| |
AIDS- MODERN CONCEPT
AIDS is an acronym for the 'Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome'. AIDS
is not a single disease but it is a syndrome- a set of diseases, which
results from the destruction of the body's defenses by human immune
deficiency virus, HIV.
The virus that causes ' Aids HIV belongs to a family of viruses known as
retroviruses. HIV looks like a rolled up porcupine. It contain two
snakes like single strands of RNA along with reverse transcripts firmly
wrapped up in a core, giving HIV its characteristic appearance.
On entering the white blood cells known as CD 4 cells, HIV produces its
own DNA and sees to it that this gets inserted into the DNA of the host
cell. The viral DNA has enough power and information to direct the
destiny of the cell. It can force the cell to manufacture several new
copies of HIV. However due to certain trigger and regulatory mechanisms,
the viral DNA lies dormant in the host cell for several years before it
begins to do the damage.
People infected with HIV may take 7 - 10 years to develop AIDS.
AIDS AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE
According to Ayurveda the AIDS disease may be correlated with "Kshaya'
or "Ojakshaya' meaning loss of energy. The Symptoms and causative
factors and treatment for the latter are found mentioned in many ancient
Ayurvedic tests like, Charaka Samhitha, Bhavaprakasha,Vaidyachintamani
and Chakradatta etc., Shosha is another condition, which results from
loss of energy that is similar to AIDS.
The disease is caused by the dominant kapha dosha along with the other
doshas tends to block the path for the flow of rasadi dhatus in their
respective locations thus resulting in the deterioration of saptha dhatu
Rasa(plasma), Rakta (blood cells),Mansa ( muscular tissue), Meda
(adipose tissue), Asthi (bony tissue), Majja (bone marrow) and the
Shukra (reproductive tissue). thus resulting into the disease.
The major symptoms are:
loss of appetite, drastic loss of weight-emaciation
fatigue and lethargy
susceptibility to allergies and contagious diseases
skin irritations
bronchial disorders, often leading to tuberculosis of the lungs
damage to intestinal flora resulting in diarrhea, dysentery, gastritis
and
wide fluctuations in body temperature. prolonged fever
sleeplessness etc.
TREATMENT OF AIDS ACCORDING TO AYURVEDIC SYSTEM:
All seems not lost for the HIV infected persons as the Ayurvedic
supplements are proven to be harmless without any side effects and there
can only be improvement and not deterioration.
TREATMENT PLAN
Initially, the patient is given tonics and rejuvenators (Rasayanas) to
boost immunity levels and to strengthen the system and stimulate
appetite.
After gaining some strength, shodhana (elimination) techniques are used
to expel toxins from the body through enemas, purgation and emesis. The
medications administered at this stage are not hard or drastic, but
soft, ghee-based so that the patient withstands them with ease.
Secondly the blood is purified with appropriate medications. Liver
corrective measures also play an important role.
A strengthening diet along with medicated ghee preparations and soups is
recommended. But spicy, oily and acidic foods are to be avoided. A
little alcohol is recommended as anupana (carrier) to aid the digestive
process, and also remove blockages in the flow of Rasadi dhatus, i.e.
srothorodha.
Patient is advised to do regular exercise. If the patient is incapable
of exercising or running due to weakness, then steaming (swedanam) is
also recommended. reason behind this is 'Heated blood is said to weaken,
and even destroy, the virus in some cases'.
Experience has shown that certain herbo-mineral compounds prepared as
per the formulae prescribed by sages like Agasthya, Charaka,
Sarangadhara and others for the treatment of Kshaya have brought about
significant results in improving the condition of AIDS patients. The
Rasayana and Vajikara effects of the these medicines are good for the
patients.
Some of the propritery ayurvedic medicines achieving good improvement in
the quality of life of patients include 'Chyavanprash' 'Raktavardhak' (
Ayurveda Rasashala ) for Immunity building and 'Sookshma triphla tabs'
to keep away the the infection.
|
|
