Medical Ailments

ARTHRITIS

Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints. There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. The most common form, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, Gouty arthritis, etc

Osteo arthritis is the most common form of degenerative arthritis. It can affect both the larger and the smaller joints of the body, including the hands, feet, back, hip,

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disorder in which the body's own immune system starts to attack body tissues the disorder can present with a skin rash, fever, pain, disability, and limitations in daily activities

Gouty arthritis is caused by deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint, causing inflammation. The joints in gout can often become painful, swollen and lose function.

In ayurveda arthritis is treated by samana therapy with drugs i..e. Rasnadi guggulu. Nirgundi kasaya,. Dasamularishta,.gandharvahastadi kasaya etc,. sodhana therapy like virechana karma,.rakta mokhana vasthikama with samsjrana kamas(normalistion of gut with gradual intake varies special preparation ayurvedic diet)

Arthritic conditions like Osteo -arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Gouty arthritis etc,. can be successfully treated with different classical Ayurvedic preperations . And also there are a number of specialized Ayurvedic procedures like massages with medicated oils and Panchakarma therapies which can be performed as per the constitution of the individual, nature of the disease and severity of the condition.

CERVICAL & LUMBAR SPONDYLOSIS / SPONDYLITIS

Spondylosis is a term referring to degenerative osteoarthritis of the joints between the centre of the spinal vertebrae and/or neural foraminae., compression of a nerve root emerging from the spinal cord may result in radiculopathy(sensory and motor disturbances, such as severe pain in the neck, shoulder, arm, back, or leg.

  • It caused due to lifestyle without ergonomic care, e.g., while working in front of computers, driving, traveling, intense work in farm, etc.
  • Age related degeneration is usually present.

Much reliable and very effective Ayurvedic procedures like Pinda sweda, Greeva vasti, Kati vasti, Massages with medicated oils & enemas with different types of Kashayas and medicated oils along with oral medications.

SCIATICA & SPINAL DISC HERNIATION / PROLAPSE

Sciatica ,sciatic neuritis or lumbar radiculopathy is a set of symptoms including pain that may be caused by general compression or irritation of one of five spinal nerve roots that give rise to each sciatic nerve,. Symptoms include lower back pain, buttock pain, and pain, numbness or weakness in various parts of the leg and foot The treatment for sciatica or sciatic symptoms often differs, depending upon the underlying cause and pain levels. Causes include compression of the sciatic nerve roots caused by a herniated (torn) or protruding disc in the lower back.

A Spinal disc herniation (prolapsus disci intervertebralis) is a medical condition affecting the spine due to trauma, lifting injuries, or idiopathic(unknown) causes, in which a tear in the outer, fibrous ring (annulus fibrosus) of an intervertebral disc (discus intervertebralis) allows the soft, central portion (nucleus pulposus) to bulge out beyond the damaged outer rings. Tears are almost always postero-lateral in nature owing to the presence of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the spinal canal.[1] This tear in the disc ring may result in the release of inflammatory chemical mediators which may directly cause severe pain, even in the absence of nerve root compression.

Most minor herniations heal within several weeks. Anti-inflammatory treatments for pain associated with disc herniation, protrusion, bulge, or disc tear are generally effective. Severe herniations may not heal of their own accord and may require surgical intervention.

Symptoms of a herniated disc neck or lower back pain that will radiate into the regions served by affected nerve roots that are irritated sensory changes such as numbness, tingling, muscular weakness, paralysis..

Compression of the cauda equina can cause permanent nerve damage or paralysis. The nerve damage can result in loss of bowel and bladder control as well as sexual dysfunction. This disorder is called cauda equina syndrome.

The majority of spinal disc herniation cases occur in lumbar region (95% in L4-L5 or L5-S1) The second most common site is the cervical region
(C5-C6, C6-C7)

Herniations usually occur posterolaterally, where the annulus fibrosis is relatively thin and is not reinforced by the posterior or anterior longitudinal ligament

Diagnosis is made by a practitioner based on the history, symptoms, and physical examination. X-ray,,CT Scan, MRI, EMG / NCS.

In these conditions the Ayuvedic procedures like Nadi sweda, Pizhicchil, Kati vasti, Virechana karma, Niruha & Anuvasana vasti are more effective along with oral medication. Some specialized exercises and following the advised modifications in the Diet & Life style definitely gives very good results to the patients.

SKIN DISORDERS

PSORIASIS is an immune-mediated disease that affects the skin. It is typically a lifelong condition. There is currently no cure, but various treatments can help to control the symptoms.

Psoriasis occurs when the immune system mistakes a normal skin cell for a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that cause overproduction of new skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious. However, psoriasis has been linked to an increased risk of stroke, and treating high blood lipid levels may lead to improvement There are five types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular, and erythrodermic. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, is commonly seen as red and white hues of scaly patches appearing on the top first layer of the epidermis (skin). Some patients, though, have no dermatological signs

In plaque psoriasis, skin rapidly accumulates at these sites, which gives it a silvery-white appearance. Plaques frequently occur on the skin of theelbows and knees, but can affect any area, including the scalp, palms of hands and soles of feet, and genitals. In contrast to eczema, psoriasis is more likely to be found on the outer side of the joint.

The cause of psoriasis is not fully understood.

VITILIGO is a condition that causes depigmentation of sections of skin. It occurs when melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigmentation, die or are unable to function. The cause of vitiligo is unknown

The most notable symptom of vitiligo is depigmentation of patches of skin that occurs on the extremities. Although patches are initially small, they often enlarge and change shape. When skin lesions occur, they are most prominent on the face, hands and wrists. Depigmentation is particularly noticeable around body orifices, such as the mouth, eyes, nostrils, genitalia andumbilicus.

ECZEMA or atopic dermatitis is a form of dermatitis,[ or inflammation of the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin). The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of persistent skin conditions. These include dryness and recurring skin rashes that are characterized by one or more of these symptoms: redness, skin edema (swelling), itching and dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding. Areas of temporary skin discoloration may appear and are sometimes due to healed injuries. Scratching open a healing lesion may result in scarring and may enlarge the rash.

CAUSES The cause of eczema is unknown but is presumed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Skin diseases like sidhma kushta (psoriasis), switra (vitiligo), kitibha kushta (eczema), padadaari (cracks in foot), Kadara (corn & callosity), indralupta (alopecia), darunaka (dandruff), palita (premature graying hair), yuvanapidaka (acne vulgaris), vyangya (dark skin), charma keela (warts), etc . can be successfully treated with different classical Ayurvedic preperations .

And also there are a number of specialized Ayurvedic procedures like application of medicated pastes (lepanas), nasyam (nasal medication), snehanam (oleationtherapy), svedana, abyngam, sirovasti, sirodaara with medicated oils and Panchakarma therapies which can be performed as per the constitution of the individual, nature of the disease and severity of the condition.

ASTHMA

Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasmCommon symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

Its diagnosis is usually based on the pattern of symptoms, response to therapy over time, and spirometry. It is clinically classified according to the frequency of symptoms, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow rate Asthma may also be classified as atopic (extrinsic) or non-atopic (intrinsic).

Treatment of acute symptoms is usually with an inhaled short-acting beta-2 agonist (such as salbutamol) and oral corticosteroids. In very severe cases intravenous corticosteroids, magnesium sulfate and hospitalization maybe required. Symptoms can be prevented by avoiding triggers, such as allergens and irritants, and by the use of inhaled corticosteroids.[12] Long-acting beta agonists (LABA) or leukotriene antagonists may be used in addition to inhaled corticosteroids if asthma symptoms remain uncontrolled is characterized by recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.

Associated conditions

A number of other health conditions occur more frequently in those with asthma including: gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), rhinosinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea. Psychological disorders are also more common with anxiety disorders and mood disorders

Home factors that can lead to exacerbation of asthma include dust, animal dander (especially cat and dog hair), cockroach allergens

Perfumes are a common cause of acute attacks in women and children. Both viral and bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract can worsen the diseasePsychological stress may worsen symptoms—

Asthma is clinically classified according to the frequency of symptoms, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow rate.[6] Asthma may also be classified as atopic (extrinsic) or non-atopic (intrinsic), based on whether symptoms are precipitated by allergens (atopic) or not (non-atopic) While asthma is classified based on severity, at the moment there is no clear method for classifying different subgroups of asthma beyond this system.

Management

The most effective treatment for asthma is identifying triggers, such as cigarette smoke, pets, or aspirin, and Bronchodilators are recommended for short-term relief of symptoms. In those with occasional attacks

Avoidance of triggers is a key component of improving control and preventing attacks. The most common triggers include allergens, smoke (tobacco and other), air pollution, medications such as corticosteroids Dust mite control measures, including air filtration.

In this condition special ayurvedic medicines and the advised dietary regimens ,life style will modifications improve the patients condition bringing down the severity and minimizing the frequency of attacks and enhances the immunity of the patient. The selective Ayuvedic procedures like nadi sweda, dhoomapana, nasya, vamana, virechana karma are more effective.

PARALYSIS

Paralysis is loss of muscle function for one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling (sensory loss) in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor function.

Paralysis is most often caused by damage in the nervous system, especially the spinal cord. Other major causes are stroke, trauma with nerve injury, poliomyelitis, botulism, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Temporary paralysis occurs during REM sleep, and dysregulation of this system can lead to episodes of waking paralysis.

Pseudoparalysis is voluntary restriction or inhibition of motion because of pain, incoordination, , or other cause, and is not due to actual muscular paralysis.

In this condition the Ayuvedic procedures like Nadi sweda, Pizhicchil, Kati vasti, Virechana karma, niruha & sneha vasti are more effective along with oral medication. Some specialized exercises can be performed as per the constitution of the individual, nature of the disease and severity of the condition.

NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS

A neurological disorder is any disorder of the body's nervous system. Structural, biochemical or electrical abnormalities in the brain, spinal cord symptoms include paralysis, muscle weakness, poor coordination, loss

of sensation, seizures,confusion, pain and altered levels of consciousness, Interventions for neurological

Disorders Include preventative measures, lifestyle changes, physiotherapy or other therapy, neurorehabilitation,

pain management, medication, or operations performed by neurosurgeons.

The specific causes of neurological problems vary, but can include genetic disorders, congenital anamolies

or disorders, infections, lifestyle or environmental health problems including malnutrition, and brain injury, spinal

cord injury or nerve injury.

According to Ayurveda all neurological disorder are developed due to vata vitiation. So all vatahara measures should be taken in terms of aahara vihara. And also the procedures like rasayana therapy, abyanga dhara swedana Nadi of the condition. Sweda, Pizhicchil, Kati vasti, Virechana karma, Sneha & Kashaya vasti are more effective along with administration some internal drugs.

OBESITY

Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems. People are considered obese when their body mass index (BMI), a measurement obtained by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of the person's height in meters, exceeds 30 kg/m2.

Obesity increases the likelihood of various diseases, particularly heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. Obesity is most commonly caused by a combination of excessive food energy intake, lack of physical activity, and genetic susceptibility,

Dieting and physical exercise are the mainstays of treatment for obesity. Diet quality can be improved by reducing the consumption of energy-dense foods such as those high in fat and sugars, and by increasing the intake of dietary fiber.

Classification of obesity

Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health. It is defined by body mass index (BMI) and further evaluated in terms of fat distribution via the waist–hip ratio.

The goal of treatment is not only to reduce weight, but more importantly to improve the co-morbid conditions associated with obesity, such as hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and heart disease. Patients and physicians should appreciate the concept that obesity is a chronic disease that will require long-term treatment. They should also understand that the efficacy of the current medication options is limited to 5-10% body weight loss in the majority of successful patients. Thus, medication should not be viewed as a panacea for obesity treatment. Medications should only be used as an adjunct to healthy lifestyle changes, including an increase in daily activity and a calorie-deficit diet.

Obesity can be treated by special procedures like udvartana with medicated powders and some internal medicines ,prescribed. Some specialized exercises and following the advised modifications in the Diet & Life style definitely gives very good results to the patients.

MALE SEXUAL PROBLEMS
What Are Male Sexual Problems?

Problems with sexual functioning are common, affecting more than half of all couples at some time. Although sexual dysfunction rarely threatens physical health, it can take a heavy psychological toll, bringing on depression, anxiety, and debilitating feelings of inadequacy. Many sexual problems are actually symptoms of other more serious heath disorders.

    The major categories of sexual dysfunction in men include:
  • Erectile dysfunction (sometimes called impotence): the inability to have or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual functioning.
  • Premature ejaculation: an inability to delay orgasm and ejaculation, such that it occurs very early in the course of sexual contact, leaving the other partner dissatisfied.
  • Male orgasmic disorder: an inability to reach orgasm (climax) with a partner; or the inability to achieve orgasm without lengthy sexual contact; or the inability to have an orgasm during intercourse. In some cases, orgasm can be achieved only through masturbation or oral sex.
  • Inhibited or hypoactive sexual desire: a disinterest in sexual contact or complete lack of sexual desire.
  • Retrograde ejaculation: the semen,rather than emerging from the end of the penis, moves backward into the bladder during orgasm.
  • Priapism : a prolonged erection unaccompanied by sexual desire; this rare condition is potentially dangerous and requires immediate medical attention.
What Causes Male Sexual Problems?

Because the sexual response is so complex, involving multiple factors, there are many causes of sexual dysfunction. Sometimes simple lack of information is to blame. Emotional issues may be a barrier to a healthy sex life. An erection involves the nervous and vascular systems (the network of arteries and veins) and appropriate levels of hormones, so problems with any of these systems can interfere with sexual functioning. Common problems include the following:

  • Hypogonadism, in which the testicles do not produce enough testosterone.
  • Thyroid disorders (both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism)
  • Adrenal lesions (Cushing's syndrome)
  • Noncancerous pituitary growths that increase levels of a hormone called prolactin.
  • Diseases that affect the nervous system, including strokes, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, long-standing diabetes, and Parkinson's disease
  • Damage following pelvic surgery (such as prostate, colon, or bladder surgery)
  • Conditions that affect the penis directly, such as Peyronie's disease (penile curvature) or injury to the penis itself or to the arteries, veins, or nerves that supply the penis
  • Any serious and debilitating diseases that result in intense fatigue, including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, heart disease, cirrhosis, cancer, and kidney failure
  • What Causes Male Sexual Problems? continued...

    Premature ejaculation (PE) is usually not due to physical causes, although the problem is sometimes linked to a neurological disorder, prostate infections, or urethritis. Possible psychological causes include:

  • Anxiety
  • Guilt feelings about sex
  • Ambivalence toward women
  • Learned behavior pattern of rapid ejaculation seen with frequent masturbation or infrequent sexual activity
  • Erection problems can be caused by:
  • Blockages in the blood flow to the penis
  • Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries leading to the penis
  • Damage to arteries or nerves after radiation treatment
  • Leaky veins
  • Low levels of the male hormone testosterone or other hormonal disturbances
  • Conditions or behaviors that increase the risk of vascular disease, such as smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol or the medications to treat these and other disorders
  • Can Medication Cause Sexual Problems?

    Many medications have been implicated in sexual dysfunction, causing inhibited sexual desire and/or erectile dysfunction, such as:

  • Drugs to treat high blood pressure
  • Diuretics (including thiazides and spironolactone)
  • Histamine blockers
  • Antidepressant medications
  • Common over-the-counter preparations (particularly antihistamines and decongestants)
  • Anti-psychotic medications
  • Sedatives
  • Medications used to treat anxiety
  • Use of drugs, including alcohol, methadone and heroin, anabolic steroids, and tobacco
  • Psychological Factors in Sexual Problems
  • Your relationship is troubled
  • You have a history of traumatic sexual encounters (rape or incest)
  • a sexually-transmitted disease
  • You have negative feelings (including guilt, anger, fear, low self-esteem, and anxiety)
  • You are depressed
  • You are severely fatigued

Rasayana and vajeekarana drugs are more effective in the conditions like loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and male infertility etc,.

CHRONIC DISEASES

A chronic condition is a human health condition or disease that is persistent or otherwise long-lasting in its effects The term chronic is usually applied when the course of the disease lasts for more than three months. Common chronic diseases include arthritis, asthma, cancer, COPD, diabetes and HIV/AIDS.

Chronic diseases constitute a major cause of mortality and the World Health Organization (WHO) reports chronic non-communicable conditions to be by far the leading cause of mortality in the world, representing 35 million deaths in 2005 and over 60% of all deaths.77% have two or more chronic conditions. For most people,medical conditions do not impair normal activities.

Types :
    Examples of chronic diseases and health conditions include:
  • Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and other neuro degenerative diseases
  • Autoimmune diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, lupus erythematosus, crohn's Disease and coeliac disease
  • Cardiovascular diseases: cerebrovascular disease, heart failure,
  • Cerebral palsy (all types)
  • Chronic pain syndromes, such as post-vasectomy pain syndrome
  • Chronic osteoarticular diseases: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis
  • Chronic respiratory diseases: asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary hypertension
  • Deafness and hearing impairment
  • Hypertension
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Epilepsy
  • Osteoporosis
Risk Factors :

While risk vary with age and gender, most of the common chronic diseases are caused by dietary, lifestyle and metabolic risk factors, that are also responsible for the resulting mortality. Therefore these conditions might be prevented by behavioral changes, such as quitting smoking, adopting a healthy diet, and increasing physical activity. Social determinants are important risk factors for chronic diseases. Social factors, e.g., socioeconomic status, education level, and race/ethnicity, are also a major cause for the disparities observed in the care of chronic disease.

Prevention :

A growing body of evidence supports that prevention is effective in reducing the effect of chronic conditions; in particular, early detection results in less severe outcomes. Clinical preventive services include screening for the existence of the disease or predisposition to its development, counseling and immunizations against infectious agents. Despite their effectiveness, the utilization of preventive services is typically lower than for regular medical services. In contrast to their apparent cost in time and money, the benefits of preventive services are not directly perceived by patient because their effects are on the long term or might be greater for society as a whole than at the individual level.

The modern system of medicine is mainly capable of managing the critical & emergency conditions where as the holistic system of medicine, Ayurveda can be confidently adopted for managing the chronic disorders like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and other neuro degenerative diseases etc. with no side effects.