Hereditary Motor Sensory Neuropathy: Ayurvedic Treatment, Cause

Abstract

Hereditary motor sensory neuropathy – An inherited autosomal dominant condition with X-linked dominancy. Men were more severely affected than women, this is a progressive disease of the nervous system, that specifically affects the extremities shows weakness and numbness in the nerves due to the deterioration of nerve cells or nervine sheath. The muscles in the hand and feet get weaker than arms due to the disturbance in their receptors in limbs. Symptoms vary person to person; they may be mild or may be severe in nature. In Ayurvedic Texts this condition can be correlated with Vataj vyadhis. Specifically this condition is aggravated due to vitiation of vata dosha. In this article we are going to discuss Hereditary motor sensory neuropathy, its causes, symptoms and management according to Ayurveda.

Introduction

Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy also named Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, these neuropathies can show its impact on both afferent and efferent neural communications. This condition shows features of degradation of nervous tissue or their sheath and atypical neural tissue development. This disease occurs in two different forms that are complete atrophy of neural tissue and hypertrophic demyelinated nerves. Hypertrophic conditions can cause stiffness in nervous tissue, or peripheral nervous demyelination starts. And in atrophic conditions, axons and neural cell bodies start to break down. Due to this ongoing process, patients start to experience atrophy in muscle tissue, and loss of sensations or neuropathy of the sensory system in the extremities.

Causes

Hereditary motor sensory neuropathy is widely accepted as an inherited condition. This condition occurs due to mutation on chromosomes 17 and 1. This disease is very common as in the United States, 150000 people have been affected with this condition. The chances of inheritance in offspring is 50 % if the one parent already has this Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy.

Symptoms

Neuropathic disorders start to show their symptoms in the early stages of life like in childhood, or young adulthood. Motor symptoms seem to be more predominant than sensory symptoms.

Symptoms of this condition includes –

1. Fatigue
2. Pain in extremities
3. Lack of reflexes
4. Lack of balance while walking, running.
5. Lack of sight and hearing capabilities
6. Muscle weakness
7. Patients can have imbalanced feet like various foot deformities,  high arched feet, hammer toes, foot drops, scoliosis etc.
8. When the demyelinating neuropathy starts, slow nerve conduction velocities start to occur in the patient’s body.

Types of Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy –

CMT1, CMT2, and DI-CMT is based on peripheral neuropathy type as determined by nerve conduction velocity.

Demyelinating(CMT1) – this condition is characterised by muscle weakness, sensory loss and atrophic changes in distal foot, is usually slowly progressive and associated with bilateral foot drop.

Axonal (non-demyelinating) (CMT 2) – this condition usually shows extensive clinical overlap with demyelinating peripheral neuropathy, and is characterised as disabled and has less sensory loss than CMT 1.

Dominant intermediate CMT (DI-CMT) – when the clinical findings are common as a typical CMT. This shows various symptoms in affected individuals within a family like some are showing symptoms of CMT1, or CMT2.

Diagnosis

1. Patients with these types of conditions are usually diagnosed in the OPD examination by evaluating some physical tests. That shows signs of muscular atrophy, sensory responses, and weakness in the body.
2. Electromyography can be done
3. Motor nerve conduction test can be done
4. For definite confirmation, genital testing is advised.

Treatment

1. This condition is managed by a pain reliever that helps to give relief from the foot pain.
2. Flexible AFOs are given to balance the foot.
3. Some surgeries are also beneficial in this condition.

In Ayurveda this condition is correlated with vataj vyadhi, where the body is predominantly under the control of vata dosha and shows its prakupita lakshan. Symptoms like pain in affected areas, dryness in the body, excessive cold feeling to the patient and these pains are not constant; they can move here and there in affected areas. However,  the majority of people with these diseases are able to walk and be self-sufficient. Some methods of relief are physical therapy, stretching, braces, and herbal medicines that help to maintain the overall health.

Herbal remedies for Hereditary Motor Sensory Neuropathy by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is a highly recognised company that manufactures herbal medicines that are very effective in needful persons. Medications that are prepared here are 100% natural and made up of pure herbs without added any type of chemical preservatives and fillers, dyes or colours. These don’t cause any type of side-effects, rather give effective treatment in every disease.

1. Ashwagandhaghan vati
2. Atirasadi churna
3. Kumari saar
4. Tribulus power
5. Musli strength capsules
6. Vrihat vatchintamani ras
7. Neurogenie capsules

Product Description

1. Ashwagandhaghan Vati

This is a classical herbal formulation manufactured by Planet Ayurveda consisting of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Ashwagandha is widely used as neuroprotective and helps in strengthening the muscles. This formulation is very beneficial in maintaining the overall health of the musculo-skeletal system.

Dosage: 1-2 tablets twice or thrice daily with lukewarm water.

2. Atirasadi Churna

This formulation is very effective in vataj disorders. It helps to alleviate the the vata dosha which leads to pain, stiffness, etc. this formulation consists of various effective herbs like safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum), gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) etc.

Dosage: 1 tsp twice daily with warm milk

3. Kumari Saar

This formulation is manufactured by planet Ayurveda and consists of kumari (Aloe Vera barbadensis) . This is very good for digestive issues, it acts as carminative in nature and has various medicinal properties like anti-inflammatory in nature, relieves the congestion of nerves and acts as a nervous tonic.

Dosage: 2 tsp twice daily with plain water.

4. Tribulus Power

Tribulus power is a single herbal formulation prepared using herb Gokshura is Tribulus terrestris acts as great Vata shamak, helps in reducing the pain and stiffness in the body and maintain the overall health of the neuro-muscular system. This is a patent herbal medicine prepared by Planet Ayurveda to relieve such painful conditions.

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

5. Musli Strength Capsules

This is a patent herbal medication prepared by Planet Ayurveda consisting of Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum), Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris). These both medications help to pacify the vata dosha and give strengthening to the nervous system. It helps in the regeneration of the nervous sheath and rejuvenates the damaged cells.

Dosage : 1 Capsule twice daily with plain water.

6. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras

This is a classical formulation manufactured by Planet Ayurveda consisting of Swarn bhasma (gold), praval bhasma (coral calyx) etc. This herbo mineral articulation is very beneficial in the healthy functioning of the brain. It acts as a nervous tonic and helps in improving digestion.

Dosage : 1 tablet twice to be chewed with plain water, after meals.

7. Neurogenie Capsules

This herbal formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda consisting of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). This articulation is very effective in maintaining the overall health of the nerves, its anatomical and physiological functions. These both herbs are helpful in enhancing the brain functions and improves its productivity.

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

Conclusion

This condition is Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy also named Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, these neuropathies can show its impact on both afferent and efferent neural communications. It shows its impact on limbs or extremities. These all symptoms can be clearly correlated with vata vyadhi in which pain and stiffness is a very common feature. Ayurvedic medications are very effective in such types of conditions that act on the roots of the disease and give powerful relief to the patient.