An ayurvedic case report on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Summary of article contents:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a common and most severe type of Motor Neuron Disease. It is characterized by progressive skeletal muscle weakness, wasting and fasciculations. Survival is for 3-5 years, and the death is from respiratory paralysis. The incidence of ALS is between 0.6 and 3.8 per 100000 persons per year. Males are predominantly affected. Here is a case report of 45 yrs old male who presented with complaints of difficulty in walking since 3 years, with an insidious asymmetric onset of weakness of bilateral lower limbs with wasting and fasciculations. In Ayurveda, the case was symptomatologically diagnosed as Mamsa Sosha , which occurs as the result of obstruction of Snayu and Rakthadhamanis ( Mamsavaha srotomoolas ). The assessment was done using ALSFRS-R Scale. The treatment was aimed at improving the quality of life and also decreasing the rate of disease progression. The treatment principle adopted was Srothosodhana (Ama- Avaranaghna cikitsa) and Brimhana . Promising results were obtained after treatment. Keywords: ALS, MND, Ayurveda, Avaranaghna cikitsa , Mamsa Sosha, Mamsa Kshaya INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis