|
|
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease
characterized by eruptions of superficial papules and larger
patches with phenomena of chronic inflammation. The name Psoriasis
seemingly emerged from the Greek word 'Psora' meaning 'itch'.
The aetiology of Psoriasis is unknown. Various
investigators have suggested many theories to explain the origin
of the disease. The theories of nervous origin have been given
the best substantiation. According to this theory, psoriasis
is caused by the disturbances in the functions of the nervous
system. It is very well known that psoriasis or its relapses
sometimes develop after psychic traumas or mental stress.
Psoriasis is one of the more
serious skin diseases. Incidence of Psoriasis is on the rise
in the recent times. It is believed that there are 6 million
Psoriasis patients in North America alone and 2.5 lac new cases
are being reported every year. It is not a contagious or an infectious
disease but a life style induced disease. Psoriatic patients
suffer from systemic disorders in which the immune system sends
faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle process of the
skin. Once the disease in triggered, the skin cells pile up on
the surface of the body faster than normal. Normally, skin renews
itself in about 30 days. It takes 30 days for the new skin cells
to work its way up from the innermost layer of skin to the surface.
In psoriatic condition, these cells reach the top in just about
3 days. The result is raised areas of skin called plaques. After
the cells reach the surface, they die like normal cells, but
there are so many of them that the raised patches turn white
with dead cells peeling off. |
|
|
There is much more emotional than
physical suffering by the patient and he/she is forced to withdraw
from most of his/her social activities due to the physically
unappealing appearance on the skin. Ignorance and inadequate
information about the disease lead to social ostracism of the
patient in his/her social circles. Let us have a correct perspective
of Psoriasis through Ayurveda.
SIGNS,
SYMPTOMS AND TYPES:
Generally
the disease appears as a papulation - eruption of small circumscribed
solid elevation of the skin in ones and twos. They may be discrete
or confluent and silvery scales will appear on the papulations.
The lesions usually occur at first on the elbows, knees, scalp
and lower limbs and later spread all over the body. Psoriasis
patients are likely to develop psoriatic arthritis which gives
joint discomfort, swelling, stiffness or throbbing. Psoriasis
usually goes through cycles of relapses and remissions. In Ayurveda,
Psoriasis is termed as 'Sidhmam'. Though there are many types
of Psoriasis, the two recognized as the most common and widespread
are:
1. Dry, circumscribed
papulations with very prominent silvery scales.
2.
Moist and/or suppurating papulations with scales.
As per Ayurvedic science, type 1 is the result
of the combined effect of 'Vata' and 'Kapha' doshas of the body
and type 2 is the result of combination of 'Vata' and 'Pitta'
doshas of the body.
CAUSES:
Human skin, though simple, is
a complex system comprising protective, circulatory, sensory,
lubricatory and thermo-regulatory components. Psoriasis is a
condition of the skin related to the imbalance of the blood chemistry
(Rakthadooshyam). Climate, food habits, anxiety, depression,
heredity, etc in singly or in different combinations are considered
to be the causative factors of Psoriasis.
Incompatible life styles, which could initiate
the disease, among others, are: -
a)
Exposure to extreme climatic and weather conditions.
b)
Alternate exposure to cold (air conditioned) and natural environment.
c) Drinking of very cold water/beverages when the
body is warm.
d) Faulty food and drink habits.
e) Heavy physical activities on a full stomach.
f) Mental stress & strain, job pressures, anxiety,
depression, effects of psychic trauma etc.
The above conditions affect the physiological homeostasis
(balance of functions of the internal organs) and upset one's
temperature regulatory mechanisms. An area of the brain called
Hypothalamus controls a person's body temperature. In persons
with Psoriasis, it has been observed that the temperature regulatory
mechanism of the Hypothalamus is upset. Clinical studies by reputed
Ayurveda hospitals and Ayurveda Medical Colleges in Kerala have
recorded a higher body temperature of the patients at the time
of admission for treatment. Mentally stressful conditions of
the patient contribute very largely to this higher body temperature
and the mental trauma experienced by him/her due to the disease
aggravates it further. After treatment the body temperature has
been observed to revert back to normalcy.
The higher body temperature cause lesions on the
skin to appear and when the scaly epidermis is peeled off and
discarded, the underlying dermis and its complex systems of blood
vessels, nerve endings etc are affected adversely.
The food constituents in excess that could trigger
the onset of the disease are:
a)
Hot, salty, spicy, acidic food.
b) Freshly harvested
grains and sesame seeds in particular.
c) Milk
and milk products, particularly yogurt and buttermilk.
d) Fish, honey, jaggery (crystallized/ partly dehydrated
molasses).
e) Alcohol.
TREATMENT:
Ayurveda
provides a promising treatment for the disease. A very important
part in the treatment of psoriasis is played, in addition to
general therapy, by a proper regimen and elimination of harmful
factors from the patient's working and living conditions. The
patient's regimen must provide for at least 7-8 hours of daily
sleep, vitamin-rich food and regular outdoor hours (not less
than 1 ½ to 2 hours a day). The patient should be very
thoroughly examined and in cases of internal or nervous diseases,
should be given corresponding treatment. It is very important
to safeguard the patient against any nervous shock.The patient
should avoid allergy causing food and should take sufficient
quantity of water. Any soap or shampoo should
not be applied over the lesions.
Traditional
Ayurveda treatment addresses the
a)
Purification of blood.
b) Rejuvenation of the
complex systems of the skin, the nervous system in particular.
c) Temperature regulation of the body.
d)
Strengthening of the body immunization system, and
e)
Psychological stabilization.
Time-tested
Ayurveda procedure, Panchakarma chikitsa (Panchakarma treatment
which encompasses five distinct treatment procedures) is the
best course of treatment. Of the five ingredients of Panchakarma
treatment, three are used to treat Psoriasis. They are: -
1) Snehapanam (consuming medicines
with ghee as its base)
2) Vamanam (taking medicines
that induce vomiting)
3) Virechanam (taking
medicines that act as purgatives)
The
treatment purifies the entire system and stabilizes the metabolism
of the patient. The body immune system is built up through intake
of specially prepared herbal potions.
Other procedures used to stimulate the body functionary
systems and stabilize the mental and psychological condition
of the patient are: -
a) Application
of medicated oil on the head.
b) Applying medicated
pack on the head.
c) Dhara (pouring medicated
fluid/other liquids on the head in slow unbroken stream for a
specified time).
d) Therapeutic Yoga, Meditation,
Reiki and Pranic healing sessions.
The
net result of the treatment is
a)
Blood purification by Snehapanam.
b) Stimulation
of hypothalamus by Dhara resulting in temperature regulation
of the body.
c) Stabilizing the blood chemistry
by ensuring balanced nutritious food, which are more alkaline
than acidic.
d) Immunization of the body.
e) Achieve a psychological state of mental well
being by application of Yoga, meditation, Reiki, Pranic healing
etc. |
|
|
|
|
Author: |
|
"We are aimed at Redefining
Ayurveda by propagating the ancient traditions of Ayurveda to
the modern world, and practicing the Genuine, Shastroktha & Purest
form of AYURVEDA from the past 9 years. Today, we are known for
conceptualising ayurvedic cures to diseases like sciatica, slip
disc, arthritis, spondilitis, herniated disc, degenerative disc,
skin problems, psoriasis, sexual problems, infertility, parkinsonism,
paralysis, psycho somatic conditions etc. For my work in the
field of ayurveda I was awarded KRRUSHI RATNA AWARD, AYURVEDA
TAPASWI AWARD, VAIDYA RATNA AWARD." Says Dr. Kranthi Vardhan
Chief Physician & Managing Director, The Kerala Ayurvedic Care.
For details contact Cell: 98666 66055, 92461 66636 & 66101140
on all days from 8am to 8pm strictly with a prior appointment
I, Dr. KRANTHI VARDHAN RENUKUNTLA,
am an Ayurvedic Doctor Practising in Hyderabad. My Qualification
is B.A.M.S; M.S.( Counseling & Psychotherapy). I Have my own
‘Speciality Panchakarma Centre’ named "THE KERALA
AYURVEDIC CARE" @ 3-6-101/1, st no: 19, Basheerbagh, Hyderabad,
Andhra Pradesh, India. Established in the year 1999, recently
we have celebrated 9th anniversery of our institute. We Treat
all the Chronic Ailments with AYURVEDA-which is considered to
be the “MOTHER OF ALL SCIENCES”.
For the service rendered by me in the field of
Ayurveda, I have been awarded "KRRISHI RATNA AWARD"
For the Year 2005, "AYURVEDA TAPASWI AWARD" For the
Year 2006 & “VAIDYA RATNA AWARD” For the Year 2007.
I am associated with TV9 a popular news channel in Telugu and
spread the awareness towards Ayurveda in a Doctor-Patient Live
interaction Programme called "MEET YOUR DOCTOR". Participated
in many National & International seminar’s. Published many
articles related to ‘Ayurveda and Panchakarma’ in all
the leading news papers like Deccan Chronicle, Hindu, Andhra
Jyothi, Eenadu, Vaartha etc. |
|
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ |
|
Article Posted: October 28, 2009 |
|
|
|
Refer
