Ayurvedic Treatment For Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia

ABSTRACT

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WMG) is a rare type of lymphoma that is malignant in character and affects lymphatic tissues and bone marrow. In this disorder there is found abnormal increase in the number of specific white blood cells that are called B lymphocytes. Due to the abnormally large accumulation of these cells in the body there occurs formation of antibody protein called IgM in excessive quantities. This abnormal increase in the IgM antibodies causes blood to become thick and hence affects the flow of blood especially making it difficult in smaller blood vessels causing certain signs and symptoms. Further these small blood vessels may tear due to increased pressure in them as the passing blood is thick, this may lead to bleeding from nose, retina or gums. This write up contains all the needed information of WMG and its Ayurvedic treatment and management.

INTRODUCTION TO WALDENSTROM MACROGLOBULINEMIA

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WMG) is a cancer of rare type that arises in the white blood cells. In this disorder the bone marrow of the affected person produces an abnormally large number of white blood cells, decreasing the number of healthy white blood cells. An abnormal protein is produced by these largely growing numbers of abnormal white blood cells that start to accumulate in the blood leading to impaired blood circulation and further complications. WMG is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and sometimes also termed as Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma.

AYURVEDIC ASPECT OF WALDENSTROM MACROGLOBULINEMIA

In Ayurveda cancer is correlated with the term Arbud which means swelling. There are different types of dhatus which the human body is made up of as per Ayurveda and there is role of these dhatus in formation of arbud. Also there is imbalance of the tridosha as Ayurvedic concepts reveal that no disease can occur without any imbalance in these tridosha, i.e. Vata, Pitta and Kapha dosha.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF WALDENSTROM MACROGLOBULINEMIA

WMG is a slow growing disorder which may even not cause any signs and symptoms for several years and may go unnoticed. However when they appear, these can be:

• Bleeding from gums or nose
• Tiredness or fatigue
• Bruising easily
• Loss of weight
• Fever
• Numbness in feet or hands
• Headache
• Confusion
• Visual changes
• Shortness of breath

CAUSES OF WALDENSTROM MACROGLOBULINEMIA

The exact cause behind WMG remains unknown. However this disease is known to begin with a single white blood cell that is abnormal and is developed due to the abnormal mutations in the genetic code. This error leads to continuous multiplication of these abnormal white blood cells rapidly. As these cancerous cells do not follow normal lifecycles and do not mature or die when they should, they continuously multiply and accumulate, hence hampering the production of healthy white blood cells. The WMG cells further produce an abnormal protein instead of antibodies which are produced by the healthy cells and hence this abnormal protein cannot be used by the body. This abnormal protein IgM accumulates in the blood impairing the blood circulation and resulting in complications.

DIAGNOSIS OF THE WALDENSTROM MACROGLOBULINEMIA

WMG is diagnosed with the help of certain tests like blood tests which will reveal the low number of healthy blood cells and IgM produced by cancerous cells is also detected in the blood tests. Further bone marrow samples are collected for biopsy. If any cancer cells are detected in this sample then advanced laboratory cells are conducted for checking genetic mutations. Certain imaging tests like CT scan and PET (Positron emission tomography) scan are done to check if it is spread to other parts of the body.

TREATMENT OF THE WALDENSTROM MACROGLOBULINEMIA

Conventional treatment of WMG includes several steps like observation and monitoring if IgM are found in blood but there are no signs and symptoms. In case of signs and symptoms when there are too many IgM proteins in the blood, a patient is suggested Plasma exchange. Chemotherapy is done to kill the rapidly growing abnormal cells. There is also one more therapy called Targeted therapy that is done to kill the cancer cells, it is different from chemotherapy. Further other modes of treatment can be adopted as per the case.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT OF THE WALDENSTROM MACROGLOBULINEMIA

Ayurvedic treatment of Cancer or Arbud is done by rectifying any abnormal variation in dhatus and correcting or pacifying the vitiated doshas with the help of various herbal and mineral remedies which possess natural ability to treat arbud.

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR WALDENSTROM MACROGLOBULINEMIA

Planet Ayurveda is a renowned pharmaceutical company for herbal products and medicines that are manufactured with the pure and authentic herbs under the strict supervision of MD Ayurveda doctors of Planet Ayurveda following Ayurvedic principles. For Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia Planet Ayurveda offers a combination of herbal remedies.

Products List

1. Boswellia Curcumin
2. Graviola Capsule
3. Mahamanjisthaghan Vati
4. Pitta Balance
5. Tumo Trim Capsule
6. Telo Extension
7. Navkarshik Churna
8. Vikramprash

Products Description

1. Boswellia Curcumin

These herbal capsules help in alleviating the pain in any part of the body and relieves the inflammation. Boswellia curcumin capsules in WMG helps in relieving headache and other general symptoms arising due to inflammation in the body. Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and Haridra (Curcuma longa) are the herbs used for its preparation.

Dosage: Take 1 capsule twice daily after meals with plain water.

2. Graviola Capsule

These therapeutic herbal capsules are known to possess the natural quality to fight tumors and cancer. Graviola capsule is prepared using single herb, i.e. Annona muricata.

Dosage: Take 1 capsule twice daily after meals with plain water.

3. Mahamanjisthaghan Vati

These herbal tablets are prepared using the herb called Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia). Mahamanjisthaghan Vati helps in maintaining the healthy blood circulation in the body and helps in treating the slowed down circulation in WMG.

Dosage: Take 2 tablets twice daily after meals with plain water.

4. Pitta Balance

It is prepared using Praval pishti (Coral calcium), Agate calcium (Akik pishti), Pearl calcium (Mukta pishti), An Ayurvedic calcium compound (Jahar mohra pishti), Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy satva), and An Ayurvedic calcium compound (Kamdudha ras) As the name suggests these capsules help in pacifying the Pitta dosha which eventually leads to restoration of health.

Dosage: Take 2 capsules twice daily after meals with plain water.

5. Tumotrim Capsule

These are the multi herbal capsules which are prepared from Haridra (Curcuma longa), Maricha (Piper nigrum), Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) etc. Tumotrim capsules help in inhibiting the growth of tumor or cancerous cells and help in killing them as well.

Dosage: Take 1 capsule twice daily after meals with plain water.

6. Telo-Extension

Many herbs are used in these capsules like Moringa (Moringa oleifera), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Amla (Emblica officinalis), etc are used in these capsules. Telo-extension capsules help in rejuvenating the body and nourishes the cells. It also promotes healthy functioning of the body.

Dosage: Take 1 capsule twice daily after meals with plain water.

7. Navkarshik Churna

This herbal churna helps in elimination of the unwanted toxic substances from the body and aids normal functioning of the body. Herbs like Neem (Azadirachta indica), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Amla (Emblica officinalis), etc are used to prepare it.

Dosage: Take 1 teaspoon once daily after meals with plain water.

8. Vikramprash

It helps in maintaining the balance of tridosha in the body and also balances the dhatus. Vikramprash helps in the healthy functioning of the body. It is prepared from Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Agnimantha (Premna mucronata), Patla (Sterospermum suveolens), Shalparni (Desmodium gangeticum), Bala (Sida cordifolia) etc.

Dosage: Take 1 teaspoon daily in the morning with milk.

CONCLUSION

Ayurveda can help in improving the life expectancy and life quality of the patient with WMG. These herbal products can help in relieving the signs and symptoms of the disorder to a certain extent and if a patient is going through chemotherapy, these herbal medicines also combat the side effects of the therapy.