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What is scleritis? Causes, Symptoms & Treatment with Ayurveda

Abstract

Witnessing the creation of this beautiful world is only possible with a healthy pair of eyes. Eyes are the sense organ through which we see the environment. Some of the constituents of the eye are cornea, sclera pupil, etc. All these components should be in a normal state for the eyes to function properly. There can be several disorders that can affect the eyes negatively and can cause vision difficulties. Scleritis is one such abnormality. What is scleritis? What is its ayurvedic perspective? The answers are detailed in this following article.

Scleritis

Introduction

As mentioned earlier, the eye contains various parts such as the cornea, iris, pupil, sclera, etc. The white part of the eye is known as sclera and it plays a vital role in normal functioning of the eye. Most importantly, it protects and maintains the eye ball shape. The inflammation of the sclera of the eye is known as Scleritis. The characteristic feature of scleritis presents is the pain and redness of the eye with or without vision loss. Depending on the region affected, Scleritis is classified into two types named as- Anterior Scleritis and Posterior Scleritis, described as follows-

Anterior Scleritis –In this type of scleritis, inflammation occurs in the anterior portion of sclera. Further, it can be subdivided into necrotizing, diffuse, and nodular. The most severe one is the necrotizing form as it causes extreme pain and severe tenderness.
Posterior Scleritis –As the name suggests, inflammation in this type of Scleritis affects the posterior portion of the sclera. This can worsen and lead to other consequences for instance retinal detachment, folds of choroid, etc.

Ayurvedic Aspect

Eye disorders are grouped under the category of netraroga in ayurveda. Acharya Sushruta mentions 76 types of netraroga. One such netraroga is sirajala. This disease is known to exhibit very similar features as that of scleritis. In ayurveda, sirajala is known to affect the Shukla bhag i.e. the white part of the eye. The white part of the eye is covered with web-like reddish lines. Sirajalaisa results from dushti or abnormal levels of the rakta dosha in the body. The line of treatment will target the rakta dosha in the body. Sirajal is considered to be ashastrakritai.e. shastra or invasive treatments can not be done. That implies, sirajala needs to be treated through rakta pacifying herbal formulations. There arevarious ayurvedic formulations available to balance the vitiated rakta dosha and improve scleritis will be described as follows.

Causes

The cause of a disease will differ from patient to patient but the most common is described as follows

The most common cause estimated for the Scleritis is-

Autoimmunity

Other conditions observed to be associated with Scleritis can be

Sjogren’s syndrome
Scleroderma
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Joint swelling,
Connective tissue disease
Eye infection
Trauma can also be a causative factor for Scleritis among many cases seen.

Symptoms

The symptoms seen in Scleritis patient are

Pain in eye and nearby regions
Tenderness
Swelling in the white region of the eye (sclera)
Redness in the eye
Diminished or blur vision
Lacrimation
Scleritis can also present other difficulties such as-
Light sensitivity
Headache
Painful jaw
Facial ache

Diagnosis

The scleritis can be diagnosed through clinical evaluation and slit lamp examination. Posterior scleritis is comparatively rare to anterior scleritis. Posterior scleritis requires advanced instruments to be diagnosed. In cases, doubtful of infectious scleritis, smears or biopsies may also be required. For better and confirmatory diagnosis-

CT scan (computed tomography)
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), can also be done.

Treatment

When the confirmatory diagnosis is done, immediate treatment is required. The management of scleritis will depend on the individual case as per the requirement. The general line of treatment includes-

Antibiotics
Corticosteroids
NSAIDs (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs)
Immunosuppressive drugs, etc.
Surgery in severe cases or in case of failure of these drugs and steroids

But are there any other options available to avoid use of steroids and surgery? Ayurveda can deal with Scleritis, as described below.

Herbal Remedies for Scleritis by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda provides very effective treatment for the management of Scleritis with Ayurveda medicines that are prepared by the company using authentic ways and natural herbs. The drugs prescribed in Scleritis are very effective in promoting the general eye condition of the patient and arresting the disease stage effectively. The medicines will also reduce the risk of further complications by reducing risk factors.

Planet Ayurveda has a group of patent medicines used for the management of Scleritis. The detailed description of those medicines are as follows-

PRODUCT LIST

Septrin Tablets
Neem Capsules
Amalaki Rasayan
PanchatiktaGhrit Guggul
Gandhak Rasayan
Jasnoor Eye Drops

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. Septrin Tablets

Septrin tablets are manufactured from the natural extracts of various beneficial ayurvedic herbs such as Haridra (Curcuma longa), Guggul (Commiphora mukul), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), etc. These herbs allow the body to fight with infectious toxins and improve the quality of blood. It will also help to boost the immune system of the body that will help to recover better.

Dosage – Take two tablets twice daily.

2. Neem Capsules

Neem is a very helpful and famous herb in protecting the body from toxins and thus it will protect the eyes from a variety of infections agents. Thus these Neem capsules are prepared from the extracts of herb Neem (Azadirachta indica) that can be useful in the condition of Scleritis by balancing the pitta dosha.

Dosage – Take one capsule two times a day.

3. Amalaki Rasayan

Amla (Indian gooseberry) is a very beneficial herb for general health of the eyes along with all types of eye disorders. Amalaki rasayan is prepared by Planet Ayurveda through the standardized extracts of the Amla (Emblica officinalis). Amla helps to pacify the excessive Kapha dosha and Pittaj Dosha, hence managing Scleritis.

Dosage – Take one capsule two times a day.

4. PanchatiktaGhrit Guggul

Panchatikta Ghrita Guggulu is a patent tablet formation of Planet Ayurveda that is prepared using Bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium), Goghrita (Cow’s ghee), etc. These herbs will surely purify the blood and will remove its impurities. It is very effective in improving eyesight and managing various eye related difficulties.

Dosage – Take two tablets two times a day.

5. Gandhak Rasayan

Gandhak Rasayan is effective in managing all the types of netraroga (eye diseases). Gandhak rasayan tablets are prepared using Shuddha Gandhak (Purified Sulphur). It has ushan virya and acts as a Rasayan for the human body meaning it rejuvenates the body. Thus, will also improve eye condition by removing Scleritis causative factors.

Dosage – Take two tablets two times a day.

6. Jasnoor Eye Drops

Jasnoor eye drops are especially prepared with natural herbs to help improve the eyesight and manage several eye disorders. It contains marvellous Ayurvedic herbs that will pacify vitiated tridosha and thus will improve vision and promote healthy eyes.

Dosage – Put three drops in each eye.

CONTACT MY ASSISTANT TO PROVIDE YOU THE COSTING / ORDERING AND DELIVERY INFORMATION AT – COSTING.PLANETAYURVEDA@GMAIL.COM OR CALL AT +91-172-5214040

Conclusion

All the above information leads to a conclusion that Ayurvedic formulations prepared for Scleritis management are potent enough to recover the natural eyes health. We treat the patient naturally without any side effects. Thus, patients should surely visit us to stay healthy by obeying ayurvedic lifestyle and dietary tips given by our experienced doctors. For more related queries visit us at www.PlanetAyurveda.com

WHY EAT A LOW-PROTEIN DIET FOR AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS?

ABSTRACT

Autoimmune disease is a body’s natural defense system which mistakenly attacks the body’s normal cells. There are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, Multiple sclerosis, Rheumatoid arthritis and many more autoimmune diseases. In autoimmune disorders, a low protein diet is advised as according to autoimmune diet protocols diet reduces inflammation, pain and many symptoms. A low-protein diet is a diet which decreases the intake of animal protein and is used as a therapy for inherited metabolic disorders which reduces the risk of bone breakage and calcium homeostasis. A low-protein diet extends longevity and offers protection against chronic disease. It constitutes 4-8% of daily calories. Proteins are vital to health, and ayurveda plays an essential role in Ahara (diet) and Anna (food) to be in a good state of life, health and wellness. In this article, we will discuss important points about low protein diet benefits in autoimmune disease in detail further in this article.

Low Protein Diet For Autoimmune Disorders

INTRODUCTION

Autoimmune Disease is a condition which attacks their own body’s immune system—the immune system which guards the body against various bacteria and viruses. As the immune system tells the difference between their own cells and foreign cells. But in autoimmune diseases, they mistakenly attack the various parts of our body such as joints and skin. A Western diet is a high risk of developing an autoimmune disease such as eating high fat, high sugar and processed food, dairy products which further cause infections and inflammation, which damages the barrier of the gut and increases the intestinal permeability which is known as leaky gut which gets trigger and gets the development of various autoimmune diseases. Nutrient-dense food is eliminated to heal gut inflammation. Cav1 regulates the B cells which further trigger the immune response and when Cav1 is absent it reduces the activation signal and weakens the immune response and further triggers the autoimmune disease.

Autoimmune disease affects each and every part of the body and is more than 80 types which include multiple sclerosis, lupus erythematosus, Type 1 diabetes and Chronic Inflammatory Disorder who suffer from these often have a loss of function, disability and impaired quality of life.

WHY EAT A LOW-PROTEIN DIET?

It is said that one of the main factors of autoimmune disorders is the elimination of animal protein and dairy products.
80% of animal protein consumption arrests most of the autoimmune disorders and the diet must be according to the Prakriti of the patient.
According to ayurveda nutrition is the foundation of health and if the body begins to attack it will be a causal factor.
If we take a low-protein diet, Arthritis is another disease which is due to low protein intake and many chronic illnesses are due to a high intake of animal protein. So one must have a low protein diet which totally eliminates the animal’s products.
As is well said by Albert Einstein Nothing will benefit human health or increase the chances of life on earth as we reevaluate a vegetarian diet.
There is a strong cultural resistance between animal food to disease. Eskimos traditionally live on a purely meat-based diet and they have the highest rate of osteoporosis. A high-protein diet is the main cause of osteoporosis. So animal protein and dairy products should be totally eradicated from the diet. The one with lower fat is having higher energy with sufficient protein.
So the main cause of low bone density or calcium leaving bone is excess protein intake as animal products remove far more calcium from the bones than they add.
The most important factor is to begin the low protein plant-based diet.
Osteoporosis is the leading cause of death in women.
There is a protein myth that we are poisoned by the overconsumption of animal protein and dairy products which is the contributing factor to ill health.
And it is seen that asparagus has much more protein than beef as asparagus has 32% calories in protein and beef has 32%, so which is lower in fat has sufficient protein.
There is much misinformation that when women enter menopause they are advised to take more calcium intake and this is the onset of osteoporosis and increase in bone density so the most important factor is to begin the low protein plant-based diet.

AYURVEDIC ASPECT

(Ancient Reference – Charark Samhita Chikitsa Sthana 15/44)

In ayurveda eating a low-protein diet constitutes good health and meat is a quick way to build tissues but is of inferior quality as it causes problematic causes which produce Ama (endotoxins) in the body. In ayurveda, the strength of agni is the most critical factor which determines overall health. Ayurveda considers animal tissues problematic as it produces Ama (endotoxins) which take 48-72 hours to pass through the digestive system before elimination.

“Ama” means unripe, uncooked food in the form of unmetabolized waste which can not be utilized by the body. It is the product of indigestion which causes many systemic diseases. When the vitiated doshas come in contact with ama they cause saama doshas, saama dhatus, saama malas.

Ama is a sticky material which causes blockages in the cells and tissues and clogs which further causes depletion of nutrients which inhibits cellular communication which further weakens the immune response and leads to severe autoimmune disorders and cancer.

CONCEPT OF AGNI AND AMA

The essence of digested food is the fuel for the body. Rasagni (fire located in rasa dhatu) which forms the rasa dhatu. Jatharagni, Panchbhut Agni and Dhatvagni are the main three agni which are present inside the body. Jatharagni is the main digestive fire which controls the digestive process within the body. When there is hypo functioning of agni there is hampering digestion, which forms ama (endotoxins). According to ayurveda, there are 13 types of Agni. The food material is first digested and absorbed by jatharagni in amashaya and grahani then it is further transported for bhutagni paka and then nutrition is processed. But when agnivyapara took the shape of mandagni the result was an unripe, undigested formation known as Ama.

SYMPTOMS OF AMA

Obstruction in channels
Loss of strength
Heaviness
Laziness
Indigestion
Sticky stools
Itching at the anal area
Lack of energy and low self-esteem.

PATHOLOGICAL EVENTS WITH AMA

Blocks the minute channels which affect the circulatory process.
Ama aggravates tridoshas
Disturbs the nutritional supply
Diminishes potency of dhatus
Vitiate agni and causes uneasiness
Gas, bad smell and loss of appetite

THE MAHA GUNA THEORY IN NUTRITION

In ayurveda, there are three Maha Guna (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas). According to ayurveda, each food has three gunas dominating which in turn affect the mental state and psychology. This is the reason why ayurveda is not fond of meat as it has tamas gunas.

The qualities of Maha Gunas are

Sattva- Harmony, clarity and intelligence.
Rajas- Action, movement, anger and violence.
Tamas- inertia, dullness, lack of intelligence.

CONCLUSION

Autoimmune disease is a body’s natural defence system which mistakenly attacks the body’s normal cells. A low-protein diet extends longevity and offers protection against chronic disease. A Western diet is a high risk of developing an autoimmune disease such as eating high fat, high sugar and processed food, dairy products which further cause infections and inflammation, which damages the barrier of the gut and increases the intestinal permeability which is known as leaky gut which gets trigger and gets the development of various autoimmune diseases. In ayurveda, the strength of agni is the most critical factor which determines overall health. Ayurveda considers animal tissues problematic as it produces Ama (endotoxins) which take 48-72 hours to pass through the digestive system before elimination.

So it is clear that the fewer animal products you consume the better your long-term health will be. “It is never too late”. A low protein diet can improve bone density and heart condition even if it is started late in life.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of treatment.