Myasthenia Gravis Treatment Herbal Remedies

ABSTRACT

Neuromuscular disorders are those which affect the nerves that are responsible for controlling the voluntary muscles and which communicate the sensory information to the brain. When the nerve cells get degenerated or die it leads to breakdown of the communication between the whole nervous system and leads to muscle breakdown. At last the muscles become weaker and muscle atrophy occurs. There are a lot of such conditions among which one is Myasthenia Gravis about which we will discuss in the following article with its Ayurvedic management.

INTRODUCTION

Myasthenia Gravis is one of the autoimmune neuromuscular disorders which is specifically characterized by the weakness of skeletal muscles – responsible for body movements. This condition occurs when communication between muscles and nerve cells get impaired. This hampers the muscle contractions which leads to muscle weakness. This is a hampering situation which affects the normal life of the patient. As the disease progressed the person became more diable and became dependent upon the attendant. This is some brief information about Myasthenia Gravis, now let’s discuss the symptoms and causes of this condition in detail.

FACTS ABOUT MYASTHENIA GRAVIS

• The prevalence of Myasthenia Gravis has increased since the past seven decades.
• Incidence is 1 in 200,000 before the introduction of anticholinesterase drugs and after its introduction the incidence increased up to 1 among every 20,000 people.
• Women are commonly affected by this condition before the age of 40 as the female:male ratio remains 3:1.
• Respiratory failure is mainly responsible for death in case of Myasthenia Gravis.

CAUSES OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS

Antibodies

The nerves communicate with the muscles by releasing neurotransmitters which fit into the receptor area on the muscle cells that is the nerve muscle junction. In the condition of Myasthenia Gravis the immune system starts producing antibodies which block the muscle receptor sites which results in muscle weakness. Two proteins are responsible for forming nerve muscle junctions that are LRP4 and MUSK, antibodies block the functioning of both the proteins which leads to Myasthenia Gravis.

Thymus Gland

This gland is the part of the immune system which maintains and triggers the production of acetylcholine blocking antibodies. Tumors of this gland also lead to Myasthenia Gravis.

Other Causes

Pregnant mothers with Myasthenia Gravis may give birth to a child with the same condition. One may be born with hereditary Myasthenia Gravis which is known as Congenital Myasthenia Gravis.

SYMPTOMS OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS

As we discussed earlier this condition affects the skeletal muscles and the weakness progresses if the affected muscles are under excessive usage. Symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis improved with rest and this weakness may go and come. These symptoms progress with the time passage and reach the worst after a few years of the disease onset. Majorly this condition affects the voluntary muscles. Mostly the following muscles get affected.

Eye muscles

More than half of the affected people first develop symptoms in eye muscles and lead to the symptoms such as – drooping of eyelids, double vision, etc.

Throat and face muscles

When throat and face muscles get affected it hinders the speaking, nasal sound of voice, difficulty swallowing, people affected may choke easily, difficulty eating, difficulty drinking or even consuming pills. It affects chewing, liquids come out from the nose, and change facial expressions.

Neck and limb muscles

Muscles of neck and limbs get weakened in case of Myasthenia Gravis. It will affect the day to day activities of the patient. Even the neck muscles are unable to hold the head.

DIAGNOSIS OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS

If anyone feels the same complaints then he must visit a doctor for diagnosis. A doctor will take proper medical history and ask the family history also. A specific blood test is to be done for diagnosing the presence of receptors of acetylcholine antibodies. Mostly the diagnosis is made clear with this blood test but in some cases antibodies do not get detected in some cases so another test is to be performed that is EMG. EMG is important to diagnose hindrance in nerve impulse transmission. CT scan is to be performed for diagnosing any abnormality in thymus gland and any other case which may cause symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis.

AYURVEDIC VIEW OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS

As per Ayurveda this condition is correlated to aggravated vata and aam dosha in the site of mamsa dhatu (muscles). In this case aam dosha gets accumulated in the body which leads to obstruction of vata dosha. Vata dosha obstruction leads to obstructive nerve conduction to the muscles thus it causes weakness of muscles.

Causes of Myasthenia Gravis: According to Ayurveda the causes can be considered as ama dosha janya nidaan. These causes include- Dietary causes – excessive starvation, consumption of food over indigestion, over eating, etc. Lifestyle causes – suppressing natural urges, laziness, sleeping in day time, etc.

Symptoms of Ama dosha: Fatigue, stiffness, weakness, stasis of faecal matter, thirst, indigestion, vomiting, nausea, matter, vertigo, indigestion, and various other symptoms as per the affected channels.

Above we discussed Myasthenia Gravis in Ayurveda and for management there is a need to eliminate ama dosha from the body and then to pacify vata dosha. For this purpose Planet Ayurveda provides various herbal remedies that we are going to discuss below. So let’s take a look!!!!

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR MYASTHENIA GRAVIS BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda is a clinic with GMP certification and ISO certification which is working as per the aim of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is an ancient science which works with the aim of maintaining the health of the healthy patient and preventing the disease of the diseased person. The formulations are free from any kind of added preservatives and synthetic materials such as resins, gums, fibers, colors, etc. It formulates remedies which manage every health condition and for the management of the Myasthenia Gravis following remedies are provided by Planet Ayurveda.

PRODUCTS LIST

1. Ashwagandha Capsules
2. Brahmi Capsules
3. Yograj Guggul
4. Atirasadi Churna

PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION

1. ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES

Ashwagandha Capsules is a single herbal formulation by Planet Ayurveda. These capsules are made up of standardized extract of herb Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). This herb includes miraculous vata pacifying properties, rejuvenating and balya (strengthening) properties. These capsules assist in providing strength to the muscles, eliminating the accumulation of ama dosha. Thus these capsules help in improving muscle weakness and alleviating various symptoms such as fatigue, muscle loss, etc.

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

2. BRAHMI CAPSULES

Brahmi Capsules are prepared by Planet Ayurveda with the standardized extract of herb Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri). This herb is an effective vata pacifying ayurvedic herb which has been used since ancient times for improving nervous health. It assists in regulating the nerve conduction which manages the muscle contraction and protects muscle loss. Thus Brahmi capsules are very effective in managing the symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis.

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

3. YOGRAJ GUGGUL

Yograj Guggul is a classical Ayurvedic formulation which is prepared by Planet Ayurveda as mentioned in the Classical Ayurvedic texts. These tablets consist of various ingredients such as guggul (Commiphora mukul), musta (Cyperus rotundus), amalaki (Emblica officinalis), pippali (Piper longum) and various others. This remedy is best for pacifying vata dosha and eliminating ama dosha from the body thus helps in managing symptoms of ama dosha.

Dosage: 2 tablets twice daily with plain water after meals.

4. ATIRASADI CHURNA

Atirasadi Churna is a herbal powder formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda. This herbal powder consists of various ingredients such as musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum), kali musli (Curculigo orchioides) and some others. This churna consists of balya properties which provide strength to the muscles. The remedy has vata pacifying herbs which assist in regulating the nerve conduction to the muscles and manages various symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis.

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

CONCLUSION

Myasthenia Gravis is one of the autoimmune neuromuscular disorders which is specifically characterized by the weakness of skeletal muscles – responsible for body movements. In this condition the immune system starts producing antibodies which block the muscle receptor sites, the tumors of the thymus gland also lead to myasthenia gravis and another cause of this condition is hereditary. Symptoms of this condition include gradual muscle weakness, fatigue, muscle wasting, etc. As per Ayurveda this condition is correlated to ama dosha janya vataj vikara. So to manage this condition it is important to eliminate ama dosha from the body and pacification of vata dosha. For this Planet Ayurveda provides various remedies that are safe to consume under the advice of Ayurveda practitioners.