An Ayurvedic Aspect On Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

ABSTRACT

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder of the human motor system. For many years it has been an interesting topic among scientists because of its severity, and now discovery of causal genes and neurotransmitters attracts many researchers towards itself. Als is dependent on many factors as per new researches suggest such as: clinical presentation, rate of disease progression and nutritional status of patients i.e there is a need for therapy that is not only helpful in curing but firstly helpful in slowing down the progression of the disease in the patients and also fight against the secondary causes like malnutrition. Ayurveda treats many patients suffering from fatal diseases and patients get benefitted from it. Ayurvedic shaman drusa and panchakarma therapy are helpful, supportive and multidisciplinary treatments which also improve quality of life.

INTRODUCTION

ALS is progressive nervous system disease which affects the nerve cell of the patient causing loss of muscle control. Its extensive features are slurred speech, limb weakness, atrophy and muscle twitching. A specific clinical feature of ALS is dissociated atrophy of intrinsic hand muscles at an early stage. It is termed as split hand syndrome due to this reason. ALS starts in focal weakness but spreads persistently to involve all of the muscles, including the diaphragm. Death can occur when respiratory muscles are involved. No diagnostic test or biomarker exists or developed for ALS neurologists only give symptomatic treatment for this. Increasing Rate of patients suffering from thea also creates need for the development of novel biomarkers to diagnose it properly.

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS

Several factors make it difficult for the proper diagnosis of the als as proper date of start of disease and the difference between the clinical manifestation of disease and the pathological encounter of the disease. This prodromal period makes it very difficult to understand the disease and treat it well. Also this is the reason of different causing factor and mechanism Although it is prevalent worldwide, the exact known case of this is not reported. It is seen that men suffer a lot more than women worldwide.

CLINICAL PHENOTYPES AND PROGNOSIS

Due to its wide causal factors it is difficult to understand the progression of the disease in the patients. The main characteristic of Als include:

• Limb onset Als with the combination of upper and lower motor neurons.
• Bulbar onset Als with difficulty in speech and swallowing
• Progressive muscular atrophy
• Primary lateral sclerosis with upper motor neuron involvement
• Hallmark of the ALS is the presence of upper motor neuron and lower motor neuron involvement

SYMPTOMS OF AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS

• Weight loss
• Muscle weakness
• Emotional lability
• Weakness in limb with spasticity
• Jaw jerk
• Tongue wasting, fasciculation and weakness
• Weight loss

RISK FACTORS

• Heredity
• Age
• Gender
• Genetics
• Environmental factors such as smoking, environmental toxin pressure

AYURVEDIC VIEW FOR AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS

According to signs and symptoms of ALS it can relate to Vatika disorder. Due to vitiation of vata dosha the nervous system dysfunction occurred and this is the reason for ALS as per ayurveda. It can also be correlated with kapha avrita udana vata or Kapha avrita vyana vata. Therefore we can say that there is avarana of vata by kapha. In the condition of avrana treatment in ayurveda is nabhishyandi, snigdha or strotoshodhak drugs and vatanuloman chikitsa.

Also is a life threatening disease so early diagnosis and proper ayurvedic treatment not only saves patients’ lives but is also helpful in preventing any further progression of disease. The incidence rate of this disease is increasing day by day so efforts must be taken to prevent and for cure ayurvedic treatment is simply available, effective and gives quick response.

Sign and Symptoms of Vata Imbalance Disorders

• Stiffness of joint and pain
• Irrelevant talk
• Lameness of hand and feet
• Excess tiredness
• Unconsciousness
• Excruciating pain

HERBAL REMEDIES BY PLANET AYURVEDA FOR AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS

Planet Ayurveda is providing many herbal medications for treating patients with chronic diseases. They are certified from iso and no additives, flavors or preservatives are included in it. These herbal medications give very beneficial results to the patients with no side effects. They are easily available and quick in responses that’s why patients are treated well with these medicines. For ALS planet ayurveda provides herbal medication that is: ajmodadi churna, ashwagandha capsule, brahmi capsule etc.

1. AJMODADI CHURNA
2. ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES
3. BRAHMI CAPSULES
4. MUSLI STRENGTH CAPSULES
5. VRIHAT VATCHINTAMANI RAS
6. NOURISH-MAXX
7. DHANWANTHARAM THAILAM

PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION

1. AJMODADI CHURNA

Its main function is balancing doshas like vata and kapha. The main ingredients are : Ajmoda (Apium graveolens), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Amla (Emblica officinalis), Yavakshar (Hordeum vulgare), Chitrakmool (Plumbago zeylanica). This is very beneficial in treatment of joint pain, sciatica, pain in hip and lower back and useful in neck pain associated with spondylosis.

Dosage: 1 tsp twice daily with plain water after meals.

2. ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has many useful properties like it helps in calming the brain, reducing swelling and increasing immunity. Its therapeutic properties are famous worldwide some of them which are helpful in the treatment of ALS are: anti-inflammatory, sedative and narcotics. It is also popular as medhya means mental ability so it is very helpful in diseases related to the nervous system.

Dosage: 1 capsule can be taken twice daily after meals.

3. BRAHMI CAPSULES

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) is used by ayurvedic practitioners for enhancing memory since ages. It has some remarkable properties like: analgesic potential, anti inflammatory, anticonvulsant and anti oxidant. Much research was done on brahmi brain enhancing properties said to reverse the cognitive deficits(loss of memory and thinking) this is the reason of using this in ALS.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily after taking meals.

4. MUSLI STRENGTH CAPSULES

It is made up of two herbs Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) and Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris). Therapeutic uses of safed musli as follows: anti microbial, anti oxidant, anti stress and immunomodulator. Gokshura also has many benefits that’s why it can be used in renal disorder, respiratory disorder and nervous system disorder.

Dosage: 1 capsule should be taken two times after meals daily.

5. VRIHAT VATCHINTAMANI RAS

This is made up using swarna bhasma, rajat bhasma, abhraka bhasma and suta bhasma. It is given to patients for enhancing their brain activity. Mental health of patients gets better after using this. These bhasma have some very good properties in keeping doshas balanced.

Dosage: 1 tablet twice daily to be chewed after meals.

6. NOURISH-MAXX

Its main ingredients are as follows: Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris). The ingredients which it contains are helpful in increasing muscle strength and properties like increasing immunity, anti oxidant and also enhancing brain activity which is helpful in nervous system disorders.

Dosage: 1 tsp should be taken twice with normal water.

7. DHANWANTHARAM THAILAM

Dhanwantharam Thailam Oil is very beneficial in the treatment of vatika disorder that is the reason it is useful in the patient of ALS it can be applied locally wherever the pain exists. It is given in many diseases like: rheumatic disorder, spondylosis, headache and neuro-muscular conditions. No side effects is known due to the application of this oil.

Dosage: Apply gently on the affected site and kept it for 6-8 hrs for better result.

CONCLUSION

As we discussed above ALS is a rapidly progressive disorder of the nervous system. In modern medicine treatment of ALS is not mentioned, they are researching it but in ayurveda many shamana drugs are indicated for nervous system disease and their efficacy is also tested from time to time. Many evidence-based approaches show that ayurvedic medicine has very potent results in treating many diseases