Dr. Pradnya Aptikar

Piles, a condition wherein the veins in the anal canal are swollen and obstruct the normal function of defecation, starts to bleed and cause pain prolapse or produces a discharge. There are two types in it

1. Internal: Seen inside rectum; generally does not show any symptoms, but sometime there may be protrusion causing bleeding.
2. External: Seen under the skin around the anus.

Cause-

1. Low fiber diet
2. Obesity
3. Pregnancy
4. Inadequate fluid intake
5. Straining on the toilet
6. Hard stools

The symptoms are-

1. Pain with skin irritation
2. Bleeding with stool.
3. Swelling around the anus

Complications are anaemia and strangulated hemorrhoids where the blood supply to internal hemorrhoids being cut n causes strangulations, causing extreme pain. Thus, when we do Panchakarma treatment the bowel system is strengthened and on consuming high fibre rich food, drinking more water, eating more fruits can prevent from the piles. Let us now see on the panchakarma treatment.

Ayurvedic Remedies for piles
External treatments

1. Sesame seed paste: Sesame or “til” is a good treatment for bleeding piles when applied externally to the affected area.
2. Muli or radish paste: Again, a fine paste made from this vegetable is useful in the case of painful piles which are not bleeding.
3. Ayurvedic oils and creams: There are multiple ayurvedic oils and creams which can be very effective in curing or at least controlling piles. However, it is best to go to your nearest ayurvedic doctor for proper steps.

Treatment of piles by the Ayurvedic treatment of Panchakarma
Panchakarma is a formidable Ayurvedic treatment known for the purification of the body, mind and soul. It rejuvenates and detoxifies the body by removing accumulated toxins, thus improving metabolism by balancing the doshas.

It is usually a three-stage process.

1. Purva (pre-operative)
2. Pradhana (operative)
3. Paschat (post operative)

Panchakarama covers a five step treatment out of which Virechan and Basti effectively helps in the treatment of piles.

1. Virechan- It removes pitta toxins such as herpes, zoster, jaundice, colitis and other infections. It clears bowel movement by cleaning the gall bladder and the liver.

Procedure: Concerned with the alimentary canal, it cures piles by a purgation process. Here the doshas are balanced in the form of waste excretion via faeces through the rectum. The heat produced from purgation medicines like Laxatives, Simple purgatives, Drastic purgatives, Hydragogues purgatives eradicates impurities from gall-bladder, liver and gastro-intestinal tract.

2. Basti- It treats vata dominated conditions and helps treat chronic diseases like constipation.

Procedure: It actively eliminates impurities through feces, urine and other excreta. Vata is located in the large intestine, which is why the medication directly affects ‘asthi dhatu’. Thus any medicines, when applied rectally, go into deeper bone tissues and cures vata disorders. It also gives relief from constipation.

If you are suffering from piles, consult a certified ayurvedic practitioner for treatment.

Polycystic ovarian disease or PCOD is a disease of the ovary that is characterized by the larger size of the ovary, fluid-filled sacs in the ovary, multiple cysts etc. In this condition, the ovary is covered by a white, tough, and thick outer covering. PCOD can have many implications including hormonal imbalance, menstruation cycle related disorders, insulin production and its usage etc. Ayurveda explains PCOD as a Kapha disorder and aims at clearing the obstruction of Vatadosha of the pelvis, normalize the menstrual cycle and balance metabolism.

Causes of PCOS
As per modern science the cause of PCOS is not fully understood. It is unknown.

1. Hereditary – Genetics may be a factor. PCOS seems to run in families, so your chance of having it is higher if other women in your family have it or have irregular periods or diabetes. PCOS can be passed down from either your mother's or father's side.
2. Hormonal imbalance – In PCOS there is abnormality in secretion of androgens, luteinizing hormone(LH), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), prolactin. This may cause you to stop ovulating.
3. Insulin resistance- Your body may have problems in using insulin leading to abnormal blood sugar levels. This increases the levels of insulin in your body, which increases androgen secretion again leading to hormonal fluctuations. The exact reason why these hormonal changes occur isn't known.
4. Mild inflammation- Women with PCOS have mild inflammation, this type of low-grade inflammation stimulates polycystic ovaries to produce androgens in the body.

Ayurvedic approach in treating PCOD

Ayurveda looks at a holistic approach of treatment wherein the mind and the body are treated as one. The first step towards treating PCOS disorder is to reduce body weight along with lifestyle modification. The next step aims at countering the condition of PCOD with Panchakarma - a century-old treatment mechanism of Ayurveda. Some of the Panchakarma methods used in treating PCOD include Vamana, Vasthi, Virechana, Nasya etc. Before applying the Panchakarma therapy, oral administration of medicated oil is necessary. PCOS is a complex disorder which falls in artava kshaya, anartava, rasa vaha sroto dushti and medo vaha sroto dushti.

There is a definite cure for PCOS in ayurveda. But you must be patiently strong and willing as treatment may extend upto 6 months or 1 year.

Treatment includes panchakarma and internal medication. Panchakarma procedures like udvartana, vamana, virechana and basti.

1. Uthara Vasthi: This procedure is very different from normal Vasthi in terms of its administration, ingredients, and quantity. This medication is applied to the uterus through the vagina. This is one of the best therapy when it comes to treating the polycystic ovarian syndrome.
2. Vamana: Suitable herbal medication is prescribed to induce oral vomiting. It ensures that the toxin from inside the body comes out before the medication takes its effect on the source.
3. Virechana: This is one of the cleansing methods that is prescribed in Panchakarma therapy. A patient is given herbal purgatives in the form of medicated oil to clear blockages of the Vata Dosha.
4. Basti: This is the form of Panchakarma therapy that is meant for cleaning the alimentary canal. It has a calming effect on the Vata aggravation. This is the mode of medication where medicated herbal oil is injected through the anus. This procedure in Ayurveda is known as Basti. This is followed by another round of oil medication that has a mixture of herbal decoction, medicated oil, herbal paste, rock salt etc. 

​Benefits of Panchakarma in Women with PCOS

1. Reduces body weight.
2. Decreases insulin resistance.
3. Regulates normal hormone secretion. Fine tunes the endocrine system.
4. Remove toxins.
5. Corrects body metabolism.
6. Mental faculties, strength and vitality are enhanced.
7. Promotes fertility.

Panchakarma also benefits by promoting sound sleep, reducing stress and replenishing energy, which are important factors in conception. After Panchakarma the couples continue with the balancing diet and natural herbs.

According to statistics, one in six couples struggles to conceive and in more than 40% of these cases the causes are unknown. In case a couple is having a difficult time conceiving, there are few simple lifestyle changes which can help a person to get rid of this problem.

Fatty liver or steatosis refers to the condition in which excess fat gets accumulated in the liver causing the liver to dysfunction. Some percentage of fat in the liver is normal but if it gets beyond the figure of 5 to 10 percent, then it is surely a cause of concern. Such a condition warrants treatment and if fatty liver is not treated on time, it can lead to liver cirrhosis or cancer. Therefore, the signs and symptoms of fatty liver should be taken seriously.

Some of the common symptoms of fatty liver include pain in the abdomen, loss of weight, swelling in the foot, jaundice, and inflammation of the liver. Anyone who suffers from these symptoms is likely to suffer from fatty liver. But the good news is that it can be treated. There are medicines in Ayurveda, homeopathy, and allopathy for fatty liver and if one talks about Ayurveda, it treats fatty liver with a holistic approach.

1. Fatty liver and Pitta Imbalance: Ayurveda works on the principles of managing vata, pitta, and kapha – the three physical energies present in the human body. It believes that when there is any imbalance in these energies, dosha (disease) affects the body. According to Ayurveda, pitta is related to the metabolic system of the human body, which governs ingestion, digestion, and excretion. The liver, being a part of the metabolic system, is further related to pitta and this is why, when the pitta gets aggravated, the liver becomes diseased and starts to dysfunction. Ayurveda says that pitta imbalance is responsible for fatty liver. In fact, the liver is known as pitta in Ayurveda. It says that when toxins begin to build up in the liver, the liver has to work extra and this causes inflammation, ultimately leading to liver problems. So, Ayurveda tries to correct this imbalance through herbal medicines and detoxification treatment procedures.

2. Ayurveda dos and don’ts: Ayurveda is a holistic science and therefore, it does not focus on suppressing the symptoms, similar to what allopathy does. It is also free from side effects and gives a permanent relief. But the patient undergoing Ayurvedic treatment has to be mindful of their lifestyle and eating habits. In case of fatty liver, Ayurveda prohibits alcohol, smoking, and spicy and oily food. So, the patient should avoid these foods. These food items should not be taken by the patient during the treatment duration. Otherwise, the effect of the medicines will get nullified. Anyone who goes for Ayurvedic treatment should remember that diet and lifestyle is a part of the treatment process and both go hand in hand.

Only in mild fatty liver please take simple triphla, avoid fatty food in your diet and exercise regularly. For grade 2 and grade 3 fatty liver, please take proper treatment under the guidance of expert Ayurvedic doctor. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder which is characterized by high blood sugar levels in the body. This occurs when the glucose in the body is not converted into energy due to the impaired functioning of insulin in the body. Insulin is a hormone in the body produced by the pancreas which processes sugar in the body. Impaired functioning of the insulin leads to a rise in blood sugar levels, thus leading to diabetes.

Symptoms-

The symptoms of diabetes differ from person to person, depending on how high one’s blood sugar levels are. Diabetes exhibits various symptoms such as frequent urges to urinate, extreme hunger, rapid weight loss and irritability. Fatigue, blurred-vision and increased thirst are some other common symptoms as well. Diabetes also slows down the healing process of any sore or injury in the body.

Causes-

The cause of diabetes is linked to improper functioning of insulin. There are four types of diabetes and each comes with its own set of causes:

Type 1 Diabetes-

In Type 1 diabetes, the immune system of the body starts to attack the healthy pancreatic cells which produce insulin. This reduces the insulin production in the body, causing a rise in the blood sugar levels.

Type 2 Diabetes and Pre-diabetes-

The causes for Pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes are very similar. In both the cases, the body starts becoming resistant to insulin, and the normal production of insulin cannot make up for this. This leads to accumulation of sugar in the blood, leading to diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes-

During pregnancy, a woman’s body produces hormones which play a major role in sustaining the pregnancy to a full term. However, these hormones tend to affect the functioning of insulin, leading to a rise in blood sugar.

Ayurvedic Treatment For Balancing Blood Sugar Level-

Ayurvedic treatments to regulate blood sugar aim to get your blood sugar levels under control and improve your overall health. As they are made from natural ingredients, these remedies do not have any side-effects unlike conventional treatments. The Ayurvedic remedies are:

1. Diet: Maintaining a healthy diet is very important to get blood sugar under control. Avoid eating simple sugars as they spike blood sugar levels; instead of opting for fiber and complex carbohydrates such as whole grains and vegetables.

2. Exercise: Regular exercise helps in keeping blood sugar in check, as it burns calories. You can opt for cardiovascular or weight training to burn calories and keep your metabolic rate elevated. A high metabolic rate means good amount of calories burned by the body at rest.

3. Herbs: There are certain herbs that you can consume (in different forms) to control diabetes. Herbs such as ‘combination of amla and turmeric' everyday, if incorporated in the daily diet in prescribed dosages, can be beneficial in getting your blood sugar in check. Turmeric is another herb which has anti-inflammatory properties that can treat this condition by reducing body resistance to insulin and increasing insulin production by the pancreas.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disorder. Although it is non-contagious, the disease is quite complex. Erythematous plaques with silvery scales appear on skin layers, which basically characterise the disease. This excessive increase of cell division in the basal layer of the skin, results in increased proliferation on skin layers.

Symptoms

The symptoms of psoriasis vary from person to person. Some of the common symptoms of psoriasis are the following:

1. Raised, red patches of skin topped with loose, silvery scales, usually on the knees or elbows
2. Thick, red patches known as plaques, and dry, silvery scales appearing on the scalp, face, elbows, knees, palms, and soles of the feet.
3. Dry, cracked skin that may bleed
4. Joint swelling, tenderness, and pain
5. Thickened, pitted or ridged nails

Causes of Psoriasis According To Ayurveda

Acharya Charak has described the involvement of vata and kapha in ekkushtha or psoriasis. Accumulation of toxins or ama could also lead to this condition.

1. Viruddha Aahar (Opposite diet or contradictory foods) and Mithya Ahara (Improper Diet)
2. Excessive intake of yogurt, seafoods, salty foods, black gram and sour foods, spicy foods, fermented foods, maida (fine flour), and bakery products, junk foods and fast foods, refrigerated and cold foods may contribute to psoriasis.
3. Mithya Vihara (Improper Lifestyle)
4. An irregular lifestyle disrupts the digestive process and creates imbalance in the doshas.
5. Adrista Hetu (Unknown Cause)
6. Excessive Physical and Mental Stress
7. Leading a stressful life or too much consumption of alcohol and tobacco can also trigger psoriasis.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Psoriasis

Ayurvedic treatment of psoriasis includes counseling, lifestyle management, diet management and ayurvedic external and internal treatment. In the case of scalp psoriasis, shirodhara with proper oils is also a very effective treatment. Treatment may also include stress management, oral Ayurvedic medicines, immunomodulators for immunity, topical treatments, regular follow up appointments and yoga and meditation to relieve mental stress. The blend of natural herbs and elements, which are extremely beneficial for the health and skin. The panchakarma therapy in Ayurveda is strong enough to cure psoriasis effectively. The therapy includes a thorough detoxification of the whole body system and removal of all harmful toxins from body fluids. Thus the main aim is to purify the blood system and restore the digestive system in order to prevent the disease.

It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to adapt to this condition. Regular exercise is also very important. Yogic asanas and pranayam can help to keep the mind and body fit and healthy.

Few precautions for psoriasis patients:

• Psoriasis patients should say no to acidic food products like urad dal, radish, sesame, jaggery etc.
• Patients with psoriasis should practice yoga on a regular basis to prevent the disease.
• Psoriasis patients should not use chemical skin products. Instead, they should use natural cleansers like besan.
• Picking, scratching or peeling of skin should strongly be avoided.
• Usage of cotton clothes is recommended.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

A surprising large number of people suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition characterized by a combination of stomach pain, abdominal discomfort and abnormal bowel movement such as diarrhea or constipation. This condition is not life threatening, but can make you very uncomfortable and increase your risk of suffering from other colon problems. Ayurveda can be very effective in treating irritable bowel syndrome. Here are a few tips.

A healthy diet
Diet is one of the most important facets of Ayurveda. To prevent bowel difficulties eat plenty of fiber and easy to digest foods. Cumin seeds, pomegranate and buttermilk can also aid digestion and prevent this condition. Drinking warm water can also aid digestion. On the other hand, curd, junk food, acidic beverages and food that causes bloating and excessive gas production such as potatoes, cabbage and cauliflower should be reduced or removed from your daily diet.

Yoga asanas
Yoga works on the physical and psychological levels of a person. It also massages and strengthens a number of different organs. Stress is one of the biggest causes of irritable bowel syndrome. Yoga can help combat stress and alleviates anxiety and aids relaxation. A few basic yoga asanas that can help ease pain and treat this condition are:

1. Marjariasana
2. Pavanamuktasana
3. Downward facing dog
4. Ardhamatsyendrasena
5. Bhujangasana
6. Dhanurasana

Panchakarma
This is an Ayurvedic cleansing process that enhances the metabolic process and eliminates toxins from the body. Panchakarma literally means 5 techniques or forms of treatment. This includes vamana, virechana, basti, nasya and raktamokshana. These processes make the mind and body more receptive to food and medicines that treat irritable bowel syndrome.

1. Probiotics: Probiotics supplement your natural gut bacteria and help break down complex foods. It can also help alleviate bloating, abdominal pain and regularize bowel movements. Probiotics can be found in oatmeal, whole grains and a number of fruits and vegetables like asparagus, onions and bananas.
2. Herbs: Ayurveda also utilizes the properties of herbs to treat health conditions. Half a spoon of turmeric taken twice a day can help reduce intestinal inflammation and reduce bloating and abdominal pain. Drinking a concoction made by steeping spoonful of dried mint leaves or coriander seeds in hot water for ten minutes can also help deal with this condition. Equal quantities of powdered dry ginger, pepper and pippali can help regulate digestion. 

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Ayurveda is an age old system of medicine that is holistic in nature. Treatment in Ayurveda focuses on getting rid of the cause of the disease. The medicines in Ayurveda are natural and thus, do not have any side effects. There are various remedies in Ayurveda to balance your blood sugar level. Blood sugar occurs either due to decreased insulin sensitivity or inefficient absorption of glucose by the cells in the body.

The various remedies to balance blood sugar in Ayurveda are

1. Diet- All fruits are not having simple sugars. So avoid banana, guava, custardapple, chikoo should be avoided. Curd, potato, sweet potato, corns should be avoided.

2. Exercise: Exercise is a must if you want your blood sugar under control. Include cardiovascular exercises like running and swimming that helps in burning calories and regulate blood sugar. It also helps you lose fat and reduce weight. Exercises also uses the sugar in your blood thus, causing a drop in the blood sugar levels.

3. Avoid stress: If you are feeling stressed lately then you may employ relaxation techniques such as meditation. You can start off with simple meditation techniques such as focusing on your breath. Count to 4 while you inhale and then hold your breath for seven seconds, then exhale while you count to 8. Repeat this procedure for 10-15 minutes on a daily basis.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Aromatherapy is an ancient practice that dates back to ancient times across many cultures. This is a practice where concentrated oils are used to treat many imbalances and disorders within the body. The oils emit a fragrance or aroma, through which many important molecules enter your blood stream which have a healing effect. The oils can be applied on the skin and the aroma is then absorbed directly into the body through it. They can also be used as an aromatic agent where you need to sniff them in order for the molecules to get inside the body and then be absorbed into your blood.

What kind of oils are generally used in aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy uses essential oils similar to the ones used for massage in many other forms of alternative medicine such as Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. These oils have the organic compounds within the plants or respective sources concentrated into a small dose so it can pass on the benefits of those compounds to you, healing your body. Some of the types of oils used in aromatherapy are –
1. Peppermint oil
2. Tee tree oil
3. Lavender oil
4. Frankincense oil
5. Lemon oils among many others

How are essential oils made?
Essential oils are made from natural ingredients such as herbs and resins of different plants. These can be extracted from the following sources of a plant, tree or herb:
1. Flowers
2. Seeds
3. Fruits
4. Leaves
5. Bark
6. Roots
7. Stems etc.

Aromatic oils tend to be powerful as a lot of ingredients go into the making of a small quantity of oil. It is estimated that it takes multiple kilos of an ingredient to make only a few milliliters of an essential oil. Due to the immense concentration of the powerful organic compounds created by this, organic oils are very effective and thus potent in curing ailments. The compounds are separated through a distillation process that separates the oils from the other components.

How and where are essential oils in aromatherapy effective?
Aromatherapy is very effective in dealing with lesser ailments and also as a supplementary form of treatment for other larger problems such as recovery form surgery and pain relief. Some of the more common areas where aromatherapy is very helpful are:

Certain specific types of essential oils and their benefits in aromatherapy
1. Lavender oil: Helps heal burns and cuts quicker, relaxes your body and improves your mood
2. Peppermint oil: Helps with digestion, builds up immunity, and helps with the ability to focus among others
3. Rosemary oil: Helps build hair strength, improves memory and brain function in general
4. Sandalwood oil: Improves skin quality, fights inflammation and wrinkles and also acts a as a libido booster
5. Rose oil: Extremely effective for combatting skin problems as well as for natural glow of the skin
6. Tea tree oil: An excellent immunity booster, Tea tree oil also has antifungal and antimicrobial properties which can fight off infections and cure the ailments much quicker.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!