Friedreich's ataxia is a rare hereditary degenerative disease that mainly affects the nervous system and the heart. Also known as spine cerebellar degeneration that damages parts of brain and spinal cord and can even affect your heart. Its main neurological symptoms manifested as muscle weakness and as ataxia itself means, a loss of balance and coordination. Its effects on the heart vary from mild, no symptomatic abnormalities to life-threatening symptoms in the heart's musculature. Friedreich's ataxia is a genetic defect that's inherited from both parents by what's called "autosomal recessive transmission."
It is frequently associated with cardiomyopathy or diabetes.
It doesn't affect parts of the brain involved in thinking.
What are its Causes?
This disease is linked to defects, or mutations in the gene FXN called as frataxin gene which leads to limit in formation of a protein called frataxin. Frataxin, which is importantfor mitochondrial functioningin regulating the iron levels in the mitochondria, involved in energy production necessary for all cell bodies in the cells.. We also know that specific nerve cells (neurons) degenerate in people with FA, and this is directly manifested in the symptoms of the disease.
People with a family history of Friedreich's ataxia are at greater risk of inheriting this disease. If the defective gene is only passed down from one parent, the person becomes a carrier of the disease but usually doesn't experience symptoms of it.
It might be non-inherited where experts never find out cause. The following procedures and circumstances can cause ataxia:
- Brain surgery or Head injury.
- Alcohol or Drug abuse.
- Infections - chicken pox (usually goes away after infection has gone).
- A brain tumor.
- Exposure to toxic chemicals.
- Neurological conditions - Multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy etc.
- Cerebellum malformation while the baby is still in the womb.
Ayurvedic view of the disease:
Ayurveda considers that this disease is due to beej dosha. Vata dosha is mainly involved in Friedreich's Ataxia.
What could be Symptoms of Friedreich's Ataxia?
Symptoms of Friedreich's ataxia usually appear between ages 2 to the early 50s, but commonly diagnosed between ages of 10 to 15. Difficulty with walking is the most common initial symptom of the condition. Other symptoms appearing are like:
- Changes in vision, especially color vision.
- Loss of hearing
- Weakness in the muscles
- Absence of reflexes in legs
- Poor coordination or balance
- Abnormality in speech
- Involuntary eye movements
- Deformities develop in foot, like clubfoot
- Difficulty sensing vibrations in your legs and feet.
- Uncoordinated movements (ataxia) gets worse with time
- Approximately 75 percent of people with Friedreich's ataxia have heart problem and their heart muscle becomes weaker (cardiomyopathy).
- The spine curves sideways (scoliosis) may develop
- About 10 percent of people with FA have Diabetes abnormalities.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Friedreich's Ataxi
Herbal formulations provided by planet ayurveda to manage friedreich's ataxia
1. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha capsules are herbal medicine that is efficient for weakness stress, nervous breakdown, neuropathy due to diabetes. Regular use of Ashwagandha capsules helps to regain the strength of muscles, even relieve the muscle spasm and fatigue. It is good nervine tonic that is capable of increasing the physical aswell as mental stamina of the body. It is suitable to children as well old age people. All its property make it beneficial in counteracting the symptoms of Friedreich's Ataxia
Aswagandha (Withani a somnifera):
Ashwagandha capsules prepared in Planet Ayurveda comprises of standardized root extract of Ashwagandha herb. It is rich in natural alkaloids that has properties that relieves stress and helpful in getting rid of tiredness.improving stamina, helping in diabetic neuropathy. Ashwagandha herb is amazing in regulating the Vata in the body. Vata mainly maintains the body movement that includes movement of nerve impulses throughout the nervous system.
Ashwagandha has, anti-stress, antioxidant, mind-boosting, immune-enhancing, and rejuvenating properties. It is good for Friedreich's Ataxia.
Dose: 1-2 capsules twice daily, with plain water after meals.
2. Gotukola
Gotukola Capsule is herbal preparation of Planet Ayurveda that is capable of keeping healthy nervous system and healthy heart. This product is manufactured from pure and standardized extract of Gotukola herb. This Ayurvedic product is also an effective remedy for maintaining healthy legs. Thereby a good herbal remedy for Friedreich's Ataxia.
Gotukola ( Centella asiatica):
Gotukolais an herb that is helpful in preventing nervous exhaustion. It is good in managing the stress and its vitamins and minerals that are very beneficial for the heart.
D ose - 1-2 capsules, two times a day, after meals, with plain water.
3. Shilajit Capsules
Shilajit Capsule is Ayurvedic formation of Planet Ayurveda that is an energetic supplement and nutrient for healthy body. It is formed of high-quality extract of Shilajit resin. It is potent to increase energy levels and boost stamina. Also healthy supplement for proper blood glucose level in the body. It is a suitable herbal Treatment for Friedreich's Ataxia.
Shilajit ( Asphaltum):
Shilajit consists of humic acid and fulvic acids that has brought it with great medicinal properties. It is very useful nutrient for reducing weakness, fatigue, tiredness, stress and anxiety. It is rich in anti-oxidants which are good source in relieving mental and physical stresses and growing their stamina and manage Diabetes also. It also rejuvenates brain cells and this way can conduct well the nerve signals and impulses in the body.
Dose - 1 to 2 capsules twice daily after half an hour of meal with plain water.
4. Brahmi Capsules
Brahmi Capsules are pure natural preparation of Planet Ayurveda that is obtained from high-quality extract of potent Brahmi plant. Brahmi capsules are beneficial herbal remedy in counteracting the stress and mental fatigue as well as eliminating nervous exhaustion. It is also good cardiac tonic as well.
Brahmi ( Bacopa Monnieri)
Brahmi is useful herb that is rich in anti-oxidants that makes it a suitable brain tonic, cardiac tonic. It acts wonderfully on the brain health and helps to improve neuron degeneration as well as better general tonic.
Dose - 2 capsules two times a day, with plain water, after meals.
5. Medhya Churna
Medhya churna is an herbal preparation that is rich in antioxidants properties which can rejuvenate the system making the brain sharp. All its herbs work synergistically on nervous system and immune system.
Its ingredients are:
- Vacha (Acorus calamus)
- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
- Ajmoda (Carum roxburghianum)
- Shwet jeerak (Cuminum cyminum)
- Kishna jeerak (Carum carvi)
- Sonth (Zingiber officinale)
- Marich (Piper nigrum)
- Pipali (Piper longum)
- Patha (Cissampelos pareira)
- Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis)
- Brahmi (Bacopa monnierri)
Herbs used in this preparation support to sustain the good brain health system and very effectively manage the stress problem and give relief to patient of Friedreich's Ataxia
DR. Vikram Chauhan, MD - AYURVEDA is an expert ayurvedic doctor based in Chandigarh, India and doing his practice in Mohali, India. He is spreading the knowledge of Ayurveda - Ancient healing treatment, not only in India but also abroad. He is the CEO and Founder of Planet Ayurveda Products, Planet Ayurveda Clinic and Krishna Herbal Company. Write at - herbalremedies123@yahoo.com, Contact at - +91-172-521-4030 Websites - www.planetayurveda.com, www.alwaysayurveda.com
View more posts from this authorFriedreich's ataxia is a rare hereditary degenerative disease that mainly affects the nervous system and the heart. Also known as spine cerebellar degeneration that damages parts of brain and spinal cord and can even affect your heart. Its main neurological symptoms manifested as muscle weakness and as ataxia itself means, a loss of balance and coordination. Its effects on the heart vary from mild, no symptomatic abnormalities to life-threatening symptoms in the heart's musculature. Friedreich's ataxia is a genetic defect that's inherited from both parents by what's called "autosomal recessive transmission."
It is frequently associated with cardiomyopathy or diabetes.
It doesn't affect parts of the brain involved in thinking.
What are its Causes?
This disease is linked to defects, or mutations in the gene FXN called as frataxin gene which leads to limit in formation of a protein called frataxin. Frataxin, which is importantfor mitochondrial functioningin regulating the iron levels in the mitochondria, involved in energy production necessary for all cell bodies in the cells.. We also know that specific nerve cells (neurons) degenerate in people with FA, and this is directly manifested in the symptoms of the disease.
People with a family history of Friedreich's ataxia are at greater risk of inheriting this disease. If the defective gene is only passed down from one parent, the person becomes a carrier of the disease but usually doesn't experience symptoms of it.
It might be non-inherited where experts never find out cause. The following procedures and circumstances can cause ataxia:
- Brain surgery or Head injury.
- Alcohol or Drug abuse.
- Infections - chicken pox (usually goes away after infection has gone).
- A brain tumor.
- Exposure to toxic chemicals.
- Neurological conditions - Multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy etc.
- Cerebellum malformation while the baby is still in the womb.
Ayurvedic view of the disease:
Ayurveda considers that this disease is due to beej dosha. Vata dosha is mainly involved in Friedreich's Ataxia.
What could be Symptoms of Friedreich's Ataxia?
Symptoms of Friedreich's ataxia usually appear between ages 2 to the early 50s, but commonly diagnosed between ages of 10 to 15. Difficulty with walking is the most common initial symptom of the condition. Other symptoms appearing are like:
- Changes in vision, especially color vision.
- Loss of hearing
- Weakness in the muscles
- Absence of reflexes in legs
- Poor coordination or balance
- Abnormality in speech
- Involuntary eye movements
- Deformities develop in foot, like clubfoot
- Difficulty sensing vibrations in your legs and feet.
- Uncoordinated movements (ataxia) gets worse with time
- Approximately 75 percent of people with Friedreich's ataxia have heart problem and their heart muscle becomes weaker (cardiomyopathy).
- The spine curves sideways (scoliosis) may develop
- About 10 percent of people with FA have Diabetes abnormalities.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Friedreich's Ataxi
Herbal formulations provided by planet ayurveda to manage friedreich's ataxia
1. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha capsules are herbal medicine that is efficient for weakness stress, nervous breakdown, neuropathy due to diabetes. Regular use of Ashwagandha capsules helps to regain the strength of muscles, even relieve the muscle spasm and fatigue. It is good nervine tonic that is capable of increasing the physical aswell as mental stamina of the body. It is suitable to children as well old age people. All its property make it beneficial in counteracting the symptoms of Friedreich's Ataxia
Aswagandha (Withani a somnifera):
Ashwagandha capsules prepared in Planet Ayurveda comprises of standardized root extract of Ashwagandha herb. It is rich in natural alkaloids that has properties that relieves stress and helpful in getting rid of tiredness.improving stamina, helping in diabetic neuropathy. Ashwagandha herb is amazing in regulating the Vata in the body. Vata mainly maintains the body movement that includes movement of nerve impulses throughout the nervous system.
Ashwagandha has, anti-stress, antioxidant, mind-boosting, immune-enhancing, and rejuvenating properties. It is good for Friedreich's Ataxia.
Dose: 1-2 capsules twice daily, with plain water after meals.
2. Gotukola
Gotukola Capsule is herbal preparation of Planet Ayurveda that is capable of keeping healthy nervous system and healthy heart. This product is manufactured from pure and standardized extract of Gotukola herb. This Ayurvedic product is also an effective remedy for maintaining healthy legs. Thereby a good herbal remedy for Friedreich's Ataxia.
Gotukola ( Centella asiatica):
Gotukolais an herb that is helpful in preventing nervous exhaustion. It is good in managing the stress and its vitamins and minerals that are very beneficial for the heart.
D ose - 1-2 capsules, two times a day, after meals, with plain water.
3. Shilajit Capsules
Shilajit Capsule is Ayurvedic formation of Planet Ayurveda that is an energetic supplement and nutrient for healthy body. It is formed of high-quality extract of Shilajit resin. It is potent to increase energy levels and boost stamina. Also healthy supplement for proper blood glucose level in the body. It is a suitable herbal Treatment for Friedreich's Ataxia.
Shilajit ( Asphaltum):
Shilajit consists of humic acid and fulvic acids that has brought it with great medicinal properties. It is very useful nutrient for reducing weakness, fatigue, tiredness, stress and anxiety. It is rich in anti-oxidants which are good source in relieving mental and physical stresses and growing their stamina and manage Diabetes also. It also rejuvenates brain cells and this way can conduct well the nerve signals and impulses in the body.
Dose - 1 to 2 capsules twice daily after half an hour of meal with plain water.
4. Brahmi Capsules
Brahmi Capsules are pure natural preparation of Planet Ayurveda that is obtained from high-quality extract of potent Brahmi plant. Brahmi capsules are beneficial herbal remedy in counteracting the stress and mental fatigue as well as eliminating nervous exhaustion. It is also good cardiac tonic as well.
Brahmi ( Bacopa Monnieri)
Brahmi is useful herb that is rich in anti-oxidants that makes it a suitable brain tonic, cardiac tonic. It acts wonderfully on the brain health and helps to improve neuron degeneration as well as better general tonic.
Dose - 2 capsules two times a day, with plain water, after meals.
5. Medhya Churna
Medhya churna is an herbal preparation that is rich in antioxidants properties which can rejuvenate the system making the brain sharp. All its herbs work synergistically on nervous system and immune system.
Its ingredients are:
- Vacha (Acorus calamus)
- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
- Ajmoda (Carum roxburghianum)
- Shwet jeerak (Cuminum cyminum)
- Kishna jeerak (Carum carvi)
- Sonth (Zingiber officinale)
- Marich (Piper nigrum)
- Pipali (Piper longum)
- Patha (Cissampelos pareira)
- Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis)
- Brahmi (Bacopa monnierri)
Herbs used in this preparation support to sustain the good brain health system and very effectively manage the stress problem and give relief to patient of Friedreich's Ataxia