| Muscular dystrophies are a group of more than | | | | influence due to Vata deregulations. Existing Panch |
| 20 different genetic neuromuscular disorders, | | | | Karma and other supportive treatments aim to |
| some more debilitating than others. The most | | | | control symptoms, such as muscle spasm, and |
| common, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) | | | | enable people to have a good quality of life. They |
| affects 1 in 3500 boys. There is a problem in the | | | | include gentle Pawan Muktasana series of muscle |
| chromosome that codes for a protein called | | | | exercises, because inactivity can worsen the |
| dystrophin which maintains the integrity of the | | | | disease. Pawan Muktasana along with certain other |
| muscle cell wall. Eventually irreversible destruction | | | | Asanas such as Bhujangasana may prevent or |
| of the muscle cells occurs. In early school years, it | | | | delay scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. The |
| may just seem that DMD boys are slower and | | | | Bhastrika Pranayama may support Cardio- |
| clumsier than their peers. The disease progresses | | | | Respiratory system and may improve process of |
| such that the majority will be wheelchair bound by | | | | beta-oxidation at cellular level. Yogic support of |
| 10-14 years. | | | | Bhastrika Pranayama is important to boost the |
| Muscular dystrophies are inherited. Each disease is | | | | respiratory function. When respiratory function |
| transmitted by a different genetic trait. DMD is | | | | deteriorates, ventilator support may be needed. |
| inherited in an X-linked recessive transmission. | | | | There is no cure for any form of muscular |
| That means that females may be carriers but do | | | | dystrophy some medicines, ayurvedic remedies |
| not have any debilitating symptoms. A female | | | | and therapies can slow the course of the disease. |
| carrier has a 50% chance of transmitting the | | | | Human trials of gene therapy with the dystrophin |
| faulty gene onto her children. There is no | | | | gene are on the near horizon. For instance, |
| satisfactory treatment in any system of medicine. | | | | scientists are researching ways to insert a |
| It is a progressive muscle-wasting disease due to | | | | working dystrophin gene into the muscles of boys |
| a mutation in the dystrophin gene and the | | | | with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies. |
| consequential protein deficiency in muscle. It | | | | Panch Karma procedures are also found useful in |
| results in chronic inflammation and severe skeletal | | | | the life term management of muscular dystrophy. |
| muscle degeneration. How the lack of the | | | | Ayurvedic researchers are investigating the |
| sarcolemma protein dystrophin gives rise to the | | | | potential of certain muscle-building Rasayana |
| final disease status is still not clear. | | | | medicines to slow down or reverse the |
| The genetic disease conditions are diagnosed | | | | progression of muscular dystrophy. Other trials |
| through genetic testing, a physical exam, a family | | | | are looking into the effects of the dietary |
| medical history, and some specific tests. These | | | | supplements Withania somnifera, Curcuma longa, |
| might include: A muscle biopsy (the removal and | | | | Creatine and glutamine on muscle energy |
| examination of a small sample of muscle tissue) | | | | production and storage. |
| - DNA (genetic) testing | | | | Symptoms of muscular dystrophy often can be |
| - Electromyography or nerve conduction tests | | | | relieved through exercise, Panch Karma therapy, |
| (which use electrodes to test muscle and/or | | | | rehabilitative devices, and Yogic respiratory care |
| nerve function) | | | | with Bhastrika Pranayama, and surgery. |
| - Blood enzyme tests (which may reveal muscle | | | | - Ayurvedic Panch Karma & Yogic Support |
| damage) | | | | can minimize abnormal or painful positioning of the |
| For DMD and BMD, muscle biopsy may show | | | | joints and may prevent or delay curvature of the |
| whether dystrophin protein is missing or abnormal, | | | | spine. Respiratory care, deep breathing, and |
| and DNA Test is used to analyze the condition of | | | | coughing exercises are often recommended. |
| the related gene. | | | | - In Duchenne muscular dystrophy, corticosteroids |
| There's no definite cure and, although a great deal | | | | may slow muscle destruction. |
| can be done to help limit the effects of Muscular | | | | - In myotonic muscular dystrophy, phenytoin, |
| dystrophies. Ayurveda considers this condition as | | | | procainamide or quinine can treat delayed muscle |
| Mamsa-vata-kshaya related to beeja dosha and | | | | relaxation. |
| impairments of Mamsagni (muscle enzyme). It | | | | - In DMD, BMD and LGMD, the Mamsagni |
| involves deranged Vata and subsequent | | | | Rasayana has shown muscular protection. |
| degeneration of muscles and structures related to | | | | Genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis by chorionic |
| it. Ayurveda consider this condition due to leakage | | | | villus sampling, and antenatal screening of families |
| of Mamsagni from muscle tissues. This is | | | | with MDs provides an opportunity to prevent |
| supposed due to sarcolemma membrane defect | | | | these diseases being passed on to children. |
| in the muscle fibers. Ayurvedic treatment might | | | | Ayurvedic primary intention is on treating or |
| slow or stop the progression of muscle | | | | delaying symptoms, enhancing physical mobility |
| degeneration. The Til Mash Pinda swedana can | | | | and preventing cardiac and respiratory |
| help to stabilize the membrane defect. The | | | | complications. |
| Mamsagni Rasayana show cellular protective | | | | |