Kshama Gupta

ASHWAGANDHA IN PSYCHOGENIC ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION: ANCILLARY FINDINGS

Erectile dysfunction has been defined as the persistent inability to attain and maintain an erection sufficient to permit sat isfactory sexual performance. The present study was based on the ancillary findings of the main study ( which was based on scoring of Internatio nal Index of Erectile Function IIEF) in P sychogeni c Erectile D ysfunction (PED). The study main findings based o n IIEF scoring reported , 12.6 % improvement in trial group (Ashwagandha - Withania somnifera ) and 19.11 % improvement in control group (Placebo) (P 0.05 ) foun d in between the two groups on all the scales . Ashwagandha did not prove better than placebo on EDSI , QEQ and IMH QOL scales .

A PILOT STUDY ON CERTAIN YOGIC AND NATUROPATHIC PROCEDURES IN GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is one of the most common anxiety disorders characterized by persistent worrying, anxiety sympt oms, and tension. Most community - based studies place the prevalence in the range of 2 to 5 percent, with a lifetime prevalence as high as 8 percent. Even though previous studies on yoga and naturopathy in anxiety disorders proved effective, there lack prop er methodology and they are not specifically focused at GAD. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of certain yogic and naturopathic procedures in the management of GAD. A total of 12 patients with GAD satisfying the DSM IV TR diagnostic criteri a were selected and allotted in to two groups, Yoga group and Naturopathic group by following randomization method. In Yoga group, various asana’s and pranayama were practiced one hour daily for 21 days. In Naturopathy group, full body massage and steam, d iaphragmatic breathing and acupressure were done one hour daily for 21 days. Criteria of assessment were based on the scoring of Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale ( HARS). Statistical analysis was done by using paired and unpaired‘t’ test. In Yoga group (n = 6) , 52.59 % relief was observed (P 0.05) found in between the two groups. Both Yoga and Naturopathic pro cedures are effective in the management of GAD. Even though Yoga and Naturopathy interventions proved effective on HARS total score of GAD, Yoga seems to be an attractive option because of its non pharmacological approach, cost effectiveness and internatio nal acceptance when compared to the other interventions.

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF CEREBRAL PALSY: REPORT OF TWO CASES WITH REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Cere bral palsy (CP) is a common cause of childhood disability. It is defined as ‘a group of non progressive but often changing mo tor impairment syndromes which are secondary to anomalies or lesions of brain arising in early stages of its development’. The prev alence of CP varies from 1.5 to 2.5 per 1000 live births. There was no clarity regarding the Ayurvedic aspect of CP. The present study reporting two cases of CP diagnosed and treated as per the lines of ‘Phakka roga’ according to Ayurveda. The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) was used to evaluate the gross motor function. Total two assessments were carried out on the first day of treatment and on 30 th day of treatment. The diagnosis of Phakka roga should be considered while approaching the case of CP. Ag nimandya, amavastha and kaphavastha should be considered while planning the line of treatment in CP cases. The treatment moda lity of the present study is highly effective in relieving the signs and symptoms and reducing the disability in children with CP. Rookshana procedure like udwartana seems to be beneficial in reducing the spasticity along with improvement in agnimandya, amavastha and kaphavastha.

AYURVEDIC MA NAGEMENT OF STROKE WITH SPECIAL R EFERENCE TO LEFT TEMPO ROPARIETAL LOBE GLIOSIS: A CASE REPORT

Stroke is the leading cause of adult di sability. Sixty percent of survivors have disabilities in arm or leg use and up to one third of stroke survivors need placement in a nursing home or assisted living environment . The prevalence of stroke in India ranges from 40 to 270 per 100 000 population . The present article deals with a diagnosed case of hemorrhagic stroke presented as right sided hemiplegia with left temporoparietal lobe gliosis . The Ayurvedic diagnosis of pakshaghata was made and udwartana, nasya and kala vasti procedures were done. Tw o assessments were taken before and after treatment on National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIH - SS) and Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS - QOL). On NIH - SS, maximum relief was noticed in items like, facial palsy, temporal hemianopia, aphasia, d ysarthria and improvement in right lower extremity functions. On SS - QOL, maximum relief was noticed in items like, language, mobility and vision. Vasti karma plays a key role in the management of stroke / pakshaghata . The recovery was promising and worth d ocumenting.

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF MOTOR NEURON DISEASE: A CASE REPORT

Motor neuron disease (MND) is a progressive condition characterized by degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons. The term Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is used synonymously with MND. As there was no clarity regarding Ayurvedic aspect of MND / ALS, a major diagnostic and management dilemma exists while approaching the case of MND. The present case report deals with the case of MND and its Ayurvedic diagnosis and management. Difficulty in differential diagnosis exists between the conditions like sarvanga vata, avrita vata and saama vata. Upashaya Anupashaya pariksha is beneficial to solve the problem in differential diagnosis. Ashwagandha preparations, swedana and matra vasti procedures are found to be beneficial in the management of MND.

ROLE OF ASHWAGANDHA ON HEMATOLOGICAL, BIOCHEMICAL, SEMINAL PARAMETERS AND ON SERUM DHEA - S IN PSYCHOGENIC ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION PATIENTS

Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera Dunal) has been known for its capability to improve endurance against stress, general resistance a gainst infections, to slow down the ageing process, improvement of male sexual health and useful in disorders such as psychogenic impotence and unexplai ned infertility. T he roots of which have been used as anti - stress agent, aphrodisiac and male sexual sti mulant. Erectile dysfunction has been defined as the persistent inability to attain and maintain an erection sufficient to permit satisfactory sexual intercourse . The clinical study on Ashwagandha in Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction (PED) earlier reported negative results and concluded that, Ashwagandha didn’t provide relief in PED on various scales . The present article deals with the laboratory findings of this clinical study sample; to evaluate the efficacy of Ashwagandha on various hematological, bio che mical, seminal parameters and on serum DHEA - S (which were in normal range) in PED patients . Blood samples were collected and assayed for serum concentrations of DHEA - S, RBS, TC, TG, HDL, total protein, SGOT, SGPT , Hemoglobin, total RBC count, TLC and DLC. Semen samples were collected and measured on parameters like, liquefaction time, volume, motility and count. Patients found to have any abnormalities in the reports of above parameters were excluded from the study (to rule out organic pathology) . All of th ese investigations were done two times, before and after the treatment. Paired and unpaired‘t’ test were used for statistical analysis. Ashwagandha didn’t improve various hematological, biochemical, seminal parameters and serum DHEA - S which were already in normal range in the patients of psychogenic erectile dysfunction. The results were consistent with that of the clinical study which was also reported negative results earlier.

Rakshasa grahonmada: Antisocial personality disorder with psychotic mania?

“Bhuta vidya”/“Graha chikitsa” is one among the eight specialties of Ayurveda. This specialty deals with the mode of affl iction by evil spirits and making offerings to various grahas (supernatural powers/extraterrestrial forces/evil spirits) such as deva, pishacha, gandharva, yaksha, rakshasa, etc., for cure of diseases originating from their malignant infl uence. Acharya Vagbhata has described 18 types of bhootonmada (psychosis caused by affl iction of grahas). “Rakshasa grahonmada” (RG) is one among those 18 types. In Ayurveda, till date, the concept of grahnomada as a whole or individually is under explored. The present study aims at better understanding of RG in particular with modern research and literature support. RG is characterized by krodha drishti, bhairavaasya, bhrukuti udvahantam (anger, aggression, violent), tvaritam abhidhavantam, ruvantam, sambhramam, praharantam (agitation, impulsiveness, restlessness, hyperactivity), nashta nidra (sleeplessness), nisha vihaari (wandering at nights), anna dveshinam (aversion to food), shooram (grandiosity, violent, aggressive), nirlajja (disinhibition), ati balinam (excessive energy levels), stree priyam (hypersexuality), madya priyam (alcoholic/substance abuse), rakta, amisha priyam (food cravings to nonvegetarian items), deenam (depressed), shankitam (suspicious/paranoid), akasmaat rudantam, hasantam and gaayantam (inappropriate behavior) and nirarthakam paribhashanam (irrelevant speech) etc., features. These features of RG are similar to the condition of “antisocial personality disorder” (ASPD) comorbid with “psychotic mania.”RG is similar to ASPD comorbid with other conditions such as mania, schizophrenia, and substance abuse.

Vetaala Grahonmada: Parkinson's disease with obsessive-compulsive disorder?/autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder?

Bhoot vidya (ayurvedic psychiatry) is one of the specialties of Ayurveda and it deals with various psychiatric conditions caused by affliction of evil spirits or mythological personalities. Unmada (a broad term which consists of various psychiatric problems) is a major psychiatric condition described in Ayurvedic classical texts and it is characterized by deranged mental functions. Bhootonmada is caused by affliction of evil spirits or supernatural powers or extraterrestrial forces. Vetaala grahonmada (VG) is one among the 18 types (deva, asura, rishi, guru, vruddha, siddha, pitru, gandharva, yaksha, rakshasa, sarpa, brahma rakshasa, pishacha, kushmanda, nishada, preta, maukirana, and vetala) of bhutonmada. Till date, there were no studies available on VG, and the present study aims at better understanding along with the clinical applicability of VG. VG is characterized by Satyavaadinam (truthfulness/honesty), Parivepanam (tremors), Dhoopa gandha maalya ratim (fond of perfumes and garlands), and Ati nidraalum (excessive sleepiness). Parkinsons disease (PD) is traditionally regarded as a movement disorder. Behavioral and psychological symptoms or neuropsychiatric syndromes associated with PD are frequent. They include anxiety, depression, psychosis, sleep, sexual and impulse control disorders, apathy, and cognitive dysfunction. The various features of VG have shown similarity with PD comorbid with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and excessive daytime sleepiness. VG also has shown similarity with various other conditions such as “autoimmune neuropsychiatric movement disorders.” VG is having similarity with a comorbid condition of PD with OCD.

Rutumati Lakshanas-Estrus Signaling in Humans

The word ‘Rutu’ means the time which is favorable for procreation or time to get a healthy progeny or peak fertility period according to Ayurveda. Rutu is the period of ovulation in a female. ‘Rutu kala’ denotes the peak fertility period in women. Duration of rutu is of 12 or 16 days according to different classical Ayurvedic texts. While calculating ‘Rutu kala’, first three days and last one day should not be considered as initial three days consists of menstrual bleeding and last day (16th day) is not suitable for conception due to constriction of yoni (cervix/vagina). After excluding these four days out of sixteen, the duration of rutu becomes twelve. Conception will occur only during rutu kala (from the 4th day of the menstrual cycle to 15th day of the cycle). A woman possessing a healthy yoni (cervix/vagina), garbhashaya (uterus) and shonita (ovum/reproductive system) is termed as rutumati (from the 4th day of the menstrual cycle to 15th day of the menstrual cycle in healthy women). ‘Rutumati’ is the woman who is in peak fertility period [1].

Sama Sannipata Jwara- Sepsis, SIRS, MODS, Septic Shock and Delirium

Jwara (fever) is considered as ‘lord’ among all diseases according to Ayurveda because of its power to afflict the body, mind and senses. Jwara may be a symptom of some other disease or can occur as an independent disease. Many types of jwara have been described in Ayurvedic classical texts. There are 13 types of sannipataja jwara (fever caused by the vitiation of all three doshas) among them ‘Sama sannipata jwara (SSJ)’ (where all the three doshas are equally dominant). The present article is based on SSJ, as till date there is no clear understanding about this condition and various confusions are prevailed on this topic. Previous works have compared SSJ with ‘Stills disease’ and ‘Dengue fever’ but the present study has a different view. The similarity between SSJ and ‘sepsis/septic shock/systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)/multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)/septic encephalopathy/delirium’ is explored in the present article. Karnamoola shotha which is the complication of sannipata jwara denotes a condition of mastoiditis leading to meningitis and death. There is profound similarity between SSJ and sepsis syndromes in terms of pathological progression, symptomatology and prognosis. Reference of the conditions like sepsis syndromes is described in Ayurvedic texts under the domain of Sannipata jwara many centuries before.