WHAT IS SEPSIS ?

It is a medical emergency caused by body’s response to infection. It can be a life-threatening condition. It is an out-come of wide spread inflammation in body. Blood clotting and inflammation during sepsis  leads to reduced blood flow to limbs and vital organs that can cause organ failure and even death.

Bacterial infections are most common cause of sepsis in body. It is also called as Blood poisoning or septicemia.

WHAT CAUSES SEPSIS ?

Most common causes of sepsis is bacterial infections but can also be caused by Parasitic, fungal or viral infections including Covide-19 virus. Common sites along with types of infections that leads to sepsis are :

• Central Nervous system: Brain or spinal cord infection
• Abdomen : Infection of appendix( Appendicitis), infection of abdominal cavity(Peritonitis), bowel problem and liver or gallbladder infections.
• Skin: Entry of bacteria in skin through wounds or skin inflammation, or through opening made by Intravenous, catheters. Cellulites can also cause sepsis.
• Lungs : Lung infections like pneumonia.
• Urinary tract : Urinary tract infections especially in patients having urinary catheter to drain urine.

INDIVIDUAL AT RISK FOR SEPSIS ARE ?

Sepsis can affect any individual but some peoples are at risk. Those at risk includes :

• Infancy
• Previous use of corticosteroids or antibiotics
• Older age
• Compromised immune system
• Chronic liver or kidney disease
• Invasive devices like breathing tube or catheters
• Individual with severe injuries like large wounds or burns

STAGES OF SEPSIS :

Sepsis have main three stages :

• Sepsis : In it infection gets into bloodstream thus causes inflammation in body.
• Severe sepsis : Inflammation and infection become severe enough that it start affecting function of organs.
• Septic shock : It is a severe complication of sepsis that can lead to significant drop in blood pressure which may cause serious complications like :
  • Stroke
  • Organ dysfunction
  • Heart or Respiratory failure
  • Possible death.

 WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SEPSIS ?

Common symptoms of sepsis are :

• Shaking or chills
• Fast heart rate
• Disorientation or confusion
• Fever or hypothermia
• Warm or sweaty/clammy skin
• Hyperventilation or shortness of breath.
• Extreme discomfort or pain

Symptoms of severe sepsis :

• Chill due to dropped body temperature
• Difficulty breathing
• Bluish discoloration of skin mostly fingers, lips, toes
• Dizziness
• Extreme fatigue
• Decreased urination
• Thrombocytopenia
• Changes in mental ability
• Unconsciousness
• Abnormal heart functions

Symptoms of septic shock :

Some symptoms like difficulty breathing, bluish skin and acute confusion are same as Severe sepsis. Key symptom of septic shock is “Very low blood pressure“.

WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS ?

When not treated complication can develop in severe sepsis cases like :

• Gangrene
• Blood clots
• Organ damage
• Increased risk of infection
• Organ failure mostly heart, kidney and lungs.

AYURVEDIC APPROACH :

Herbs useful in sepsis are :

• Turmeric : Curcumin compound found in turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that helps to boost immunity of body . It also have antiseptic properties thus helps to cure infection in body.
• Garlic : It has anti bacterial and antibiotic properties that helps to counter the bacterial infection in person.
• Honey: It is high in antioxidants and also helps to fight bacterial and fungal infections in the body. It is a potent immunity booster and is easy to digest.
• Neem : It has strong anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that are extremely helpful in prevention of infections. It also has detoxifying properties thus helps to purify blood and improve blood circulation.
• Manjishtha : It is a potent blood purifier that helps to enhance the function of lymphatic system thus helps to boost immune system .
• Giloy : It has natural anti-pyretic effect thus helps to treat fever. Also exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties thus helpful in treatment of
• Tulsi: It has anti-bacterial and antibiotic properties that provide protection against viral or bacterial infection. Also has anti-pyretic properties thus treats fever quickly.

CHANDIGARH AYURVEDIC CENTER MEDICATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF SEPSIS

1. Giloy Capsules:

As the name suggested “Giloy” is the main ingredient of this medicine. It is a potent immuno-modulator herb. It is beneficial for improving the immunity and prevents from common infections. These tablets provide palliative treatment in fever. The vati reduces Kapha dosha, pacifies Vata and detoxifies the Pitta dosha. It is beneficial in general weakness, recurrent infections, periodic fever syndrome, etc.

Recommended Dosage: Take 2 capsules twice a day with normal water.

2. Amrit Tulsi Ras:

This herbal preparation is in drops form prepared from five types of Tulsi. Shama Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Rama Tulsi (Ocimum gratissimum), Kapoor Tulsi (Ocimum canum), Shwet Tulsi (Ocimum basilicum), Nimba Tulsi (Ocimum citriodorum) that provides good result in all allergic reactions.

Recommended Dosage: Take two to three drops twice daily.

3. Detox Premium powder:

Detox premium powder is a herbo-mineral preparation containing ingredients such as jahar mohra pishti, parwal pishti, shukta pishti, shankh bhasma, kehrva pishti, moti bhasam, giloy satv, kamdudha ras, etc. This herbal powder help in overall detoxification of the body, balances pitta dosha in the body, reduces inflammation, pain, sudden pain, etc.

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

4. Garlic Capsules:

This is purely Ayurvedic preparation. Garlic capsules shows anti-fungal, antioxidant, anti-microbial, immune-modulator properties. These capsules contains pure extract of garlic. This is effective in atherosclerosis, diabetes, high level of cholesterol, hypertension.

Recommended Dosage: Take 2 capsules twice daily.

5. Panchsakar Churna:

Panchsakar Churna is an herbal preparation containing five ingredients such as shunthi, haritaki, pippali, trivrit, & sauvarchala lavana. The use of this herbal churna deals with sudden abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, etc. It helps in overall detoxification of the body.

Recommended dosage: Take 1 teaspoonful with lukewarm water at bedtime