Tag: Alzheimer’s Disease

Alternative Treatment of Progressive Supranuclear palsy

ABSTRACT

Progressive Supranuclear palsy is a rare neurological disorder that is degenerative in nature and causes gradual loss of balance and impaired walking. Eyes movement, muscle tone, and speech are also affected. Difficulty in eating and swallowing is frequently present in cases of Progressive supranuclear palsy or PSP. People affected with PSP usually have damaged cognitive and personality traits. Sign and symptoms are usually seen after 60 years of age, however, in some cases, the manifestation can be earlier as well. However, in this article, we will be going to learn all about PSP, its causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and herbal management by Planet Ayurveda.

INTRODUCTION

Progressive Supranuclear palsy is an uncommon neurodegenerative disease that affects the elderly people usually and causes troubles in balancing, vision, movement, speaking, and swallowing. The progressive degeneration of the brain cells leads to PSP. Usually, the people above the age of 60 are affected. PSP is many times confused with similar conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s disease, corticobasal degeneration, and some other similar conditions. The other name of the PSP is Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome. With all the passing times this neurodegenerative disease tends to become worse and even can cause life-threatening conditions like difficulty in swallowing and pneumonia. No cure is yet been found for this condition and treatment completely depends upon the management of the disease and preventing the complications.

Progressive Supranuclear palsy

CAUSES of Progressive Supranuclear palsy

An abnormal building up of a protein called Tau leads to damage and degeneration of the cells of the brain leading to impairment of the functions, that particular is responsible for. Tau is a normal protein that is formed in the brain but is broken down and does not reach the higher points in the brain but in PSP this protein does not get properly broken down and hence starts to accumulate on brain cells and damage them eventually. This protein may accumulate in various places and also its amount may vary, hence the signs and symptoms may also vary in the different patients. Genetic changes can also result in this disease but having been passed these genes from a family is a very rare condition and hence the family history is found very rarely. However, the exact cause behind this protein being accumulated and not being broken down properly is still not known.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

In the initial stages, the signs and symptoms are similar to various other neurodegenerative diseases which lead to misdiagnosis or late diagnosis of PSP. The symptoms get worse with passing time and include:

  • Difficulty in balancing, walking, and the patient might fall frequently
  • Muscle tone is lost and stiffness is seen in muscles
  • Certain changes in the behavior are seen like increased irritability and indifference to the things one used to enjoy earlier
  • Difficulty in eye movement. The patient cannot focus on certain object and inability to control looking up and down movements
  • Slurred and slow speech
  • Swallowing becomes difficult
  • Memory troubles and slowness of the thoughts
  • Disturbed sleep and anxiety

DIAGNOSIS

No single test can be used to diagnose Progressive supranuclear palsy and proper clinical history, family history and certain diagnostic tests are used to confirm the diagnosis. Initially, certain other neurodegenerative diseases are to be ruled out. Progressive worsening of the symptoms usually makes a doctor suspect PSP and hence further steps are taken accordingly. Tests are done to analyze the memory, concentration, and other cognitive functions. Further, a brain scan is used to confirm a diagnosis. A neurologist will be best to confirm a PSP before starting any kind of treatment.

Treatment of Progressive Supranuclear palsy

PSP is a neurodegenerative disease and there is no cure found for this disease yet. The Treatment of Progressive Supranuclear palsyis based on managing the complaints and preventing complications. Different medications are given to control the symptoms like difficulty in balancing, walking, speech, and swallowing. Physiotherapy is also used for helping with balancing and walking issues. Feeding tubes are used to manage dysphagia.

However, in this chronic and complex disease, Ayurveda can prove to be a light on the other side of the tunnel as with the help of herbal medicines patients can manage the signs and symptoms, prevent complications and get a better quality of life. All these can be attained without causing any damage to the other body parts as the modes of treatment are from nature itself which is heals without any further damage to the body.

HERBAL REMEDIES BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda is a big name now in the herbal pharmaceuticals from which patients worldwide are being benefitted. Here all the medicines and supplements produced are purely herbal, natural and vegetarian. No type of chemicals, additives, preservatives, dye, fillers or colors are added in them which increases their efficacy and safety.

For PSP also Planet Ayurveda offers a combination of herbal medicines that can help in managing the disease naturally and improving the life quality of the patient.

  1. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras
  2. Musli Strength
  3. Yograj Guggul
  4. Ashwagandha Capsule
  5. Brahmi Capsule
  6. Nourish Maxx

Progressive Supranuclear palsy treatment

Treatment of Progressive Supranuclear palsy

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras

Vrihat vat chintamani ras are the Ayurvedic tablets used to pacify the Vata dosha as the name suggests and treat the condition arising from its vitiation like paralysis, hemiplegia, tremors, facial palsy, insomnia, etc. It is a wonderful remedy to treat neuropathies, anxiety, depression, dementia, neuritis and hence can be the best medicine to manage the PSP. It is composed of Parada (Purified and processed mercury), Abhraka bhasma (Calx of mica), Gandhaka (Purified and processed sulphur), Loha bhasma (Calx of iron), Mukta bhasma (Calx of pearl), Swarna bhasma (Calx of gold), Rajata bhasma (Calx of silver), etc

Dosage– Take 1 tablet twice daily after meals with plain water

2. Musli Strength

Musli strength capsules are the combination of a standardized extract of Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) and Gokshura (Tribulus Terrestris). These herbal capsules help in maintaining healthy blood circulation, enhances stamina, strength, removes weakness, and improve the overall health of a person. Hence these capsules can help in providing good strength and stamina to a PSP patient and improve overall health.

Dosage– Take 1 capsule twice daily after meals with plain water

3. Yograj Guggul

Several amazing herbs like Shuddh guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), Devdaru (Cedrus deodara), Pippali, (Piper longum), etc are used to make these amazing herbal tablets. Yograj guggul tablets in PSP help in treating stiffness of muscles and joints, clear accumulated toxins from the body, relieves inflammation and pain of joints especially.

Dosage– Take 2 tablets twice daily after meals with plain water

4. Ashwagandha Capsule

Withania somnifera in a standardized form is used in the composition of these capsules. These capsules can help PSP patient a lot by removing muscle weakness and fatigue, relieving tiredness and joint pains, help in getting sound sleep, and provide good muscle stamina and power.

Dosage– Take 1 capsule twice daily after meals with plain water

4. Brahmi Capsule

Brahmi capsules are prepared from standardaized extract of Bacopa monnieri which is well known as a brain tonic. Brahmi capsule is one of the main remedies for PSP as it prevents age-related brain degeneration and treats symptoms related to it. It promotes brain health and helps in treating the degeneration of the neurons naturally.

Dosage– Take 1 capsule twice daily after meals with plain water

6. Nourish Maxx

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum), Ashwgandha (Withania somnifera) and Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) are the herbs whose standardized extract are used to prepare this amazing herbal supplement. As the name suggests this herbal powder helps PSP patients by nourishing both brain and body. It helps in treating the muscle weakness and stiffness, inability to walk properly and enhances brain function.

Dosage– Take 1 teaspoon twice daily after meals with plain water

CONCLUSION

PSP is a chronic degenerative disease that affects the overall health of a person very badly and can be even deadly if not treated timely. However herbal medicines by Planet Ayurveda can help in giving PSP patients a healthy and better life by managing the complaints and preventing complications.

What are the benefits of Cinnamon in Diabetes?

Introduction

Cinnamon is an aromatic, very delicious spice derived from the inner bark of Cinnamomum tree. The spice has been used in medicines since ages. It has also been used as a food preservative in older times. Cinnamon lends a complex, sweet flavor without the spike in blood sugar level. The compound cinnamaldehyde is responsible for its health benefits. According to Ayurveda, Cinnamon is an excellent herb to pacify Kapha and balance Vata and Pitta. It is known as twak in Sanskrit and daalchini in Hindi.

Treatment of Diabetes in Ayurveda

What are the Types of Cinnamon?

There are four types of Cinnamon being commercially used. These include Ceylon, Cassia, Saigon and Korintje but most popular are

  • Ceylon and Cassia. Ceylon Cinnamon is grown in South America, Southeast Asia and West Indies.
  • Cassia Cinnamon is grown in Central America, China and Indonesia.
  • Ceylon Cinnamon is considered true or Mexican cinnamon. They are soft and brittle and are rolled tightly.

Cinnamon contains phytochemical that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anticancer and anti-diabetic properties.

Is Cinnamon Good For Diabetes?

  • Cinnamon is a miraculous herb in preventing and fighting diabetes (Type 2 only where pancreas still produce insulin but cells become resistant to it).
  • Treatment for diabetics is a lifelong blood sugar monitoring, healthy eating, regular exercise and at times insulin therapy.
  • The key hormone Insulin regulates metabolism and energy use. It also transports blood sugar from the blood stream to our cells. When an individual’s cells become resistant to the effects of Insulin, it leads to Type 2 diabetes.

How Cinnamon Works?

  • Cinnamon works wonder in reducing insulin resistance naturally and gradually and thus helps the hormone to do its job smoothly. The high levels of blood sugar in diabetic patients
  • (Type 2 diabetes) leads to the formation of harmful substances called Advanced Glycation End products (AGE). This leads to cellular damage. Cinnamon has compounds like epicatechin, catechin and procyanindin B2 that inhibits the formation of AGEs and thus prevents further damage to the cells.
  • Cinnamon stimulates the release of insulin from pancreatic cells and improves the activity of insulin receptors along with improving the glucose uptake by the cells.

Health Benefits of Cinnamon

How to use

  • Type 2 diabetes people are advised to take at least 1 gram of cinnamon daily. It could be sprinkled on foods for added flavor or boil some cinnamon sticks in water for 20 minutes and then let it cool for some time as while cooling, the cinnamon releases all its magical compounds.
  • The water will turn golden red. The tea needs to be strained and enjoyed warm. One may also mix 3 spoons of cinnamon powder to one liter of water and heat it for 20 minutes. Strain and consume the mixture daily.

Manage Blood Sugar Levels

  • Cinnamon has the ability of lowering blood sugar levels naturally. It has anti diabetic properties. It decreases the amount of glucose that enters the bloodstream after a meal. It interferes with the digestive enzymes which slows the breakdown of carbohydrates in the digestive tract.
  • It blocks certain enzymes called alanines which allow glucose to be absorbed by blood. These enzymes or biological catalysts break down the complex carbohydrates into glucose, so when they are blocked or inhibited, the after-meal glucose level (postprandial) gets reduced naturally.
  • A compound in cinnamon called Methylhydroxychalcone Polymer (MHCP) act on cells by mimicking insulin, which improves glucose uptake by cells. It has been shown that consuming Cinnamon can lower the fasting blood sugar levels 20 %.

Useful in cholesterol

  • Cinnamon also reduces the plasma glucose levels, bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides and increases good cholesterol (HDL).

Stress Management

  • The antioxidant properties of cinnamon help to reduce the oxidative stress on the diabetic patient’s body which happens due to side effects of anti-diabetic medicines being taken by the patients over long period of time.
Stress Management

601310

Useful in Erectile Dysfunction

  • Along with controlling diabetes, this spice supports sexual function in males and improves erectile dysfunction. It is one of the best remedies for erectile dysfunction in diabetic patients. The cinnamon oil is diluted with sesame oil and applied over the penis for 10 minutes before the bath to improve blood circulation and for longer erections.

Erectile Dysfunction

Ceylon cinnamon contains less quantities of a compound called coumarin so it is the best type of cinnamon for diabetic patients.

Useful in cardiovascular disease

  • One of the complications of diabetes is cardiovascular disease. This can be averted with regular intake of cinnamon in small quantities. The compound called Cinnamaldehyde stops the progress of hypertension or high blood pressure in Type 2 diabetic patients.

cardiovascular disease

Diabetic patients are prone to many metabolic problems due to their existing conditions or as a result of the medicines they are taking. They may get inflammation in various parts of their body. The anti-inflammatory effects of cinnamon helps to reduce pain and swelling.

Useful in Alzheimer’s disease

  • Cinnamon is also known to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease often associated with diabetes. The cinnamon extract decreases the ability of proteins like beta amyloid and tau to form plaques and tangles leading to Alzheimer (type 3 diabetes).

Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

How to Take Cinnamon

  • It is advised to take Cinnamon after consulting with the physician as they can provide the best combination according to one’s body constitution. Cinnamon might interact with other medicines, so it should be taken carefully under doctor’s supervision.
  • Cinnamon can be added in food, smoothies and tea or may be taken as cinnamon essential oil in foods. Cinnamon goes well with peanut butter and sugar free jab on toast for diabetic patients. It can be added in oatmeal for a healthy breakfast.
  • One may take cassia cinnamon in capsule forms (500 mg) twice a day.

Dosage

  • The recommended and effective dose to be taken by a diabetic patient should not exceed 2 teaspoons a day.

Avoid Cinnamon

  • People with liver problems should avoid taking Cinnamon in excess. Some people are also allergic to the compound cinnamaldehyde which can cause mouth sores and breathing problems.
  • Consuming too much cinnamon may lead to a condition called hypoglycemia (Low blood glucose) wherein the person feel tired and dizzy. Eating dry cinnamon may permanently damage lungs.

Note

  • Cinnamon should be used by all in small quantities to prevent elevated glucose levels and blood lipid levels. A healthy diet with an active lifestyle helps to keep one fit and free from illness.