastro intestinal disorders.
  Peptic ulcers and gastritis

It is the presence of a chronic simple  ulcer in the stomach or duodenum. Thus there are two main types of ulcers, gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers.

symptoms of this disease are
1) epigastric or lower abdominal (pain is of a dull burning nature). It is often precipitated 1/2 to 3 hours after food.
2) vomiting and alkalies  often relive the pain.
3) the pain occurs in bouts.

Recently it has been established that the presence of the pathogen. 'Helicobacterium pylori' is responsible for this disease. In ayurveda ulcers are refered to as 'parinama shoola'. This disease is caused to increase of pitha along with vatha . Therefore the treatment is generally pitha, vatha, hara. Pitha hara ghrtm  like thikthakom ghrtm are very beneficial in healing these ulcers.

Thikthakom kashaya and indukandtam kashaya are also benificial. Powders like kalyana shara, shanku bhasma, hinguvachadi choornam, Asta choornam are also used. Kantha bhasmom is also a potent anti ulcer medicine and  with proper care and diet this disease can be completely cured.