Abstract

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS: A CASE STUDY

Shrilatha Kamath T. and Parveen Nadaf*

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Abstract

Motor Neuron Disease otherwise called Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) are often known for the progressively damaging the Nervous system which leads to muscle weakness, often with visible wasting. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal type of Motor Neuron disease. It is characterised by progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord and the brain. The incidence of ALS is approximately 1-2.6 cases per 100,000 persons annually, whereas the prevalence is approximately 6 cases per 100,000. The average age of onset of ALS is currently 58-60 years and the average survival from onset to death is 3- 4 years. Between October 19, 2010 and December 31, 2011, there were an estimated 12,187 prevalent cases diagnosed with definite ALS in the USA alone.[1] Sporadic ALS (90-95%) constitutes the large majority of cases, while the remaining 5-10% are hereditary and termed familial ALS.[2] The condition Sarvangavata is found to have more resemblance with ALS in the present study. The treatment principle of Sarvanga vata including Snehana, Swedana, Bastikarma along with other shamana oushadhi were incorporated in the patient. The present case report deals with the case of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, its Ayurvedic diagnosis and management. The Functional Rating Scale for ALS was used for the assessment which showed remarkable improvement. Much considerable changes were also witnessed in the laboratory investigations. The intervention was found to be effective and thus improved the Quality of Life of the patient.

Keywords: Motor Neuron Disease, Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Sarvanga vata.