Vol. 114 • August 201740 THE ANTISEPTIC

alternative medicine

introduction

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common degenerative disease of the motor neuron system. The disorder is named for its underlying pathophysiology. A-myo-trophic comes from

Greek “A” = no/negative “myo” =

muscle “trophic” = nourishment “No Muscle Nourishment”

Lateral = defines location of the nerve cells that signal and control the muscles

Sclerosis = scarring and hardening in the degenerating

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and AyurvedaSaurabh, Muralidhar SharMa

Dr. Saurabh, M.S (AYU) Consultant in Shalya Tantra, RK University Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Rajkot, Gujrat - 360 020.Dr. Muralidhar Sharma, Medical Superintendent,Professor Dept. of Shalya Tantra, S.D.M College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Kuthpady-Udupi, Karnataka.

Specially Contributed to "The Antiseptic" Vol. 114 No. 8 & P : 40 - 44

abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form of the motor neuron diseases. The disorder is characterized by rapidly progressive weakness, muscle atrophy and fasciculations, muscle spasticity, difficulty speaking (dysarthria), difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and decline in breathing ability. The disorder causes muscle weakness and atrophy throughout the body caused by degeneration of the upper and lower motor neurons. Affected individuals may ultimately lose the ability to initiate and control all voluntary movement. Sensory nerves and the autonomic nervous system are generally unaffected meaning the majority of people with ALS will maintain sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. Bladder and bowel functions are also rarely affected by ALS.Though all the three dosas are involved in the samprapti of ALS, thevyadhiswaroop of ALS shows predominant of both vata and kapha in samprapti. So the line of treatment in Ayurveda mainly focuses on the pacification Vata and bringing back the equilibrium between all the three Doshas (Vata, Pitta&Kapha).Inspite of the best possible treatment efforts, currently complete cure of MND in most of the cases is not possible as this disease as per Ayurveda comes under the criteria of ‘Kashtasaadhyaroga’ (difficult to cure). Early diagnosed & treated cases respond to the maximum and rate of success will decrease with chronicity of the disease.Key Words: Motor neuron disease, ALS, Vatarogas, Rajyapanabasti, Samanachikitsa.

region with “amyotrophy” referring to the atrophy of muscle fibers, which are denervated as their corresponding anterior horn cells degenerate. “Lateral sclerosis” refers to

the changes seen in the lateral columns of the spinal cord as upper motor neuron (UMN) axons in these areas degenerate and are replaced by fibrous astrocytes (gliosis)1

History

ALS was first described in 1869 by the French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot and hence is also known as Charcot disease; however, it gained popular recognition and its best-known eponym in the United States after the baseball player Lou Gehrig announced his diagnosis with the disease in 1939. SoALS, also known as Lou Gehrig disease, is the

most common neurodegenerative disease of adult onset involving the motor neuron system. Prevalence

There are about 1-3 cases per 100,000 per year, and 50% survival rates range from 36 to 48 months [95% confidence interval (CI)] after the onset of symptoms has been seen.2

causes

Due to a mutation in SOD1, the superoxide radicals are not neutralized

The radicals attack the motor neurons and degrade them

Muscles are not able to be stimulated

This enzyme is a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from damage caused by superoxide, a toxic free radical. Free radicals can accumulate and cause damage to DNA and