Author: Dr. Vikram Chauhan

Depression in today’s working women-how can Ayurveda help get rid of it?

Introduction

One of the basic factors that lead to depression is when we are not happy with the part of our self. While our natural body wants us to rest and take time for ourselves, we are only striving for reaching another goal, doing another big thing. The constant hustle and not giving oneself the time to breathe and feel the roses by living in that present moment have a deep impact on our emotions as well as physical health.

After a certain period, even our body gets so drained that the eight hours of good night sleep get ineffective in bringing rest to our body. Ever since the first-ever organized women’s rights movement in the small village of Seneca Falls, the United States in 1848, a lot has changed. While women are now working at par with their male counterparts in big corporate, participating in the policy matters, representing their nation at the international level in various sports, driving cars, planes, knocking off an opponent in the boxing ring but our social conditioning is still the same.

Herbs for Depression

Women are made to feel guilty by society and even in their intimate relationships for making time for themselves. They are judged by even the other women in the circles for not giving into the social conditioning that expects her to be active and attentive towards her household duty evens after all a long day at work. This constant juggle and striving to maintain balance in work-life along with fulfilling all the responsibilities of home life has torn women into two half.

Sometimes, women do that to themselves so that they don’t feel judged. Deep down they believe that in case they give up some of their responsibilities to work on their other commitments, their importance or place in the family dynamic might diminish with the time.

It’s a high time that we should start the discussion of women empowerment in various platforms in the sense of resting and recuperating and not only confined to opportunities in the corporate world.

The feminine energy that is predominant in females is all about creation, connecting to nature, self-love, and intuition that needed to be acknowledged and nurtured. We need to teach our daughters and friends that men and women are equal but still different. We should not strive to be men but our true authentic feminine self.

Our world is more in the need of a more caring and nurturing individual, not the technologies. Women are innate nurturers; it a matter of them understanding their powers and not wait for the world to confirm them.

Lack of self-love among women

The practice of self-love is what attracts the best things to us but many women who might seem very attractive and confident from the outside lack self-love. The only reason being not acknowledging one’s individuality and being oppressed with the social perception of perfect women.

Women need to understand that we are our being and have our strength and weakness and we all deserve love and respect. Putting you second and trying to be someone to be accepted by the immediate groups or society detaches one from their true self.

For instance, an all-night party might be an idea of fun for one individual but feel more like a nuisance for another. While the women all out there for reaching professional goals and making their mark in the industry, they should also try to know themselves. Their likes and dislikes.

Simple and Natural Ways to Overcome Such Depression

One does not need to spend bucks in an expensive salon or brands for feeling better, there some simple and effective ways we can adapt to practice self-love.

Taking a breather between work and home life

Taking time off for one even it’s half an hour can do a trick even between the busy work and home responsibilities even its spending time while having tea in your favorites spot.

Journaling

Writing is considered one of the best ways of emotional outlet. It helps one to put to emotional clutters in our head into writing. Journaling is not only beneficial for one’s emotional well-being but also for increasing your creativity. This is also another way to meditate if you are not into the traditional method of meditations.

Cooking

The act of cooking is among the creative expressions that the women have been practicing in their kitchen for ages. It is also an expression of love. Our mothers have been cooking healthy recipes in the kitchen with love and care. Practice cooking for yourself and also for your loved ones. It will heighten your nurturing abilities.

Savings

I know we have talked earlier about how women tend to stop caring for themselves while hustling between work and home but even a little saving can make them feel secure and grounded within themselves. The idea is not how much you earn but how you use your capital for feeling secure and grounded and stop living from paycheck to paycheck. It will help you to get rid of anxiety and fear of losing your job tomorrow and give the confidence to stand your ground.

Dance

It does not matter if you are a good dancer or not but dance especially the one with more hip movements can be proven to be beneficial for well being. Dancing increases one’s confidence, improves and removes any form of blockage. It helps you to live in the present movement while your body is in tune with the music and forgetting even it’s for sometimes the events of the past and fear of the unknown future.

COMMON ALIMENTS IN WORKING WOMEN

Other than the depression, some ailments that have seen in the women include heart disease, autoimmune diseases, breast cancer, and osteoporosis due to unhealthy lifestyle, lack of self-care and lack of rest but can be easily cured through natural methods.

HOW CAN AYURVEDA HELP IN MANAGING DEPRESSION?

Sometimes making the changes in lifestyle are not enough as it is a never-ending process that may affect anyone anytime because of the natural behavior of humans. So, we need to go some steps further and take the help of some natural herbs that will help in reducing the effects of depression without causing any other complications. Hence, the most effective and trusted herbs for managing Depression are

HERBAL REMEDIES IN AYURVEDA FOR CURING DEPRESSION

1.Ashwagandha:

Ashwagandha has been proven to be beneficial in curing stress and cutting down the anxiety levels. It also helps one to remain focused and to have more control over mood swings.

2.Brahmi:

Brahmi is a herb is proven to effective in calming the brain and bringing relief from anxiety and stress

3.Peppermint:

Peppermint or Pudina has a cooling effect on the nervous system and helps you to have good sleep.

4.Jatamansi:

It’s a herb that helps in curing insomnia. Jatamansi also works as a natural anti-depressant formula.

While all the above-mentioned steps and herbs are affected but if you are suffering from clinical depression, it is always advisable to consult the doctor.


How Can MVP With Atrial Fibrillation Be Treated With Ayurveda?

Introduction

Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) is a condition in which two flaps of mitral valve do not close smoothly or evenly, but instead there is bulge in left atrium. Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) is also known as click murmur syndrome, Barlow’s syndrome or floppy valve syndrome. The mitral valve is located between left atrium and left ventricle and is composed of two flaps. In normal condition these two flaps are held tightly closed during left ventricular contraction (systole) by chordae tendinaeae (small tendons called cords that connect flaps to the muscles of heart ).

MVP with Atrial fibrillation

In the mitral valve prolapse, the flaps enlarge and stretch inward towards the left atrium. Sometimes snapping during systole may allow some backflow of blood into left atrium. The stretching and enlargement of left atrium of heart can leads to atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is an irregular and often rapid heartbeat that can increase your risk of heart strokes, heart failure and other heart related complications.

Causes and Symptoms

CAUSES

The exact cause of MVP is not known but heredity plays an important role. Primary and secondary mitral valve prolapsed are described below

  • Primary Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) It is characterized by thickening of one or both valve flaps. There is scarring of flap surface, thinning and lengthening of chordae tendinaeae, and fibrin deposits on flaps. The primary form of mitral valve prolapsed is seen in people with Marfan’s syndrome or other connective tissue disorders, but is most common in people with no heart disease.
  • Secondary Valve Prolapse This is not due to thickening of valve instead of that there are ischemic changes. In this prolapse there is ischemic damage ( caused by decreased blood flow due to coronary artery disease ) to the papillary muscles attached to the chordae tendinaeae or to the functional changes in the myocardium. It may results from damage of valvular structures during acute myocardial infarction, rheumatic heart disease or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Atrial fibrillation is mainly caused by MVP. There are other causes too which can cause Atrial Fibrillation

  1. High Blood Pressure
  2. Heart Attack
  3. Coronary Heart Disease
  4. Viral Infections
  5. Previous Heart Surgery
  6. Excessive Intake of Stimulants Such As Alcohol, Caffeine
  7. Sleep Apnea

Causes According To Ayurveda

  1. Physical Exertion
  2. Drastic And Excessive Purgation
  3. Anxiety
  4. Fear
  5. Terror

Faulty Management Of Disorder

  1. Suppression of Ama and Vomiting
  2. Injury

Symptoms

MVP may remain asymptomatic in few people. Each individual may experience symptoms differently. Here are most common symptoms

1. Palpitations This is most common complaint among people with MVP (Mitral Valve Proplapse). These palpitations are usually associated with premature ventricular contractions (the ventricle beats faster than it should). Some patients may experience palpitations without dysrhythmias.


2. Chest Pain This associated with MVP is different from chest pain associated with coronary artery disease and is a frequent complaint. Chest pain is not like angina pain but can be recurrent.

Other Symptoms

  1. Shortness of Breath
  2. Reduce Ability To Exercise
  3. Weakness
  4. Dizziness
  5. Fatigue

Sypmtoms According To Ayurveda Abnormal Complexion

Classical Reference Charak Chikitsa Sathan

(Ref. Charak Chikitsa Sathan)
  • Fever Due To Inflammatory Heart Disease
  • Fainting
  • Breathlessness
  • Anorexia
  • Thirst
  • Chest Pain
  • Giddiness

Complications

Following Complications May Occur In People

  1. Heart Strokes
  2. Heart Failure
  3. Heart Arrhythmias
  4. Hypertension

Diagnosis

People with Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) have no symptoms. Detection of click or murmur may be diagnosed during routine checkup. It can be detected by listening with a stethoscope, revealing a click or murmur. Basically murmur occurs due to leaking back of small amount of blood in left atrium. In addition to complete medical history and physical examinations, mitral valve prolapse can be diagnosed with following diagnostic criteria

  1. ECG (Electro Cardio Gram) A test that records electrical activity of heart , shows abnormal rhythms and can sometime detect heart muscle damage.
  2. ECHO (Echo Cardio Gram) A non invasive test that uses sound waves to evaluate heart’s chamber and valves. These echo sound waves create an image on the monitor as an ultrasound inducer is passed over heart. It is most important diagnostic test for MVP.
  3. CT scan (Computerized Tomography) In this method patient lies on a table inside a machine which contains x-ray tube which helps to obtain images of heart.
  4. Cardiac MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) In this test magnetic field produces the images of heart structures.

In rare conditions where symptoms are more severe additional diagnostic procedure may be performed. They include

  1. Stress Test (also called treadmill test) a test is performed while a patient walks on treadmill that is monitored.
  2. Cardiac Catheterization In this test a contrast agent is inserted into an artery to locate any narrowing or other abnormalities of arteries.

Risk Factors

Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) can occur at any age .But serious symptoms tend to occur more often in men older than 50. Mitral Valve Prolapse can run into families and may be linked to several other conditions such as

  1. Marfan Syndrome
  2. Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
  3. Ebstein’s Anomaly
  4. Muscular Dystrophy
  5. Grave’s Disease
  6. Scoliosis

Ayurveda Treatment of Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP)

According to Ayurveda, heart takes higher position not only by its anatomical and physiological value but also by its mental and spiritual value. In Ayurveda heart is place of vyan vayu, avlam bak kapha and mana.The herbal products provided for the treatment of Abnormal Heart Rhythm are

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1. Total Heart Support

Total heart support helps in improving heart functioning. It is a cardiac tonic due to the presence of Shankhpushpi in it. It helps in relieving stress, blood pressure, anxiety and other heart ailments.

Dosage 2 capsules twice daily with plain water

2. Arjuna Capsules

Arjuna capsules is wonderful remedy for heart disease. It helps to treat blood pressure, high triglycerides and high cholesterol.

Dosage 2 capsules twice daily with plain water

3. Arjun Tea

Arjun tea helps in strengthening of heart muscles. By drinking arjuna tea one can get rid of angina and cardiomyopathy.

Dosage 2 cups twice daily

Prevention

There are many things which can you do to reduce your chances of getting heart disease.

  1. Stay at a healthy weight
  2. Eat A Healthy Diet Try to limit saturated fats, foods high in sodium and added sugars. Eat plenty of fresh vegetables, fresh fruits and whole grains.
  3. Get Regular Exercise Exercise has many benefits including strengthening your heart and improving your blood circulation. It can also maintain weight and lowers level of cholesterol.
  4. Quit Smoking Cigarette smoking raises your blood pressure and put you at a high risk for heart attack and stroke.
  5. Limit Alcohol Drinking too much alcohol causes rise in blood pressure. It can also leads to extra calories which cause weight gain.
  6. Manage Stress Stress is linked to heart in many ways. It raises your blood pressure and can also cause heart attack.
  7. Diabetes Having diabetes doubles your risk of having heart disease. This is because over time high level of glucose leads to damage of blood vessels. So it is important to keep a check on your glucose level.