Category: Neurological Disorders

Abstract

Many physicians said that Balo’s disease is a rare condition of Multiple sclerosis, this is a demyelination disorder of the central nervous system in which the myelin sheath protects and covers the nerve fibres that are injured in this particular disease. Balo’s disease shares the symptoms with various other demyelinating conditions and is commonly considered a rare variant of multiple sclerosis. Balo’s disease is also known as concentric sclerosis, encephalitis periaxial is concentric, as well as leukoencephalitis periaxialis concentric. In this article, we are going to discuss Balo’s disease, its causes, symptoms, and its Ayurvedic management.

Introduction

Balo’s disease is a rare and progressive type of multiple sclerosis and is termed for its damaging and attacking character of cells of the spine and brain. It causes large lesions in the brain and spinal cord and this disease is very common in the Asian population, especially among Chinese and Philippians. The adult population is more likely to be infected than the other ones likely at the age around the 30s. Both males and females can be equally affected. It is said to be like this condition worsens rapidly and gets advanced. The white matter of the brain-damaged and appears like concentric layers. It is characterised by the bands of intact myelin and is considered demyelination which means loss of myelin in several parts of the brain and spinal cord.

Who is more prone to get Balo’s disease and When?

This disease is very common in East Asian people, it appears in the adulthood stage more commonly but it has been reported in children also. Both the sexes have been equally affected but if we see in reports the females are more likely to get this disease as compared to males.

What causes Balo’s disease?

There is no definite cause of Balo’s disease, however, some experts say it is an autoimmune disease and these are caused due to the body’s own natural defence system. Foreign microorganisms enter the body and start to attack the healthy tissue without any known cause so it ultimately lands in inflammation. Some doctors link it with infection because some people get high-grade fever and headaches just before they notice any other symptoms.

What are the symptoms of Balo’s Disease?

Balo’s disease can appear suddenly, over weekly days and months with no remission with a relapsing course in which improvement and elimination of features may occur or some people may have only one single attack that is named a monophasic course.  The word concentric means a circular area that damages myelin in various parts of the brain and spinal cord that can be seen in MRI reports. There are differences in the lesions of Multiple sclerosis and Balo’s disease,

Balo’s disease looks like Bull’s eye marks and the lesion that appears in Multiple sclerosis looks like spots or blotches. This is sometimes termed as Balo’s concentric sclerosis because the bull’s eye shapes as concentric rings. Many signs and symptoms may relate with multiple sclerotic symptoms, some of them are

1. Headache
2. Weakness in muscles
3. Spasmodic muscle pain
4. Paralysis after some time
5. Difficulty in speaking or intellectual impairment.
6. Seizures
7. Cognitive loss
8. Difficulty in thinking
9. Behavioural changes

Diagnosis of Balo’s disease

• Diagnosis can be made by medical history and by knowing about all the symptoms, then do a physical examination to check out the proper movement or know about the weakness of muscles that are weaker than others.
• In MRI reports lesions can be seen that should be differentiated from multiple sclerosis. As we have discussed earlier, Balo’s disease lesions appear like Bull’s eye marks and the lesion that appears in Multiple sclerosis looks like spots or blotches.
• Some blood tests can be done to rule out any infection.

Ayurvedic View of Balo’s Disease

In Ayurveda, this condition can be correlated with “Avarna vata” Avarana word means ‘gati nirodha’ which is defined as resistance or obstruction in the normal pathway of the vata Dosha. When the balance of the body is lost or the three doshas get vitiated, then it can lead to accumulation of toxins in the body. And this further leads to obstruction of minute channels of the body that are called the srotas, and when these srotas are vitiated it gives rise to various disorders, and one of them is neuromuscular disorders. If this condition is not managed within the time then it may permanently cause damage to the nerves and tissue. Various medicinal therapies help to combat Balo’s disease effectively. Planet Ayurveda gives various herbal products that are very beneficial in recovering the Balo’s disease in patients.

Herbal formulations for Balo’s Disease by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is a herbal manufacturing company that provides natural formulations for needful patients. We give efficient results in many diseases without showing any side effects. Our products are 100% natural and totally free from fillers, dyes, colours, chemical constituents, and preservatives. We have various outlets all over the world and deliver our products worldwide. Some of the effective formulations that gives wonderful results in Balo’s disease are –

1. BRAHMI CAPSULES
2. ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES
3. VRIHAT VATCHINTAMANI RAS
4. MUSLI STRENGTH CAPSULES
5. ATIRASADI CHURNA

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. BRAHMI CAPSULES

This herbal formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda consists of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri). Many Acharyas have mentioned the Brahmi as a medhya Rasayana, which helps to enhance brain functioning and balances the central nervous system. It is very beneficial in reducing the degeneration of the nervous system and rejuvenating the cells, it gives a soothing effect on the body, reduces pains, and intellectual problems strengthens the muscles, and slows down the muscular degenerative processes.

Dosage: 1-2 Capsules twice daily, with plain water, after meals.

2. ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES

This is a patent herbal formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda consisting of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Ashwagandha is well-known herb for its benefits, it has great anti-inflammatory properties, has rejuvenating benefits which help to reduce the degenerative processes and helps to pacify the vata dosha effectively. It is a very good antioxidant, acts as a nervine tonic and helps in soothing the nervous system.

Dosage : 1-2 Capsules twice daily, with plain water, after meals.

3. VRIHAT VATCHINTAMANI RAS

This is a classical mineral  formulation consisting of Swarna Bhasma (ash of Gold), Rajat Bhasma (Ash of silver), loha bhasma (Ash of Iron) etc. These all are well known for their wonderful effects in Vata disorders and are very good in maintaining the healthy functioning of the brain and helps to balance the pitta and Vata dosha.

Dosage: 1 tablet twice daily, with plain water, after meals.

4. MUSLI STRENGTH CAPSULES

This is a patent herbal formulation manufactured by Planet Ayurveda consisting of Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) and Gokshur (Tribulus Terrestris). Both herbs are very helpful in strengthening neuro-muscular health and maintains all doshas along with helps in subsiding various Symptoms of Balo’s Disease like Headache, weakness in muscles, or spasmodic muscle pains etc.

Dosage : 1-2 Capsules twice daily, with plain water, after meals.

5. ATIRASADI CHURNA

This is a patent herbal formulation manufactured by Planet Ayurveda consisting of safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum), Shalmali (Salmalia malabarica), Gokshur (Tribulus Terrestris) etc. This articulation is very effective in various symptoms like cognitive loss, difficulty in thinking, behavioural changes etc. and effectively balances tridoshas. These herbs consist of very great anti-inflammatory properties, along with acts as a nervine tonic and helps in soothing the nervous system.

Dosage: Consume 1 teaspoonful twice daily with plain water, after meals.

Conclusion

Balo’s disease can proceed rapidly over weeks or months, without remission, circular areas of the damaged myelin sheath start appearing in MRI test reports. This condition can effectively be managed by Planet Ayurveda medications and can resolve the symptoms effectively. These formulations are very effective in balancing the trishas, especially vata dosha.