Abstract

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF HEMORRHAGIC STROKE: A CASE STUDY

Sahu Rajesh S.*, Gulhane Jayant D. and Imade Mohan V.

Abstract

Cerebrovascular event (CVE) is second leading cause of death and disability worldwide which affects people in their “golden years”. The goal of treatment is to reverse acute brain injury and to prevent future neurologic injury. The most important risk factor for Intra cerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is poorly controlled chronic hypertension followed by bleeding diasthesis, thrombolysis for myocardial infarction and cortical thrombosis. The focal signs and symptoms accompanying ICH reflect the location of haemorrhage. Thalamic haemorrahges can result in contralateral sensory loss and weakness, while if they extend to or compress the superior midbrain, they may result in depressed signs. The onset can be deceptive, with initial nonspecific brainstem symptoms (e.g. vertigo or double vision) followed a few hours or even days later by progressive clinical features, including gait, trunk or limb ataxia, nystagmus, headache, vomiting. Treatment includes to stop or reduce the bleeding in the initial few hours after the haemorrhage, removing blood from the parenchyma or ventricles management of raised intracranial pressure, use of drug to reduce the effect of blood, adequate general supportive measures.[1] The present article deals with a diagnosed case of hemorrhagic stroke presenting with left sided hemiplegia. The Ayurvedic diagnosis of Vama Pakshaghata was made and managed with Deepan Paachan, Anuloman followed by as Abhyanga, Rakta-Pittaghna Basti, Majja Basti, Virechan, Shirodhara and Mustadi yapan Basti. Two assessments were made before and after treatment using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIH-SS),[2] Barthel index score[3] and The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)score.[4] Maximum improvement was noticed in the symptoms of facial palsy, aphasia and dysarthria. There were also improvement in left lower and upper extremity functions. At the end of the treatment he could walk without support. Assessment showed considerable recovery in language ability, mobility, energy, mood, self-care and vision. Panchakarma plays a key role in the management of stroke/Pakshaghata. The recovery was promising and worth documenting.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Pakshaghata, Haemorrhagic Stroke, Hemiplegia.