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Dr. Vikram Chauhan - MD (Ayurveda)

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Ayurvedic Treatment for Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Sometimes we neglect the symptoms such as weakness. But many times weakness may be due to the some harmful diseases or problems with nervous system such as GB syndrome. This is a rare autoimmune disorder but don't ignore it and remember one thing if you are suffering from long lasting weakness then go to see your doctor. There is no proper cure for this problem. But, Ayurveda provides wonderful remedies to ease the symptoms of GBS that reduces the illness.

What Is Guillain-Barre Syndrome (Gbs)?

It is also known as Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy.

It is a rare autoimmune disorder in which body's own immune system attacks on nerve cells of peripheral nervous system that results in weakness of muscles, numbness, loss of reflexes, tingling in arms, legs and other parts of body. In this case, insulation around myelin (nerves) is destroyed. Eventually it may results in paralysis and some long lasting effects on body.

It affects any age group but males are at high risk.

Types Of Gbs

  • Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Poly Radiculoneuropathy(AIDP) - In This Case, Weakness Of Muscles Starts In The Lower Part Of The Body And Spreads Upwards. It Is More Common In USA.
  • Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS) - Paralysis Starts With The Eyes, Associated With Unsteady Gait. It Is More Common In Asia.
  • Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy (AMAN) And Acute Motor-Sensory Axonal Neuropathy (AMSAN)- It Is Frequent In China, Japan And Mexico.

What are the symptoms?

The first sign and common symptom is tingling sensation, numbness and pain. Other signs and symptoms may include:

  • Weakness
  • Severe back pain
  • Problem in talking, chewing and swallowing.
  • Loss of bladder control
  • High heart rate
  • Paralysis
  • Fluctuation in blood pressure
  • Problem in breathing
  • Pain in head and neck
  • Prickling of pins and needles sensation in fingers, toes and hands.

What Are The Causes?

The exact cause of GBS is unknown. This may be triggered by any infection that may arise after few days or weeks of respiratory or digestive tract infection.

Some infection that may be the cause of GBS are- Campylobacter jejuni cause diarrhea, Cytomegalovirus (CMV) causes fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) cause mononucleosis, Varicella-zoster virus cause chickenpox and shingles, Mycoplasma cause pneumonia and dengue fever.

In GBS, the body's immune system attacks body's nerves of peripheral nervous system. In this, the covering sheath (myelin sheath) is destroyed that results in loss of signals transmission in brain which leads to weakness, numbness or paralysis.

Diagnosis

In early stages, it is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to other neurological disorders. Then doctor may suggest some tests to confirm the disease which are given below:

  • Spinal tap / Cerebrospinal fluid analysis (CSF analysis) / lumbar puncture – It helps to check the protein level in CSF fluid which is elevated in GBS patients.
  • Nerve conduction studies
  • MRI of spinal cord
  • Blood tests for potassium level, sodium level which are elevated in GBS.
  • Electromyography
  • Test for anti ganglioside antibodies

Complications Associated With Gbs

If it is not treated with time then it may result in severe problems such as problem in breathing, heart problems like arrhythmia, fluctuation in blood pressure, problem in bowel and bladder, blood clots, relapse and death may due to heart problems.

Ayurvedic Outlook

As per Ayurveda, this condition is correlated with sarvanga gatavatavyadhi – vata disorder which is that is preceded by jvara.

Myelin sheath is a fatty in nature which is surrounded around the nerve cells that forms insulating layer which is necessary for proper functioning of nervous system. It is destroyed in case of GBS. It is compared to Medogata vata i.e. vitiation of vata. This destroys the myelin (fat) and affects the signal transmission. It may cause weakness of muscles and leads to GBS. It can be considered as Mamsagata vata.

Ayurvedic Treatment Of Gbs

There is no proper cure of GBS but Ayurveda provides herbal treatment to ease the symptoms associated with GBS which reduces the illness. There are number of herbs present in nature which help to manage the diseased condition. Ayurveda mainly focuses on balance of tri doshas in body.

Planet Ayurveda's Treatment For Gbs

Planet Ayurveda provides different herbal remedies for GBS which are obtained from pure herbal extracts without any chemicals or preservatives. These are free from side effects.

PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION

1. Ashwagandha Capsules

These herbal capsules obtained from Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha). This herb has number of health benefits. It promotes the overall wellbeing of body. It is quite effective in GBS. It promotes the immune system of body. It has good anti-oxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. It provides nourishment to the brain for quick functioning and it also has rejuvenating property. It is also beneficial in fatigue, stress and weakness.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice a day.

2. Brahmi Capsules

These are made from extract of herb Brahmi (Bacopa monnoieri) which acts as brain tonic. It decreases stress and also increases mental capacity. It has positive effect on nervous system that promotes the coordination between nervous system components that increases brain functioning. It also has anti-oxidant property.

Dosage: 2 capsules daily with water after meal.

3. Hakam Churna

It is effective herbal powder formulation made from mixture of different herbs such as Chandershoor (Lepidium sativum), Kalonji (Nigellia sativa), Methi (Trigonellafoenum graceum), Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi).

Benefits: These herbs have property to balance all three energies (vata, pitta and kapha) in the body. It maintains overall health.

Dosage: 1 teaspoon twice a day with water.

4. Boswellia Curcumin

It is one of the best herbal formulation which is obtained from the combination of anti-inflammatory herbs i.e Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and Curcumin (Curcuma longa). These herbs are packed with anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial properties. It is useful in the treatment of neuromuscular disorders like GBS. It is also useful in bacterial and viral infections which is one of the reason of GBS.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice in a day with water.

5. Jeevantayadhi Ghrit

It is herbal formulation which is helpful in the treatment of GBS by pacifying vata and kapha doshas in body.

Dosage: ½ spoon with milk.

Tips & Home Remedies

To manage the stress due to GBS consider these suggestions:

  • Take a diet rich in minerals and vitamins.
  • Eat green vegetables, citrus fruits which are rich source of antioxidants that help to boost your immunity.
  • Take fiber rich diet.
  • Maintain a strong support system from friends and family.

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