Ayurvedic View Of Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia & Its Treatment
ABSTRACT
Leukocytes are also known as white blood cells that are responsible for protecting our body from infections. These cells are one of the parts of the immune system that circulate into the blood that counters any illness or injury. While moving in the bloodstream they detect the site of infection and notify all the WBCs to attack that foreign body and kill it to protect the body from serious infections. The white blood cells produce antibodies which act as an army that fights with the invader and destroys it. So if white blood cells are not healthy then our body is unable to fight against various illnesses and infections. One such disease which affects the health of WBC’s is Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia. About this condition we are going to discuss in the following article along with its ayurvedic management.
INTRODUCTION
Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia is one of the rare and slow spreading types of non-hodgkin’s lymphoma. This is a type of cancer which starts in WBCs that are known as lymphocytes. This disease is also known as primary macroglobulinemia and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. To understand this condition more clearly it is necessary to know how the immune system performs its duty. B lymphocytes are the cells which mainly protect the body against infections by changing into plasma cells that produce immunoglobulins or antibodies which attack the invading disease. This disease is particularly characterized by too many abnormal WBCs that are known as WM or lymphoplasmacytic. These cells produce an excess amount of IgM or immunoglobulin M. It leads to thickness of blood known as hyperviscosity (difficulty of organs performing function properly). The cells cause reduction of white blood cells which makes the body more prone to infections. It also leads to reduction of platelets which further cause bruising or bleeding.
CAUSES OF WALDENSTROM’S MACROGLOBULINEMIA
The cause of this condition is unknown although it is believed that it might be a gene mutation which develop’s all over a person’s life. As there is no such cause of this disease but following are some risk factors which may lead to this condition:
- Age: With increasing risk of this condition increases.
- Sex: Male are more prone to developing this condition.
- Race: This disease has a greater impact on white people.
- Hepatitis C: This condition is more prone
- Hereditary: Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia more likely occurs in people with positive hereditary.
- Some autoimmune conditions: People with autoimmune conditions more likely develop this condition.
SYMPTOMS OF WALDENSTROM’S MACROGLOBULINEMIA
The symptoms of this condition vary as its severity varies. Some of the cases have no symptoms and the condition is only found after a routine blood test. Some of the common symptoms of this condition are as follows:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Sweats
- Neuropathy
Rarely found symptoms in Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia:
- Problem in blood circulation
- Abnormal bleeding
- Swollen abdomen
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Kidney problems
- Heart problems
- Sensitivity to cold
- Digestive issues
- Infections
- Vision problems
DIAGNOSIS OF WALDENSTROM’S MACROGLOBULINEMIA
To do the diagnosis of this condition the doctor first performs the physical examination along with asking for health history. The doctor examines swelling in lymph nodes, spleen or liver during the examination. If the doctor feels this condition is mimicking waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia then he may forward the patient for some more tests which includes the following:
- Bone marrow biopsy
- Blood tests for checking IgM levels
- CT Scan of bones
- X-Ray of bones
AYURVEDIC VIEW OF WALDENSTROM’S MACROGLOBULINEMIA
As per Ayurveda this condition has no direct relation but the pathology can be correlated in a detailed way. As we read earlier there is abnormality of WBC’s and this is to be known that WBC’s are formed in bone marrow. As per Ayurveda bone marrow is correlated to majja dhatu. Vitiation of majja dhatu leads to vitiation of rakta dhatu and further leads to IgM production and reduction of WBC’s. This can cause depletion of vyadhikshamtama and make the body more susceptible to various infections and illnesses. So to manage this condition as per Ayurveda there is a need to alleviate vitiation of majja and rakta dhatu and boosting the immunity as well. For this purpose Planet Ayurveda provides various herbal remedies that we will discuss below. So let’s have a look!!!
HERBAL REMEDIES BY PLANET AYURVEDA FOR WALDENSTROM’S MACROGLOBULINEMIA
Planet Ayurveda is a company which formulates their own herbal and herbomineral supplements with respect to ancient science. The formulations are time tested with good results. The supplements by Planet Ayurveda are formulated with the aim of preventive and promotive health. These remedies are free from preservatives and all sorts of synthetic materials such as gums, fibers, color, resins and various others. Due to which these supplements have no side effects. Remedies help in alleviating almost all kinds of health concerns and for alleviating the explained condition in this article the following remedies are provided.
- BOSWELLIA CURCUMIN
- GRAVIOLA CAPSULES
- MAHAMANJISTHAGHAN VATI
- PITTA BALANCE
- TUMOTRIM CASPULES
- TELO-EXTENSION
- NAVKARSHIK CHURNA
- VIKRAMPRASH
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
1. BOSWELLIA CURCUMIN
Boswellia Curcumin is a herbal formulation by Planet Ayurveda. This remedy is prepared in capsule form and consists of standardized extract of herbs shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and Curcumin (Curcuma longa). Both these herbs provide an abundance of antioxidant properties which helps in reducing the levels of IgM. It includes an immunomodulatory effect which helps in preventing various infections.
Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.
2. GRAVIOLA CAPSULES
Graviola capsules is a single herbal capsule formulation by Planet Ayurveda. These capsules consist of standardized extract of herb graviola (Annona muricata). This herb is very effective in cancer due to its immunomodulatory effects. It reduces the IgM levels in the blood and relieves various symptoms of Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia.
Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.
3. MAHAMANJISTHAGHAN VATI
Mahamanjisthaghan Vati is a classical Ayurvedic formulation which is prepared by Planet Ayurveda as mentioned in texts. This remedy is available in tablet form and consists of the major ingredient Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia). These tablets are one of the best remedies for blood cleansing. By detoxifying blood these tablets assist in relieving vitiation of rakta dosha and regulating the proper blood flow.
Dosage: 2 tablets twice daily with plain water after meals.
4. PITTA BALANCE
Pitta Balance is a poly herbomineral formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda in capsule form. These capsules consist of standardized extract of ingredients such as jahar mohra pishti (classical ayurvedic formulation), akik pishti (classical ayurvedic compound), akik pishti (natural calcium compound) and some others. Pitta balance capsules as the name suggests assist in balancing pitta dosha. As pitta dosha is associated with rakta dosha, these capsules also assist in alleviating rakta dhatu dushti.
Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.
5. TUMOTRIM CASPULES
Tumotrim Capsules is a polyherbal capsule formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda. This formulation consists of standardised extract of herbs such as haridra (Curcuma longa), shallaki (Boswellia serrata), ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and some others. These capsules are very effective in reducing the cancerous growths in the body. The antioxidant properties effectively reduces the formation of free radicals in the body and prevents the damage of WBC’s too.
Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.
6. TELO-EXTENSION
Telo-Extension by Planet Ayurveda is a polyherbal formulation prepared in capsule form. These capsules contain standardized extracts of various herbs such as Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), amla (Emblica officinalis), moringa (Moringa oleifera) and various others. The herbs included in these capsules boosts the immunity as well as provides antioxidant effects.
Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.
7. NAVKARSHIK CHURNA
Navkarshik churna is a herbal formulation in powder form. This powder is formulated by Planet Ayurveda with the fine powder of various herbs such as amla (Emblica officinalis), vacha (Acorus calamus), neem (Azadirachta indica), giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) and some others. This herbal powder effectively removes ama dosha from the body. Ama dosha is one of the major causes of dhatu dushti so the ama dosha reduction is one of the positive approaches for alleviating majja dhatu and rakta dhatu dushti.
Dosage: 1 tsp twice daily with plain water after meals.
8. VIKRAMPRASH
Vikramprash is a jam-like herbal formulation that is formulated by Planet Ayurveda for maintaining overall wellbeing. This formulation consists of ingredients such as Bilva (Aegle marmelos), kashmarya (Gmelina arborea), patla (Stereospermum suaveolens) and various others. This herbal formulation is one of the best remedies for boosting immunity. Also this formulation assists in providing strength to the body thus alleviates various symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, weight loss, etc.
Dosage: ½ tsp twice daily with plain water after meals.
CONCLUSION
Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia is one of the rare and slow spreading types of non-hodgkin’s lymphoma. This disease is particularly characterised by too many abnormal WBCs that are known as WM or lymphoplasmacytic. The condition has no significant cause but is considered as somehow hereditary. This condition leads to various symptoms that are commonly experienced such as Fatigue, Weakness, Loss of appetite and the rarely found symptoms includes kidney problems, heart problems, swollen lymph nodes, etc. As per Ayurveda there is no such relation for this disease and can be considered as majjagata dushti and rakta dushti. For the alleviation of this disease it is necessary to reduce vitiation of both these dhatu. For the same Planet Ayurveda provides you with various formulations that are without preservatives and synthetic materials. So if anybody is concerned with the same, they can consume these medicines without worry.
