Multiple sclerosis - Ayurvedic / herbal medicines

What is Multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is related to central nervous system and is an autoimmune disease that affects central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). It is also called as MS or Demyelinating disease.

What causes Multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is caused by damage to the myelin sheath (protective covering that surrounds nerve cells), due to which slow down or stoppage of nerve signals will occur. The nerve damage may be due to inflammation and this inflammation do occur when body’s own immune system act against nervous system and affects brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord.

Usually there is known causes but is believed that due to viral infections, genetic defects, or even Environmental factors may also play a role, and there are chances to get if Multiple sclerosis is positive in family history.

Symptoms of Multiple sclerosis

Usually symptoms vary depending on location and type of attack, recurrence may depend from disease intensity. Usually there are some triggering factors such as long exposures to sun, Fever, hot baths, stress etc.

Other symptoms pertaining to Muscles are loss of balance, spasms, Numbness, abnormal sensation in any area, problems in moving arms or legs, difficulty in walking, tremors in body parts, feeling of weakness. Apart from these symptoms, loss of bowel and bladder control such as constipation or loose stools, urination problems such as urinary incontinence, discomfort in eyes, double vision, involuntary eye movements, vision loss, numbness with pain, Facial weakness and pain, and gradually there will be memory loss, cognitive errors, gait disorders, hearing loss, vertigo, dizziness, depression, sexual dysfunction, speech discomfort, chewing or swallowing problems, Muscular Fatigue are most common symptoms. With proper neurological exam, Multiple sclerosis is diagnosed.

Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

In modern medical sciences, there is no proper cure for Multiple sclerosis. In order to maintain healthy lifestyle and to slow down the disease advancement, and to control symptoms, Medications are used which are used in long-term and as-needed basis. There are some set of medicines such as Interferons, glatiramer acetate, mitoxantrone, or natalizumab, Methotrexate, azathioprine, intravenous immunoglobulin etc., medicines are used, even steroids are used depending on severity. Apart from these medications, depending on other symptoms medications are given. Even Antidepressants are used for mood swings or any mood disorders, depression etc. even to correct bowels, there are medicines which are in practice.

Alternative remedies

• Apart from medical therapies, Alternative system of medicines are very much helpful such as physical therapies, occupation therapy, speech therapy, similarly, Indian system of medicines such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Homeopathy, Unani, Yoga and Naturopathy do play major role in treating symptomatic complaints which are occurred due to Multiple sclerosis. Since the goal of treatment in Multiple Sclerosis is to maintain healthy lifestyle and to treat on symptoms.
• As patient to suffer from mood swings or depression-like symptoms may need yoga and pranayama which improves concentration and maintains proper breathing too.
• Controlled and planned exercises are recommended.
• Providing Well balanced nutrition is important and rest and relaxation is important for mind and body. Prefer food which is easily consumable and see that there is no swallowing problems.
• Avoiding strenuous works or avoiding works which may cause fatigue, stress and avoid extreme temperatures too.
• In order to avoid further complications such as Depression, swallowing difficulties, thinking abilities, self-care disability, osteoporosis, pressure sores, UTIs or Urinary tract infections, side effects of medicines, one can follow these alternative therapies which are helpful in symptom wise.

Ayurveda Medicines

• Ayurveda Panchakarma treatments like body massages, shirodhara, shashtika shali pinda sweda, pilizhil, and many more treatments are indicated. Sitz bath often helpful to maintain bowel and bladder control.
• There are many herbal medicines and ayurvedic medicines which are helpful for this condition such as Ashwagandha Capsules, Multiple Sclerosis Package Medicine which contains multiple medicines which are useful for proper sensory nervous functioning such as Divya Ekangveer Ras, Divya Mahavata Vidhvamsana Rasa, Divya Praval Pishti, Divya Giloy Sat, Divya Brihad Vata Chintamani Rasa, Divya Ashwagandha Churna, which are helpful to improve immunity, to improve sensory nervous functioning, for pain, and fatigue, for easy digestions, these medicines are helpful.
• However, one should understand that these medicines are mainly as supportive, you may combine multiple therapies such as naturopathy, homeopathy, and other system of medicines which are helpful.
• If there are any habits like smoking, alcohol, or tobacco, chewing, that may be stopped.
• You may prefer following medicines for external applications which are helpful to improve proper blood circulation and for soothing mind such as Bala Tailam (Oil), Baidyanath Vishnu 
• Tail Brihat, Pind Tailam (Oil), Shatavari Tailam (Oil), these oils can be used in the form of combinations or as per choice. We can do Panchakarma treatments which are also helpful with these medicines.