How to Control ALS /Lou Gehrig’s Disease in Ayurveda ?

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease) is a type of motor neuron disease. It is a progressive disease caused by the degeneration of motor neurons and neural roots that control voluntary muscle movements. In this article, we are going to discuss what ALS is, and how we can manage this condition with the help of Ayurveda. With proper care, patients can live a happy and comfortable life for as long as possible.

What is ALS Lou Gehrig’s disease?

ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a name received in honor of the famous baseball player, who was diagnosed with the disease in 1939. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a non-contagious degenerative disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It is a chronic disorder that causes loss of control of the voluntary muscles. It belongs to a group of motor neuron diseases, i.e. it affects those nerve cells that are responsible for motor impulses coming down from the cortex to the muscles. The peculiarity of ALS is that the lesion covers all signal levels: both the upper motor neuron (those neurons that start in the motor area of ​​the cerebral cortex) and the lower motor neuron (neurons at a lower level, the body of which is located in the anterior horns of the spinal cord and motor nuclei cranial nerves).

Motor Neuron Disease

Motor neuron disease (MND) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. The gradual death of cells in the nervous system leads to a steadily increasing muscle weakness that affects all muscle groups

Symptoms of ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease

The initial symptoms of ALS can vary greatly from person to person. One person may experience stumbling on the edges of rugs, another may have difficulty lifting objects, and a third person’s initial symptom may be stuttering. The pace of ALS progress can vary greatly from person to person. Not all people with Lou Gehrig’s disease experience the same symptoms or the same pattern or sequence of progression. However, they all experience weakness and progressive muscle paralysis.

When ALS appears, symptoms can be so mild that they often go unnoticed. With regard to the onset of symptoms and the progression of the disease, the course of the disease could include the following:

• Muscle weakness(flaccid paralysis) in one or more of the following: hands, arms, legs, or muscles of speech, swallowing, or breathing. It is one of the first distinctive signs of ALS, occurring in approximately 60% of patients.
• Tics (fasciculation) and muscle cramps, especially in the hands and feet.
• Dangling of the head due to weakness of the neck muscles
• Lack of attention and slowing down of cognitive processes are the most frequent symptoms of ALS at the mental level.
• Disability of the use of arms and legs.
• Dysphagia- difficulty projecting the voice.
• In more advanced stages, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing and swallowing.
• Hands and feet may be affected at first, causing difficulty lifting, walking, or using the hands for activities of daily living, such as dressing, washing, and buttoning clothes.
• As weakness and paralysis continue to spread to the trunk muscles of the body, over time the disease affects speech, swallowing, chewing, and breathing. When the breathing muscles are ultimately affected, the patient will need permanent help to breathe in order to survive.

Initial symptoms vary with each person but generally include tripping, dropping objects, abnormal fatigue in arms and/or legs, stuttering, muscle cramps, and tics and/or uncontrollable episodes of laughter or crying.

Since ALS attacks only motor neurons, the sense of touch, sight, taste, smell, and hearing are not affected. For many people, the eye and bladder muscles are usually unaffected.

Diagnosis

Since the above-given symptoms can also be caused by many other conditions, it is necessary to rule out other health problems first to make the diagnosis. To this end, a series of diagnostic tests are performed, including the following:

• General examination of the patient, his neurological status
• Puncture of cerebrospinal fluid (cerebrospinal fluid)
• CT scan
• MRI (primarily to exclude neurological diseases)
• Electromyography (EMG – determination of the electrical activity of single muscle groups)

Who is more prone to ALS?

Usually occurs between the ages of 50 and 60, although symptoms may manifest earlier. ALS is more common in men.

Complication in ALS

Complications in ALS can be serious and may include the following:

• Paresis and paralysis of the limbs, neck muscles (inability to hold the head).
• Swallowing disorders.
• Respiratory disorders, respiratory failure.
• Aspiration pneumonia.
• Limb contractures.
• Urosepsis.
• Depression.
• Multiple cramps (painful muscle spasms).
• Cachexia.

Ayurvedic Perspective for ALS

According to Ayurveda, Neuron diseases like ALS are induced by Vata Dosha. Vata Dosha is responsible for the peripheral, automatic, and pivotal functioning of the nervous system. It manages the neurological and cognitive functions of the brain. So Planet Ayurveda is here to provide the best Ayurvedic remedy to manage this imbalance of Vata Dosha which leads to ALS. These herbal Remedies contain high-quality herbs and prepared by strictly following the principles of Ayurveda. All these herbal are 100 percent natural, pure, and vegetarian. All medicines are free from any kind of chemicals and additives. These are safe to use at any age. These herbal remedies are free from any kind of side effects.

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) pack includes:

• Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras
• Brahmi Capsules
• Ashwagandha Capsules
• Shilajit Capsules
• Gotu Kola Capsules

Product Description:-

1. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras

Vrihat Vatchintamani ras is an Ayurvedic Herbal Remedy For Balancing a Vata Disorder. This tablet is useful in the treatment of diseases like facial palsy, paralysis, hemiplegia, tremors, etc. Some major ingredients of Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras are Swarna Bhashma, Rajata Bhashma, Loh Bhashma, and Abhraka Bhashma. It helps to balance Vata and Pitta dosha in the body. It is a very useful and natural remedy for managing neurological disorders.

Dosage: – 1 tablet daily, with plain water, after a meal.

2. Brahmi Capsules

These Capsules are prepared by using the pure extract of Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri). Brahmi Capsule gives the best result in neurological disorders. It not only maintains healthy learning but also helps in the functioning of the Liver, Brain, and kidney.

Dosage: – 1 capsule twice a day, with normal water, after a meal.

3. Ashwagandha Capsules

Ashwagandha capsules are prepared by using a standardized extract of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera). This herb is helpful in maintaining the proper nourishment of bones and muscles. They are useful in debilitating conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, and neuropathy.

Dosage: – 1 capsule twice a day, with plain water, after a meal.

4. Shilajit Capsules:

It is an excellent remedy for preventing and treating a number of diseases. It is prepared by using a high-quality extract of Shilajit resin (Asphaltum). It worked as a Weakness destroyer. It is formulated by MD experts by strictly following the Ayurvedic principle. It acts as a natural rejuvenator of the body and flushes out toxins to maintain a healthy body and mind.

Dosage: – 2 capsules twice a day, with normal water, after a meal.

5. Gotu Kola Capsules:

These capsules are prepared by using a standardized extract of Gotukola (Centella Asiatica). It maintains a healthy brain and supports a healthy metabolism. Gotukola Herb is beneficial for balancing all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) in the body.

Dosage: –   1 capsule twice a day, with plain water, after a meal.

Conclusion

After reading the article we come to know that Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a chronic progressive disease of the nervous system. It is characterized by the gradual development and spread of weakness and atrophy (reduction in tissue size) of the affected muscles of the patient. So it is important to note Ayurvedic treatment can be helpful in maintaining a better quality of life for patients in everyday life and can prolong life.