Illnesses treated at Barberyn: Paralysis/ Hemiplegia

Name of medical problem: Paralysis/ Hemiplegia

Ayurveda name: Pakshagatha

Symptoms:

Complete or incomplete loss of nerve function to a part of the body or whole of the body. The part of the body that is affected looses its sensations and/or movements.
Symptoms include

• Loss of sensation



• Impairment of voluntary movements



• Impairment of speech

Cause of illness

According to Ayurveda Paralysis occurs when vatha dosha aggravates in the brain. Strenuous exercise, continuous exposure to stress, sleeplessness or obstruction of channels present in brain leads to aggravation of the vatha dosha. Aggravated vatha dosha can dry up the nerves with adverse affects on the opposite side of the body.

According to western medical views contributory causes to paralysis include:

1. Ischemic cerebral lesion, which is due to obstruction of blood vessel present in the brain with fat particles, blood clot, air bubble or cholesterol plaques (atheros sclerosis).



2. Hemorrhagic cerebral lesion is due to hypertension (high blood pressure) or aneurysm or due to trauma.



3. The centre affected by the lesion is responsible for the paralysis of the corresponding part in the body. The following risk factors are mentioned in western medicine as being possible predisposing factors to paralysis.

Ayurveda Treatments:

Paralysis can be successfully treated with the combination of internal medicine and external treatments. Treatment usually varies with the patient's condition.

Ayurveda Treatments: Internal treatment

1. Herbal decoctions to be taken orally. In the beginning Thri Katakadi decoction is given. It contains 12 herbs and it purifies the obstructed channels in the brain. But if patient is having Kapha dosha, the prescribed decoction may change.



2. Seetharama: Little herbal pills called Seetharama are also given along with this decoction to prevent fever and to balance the dosha.



3. Chandra Kalka: Orally taken medicinal herbal paste called Chandra Kalka is given with a special herbal tea for the purpose of reducing hypertension and to purify the obstructed blood vessels.



4. Ma-Ul-Asel: Special preparation called ma-ul-asel (contains honey and water) given for preventing clot formation.



5. Ekaveriya pills: If patient has hypertension Ekaveriya pills containing Rauvolfia serpentina and herbal wine called Bala arishtaya is given to be take orally.



6. Herbal teas (Anupana): If patient has high serum cholesterol levels, it can be corrected through special herbal teas (Anupana).

Ayurveda Treatments: External treatment

If patient does not have any kapha dosha aggravation or any heart disease, following treatment can be administered.

1. Shiro Abhyanga (special head oil application)



2. Sharera Abhyanga (special body oil application)



3. Shirodara treatment (special head oil application)



4. Sarvangadara treatment (Treatment is done by applying small steam-heated bundles of herbs tied in cotton bags and pressed gently on aching parts of the body.)



5. Pinda sweda treatment (Mild oil application with the help of special milk rice medicinal bundles made of cheese cloth

Prospects of cure:

Early stages in Paralysis (particularly before 1 year has lapsed) are curable. Where complete cure is not feasible, symptoms can be reduced and the condition of the patient is seen to improve. When paralysis occurs in the very old or in infants it is hard to cure.


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