Muscular Distrophy - Ayurvedic / herbal medicines

What is Muscular dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy is a type of inherited disorders that involve muscle weakness and muscle tissue waste and get worse over time. It is also called as inherited myopathy or MD.

Causes of Muscular dystrophy

Though it Muscular dystrophies are a group of inherited conditions, that may occur in childhood or adulthood and they are Becker muscular dystrophy, Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, Myotonic dystrophy, and Myotonia congenital. These are the varieties depending on various factors.

Symptoms of Muscular dystrophy

Though symptoms may vary with the different types of muscular dystrophies, some group of muscles or all of the muscles may be affected. Apart from muscular dysfunction, one may suffer from Mental retardation, developmental delay of muscles and motor skills, difficulty using one or more muscle groups, eyelid drooping, drooling, frequent falls, Loss in muscle bulk and muscle size, difficulty in walking are some collective symptoms.

Diagnosis of Muscular dystrophy

Depending on physical examination by skilled doctor, with some collective symptoms, muscular dystrophy can be diagnosed such as abnormally curved spine, joint contractures, low muscle tonicity, even in some conditions internal organs like cardiac muscles do involve disturbing its rhythm of functioning, muscle wasting. By doing biopsy of muscle and DNA testing will confirm the diagnosis. Other tests such as Electrocardiogram, electromyography, blood tests with CRP, and CPK, and genetic testing are the advanced tests.

Treatment for Muscular dystrophy

• One the diagnosis is made, though there is no known cure of various muscular dystrophies, the goal of the treatments are to control symptoms and to manage healthy lifestyle.
• Allopath system recommends physiotherapy, and orthopaedic appliances, and few cases surgery will be recommended.
• Medical treatments like using Corticosteroids orally may be recommended.
• Depending on severity of the disease, the prognosis depends, among those, Duchenne muscular dystrophy is very difficult to treat.
• However, in order to avoid Complications such as Cardiomyopathy, Lung failure, contractures, Mental Impairment, decreased movements, scoliosis, one can depend on alternative therapies which are helpful when allopath system fails to provide any assistance.

Alternative and Natural Remedies for Muscular Dystrophy

• Ayurvedic Panchakarma treatments such as Navarakizhi or Sashtika Shaali Pindasweda, MamsaKizhi or Meat Bolus treatment, MottaKizhi or Egg bolus treatments, Enema are the treatments with Nasyam are recommended, and there are many varieties of oil baths which are very useful for this Muscular dystrophy and they really work for the patient and though these treatments are not for curative purpose, patients will gain muscular strength which is very important in treating muscular dystrophy.
• Naturopathy treatments are also helpful such as Mudbath, water bath, and other therapies which are helpful.
• In Siddha system of Medicines, there are many special herbal and Herbo-Mineral Medicines which maintains Muscular strength.
• Other systems like Homeopathy, Unani medicines are also helpful at the same time.
• Hence, one should try to follow some combined therapies which are appropriate and economic and ultimately which serves the purpose.
• Usually the patients who are suffering from Muscular dystrophy may suffer from mental retardation and for them Treatments like Shirodhara is also recommended, and along with Pranayama is also helpful to improve breathing capacity and to prevent lungs malfunctioning.
• Diet is very important factor and being on advice of dietician is recommended to compensate nutritional requirements.

Ayurvedic medicines for Muscular Distrophy