Chronic & recurrent problems

Chronic conditions start as an acute case that, when left untreated , go on to cause the development of other imbalances creating a broad symptom picture of the condition; therefore, in these cases the treatment needs to attend to the sickness from a range of angles using a blend of techniques.  Typically the best progress will be obtained by atreatment plan that includes diet and lifestyle adjustments, yogatherapy and Ayurvedic herbs.

Asthma

Asthma is chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes and lungs, which according to Ayurveda is an aggravation of Vata and Kapha. Asthma has many causes and can be triggered at any time by different allergens, for example; excess exposure to heat or cold, change in weather, food which is cold in temperature, milk, yoghurt, bananas, cucumber, oranges, pineapples, tomato, not eating when the body requires food, certain types of cosmetic products and perfumes, animal dander, dust mites, cigarette or any other kind of smoke including incense, air pollution, humidity and cloudy weather. Asthma may be induced from any, but not necessarily all, of the above. The trigger and reaction depends on the individual person.

Generally chronic asthma sufferers also have congestion in their liver and digestive system. Ayurveda addresses this by treating the liver, respiratory and digestive systems at the same time. It also looks at the person’s lifestyle and environment to find and eliminate any allergens.

An asthma attack may happen at any time and they are usually very rapid so it is important for an asthmatic to always carry their inhaler with them at all times. Although the inhaler will provide immediate relief it will not cure the person of the asthma. In Ayurveda, herbal medicines are used to strengthen the system and over a course of long-term management the asthma sufferer may find that their asthma attacks become milder and less frequent.

Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

According to Ayurveda arthritis is a chronic inflammation of the bone, cartilage and arteries. When the inflammation is in the bone it is called osteoarthritis and when it is in the cartilage, muscle and artery it is called arthritis. Chronic and unmanaged Vata aggravation, in time, can lead to the development of both types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a result of severe chronic Vata imbalance as this has affected the deeper levels of the body causing the bone to become inflamed. A diet high in Vata inducing food can contribute to the cause of arthritis and osteoarthritis, it is therefore important to manage Vata through the diet also. Examples of Vata aggravating foods: beans that contain neuro-toxic peptides, cauliflower, capsicum, cabbage, tofu, and mushrooms. Cold weather, cold food and drinks, artificial sulphur containing foods, food preservatives, MSG, acidic foods e.g. grapefruits, mandarins, pineapples, tomatoes and oranges, will all imbalance Vata.

Ayurveda manages arthritis and osteoarthritis through the application of warm oil during massage and other body treatments (Panchakarma) as well as a diet high in warm foods to balance the aggravated Vata.

Management during Chemotherapy

Patients who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment suffer from a variety of conditions, such as; nausea, indigestion, constipation etc. I realised that Ayurveda can be extremely helpful for patients who are experiencing these problems during chemotherapy by giving diet and lifestyle advice appropriate to the individual person’s needs.

Dry skin

Dry skin is a very common problem amongst both men and women. There are different reasons for dry skin according to the country. In Europe it is mainly due to excessive cold weather during the winter. In Australia it is because the country is located in the southern hemisphere and therefore the intensity of the sun’s rays is higher due to the lack of ozone layer. Dry skin is very prevalent in Australia regardless of constitution and state of health; it can be purely due to the climate. In Asia the climate is less responsible for dry skin, the condition is usually due to an imbalance in the person’s system.

The following factors all can cause dry skin:

• Excessive heat or cold
• Constitutional imbalance
• Stress

In Ayurveda this condition is treated according to the person’s living environment, individual assessment, dietary advice, detoxification program, certain types of oleation processes and internal herbal medicine to boost the health and condition of the skin. In the case of menopause and andropause the hormone level will be balanced also.

Dry skin is explained in Ayurveda as being the trapping of excess air in the skin, this is managed by reducing Vata and increasing Kapha in the skin. In certain conditions I have seen that the dryness is due to dehydration of the kidneys or a diet high in protein, e.g. a macrobiotic diet.

I have found that vitamins C, D and E are very effective in the management of dry skin.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is inflamed, dry, flaky and irritated patches on the skin. When scratched the skin comes away in silvery, shiny flakes. When psoriasis starts on the head or under the nails is it more obstinate and has more intensity than that which starts elsewhere on the body. Stress is the main factor in triggering psoriasis, even when the condition has been alleviated, stress can cause it to return. According to Ayurveda, psoriasis is caused by an aggravation of one or more doshas, with the aggravated doshas dependent on the individual. Generally, Kapha and Pitta food should be avoided as well as garlic, ginger, chilli, eggs, fish and beef as these foods will induce Pitta. Ayurveda is concerned with the detoxification of the digestive system and supporting the liver function in the treatment of psoriasis. Panchakarma can also be very beneficial, with each person responding differently to the treatment, some very well, and others not so successfully. The management for psoriasis is a long-term treatment.

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a skin condition in which the skin pigment disappears in patches leaving a milky white or red colour. Medically there is no etiology for this condition. In Ayurveda it is considered to be a Pitta problem. The type of Pitta involved is Ranjak Pitta, which is responsible for skin colour. When Ranjak Pitta becomes disturbed for any reason patches of discolouration will appear on the body. Pitta production is related to the liver and gall bladder function. I have seen in my practice that vitiligo is due to a malfunction of the liver. Vitiligo is a very slow developing skin condition and therefore the healing process is also slow. If the vitiligo starts from the ends of the extremities i.e. tips of the fingers and toes, the lips, the eyes and the edge of the genital area, it is considered to be a more severe condition. The colour of the skin is relative also; if the patches are milky white rather than red it indicates that it is more severe. If the white patches are itchy and secrete a white fluid this means that the vitiligo is less severe.

In some cases I have found that if there is loss of tactile sensation on the white patches it is a severe case of vitiligo. In my treatment I am targeting the problem by purifying the blood and improving the liver function. After a few months of treatment the skin pigment starts to reappear. In the beginning pale skin coloured dots will appear on the white patches. With time the dots will become larger and darker in colour so that they eventually join together to completely fill the white patch area. First signs of improvement will come after 3 months but to regain total re-pigmentation can take from 6 months up to several years. I have also noticed that during treatment as one patch starts to regain its original colour another white patch will appear elsewhere on the body. This can be explained because as the new white patch has already been formed but takes a few months to reach the surface of the skin. I have noticed that a copper deficiency in the body can be responsible for vitiligo.

Foods that are beneficial for this condition:

• Purple coloured carrot
• Beetroot
• Black grapes

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is a condition regarding blockage and inflammation of the nasal passages. This is a Kapha, Pitta and Vata aggravation. In the case of Vata aggravation it manifests as headache, migraine, muscle tension in the face, eye pain and nasal dryness. Pitta aggravation can cause nasal bleeding, dark circles around the eyes, pimples on the face and yellow, green or watery discharge from the nose. Kapha aggravation is seen as mucous formation, thick mucous discharge, swelling in the face and around the eyes, watery eyes and dark circles under the eyes.

In the sinus cavity the membranes eventually become thinner which creates a very low tolerance to allergens, pollen, strong smells, change in temperature and season, which in turn causes sinusitis.

Sinusitis is best treated in the primary stage as if it becomes a chronic condition it will affect other bodily systems and become more difficult to treat. In chronic cases, if left untreated, it might cause bronchitis and asthma.

In my experience I have treated sinusitis by balancing the doshas and strengthening the nasal muscles. At first I establish and balance the dosha aggravation and give diet advice. The sinuses are then treated with herbal preparations. They will improve gradually, month by month. In some cases maintenance treatment is required to stabilise the system.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is due to a long-term diet and lifestyle that is incorrect for the person’s constitution.

Symptoms of IBS include; loose motion, constipation, being too hungry, having no appetite, general weakness, low libido, always feeling tired, anaemia, presence of parasites in the digestive tract.

In Ayurveda IBS is treated with herbal medicine that stimulates the secretion of enzymes and the action of villi in the digestive system. The medicine also increases and improves the gut flora. However I treat each person individually as not everyone responds in the same way to each medicine.

Piles

Piles are due to long-term constipation. According to Ayurveda piles are due to one of two things, either muscular growth around the anus, which is very painful especially during evacuation, this type is due to an aggravation of Vata, or blood being passed with the stool which has come from the muscles being strained too hard during evacuation, a Pitta aggravation is responsible for this type. Therefore piles are treated in Ayurveda with either Vata or Pitta balancing herbs and diet. In the case of piles due to aggravated Vata a diet high in foods that cause constipation e.g. meat should not be eaten. Eating ginger, chilli or garlic further aggravates piles that bleed. The treatment of piles involves a long-term course of herbal medicine, which should be taken even after the piles have cleared so as to act as a preventative measure.

Alopecia

This is the condition whereabouts the facial or head hair will fall out in patches. In my practice, up till now, I have realised that alopecia is due to a low immune system, malfunction of the liver and pH imbalance in the body (Pitta imbalance). For this reason I treat alopecia as a liver problem. I prescribe internal herbal preparations to ensure proper liver function and stimulation of the immune system and then the rubbing of cut fresh ginger onto the effected areas to stimulate the circulation before the application of medicated oil and paste.

Some schools of thought believe that a virus may be the cause of alopecia. However I think that as viruses are everywhere in the environment they can only effect us when our immune system is impaired.

It takes up to 3 months for hair regrowth. The hair will initially grow back white regardless of its natural colour. A few more months following this, the hair will return to its natural colour.

Cravings (Biological demand of the body)

Cravings are the biological demand of the body when it feels the desire for something it sends messages, via nerve impulses, to the brain to tell it to fulfil the craving. Cravings are the body’s natural way of keeping the correct level of water, glucose, vitamins etc. in itself. However if the body is asking for glucose and the person interprets this as the need for sugar and eats refined sugar the initial reaction will be satisfactory but later the refined sugar’s toxicity on the system will be felt. Another example is when the body is asking for water but the person drinks juice instead it will create an imbalance, as the body wants to be cleaned but has to digest the juice instead. If a person continues to fulfil their cravings by eating or drinking the wrong foods some of the body’s channels will become blocked over time and then the messages sent to the brain will be misinterpreted and the person will continue to harm their system by eating poor quality foods. Experiencing cravings is not a sickness of the body but it needs to be compensated for the craving it is feeling. Long-term cravings (biological demand of the body) indicate that a future depletion will occur in the body; in this case advice should be taken from a health care practitioner.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

This is due to a chronic high vata imbalance. Symptoms include; low energy, lethargic, lack of motivation for exercise, work and enjoyment of life, constantly feeling tired but unable to sleep, excess sleep, poor appetite, feeling cold etc. In cases of chronic fatigue syndrome medical tests usually show that the person is well, however anaemia can often be diagnosed. When a person is experiencing chronic fatigue syndrome the function of the mitochondria in the cells decreases and they start to shrink causing all the peripheral muscles of the body, the muscles in the GI tract and heart muscle to start to decrease in activity. In the long term the skin will become dehydrated and lose its tone producing wrinkles and sagging. Nutritional deficiency is responsible for chronic fatigue syndrome, this usually affects people who are too busy to eat properly, do not eat at the correct times, do not eat the correct food which their body is asking for or skipping meals. An example of this would be if at lunch time a person wants to eat a sandwich containing protein and some salad but as they are too busy they only eat a packet of crisps, this would make their stomach feel full but is depriving their cells of adequate nutrition. If a person continues to do this long term their cellular vitality will decrease and the body will take nutrients from the bone marrow to enable it to carry out its vital functions that in turn will deplete the bone marrow. This will lead to weakening of the immune system and eventual autoimmune disorders. This can be explained as after a long term diet which has poor nutritional value the taste buds become used to the food and the brain begins to send the wrong messages to them so that eventually they are unable to distinguish what is right and what is wrong for the body. So when good quality whole foods are reintroduced into the diet the body is confused and does not know how to process them. This will eventually cause a collapse of the entire system leading to chronic fatigue syndrome. A compromised immune system increases the risk of infection due to parasites or viruses that a person is always exposed to in their environment or in their body. They become susceptible to the invasion of pathogens.

I have found that in Ayurveda chronic fatigue syndrome has the same characteristics as TB, however TB is a localised infection and due to the invasion of bacteria only, whereas chronic fatigue syndrome effects the whole body and is not a bacterial infection but the presence of viruses/parasites can be felt but not easily detected. Treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome involves a diet rich in nourishing foods, changes to the lifestyle and the prescribing of herbal mineral preparations.

Dislocation of joints

Some people suffer from continued dislocation of a certain joint for no particular reason. In Ayurveda this is explained as being a weakness of the cartilage and muscles associated with that joint which are responsible for holding the articulating bones in place. When herbal preparations are taken over a period of 6 months – 1 year the strength of the cartilage and muscles will improve and the chances of dislocation will greatly reduce.

Ayurvedic treatment for convalescence post surgery from childbirth , bone injury, gum and root canal treatment

Ayurvedic treatment post surgery is very beneficial to help the person to recover quickly, without pain and to prevent infection. The treatment plan is determined according to the type of surgery and the condition of the person.

Generally after any form of surgery there is chance of infection, pain and a slow healing process.

Dental surgery

Generally after dental surgery the teeth become very sensitive and painful for up to a few months. If the surgery was without complications my treatment is very beneficial for reducing the pain, sensitivity and improving the healing process.

Bone surgery

After a bone trauma, whether it required surgery or not, I am able to treat the person after medical intervention to aid in the quick recovery and healing of the bone.

Gravity Orientated Sickness/Symptoms

Generally when our bodily systems are impaired due to lymphatic blockage and fluid retention, sluggish liver and kidneys, constipation and colon blockage we become heavy in the lower portion of the body from the navel point downwards which makes us more susceptible to gravitational pull. This occurs because the Vata cannot flow freely throughout the body and blockages occur. The gravitational pull will not effect the upper body as this is governed by Vata and therefore always light and airy.

I have also found that even if the body is balanced in all the systems but deficient in certain groups of minerals the gravitational orientated sickness will occur. Minerals are the most powerful and effective substance in the body that can protect us from the downward gravitational pull.

Symptoms of gravitational orientated sickness are; lethargy, heaviness and lack of motivation.

In Ayurveda the individual is assessed for the management of the gravitational sickness. It needs to be established whether the person’s symptoms are due to gravitational orientated sickness or another cause. The person’s condition is then managed according to that and the cause removed.

Headache

Headaches can be caused by many things including; intensity of UV rays, over exposure to electromagnetic radiation, food intolerance, adverse reactions to medicine, stress, hormone imbalance, insomnia, busy lifestyle, moon cycles, individual capacity to absorb sun energy, postural problems, imbalance of the brain hormones, constipation, food poisoning, heightened sensitivity, blood pressure, respiratory congestion etc.

In Ayurveda headaches are also due to dosha imbalances, for example: menopause, insomnia and stress induced headaches are caused by Vata imbalance. Pitta imbalanced headaches can be caused by fever, migraine, sunstroke etc. and Kapha imbalanced headaches may be due to respiratory congestion, cough, cold and asthma. Because of this each person is treated individually according to their doshic imbalance this is the opposite to conventional medicine which treats all kinds of headache with the same medicine e.g. paracetamol.

The Herpes Virus  

The herpes virus, whether in the mouth or genitals, is very virulent and when not in its active state will stay dormant within the body often for life.

The current medical approach is to try to destroy the virus itself. However in Ayurveda the approach is different. Being that the herpes virus is so hardy, to destroy it can also cause other cellular damage within the body. Instead the focus is on balancing the doshas. When a person's pitta is too high and they are under stress the pH balance in their body can become disturbed creating an acidic environment that produces toxins that feed the virus and further its spread.

The pH of each organ can vary. So even if the pH of the stomach is more alkaline the skin may be more acidic providing the ideal environment for the herpes virus to multiply. Ayurvedic medicines have what is called "Bio-sense" meaning that they are able to work on many levels within the body providing the appropriate treatment and reaching the areas where it is needed.

As the immune function improves and the doshas balance from taking the Ayurvedic medicines it is important to continue with them so as to provide reserves in the body's system and strengthen it reducing the chance of future herpes outbreaks.

Case Study

One male patient came to see me with a severe case of oral herpes. He had the blisters in his lips and on the corners of his mouth. The blisters were bleeding and at times they were so bad that he was unable to eat.

I gave him a program of yoga, Ayurvedic medicine and diet and within ten days of following it he was greatly improved.

Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that has started out as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and that has most likely been undiagnosed and therefore left untreated.

When an inappropriate diet for an individual has been eaten for a period of time IBS symptoms will manifest. When the cause of IBS is not dealt with inflammation starts to occur in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) leading to IBD. If this is not addressed the inflammation will develop into ulceration of the GIT membranes that start to bleed when the condition becomes severe. Many people often don't realize or are not diagnosed until they reach the bleeding stage and may consequently be given a diagnosis of Crohn's disease.

Why do I suffer with constipation and/or diarrhoea?

The GIT is made up of many sections. If the integrity of one part is compromised it will either have reduced peristaltic movement causing the food to become stuck in that area or its capacity to retain food in that section to allow for adequate digestion and absorption will be decreased causing the food to move rapidly through the GIT. Decreased amounts of mucous in the GIT will reduce its lubrication and therefore can also be responsible for food not moving and becoming stagnant.

Malnutrition as a result of Crohn's disease

As the lining of the GIT becomes inflamed and its integrity compromised its ability to absorb nutrients from food is greatly reduced. This, coupled with possible diarrhoea and bleeding, results in decreased blood levels of iron, vitamin B12 and vitamin D. So no matter how healthy your diet is if your body is unable to absorb the nutrients or keep the food within the GIT long enough for absorption to take place malnutrition will develop.

Since developing Crohn's disease parasites have been found in my GIT. Why is this?

Low levels of digestive enzymes are commonly found in people with Crohn's disease. These enzymes are needed to properly break down and digest the food we eat. If this food is inadequately digested and then remains in the GIT for long periods due to constipation it will start to ferment and produce bacteria. This process puts a strain on the immune system and it becomes weakened enabling parasites to develop in the GIT. This can lead to overall feelings of tiredness and weakness.  

The medical approach

The most common form of treatment in cases of Crohn's disease is to prescribe corticosteroids and immuno-modulators. These reduce inflammation and suppress the body's immune system from attacking itself. Where there are decreased blood levels of iron and vitamins B12 and D pharmaceutical supplements may be given.

Although this form of treatment works to relieve the symptoms as soon as the medication is stopped the symptoms return. This usually means that the person has to take the medication permanently.

The Ayurvedic approach

In Ayurveda treating Crohn's disease can be likened to the skills needed to drive a car safely. To get from A to B the driver must look in all directions, make a decision based on all the information available and then carry out the appropriate action. This gives a holistic, healing and supportive form of treatment.

When deciding on a treatment plan I will assess your entire digestive function and ascertain which digestive enzyme levels are low and where the problem in your GIT is located if constipation or diarrhoea are also an issue.

The Ayurvedic herbal preparations that I use:

• Increase digestive enzyme levels
• Decrease inflammation in the GIT
• Stop bleeding in the GIT
• Improve the tone and function of the GIT
• Kill any parasites and bacteria present in the GIT
• Increase immune system function
• Enhance general feeling of well being

This all encompassing treatment plan will also increase blood iron and vitamin B12 and D levels as a result.