Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Ayurveda

Multiple Sclerosis is the most common progressive and disabling neurological condition affecting young adults in the world today with incidence rising dramatically in the past years. The cause is still unknown and could affect anybody at any age. But most commonly it affects between the age of  18 – 35 years.

Incidence of Multiple Sclerosis is five times more prevalent in temperate climates than in tropical climates and women are affected twice as much as men.
Within Europe, Scandinavia, The British Isles, the Low Countries and Germany have very high rates.
Canada, northern USA and New Zealand have an equivalently high prevalence.
In United States alone MS cases have risen from 146,892 people in 1996 to  approx 500,000 cases in 2004.

Types of Multiple Sclerosis
MS is a chronic, progressive, degenerative disorder that affects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord characterized by intermittent damage to myelin - a fatty substance that surrounds and insulates nerve fibers and facilitates the conduction of nerve impulse transmissions - caused by the destruction of specialized cells (oligodendrocytes) that form the substance. Demyelination causes scarring and hardening (sclerosis) of nerve fibers usually in the spinal cord, brain stem, and optic nerves, which slows nerve impulses and results in weakness, numbness, pain, and vision loss.
Because different nerves are affected at different times, MS symptoms often worsen (exacerbate), improve, and develop in different areas of the body. Early symptoms of the disorder may include vision changes (e.g., blurred vision, blind spots) and muscle weakness.

MS can progress steadily or cause acute attacks (exacerbations) followed by partial or complete reduction in symptoms (remission).
Multiple sclerosis is classified according to frequency and severity of neurological symptoms, the ability of the Central Nervous System to recover, and the accumulation of damage.
Primary progressive MS causes steady progression of symptoms with few periods of remission.
Relapsing-Remitting MS causes worsening of symptoms (exacerbations) that occur with increasing frequency, along with periods of reduced symptoms (remission).
Secondary progressive MS is initially similar to relapsing-remitting MS and eventually progresses to MS with no remission.
Relapsing-Progressive MS causes accumulative damage during exacerbations and remissions.

Treatment
There is no curative treatment available for the MS. However, a number of medications are used to treat the disease symptomatically. Corticosteroids are medications of choice for treating exacerbations. Interferonß-1B (Betaseron.) as well as Interferonß-1a (Avonex.) are successfully used to reduce the frequency and severity of relapses. Copolymer 1 is now being investigated in clinical trials and also appear to decrease the disease activity. Specific medications are also available to treat fatigue, pain, spasticity, bladder control problems, etc.

Ayurvedic Management
 
An ayurvedic treatment of MS is aimed at arresting the progress of the illness and helping alleviate the symptoms.
 
Several cases treated in Ayurveda responded with almost immediate remission of symptoms partially or totally and reduced frequency of exacerbations.
Almost all cases showed positive response to the Ayurvedic approach to varying extents.
 
The major aspects of an Ayurvedic treatment for MS include diet, healing supplements, yoga and Ayurvedic therapies that nourish and empower the nervous system.
 
Multiple sclerosis dietary suggestions
 
1.       Avoid GLUTEN rigidly. [That means you should avoid all use of wheat, barley, oats and rye, all of which contain gluten, and this includes foods made from or containing these grains or the gluten from them, such as Weetabix, Shredded Wheat, Wheat Germ Flakes, Forment, all-bran, white and brown bread, cakes, puddings, biscuits, porridge, rye and wheat crispbreads, all kinds of pasta, semolina, Bisto, etc.]
Instead have Indian basmati rice
 
2.   Also, completely cut out all REFINED SUGAR.
 
3.       Avoid ANIMAL FATS. Have fish and seafoods instead.
 
4.       Avoid all DAIRY PRODUCTS and MARGARINES.
 
5.       Avoid CAFFEINE, ALCOHOL and SMOKING, which all affect the nervous system
 
6.       Use olive oil or coconut oil for cooking and salads.
 
7.       Whenever possible eat foods as fresh as possible, not refrigerated or frozen.
 
8.       Eat raw vegetables, such as shredded cabbage, raw grated carrots and beetroot.
 
9.       Eat lots of dark green leafy salads, legumes, nuts and seeds.
 
10.   Eat fresh fruits every day.
 
 
Supplements
 
Ayurveda prescribes customised herbal supplements for each person to empower his body to manage and heal the imbalances that are facilitating the illness.
For this the affected person will have to consult an Ayurveda doctor who will study his constituition and state of body before suggesting the apt herbal medicine.
 
In addition the following over the counter supplements too are beneficial. 
1. Fish oil supplement.
2. Multivitamin supplement daily
3. Vit C  1 gm  daily
4. Vit E   200 iu  daily
Yogic breathing
 
Pranayama or breathing exercise is one thing that invariably helps a multiple sclerosis sufferer. Almost 80% of oxygen we breath is utilised by the nervous system. So deep breathing refreshes the nerves and improves the mood. Practise deep breathing exercise daily. And drink plenty of plain water. Atleast 8 -10 glasses daily.
 
Ayurvedic therapies
 
Multiple sclerosis patients treated with 'pizhichil' and 'sirodhara' - two highly rejuvenative treatments for the nerves have shown marked results. Cases treated with 'Maruthua oil' a very acclaimed ayurvedic formulation was found to provide immediate benefits by way of remission of symptoms. However these therapies should be done only  at a proper Ayurvedic facility under the supervision of a doctor.
 
Unfailing Belief
 
Ayurveda believes that human body is competent enough to handle any challenge provided it gets the required support. So the treatments are basically aimed at strengthening and rejuvenating the body's own mechanisms for healing. As it is said ' the healer within the body is an extension of the cosmic healer who creates life and sustains this universe'. So the potential is immense. The possibilities are unlimited. We just need to help it manifest in healing.