Ayurvedic View On Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy

Abstract

PML is known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. It is a rare brain infection. It affects the substance in your brain that protects nerve cells. This disease i.e. progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy gets worse with time and leads to neurological disabilities. If disease is diagnosed at time and treatment is given at proper time may lead to slow disease progressions here we are going to have a look at which herbs and medicines are to be used in this disease according to Ayurveda. Please have a look at this topic. In this article we are going to discuss this disease in detail.

Introduction Of Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy demyelinating disease and is a fatal viral disease of the brain. PML means progressive (speedy), multifocal (multiple locations), leuko (white matter), encephalon (brain), pathy (damage) i.e. inflammation of white matter of the brain at multiple locations. It is caused by a type of polyomavirus called the JC (John Cunningham) virus which is normally present and kept under control by the immune system. PML is mainly a brain disease that causes brain damage and this damage can lead to mental impairment, visual symptoms, difficulty in moving. PML damages the white matter cells that make myelin that conducts electrical signals and protects nerves and losing it makes it harder to move, feel sensation and think. PML is a serious disease that can be fatal if not treated in its acute phase.

Ayurvedic aspect of Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

In the ancient era all the rogas (diseases) were managed by ayurvedic culture and the treatment was effective. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in ayurveda may be correlated to vata kaphaja shiro rog. Due to the predominance of vata and kapha in shira, patients feel pain (shoola), and other symptoms. Ayurvedic treatment subsides the vata and kapha predominance and help to balance all the three doshas present in the body and by lifestyle modifications we can maintain a balanced health and enhance life.

Incidence Of Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

PML is mostly seen in patients with severe immune deficiency i.e. with weak immune system. If the immune system becomes severely compromised the virus can be reactivated and makes its way to the brain, where it multiplies and attacks on myelin. PML has a mortality rate of 30-50%. In the first few months those patients who survived can have varying degrees of neurological disabilities.

• Acquired immune system(AIDS)
• Severe immune deficiency.
• Chronic immunosuppressive medications (chemotherapy drugs)
• Patient with transplants
• Hodgkin’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Psoriasis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Other autoimmune diseases

Cause of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

The main cause of PML i.e. progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is weak or severely compromised immune system. If a patient is having a severely compromised immune system then the patient is having high chances of infections. The main cause of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is listed below

• JC virus infection i.e. that causes persistent asymptomatic infection based on viral shedding into urine from the site of asymptomatic infection of the kidney. JV virus causes disease only when the immune system is severely weakened.
• Immunosuppressant i.e. with HIV1 infection or any antiretroviral therapy or any transplant drugs. So this causes the JC virus to travel to the brain and damage myelin.
• Multiple sclerosis medications are also the cause of PML.

Symptoms of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

PML is a life threatening medical emergency. In progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy the severity of symptoms depends on extent of damage and on where the lesions are formed. Symptoms can develop over several weeks to months. Symptoms can progress rapidly to complications such as seizures and coma etc. These symptoms include

• Loss of vision and change in vision.
• Slurred speech is present.
• Weakening of muscles.
• Clumsiness and unable to balance.
• Personality changes may occur.
• Facial drooping is also seen in patients of PML.
• Memory problems and mental slowness.
• Difficulty in flexion and extension of arms.
• Difficulty in walking.

Complications Of Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

Symptoms may progress rapidly and cause complications of disease and these are listed below

• Seizure
• Coma
• Dementia

Diagnosis Of Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is diagnosed in patients with the help of further investigations and it’s confirmed with the help of the presence of JC virus antibody. Some investigations to be done are listed below

• Blood Test- In the blood sample it will show the presence of JC virus antibody in the blood and a very high level of this virus indicates PML.
• Spinal Tap- i.e. spinal fluid is taken to confirm the presence of JC virus in the fluid and is best investigated in PML.
• MRI brain (lesions present in brain)
• CT Scan brain
• Brain biopsy i.e. a piece of tissue is removed from the brain and examined.

Treatment of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

There is no specific treatment of PML. Mainly treatment includes immunity booster drugs and if you are having any immunosuppressive drugs then you must stop those medicines. Mainly treatment includes supportive medications.

• Plasma exchange therapy i.e. blood transfusion.
• If a patient having HIV-AIDS starts antiretroviral therapy.
• Immunity booster drugs. I.e. immunomodulator drugs.

This disease can be treated with allopathic medicines but it results in many health complications whereas ayurvedic medicine provides excellent health benefits with the treatment of disease and the main purpose of ayurvedic medicine is to diminish a disease with its roots. The concepts of universal interconnection, the body’s constitution (prakriti), and Doshas are the primary basis of ayurvedic medicine. Goals of treatment aid the person by eliminating impurities, reducing symptoms, increasing resistance to disease, reducing worry, and increasing harmony in life as described by Acharyas Charaka and Shusruta in samhitas. Certain medications which are used in treatment of Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy are described below.

Treatment of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

Planet Ayurveda is a globally recognized firm that provides best herbal remedies to the patient because it extracts pure raw material from herbs and makes 100% genuine products with no side effects and best overall result for 20 years. In ayurveda, one of the best methods to overcome progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is to normalize kapha dosha in the body, planet Ayurveda provides the best ayurvedic medicines to treat the imbalance of kapha dosha. Its products are pure ayurveda and naturally extracted from the herbs and medicinal plants. Planet ayurveda strictly follows the guidelines of the government for masking their product best.

The following herbal remedies are

1. Shilajit Capsules
2. Boswellia Curcumin
3. Musli Strength
4. Giloy Capsule
5. Memory Support
6. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras
7. Neuro Plan Syrup
8. Energo Plan Syrup

Product Description

1. Shilajit Capsules

Major ingredients are shilajit (asphaltum) and contain 500mg of purified shilajit extract. Shilajit acts as a powerful rejuvenator of the body, an immunity booster drug, works as anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory and useful in weakness, fatigue, tiredness, stress and anxiety, helpful in increasing blood circulation, general health debility. It is useful in urine incontinence, burning maturation, acts as an anti stress agent and provides minerals and vitamins.

Dosage: 1 capsule once daily, with plain water or milk after meal.

2. Boswellia Curcumin

Major ingredients are shallaki (boswellia serrata) and curcumin (curcuma longa). Boswellia curcumin is used for brain edema and is best used as anti anti-inflammatory drug. It has best effects on osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, crohn’s disease and reduces brain edema.

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

3. Musli Strength

Major ingredients of musli strength are safed musli (chlorophytum borivillianum) and gokshura (tribulus terrestris). Musli strength is mainly helpful in diseases like brain / memory / mental health / nerve health and endocrine health. It mainly acts as an agent that suppresses inflammation (swelling). It acts as a drug that modifies immune responses.

Dosage: 1 capsule once daily.

4. Giloy Capsule

Major ingredient is giloy (Tinospora cordifolia). It contains 500mg capsules of pure herbal extract obtained from a giloy plant. Giloy has a property of anti-arthritis, anti- inflammatory, antipyretic, digestive, anti-inflammatory, blood purifier and all type of cancers. It act as immune- modulator and is best drug in ayurveda and its results are commendable.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meal.

5. Memory Support

Major ingredients are vacha (acorus calamus), shankhpushpi (convolvulus pluricaulis), and brahmi (becopa monnieri). Etc .It helps to maintain a healthy mind. Memory support is purely a herbal supplement to enhance memory without any chemicals added into it.

Dosage: 2 Capsule twice daily.

6. Neuro Plan Syrup

Each 10 ml syrup contains standardized extract of brahmi (bacopa monnieri), mandukaparni (centella asiatica), shankhpushpi (convolvulus pluricaulis), jyotishmati (celastrus paniculatus), ashwagandha (withania somnifera), mariachi (piper nigrum) etc. It enhances memory, acts on motor neuron disease, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and other conditions that affect the nervous system as in encephalitis, meningitis.

Dosage: 2 teaspoon full two times a day.

7. Energo Plan Syrup

Each 10ml syrup contains standard extracts of jeevanti (leptadenia reticulata), amalaki (Emblica officinalis), shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), ashwagandha (withania somnifera), gukshura (tribulus terrestris), pippali (piper longum) etc. Energo plan syrup is ayurvedic medicine with no side effects and is used to boost up your immunity and provide you energy.

Dosage: 2 teaspoons twice a day.

8. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras

Vrihat vatchintamani ras is a classical herbal formulation specially prepared to balance the vata dosha. Major ingredients are swarna bhasma, abhrak bhasma, rajata bhasma, loha bhasma, praval bhasma etc. It is administered with honey and musta kshaya. It is indicated in paralysis, migraine, vertigo and psychosis.

Dosage: 125 mg once a day after a meal.

Conclusion

It is better to take ayurvedic medicine because it has no side effects with best results over the years. Ayurved treats patients with ancient methods and effectively cures the patients. So the above-mentioned medicines of herbal ayurveda are best to treat the hunner ulcers because all the medicines are free from any preservatives and other chemicals that affect your health. All the herbs are purely vegetarian and made up of 100% naturally occurring organic herbs.