Ayurvedic Management Of Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune Disorders

The immune system in our body helps to fight against bacterial and virus attacks. The immune system plays an important role in our survival involving various cells, tissues, organs, and proteins. Low or overactivity of the immune system is called an immune system disorder. Under this condition, the body cells face difficulty in understanding their friendly cells and start attacking them. Autoimmune disorders affect organs or tissues like joints, muscles, red blood cells, connective tissues, blood vessels, endocrine glands, and skin. A person may have one or more autoimmune disorders at a time.

According to researchers, the increase in environmental pollution is one of the main reasons for the development of autoimmune disorders. As per studies, there are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases that exist generally.

Symptoms Of Autoimmune Disorders

The symptoms of autoimmune disorders may vary from one person to another. General symptoms are:

• Abdominal pain.
• Skin diseases.
• Joint pain.
• Digestive disorders.
• Fatigue.
• Hair loss.
• Low-grade fever.

Symptoms of autoimmune disorders are mild in some people and severe in other people. General symptoms of autoimmune disorders are fatigue, joint pain, abdominal pain, digestive disorders, hair loss, and low-grade fever. Even though these symptoms are common for some other diseases also, consult the advice of your doctor as early as possible when you notice it.

Causes Of Autoimmune Disorders

The exact causes of autoimmune disorders are under research. However, scientists have proved three major factors that lead to the development of autoimmune diseases.

• Genetics

  Genetics plays a significant role in the development of autoimmune diseases. If any of the family members have autoimmune diseases, there is a chance that the next generation will as well. .

• Gender

  According to studies some autoimmune diseases mostly affect women like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The reason behind this phenomenon is hormonal imbalances in women.

• Environmental factors

  Studies have proved that autoimmune diseases mostly affect people who live in urban areas due to environmental pollution. Smoking habits, environmental pollution lead to lung inflammations and irritating the immune system. .

The exact causes of autoimmune disorders are under study by researchers. However, the three main factors that contribute to the development of autoimmune disorders are gender, genetics, and environmental factors.

Types Of Autoimmune Diseases

According to researchers, there are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases. Diabetes type 1, Graves' disease, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and scleroderma are among the most common.

• Diabetes (Type I) – Diabetes Type 1 affects the pancreas when the immune system antibodies attack the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes include thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, and increased susceptibility to infection.
• Inflammatory bowel disease – Here the immune system attacks the lining of the intestines. Symptoms include diarrhea, weight loss, fever, urgent bowel movements, and abdominal pain.
• Psoriasis – Psoriasis affects the skin. The T- cell ( a type of white blood cell) becomes highly active and attacks your skin cells by mistake. Features include the development of thick, reddened skin scales, and skin inflammations. .
• Graves' disease – Graves' disease affects the thyroid gland and thereby overproduction of the thyroid happens. Here the immune system attacks your thyroid gland. Symptoms include weight loss, elevated heart rate, anxiety, and diarrhea.
• Multiple sclerosis – Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that affects the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. Numbness, paralysis, and vision impairment are some of the symptoms.
• Rheumatoid arthritis – Under this condition, the immune system affects the joints. Here the immune system mistakenly attacks your body tissues. Symptoms include swollen and deformed joints and sometimes affect the eyes, lungs, and heart also.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus – Our immune system attacks connective tissues by mistake in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, which can affect any organ system in the body. Joint inflammation, fever, weight loss, and a distinctive facial rash are all symptoms.
• Scleroderma – The immune system attacks the skin and other structures, causing scar tissue to form. Symptoms include skin thickening, skin ulcers, and stiff joints.

Even though there are more than 80 types of autoimmune disorders exist, the most common types of autoimmune diseases are scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, graves' disease, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and diabetes Type 1.

Herbal Remedies To Cure Autoimmune Disorders

Herbs are the real gift of our nature. They are rich in medicinal properties and have no side effects. Some herbs are very effective in overcoming autoimmune disorders.

• Sarsaparilla

  The anti-inflammatory properties in Sarsaparilla help to treat various autoimmune disorders like arthritis, psoriasis, digestive disorders, etc. .

• Curcumin

  Curcumin (a turmeric compound) is a polyphenolic compound with anti-inflammatory properties that has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and multiple sclerosis.

• Ashwagandha

  Ashwagandha has been widely used in Ayurveda to treat various diseases. Ashwagandha is a rich source of flavonoids, anti-stress and anti-inflammatory properties that helps to fight various diseases. .

• Green Tea

  Green tea is rich in polyphenolic compounds and anti-inflammatory properties. Drinking a glass of green tea helps to improve your immune system and helps in weight reduction also. .

• Garlic

  Garlic is very effective in treating lupus symptoms. Garlic is rich in various vitamins and minerals that help to improve your immune system naturally.

Some herbs that are very effective in the treatment of autoimmune disorders are curcumin, garlic, green tea, sarsaparilla, and ashwagandha.

Ayurvedic Remedies To Manage Autoimmune Disorders

Ayurveda originated in India more than 5000 years ago and spreads around the world due to its immense health benefits. Ayurveda can cure various diseases naturally without any side effects. Ayurveda recommends Ahara (diet), Vihara (lifestyle), and Panchakarma treatments to manage autoimmune diseases effectively.

Ahar (Diet) Recommendations

To get rid of autoimmune diseases, we must include the following foods in our diet.

• Include more fruits and vegetables in your diet.
• Avoid excess sugar and sugar products.
• Eliminate refined or highly processed foods.
• Avoid gluten-containing dairy products or grains. .
• Include nuts and seeds in your diet as they are rich in high protein.

Vihar (Lifestyle) Recommendations

A healthy lifestyle keeps you healthy.

• Get plenty of sleep as it helps you to relax and get rid of stress which is one of the factors for the development of autoimmune diseases.
• Doing exercise regularly keeps you fit and healthy.
• Practicing yoga regularly improves your mental as well as physical wellness.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption as they may destroy your body's natural ability to fight diseases.

Panchakarma Therapy

Panchakarma is a purification therapy in Ayurveda. Panchakarma is a healing therapy that aims to purify your body by eliminating toxins naturally.

Vamana (Emesis), Virechana (Purgation), Niruha Basti (Decoction enema), Nasya (instillation of medicine through nostrils), and Anuvasanavasti (Oil enema) are the five stages in Panchakarma therapy.

• Vamana (Emesis)

  Vamana is the process of eliminating doshas ( especially Kapha and Pitta dosha) through the upper channel. Vamana therapy removes excess mucus from the lungs and aims to get rid of bronchitis, cough, and cold. .

• Virechana (Purgation)

  Virechana therapy is very effective in treating Pitta dosha. Virechana therapy aims to eliminate toxic matter from the intestines through therapeutic purgation.

• Nasya (instillation of medicine through nostrils)

  Nasya is the treatment of administering medicated oils through the nasal passage. The treatment purifies and strengthens the nasal passages.

• Niroohavasti (Decoction enema)

  Niroohavasti is the procedure of administering decoction enema through the anal route. Nirooha Vasti is very effective in removing body toxins.

• Rakta Moksha (detoxification of the blood)

  Toxins in the blood are effectively eliminated through internal medication.

According to Ayurveda, a healthy diet, lifestyle changes, and Panchakarma therapies can effectively help to get rid of Autoimmune disorders.

Conclusion

All the information regarding Ayurvedic treatment of autoimmune disorders was collected from various Ayurvedic resources. Kindly get the advice of our Ayurvedic practitioner before starting self-medication for better results.