OTOSCLEROSIS

INTRODUCTION

Otosclerosis is a condition which is characterized by loss of hearing. Oto means ear and sclerosis means abnormal hardening of bone tissue. In this, the bones of middle ear get ossified due to remodeling or their abnormal growth. There are three small bones present in middle ear – malleus, incus and stapes. The irregular bone remodeling leads to growth of ear bone in unwanted areas. This bone remodeling process occurs normally in body to manage wear and tear of the bone. Hearing loss, ringing in ears and dizziness are some of the most common symptoms of otosclerosis. The hearing loss can be mild to severe. The treatment of otosclerosis includes use of hearing aids and surgery.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF OTOSCLEROSIS? 

An ear consists of three parts – external ear, middle ear and inner ear. The external ear receives all the sound waves and transmits it to the middle ear. A middle ear contains three bones such as malleus, incus and stapes. These three bones are connected to each other and help in amplification of sound waves. These amplified sound waves are then transmitted towards inner ear. Inner ear is also known as cochlea. In otosclerosis, the bone remodeling leads to fusion of the three bones with each other and the surrounding bony tissue. This leads to non-transmission of sound waves and thus causes loss of hearing.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF OTOSCLEROSIS?

The exact reason of the occurence of otosclerosis is not known but some factors tend to increase the risk of a person developing otosclerosis. Following are the risk factors of otosclerosis:

• Between the age group of 10 to 45 years
• Having a genetic predisposition towards otosclerosis
• Women are at more risk of developing otosclerosis in comparison to men
• Pregnancy
• Weakened immune system
• Stress fractures
• Measles
• Certain auto-immune disorders

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF OTOSCLEROSIS?

In the early stages, there are no noticeable symptoms of the disease but the symptoms gradually develop over time. Following are the common signs and symptoms of otosclerosis:

• Cannot hear whispering sounds or low-pitched voice
• Light-headedness
• Ringing sound in ears
• Vertigo
• Dizziness
• Balance problems
• Roaring or hissing sounds in ears
• Hearing loss (it gradually worsens with time)

HOW THE DIAGNOSIS OF OTOSCLEROSIS CAN BE DONE?

One should go to an ENT specialist for having a difficulty in hearing. The doctor will look closely at the ear and ask about the signs and symptoms. He will ask about the patient’s family history. He will do the patient’s hearing test for knowing the intensity of hearing loss. The tests include an audiogram and a tympanogram. In some cases, X-ray and CT scan of the ear are also done.

WHAT IS THE AYURVEDIC VIEWPOINT OF OTOSCLEROSIS?

Otosclerosis comes under the category of Karnaroga. There are three doshas which are present in body – vata, pitta and kapha. A person is healthy when these doshas are present in harmony with each other. In otosclerosis, vata dosha gets imbalanced leading to ringing sound and hearing loss at the end. In Ayurveda, some of the herbs are found to be very beneficial for management of otosclerosis. Following are the herbs for otosclerosis:

• Manjishtha
• Punarnava
• Haritaki
• Amlaki
• Sariva
• Kutki

CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTRE’S MEDICATIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF OTOSCLEROSIS

Here are some of the medicines of Chandigarh Ayurved centre which are used for the treatment of otosclerosis:

1. Rasayan Vati

CAC Rasayan vati is herbo-mineral ayurvedic formulation, which is 100% natural. Rasayan vati contains various herbs such as Aswagandha, Shilajeet, Amla, Kesar, Musali, Shatavar, Brahmi , Swarn Makshik Bhasam, Yashad Bhasam, Mukta pisti, Praval pisti, Jaiphal, Vang Bhasam, Dalchini, Javitri, Gokhru, Kaunch Beej, Saunth, Mirch, Pipli, Amla, Kesar, Manjith, Anant Mool, Brahmi, Musali, Swarn Vang, etc. These ingredients show antioxidant, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, immuno-modulator properties.  These tablets provide good results in General debility, Psychological disorders, and improves immunity.

Dosage:Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water after a meal.

2. Cough Detox Powder

Cough Detox Powderis herbo-mineral sachets which are purely Ayurvedic formulation. These sachets mainly balance Vata and Kapha Doshas. It is a good Expectorant, expels phlegm from lungs, relieves exhaustion, and provides energy. It is a mixture of some ayurvedic ingredients containing talisadi churna, abharak bhasam, godanti bhasam, lakshmi vilas rasa, yashti madhu churna, tankan bhasma, kaph ketu ras. These ingredients have antitussive and mucolytic properties which help in loosening the mucus accumulated in the chest and makes it easy to cough out. This is very effective in chronic cough, cold, whooping cough, bronchitis, wheezing, asthma, sore throat, epistaxis & other respiratory problems. This herbal powder also relieves congestion of nose and chest. It also cures body aches, anorexia, and loss of sensation of tongue, indigestion, burning sensation in palms and feet and temperature.

Dosage: Take one sachet twice a day with normal plain water.

3. Garlic Capsules

CAC Garlic capsules are herbal and purely ayurvedic formulation.  It is used in diseases related to heart and  blood systems. In foods and beverages, fresh garlic, garlic powder and garlic oil are used to add flavour. It balances all the three doshas of body  i.e Vata, Pitta, Kapha and maintain healthy balance of these doshas. It is very effective for high cholesterol, diabetes and in high lipid levels. It is an anti oxidant, anti inflammatory, anti bacterial, anti fungal and immuno modulator.

Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water after meal.

4. Trikatu Syrup

Trikatu syrup is pure ayurvedic formulation comprises of mainly three herbs such as Pippali (Piper longum), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), & Marich (Piper nigrum). the main function of trikatu syrup is it removes excess of Kapha doshas and supports the respiratory system, helps to reduce body weight and
hence detoxifies the body. it has anti-inflammatory , analgesic and antioxidant properties. Most hearing loss conditions are due to vata doshas, vata vitiation can result in damage to the auditory nerve and nerve ending, which leads to defective hearing problems. Trikatu syrup balances the Vata dosha, and
provide strength to nerves. It is free from chemicals, additives, colors and fillers.

Dosage: 2 tsp twice daily before a meal.

5. Nerve Up Tablet

It is a pure herbo-mineral formulation which helps to balance the vata dosha. It acts as a nervine stimulator and also reduces Kapha doshas. It mainly acts on the central nervous system. It contains natural ingredients like Shudha kuchla, Shudha shilajeet,  Praval pishti, Shankh bhasma etc. These contain natural Vatahar properties and helps in curing Vata diseases. It speeds up physical and mental processes. It helps in stiffness, inflammation, swelling and general weakness IT deal with the ringing, clicking, buzzing, hissing, humming, & roaring sounds.

Dosage:Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water after meal.

6. Anu Tailam

Anu tailam is the wonderful Ayurvedic nasal oil that is a very effective remedy for allergies, sinusitis, headache, etc. This herbal oil has both the lubricating and cooling effect. It cleanses and moistens the mucous membranes, kills bacteria and fungi, thin mucus and stimulates its flow, shrinks swelling in the mucous membrane of the sinus. Anu tailam is very refreshing and can be used for mental fatigue also. The base oil of Anu Tailam is Sesame oil and other ingredients like– Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Brihati (Solanum indicum), Chandan (Santalum album), Mustaka (Cyperus rotundus), etc. It possesses anti-bacterial properties and eliminates the excess mucus from the nasal cavity and balances adequate secretion of mucus.

Recommended Dosage – Put 2 drops of Anu tailam 3 times a day in each nostril