Management of Megacolon or Hirschsprung’s Disease in Ayurveda

Abstract

Hirschsprung’s disease is a congenital condition which means it develops during pregnancy when the child is in the womb and is present at birth. Some congenital conditions are the result of mothers diet, or also because of illness during pregnancy. Other reasons are because of genes passed from parents to children. The clear reason for this condition is not known but usually it is believed that this situation arises due to flaws in DNA instructions. This situation can be deadly but modern science has developed a way to fix this problem through surgery. This can help the child to live a relatively normal life. In this article we will discuss Hirschsprung’s disease in detail along with its Ayurvedic management.

Introduction

It’s a vital cycle in life– we eat, food is digested by many metabolic activities and we excrete what is not required by the body. This cycle usually begins on the first day of the baby’s life, when a newborn passes its first stool which is called the meconium. If a baby is not able to pass stool then it can be considered that the newborn might have Hirschsprung’s disease. In this condition usually there are missing nerve cells in the large intestine. Normally a person has 500 million of such nerve cells which typically perform the task of bowel movement. In Hirschsprung’s disease somehow these nerve cells stop growing at the end part of the intestine causing inability to pass stool for a newborn. This condition is also known as congenital megacolon.

Morphology of megacolon

The absence of the mesenteric ganglion cells produce a segment of bowel in which normal propulsive contraction cannot occur, thus inducing a functional obstruction. Dilatation begins at this point of block and extends retrogradely with time. Not infrequently the first portion of the aganglionic bowel undergoes dilation due to expansive pressure of the propulsive waves just proximal to it.

In the most common type in which rectum and rectosigmoid are affected, the descending colon undergoes dilatation and hypertrophy first. Eventually, however, the entire colon may get affected till the level of the ileocecal valve.

In far advanced cases , the bowel is distended to a diameter of 15-20 cm and appear as a huge, elongated balloon. With association to this condition chronic obstruction causing hypertrophy and thickening of bowel wall or thinning of bowel wall  is also seen. The impacted feces can also cause ulceration. Distal to the obstruction, not only are the ganglion cells in the myenteric plexuses absent, but the persistent neural trunks are collagenized have increased number of schwann cells, and can be shown by special stains to have increased numbers of cholinergic fibres.

Causes

The causes of this condition are not known, it occurs in some families and as mentioned above it can be the result of genetic mutations or alterations. This condition can be inherited too. Congenital megacolon particularly develops due to failure in development of meissner’s and auerbach’s plexuses  in the colon, in particular deficient formation of ganglion cells.

Symptoms

In all cases the development defect is present at the anorectal junction but the extent of more proximal involvement varies from one person to another. The cardinal symptom of megacolon are as as follows

1. Constipation which is so severe that sometimes it can cause obstipation.
2. Abdominal distention
3. Vomiting
4. Vomiting resulting in electrolyte imbalance in newborn
5. Barely diarrhea occurs as an confusing or puzzling manifestation

Acquired megacolon

Other than congenital megacolon can be acquired too. It is encountered either in circumstances of chronic organic obstruction such as narrowing of bowel due to inflammatory disease or neoplasia or an apparent functional disorder to a patient.  In acquired form rarely dilation is seen as massive as encountered in congenital form.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis can be confirmed by a suction rectal biopsy which is taken near to the anus. Thebiopsy is of sufficient thickness to include muscle of the bowel wall in which the ganglion cells are situated.  Rectal manometry may be helpful.

Treatment

The treatment includes excision of the abnormal segment of colon and rectum.

Herbal Remedies by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is a leading herbal manufacturing unit which manufactures herbal products that are very effective in managing multiple conditions. These products are manufactured using potent herbs and are prepared under the guidance of expert Ayurvedic doctors. The manufacturing team works under their guidance to avoid any kind of compromise with product quality. Our products do not contain any kind of fillers, additives, adulterants and are totally safe to use without any side effects. Following are the products offered by Planet Ayurveda for the management of megacolon or Hirschsprung’s disease

1. Vara churna
2. Infee syrup
3. Livotrit
4. Balchaturbhadrika syrup

Products Description

1. Vara churna

Vara churna is based on a classical preparation called as triphala churna. It consists of amalaki (Emblica officinalis), bibhitaki (Terminalia berberica) and haritaki (Terminalia chebula). This combination is the best combination which acts as a stool softener and laxative also. It also has an antioxidant effect. It works by the bhedan of stool in the colon and reduces dilation of the intestine due to accumulated feces. Vara churna strengthens the intestine.

Dose for infants:-One-fourth teaspoon twice a day.   

2. Infee syrup

Infee syrup is a formulation enriched with goodness of guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) along with yashti (Glycyrrhiza glabra). These two herbs help in building strong immunity of the infant or child and also aids in providing a soothing effect to the intestine due vichitra pratyarabdh property of giloy. It also helps in protecting the body from various infections and also reduces the size of dilation.

Dose for infants:-5-10 drops twice a day.

3. Livotrit

Livotrit is mainly having kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa). Kutki is very effective in reversing blockage and also prevents it. It is very effective in children and plays a great role in improving digestion.

Dose for infants:-5-10 drops twice a day.

4. Balchaturbhadrika syrup

This formulation is having ingredients like musta (Cyperus rotundus), pippali (Piper longum), ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum) and many more. These all ingredients are very useful in increasing digestion and improving appetite in infants and children. It is also very effective managing conditions like nausea and vomiting in this case. In rare cases if a child develops diarrhea then badchaturbhadrika syrup is also very effective in this.

Dose for infants: -5- 10 drops twice a day after meals.

Contact my assistant to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or call at +91-172-5214030 Or Check Website – www.PlanetAyurveda.com