Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms and Ayurveda Treatment
- It is believed that there is involvement of both genetic (HILA-B27 antigen, ERAP 1, IL- 12, IL-17, and IL-23)
- Initial symptoms are chronic dull pain and stiffness in lower back or gluteal region
- The Ankylosing Spondylosis is an autoimmune type of disease in which there is long term inflammation in the joints of the spine (at times other joints are also involved).
- The inflammation causes severe, chronic pain and discomfort
Causes
The exact cause of the condition is not known, environmental factors (bacterial infection passage in blood stream due to intestinal causes triggering of immune responses).
Sign and symptoms
- Initial symptoms are chronic dull pain and stiffness in lower back or gluteal region
- The pain improves with physical activity.
- In later stages there is loss of spine mobility and chest expansion.
- Weight loss, fever, fatigue, uveitis.
- Pain in the ankle, eyes, heel, hip, joints, lower back, middle back, neck, or shoulder
Diagnosis
- Diagnosis is made on the basis of personal history (onset of pain and stiffness below 40 years of age,
- blood test (absence of rheumatoid factor (RF) antibodies,
- physical examination, medical imaging
- family history of axial spondyloarthritis),
- positive for biomarker HLA-B27).
- increase at rest especially pain at night,
- improvement of pain with activity
Treatment
- treated on the line of management of Aamavata in initial stage
- in later stage it is treated on the basis of Asthimajja Gata Vata.
- In initial stage of the disease when there is predominance of Ama (Acute pain, stiffness, inflammation, at times presence of fever).
- The patient is subjected to Ruksha Swedana (Baluka Swedana, Lavana Pottalika Swedana or only Sarvanga Vashpa Swedana) along with the use of oral medications
- On the subsiding of Aamavastha the patient is subjected to
- Sarvanga Abhyanga (Maha-vishgarbha Taila)
- Vashpa Swedana,
- Vaitarana or Kshara Basti with Bhritasa-inadhavdi Taila Anuvasana (Karma, Kala, Yoga Basti) as per the condition of the patient.
- This schedule is repeated twice or thrice a year as per the need of the patient along with the continuous use of oral medication.
- In the gap duration patient is subjected to localized Abhyanga (Maha-vishgarbha Taila) on the site of pain along with Baluka Swedana (self administration or at home care).
- In Niraama condition the patient is subjected to the
- Shalishastika Pinda Swedana
- Mustadi Yapana Basti with Ashvagandha Taila Anuvasana in (Karma, Kala or Yoga schedule) as per the need of the patient and this course can be repeated twice or thrice a year as per the need of the patients.
- After completion of the Basti Karma patient is subjected to Pratimarsha Nasya (nasal drops) with Anu Taila (oil).
- This course is accompanied by the oral medications.
Medications used in ayurveda
Along with Dashamula Kashaya Anupana or hot water- following,
- Yogaraja Guggulu
- Trayodashanga Guggulu
- Rasaraja Rasa
- Punarnava Mandura
- Agnitundi Vati
- Sarvajwarahara Louha
- Sudarshana Ghana Vati
- Brihatvata Chintamani Rasa
- Ashwagandha Churna
- Ajamodadi Churna
- Chopachinyadi Churna
- Pancha Sakara Churna
- Erandamula Churna