Sarcoidosis Ayurvedic Treatment

Growth of granulomas (group of inflammatory cells) in body parts is called sarcoidosis. Though lungs and lymph nodes are the most common sites of developing granulomas, they may also be seen in other parts such as heart, eyes, etc. The exact cause of sarcoidosis is not known, but it can develop from body’s reaction to invading foreign bodies/ self-proteins. Sarcoidosis has no specific treatment. Some people got relief even without any treatment or mild care.

Sarcoidosis Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of sarcoidosis are different depending on the site affected. Some people may not have any symptoms. This disease either develops gradually and persist for long time, or attack suddenly and relieves soon. Some of the common symptoms regardless of the area affected are fatigue, joint pain and swelling, loss of body weight and inflamed lymph nodes. Sarcoidosis of eyes is very serious condition as there may not be any symptoms. Most of the time this disease is diagnosed during routine check-up or as a part of investigation in other eye diseases. If present, the usual symptoms in eyes are pain and redness in eyes, blurring of vision, itching and dryness of eyes, light sensitivity etc. Sarcoidosis of lung causes shortness of breath, persistent dry cough, wheezing, chest pain etc. Discolouration, rashes (especially over shin or ankle of leg, with tenderness), disfiguring lesions on nose, ears and cheeks, nodules etc are the usual features of sarcoidosis affecting skin. In cardiac sarcoidosis there may be chest pain, fatigue, dyspnoea, irregular heartbeat, palpitations, edema etc.

Sarcoidosis Ayurvedic Analysis

Inflammation is caused by vitiation of pitta, rakta and vata mainly. Vyadhikshamatwa is the factor that protects us from invading microbes. If it is deranged, the person is prone to develop several diseases. Those having pitta prakrti are also very sensitive to external factors like dust, chemicals etc.

Sarcoidosis Causative Factors (Ayurveda)

The level of vyadhikshamatwa is different from person to person. It may be due to beejaswabhava (genetic factors). Prakrti of a person is determined early in foetal period and hence it cannot be changed. The vyadhikshamatwa of an individual often decreases due to unhealthy food habits, unhygienic lifestyle, over-exposure to potential irritants like dust/ pollen/ chemicals etc, prolonged diseases, excessive stress/ depression, lack of physical exertion, malnutrition etc. Pitta and rakta are often vitiated by excess intake of spicy, hot food, excess anger/ sadness, exposure to heat/ sunlight/ radiations etc.

Possible Complications in Sarcoidosis Disease

Sarcoidosis affecting organs often leads to complications such as pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, damage to retina, cataract, glaucoma, cardiac arrhythmia, kidney stone, renal dysfunction, nerve damage etc.

Other systemic diseases and precautions to be taken

Consider other conditions like diabetes, hypertension, cardiac diseases etc before planning treatment.

Sarcoidosis Disease Management with Ayurveda Treatment

Symptomatic care is provided as there is no specific treatment for sarcoidosis. Pacify aggravated pitta and rakta using suitable internal medicines. Sometimes, this is enough to manage the condition. Otherwise, procedures like snehana (internal and or external administration of lipid formulation of drugs), swedana (mild sudation therapy), nasya (nasal instillation of medicines), virechana (purgation therapy), raktamoksha (blood-letting), etc are also performed.

Diet

The diet must be capable of pacifying aggravated pitta and rakta. Include more green vegetables, millets like raggi, sweet fruits, nuts, milk, fruit juices, vegetable and meat soups etc in diet. Reduce the consumption of sour, salty, spicy, and hot food, sour fruits, heavy to digest food items, etc.

Exercise

Regular exercise is recommended to practice on a moderate level. This helps to improve the vyadhikshamatwa.

Sarcoidosis Preventive Aspects in Ayurveda

Even though this condition is not preventable, follow a healthy diet plan and lifestyle, exercise regularly, perform seasonal body purification methods, limit the consumption of alcohol and quit smoking, avoid exposure to potential irritants like chemical fumes/ dust etc.

Importance of Diet

Follow the instructions of physician about which food items pacify pitta and rakta. This is important to get sudden relief even with good treatment.