10/02/2013
PARALYSIS AND ITS AYURVEDIC TREATMENT
Paralysis is one of those diseases which need quick treatment and care. The body is said to be in paralyzed stage when there is complete loss of muscle function for one or more group. This is mainly caused because of the damage caused to the nervous system. Minor paralysis can be cured easily, but the major ones need more time to be cured.
In Paralysis loss of voluntary muscle movement is accompanied by numbness, or loss of sensation, in the affected part. Due to this, the person does not feel any pain or climatic changes like heat, cold, etc. in the paralyzed part of the body. After some time, due to paralysis, the circulation and other metabolic activities of the affected part may come to a stop. This could cause disuse atrophy, which could change the shape of the affected part. Prolonged disuse atrophy could lead to 'death' of the part, and the person may lose the use of it permanently, even after the condition of paralysis is treated.
Paralysis is most often caused by damage in the nervous system, especially the spinal cord. Other major causes are stroke, trauma with nerve injury, poliomyelitis, botulism, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Temporary paralysis occurs during REM sleep, and dysregulation of this system can lead to episodes of waking paralysis. Drugs that interfere with nerve function, such as curare, can also cause paralysis. There are many known causes for paralysis, and perhaps more yet to be discovered.
Human body can paralyze totally as well as partially. Partial paralysis will affect only a part of the body but total paralysis will make the whole body paralyzed. . Paraplegia is the term used when paralysis affect the lower part of the body whereas Quadriplegia is the term used for paralysis of arms and legs. Paralysis mainly occurs due to strokes or injuries.
Stroke is a medical emergency which results when the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off or greatly reduced. An ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke, occurring about 80 - 85 % of the time, and is due to a blood vessel in the brain getting blocked because of cholesterol deposits called atherosclerosis, or because of blood clots called emboli. A hemorrhagic stroke, resulting from a ruptured blood vessel in the brain, while not so commonly seen, is definitely more serious.
Depending upon what part of the brain and how much of the brain tissue is affected, stroke can cause symptoms like weakness or paralysis of the limbs, paralysis of the muscles of the face, difficulty in speaking, coordination problems, dizziness, vision problems, sudden headache, and loss of consciousness. This can result in monoplegia (paralysis of one limb), hemiplegia (paralysis of upper and lower limb in one side of the body), and paraplegia (paralysis of lower limbs).
Stroke is known in Ayurveda as "Pakshaghaat". Ayurveda has mentioned facial paralysis as a separate disease entity called "Ardita". Acute stroke is a full-fledged medical emergency where immediate hospitalization and specialized medical care of the patient can be life saving and can minimize permanent disability. After a patient is discharged from hospital, it is imperative to start Ayurvedic treatment at the earliest possible, to get maximum benefit.
The ancient Ayurvedic texts mention mild purgation as a special form of treatment for stroke. This treatment modality is, surprisingly, not recommended in Ayurveda for any other neurological condition resulting from a disturbed "Vata" dosha. It is believed that this treatment helps to reverse the pathology in stroke, by normalizing the "Prana Vayu" (which regulates the functions of the brain) and bringing about normal functioning of the blood vessels, muscles and tendons.
Panchkarma treatments which are given to a patient of paralysis are:-
Pizhichil (7-21 DAYS)
Pizhichil is considered a particularly special treatment in Ayurveda. In this treatment lukewarm herbal oils are squeezed all over the body, by two to four therapists, continuously in a special rhythmic way for about 60 to 90 minutes each day
Navarakizhi (7-21 Days)
Navarakizhi is a type of sudation process in which the whole body, or any specific part there of, is made to perspire by the external application of certain Navara (medical) rice puddings, in the form of boluses tied in muslin bags, dipped in a mixture of warm milk and decoctions.
Sirodhara (7 - 21 Days)
“SIRO” means head and “DHARA” means flow of liquid. In Sirodhara, specially prepared medicinal oils and medicated buttermilk are poured on the forehead in a special rhythmic manner for about 30 to 45 minutes per day.
Sirovasthi (7 - 14 Days)
Special lukewarm herbal oils are poured into a cap, which is fitted on the head, and held for 30 to 60 minutes per day, according to the patient’s conditions. This treatment is highly effective for facial paralysis and other diseases of the head, dryness of nostrils, mouth and throat, severe headaches, cataracts, loss of sensation of the skin (an aesthesia).
Abhyangam (14 - 21 Days)
This is a special oil massage in which strokes are given according to the circulatory channels for 45 minutes per day, for a number of days, according to the disease.
Nasyam (7 - 21 Days)
Nasyam is one of the most important procedures in Panchakarma. In this treatment herbal juices and medicated oils are applied through the nose. This treatment is highly effective for diseases of the head including headaches, migraine, facial paralysis, mental disorders, skin disease, nasal congestion and chronic sinusitis
