Category: Uncategorized

October 31, 2022

Safe Alternative To Tenofovir For Hepatitis B Management

ABSTRACT

Tenofovir is medication used to treat chronic hepatitis and prevent HIV and AIDS. Hepatitis is a life threatening liver infection caused by hepatitis B virus. It is a major global health problem causing chronic infection which further causes liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis is commonly spread from mother to child at birth or exposure to infected blood. It can be transmitted through contaminated needles and other sharp objects. Sexual transmission is more prevalent in unvaccinated persons with multiple partners. Most people experience symptoms like yellowing of skin, nausea, and dark urine which further leads to death. In this topic we are going to discuss its causes, adverse effects, treatment and its ayurvedic management.

Tenofovir

INTRODUCTION

Tenofovir is an antiviral medication used to treat HIV that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is used to treat chronic hepatitis B. Tenofovir belongs to antiretroviral drugs which are known as nucleotide analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors. These drugs block the reverse transcriptase enzyme which is necessary for the production in HIV infected individuals. These drugs decrease viral replication. Tenofovir disoproxil is absorbed and converted into its active form tenofovir, a monophosphate analog. Then this is converted to an active metabolite tenofovir diphosphate, a chain terminator which is expressed in the cell. Tenofovir diphosphate inhibits the HIV1 reverse transcriptase and hepatitis B polymerase by direct binding with a natural substrate and after movement into DNA causes viral DNA chain termination. Tenofovir increases CD 4 cell count, CD4 are the white blood cells that can help to fight against infections.

KEYS FACTS OF HEPATITIS B

  • Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver causing acute and chronic diseases.
  • Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccines that are totally safe and effective.
  • WHO estimates that 296 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B.
  • This virus is commonly transmitted from mother to child during delivery or can be contacted with blood or body fluids.

TYPES OF HEPATITIS B

  1. Acute hepatitis B Infection – It usually lasts for six months, Immune system can clear acute hepatitis B from the body which can completely recover within a few months.
  2. Chronic hepatitis B infection – It lasts for more than six months, because the immune system can not fight against the infection, it may last for lifetime which can lead to serious ailments such as liver cirrhosis, liver cancer.

CAUSES OF HEPATITIS B

Hepatitis is caused by Hepatitis B virus which can be passed from person to person through blood, body fluids. Main common ways that spread Hepatitis B virus are-

  • Sexual Contact – If person is infected than it can be spread from persons blood, saliva, vaginal secretions of the body.
  • Sharing of needles – HBV can easily spread through needles and syringes.
  • Accidental needle sticks – It is more common in person or in health care workers when it comes in direct contact with blood.
  • Mother to Child – Pregnant women can easily pass this virus to the babies during childbirth, so it is important for the child to get vaccinated on time.

SIDE EFFECTS OF TENOFOVIR

  • Certain allergic reactions such as Hives
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Swelling on the lips, throat
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Depressed mood
  • Sleep related problems (insomnia)
  • Weakness
  • Pain

MECHANISM OF ACTION ONTENOFOVIR

Tenofovir disoproxil is a nucleotide analogue which inhibits the reverse transcriptase an enzyme in retrovirus such as Human immunodeficiency virus, while there is inhibition of human enzymes such as DNA polymerase alpha , beta and mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma. In vitro tenofovir fumarate is converted into tenofovir. Tenofovir lacks a hydroxyl group in position so it is incorporated into a DNA strand which further prevents viral replication.

ADVERSE EFFECTS OF TENOFOVIR

  • Lactic acidosis includes –
    • Weakness
    • Muscle pain
    • Dizziness
    • Trouble in breathing
    • Irregular heartbeat
  • Liver enlargement includes –
    • Dark urine
    • Abdominal pain
    • Nausea
    • Yellowing of skin
    • Discomfort
  • Worsening hepatitis B virus includes –
    • Abdominal pain
    • Fever
    • Jaundice
    • Dark urine
  • Decreased mineral bone density
  • Kidney damage and reduced kidney function includes –
    • Aching
    • Puffiness
    • fatigue
  • Long term use of tenofovir is associated with nephrotoxicity which appears as acute kidney disease, glomerular filtration rate.
  • Renal impairment
  • Elevate serum concentration
  • Affects immune system such as signs of new infection (fever, swollen glands, cold sores)
  • Pricking feeling, problems related with balance or eye movement
  • Enlarged thyroid
  • Menstrual changes

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT

Autoimmune hepatitis is due to high levels of pitta doshas in the liver (yakrit). When pitta gets vitiated it destroys the normal body component, mainly the cells and organs in which it is stored and produced. The aggravated pitta can pass to the regions of the body along with vata and kapha; when it comes in contact with pitta it causes inflammation and this further leads to chronicity. In Ayurveda, liver forms the root of raktavaha srotas, pachaka pitta gets vitiated and imparts the disturbing effect on ranjaka pitta in the liver. When pitta is high in the body it evaporates the kapha and this vitiated pitta loses strength, immunity. With severe pitta and kapha depletion in the liver leads to degeneration and dryness which is helpful for vata dosha, then this doshas damages liver and leads to cirrhosis and loss of immunity, this then causes autoimmune hepatitis which runs in the whole body.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEPATITIS B

  • Fatigue
  • Arthralgia
  • Lack of energy
  • Tiredness
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Polyserositis
  • Jaundice
  • Indigestion
  • Abdominal pain

HERBS USEFUL IN HEPATITIS

  • Kumari (aloe vera) – Aloe vera has mild laxative action and wound healing properties so helpful in hemorrhoids. It has a blood thinning effect so useful against cholesterol and in atherosclerosis. Aloe vera has antimicrobial properties so good in stomach and skin disease, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, improves vision and acts as a tissue rejuvenation.
  • Guduchi (giloy) – Giloy is useful in the treatment of fever, jaundice, asthma, and cardiac disorders. Guduchi is useful in vata imbalance disorders and helps to relieve constipation, helpful in balancing tridosha. It helps in the treatment of jaundice and many liver diseases. Guduchi improves eye disorders and acts as an aphrodisiac.
  • Kalmegh – It is an ayurvedic herb used in the treatment of liver diseases, skin disease and helps in purification of blood. It usually reduces vitiated kapha and pitta doshas. Kalmegh stimulates the liver and lowers the sugar level, useful in worm infestation and helps in expelling vitiated pitta. It stimulates sweating so it is useful in fever.
  • Kutuki – It is usually helpful in treating chronic fever, skin disorders, and helps in purgation. Kutuki balances kapha and pitta dosha. It has anti inflammatory, anti diabetic, hepatoprotective properties. Kutuki is a liver stimulant used as a laxative and promotes the flow of bile from the gall bladder into the duodenum.

HERBAL REMEDIES BY PLANET AYURVEDA FOR HEPATITIS B

Ayurvedic medicines aid in treating the disease from its root cause, and maintain a healthy living life. Planet ayurveda has been a globally recognized company for 20 years and all the products are made under strict guidance of ayurvedic experts. Planet ayurveda provides the best quality herbal medicines with lifestyle and dietary precautions. Ayurvedic medicines aid in reducing the risk of recurrence of diseases and cause no side effects of the treatment as it is purely plant-based extracts. So planet Ayurveda provided LIVER CARE PACK for healthy liver which we will discuss in this topic in detail.

PRODUCTS LIST

  1. YAKRIT PLIHANTAK CHURNA
  2. PHYLLANTHUS NIRURI
  3. ECHINACEA CAPSULES
  4. LIVER DETOX FORMULA

Herbal Remedies for Liver

PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION

1. Yakrit Plihantak Churna

Yakrit Plihantak churna a polyherbal churna which is prepared by planet ayurveda using ingredients like- Bhumiamla (Phyllanthus niruri), Bhringraj (Eclipta alba), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) and many more. Yakrit Plihantak churna is used to improve liver functions, used in alcoholic liver disease, fatty liver, and pitta disorders. This churna helps to remove excessive fat from the liver and helps in the regeneration of damaged liver cells.

Dosage – ½ to 1 tsp twice daily with plain water after meals.

2. Phyllanthus Niruri

Phyllanthus Niruri are poly herbal capsules formulated by planet Ayurveda consisting of single standardized extract Bhumiamla (Phyllanthus niruri). It is commonly known as a stone breaker or shatter stone. It has an anti hepatotoxic property which enhances disease liver functions. These capsules reduce the risk of stones and are an excellent herb for hepatitis B, anti HIV, in chronic dysentery. It is used as a general tonic in debility, has mild diuretic properties so good in treatment of dysuria.

Dosage – 1 to 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

3. Echinacea Capsules

Echinacea capsules are herbal capsules formulated by planet Ayurveda using a single extract of Indian Echinacea (Andrographis paniculata). These capsules are natural cleansers of blood and remove toxins from the body such as urea, uric acid thus improving liver and kidney functions. It is used in the treatment of Hepatitis B, gastric disorders, and diabetes. These capsules have antiviral properties which further involve glycoproteins thus invading cells in the body.

Dosage – 1 to 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

4. Liver Detox Formula

They are poly herbal capsules formulated by planet ayurveda using ingredients like Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa), Makoy (Solanum nigrum), Himsra (Capparis spinosa), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). These capsules are highly beneficial in cirrhosis of the liver, thus increasing digestive fire so preventing intestinal spasms helps to treat flatulence. In the intestines the bile and toxins are absorbed and excreted out.

Dosage – 1 to 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

CONCLUSION

Hepatitis is a life threatening liver infection caused by hepatitis B virus. Tenofovir belongs to antiretroviral drugs which are known as nucleotide analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors. These drugs block the reverse transcriptase enzyme which is necessary for the production in HIV infected individuals. Autoimmune hepatitis is due to high levels of pitta doshas in the liver (yakrit). When pitta gets vitiated it destroys the normal body component, mainly the cells and organs in which it is stored and produced. So we discussed many herbs and the remedies which are formulated by Planet Ayurveda in detail which provides a healthy liver without causing any side effects.

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August 24, 2022

Ayurvedic Management Of Whiplash Injury With Herbal Remedies

ABSTRACT

Whiplash injury is neck injury caused due to movement of neck like the cracking of whip. In this whiplash the intervertebral joints, discs muscles, and nerve roots may get damaged. Commonly known as neck strains, neck sprains. It is mainly caused by accidents, from falls and sudden distortion of neck and injury caused due to vehicle accidents, including bungee jumping and falls. So care must be taken properly during fun activities as it can lead to whiplash injury, so further we will discuss its causes, signs, symptoms, and treatment according to ayurveda in detail.

Whiplash Injury

INTRODUCTION

Whiplash injury is commonly caused by accidents, falls, or doing some fun activities which causes this disease. This is rapid backward movement of the neck which further leads to neck injury. It leads to neck damage completely. It can be due to poor posture due to continuous use of computers which leads to serious health problems, which is further followed by numbness or loss of strength in arms and legs. Osteoarthritis is the main cause of neck pain. Whiplash injury has risen sharply due to collisions of vehicles.

CAUSES OF WHIPLASH INJURY

  • Jerking movement of head due to car accidents
  • Football tackles, sports collisions causes whiplash
  • Injury to bones in spine, nerves, ligaments, intervertebral disc
  • Trauma
  • Impulsive retraction of spine which is tears as head moves forward and then move back causes injury
  • Whiplash injury can include injury to cerebrum known as coup contrecoup injury when the head part is hyperextended
  • Worn joints – As the age increases neck joints are torn out, as vertebrae deteriorate bone forms spur affect the joint and cause pain.
  • Meningitis, Rheumatoid arthritis causes neck pain

SYMPTOMS OF WHIPLASH INJURY

  • Headache
  • Muscle spasms
  • Pain gets worse if a patient holds on to one place for a period of time.
  • Referring to pain in the shoulder, there is disturbance in senses as it feels like pins and needles, to legs and arms.
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of movement in neck
  • Pain in neck, stiffness
  • Dizziness
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
  • Sleep is disturbed
  • Not able to concentrate
  • Low back ache
  • Numbness in arm and hand

DIAGNOSIS OF WHIPLASH INJURY

  • CT SCAN
  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
  • The doctor may palpate the hand, movement, intensity, motion in neck and shoulders to see the cause which worsens the pain.
  • Quebec task force –
    1. Grade 0 – no neck pain, or any physical signs are noticed.
    2. Grade 1- neck complaints of pain, tenderness, no physical signs
    3. Grade 2- decreased range of movement and some tenderness in neck
    4. Grade 3- weakness, decreased tendon reflexes
    5. Grade 4- dislocations and injury to spinal cord

PREVENTION OF WHIPLASH INJURY

  • Use good posture – while sitting and standing shoulder should be in a straight line.
  • Smoking should be stopped
  • Avoid carrying heavy bag as weight can strain neck
  • Sleep in good posture – head and neck should be the same as body aligns. Use a small pillow under your neck.
  • Safety belts should be worn while driving and must sit in an upright position.

TREATMENT FOR WHIPLASH INJURY

The main goal should be to control the pain in whiplash injury, to restore the movement of the neck and maintain the normal range to perform normal activities. This will be achieved by medications, exercises, muscle relaxants.

  • Exercise such as rotation of neck in both directions, bending of neck towards chest, rolling of shoulder.
  • Exercise helps in stretching and in pain relief.
  • Physical therapy improves the posture and TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is mild current applied to skin which eases neck pain and improves strength to muscles.
  • Foam collars (cervical collars eases the injuries as it limits the movement and reduces pain after injury, this tends people to sleep well at night.
  • Medications like ibuprofen, tractions, massage, naproxen (aleve).
  • According to the Quebec task force if a person suffers from grade1 and grade3 then medication included in treatment is non narcotic analgesics. Botulinum toxin A is used to treat involuntary muscle contractions and spasms.

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT ON WHIPLASH INJURY

In ayurveda the main cause of injury (abhigata) is aggravation of vata dosha, when vata dosha gets aggravated it causes pain and many other symptoms. Abhigata leads to vata aggravation and causes excessive pain and leads to many other symptoms like loss of range of neck movement, headache, dizziness, pain and tenderness in upper back and shoulder region, vision gets blurry and many more. Many therapies panchkarma treatment is effective in whiplash injury which provides relief to patients.

  • Snehan and Sweden – In snehan external and internal oleation is provided to patients. In external oleation snehadhara (pouring of medicated oil on neck regions), Abhyanga (oil massage with mahamasha tailam, lakshadi tail, prasarini thailam). In internal oleation snehapana (drinking of certain medicated oils), non nithya snehapana (oral consumption of fats).
  • Sudation therapy – In this patra pinda sweda is prepared with certain leaves, this is done with external oleation therapy.
  • Nasya – It is the pouring of medicated oils, and ghee. Nasya is done by masha tailam, Ksheerabala thailam, brmhana nasya (this is given in chronic and recurring symptoms).
  • The patient suffers from sleep disturbances so murdini tail nasya is indicated.
  • When a patient suffers from depression, problems related to memory than the patient is indicated with snehan, virechan, vasti, nasya (murdini tailam).

HERBAL FORMULATIONS FOR WHIPLASH INJURY BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda is a clinic which provides great treatment with many great results. The formulations provided by planet ayurveda are under great guidance of M.D AYURVEDA doctors, and all these formulations are free from any preservatives, resins, colors, and any synthetic material. For the management of this disease planet, ayurveda provides herbal remedies which provide great benefits to patients for healthy living and get relief from pain.

PRODUCTS LIST

  1. Lakshadi Guggul
  2. Yograj Guggul
  3. Boswellia Curcumin
  4. Neurogenie Capsules
  5. Aamvatantak Churna

Ayurvedic Treatment For Whiplash Injury, Herbal Formulations For Whiplash Injury

PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION

1. Lakshadi Guggul

Lakshadi guggul is the best classical formulation in tablet form used for healing purposes. This formulation is prepared by planet ayurveda under guidance and using various products such as Laksha (Laccifer lacca), Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shuddha guggulu (purified Commiphora mukul). Lakshadi guggul promotes strength to bones and various joints, is an excellent anti-inflammatory and analgesics medicine. Useful in hypothyroidism, ankylosing spondylitis, avascular necrosis. Diet – Avoid deep fried foods, smoking, aerated drinks, as it increases tridosha.

Dosage: 1-2 tablets twice daily with lukewarm water.

2. Yograj Guggul

Yograj guggul is classical ayurvedic formulations which lower down vata dosha and has great healing property, is prepared in tablet form formulated by planet ayurveda using ingredients such as Guggul (Commiphora mukul), Nagkesar (Cyperus rotundus), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), Long pepper (Piper longum), Tejpatra (Cinnamomum tamala), Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), Vidang (Embelia ribes). Yograj Guggul is useful in neurological disease and when a patient complains of muscle and joint pain. Yograj guggul is very effective in coccyx pain. Balanced tridosha has anti-inflammatory properties.

Dosage: 1-2 tablets twice daily with lukewarm water.

3. Boswellia Curcumin

Boswellia curcumin is a capsule form which is formulated by planet Ayurveda with standardized effects of Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), Curcumin (Curcuma longa). Curcumin has antioxidant properties, which cleanses and detoxifies rasa and enables free circulations of nutrients to the whole body. The injury in whiplash is healed by antioxidant properties of these capsules and shows a very miraculous effect in case of whiplash injury.

Doasge: 1 capsule twice daily after meals with plain water.

4. Neurogenie Capsules

Neurogenie capsule is herbal formulation in capsule form which consists of standardized extract of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Both herbs have neuroprotective properties, and is helpful in relieving stress which further prevents deterioration. Brahmi is useful in skin diseases, in panic attacks. Balances tridosha. Ashwangandha improves sexual function in women and boosts fertility and testosterone level in men.

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

5. Aamvatantak Churna

Aamvatantak churna is herbal formulation prepared by planet ayurveda in the form of powder consisting of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Methi (Trigonella foenum), Gorakhmundi (Sphaeranthus indicus), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Haridra (Curcumin longa) and many more. This churna consists of an adaptogenic property which reduces stress and prevents other diseases. Its neuroprotective property has healing of nerves and it regulates the function of nerves in the injured part.

Dosage: ½ to 1 teaspoon twice daily after meals with plain water.

CONCLUSION

Whiplash injury occurs when the head of a person moves backward and then forward with great force. This forceful movement leads to injury of spine, nerves, ligaments. The person suffering from whiplash injury feels more pain and stiffness in the neck region which worsens up on any movement. As per ayurveda it is correlated with abhigata which is mainly associated with vata dosha. So to maintain and for fast recovery of whiplash planet ayurveda provides 5 herbal remedies which are discussed and it has no side effects as they are free from any preservatives.

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