Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis: Ayurvedic Treatment, Causes

Abstract

Nervous system is the most delicate and complicated system of the body. It is composed of thousands of nerves, brain and spinal cord. Many times, the neurological system gets hampered with a number of conditions that can be of various origin. The condition can develop due to infection by bacteria or virus. In this article we shall look into details of granulomatous meningoencephalitis and also discuss its management in the contemporary veterinary science and in the traditional Indian system of Ayurvedic medicine. Let’s have a look !!

Introduction

Granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system in dogs that is manifested by disseminated or focal granulomatous lesions. Granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system of dogs. It is a form of meningoencephalitis. The disease is more common in female toy dogs of young and middle age. The ayurvedic aspect reflects the vitiation of kapha and pitta doshas according to the causes and symptoms of the condition of granulomatous meningoencephalitis. In the later section, we shall be discussing the causes, clinical features, types, investigation and management of granulomatous meningoencephalitis in detail. So let’s get started!!

Causes of Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis

1. The exact cause of granulomatous meningoencephalitis is not known. But an immune-mediated reason is suspected.
2. This is also said that the condition can be the result of abnormal response to an infectious agent.
3. Other theories suggested have failed to be proven so far. Hence the condition remains idiopathic.

Signs and Symptoms

1. Nystagmus
2. Depression
3. Behavioural changes
4. Ataxia
5. Dysmetria
6. Gait abnormalities
7. Postural reaction deficits
8. Proprioceptive deficits
9. Tremors
10. Hyperaesthesia
11. Facial paralysis
12. Blindness
13. Optic neuritis
14. Fever
15. Cervical pain

Types of Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis

Focal– The condition presents as a granuloma that mimics a cancer. This is found in the cerebellopontine or cerebrum.

Ocular– An uncommon type of granulomatous meningoencephalitis that is manifested by sudden loss of vision due to optic neuritis. This condition is bilateral. Secondary glaucoma, uveitis, retinal detachment can be there.

Disseminated – this is a diffuse condition in the thorough central nervous system. It was earlier called inflammatory reticulosis. It led to the development There is depositing of the neutrophils and mononuclear cells around the blood vessels of the central nervous system. The symptoms are nystagmus, tilting of the head, depression, seizures and incoordination.

Investigations

1. Blood work – not a good diagnostic method.
2. Leukocytosis is observed in some cases.
3. CSF analysis – A large number of white blood cells
4. CT Scan – shows diffuse, multifocal, patchy lesions.
5. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
6. Brain biopsy

Differential Diagnosis

1. Viral encephalitides
2. Protozoal encephalomyelitis
3. Fungal encephalomyelitis
4. Necrotising meningoencephalitis
5. Neoplasia

Management of Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis

1. Corticosteroids particularly prednisolone
2. Azathioprine
3. Cytosine arabinoside – antineoplastic agent
4. Procarbazine
5. Cyclosporine
6. Radiation therapy

Ayurvedic Aspect and Management of Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis

Ayurveda is a traditional Indian medicinal system of Ayurveda. Ayurveda has been serving society from the ancient ages and has been proved positive in almost all diseases.

Pashu chikitsa has been a vital part of Indian history. Many animals are considered as vehicles of gods and goddesses. And so does the love for animals flourished in India. Certain famous personalities from Indian history hsa written texts on the animals such as ‘Ashvavidya’ by Jaya Dutt and ‘Hastyayurveda’ by Palkanya. Though schooling regarding the same is not yet discovered.

The direct correlation or link of the ayurvedic veterinary isn’t found yet but some Ayurveda specialists with their mastery in the ayurvedic veterinary have composed articles and delivered literature which are brimming with information on ayurvedic veterinary.

Granulomatous meningoencephalitis is a condition that affects the central nervous system. This condition in Ayurveda generally relates to the inflammation that is caused by vitiated pitta dosha, kapha dosha vitiation is predicted with the lesions whereas the symptoms show the vitiation of the vata dosha. Hence, the disease shows its three doshas vitiation induced nature. So the management of the same depends  on the lines of balancing the three doshas.

The medicines that are useful in the management of granulomatous meningoencephalitis ae dashmoolarishta, triphala churna, ashwagandharishta, giloy ghan vati, chyawanprash, pippali rasayana, brahmi vati, shankhpushpi churna, shallaki, castor oil, brahmi ghrita etc.

Herbal Remedies by Planet Ayurveda For Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis

Planet Ayurveda is a famous ayurvedic company that has been serving mankind with its amazing herbal formulations. Planet Ayurveda is a US-FDA registered and ISO 9001:2015 certified company. Planet Ayurveda manufactures its product from the pure raw herbs and prepares medicines in the safe and pure environment as mentioned in the various ayurvedic texts. The products of Planet Ayurveda are free from any kind of adulterants and chemicals. The product does not contain any sort of sweet enhancers, colours and synthetics. The products are safe and are gluten free. The products are also halal certified. The medicines have been made so easy to consume according to the consumers’ comfort as the medicines are available in the forms of lehya (jams), vatis (tablets), capsules, churnas (powders), asavarishta/saar (syrups). Planet Ayurveda comes up with a variety of formulations that are effective in both animals and humans. Planet Ayurveda has presented its medicines that are helpful in managing the condition of dogs namely granulomatous meningoencephalitis effectively.

The products of Planet Ayurveda that are helpful in Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis are as follows

1. NEURO PLAN SYRU
2. BRAHMI CAPSULES
3. ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES
4. VRIHAT VATCHINTAMANI RAS

Product description

1. NEURO PLAN SYRUP

Neuro Plan Syrup is a product of Planet Ayurveda. Neuro plan syrup is a well formulated remedy for the disorders of the neurological system. The ingredients of the syrup include the herbs such as brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), mandukaparni (Centella asiatica), ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), madhuyashti (Glycyrrhiza glabra), maricha (Piper nigrum), pippali (Piper longum), shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus) etc. All these herbs act on the nervous system and provide strength to it. All these herbs pacify the vata dosha thus checking the symptoms of granulomatous meningoencephalitis. Neuro Plan Syrup helps in the healing of the inflamed and damaged nerves and also pacifies the vata dosha. Hence by acting on the root cause of granulomatous meningoencephalitis, the Neuro Plan syrup is a perfect remedy for the above said condition.

Dosage : 10 ml twice daily

2. BRAHMI CAPSULES

Brahmi capsules of Planet Ayurveda, are herbal capsules filled with the pure herbal extract of herb brahmi (Bacopa monnieri). Brahmi helps in healing the damage of the neurons and helps in the healthy regeneration of the nerve cells. By pacifying the vata dosha, it alleviates the symptoms of granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis.

Dosage : Two capsules twice daily

3. ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES

Ashwagandha capsules of Planet Ayurveda are made up from the pure herbal extract of the herb ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Ashwagandha capsules help in the granulomatous meningoencephalitis with its nervous system strengthening properties. It helps in alleviating the symptoms related to the above said condition such as depression, lethargy, ataxia, weakness etc. Hence, Ashwagandha capsules are really helpful in the management of granulomatous meningoencephalitis.

Dosage : One capsule twice

4. VRIHAT VATCHINTAMANI RAS

Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras is a classical herbomineral ayurvedic medicine that works wonderfully in the management of various health problems. The main ingredient such as swarna bhasma (gold calx), abhrak bhasma, pravala bhasma, mukta bhasma, suta bhasma, juice of kumari (Aloe barbadensis) rajat bhasma (silver calx) etc provides it a great vata pacifier property. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras is a gem of medicine for neurological disorders. It pacifies the vata dosha and helps in healing the lesions of granulomatous meningoencephalitis. Further, it alleviates the symptoms associated with granulomatous meningoencephalitis maximally.

Dosage : One tablet twice

Conclusion

Granulomatous meningoencephalitis is a condition that affects the dogs and the prognosis is poor. The expression of the disease can be extremely variable in different patients. This can occur at focal and multifocal levels with presentation of the same with various degrees of symptoms. Granulomatous meningoencephalitis is a difficult disease as it needs a lot of time to get diagnosed and has a number of differential diagnoses as the condition mimics other conditions very oftenly. The corticosteroids remain the mainstay of the management but the condition deteriorates anyhow turning the life condition of the patient worrisome and pitiful. As there is no proper management of granulomatous meningoencephalitis available in the contemporary veterinary sciences but Ayurveda offers the management with its herbal and herbomineral formulation depending on the dosha involved. The condition of the patient can be positively managed with the herbal formulation by Planet Ayurveda as we discussed above. Taking care of the animals makes human.