Dilated cardiomyopathy is the third most common cause of heart failure and the most frequent reason for heart transplantation.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is disease of the heart muscle, usually starts in the left ventricle, and the main pumping chamber of heart, where heart muscle stretches and gets thinner which subsequently, leads to enlargement chamber inside and cannot pump blood very well. This problem with time can extend to the right ventricle and then to the atria. As the heart chambers dilate, the heart muscle doesn't contract normally and with weakening of heart can cause heart failure. One can diagnose the symptoms of heart failure if they go through shortness of breath, fatigue and swelling of the ankles, feet, legs, abdomen and veins in the neck.
CAUSES OF DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY
Mostly the cause of dilated cardiomyopathy is unclear i.e. idiopathic. Other responsible factors includes:
- Genetics – 1/3rd of the people inherit it from their parents.
- Congenital heart defects – like problem with heart valves.
- Infections could be responsible like bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites
- Some cancer medications which can be toxic to heart or use of other drugs that can damage heart.
- Excessive consumption of alcohol or cocaine abuse.
- Exposure to toxins, such as lead, mercury and cobalt
- Coronary artery disease or heart attack or High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Diabetes, thyroid problems or Hepatitis
- Complications during last month of pregnancy
SYMPTOMS OF DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY
Many people with dilated cardiomyopathy either have no symptoms or just minor symptoms, or live a normal life. In other people symptoms that appear, may progress and get deteriorate with worsens the heart function.
Symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy can occur at any age and may include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the legs and feet
- Fatigue (feeling of being excessively tired), incompetence to do exercise, or do activities as normal
- Gain in weight, cough and congestion related to fluid retention
- Palpitations or fluttering in the chest due to abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia)
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Loss of appetite.
- Fainting due to irregular heart rhythms.
- Formation of blood clots due to blood sluggish flow of blood through the body. If in case the blood clot breaks off, it might be moved to the lungs (pulmonary emboli), kidney (renal emboli), brain (cerebral emboli or stroke), or limbs (peripheral emboli).
AYURVEDIC VIEW FOR DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY
Ayurveda explains the reason for the occurrence of this disease due to imbalance of any three energies results but aggravation of vata mainly praan vata is leading cause of this disease.
Treatment of DCM in Ayurveda mainly focuses on the management of symptoms of disease and balance of tri energies in body.
AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY
There is a combination of Ayurvedic herbs which will be very useful for Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
The combination is called DCM Care Pack. Here is the detail about the combinations.
DCM Care Pack
1. Cap. Total Heart Support
These herbal capsules make very effective Ayurvedic treatment for Dilated Cardiomyopathy formed of standardized extracts of these herbs. These have efficient potential to increases pumping force of the heart, improve cardiac muscle strength. This natural remedy benefits by clearing the blockage of coronary arteries and thus helps to regulate pressure and cholesterol under control.
All herbs in this product act synergistically to control 'Vatta' and 'Pitta'.
Herbs Used:
- Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna): This herb is very beneficial in heart problems as it contain Co-Enzyme Q10, for improving the function of heart muscle
- Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera): Ashwagandha comprises active components like ‘Withanolides' and ‘Withaferin' which are very advantageous. The herb also possesses anti-inflammatory, antitumor, anti-stress, antioxidant, immune-modulatory, hemopoietic, and rejuvenating properties good for heart care.
- Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri): The herb ‘Brahmi' benefits indirectly in heart care. It increases the retention power as well as recollection. Regular use helps to reduce stress, anxiety, blood pressure,
- Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis): This herb provides cooling and soothing effects to heart.
Dosage - 2 Capsule twice daily.
2. Cap. Arjuna
Arjun capsules make quiet beneficial herbal treatment for Dilated Cardiomyopathy heart care herb.It facilitates in increasing the pumping capacity of the heart, and thus improves heart muscle power. These tend to maintain proper cholesterol level, blood pressure and a number of other heart problems.
Arjuna capsules encompass extract of arjun tea bark.
Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna): It is very operational natural remedy for heart and circulatory problems.
Dosage - 1 Capsule twice daily after meal with plain water.
3. Cap. Punarnava
Punarnava Capsules are extremely suitable Ayurvedic treatment for Dilated Cardiomyopathy. It has ability to get rid of excessive water from the body immediately and helps to provide relief from edema and water retention, reduces swelling in the body.
It is prepared using standardized herbal extract of Punarnava herb.
Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa): This herb acts as a natural diuretic and detox herb. It removes excess of fat, water from within the body.
Dosage - 2 Capsule twice daily after meals with plain water
4. Tab. Punarnava Mandur
Punarnava mandur tablets are traditional ayurvedic tablets which has potential for treatment of Dilated Cardiomyopathy. They are tremendous to remove toxins from the blood, help eliminates water from the body and get the load off from the heart, improve hemoglobin.
Herbs Used:
- Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa),
- Shunti (Zingiber officinale),
- Pippali (Piper longum),
- Maricha (Piper nigrum),
- Amalaki (Emblica officinalis),
- Haritaki (Terminalia chebula),
- Chavya (Piper chaba),
- Haridra (Curcuma longa),
- Vidanga (Embelia ribes),
- Chitrak Mool (Plumbago zeylanica),
- Mandoor Bhasma (Ferric oxide calx).
Punarnava Mandur is processed by combination of herbs that work together to provide beneficial results to patients.
Dosage - 2 Tablets thrice daily after meal with water.
5. Arjun Tea
Arjun Tea is the amalgamation of pure herbal ingredients that ate quiet effective for herbal remedies for Dilated Cardiomyopathy. It contains natural flavonoids, natural cardiac glycosides, improves pumping capacity of the heart muscles, relieves the burden from the heart.
- Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna): It has great medicinal property to improve the functioning of heart. It helps the strengthening of heart muscles. Its regular use helps in various heart problems like CHF, heart failure, blood pressure.
- Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa): It is rejuvenating herb that provides relief in various heart problems. It provides relaxation to heart muscles.
- Pipal tvak (Ficus religiosa): It has property to provide strength to heart muscles.
- Dalchini (Cinnamon tamala): It has property to reduce the cholesterol levels and provide helps to strength the heart muscles.
- Choti elaichi (Elettaria cardamom): It also supports the good health of heart.
Dosage:
- Take 1 cup twice daily - Put one cup of water and 1 cup of milk in a pan.
- Add 1 teaspoon of Arjun tea and then stir the mixture.
- Boil the mixture and simmer it on low heat. Boil until it reduces to one cup.
- Strain the tea and add sweetener if needed (drink without sugar).
ABOUT DIET IN DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY
Avoid
- Juices of all fruits, water containing fruits like watermelon, musk melons, tomatoes, oranges and cucumbers.
- Also avoid all heavy foods like beef, cheese, milk and milk products.
Consume
- Foods which give strength to heart, like pomegranate fruit, lichi fruit, mangoes, papayas ( which clear the bowel), apples, and pears.
- Consume dry dates ( soak up the water, give nutrition).
- Almonds ( dry up the water and give nutrition).
- Taal Makhane (Roasted) - Natural diuretics, give strength to kidney and heart.
- Besan (Chick peas flour- Chane ka atta) - Dishes like Besan ka sheera are good to dry up water from the body.
- Grilled fish / Grilled Chiken - Can be consumed in little quantity as it will dry up water and reduce edema.
