What is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the degeneration of nerve cells. It results in altered movements and rigidity of the body. These nerve cells deteriorate or become impaired, and lose the ability to produce an important chemical called dopamine.
The exact cause of Parkinson's disease essentially remains unknown. But various factors are known to cause the disorder such as oxidative damage, environmental toxins, genetic factors, and accelerated ageing.
Causes of Parkinson's Disease
The cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown, but several factors appear to play a role, including:
- Genes - Certain genes are responsible for the increase in the risk of Parkinson's disease.
- Environmental factors - Exposure to certain environmental factors may increase the risk of later Parkinson's disease, but the risk is relatively small.
- Low dopamine levels - Researchers have proven that low levels of dopamine chemicals can cause Parkinson's disease. This happens when cells that produce dopamine die in the brain.
- Low norepinephrine levels - Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter or chemical present in the brain that is important for controlling many automatic body functions, such as the circulation of the blood. Its low levels in the brain can cause the disorder.
- The presence of Lewy bodies - Clumps of specific substances within brain cells are microscopic markers of Parkinson's disease. These are called Lewy bodies, and researchers believe these Lewy bodies hold an important clue to the cause of Parkinson's disease.
- Heredity - People who have close family members with Parkinson’s disease are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, too.
- Age - Young adults rarely experience Parkinson's disease. It usually begins in middle or late life, and the risk increases with age. People usually develop the disease around age 60 or older.
Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease
The signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease are listed below:
- Tremors - A tremor, or shaking, usually begins in a limb, often your hand or fingers.
- Slowed movement - Parkinson's disease may slow your movements such as slow walking process and hindrance in the hand movements.
- Rigid muscles - Muscle stiffness may occur in any part of your body.
- Impaired posture and balance - Your posture may impair, or you may have balance problems as a result of Parkinson's disease.
- Speech changes - You may speak softly, quickly, slur or stammer while talking.
- Writing changes - It may become hard to write, and your writing may appear small.
- Involuntary control of limbs and hands.
- Stiffness of arms, legs, and trunk.
- Problems with balance.
- Depression and anxiety.
- Troubles with attention and memory.
Parkinson's Disease Treatment in Ayurveda
The Ayurvedic treatment for Parkinson's disease is called Kampavata. It is important to know the cause of the disease for Parkinson treatment in Ayurveda. It is a Vata vitiated disease.
The Ayurvedic treatment of this disease can be done with the help of some ayurvedic medicine for Parkinson's disease and Panchakarma therapies such as abhayagam, swedana, nasya, shirodhara and vasti, etc to remove toxicity from the body. Digestive fire is increased slowly and strength is given to the nervous system.
Ayurvedic Parkinson's disease treatments are potent enough not only to curb further degeneration but also to strengthen the nervous system. By these ayurvedic therapies, the speed of movement improves slowly. The target of the Ayurvedic treatment is not to cure the disease but to provide relief from the symptoms like tremors, rigidity, and depression.
- Abhayagam - Certain ayurvedic and herbal oils are extremely beneficial for Ayurvedic massages. The Ayurvedic massages that could be beneficial for Parkinson’s patients are done according to the proper methods of the ayurvedic texts.
- Virechana - It is also known as Purgative therapy. These wastes are eliminated through the lower pathway of the body. Virechana is used for Pitta disorder to cleanse the primary site of the pitta where is in the stomach and small intestine. It is an effective Parkinson disease cure in Ayurveda.
- Basti therapy – Is also called Enema therapy. The therapy purifies the colon where the primary location of Vata nourishes the body. This is one of the best natural cures for Parkinson disease.
- NadiShodhana pranayama – This treatment is done by following a proper routine including the Nadi shodan Pranayam and yoga. NadiShodhana pranayama is incredibly calming, and soothing to the mind, the nervous system, and effectively balances Vata, pitta, and Kapha.
- Shiro Abhyanga therapy - It is the most popular ayurvedic Indian head massage for stress and fatigue relief. A soothing massage of the head, neck, and shoulder.
- Swedana therapy - This is effective in bringing the brain chemicals to normal levels.
- Shirodhara therapy - It is a form of Ayurveda therapy that involves gently pouring liquids over the forehead and can be one of the steps involved in Panchakarma. The name comes from the Sanskrit words Shiro (head) and dhara (flow). This therapy is used as an efficient Parkinson treatment in Ayurveda.
- Sarvangadara therapy - This is done through the application of small steam-heated bundles of herbs tied in cotton bags and pressed gently on aching parts of the body.
- Nasya therapy - Nasya purifies and removes vitiated doshas through the nasal openings. The nasal treatment can be done with the help of medicated powders, medicinal fumes, nasal oil or medicated juice.
Preventions/Lifestyle for Parkinson's Disease
Some natural remedies and preventions are very helpful in the cure for Parkinson's disease :
- Physical exercises - Various researches have shown that regular aerobic exercise might reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease.
- Regularize bowels.
- Do regular yoga, pranayama and meditation.
- Caffeine intake - people who drink caffeine, which is found in coffee, tea and cola have low chances of Parkinson's disease as compared to others who don’t drink coffee.
- Turmeric - Turmeric acts as one of the important Parkinson's natural remedies. This spice contains curcumin, an antioxidant ingredient. It may help to prevent the clumping of a protein involved in Parkinson's disease.
- Flavonoids - A high intake of various antioxidants such as flavonoids may lower the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Flavonoids are present in berries, apples, some vegetables, tea, and red grapes.
- Avoiding toxins - Exposure to herbicides, pesticides, and other toxins may increase the risk of neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease.
Signs and Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease
Involuntary control of limbs and hands
Speech Changes
Imbalanced Posture
Depression and Anxiety
Why To Choose Ayurveda?
Looks for the Root Cause
The ayurvedic approach of disease looks for the root cause and not merely the symptoms. Ayurveda offers two ways of treatment; One is Shodhan, and the other is Shaman. Shodhan is complete detoxification of the body by Panchakarma therapies. Shaman is balancing the doshas by Ayurveda medicines, diet, and lifestyle changes. Ayurveda medicines always work better in a patient detoxified with Panchakarma.
Safe Medicines
Ayurveda medicines are processed most naturally and not in the synthetic and chemical form. For this reason, the herbs are soft on the body, and there is no risk of side effects even if the patient requires to take them for longer durations. The complete eradication of the root cause ensures the cure and prevents future health complications.
Holistic Approach
Ayurveda is not merely a medical science. Instead, it is a philosophical science too. The basic principles of Ayurveda consider an individual human a specific identity and hence his treatment. Ayurveda gives importance to the treatment of the patient rather than the treatment of the disease. Two patients of the same disease can have different treatments because of the difference in their body constitution.