Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a blood disorder resulting from a dysfunctional bone marrow causing an ineffective blood cell production which may result in signs and symptoms such as anemia, fatigue, fever, heart disease, bleeding, reduced urine output and shock. Primary MDS has no known cause, while secondary MDS results from the after-effects of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, viral infection, exposure to chemicals, or due to a genetic predisposition.
Myelodysplastic syndrome can be treated with the help of Ayurvedic herbal medicines which act directly on the bone marrow and treat the dysfunctional bone marrow production. Herbal medicines which have a specific action on the bone marrow form the mainstay of treatment in this condition. In addition, medicines which act on the blood, the circulatory system, as well as the liver and spleen are also used, since these supplement the main treatment. Such medicines need to be given in high doses for prolonged periods, in order to bring about a change and improvement in blood cell production and a healthy working of the bone marrow.
Individual signs and symptoms of the disease may also be required to be treated separately. Especially, heart disease, recurrent bleeding, and kidney disease need to be treated aggressively. Medicines which have a protective action on the heart and kidney as well as have a stabilising action on coagulation are used along with the main treatment for this condition, in order to treat or prevent complications. Medicines are also required to improve the immunity of the patient so as to bring about an early improvement in the condition and to prevent repeated infections and other diseases.
Depending upon the severity of the condition, Myelodysplastic syndrome needs to be treated aggressively for about six to nine months in order to bring about a significant improvement or a remission of the problem. The affected individual can then be observed for the next one to two years in order to be on the lookout for a relapse of the condition, which can be treated effectively with a booster treatment for another two or three months.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant contribution to play in the management and treatment of Myelodysplastic syndrome.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com and www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com
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