Ayurveda treatment for Cervical Spondylosis

Ayurveda treatment for Cervical Spondylosis

Female Patient 56yrs old short stature 58.5kg presented with complaint of severe neck pain radiation to left upper limb associated with head ache since 3years.she took temporary medicines for pain management now since 1month patient is unable to bare the pain . After local examination, to rule out Cervical spondylosis MRI was done and diagnosed same.

The prevalence of cervical spondylosis differed significantly among the urban, suburban, and rural populations (13.07%, 15.97%, and 12.25%, respectively). Moreover, it was higher in females than in males (16.51% vs 10.49%).  It is estimated that more than 85 % of people aged above 60 years are suffering from cervical spondylosis.  The highest prevalence was in the age group from 45 to 60 years old.


In most of the people, the condition causes no signs and symptoms, Initial symptoms are often characterized by neck ache and pain in the shoulders. Treatments are relatively conservative and typically do not involve surgery.

The most common symptoms of cervical spondylosis include:

  • Stiffness and pain in the neck
  • Headaches that are caused by neck pain
  • Pain in the shoulder and/or arms
  • Lack of movement in the neck or the inability to fully turn the head
  • Grinding sensations when the neck is turned
  • Numbness or weakness in the neck, shoulders, and/or arms
  • Radiating pain from neck to both upper limb
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control

Complications

Those with cervical spondylosis are at a higher risk for possible complications such as cervical myelopathy or radiculopathy.

The causes of cervical spondylosis include the following:

Chronic degeneration of the cervical spine:

  1. Herniated discs: This causes bulging of discs, compresses the spinal cord and nerve roots.
  2. A previous neck injury can predispose to a person to cervical spondylosis.
  3. Carrying loads on your head
  4. Ligament stiffness: The cords that connect your spinal bones, called as ligaments, become stiffer gradually affecting the movement of your neck
  5. Others like: obesity /Overweight people, dancing in inappropriate posture etc.

Best Ayurveda treatment for cervical spondylosis:

 Ayurvedic treatment for cervical spondylosis not only controls symptoms but also prevents progression of the disease, minimises disability, improvises the quality of life and also resolves the causative factors which lead to complications.

Ayurveda has a broad spread of treatments based on severity of the disease from acute to chronic.

Based on the severity of the condition, external Pain management of cervical spondylosis is divided into two phases.

Phase 1: Acute pain and stiffness in the neck due to excessive daily activity like Carrying loads on your head, work place stress, repetitive strain injury ETC…

Treatment plan for 5/7days: 

  • Abyanga (Medicated oil application )
  • Lepa – application of various herbs and its extracts

Phase 2: 

A. Mild chronic or long standing pain and stiffness in the neck

Treatment plan for 7/14days: 

  • Abyanga (Medicated oil application )
  • Lepa – application of various herbs and its extracts
  • Greeva Basti – retaining of medicated oil on cervical region for specific duration
  • Various herbal fermentations like:PPS (patra pinda sweda) fomentation with varies herbs –helps in reducing pain and stiffness.SSPS (Shashtika shali pinda sweda ) fomentation with medicated milk+ herbs+ rice(Navara)– helps in reducing pain ,stiffness and also nourishes muscles ,bones  and nerves.

B. Severe chronic or long standing pain, stiffness in the neck, numbness in shoulders and radiating pain from neck to both upper limbs. 

  • Along with above mentioned treatment like Abyanga, Lepa, Greeva Basti PPS and SSPS, one amoung five Penta trio purification (Panchakarma) Nasya karma is done for 7days.

Ayurveda internal medications in the form of tablets, capsules, decoctions, powders etc. and used for around 45days to treat cervical spondylosis. Therapeutic yoga (cervical spondylosis exercise), Diet and lifestyle modifications based on individual and disease specific.

Note: All the above mentioned treatment plan is depend on patient condition and severity of disease under specialist supervision.

 

Dr.Sidra Thul Muntaha
RISA Bangalore

Tackle your high cholestrol

Tackle your high cholestrol

High cholesterol is a very common health problem among men and women especially among people who do not have enough physical work. After the age of 45, it is especially advisable to check the level of cholesterol in the blood. A high level of cholesterol can narrow blood vessels in particular, coronary arteries which supply blood to the heart muscles.

Ayurveda looks at cholesterol as a manifestation of Kapha dosha, one of the three doshas which keeps the body in a state of equilibrium. The other two Doshas are Vatha and Pitta. In Ayurveda, high cholesterol is seen as a product of Mandagni (weak digestion). In this condition, Ayurveda advises a diet that can improve the functions of Agni (digestive fluids) and does not contribute to further assimilation of Kapha in the system.

The preventive and curative measures for cholesterol in Ayurveda can be brought under the following three categories: Lifestyle, Diet, Processed preparations from natural sources.

Lifestyle

  • Do not sleep during the day. Even if you feel very sleepy due to some reason, sleep for a while in the sitting position during day time. Sleeping in a lying position increases Kapha in the body but if you sleep in a sitting position, Kapha does not increase.
  • Walk for a while, if you walk two to three km a day at a fast pace with both hands swinging, that will burn down the Kapha in your body.
  • Dry massage: A dry massage in an upward direction on the body for a period of 45 minutes to one hour with the Triphala powder and roasted, powdered horse gram is very useful. This can be done by a professional masseur.

Diet

  • Take a glass of buttermilk mixed with a small onion chopped into small pieces every day after food.
  • Chop a small onion and mix it with lemon juice. Have it as a side dish with your food.
  • Use roasted garlic directly or as a chutney with your lunch.
  • Take one meal with wheat or a rice product. The second with fresh fruits and the third meal with cooked vegetables.

Make your medicine

The following medicines are useful as a dietary supplement in the initial stages of cholesterol. You can choose one or two of these medicines for daily use, depending on the availability of materials around you.

These are simple and extremely safe herbs that are easily available in urban areas or commonly seen in the wild.

  • Boreahviadiffusa (Punarnava) is a weed seen all over the country. Take 60 gm of its roots, clean well and chop into small two-inch pieces. Crush slightly so that when the roots are boiled with water the juice inside can ooze out easily. Add one litre of water to 60 gm root. Boil till the water reduces to 250 ml. Filter this decoction and remove the roots. Reduce this 250 ml of the extracted decoction on a low flame to 120 ml. Take 60 ml in the morning on an empty stomach and 60 ml in the evening, around 6 pm again on an empty stomach. You can use this process to make any fresh herbal decoction. Once you know how to make this medicine, it is as simple, as or as difficult, as making a perfect cup of black tea.
  • Take about 100 gm of fresh drumstick leaves and make a decoction as instructed above (add one-litre water and reduce it to 120 ml) and take 60 ml in the morning and 60 ml in the evening with one teaspoon of powdered dry ginger and one teaspoon of honey.
  • Take 5 gm of fresh ginger paste. Add enough honey to make it palatable and take it in the morning after breakfast.
  • Take one teaspoon of tribhalaadichoornam (available in the market) mixed with 1 tablespoon honey at bedtime followed by drinking warm water.
  • Tinosporacordifolia (Gudbhel or Guduchi ): This plant grows everywhere in India. Cut 30 gm of Tinosporacordifolia into small pieces and crush. Add 30 gm of TribulusTeriesting (Gokshura – Gokhru) a thorny plant seen all over in fields. Make a decoction of both these and take 60 ml in the morning and 60 ml in the evening. A perceivable result should be seen within 41 days of following this advice.

Cholesterol Management in Ayurveda

Obesity

Healing depression

Healing depression

 

Mental disorders are explained in great detail in Ayurveda classics. The mind or manas of each individual is unique. According to Ayurveda, the person should dwell in an atmosphere of pleasantness appropriate to one’s mental constitution. Ayurveda recognizes three main mental constitutions or manasika prakruti– the saatvika, raajsika and taamasika. Any disturbance in the normal functioning of the mind manifests as an illness – either psychic or physical. Depression is a serious mental condition that alters the mind’s equilibrium with its environment. There are basically three types of treatments for mental illnesses –

  • Oral medication including Panchakarma.
  • Psychotherapy (counselling)
  • Daivavyaprasharayachikitsa (spiritual therapy) – prayers, performing yajna, charity, yoga, meditation, visiting holy places and penance.
  • A combination of all the above

Milder forms of depression get relief from psychotherapy itself. But it is generally felt that a combination of therapies works best. Treatment is given as per the severity of the condition. Certain medications, as well as some medical conditions, can cause symptoms of depression. The physician should not confuse these symptoms as depression. The causative factors of depression are a sudden shock to the mind by incidents such as the death of a beloved or break- up of a close relationship. It can also be a symptom of a medical condition like a stroke, heart attack, cancer, Parkinson’s disease or hormonal disorders. A person appears normal throughout the day but feels depressed only at a certain time of the day. A depressed child may pretend to be sick, refuse to go to school, cling to a parent or worry that he may lose the patient. Teenagers may sulk, get into trouble at school or college and be negative and grouchy. Because normal behaviour varies from one childhood stage to another, it can be difficult to tell whether the child is just going through a temporary phase or is suffering from depression. Women experience depression about twice as often as men. Hormonal factors may contribute to the increased rate of depression in women particularly factors such as menstrual cycle changes (associated with the pre-menstrual syndrome), pregnancy, abortion, post-partum, pre-menopause and menopause periods in life. Stress at work, additional responsibilities at home and marital discord are also leading factors.

Men rarely admit to being depressed. Depression in men is often associated with increased risk of heart disorders. Male depression is often masked by alcohol or drugs, or by the socially accepted habit of working excessively long hours. Depression typically shows up in men, not as feeling hopeless and helpless, but as irritation, anger etc. Therefore it is quite difficult to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression in men. Even when a man realizes that he is suffering from depression, he is twice as reluctant to disclose it to his family doctor or even to his wife.

From an Ayurveda standpoint, most depression can be explained as Kapha imbalance. Initially, the brain’s electrochemistry has an erratic overreaction (Vata imbalance), which triggers a loss of enzymatic activity in the metabolism (Pitta imbalance). Kapha responds by trying to keep everything down, bringing about heaviness, darkness and stagnation, which the mind-body interprets as the negative message of hopelessness and depression.
In Vata-depression, the pranavayu in the brain and heart is provoked by a variety of factors, including terrifying experiences, especially when they occur during childhood, excessive travel, an irregular lifestyle, lack of sleep, excess talking, excess use of the telephone, habitual consumption of foods which are dried or frozen or foods which are microwaved, living or working in an air-conditioned room. Both recreational and prescription drugs provoke the pranavayu, particularly cocaine, amphetamines, speed weight-loss drugs, caffeine, and antihistamines (including ephedrine). Working night shifts is another cause of Vata depression.

The symptoms of Vata depression is tremendous anxiety, guilt, paranoia and catastrophicideation. Insomnia or restless sleep is a classic feature. The speech becomes incoherent, the person is easily distracted, restless, unable to concentrate, forgetful and spaced-out. The depressed person will not deliberately try to harm himself or but may forget to eat – indeed the main hazard in treating these patients is that they will be unable to take their herbs regularly and so will fail to improve.

Vata depression should be treated using Brahmi tea, Brahmi ghee, and Brahmi oil massage. 20 ml of Saraswatarishtam should be given daily after lunch and dinner. Oiling and sweating using Brahmi oil will help calm the pranavayu, as will Shirodhara or Shiro Basti. Nourishing oil basti using a Brahmi decoction and sesame oil is also valuable in calming the Vata dosha.

Pitta depression is characterized by anger and irritability. In some cases, the person is not aware of being depressed but is obviously angry and very easily irritated, irrational, and perhaps violent. There may be extreme self-criticism and low self-esteem, or the critical judgmental tendencies may be directed outwards. Suicidal ideation is a frequent symptom. Pitta depression is the most dangerous type of depression since in severe cases suicide is a distinct possibility. In more chronic forms of Pitta depression, self-destructive behaviour such as abuse of alcohol and drugs are a common symptom. Even those with pitta depression that is not overtly suicidal often commit slow suicide by inducing conditions such as hepatic cirrhosis. Insomnia is a symptom of pitta depression but is different from Vata insomnia.

Treatment for pitta depression also consists of Brahmi tea, Brahmi ghee and Brahmi oil massage. Saraswatharishtam can be used, combined with herbs that are used in Sadhaka Pitta. These include shankapushpi, rose, sandalwood and lotus. If there is a history of drug or alcohol abuse, shankapushpi will be tremendously useful in healing the liver as well as in calming the mind and balancing the Sadhaka Pitta. For overall balancing of pitta, a pitta diet should be taken, avoiding sour, pungent, salty and oily foods. Amalaki should be taken at bedtime, half a teaspoon steeped for ten minutes in a cup of hot water.

The causes of Kapha-depression are a visitation of the Tarpaka Kapha in the brain by lack of stimulus. Sleeping in the daytime, excessive sleeping, overeating and excess consumption of oily, heavy foods can contribute to the provocation of Tarpaka Kapha. Watching TV in excess and lack of exercise are other important factors. Frequently, Kapha depression originates in the houses where parents themselves have some degree of Kapha-type depression. There is an overwhelming atmosphere of heaviness, emotional denial and holding onto things. Parents often give food or material objects instead of genuine love. The child learns to become greedy, lazy and attached to food, money and possessions. These tendencies, passed on through the family tree, increasingly provoke Tarpaka Kapha.

The use of downers such as sleeping pills, sedatives, tranquillizers and alcohol further exacerbate Kapha-type depression within the entire family unit. Patients with Kapha-type depression rarely approach an Ayurveda practitioner complaining of depression; in fact, they deny accepting their ailment in the first place. However, face- reading and pulse reveal depression, deep-seated grief, attachment and other obesity-related problems.

In Kapha-type depression coupled with obesity, Triphala Guggulu can be used. Otherwise, Trikatu can be added to the Saraswatharishtam mixture for a more stimulating effect. Refraining from sleep during the day and vigorous exercise is essential for the treatment of Kapha-type depression. Vamana or removal of excessive Kapha by forced vomiting is an excellent remedy for this condition.

Ayurveda elaborates treatment for depression not only with medicine but also with counselling and approaching one’s spiritual base. According to a person’s culture and attitude, different methods are used to send positive thoughts to one’s self. There is an element of self-healing in this process, where the things one does for spiritual elevation help to remove the negative vibes from one’s thoughts and assist in healing. Pure, uncontaminated, fresh food with all tastes, easily digestible and non- provoking is crucial for treating depression.

Win over Depression the Ayurvedic way

Managing Dementia

Older adults require more attention, more care and love from their family members. These days, people above the age of 60 reconcile themselves to the fact that with old age they will face gradual memory loss and other age-related diseases. The ageing population is increasing all over the world due to more comfort, better lifestyle, life-support systems and healthy foods. But, many senior citizens are forgetting the names of their loved ones. Corrective options are not far away. ‘Adding life to years’ is the need of the day.

Dementia is a severe loss of cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person and beyond what might be expected from normal ageing. Dementia may occur independently or be associated with Parkinson’s disease or stroke. As we age, the brain starts losing neurons which in turn affects short-term memory. Dementia or memory loss that includes the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease silently makes the afflicted person’s life slow and difficult.

In dementia, the Vata-dosha gets aggravated and Kapha is depleted. Kapha is the base of all activities related to memory and is unctuous personified. The brain is in a state of unctuousness, that is, its cells are well lubricated with all essential fluids including neurotransmitters without any blockage. The memory of a person will be intact if Kapha facilitates this condition.

Management of Dementia:

Dementia is not an easy condition to treat. It needs medicines, lifestyle changes, good diet and proper counselling. Nidana Parivarjana (avoidance of causative factors) is an important component of the treatment. Exposure to toxic substances and excessive consumption of alcohol should be avoided. Metabolic, endocrine disorder and vascular diseases, if any, should be managed primarily.

For people in tropical countries, taking a daily oil massage or at least once a week proves to be quite beneficial. It improves the functions of the neural system and activates the cells. Seven days of Dhara with oils such as Lakshadi mixed with Ksheerabala is very effective. Dhara serves as an important tool to improve memory. Medicines prepared from Ashwagandha, Satavari, Brahmi and Amla are quite helpful in the management of dementia. It is most important to improve the digestive and tissue metabolism because proper assimilation of food or medicine is a prerequisite for improvement of these conditions. Consumption of small quantities of cow’s ghee (one teaspoon) added with a little bit of Ashta choornam (one-fourth teaspoon), one teaspoon of Brahmi juice (Bacopamonnieri) and half teaspoon of onion juice in the morning on an empty stomach for 41 days is a beneficial prescription for dementia. Application of cooling hair oils like Brahmithailam etc. is also advisable.

A few tips to prevent and manage dementia:

Pure cow’s ghee is actually the nectar of life. Daily use of ghee with hot food at least once a day helps maintain a healthy long life. Ghee is the only food which Ayurveda considers synonymous with longevity. There are some medicinal plants which are very useful in improving memory and increasing alertness.

  • The root of Shankapushpi (Clitoriaternatea) is an excellent remedy. The dried root (20 gm) is boiled in 200 ml milk for 15 minutes, filtered and taken at bedtime for 41 days.
  • lvacha (Acorus calamus): One gram mixed with honey
  • Panchagavya Ghritam: One teaspoon in the morning on an empty stomach followed by warm water is an excellent remedy for this condition. Panchagavya Ghritam will not cause any harm such as an increase in cholesterol.
  • Yogic practices – Yogasana and Pranayama will help to manage the condition. Shavasana, Sarvangasana, Matsyasana, Anuloma-Viloma, Kapalabhati, Bhastrika, and Trataka are some yogic exercises which should be done under a yoga therapist’s guidance.

Diet:

  • Use of green vegetables and yellow fruits (apple, papaya, guava, mango, banana etc.).
  • Rich antioxidant foods like carrot, milk, mango, gooseberries.
  • Avoidance of incompatible and hot spicy food articles.
  • Above all, caring and affection from family members and friends will add many happy years to old age. Depending upon the person’s physical and mental attributes some modifications may be necessary for this treatment protocol, but generally, the above-explained advice will be very useful.

Aging the degenerative phase of life

Defeating Diabetes

Defeating Diabetes

DIABETES MELLITUS (DM) in general is a chronic metabolic disorder in which the body is unable to make proper use of glucose which results in hyperglycemia (increase in blood sugar level) and glycosuria (increase in sugar levels in urine). In particular, Type I DM is characterized by loss of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas leading to deficiency of insulin in the body. Type II DM is characterized by insulin resistance or reduced insulin sensitivity. Both lead to hyperglycemia, which largely causes acute signs of diabetes; excess urine production, compensatory thirst and increased fluid intake, blurred vision, unexplained weight loss, lethargy, change in energy metabolism etc.

The symptoms of diabetes can be correlated to the symptoms of Prameha Prameha is a metabolic disorder explained extensively in Ayurveda literature. Prameha, holds the twin meanings of “prabhutha mutratha” or excessive urination and “Avilmutratha” or turbid urine.

Etiological factors of prameha:

  • Consumption of food with excessive sweet taste.
  • Intake of newly harvested (within one year) crops like new rice, grains.
  • Frequent intake of aquatic plants and meat
  • Excessive usage of milk and milk products.
  • Lack of exercise.
  • Excessive sleeping, day dreaming, night awakening
  • Mental strain and stress.

Common features of diabetes mellitus and prameha:

  • Prabhutavilamootrata (polyuria): Increased urinary output with turbidity.
  • Madhuratva in mutra: Glycosuria.
  • Dantadeenam mala sanchaya: Deposits/ tartar accumulation on teeth are seen.
  • Panipada daha: (burning sensation of feet and palm). Presence of glucose is seen in the blood- It causes disturbance in the equilibrium of dhatus and doshas in the body exposing body to further complications like padapani daha (burning
    sensation of feet and palm).
  • Chikkanata : Stickiness of the body.
  • Trishna (Thirst and polydipsia): In the process of lypolysis, more water is utilized which results in the activation of the thirst centre in the brain.
  • Swadu asyata : Sweetness is experienced in the mouth due to increase in sugar level.

Making a few changes in lifestyle will help an individual to combat diabetes/ prameha.

 

Here are a few tips which you can follow to avoid diabetes:

  • A well balanced diet intake is a must. Avoid excessive sweet, fatty, spicy food.
  • Avoid regular consumption of nonvegetarian food.
  • Avoid alcohol.
  • Consumption of food at regular intervals is a must.
  • Regular exercise is a must to maintain an ideal weight. It also helps in proper blood circulation and metabolism.
  • practicing yoga will also help to a great extent.
  • Avoid day sleeping and night awakening.
  • A stress free mind will keep you at optimal health. It would benefit you to a great extent.

Some herbs useful in prameha:

Triphala – Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica, emblica officinalis.

Guduchi – Tinospora cordifolia

Jambu – eugenia jambolana

Shilajit – Asphaltum (mineral pitch)

Turmeric – Curcuma longa.

Diet:

Use barley, green gram, horse gram, chickpeas, old rice, bitter gourd and bottle gourd in your food intake. Roasted rice and wheat are useful. Include ‘Tikta ras’ (bitter), Kashaya (astringent) items in your diet.