Myasthenia Gravis Ayurvedic Treatment

Myasthenia gravis is characterised by weakness and easy fatigue of voluntary muscles (controllable) caused by deranged communication between nerves and muscles. Acetylcholines are the neurotransmitters that pass message from nerve to muscle, and there are receptor cells for this neurotransmitter at the nerve-muscle junction. In myasthenia gravis, these receptors are damaged by certain antibodies resulting in poor communication between nerve and muscles. These antibodies also destroy the protein that form the neuro-muscular junction. Seronegative myasthenia gravis (without the involvement of antibodies affecting neurotransmitter or protein) are also there. Abnormalities of Thymus gland (enlarged gland in adults, tumour in gland etc) is another cause. Rarely, this disease is seen in infants born to mothers with myasthenia gravis. Yong women (below 40years of age) and older men (above 60 years) are at more risk of developing this disease.

Myasthenia Signs and Symptoms

The major symptom of myasthenia gravis is progressive weakness of muscle usually aggravates by activity and reduce by rest. Commonly affected muscles are eye muscles (resulting in drooping of eyelid/s, double vision etc), muscles of face and throat (resulting in difficulty to chew/ speak/ swallow food, deviation of face to either side etc), neck muscles (inability to hold head in position) and leg muscles (difficulty to walk or stand).

Myasthenia Ayurvedic Analysis

Vyanavayu is deranged and it vitiates mamsa dhatu (muscle tissue) leading to its shosha (weakness). The symptoms include srama (fatigue), granthi (tumours), anga guruta (heavy feeling of body parts), stabdhata (inability to perform activities) etc.

Myasthenia Causative Factors (Ayurveda)

Vata is aggravated by excess physical activity, consumption of bitter/ astringent/ pungent tastes, skipping of meals, over thinking etc.

Possible Complications of Myasthenia Disease

When the disease affects the muscles involved in breathing, it is called Myasthenia crisis. Other common complications are thymoma (tumour in thymus gland), autoimmune disorders like arthritis, and thyroid dysfunctions.

Other systemic diseases and precautions to be taken

Certain medications (eg: beta blockers) can elicit this disease.

Myasthenia Disease Management with Ayurveda Treatment

The management is focused on pacifying the vata vitiation and improve muscle strength. Internal medications along with snehana (internal and external), swedana (sudation therapy- eg: kizhi, pizhichil, steam bath), nasya (nasal instillation of medicine), virechana (purgation therapy), vasthi (enema with suitable medicine), lepana (external application of oil or pasted drugs) etc are provided. It is followed by rasayana therapy (boosting the immunity and providing nourishment to the tissues). It is not a curable condition, only the symptoms can be managed.

Diet

Include more whole grains, steamed vegetables, fruits/ fruit juices in diet. Avoid excess intake of sugar, salt, alcohol etc.

Exercise

Exercise may trigger the symptoms, and hence proper rest is needed for the persons with myasthenia gravis.

Myasthenia Preventive Aspects in Ayurveda

It is not a preventable condition as its cause is not well understood. But, the adverse effects of the disease can be prevented by taking adequate rest, avoiding stress and using supportive measures.

Importance of Diet

As the person feels difficulty to chew or swallow food, take semi-solid or liquid diet that requires less chewing. Eat healthy nutritious diet.

Lifestyle

Take semi-solid or liquid diet that need less chewing. Small meals at frequent intervals are recommended. Use supportive measures (eg: hand rails) while walking or doing other manual works. Take adequate rest.