What is Parkinson's (KAMPAVATA) ?
Parkinson's
disease is a progressive neurological disorder resulting from degeneration
of neurons in a region of the brain that controls movement creating
a shortage of the brain signaling chemical dopamine, causing the movement
impairments that characterising the disease. It has probably existed
for many thousands of years. Its symptoms and potential therapies
were mentioned in the Ayurveda.
WHAT
ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE ?
The
first symptom of Parkinson's disease is tremor (trembling or shaking)
of a limb, especially when the body is at rest. Tremor often begins
on one side of the body, frequently in one hand. Other symptoms include
slow movement (bradykinesia), an inability to move (akinesia), rigid
limbs, a shuffling gait, and a stooped posture. People with Parkinson's
disease often show reduced facial expressions and speaks in a soft
voice. The disease also causes depression, personality changes, dementia,
sleep disturbances, speech impairments, or sexual difficulties. Severity
of Parkinson's symptoms tends to worsen over time.
WHAT
CAUSES PARKINSON'S DISEASE?
There
are many theories about the cause of Parkinson's disease. Until recently,
the prevailing theory held that one or more environmental factors
caused the disease. Some people have an inherited susceptibility to
the disease that may be influenced by environmental factors. Strong
familial inheritance of the chromosome - 4 gene is the first evidence
that a gene alteration alone may lead to Parkinson's disease in some
people.
HOW
IS PARKINSON'S DISEASE DIAGNOSED ?
A
neurologist who can evaluate symptoms and their severity usually diagnoses
Parkinson’s disease. No test can clearly identify the disease.
Tests, such as brain scans, can help doctors decide if a patient has
true Parkinson's disease or some other disorder that resembles it.
Some experts believe Parkinson's disease is something of an "iceberg;
phenomenon," lurking undetected in as many as 20 people for each
known Parkinson's patient
WHAT
TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE ?
There
is no cure for Parkinson's disease. Many patients are only mildly
affected and need no treatment for several years after the initial
diagnosis.
Ayurvedic
medicine has been shown in various medical trials to help treat different
diseases.
In
a 1995 study, Hp-200 (derived from the Ayurvedic therapeutic agent
Mucuna pruriens ( Kapikachu ) seed powder, as opposed to isolated
active ingredients) was tested on patients suffering from Parkinson's
disease.The results were monitored with the Unified Parkinson's Disease
Rating Scale. The study showed that the Ayurvedic treatment was effective
and only caused minor side effects.
AYURVEDIC
DESCRIPTION OF KAMPAVATA IS MODERN PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Paralysis
agitans, described by James Parkinson is an independent description
of Kampavata (Kampa:tremor, Vata metabolic derangement Predisposing
to neurologic and mental diseases) described in Ayureda centuries
ago Various signs and symptoms associated with the disease such as
akinesia, drooling, reptilian stare, tremor, constant somnolence,
rigidity, and dementia were described in Charaka Samhita. A more clear
definition. tremors of hands and feet, difficulty with body movements.
Is described in Charaka Sanhita. Several preparations containing Mucuna
pruriens ( Kapikachu ) were descrided for treatment of patients with
Kampavata. The major active compound present in Mucuna pruriens is
levodopa. Levodopa is the major drug used in the treatment of Parkinson's
disease. The evidence suggests that Parkinson's disease existed in
ancient India under the name Kampavata and herbal preparations containing
levodopa were administered to alleviate the symptoms of the disease
centuries before such a drug came into modern medicine.
Herbal
medicines containing anticholinergics, levodopa, and monoamine oxidase
inhibitors were traditionally used in the treatment of Parkinson’s
disease in India.
