Role of Jaloukavacharana in the management of Cicatricle Alopecia – A Case Report

Introduction: Cicatricial alopecia is a disease of scalp in which the major clinical feature is patchy loss of hair accompanied with scarring. Cicatricial alopecia is caused by diverse group of hair disorders in which healthy tissue is replaced by scar tissue and causes permanent hair loss. It affects both men and women, most commonly adults. It can be correlated to Indralupta a type of Kapalagta Roga by Vagbhata. The basic pathophysiology of Indralupta is the vitiated Tridosha and Rakta affecting the scalp. The pathology also reveals the blockage of hair follicles with aggravated Rakta and Kapha which further prevents regrowth of hairs. This is the case report of 22 year old male who complained of patchy loss of hair at the left parital region of scalp, associated with pus discharge and swelling since 4 years. Materials and Methods: The subject who approached Shalakya Tantra OPD of Government Ayurveda Medical College, Bengaluru with symptoms of patchy hair loss at left parietal region since 4 years was systemically reviewed and Rakthamokshana, Lepa and Rasayana line of treatment is adopted. Results: The subject showed marked improvement as depicted in the photographs taken at different levels of treatment. Discussion: Idralupta is a Kshudraroga affecting scalp and involving Pitta, Vata Dusti, later Kapha and Rakta blocking the Romakupa. By adopting the holistic approach with both internal and external treatment modalities an attempt is made to bring about satisfactory results

Treatment of refractory complex partial seizures: role of vigabatrin

Vigabatrin (VGB) is an antiepileptic drug that was designed to inhibit GABA-transaminase, and increase levels of γ-amino-butyric acid (GABA), a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. VGB has demonstrated efficacy as an adjunctive antiepileptic drug for refractory complex partial seizures (CPS) and for infantile spasms (IS). This review focuses on its use for complex partial seizures. Although VGB is well tolerated, there have been significant safety concerns about intramyelinic edema and visual field defects. VGB is associated with a risk of developing bilateral concentric visual field defects. Therefore, the use of VGB for complex partial seizures should be limited to those patients with seizures refractory to other treatments. Patients must have baseline and follow-up monitoring of visual fields, early assessment of its efficacy, and ongoing evaluation of the benefits and risks of VGB therapy

Aromatherapy: A New Pragmatism in Dentistry [Part-1]

One of the most rapidly expanding alternative medicine practises is aromatherapy, which combines massage, counselling, and a pleasant smell with the use of essential oils and aromatic plant compounds. Several clinical studies have already demonstrated the efficacy and usefulness of essential oils. Essential oils can help to reduce the number of pathogens in the mouth and assist in the action of antibiotics and other active components for the treatment of periodontitis, mucositis, and managing dental anxiety. This review will provide an overview of essential oils, including their therapeutic properties and applications

Aromatherapy: A New Pragmatism in Dentistry [Part-2]

A new and alternative way to reduce anxiety levels in dental clinics is the use of aromatherapy. Aromatherapy uses plant materials and aromatic plant oils, including essential oils and other aroma compounds for improving psychological or physical well-being. Number of studies has been done to prove the therapeutic properties of various essential oils, but very few have been published on their use in dentistry.  This review is a continuation of previous article which will provide an overview of remaining essential oils, including their therapeutic properties and applications in dentistry

Estimation of serum uric acid levels as adverse prognostic indicator of perinatal outcome in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia: a prospective observational study

Background: Preeclampsia, a spectrum of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, continues to have a significant impact in developing nations like India. Predicting the development of severe pregnancy-induced hypertension would be beneficial because all treatment protocols include some degree of expectant management. Hence, in this prospective observational study we aimed to estimate serum uric acid level and evaluated serum uric acid level as an indicator of adverse perinatal outcome in pregnant women with preeclampsia. Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted with total of 200 pregnant women at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, S.S. Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre (SSIMRC) Davangere, Karnataka. The study subjects were divided in to two groups viz. Cases (n=100) and Control (n=100) groups. In Case group pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia were included and control group consist of normotensive pregnant women. All selected women were subjected to clinical examination and blood pressure was recorded. Blood samples were collected and serum was separated for serum uric acid estimation. Results: The mean (±SD) age of the study subjects was found to be 25.56 (±3.56) and 24.75 (±2.48) in cases and control group respectively (p=0.214). There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in gestational age of delivery between cases (34.98±1.58) and control group (38.54±2.01). The mean (±SD) serum uric acid level between cases and control was found to be 7.36 (±0.21) and 3.30 (±0.13) which is statistically significant (p<0.001). There was a significant (p<0.001) positive correlation exists between SBP and serum uric acid (ρ=0.718) and DBP and serum uric acid (ρ=0.534). Conclusions: This study clearly established association between serum uric acid levels and adverse perinatal outcome in pregnant women with preeclampsia. Hence, serum uric acid level >7 mg/dl in pregnant women with mean gestational age of 35 weeks either in primigravida or multigravida could be used as a prognostic marker of adverse perinatal outcome in pregnant women with preeclampsia

Spices - An imperative melange - back to the roots

Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest medical systems and remains one of India’s traditional health care systems. Natural products have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine for many purposes. Ayurveda has many evidences for the utilization of spices to cure various diseases. They not only increase the flavor of food but also have several therapeutic values. The objective of this article is to provide an overview regarding the health benefits of most commonly used spices and their applications in dentistry

An Ayurvedic management of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Detachment - A Case Study

Introduction: Retinal pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs) are characterized by separation between the RPE and the inner most aspect of Bruch's membrane. The space created by this separation is occupied by blood, serous exudate, drusenoid material, fibro vascular tissue or a combination. The symptoms of RPE detachment can be considered under Drustigata Rogas mentioned by Sushrutha. This is a case study of a 73year old male patient who was diagnosed with PED with Subretinal fluid in Right eye since 8 months. Materials and methods: The subject who approached Shalakya Tantra OPD of Government Ayurveda Medical College Bengaluru with symptoms of diminished vision for both near and far objects in right eye associated with flashes in front of eye since 8 months, patient underwent two courses of inpatient management, which included Ayurvedic oral medicines, and external therapies for the eyes (Kriyakalpa) and head. Results: Signs of improvement in visual acuity and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were observed at the end of both treatments. Conclusion: The main aim of management was to preserve and give a better quality of vision for the patient. The results indicate the potential of Ayurvedic treatments to manage and maintain vision in REP detachment

Exquisite Herbal Bullets in Dentifrices - A Scientific Review

Ayurveda, known to be the science of life focuses on prevention of diseases rather than treatment. One's daily health and hygiene regimen referred to as Dinacharya in Ayurveda is essential to keep our mind and body in optimum health. Oral hygiene is vital to an individual’s overall health and well being. Natural phytochemicals isolated from plants used in traditional medicine are considered to be good alternatives to synthetic chemicals. Herbs with medicinal properties are useful and effective source for treatment of oral diseases and can be used for cleansing and maintaining oral hygiene. They have been proven to be safe, effective, easily adjustable and acceptable with body physiology. The present review focuses on herbs incorporated in dentifrices and their effects in oral cavity

Honey the paradisiacal panacea - A Review

In folk medicine natural products have been used since ancient times. Honey has been used as a source of nutrient as well as a medicine. It shows an extensive range of biological effects such as antibacterial, antiallergic, antithrombotic, antiinflamatory action. The objective of this article is to provide an overview regarding the health benefits of honey and its uses in dentistry

Turmeric - The Serendipitous Herb : A Review

Phytotherapy, the use of herbal agents as medicines has become the focus of research in the recent years. This increased interest in the discovery of natural compounds is due to the various adverse effects of allopathic drugs and emergence of resistant strains of common pathogens. Turmeric or curcumin is one of the oldest spices that has been a vital part of Ayurvedic medicine, and has proven properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, antiseptic and antimutagenic properties making it a very viable and economical substitute. The objective of this article is to provide a brief overview of the plethora of research regarding the health benefits of curcumin and its uses in dentistry