Progressive Supranuclear Palsy And Its Ayurvedic Management

Abstract

Progressive supranuclear palsy is not so common brain disease that is characterized by problems in walking, balancing the body and eye movements and with swallowing in the end. The condition is due to deterioration of the brain cells that control thinking, coordination, movement and other essential and important functions. Progressive supranuclear palsy is also known as Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome. In the following text we shall discuss some details of Progressive supranuclear palsy and its management in the contemporary system of medicine and the traditional system of Ayurvedic medicine. Let’s get into a little detail!!

Introduction

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a late beginning degenerative illness which involves the slow deterioration and death of some volumes of the brain. Progressive supranuclear palsy is a type of atypical parkinsonian syndrome, which is also known as Parkinson-plus disease. It is a rare neurological condition that can usually affect movement, balance, swallowing, eye movement, gait, cognition, mood and behaviour. In Ayurveda, the condition can be compared with vata dosha initiation as vata dosha governs neurological and musculoskeletal functions. Vitiation of the vata dosha can lead to a number of neurological and movement related conditions. Therefore in the case of Progressive Supranuclear Paralysis the dosha vitiated is Vata. And hence the condition can be improved with vata dosha pacification.

Causes

• The exact cause of Progressive supranuclear palsy is unknown.
• A variation in the gene for tau protein which is called H1 Haplotype has been linked to the condition of PSP.

Pathophysiology

Both neurons and glial cells are affected in the brain. The neurons show neurofibrillary tangles, clumps of tau protein. These tangles are different from which are displayed in Alzheimer’s disease. But it can be structurally similar when it occurs in the cerebral cortex of the brain. Tau tufts or tufted astrocytes are also considered in diagnosis. Lewy bodies are also seen in some of the cases.

Signs and Symptoms

• Initial symptoms in ⅔ cases are fast walking, loss of balance, burping into people or objects, lunging forward when mobilising. Dementia can also be there in ⅕ cases of frontotemporal dementia. Other early symptoms may include personality changes, visual symptoms and slowing of the general movements. Behavioural symptoms may include disinhibition, anxiety and apathy.
• Late symptoms can be difficulty swallowing, difficulty in moving eyeballs, slurring of speech.
• Other signs may include poor eyelid functioning, facial muscles contractures, stiffening of the neck muscles with backward tilt of the head, disturbed sleep, urinary incontinence, constipation.
• Visual symptoms are of help in the diagnosis of PSP as there is ophthalmoparesis, difficult in looking down.
• A facial appearance known as ‘procerus sign’ is diagnostic of PSP. Procerus sign characterised with wide-eye stare, deepening of facial creases and furrowing of forehead with frowning expression.

Management

• There is no known cure for the condition of Progressive Supranuclear Paralysis and the management is purely supportive. The condition of PSP is divided into two subgroups, PSP-Parkinsonism and PSP-Richardson. PSP-Parkinsonism can be managed with levodopa for a short period of time.
• Botox is helpful in dystonia of the neck and blepharospasm but botox can worsen dysphagia.
• Amantadine.
• Rivastigmine may be helpful in cognitive issues.
• Zolpidem may improve eye movements and motor function.
• Rehabilitation

Complications

• Falling is often due to imbalance of the body which results in features, head injuries etc.
• Problematic swallowing can result in aspiration of food or some other liquid.
• Pneumonia is the most common cause of death in patients with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy due to aspiration of certain fluids or food particles due to poor swallowing.
• Impulsive behaviour.

Ayurvedic Management

• The condition is caused by the vata dosha vitiation hence the management is based on the pacification of the vata dosha. There are a number of known herbs available that are helpful in the condition caused by vata vitiation. Single herbs include nirgundi, erand, rasna, gambhari, patla, shyonak etc.
• The formulations which pacify vata dosha are vata vidhwansan ras, vrihat vatchintamani ras, yograj guggul, rasraj ras, trayodashang guggul etc are available.

Herbal Remedies for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is an ISO 9001:2015 certified, GMP certified and US-FDA registered Ayurvedic Company, which sticks to the objective of manufacturing quality Ayurvedic products as mentioned in a number of ancient texts of Ayurveda. Formulations are manufactured without additives and preservatives and other kinds of chemicals or artificial flavouring agents which can have a number of side effects on the human body. Products manufactured at Planet Ayurveda are pure and do not have any kind of adulteration. The products are purely organic and vegetarian and gluten free and halal certified. Planet Ayurveda has come up with its products that are helpful in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Following is the list of formulations that are effective in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

1. VRIHAT VATCHINTAMANI RAS
2. MUSLI STRENGTH CAPSULES
3. YOGRAJ GUGGUL
4. ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES
5. NOURISH-MAXX
6. BRAHMI CAPSULES

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. VRIHAT VATCHINTAMANI RAS

Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras is a classical Ayurvedic mineral formulation. The formulation is composed of Rajata Bhasma (silver calx), Swarna Bhasma (gold calx), Loha Bhasma (iron ash), Abhrak Bhasma (mica ash), Suta Bhasma (compound of purified mercury and purified sulphur), Mukta Bhasma (pearl calx) and Pravala Bhasma (coral calcium). It also contains juice extract of Aloe vera. It is helpful in demyelination conditions of nerves. It is useful in neuropathies. It alleviates the neurological pain. As the name of the formulation suggests it is useful in vata dosha conditions, the product heals the nervous system and its parts in the brain. It also alleviates muscle stiffness. Therefore, Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras is an efficient formulation in the conditions caused by vata dosha vitiation thus is helpful in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Dosage: One tablet twice a day after meals with plain water.

2. MUSLI STRENGTH CAPSULES

Musli Strength Capsules are filled with properties of gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) and safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum). Both the herbs pacify vata dosha. It strengthens the muscles and improves nerve conduction. Therefore it helps in activating the muscles that are affected in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. As the capsules pacifies vata dosha which makes it a choice of formulation in the condition of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Dosage: One capsule twice a day after meals with plain water.

3. YOGRAJ GUGGUL

Yograj Guggul is a classical Ayurvedic proprietary formulation. It is an advantageous formulation in the problems of the musculoskeletal system and neurological system. It is made up of the herbs guggul (Commiphora mukul), amalaki (Emblica officinalis), bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), vidang (Embelia ribes), ela (Elettaria cardamomum), gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), shunthi (Zingiber officinale) etc. The herbs of the formulation possess properties that improve muscle and nerve health. Yograj Guggul helps in relieving the pain and toning up the muscles. As it provides strength to the muscles, therefore it is beneficial in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Dosage: Two tablets twice a day with lukewarm water after meals.

4. ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES

Ashwagandha capsules are enriched with the goodness of the herb ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) that possesses rasayana properties. The capsules pacify the vata dosha. And benefits in maintaining the good health of the neurological system. As the neurological functions are hampered in PSP and motor functions are lost. Ashwagandha is helpful in these conditions and is advantageous in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Dosage: One capsule twice a day after meals with plain water.

5. NOURISH-MAXX

Nourish-Maxx is a Planet Ayurveda’s product which provides energy and nutrition to the body. The formulation composed of the essential elements of the herbs shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), safee musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum), ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), gokshura (Tribulus terrestris). All the herbs provide strength to the nerves and muscles thus helping in their proper functioning. Therefore, Nourish-Maxx is helpful in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Dosage: One teaspoon twice a day with normal water.

6. BRAHMI CAPSULES

Brahmi Capsules are filled with the extract of herb brahmi (Bacopa monnieri). Brahmi is a helpful herb in providing overall wellness of the neurological system. It is one of the herbs that are known to pacify the vata dosha. Brahmi helps in psychological issues such as anxiety, apathy, stress etc. As there are similar conditions associated with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Hence the Brahmi capsules are beneficial in the condition of PSP.

Dosage: One capsule twice a day after meals with plain water.

Conclusion

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a serious progressive disorder of the brain which is characterised by improper balancing, eye movements, walking difficulty etc. The condition worsens as the time passes. As there is no cure available which makes the condition of the patient more pitiful. As there are medicines available that just can help as supportive management. But the worsening of the condition is inevitable. In this scenario, as soon as the condition is diagnosed, following Ayurveda may help. As the condition is caused by vata dosha, Ayurveda focuses on correcting the dosha that is vitiated and behind the troublesome condition. In Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, the vata dosha is to be pacified, in order to manage the condition. Above mentioned medicines are useful in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy as the medicines pacify the vata dosha as well as help in relieving the troublesome features of the same.