What is Friedreich ataxia?- Causes, Symptoms and Ayurvedic Treatment

Abstract

Friedreich ataxia –  A genetic condition which affects the nervous system and leads to movement problems and impaired muscle coordination that worsens over time. Most people think there is no treatment for this condition but they are wrong. It is difficult to cure as it is a genetic disease but we may get relief from the symptoms. For this you have to keep faith and move on towards the best treatment. Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine that cures this disease very effectively without any side effects. Through this article you will come to know all about friedreich ataxia and its ayurvedic view with treatment.

Introduction

Friedreich ataxia is a condition whose cause is genetic and it affects the nervous system. This condition causes impaired muscle coordination that worsens as time passes away. With impaired muscle coordination it causes loss of strength and sensation mostly in arms and legs. This condition may lead to some dangerous conditions in the later stages. Due to this it is a life-threatening condition. As per ayurveda it comes under beeja dosha (genetic condition) and there is a treatment in ayurveda. Most of the people feel this condition remains life-long and can’t be treatable but there is treatment for curing its symptoms. They have to switch to the ayurvedic treatment then definitely they will get results.

Symptoms of Friedreich Ataxia

As this is a genetic condition symptoms may start appearing between the age of 2 and in early 50s but most commonly it is diagnosed between 10-15 years. Let’s take a look at the symptoms:

• Hearing loss
• Gradual vision loss
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of reflexes
• Lack of coordination
• Difficulty in speech
• Involuntary eye movement
• Deformities in foot such as- clubfoot
• Neuropathy in feet and legs
• Chest pain
• Difficulty in walking

Some of the people face other life- threatening conditions also- such as heart disease, the most common disease is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy i.e. thickening of heart muscles. Symptoms of heart disease include chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, etc. Another condition associated with disease is diabetes; people may also suffer from this condition.

Causes of Friedreich Ataxia

As we know that this condition is genetic in nature so it may come from both mother and father and people with family history are at greater risk of getting this disease. If someone gets defective genes from one parent then the person will become a carrier but usually no symptoms will appear. So as you read there is only one single cause of the disease i.e. genetic cause.

Diagnosis of Friedreich Ataxia

If you started experiencing the symptoms mentioned here you will have to visit the doctor immediately. The doctor will analyze your symptoms and perform proper physical examination. This examination is done by focusing on your nervous system. After doing a physical examination if the doctor diagnosed that this is Friedreich ataxia then he would suggest you take some other tests to confirm the diagnosis. Here are some tests for evaluating the diagnosis.

• CT-SCAN
• MRI
• Genetic testing- will show the defective frataxin gene, the cause of freidreich ataxia.
• Electromyography, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram- is to be done for heart condition
• Nerve conduction study- to see the nerve reflexes
• Eye examination- for gradual vision loss

Ayurvedic View of Friedreich Ataxia

As per ayurveda friedreich ataxia is correlated with beeja dosha (vitiated gamete). Beeja dosha can occur due to ashuddha artava (vitiated female gamete) and ashuddha shukra (vitiated female gamete). Many of the conditions occur due to vitiated gamete includes sahaja arsha (congenital hemorrhoids), jataja prameha (congenital diabetes), kushtha roga and even friedreich ataxia. Beeja dosha due to the fact that if the mother conceived when her uterus or artava (gamete) is not totally vitiated but troubled by imbalanced doshas because of her improper diet intake. If there is any defect due to beej bhaga then cause beeja dosha and the deformity will occur in the fetus like above explained congenital conditions. As it is an inherited disease so we may treat the symptoms of the disease but not totally cure it. There are some natural herbs that cure the symptoms of the disease and make the affected person’s life better.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Friedreich Ataxia

As we know that as per ayurveda friedreich ataxia is correlated to beeja dosha so it can’t be properly treatable but the symptoms of the disease is curable with ayurvedic treatment it can improve the patient’s life by getting rid of the symptoms like- improving muscle weakness, speech, reflexes and other symptoms. Symptoms related to heart conditions and diabetes must be cured. Mainly we will discuss the treatment of Friedreich ataxia symptoms. Planet ayurveda is an ayurvedic clinic that provides you 100% ayurvedic treatment for almost all diseases and this condition can also be curable by their treatment so now we are going to study the herbal remedies by planet ayurveda.

Herbal Remedies by Planet Ayurveda

As we know that Friedreich ataxia is not curable totally but we may improve the life of patients by making patients rid of their symptoms. Planet ayurveda helps you with that along with their herbal formulations. These herbal formulations are made under the supervision of the M.D. ayurveda doctors. These herbal formulations are formed by 100% natural herbs without any additives, starch, additives, fillers and other synthetic material. Planet ayurveda listed 6 formulations for the treatment purpose of friedreich ataxia. Have a look on these formulations

1. BRAHMI CAPSULES
2. GOTUKOLA CAPSULES
3. ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES
4. BOSWELLIA CURCUMIN
5. SHILAJIT CAPSULES
6. YOGRAJ GUGGUL

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. BRAHMI CAPSULES

This herbal remedy is formed by pure extracts of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri). As we know that friedreich ataxia hampers the nervous system so here is the best remedy for the nervous system. The fact is that Brahmi is an amazing neurosupportive herb along with antioxidant and rejuvenating properties. It gives strength to the nervous system and improves the symptoms of Friedreich ataxia.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day, after meals with plain water.

2. GOTUKOLA CAPSULES

These capsules are formed by the natural extract of Gotukola (Centella asiatica). This formulation consists of some great properties that may treat the symptoms of Friedreich ataxia. These properties are- it balances all the three doshas of the body, improves the circulation of the body, maintain healthy metabolism, boosts immunity, boost cognitive (understanding) functions and having detoxifying effect. Hence this remedy is surely given in the treatment for friedreich ataxia. As it improves the blood circulation so it is good for the heart and helps in treating the heart diseases that occur in the later stage of Friedreich ataxia.

Dosage: 1 capsule two times a day with plain water, after meals.

3. ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES

These capsules contain the extract of herb ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). This helps in treatment of freidreich ataxia as it has several properties that help in getting rid of the symptoms of ataxia. These properties include- neuro supportive, rejuvenator (enhance healthy long life) and even an immune booster so it is given in treatment of freidreich ataxia. also it lowers the blood sugar levels so it can also deal with the later on symptoms of freidreich ataxia i.e. diabetes.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water, after meals.

4. BOSWELLIA CURCUMIN

This remedy is available in capsule form and it consists of two natural herbs- shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and curcumin (Curcuma longa). Coming to the properties of both the herbs- shallaki (Boswellia serrata) is very good anti-inflammatory and analgesicand curcumin also relieves pain and inflammation. So this could be given for relieving symptoms such as difficulty in walking due to pain and even chest pain also.

Dosage: 1 capsule two times a day after meals with plain water.

5. SHILAJIT CAPSULES

This formulation is made by a single herb. It contains pure shilajit (asphaltum) extract. It is a great rejuvenator (provides longevity and slow aging), improves cognitive functions, improves functioning of the nervous system and provides strength to the brain. So it is to be used in relieving the symptoms such as- lack of coordination and lack of cognitive functioning (mental process, learning, thinking, reasoning, etc)

Dosage: 1 capsule two times a day after meals with plain water.

6. YOGRAJ GUGGUL

This formulation consists of 27 ingredients- chitrakmool (Plumbago zeylanica), pippali moola (Piper longum), ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi), Krishna jeeraka (Carum carvi), vayavidhanga (Embelia ribes), ajmoda (Apium graveolens), shwet jeeraka (Cuminum cyminum), devdaaru (Cedrus deodara), chavya (Piper retrofractum), choti elaichi (Elettaria cardamomum), saindhav lavana, kooth (Saussurea lappa), raasna (Alpinia calcarata), gokshura (Tribulus terrestris), dhaniya (Coriandrum sativum), amala (Emblica officinalis), haritaki (Terminalia chebula),baheda (Terminalia bellirica), nagarmotha (Cyperus scariosus), shunthi (Zingiber officinale), maricha (Piper nigrum), pippali (Piper longum), dalchini (Cinnamomum verum), khas (Chrysopogon), yavakshara (Hordeum vulgare), taalish patra (Abies webbiana), and teja patra (Cinnamomum tamala). This formulation is enriched with wonderful effects- immune booster, improves vitality, rejuvenates skin and complexion, supports easy movements of joints and supports brain functions as well. As it is an immune booster and improves brain functions so it can be given in relieving the symptoms of friedreich ataxia.

Dosage- 2 tablets twice daily with plain water after meals

Conclusion

After reading this article we came to know that freidreich ataxia is a genetic condition. So the cause of this disease is genetic. It mostly includes the symptoms of nervous system along with that in later on condition patient suffered from heart disease and diabetes. We may not cure the disease totally but may improve the patient’s day to day activities like cognitive symptoms, difficulty in speech, difficulty in walking and other coordination symptoms. And the best treatment without any side effects is in choice is ayurvedic treatment. So for the ayurvedic treatment planet ayurveda is present with great herbal remedies for getting rid of the symptoms of friedreich ataxia. Must try these natural; herbal remedies it will gives you great results.