ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND ITS AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT

OVERVIEW

Alzheimer’s disease is a disorder which is characterized by a decline in memory, thinking and other cognitive functions. There occurs change in brain due to deposition of certain proteins within the brain. It occurs mostly after 65 years. The most common symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is loss of memory. With increasing age, the brain cells get shrink and eventually die. It affects a person’s day to day activities.

There has not been found any permanent cure of the disease but with medications and therapies, the symptoms can be managed and quality of life can be improved.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE?

There has not been found any exact of the disease but there occurs accumulation of two types of proteins in brain. Amyloid protein and tau protein are the two main proteins which get deposited inside the brain. There are more than 100 billion neurons in brain which work in coordination to perform functions like thinking, learning, memorizing, etc. The proteins get deposited leading to formation of thick masses known as plaques. Some twisted fibers are also formed leading to formation of tangles. All these block communication between the nerve cells and gradually lead to death of nerve cells.

WHAT ARE THE FACTORS WHICH INCREASE THE RISK OF A PERSON DEVELOPING ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE?

Following are the factors which make a person more prone to Alzheimer’s disease:

• Increasing age
• Having a family history of Alzheimer’s disease
• Suffering from Down’s syndrome
• Females are more prone in comparison to males
• Head injury
• Any cognitive impairment
• Presence of toxins in air
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Lack of sleep
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Being overweight
• Cigarette smoking
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Increased cholesterol levels in blood

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE?

Following are the common signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease:

• Memory loss known as dementia
• Mental confusion
• Disorientation
• Forgetting names of friends and family members
• Difficulty in expressing one’s thoughts
• One takes more time in performing daily activities
• Mood swings
• Increased anger
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Forgetting conversations and events
• Increased sleep or lack of sleep
• Hallucinations

WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS WHICH ARE ASSOCIATED WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE?

With Alzheimer’s disease, there occur some of the following complications:

• Increased falls
• Fractures
• Pneumonia
• Flu
• Certain body infections
• Bed sores
• Constipation
• Loose stools
• Decaying of teeth
• Ulcers in mouth
• Dehydration

WHAT IS THE AYURVEDIC CONCEPT OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE?

In Ayurveda, Alzheimer’s disease is known as smritibhramsha. The main dosha which gets vitiated in this is vata dosha. According to Ayurveda, it occurs because of intake of unwholesome diet which leads to increase in tamas and rajas gunas. There occurs accumulation of ama at cellular level due to blockage of channels. When digestive fire known as agni gets disturbed, the metabolism is affected. The accumulation of waste inside the brain leads to occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease. It is considered to be a yapya roga in Ayurveda.

Panchkarma treatment is very helpful in the management of Alzheimer’s disease along with intake of some ayurvedic herbs such as ashwagandha, jatamansi, brahmi, shankh pushpi, yashtimadhu, etc. Yoga and meditation are also very beneficial in this.

MANAGEMENT OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE WITH THE MEDICATIONS OF CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTRE

Here are some of the medications of Chandigarh Ayurved centre which are used for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease:

1. Nerve Plus tablet

These tablets shows Anti-bacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, and immune- modulator properties. It contains herbal ingredients Ghritkumari (Aloe barbadensis), Kali mirch (Piper nigrum), Giloy satav (Tinospora crdifolia), shudha kuchala, shudha shilajeet, shudha vatsnabh, shudh singraf. It is beneficial for erectile dysfunction, diseases of stomach, stimulating nerves and appetite, promotes the level of testosterone naturally.

Recommended Dosage– Take 1 tablet twice daily.

2. Brodley Syrup

This herbal syrup consist of ingredients like Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Yashti madhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Dhania (Coriandrum sativum), Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Saunf (Foeniculum vulgare), etc that improves memory. Brodley syrup deal with the signs and symptoms related to Alzheimer patients.

Recommended Dosage: Take 2 teaspoonful twice daily.

3. Rasayan Vati

Rasayan vati is herbo-mineral Ayurvdic formulation which contains various herbs such as Aswagandha, Shilajeet, Amla, Kesar, Musali, Shatavar, Brahmi, Swarn Makshik Bhasam, Yashad Bhasam, Mukta pisti, Praval pisti, Jaiphal, Vang Bhasam, Aswagandha, Dalchini, Javitri, Gokhru, Kaunch Beej, Shilajeet, Saunth, Mirch, Pipli, Amla, Kesar, Manjith, Anant Mool, Brahmi, Musali, Shatavar, Swarn Vang, etc. These ingredients show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, immune-modulator properties. These tablets provides good results in General debility, Psychological disorders,
and improves immunity.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily.

4. Stress Care Tablet

Stress care tablet is an amazing combination of natural herbs like Sarpgandha, Brahmi, Tagar, jatamansi. It helps to relieve stress conditions. They help to pacify the nervous system and also helps to increase the mental and physical performance.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily.

5. Brain Relaxant Churna

This herbal churna is prepared from herb Atmagupta (Mucuna pruriens). The herb normalizes the nerve cell functions and supports brain function. It provides effective results in Alzheimer disease as it maintains the overall performance of the nervous system.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 teaspoonful twice daily.

6. Immuno Up Powder

This powder is made up of the composition of bhasmas and pure herbs that is very beneficial in controlling the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The powder includes Giloy satav, Sutshekhar rasa, Sudhyog tablet, Shwet parpati, Shankh bhasma, Parwal pishti, etc. It is a very useful remedy to cure the voice change, uncontrollable movements during sleep, improve the rigid facial expression, etc.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 sachet twice daily with normal water.