Causes of Sarcoidosis and How it is treated with Ayurveda
INTRODUCTION
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease affecting multiple organs, particularly the lungs and the liver. It is mainly diagnosed by the presence of non-caseating (non-necrotizing) granulomas in the cells of lungs or the other organs involved The clinical outcome of sarcoidosis varies among patients. In half of the patients, it occurs within a few years of diagnosis and in the remaining patients, the chronic disease develops that lasts for decades.
What are the Causes of Sarcoidosis
The main cause is unknown to the development of this disease. However, some infectious or non-infectious environmental agents may trigger inflammation in a genetically sensitive host. So, it is more of a susceptibility disorder. It is seen in recent researches that women are slightly more susceptible than men.
It is seen, the family history of sarcoidosis predisposes the development of granulomas in the next generations.
CLINICAL SYMPTOMS:
The patient may be asymptomatic and diagnosed with the disease on general screening of the chest. Or may presents with severe symptoms such as organ failure.
LUNGS SYMPTOMS:
- Cough
- Dyspnoea
- Shortness of breath
SKIN SYMPTOMS:
- Erythema nodosum
- Maculopapular lesions
- Hyper and hypopigmentation
- Keloids
- Subcutaneous nodules
The diagnostic feature is involvement of the bridge of the nose, the area beneath the eyes, and the cheeks
EYES SYMPTOMS:
- Anterior Uveitis (Swelling of eye tissue)
- Retinitis (Swelling of the retina)
- Photophobia
- Blurred vision
- Increased tearing
- Blindness, in undiagnosed cases
- Dry eyes
LIVER SYMPTOMS:
- Elevated alkaline phosphatase and transaminase levels
- Elevated bilirubin level in advanced liver disease.
KIDNEY SYMPTOMS:
- Hypercalcemia or hypercalciuria
- Nephritis
NERVOUS SYMPTOMS:
- Seizures
- Cognitive changes
HEART SYMPTOMS:
- Arrhythmias
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYMPTOMS:
- Muscle pain
- Pain in joints
GENERAL SYMPTOMS:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
DIAGNOSTIC FINDINGS/ LABORATORY FINDINGS
Chest roentgenogram is the most commonly used tool to assess lung involvement in sarcoidosis. It helps to classify the involvement of lungs into four stages, with stages 1 and 2 having hilar and paratracheal adenopathy.
- PET scan to differentiate sarcoidosis granulomas from malignancy.
- Serum levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
- Biopsy to confirm the type of cells
DO’S AND DON’T’S
- A healthy lifestyle that includes yoga, exercise, walk or meditation should be practiced.
- A healthy diet must be taken including foods that reduce inflammation or that do not promote inflammation.
- Must include plenty of fruits and vegetables in meals.
- Should include food items that act as antioxidants in diet such as tomatoes, bell peppers.
- Choose fish or chicken over meat
- Eat foods high in magnesium such as bananas, potatoes, soy, corn, oats, and brown rice
- Take plenty of liquids
- One should avoid refined grains, such as white bread and pasta, commercially processed and baked goods, french fries, and margarine
- Avoid caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol
TREATMENT:
The treatment of Sarcoidosis is solely dependent on increasing the immune power of the patient to fight with the disease. No specific treatment works 100% as the involvement of disease is not limited to the organs but includes changed genetic makeup. So, the medicines that work to improve the immune system are indicated in this disorder.
The doctors at our clinic are highly experienced in treating this disease and we have treated many difficult cases of sarcoidosis with Ayurvedic medicines. We record the patients’ signs and symptoms and carry out the proper research on the particular case to find the best combination of remedies needed in the given case.
Planet Ayurveda offers a combination of effective Ayurvedic or herbal medicines such as Sarco Care Pack for the treatment of sarcoidosis. These medicines are prepared under the guidance of experienced pharmacists and doctors, using the best quality herbs and under strict principles set in Ayurvedic mode of treatment. We follow the strict guidelines of quality and hygiene at our production area.
Dosage
Punarnava mandur – 2 Tablets, twice a day with water after meals.
Curcumin Capsules – 2 capsules, two times a day, with plain water after meals.
Aller-G Care – 2 capsules, twice a day, with plain water after meals.
Kanchnaar Guggul- 2 tablets, thrice a day, with plain water after meals.
PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION
1. Punarnava Mandur
It is made up of clinically useful herbs like Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Trivrit (Operculina turpethum), Pippali (Piper longum), Marich (Piper nigrum), Vidanga (Embelia ribes) etc.
PunarnavaMandoor herb’s main action is to remove toxins from the body and reduce inflammation. So, it becomes a wonderful remedy to check inflammation and treat sarcoidosis.
DOSAGE:- 2 Tablets, twice a day with water after meals.
2. Curcumin Capsules
Curcumin Capsules are made up of extracts of Curcumin, the main constituent of turmeric (Curcuma longa). Curcumin stops the unusual proliferation of cells. It helps to reduce swelling and inflammation. It is a great pain reliever and inhibits the cell transformation from normal to a tumor. Curcumin capsules act as an amazing herbal remedy for the treatment of Sarcoidosis.
DOSAGE:- 2 capsules, two times a day, with plain water after meals.
3. Aller-G Care
Aller-G Care capsule is made up of Neem (Azadirachta indica), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Haridra (Curcuma longa) and Shirish (Albizia lebbeck) mixed in standard quantities under quality check. Aller-G Care helps in treating patients with symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, and dry cough, which are the presentation of lung symptoms of Sarcoidosis. Moreover, it helps to boost immunity.
DOSAGE:- 2 capsules, twice a day, with plain water after meals.
4. Kanchnaar Guggul
The main ingredients of Kachnaar Guggul are Kachnaar (Bauhinia variegata) and Guggul (Commiphora mukul). This helps to subside extra growths in the body, therefore it acts as wonders in Sarcoidosis. This combination has herbs such as Trikatu, Triphala, Varun Bark (Crataeva nurvala), Twak (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Ela (Elettaria cardamomum), and Tejpatra (Cinnamomum tamala) in it, which helps in increasing the efficacy of this medicine.
DOSAGE:- 2 tablets, thrice a day, with plain water after meals.
