Herbal Remedies for Transient Ischemic Attacks Treatment

ABSTRACT

Transient ischemic attacks are developed due to temporary reduction of blood flow to the brain. Stroke is the number 1 cause of severe and complex disability in the population worldwide. Transient is for a temporary period which is much similar to stroke. Transient attack lasts for only a few minutes and it doesn’t cause any permanent damage, it is usually a warning. This is due to formation of blood clots that usually block the arteries, this damage is so severe so proper treatment is required as soon as possible. Here we are going to discuss its causes, signs, symptoms and how it can be treated with ayurvedic herbs which eradicates the symptoms, and provides proper management of this disease.

INTRODUCTION

It is known as ministroke, 1 out of 3 persons who suffers from transient ischemic attack suffers from stroke. Transient ischemic attack is brief episodes where the brain doesn’t get proper blood supply but it is restored quickly, brain tissue does not die as often seen in stroke, as they are the warning signs of stroke. Mini Stroke is usually a medical emergency which is a temporary blockage which cuts off supply and ultimately decreases oxygen supply to the brain. The effect usually lasts for a few minutes and resolves after a few hours known as warning stroke because now the patient is at high risk of developing stroke.

FACTS ABOUT TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK

• Each year 500,000 adults suffer from transient ischemic attacks in the United states.
• TIA (Transient ischemic attack) has the same causes of stroke as both are due to blocked arteries. The most common cause is atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in the arterial wall and this further narrows the artery, restricts blood flow and then plaque furthur moves to the brain.
• Transient attacks can be due to other causes such as spasms in arterial walls, spasm  is due to smoking, emotional stress, illegal drugs (cocaine).
• Certain lifestyle factors such as drinking an amount of alcohol, high salt diet, high fat diet.

CAUSES

1. Narrowing of arteries, causes by atherosclerosis is usually due to deposits of fat which hardens the arterial wall, than this material break off and further get lodged in small vessels in brain
2. Cerebral artery stenosis (when artery inside skull get blocked by any disease or plaque)
3. High blood pressure
4. Patients suffer from anemia (an inherited condition as they change their shape which further carry less oxygen and get stuck in artery walls and further hamper up blood flow to the brain), leukemia, and poisoning of carbon monoxide causes lack of blood flow to the brain.
5. Diabetes
6. Smoking
7. High cholesterol level 

OTHER RISK FACTORS INCLUDED

• Drinking too much alcohol
• Blood clotting disorder
• Having abnormal rhythm such as atrial fibrillation
• Family history- If one of the family member suffer from this than patient is at high risk of transient ischemic attack
• Age- As we get older there is more risk of developing ischemic attack
• Sex- Males are more prone to ischemic attack or stroke.

SYMPTOMS

• Difficulty in seeing from both eyes
• Severe headache
• Dizziness
• Loss of coordination and balance
• Difficulty in speaking
• Weakness, numbness in face, arm, legs, typically one part of body
• Slurred or garbled speech
• Fast Tes
• Face – falls to one side
• Arms – cannot raise both arms
• Speech – slurred speech
• Time – call for an emergency

PREVENTION

1. DONT SMOKE – stop smoking as it reduces the risk of transient ischemic attack. As smoking increases the risk of formation of blood clots which raises blood pressure and further develops fatty deposits in the arteries (atherosclerosis)
2. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables – As these food contains antioxidants, potassium which further protect against transient ischemic attack
3. Exercise regularly – High blood pressure causes TIA so regular exercise can lower blood pressure.
4. Maintain healthy weight – Being overweight causes high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, on losing weight it may lower blood pressure and improve the cholesterol level.
5. Don’t use illicit drugs – Drugs such as cocaine are increasing the risk of transient ischemic attack.

DIAGNOSIS

• Physical examination and laboratory tests
• Carotid ultrasonography
• CT (Computerised tomography), CAT (Computerised tomography angiography) scanning
• MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging)
• Echocardiography
• Arteriography  

TREATMENT

Eliminating the risk factors is the first step in preventing strokes .

1. If Transient ischemic attack cause severe narrowing of major artery in brain than aspirin or clopidogrel is given
2. If a patient has an irregular heartbeat then anticoagulant medicines are given such as heparin or warfarin.
3. If any plaque is found on the carotid arteries than carotid surgery is the option 
   ○ Carotid endarterectomy – is a procedure where plaque is removed surgically.
   ○ Carotid angioplasty – This procedure is done when a patient suffers from carotid blockage, it involves flattening of build up arteries which then allows the increased blood flow. Stunt is a mesh-like tube to keep the artery open.

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT   

Transient ischemic attack is the improper flowing of blood and oxygen to the brain. In ayurveda TIA is usually due to imbalance in doshas mainly vata dosha which affects the movement and the senses in the body. Vata dosha on getting aggravated fills up the rakta srotas or in the empty channels. On occupying the srotas the vitiated vata will produce ekanga or sarvang disease. This can further cause serious complications such as hemiplegia (pakshaghat) or other serious disease that further affect the blood flow due to internal bleeding within the brain or due to arterial clot in blood vessels circulating blood to the brain.

This treatment focuses on relieving the symptoms which restore brain impair function and improve the blood circulation to the brain. This therapy focuses on rejuvenating the body. Various panchkarma treatment are useful in this:

1. Abhyangam –  It is a herbal oil massage. Mainly 2 types of abhyanga are pada abhyanga (foot massage), shiro abhyanga (head massage). Murdhni thailam is mainly used and helpful in many vata disorders. 
2.  Shirodhara –  It is a herbal remedy using oil, milk,and water on the head which is poured on the head in the form of dhara.

HERBS USEFUL FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK 

1. Brahmi – (Bacopa monnieri) is a useful herb for improving intelligence, and memory. Brahmi is used as an anti ageing drug, helps to improve brain growth and helpful in coordination between limbs, tongue, brain. Bacopa is useful in treating high Bp as it controls stress, anxiety, protects nerves, heart, blood vessels.
2. Arjuna – (Terminalia arjuna) Balances kapha and pitta doshas. Arjuna is used as a cardiac tonic hence increases stamina. Arjuna regulates the blood circulation hence removes plaque and clears the blockages. Arjuna is used for hair wash as it provides shining and quality of hair.
3. Guggul – (Commiphora wightii) Is oleo gum resin used as binding agent to decrease cholesterol level and in relieving joint inflammation. Guggul has an enormous effect on the musculoskeletal system, diabetes, and obesity. Has effective cardiac tone which increases blood quality and power.
4. Gugulipid – (Commiphora wightii) is an extract of guggul resin from a tree which has antithrombotic properties which decreases the progression of atherosclerosis. Has hypolipidemic effect, neuroprotective (antioxidant, anti inflammatory, hypolipidemic effect).

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK BY PLANET AYURVEDA  

Planet Ayurveda provides a wide range of vivid varieties of natural and safe herbal formulations which are free from any type of preservatives, colors, resins, and artificial products. The formulations made are 100% pure and vegetarian. Herbal remedies for TIA aim at reducing stress and anxiety level and we are going to discuss these remedies in detail. 

PRODUCTS LIST

1. Ashwagandha Capsules
2. Brahmi Capsules
3. Arjuna Capsules
4. Punarnava Capsules
5. Curcumin Capsules
6. Gotu Kola Capsules

PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION

1. Ashwagandha Capsules

Ashwagandha capsules is a single herbal formulation prepared by planet ayurveda containing ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). It is a very good antioxidant used to promote cardiac health and decrease blood pressure. Ashwagandha is useful to relieve stress, depression, and improve quality of sleep.It decreases the clotting of blood in the body hence improves blood flow in the body.  

Dosage- 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

2. Brahmi Capsules

Brahmi capsules are formulated in the form of capsules with standardized extract of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) by planet ayurveda. This improves intelligence and memory. Helps in decreasing blood pressure, promotes brain growth and improves coordination, improves digestion power and in spleen disorders relieves itching and in pruritus.

Dosage- 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

3. Arjuna Capsules

Arjuna capsules are formulated by planet ayurveda in the form of capsules from extract of arjuna (Terminalia arjuna). Arjuna plays a significant role in chest pain by lowering the level of cortisol, improves HDL level and reduces blood pressure. It reduces the risk of heart disease like angina, improves heart function properly. Manages lung problems like infection, asthma, reduces aam and removes mucus due to the kapha balancing property.

Dosage- 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

4. Punarnava Capsules

Punarnava capsules are single herbal capsules formulated by planet ayurveda using Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) supports a healthy cardiovascular system, nervous system. Purarnava has deepan and pachan properties due to which it corrects the digestive fire and reduces aam. It cleanses the liver by removing its toxin from liver cells. Punarnava controls the burning micturation and further subsides the burning sensation in urination.

Dosage- 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.

5. Curcumin Capsules

Curcumin capsules are single herbal extraction from curcumin (Curcumin longa) formulated by planet ayurveda in the form of capsules. Curcumin improves blood circulations of the body and balances all the doshas. Curcumin is helpful in removal of facial hair growth. Due to its tikta katu ras, ushana veerya, katu vipaka it removes the blocked plaque in the blood vessels making circulation easy.

Dosage- 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

6. Gotu Kola Capsules

These capsules are obtained from standardised extract of gotu kola (Centella asiatica) formulated by planet ayurveda under strict guidelines of ayurveda board. It decreases depression and anxiety, it decreases swelling and blood pressure. Gotukola increases collagen production.

Dosage- 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

CONCLUSION

Transient ischemic attack is known as ministroke. Transient ischemic attacks are developed due to temporary reduction of blood flow to the brain. There is no blood supply and oxygen supply to the brain properly which further leads to many diseases. Main cause of stroke is atherosclerosis where there is formation of plaque on sides of arteries. According to ayurveda TIA is due to imbalance of vata dosha which further leads to hemiplegia (pakshaghat). Planet ayurveda provides a pure formulation of herbal remedies which is pure and prepared as mentioned in ayurvedic texts.