I forget things sometimes, don’t everyone?
Yes – we all misplace our keys or walk into a room and forget why. But when this memory loss interferes with our daily life, it may be more than just normal ageing. It could be Alzheimer’s disease- a progressive neurological disorder that affects millions worldwide.
When we say about a brief history of Alzheimer’s disease, the first reported case was in 1906 by Alois Alzheimer, where he described the symptomology as well as distinctive plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain histology of a 50-year-old female patient named Auguste Deter. She experienced memory loss, language problem and even changes in behaviour and was described as a serious disease of cerebral cortex
The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease is high across the world and is increasing. In a study it is showing at present, there are around 50 million AD patients worldwide and this number is projected to double every 5 years.
Understanding Alzheimer’s – the modern perspective
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia which is characterized by gradual memory loss, irritability, mood swings, confusion and language breakdown. Although scientists are not unequivocal about the cause of the disease, the most widely accepted reason is the amyloid cascade hypothesis, that suggest excess production of a small protein fragment called Amyloid Beta. It accumulates and form plaques, which can lead to impaired synaptic function, neuronal death etc
Clinical manifestations are, in the early stages of the disease the memory loss may go unrecognized. Slowly cognitive problems begin to interfere with daily activities, such as keeping track of finances, following instructions of job, driving, shopping and housekeeping. In the middle stages of the disease, the patient is unable to work, is easily lost and confused and requires daily supervision. Language may be impaired especially comprehension and naming of objects. Patients may be unable to do simple calculations or tell time. In the late stages, some persons remain ambulatory but wander aimlessly and may have complete loss of judgment reasoning and cognitive ability.
Decoding Alzheimer’s in ayurveda
As mentioned, this Alzheimer’s disease is coming under a neuro degenerative disorder. Thinking on the basis of dosha involvement, we have to analyze the karma of tridoshas. Among tridoshas vata dosha controls activities, coordination of movements, it prompts all kinds of actions, it restrains and impels the mental activities, prompts speech, Samyak gathi of dhatus (maintenance of dhatus) and Akshaanam patavam (coordinates all sense faculties). But these neuro disorders are produced not only by vata dosha ,other doshas like pitta and kapha are also imparting significant role. Pitta dosa role in improving medha and role of kapha dosha in Kshama(tolerance) helps in withholding emotions, intelligence etc and going deeply we can find the involvement of prana,udana and vyana vata respectively. In ayurvedic literature, the symptoms of neuro degenerative diseases are not clumped under the heading of a single disease rather are described as types of vata vyadhi. These neuro degenerative conditions are seen as enhancements of the normal process of aging, which is a slow and continuous process and that affects various bodily tissues at different decades, including decline in medha. Normally the process of aging begins in the fourth decade of life, but by involvement of certain etiological factors this process begins at an early age. Conditions like Alzheimer’s (smritibhramsha) belong to category where rate of neuro degeneration is disproportionately increased to chronological age of individual.
Smritibhramsha (Alzheimer’s disease): An ayurvedic insight to nidana- samprapti
Neuro degeneration (progressive loss of structure and function of neurons) can be explained in ayurveda as Dhatukshaya ,Ojokshaya ,Smriti bhramsha/ medha dourbalya due to vata dushti.
Vata dosha gets aggravated by adopting its aggravating factors like excess consumption of ruksha, sheeta, alpa, laghu gunas and excessive physical activities etc. Due to subtle nature of vata it impels the remaining two doshas. The aggravated vata expel out provoked pitta and kapha dosha into different places of body and obstructs the srotas(channels of circulation) including manovaha srotas. It leads to manifestation of various disorders and causes kshaya of sareera dhatus. Dhatu kshaya leading to ojas kshaya as well as impairment of sensory functions. When the normal function of vata is affected, it leads to angasada(weakness), alpabhasa(slow speech) samja moha (loss of consciousness) etc.
Vata vitiation can occur with dhatu kshaya and avarana janya. When we consider avarana janya vyadhis reduced motor activity is seen in kaphavruta vyana vata, as well as mental fatiguability (state of tiredness and decreased cognitive functions) is seen in pittavruta vyana vata and pittavruta udana vata.
The majority of vata vikaras which are described in this context are difficult to cure by conventional modern medicine. But its management through ayurveda considering involvement of other dosas, along with status of agni, srotas, dhatus and ojas , calm down symptoms and improves overall well being of patient.
Smritibhramsha Chikitsa – A Medhya and vata balancing approach
Mostly vataja rogas are caused by dhatukshaya, hence such type of disorders needs special therapeutic intervention to preserve the normalcy of dhatus and replenish the depleted ones. In this regard ayurveda rasayan drugs should be used clinically in all types of vatika disorders. As rasayana drugs have action in improving dhee- dhruti and smriti, it helps in regaining cognitive abilities. There we can give singe drugs like mandukaparni, shankhapushpi, guduchi, yashti madhu , kushmanda, jyotismati ,vacha etc. All these drugs are having proven regenerative action, anti-oxidant action and adaptogenetic action and there are different formulations like chyavanprasha, shilajatu rasayana, brahmi rasayana , chitraka rasayana etc. having effect on smriti.
When process of disease is avarana janya that is specially confined to srotas, it is primarly managed by biopurificatory measures. Thus, the line of management can be vata samana through srotosodhana , Medhya rasayana therapy, ojovardhaka and manasika chikitsa.
The whole shodhana procedure depends upon the proper mobilization of dosha from the sakha, which is achieved with the help of snehana and swedana.
For snehana:
The person who takes Sneha regularly will get following benefits like pratyagra dhatu(nourishment of dhatus) drda indriya(sturdiness of sense organs) manda jara(delayed aging). Tailas like sahachara taila, mahamashadi taila, dhanvantara taila, ksheerabala taila,karpasastyaditaila , brahmi taila etc are commonly used.
For swedana- nadi sweda, shashtika shali pinda sweda (with aswagandha and mamsa rasa), kshira dhuma (dasamula ,bala, eranda kashaya ,ksheera,) etc
Panchakarma procedures:
Shirodhara and Shirobasti- mahamasha taila, himasagara taila, mahanarayana taila, dhanvantara taila etc
Nasya using kushmanda ghrta nasya(act as balya and Medhya)
Matra Basti using kalyanaka or brahmi ghrta
Mild virecana using nimba amrutadi eranda taila
Manasika chikitsa (Psychological support):
As these persons have become cognitively impaired, it may affect their social interactions. So, caregivers must give a supportive approach. Regular yoga and meditation are having results.
Even though Alzheimer’s disease might seem like a modern brain glitch, ayurveda offers more than just a treatment. With its proven healing traditions of Medhya rasayanas, vata pacifying panchakarmas and living a satvik life it offers a manual for keeping your motherboard well oiled. So, whether it’s sipping a brahmi tea, or doing a meditation instead of stressing over social media or getting a shirodhara ayurveda says don’t wait for the fog to roll in – start sharpening the mind before the keys goes missing.
