AUTO-IMMUNE DISEASES & AYURVEDA
BY DR. SUNEET AURORA

Autoimmune disease is a condition that results from an malfunctioning of immunity system, wherein it mistakenly targets and attacks healthy, functioning parts of the body as if they were foreign organisms. It is estimated that there are more than 80 recognized autoimmune diseases, with recent scientific evidence suggesting the existence of potentially more than 100 distinct conditions. Nearly any body part can be involved.

Symptoms that are commonly associated with autoimmune diseases include:

Fatigue (KLAM in Ayurveda) is the most common complaint of people with autoimmune disease.
Low-grade fever (JWAR in Ayurveda)
Malaise (a general feeling of discomfort or unease) (JWAR in ayurveda)
Muscle aches (AAMVAT in Ayurveda)
Joint pain (AAMVAT in Ayurveda)
Skin rashes (KUSTA in Ayurveda)

Specific autoimmune diseases have a wide range of other symptoms, with examples including dry mouth, dry eyes, tingling and numbness in parts of the body, unexpected weight loss or gain, and diarrhoea.

CAUSES OF AUTO-IMMUNE DISEASES

Modern western medicine cannot find specific reason / causes for auto-immune diseases. However, genetic and other reasons are explored in researches.

AYURVEDA has put autoimmune diseases in the chapters of AAM-VATA and JWAR. Both have samprapti (causative line) in low AGNI (metabolism) causing TOXINS (AAM-VISH) to accumulate in the metabolites, leading to chronic immunity disorders. KHAVAIGUNYA (genetic predisposition) leads to the system getting affected, for example in weak joints, it may manifest as Rheumatoid Arthritis; and in weak skin immunity, as Psoriasis.

TYPES OF AUTO-IMMUNE DISORDERS:

Some of the most common diseases that are generally categorized as autoimmune include Coeliac disease, Type 1 diabetes, Graves Disease, IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease, eg. Chron’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis), Multiple Sclerosis, Alopecia areata, Addison’s disease, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) etc
Diagnosing autoimmune diseases can be challenging due to their diverse presentations and the transient nature of many symptoms.

SOME COMMON AUTO-IMMUNE DISEASES:

COELIC DISEASE is an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. For those with the disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response in the small intestine, leading to its damage and thus reduce nutrient absorption. This explains the increased risk of gastrointestinal. The incidence of gastrointestinal cancer can be partially reduced or eliminated if a patient removes gluten from their diet.

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE (IBD) includes conditions characterized by chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, including CROHN’S DISEASE & ULCERATIVE COLITIS (UC). In both cases, individuals lose immune tolerance for normal bacteria present in the gut. Symptoms include severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with cancers of the gastrointestinal tract and some lymphoproliferative cancers.
Ayurveda calls these SANGRAHINI / AAM-ATISAR / PITTA-ATISAAR

GRAVE’S Disease is a condition characterized by development of auto-antibodies to thyroid-stimulating hormone receptors. Symptoms are rapid heart rate, weight loss, nervousness, and irritability. Bulging eyes and swelling in lower legs can also be there.
Ayurveda calls it VISHAM-AGNI / KARSHYA / BHASMAK

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease in which the immune system attacks nerve sheath (myelin), causing communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body. Symptoms can include fatigue, difficulty walking, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, and problems with coordination and balance. MS is associated with an increased risk of nerves/ brain cancer.
Ayurveda calls it AAM-VATA

RHEUMATOIS ARTHRITIS (RA) primarily targets the joints, causing persistent inflammation that results in joint damage and pain. RA can also affect the heart, lungs, and eyes. Additionally, research tells that the chronic inflammation and over-activation of the immune system creates an environment that favours further malignant transformation of other cells, perhaps explaining the associations with cancer of the lungs and skin as well as the increased risk of other hematologic cancers, none of which are directly affected by the inflammation of joints.
Ayurveda calls it AAM-VATA

PSORIASIS is a skin condition characterized by the rapid build-up of skin cells, leading to scaling on the skin's surface. Inflammation and redness around the scales is common. Some individuals with psoriasis also develop PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS which causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Ayurveda calls it KUSHTA and AAM VATA 

SJOGREN SYNDROME is a long-term autoimmune disease that affects the body's moisture-producing glands (lacrimal and salivary), thereby drying up the system, and often seriously affects other organ systems, such as the lungs, kidneys, and nervous system.
Ayurveda calls it AAM-VATA

SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE)-referred to simply as lupus, is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs, including the skin, joints, kidneys, and the nervous system. It is characterized by a widespread loss of immune tolerance. The disease is characterized by periods of flares and remissions, and symptoms range from mild to severe. Women, especially those of childbearing age, are disproportionately affected.
Ayurveda calls it AAM-VATA

TYPE 1 DIABETES is a condition resulting from the immune system attacking insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to high blood sugar levels. Symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination and unexplained weight loss. It is most commonly diagnosed in children and young adults.
Ayurveda calls it SAHAJ-PRAMEHA / OJAS KSHAYA 

TREATMENT OF AUTO-IMMUNE DISEASES

Modern western medicine focuses on supressing erratic immunity with steroids and anti-cancer medicines like methotrexate. This gives partial relief but with many side effects like liver failure and damage to nervous system.

AYURVEDA has more rational and safer approach.
After Dash with pariksha (classical examination like nadi pariksha),
We start with:

1. DIET & LIFESTYLE changes to reduce toxin load,
2. Improving AGNI (metabolism) that starts digesting toxic metabolites as in autophagy, then planning for
3. PANCHKARMA DETOX therapies, that include internal cleansing of AAM-VISH (toxins) with VAMAN (Therapeutic emesis), VIRECHAN (gut cleansing with purgation) and BASTI (medicated oil-decoction enemas) with added rejuvenation therapies like SHIRODHARA, ABHYANGA, POTTALI SWED etc.
4. After proper detox and reducing the toxin load, RASAYAN (Immunity corrective/ Immunity promoter) herbo-mineral medicines are given.

Taken properly, Ayurveda treatment has been seen to reverse auto-immune diseases and to prolong the remissions. Ayurveda treatment are easy on the system and has minimal or no side effects even on prolonged treatment.

Note:
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