Abstract
Dupuytren's contracture is a disease of the hand. This contracture is a deformity of the hand that usually develops over years. This condition usually develops over years and affects a layer of tissue that lies under the skin of the palm. This condition is also known as Dupuytren's disease, Morbus Dupuytren, Viking disease, Celtic hand, and Palmar fibromatosis. Dupuytren's contracture is a condition in which one or more fingers become permanently bent in a flexed position. This disease is named after Guillaume Dupuytren, who first described their underlying mechanism of action. This condition affects the specific layer of tissue that lies beneath the skin of the palm and it usually begins as small, hard nodules and worsens over time until the fingers can no longer be straightened. The ring finger and little finger are most commonly affected and interfere with the activities such as preparing food, writing, and holding something. This leads to the thickening of connective tissue and becoming scar-like and the bending caused by the thick tissue is called contracture. Here in this article, we will discuss its causes, signs & symptoms, and its Ayurvedic management through herbal remedies.
Ayurvedic aspect for Dupuytren's contracture
As per the Ayurvedic view, we can correlate this disease with vata vyadhi because vata governs all the movements in the body and any contracture or stiffness is all because of vata dosha.
Etiology/Causes
The exact cause for this disease is not known. There is no evidence of hand injuries or occupation that involves leading to this deformity. The fascia is a layer of tissue that helps to stabilize the skin on the palm side of the hand and without this fascia, the skin of the palm would be loose and moveable. So in this condition, this palmar fascia slowly begins to thicken and then tighten. What exactly causes this thickening is still unknown.
Risk factors
A number of risk factors are there and that includes:
- Age: most commonly occurs after the age of 50.
- Sex: Men are more likely to develop this disease than women.
- Ancestry: people of Northern European descent are at higher risk of this deformity.
- Family history: It often runs in families.
- Tobacco and alcohol use: Smoking and alcohol is associated with an increased risk of this deformity.
- Diabetes: A person who is suffering from diabetes has an increased risk of Dupuytren's contracture.
Clinical features/Signs and symptoms
This deformity typically progresses slowly, over years. As we already said, this condition begins as a thickening of the skin on the palm of the hand. The typical symptoms of this deformity are:
- Bending of the fingers especially ring finger and little finger.
- Loss of range of motion of the affected finger.
- Painless nodules.
- The skin might appear puckered or dimpled on the palm.
- Difficulty in holding something.
- Difficulty in writing and cooking.
Diagnose
In most cases, this disease can be diagnosed by the doctor by the look and feel of the hand. A doctor then compares both hands to check for puckering on the skin of the palms and will also press on parts of the hand and fingers to check for toughened knots or bands of tissue.
Herbal remedies for Dupuytren's contracture
Herbal remedies are provided by Planet Ayurveda. This is a leading Ayurvedic firm that deals with the manufacturing of herbal formulations from the standardized extracts of potent herbs. These formulations are also prepared by using ancient time-tested formulas. These herbs are really effective in managing many conditions related to vata imbalance. These herbal formulations do not contain any kind of adulterants, dyes, additives, fillers, chemicals, etc. The herbal formulations offered by Planet Ayurveda for the management of Dupuytren's Contracture (Palmar fibromatosis) are as follows:
- Hakam Churna
- Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras
- Ashwagandhaghan Vati
- Musli Strength Capsules
Products description
1. Hakam Churna
This is a herbal formulation in powder form that is very helpful in pacifying vitiated vata dosha. This formulation is prepared from four ingredients like chandrashoor ( Lepidium sativum), Kalonji ( Nigella sativaa), Methi ( Trigonella foenum graecum) and Ajwain ( Trachyspermum ammi). The ingredients in hakam churna are really effective and have anti-inflammatory properties too and this property makes it a potent formulation for relieving inflammation in chronic conditions. By pacifying vata dosha, it helps in stiffness in tendons, which is exactly what happens in Dupuytren's Contracture. The formulation is also helpful in relieving indigestion and enhances the working of the digestive system due to its digestive action. This powder also results in the clearing of deposited endotoxins in the body.
Dosage: ½ tsp twice daily after meals with lukewarm water.
2. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras
This ras is a herbomineral formulation that is prepared with Rajata bhasma (calx of silver), Abhrak bhasma (calx of mica), Suta bhasma (calx of a compound of purified mercury and sulfur), Loha bhasma (calx of iron), Praval Bhasma (calx of coral), Bhasma (calx of gold) and Mukta Bhasma (calx of pearl). This Rasaushadhi helps in improving neuron communication hence increasing the motor response like speech, swallowing, etc. Moreover, this formulation is really best for the pacification of vata dosha which is the main reason for this deformity.
Dosage: 1 tablet twice daily after meals with warm water.
3. Ashwagandhaghan Vati
This is a wonderful classical Ayurvedic formulation for vata disorders. It is prepared by using the whole plant of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). This tablet formulation has wonderful results in general weakness and fatigue. It also behaves as a nervous tonic that is helpful in strengthening the motor and sensory functions in the body. The Ashwagandha also provides strength to the tendons and muscles. This herb also helps in relieving stress and anxiety. This formulation has a good effect on building muscle mass as well. This herb really helps in vata disorders by pacifying this dosha.
Dosage: 2 tablets twice a day after meals with lukewarm water.
4. Musli Strength Capsules
Musli strength is a herbal formulation that is prepared using herbs like Safed Musli ( Chlorophytum borivilianum) and Gokshura ( Tribulus terrestris). This formulation is prepared using a standardized extract of the above-mentioned two ingredients. The formulation is capable of providing regeneration effects to the body. Moreover, it also provides strength to the reproductive system. In Dupuytren's Contracture ( Palmar fibromatosis) the formulation gives really great results by strengthening the tendons and subsiding the formation of the lump resulting in the bending of fingers.
Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day with lukewarm water after meals.
Conclusion
The normal functioning of the limb is very much important in every person. Diseases like Dupuytren's Contracture (Palmar fibromatosis) are considered as a deformity of the hands which makes a person unable to do day-to-day activities. The Ayurvedic formulations show very good results on this condition because Ayurvedic treatment helps in pacifying the vata dosha. The Ayurvedic supplements are prepared after testing the ingredients for any foreign particles and are also safe to use. In case of any query kindly visit www.planetayurveda.com or you can also send your queries to our email id herbalremedies123@yahoo.com
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dupuytren%27s_contracture