How to treat Parkinson’s Disease through Ayurveda

Parkinson’s Disease is a neurological disorder, and named after physician Dr. James Parkinson who published a detailed description of the condition in 1817. Direct reference to conditions describing Parkinson’s disease is not available in classical Ayurveda texts. Ayurveda texts refer to different types of tremors. Parkinson’s disease is most commonly called Kampavata by current Ayurveda practitioners.

The most common recognisable symptom of Parkinson’s disease is known as a “pill rolling tremor.” In this condition, the thumb and fingers move uncontrollably in a manner resembling the rolling of a pill between the fingers. Tremors most commonly appear in the hands, arms, and legs, though other areas may be affected. Small movements of the hands and fingers may eventually be difficult. Another symptom is stambha (rigidity), in which movement becomes slow and difficult to initiate. Patients usually have to look at their feet to begin, shuffle forward and occasionally break into a trot (festination). The arms do not swing in coordination with the usual stride. The face may appear without expression (mask face), dull, or depressed; though no depression may be present. Reduced blinking is an early symptom. The voice becomes monotone and expressionless, further causing some to mistake this as depression.

Western medicine has determined the cause of Parkinson’s disease to be a loss of function of specialised cells in the brain stem which stimulate the production of the neurotransmitter, dopamine. Drugs supplying the brain with L-DOPA (a pre-cursor to dopamine) have been the mainstay of allopathic treatments of Parkinson’s disease. Ayurveda considers Kampavata as the manifestation of aggravated Vata, when Vata accumulates in brain tissues, damaging portions of the brain stem and causing altered coordination and tremors.

Dr Beckie Port writes about treating Parkinson’s disease through natural sources of L-Dopa. She mentions the risks of taking chemically synthesised L-Dopa

Levodopa is very effective, particularly in the early stages of the condition. But as Parkinson’s progresses and more brain cells are lost, more drug will need to be taken to get the same effects. And as the dose is increased to manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s the side effects themselves become unmanageable.(emphasis is mine)

Ayurveda uses Mucuna Pruriens which is a natural source of L-Dopa. L-Dopa whether natural or synthetic, is a replacement for the dopamine that the brain is no longer making. It does nothing to reverse or prevent further damage to the brain stem. Ayurvedic treatment of Parkinson’s disease is about the Vata disturbance. Ayurveda teaches that a holistic treatment regimen offers the greatest chance of success with Parkinson’s patients. In addition to using Mucuna pruriens, vata must be pacified.

Ayurvedic regimens have a lot to offer patients with Parkinson’s or other diseases. LiveRight is a startup offering solutions based on classical Ayurveda texts for the treatment of Parkison’s and other chronic ailments such as diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, migraine etc. Fix an appointment with one of our doctors today to regain your health and wellness.

Sleep Tips Offered By Top Rated Chicago Area Sleep Medicine Center

Maybe you find it hard to get to sleep each night. Perhaps you wake up after only an hour or so and cannot return to sound sleep. If so, you are not alone as this is a very common problem these days. Here are some helpful tips on better sleep from your Chicago insomnia professionals.

When sleeping is a problem, take a look at what you eat and drink. Try to cut back on stimulants like caffeine late in the day or early evening. You might try switching to decaffeinated beverages. Do not forget foods like chocolate and drinks like colas also contain caffeine. 

If you are constantly waking up at night, make your bedroom more conducive for resting. For instance, make sure you are very comfortable and that room temperature is not too cold or warm. Block out as much light as possible and consider black out drapes or curtains. Have some kind of noise in the background to drown out distractions. You can place a radio on "no channel" with loud volume for white noise.

Develop a habit or ritual each night before going to bed. This can put you in the right state of mind and can be very beneficial for sleeping. You might try taking a warm shower or bath right before bed. The goal is to reduce the amount of stimulation before one goes to bed.  Do not take smart phones or tablets to bed with you since the light emitted from such devices in a dark room may make it more difficult to fall asleep.

Staring at the clock all night long can make for a long night. Set an alarm for morning and then place the clock where you cannot see it. Also, do not worry about "not sleeping". Instead, start with relaxing the feet and gradually work your way all the up to your head.

If your sleep problem is long term, you could have medical or emotional problems. Consider seeking professional help from your local Chicago sleep center. They have trained professionals that will help you find the reason for your inability to fall asleep or stay asleep. 

Chicago Chronic Insomnia Therapy

A large number of people in the United States suffer from chronic insomnia. It is highly likely that almost everyone experiences either transient or chronic insomnia at some point during their lifespan. For local residents, cognitive behavioral treatment is often used to alleviate chronic insomnia at The Center for Sleep Medicine.

The inability to sleep will be categorized first as primary or secondary and then as acute or chronic. Primary cases are not caused by an underlying health problem, while secondary cases are often caused by health conditions and the symptoms that may occur. When sleep issues are acute, they only occur for short periods. Chronic sleep troubles are diagnosed when they last for at least three nights a week and for a month or more.

If the sleeping issue is primary and acute, there are several methods to address the issue. Mild cases, that seem to occur without repeated incidences, can be addressed with adjustments to sleeping habits. Learning relaxation techniques may also be helpful. A doctor may recommend the short term use of over the counter or prescription medications. Before you begin taking over the counter medications on your own, however, make sure you talk with your doctor.

Chronic sleeping problems that are also classified as secondary must be handled a bit differently. Your doctor must first determine how to handle the underlying condition and the symptoms that are likely causing your sleeping issues. If your sleep problems still persist, methods can include changing habits, learning new behaviors, and light therapy. Prescription and over the counter medications are often not recommended for chronic cases because they are only designed to be used on a short term, temporary basis.

Herbal and dietary supplements may also be helpful in dealing with episodes of sleeping troubles. Two common supplements are Valerian and Melatonin. Valerian is an herb that has sedative properties and can be found in different products, such as herbal tea with chamomile, and as a stand alone supplement. Melatonin is a hormone that is naturally produced by the body to induce sleep, but supplements in low doses can help sleeping troubles. Discuss these options with your doctor to ensure there are no interaction dangers with other medications you may be taking.

If you are experiencing difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, start keeping a journal to track each incidence and what you feel. Take this information to your doctor to help with the determination. In figuring out the cause and possible ways to help, you may be asked to attend a sleep study session.