Category: Digestive Health

April 22, 2023

Mesalamine Side Effects and Better Options in Ayurveda to Replace It

ABSTRACT

Gut health and digestion are considered as the most important processes of the human body. Anything that hampers the process of digestion and elimination disturbs the basics of the entire body. Inflammatory bowel disease or disorders are a group of disorders that cause chronic inflammation of the tissues of the digestive tract. In this article, we will look at IBD, modern treatment of mesacol in IBD and the better safer alternatives of mesacol by Ayurveda.

INTRODUCTION – WHAT IS IBD?

IBD or Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of disorders that cause prolonged inflammation of the digestive tract and majorly affects the most active period of one’s life i.e. 20-30 years of age.

Ulcerative Colitis and IBD

The two most common one are

1. Ulcerative Colitis

This condition involves inflammation and formations of sores/ulcers in the large intestine, colon and rectum. This is more common in males.

2. Crohn’s Disease

This type of IBD can affect the entire digestive tract (from mouth to anus) and causes inflammation penetrating into the deeper layers of the digestive tract. This kind is more common in females.

COMMON SYMPTOMS IN IBD

  1. Bloody Diarrhea
  2. Weight loss
  3. Tenesmus
  4. Urgency
  5. Fatigue
  6. Weight loss
  7. Night Sweats

COMMON CAUSES OF IBD

The exact cause is unknown however these factors are found to play a role in the occurrence of IBD

  1. Smoking
  2. Overactive Immune system
  3. Family History
  4. Excessive consumption of NSAIDS and antibiotics
  5. Consumption of highly saturated fats.

DIAGNOSIS OF IBD

Your physician may refer you to a gastroenterologist, who may then order some tests such as:

  1. Stool test
  2. Colonoscopy and Biopsy
  3. MRI & CT

TREATMENT AS PER MODERN METHODS

  1. Corticosteroids
  2. Aminosalicylates
  3. (MESALAMINE)
  4. Thiopurines
  5. Immunomodulators

In this article, we will take a deeper look into a kind of Aminosalicylates called Mesalamine (also known as mesalazine).

WHAT IS MESALAMINE?

Mesalamine (also called mesalazine), is an anti-inflammatory drug that is used to treat the inflammation of the digestive tract caused by ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s and inflammatory bowel disease. It works by suppressing the chemical messengers called prostaglandins that cause inflammation of the intestine. This reduces ulceration, bleeding, flare-ups of the IBD. Mesalazine is sold under the brand name Mesacol which is a common prescription drug given by doctors. Mesacol (mesalazine) is majorly used in patients of Ulcerative colitis.

SIDE EFFECTS OF MESALAZINE (also called as Mesalamine)

While there are many benefits of Mesalamine (also known as mesalazine), long term usage can result in certain side effects of mesacol. Let us take a quick look at the side effects caused by the medicine mesacol:

  1. Flatulence
  2. Headache
  3. Vomiting
  4. Dyspepsia
  5. Rashes
  6. Nausea

Long Term usage can cause

  1. Worsening of colitis
  2. Renal toxicity
  3. Hypersensitivity reactions

AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVE ON INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Ayurveda, a 5000 year old holistic system of medicine from India considers IBD as PITTATISARA and RAKTA ATISARA. When the digestion is hampered and there is formation of AMA in the body, it leads to the accumulation of toxins in the intestine and eventually leads to the vitiation of Pitta. Post this, when the blood in the intestine or the GI tract is vitiated by Pitta, it leads to the inflammatory change that leads to diarrhea and bloody stools. When the Pittaja Atisara is not treated, it eventually leads to Raktaja Atisara.

CAUSES AS PER AYURVEDA

As per Ayurveda, the causes for IBD are

  • Consumption of excess spicy, sour foods.
  • Consumption of heavy, raw products.
  • Irregular eating habits
  • Smoking and alcohol consumption.

AYURVEDA TREATMENT

Ayurveda treatment has a holistic approach that majorly focuses on the root cause. The treatments used are aimed at pachan (Digestion, Agni deepana (Increasing the metabolism), Vrana Ropana (to heal the ulcers) and Stambhana (to stop diarrhea). The commonly used herbs are Dadima (Punica granatum), Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica), Bilwa (Aegle marmelos), Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica) and vasa (Justicia adhatoda). All these herbs are herbal alternatives to mesacol (also called mesalazine). Along with the shaman treatment (oral), certain procedures can also be done in Shodhana treatment (Panchakarma procedures) such as Vaman, virechana and pittahar vasti, nabhi lepa and shirodhara.

AYURVEDA DIET PATHYA AND APATHYA (Dos and Don’ts)

Along with the medicines, Ayurveda also recommends a strict diet with certain do’s and don’ts that help in the complete recovery from IBD and prevent remission.

1. PATHYA (Dos

These are the things you should add in your diet.

  1. Ghee
  2. Curd
  3. Banana, Apple, Bel and papaya
  4. Bottle gourd and ash gourd
  5. Turnip, radish, carrots

2. APATHYA (DON’T’S)

These are the things that you should avoid in your diet

  1. Spices like red chilli, black pepper.
  2. Processed packed food.
  3. Dairy products
  4. Non vegetarian products
  5. Kidney beans, chickpeas and black gram

HERBAL ALTERNATIVES OF MESALAMINE BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda, a GMP certified company, prepares pure ayurveda formulations which are safer alternatives as compared to mesacol or mesalazine (Mesalamine). Planet Ayurveda prepares 100% pure, preservative free products .Ayurveda texts have some of the best alternatives to mesalazine (mesacol). All the ingredients in the products are aimed at providing healthy intestines and balance of the tridoshas.

The Ulcerative Colitis Care Pack includes

  1. Capsule Arjuna
  2. Vatsakadi Churna
  3. Pitta Balance
  4. Kutajghan Vati

Alternative Medicines for for Ulcerative Colitis, IBD, Crohn's Disease

Herbal Remedies for ulcerative colitis

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. Arjuna Capsule

Arjuna Capsules are prepared with standardized extract of Arjuna herb (Terminalia Arjuna).This formulation is soothing, nurturing and healing. Arjuna herb is cardio protective but also helps in relieving the gastric issues and burning sensations which is why it is useful in ulcerative colitis. It is also anti allergic and anti oxidant which also helps in dealing with all kinds of body pains, swelling and ulcers.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily after meals.

3. Vatsakadi Churna

Planet Ayurveda’s Vatsakadi Churna is a potent and safe formulation that has a combination of various herbs. The prime ingredients of this formulation are Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica) and Bilwa (Aegle marmelos) which are great for anti dysenteric action and also helps in reducing the inflammation in the body which makes this formulation a prime choice for IBD issues.

Dosage: 1 tsp twice daily after meal with plain water

3. Pitta Balance

A vegetarian capsule by Planet Ayurveda made with Pitta balancing herbs with the purest extracts of the ayurveda herbs. This capsule will support digestion, maintain the intestinal mucosa. It is made with Praval pishti, mukta pishti and kamdudha ras. This formulation provides a cooling effect to the body and helps in dealing with ulcers. This herbal formulation helps in balancing the aggravated Pitta from the body which makes it a perfect choice for IBD.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily after meal with plain water.

4. Kutajghan Vati

Kutajghan Vati is a tablet formulation made from the classical Ayurveda texts with the prime ingredient as Kutaj herb. Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica) as an herb has cold potency and pacifies Pitta and Kapha dosha both of which are aggravated in IBD cases. It also has dry nature with astringent taste and helps remove ama (toxins) from the body.

Dosage: 2 Tab twice daily after meal with plain water

CONCLUSION

To achieve a healthy body, every individual needs to have proper digestion and elimination. Disorders like IBD can affect these processes and thus the normal lifestyle. While one can always go for modern treatment but considering the side effects of mesacol (which contains mesalazine/Mesalamine), there are much safer ayurveda alternatives to mesalazine. These herbal alternatives along with diet and lifestyle corrections help in dealing with inflammatory bowel disease and associated complications.

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April 17, 2023

Abdominal Cocoon Syndrome – Symptoms And Treatment By Ayurveda

Abstract

Small bowel obstruction is one of the most common problems which surgeons encounter. Patients present with a number of complaints such as pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, distension of the abdomen, gas, bloating, constipation, and many more. The bowel obstruction can be due to a number of reasons such as adhesions, hernias, carcinomas, abscesses, gallstones, enteroliths, foreign bodies, bezoars, strictures, abdominal cocoon syndrome, etc. Abdominal cocoon syndrome is one of the rarer causes of bowel obstruction. In the text below, we will discuss abdominal cocoon syndrome in detail and also have a look at the management protocol of the same in the contemporary medicinal system and in the traditional Indian medicinal system of Ayurveda. Let’s get it!! 

Abdominal Cocoon Syndrome

Introduction

Abdominal Cocoon Syndrome is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in which small intestinal encapsulation is done by a fibrous-collagenous membrane. The encapsulation can be partial or total. This is given synonyms of sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis and peritonitis chronic fibrosis incapsulate. There is no cause known for the occurrence of the condition. Usually, patients report to the OPD with symptoms of partial bowel obstruction. In India and Pakistan, the endemic areas, the condition mimics intestinal tuberculosis. This is most common in adolescent young girls. In Ayurveda, this thing can be related to the buildup of ama (endotoxins) and aggravation of the kapha dosha that hampers the activity of the vata dosha. Now let’s have a look at the causes, signs, symptoms, investigations, and management of Abdominal Cocoon Syndrome !!

Causes

  • No known cause has been elucidated so far.
  • The condition is idiopathic. Though some of the theories have been put forth but no evidence has been established.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Constipation
  • Indigestion
  • Gas
  • Bloating
  • Abdominal distension etc

Investigations

  • Abdominal ultrasound
  • CECT (Contrast-enhanced CT) scan
  • MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging)

Management

  • Supportive management
  • Surgery

Ayurvedic aspect and management of Abdominal Cocoon Syndrome 

Ayurveda is a life science based on three principles of doshas or three energies namely vata, pitta, and kapha. These three when in normal quantity define health whereas their altered condition is regarded as a state of disease. Ayurveda has been serving the mankind for ages. In Ayurveda, diseases are managed with certain procedures, therapies, and medications.

Coming to abdominal cocoon syndrome, this condition has no direct correlation with any of the disorders mentioned in Ayurvedic texts. But we are going to correlate it along the lines of dosha involved in the occurrence of abdominal cocoon syndrome.  Due to inappropriate food habits and deeds, the formation of ama (endotoxins) occurs. This also leads to the aggravation of the kapha dosha which abnormally enlarges the membrane that encapsulates the small intestine that results in small bowel obstruction. Small bowel obstruction gives rise to a number of symptoms. Obstruction of the bowel also leads to hampering the functions of other doshas such as altered pitta results in digestion-related problems and altered vata dosha results in constipation and other associated symptoms.

Management of abdominal cocoon syndrome is a multifold protocol. Correcting the kapha dosha and removing the ama is the first objective of the treatment and management of the symptoms simultaneously.

The medicines that are effective in the management are Triphala guggul, dashmoolarishta, kafketu ras, triphala churna, abhayadi guggul, kachnaar guggul, sanjivani vati, arogyavardhini vati, ajmodadi churna, amavatari ras, etc.

Herbal Remedies by Planet Ayurveda for Abdominal Cocoon Syndrome 

Planet Ayurveda is a GMP-certified, US-FDA, and ISO 9001:2015-certified Ayurvedic company. The objective of Planet Ayurveda is to spread Ayurveda across the globe and Planet Ayurveda also produces products as mentioned in the Ayurvedic pharmacopeia and other texts of Ayurveda. The products are available in various forms that can be taken according to the person’s comfort. The products are so pure and herbal that they do not contain any kind of adulterants or chemicals. The products are gluten-free and halal-certified. It doesn’t even contain synthetic and artificial sweeteners. Planet Ayurveda has a wide range of products for every health problem. Planet Ayurveda extends its variety of products that are beneficial in the management of Abdominal Cocoon Syndrome.

Given are the formulations that help in managing Abdominal Cocoon Syndrome

Product List  

1. Triphala Guggul

2. Vidangarisht

3. Kumaryasav

4.  Avipattikar Churna

5.  Sanjivani Vati

Herbal Remedies For Abdominal Cocoon Syndrome 

Herbal Remedies For Abdominal Cocoon Syndrome 

Product Description

1. Triphala Guggul

Triphala Guggul is a classical Ayurvedic formulation for various health problems. Triphala Guggul is composed of the herbs haritaki (Terminalia chebula), bibhitaki (Terminalia Billerica), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), and guggul (Commiphora mukul). It is the best formulation for constipation and has anti-inflammatory properties.  As constipation is one of the symptoms of abdominal cocoon syndrome, thus it helps in relieving constipation in the condition. As it works one kapha dosha, it helps in diminishing the encapsulation and relieving the obstruction.

Dosage: Two tablets twice a day.

2. Vidangarisht

Vidangarisht is a classical Ayurvedic formulation for the digestive system. It has a number of health benefits and is used in a number of conditions. Vidangarisht is a fermented ayurvedic syrup that contains the goodness of herbs such as waiving (Embelia ribes), kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica), pippali mool (Piper longum), path (Cissampelos pareira), Lodha (Symplocos racemosa), dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), kachnaar (Bauhinia variegata) and others. Vidangarisht pacifies the kapha dosha and this helps in the scraping of fibrous encapsulation. This helps in setting the intestines free and the obstruction is automatically relieved. Therefore, Vidangarisht is of great help in the management of abdominal cocoon syndrome.

Dosage: Two tsp twice a day.

3. Kumaryasav

Kumaryasav is a classical herbomineral ayurvedic formulation. Kumaryasav is good for digestion-related problems. It contains various herbs such as gwar path (Aloe barbadensis), sonth (Zingiber officinale), pippali (Piper longum), dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), lung (Syzygium aromaticum), loha bhasma (calx of iron), dhania (Coriandrum sativum), vaividang (Embelia ribes) and various others. Kumaryasav has anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, antioxidant, mild laxative, and various properties. Kumaryasva promotes appetite and digestion which is hampered by the abdominal cocoon syndrome. Kumaryasav works of the kapha dosha thus help in the scrapping of the encapsulation. Therefore, it removes the encapsulation and also the symptoms associated with abdominal cocoon syndrome. 

Dosage: Two tsp twice a day.

4.  Avipattikar Churna

Avipattikar churna is a classical Ayurvedic formulation that helps in various disorders of the digestive system. Avipattikar churna is a blend of various ayurvedic herbs such as pippali (Piper longum), sonth (Zingiber officinale), Marich (Piper nigrum), amla (Emblica Officinalis), bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica), shot (Operculina turpethum) and various others. Avipattikar churna clears the bowel very nicely and relieves constipation. With its laxative properties, it helps in the alleviation of abdominal cocoon syndrome. 

Dosage: One tsp twice a day.

5.  Sanjivani Vati

Sanjivani Vati is a classical Ayurvedic medicine with a number of health benefits. Sanjivani vati is composed of vidanga (Embelia ribes), sonth (Zingiber officinale), pippali(Piper longum), giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), shuddha vatsanabha (Aconitum ferox) and others. Sanjivani vati is a perfect remedy for the removal of endotoxins. As all the herbs in the formulation are of hot potency which arrests, reverses, and pacifies the alleviated kapha aggravation which eventually helps in the correction of abdominal cocoon syndrome and removes the bowel from the encapsulation.

Dosage: Two tablets twice a day.

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

Conclusion

Abdominal Cocoon Syndrome is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction. This is caused by an abnormal sac of fibrous collagenous membrane. The cause of the condition is unknown. Bowel obstruction results in a number of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, etc. The management of the condition is totally surgical. The abnormal sac is removed through operation. Whereas the management in Ayurveda is based on the lines of dosha involved. The main dosha involved here in this condition is kapha. Thus correcting the vitiated kapha dosha leads to an easing of the condition where other medications are given to check the other symptoms associated with Abdominal Cocoon Syndrome. Thus, herbal medicines are of great help in the management of the above aid condition. The medicines above explained do an important role in the management of Abdominal Cocoon Syndrome. 

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