Abstract

MANAGEMENT OF BUERGER”S DISEASE THROUGH AYURVEDA:- A CASE REPORT

*Dr. Sachin Govindrao Tike and Dr. Aarti Devi

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Abstract

Thromboangiitis obliterans (Burgers’ disease) is a non-atherosclerotic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology characterized by thrombosis and recanalization of the affected vessels, which has a strong association with tobacco. It usually affects small and mediumsized arteries and veins in distal upper and lower extremities. The onset of disease occurs between 40 and 45 years of age, and men are most commonly affected. The prevalence of the disease among all the patients with peripheral arterial disease varies from as low as 0.5%- 5.6% in Western Europe to as high as 45%-63% in India. The present case study was on a patient who approached the OPD of Panchkarma, Govt ayurvedic Hospital Dharashiv, with chief complaints of pain and swelling in digits of the left foot from past 05 months along with associated complaints of decreased sensation over left foot, left hand with bluish and blackish skin discoloration. The essential investigation such as ultrasound Doppler was done and diagnosed as a case of peripheral vascular disease (Buergers’ disease). Based on clinical presentation, sign, and symptoms, it was diagnosed as a case of Vatarakta (~occlusive peripheral vascular disease) according to Ayurveda. The treatment principle of Vatarakta mainly includes Virechana (~therapeutic purgation Basti (~therapeutic enema),and Raktamokshana (~bloodletting by mean of leech application along with oral medications were advised. Patient showed significant improvement in the pain according to visual analog scale, skin discoloration, and other associated symptoms along with the positive changes in color Doppler of lower limbs. It shows that the therapeutic purgation with bloodletting therapy is an effective method for the management of thromboangiitis obliterans disease.

Keywords: Leech therapy, Thromboangiitis obliterans, Vatarakta, Virechana Karma.