Tag: causes of leukodystrophy

Movement is the song of the body. This shows and reflects our thoughts. Our body functioning – walking, talking, thinking, listening, every movement is linked with the movement of neurons. Neurons are known as nerve cells that are building blocks of nervous system. Nervous system is one of the important part of the body that is known to control every body movement such as voluntary (walking, talking etc.) and involuntary (heartbeat). So neurons which are integral part of this system are known to contain – dendrites and axons. These parts covered through a sheet of fatty, white lipids. This sheet is referred as ‘white matter’… and generally called as myelin. Myelin’s work is to protect the axons and is important in fast transmission of signals between neurons.

WHAT IF THIS WHITE PROTECTIVE SHEET GETS DAMAGED?

If this gets damaged, the working of neurons gets sheared. Because in the absence of myelin sheath, the conduction of nerve impulses along nerve fibres becomes slow and there is loss of brain functioning.

There are very rare diseases known to cause this health loss. One of the disease is leukodystrophy.

WHY THIS PROBLEM OF LEUKODYSTROPHY HAPPENS?

The biggest and main reason for the Leukodystrophy problem is genes.

This problem is X – linked autosomal recessive disorder. In this the X chromosome is responsible for the disease. According to genetic rule – males is known to have – XY sex chromosome and females have – XX sex chromosome. So if from parents girl gets defected X chromosome. She becomes a carrier, because not both the chromosomes are affected. If the defected chromosome is received by male offspring, he for sure is going to suffer from the problem of Leukodystrophy.

There are many types of Leukodystrophy because each Leukodystrophy is there due to a specific kind o gene.

One of the other reason is diseases due to which myelin sheath got affected. These are ischemia, infection, other metabolic conditions and multiple sclerosis.

SYMPTOMS OCCURING DURING LEUKODYSTROPHY

• Weak and slow body movements
• Slowed down ability to chew and swallow food
• Hearing loss
• Weak mental ability
• Weak eye sight
• Change in behavior
• Change in walking styles
• Difficult in walking
• Subtle muscle tone
• Difficult in speaking

THE TYPES OF LEUKODYSTROPHY CAN BE

1. Adult-onset autosomal dominant leukodystrophy (ADLD) – results from the duplication of gene – LMNB1 codes for protein lamin B1 which leads to slow progressive motor and balance functioning. In this, there is dysfunctioning of periventricular white matter.

2. Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) – In this the myelin of brain, spinal cord and renal cortex got affected. In this the gene ALD and ABCD1 gene is affected. In this adrenal glands get affected.

3. Childhood ataxia with cerebral hypo myelination – autosomal recessive leukodystrophy that is characterized by progressive deterioration in motor function and speech during the first five years of life. This delayed the early development of the child and leads to ataxia, seizures and fever etc.

Other types of leukodystrophy are

• Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis
• Fabry disease
• GM1 gangliosidosis
• Krabbe disease and Canavan disease etc.

THESE PROBLEMS CAN BE DIAGNOSED AND MANAGED

To diagnose this problem, there are following techniques

• Physical examination
• Urine tests
• Blood tests
• Nerve biopsy
• Nerve conduction tests
• Neurocognitive tests
• Genetic tests

After getting the disease, how to manage the problem

There is a natural way through which the leukodystrophy can be managed. This is the way of Ayurveda – the natural herbal healing system.

AYURVEDA originated in India 5000 years ago. This line of healing is known to manage the disease through the use of herbs and minerals, in a natural way. This is the harmless way of disease management. According to Ayurveda, all living organism are made up of five basic elements. These are air, earth, water, fir and space. These five elements combine to form three types of doshas. These doshas known to maintain all body functioning.

These doshas are

Pitta dosha – This dosha is known to control metabolism, digestion and certain digestive hormonal functioning.

Kapha dosha – This dosha is known to control muscle growth, weight, body strength and immunity of the body.

Vata dosha – This is known to control body basic functioning. This controls breathing, blood flow, heart functioning, mind and elimination of waste through intestines.

HOW LEUKODYSTROPHY RELATED TO AYURVEDA

This problem in Ayurveda is known as sarvangavata vyadhi. This leads to aggravated vata in the body. Through the herbal treatment we can manage the aggravated vata and control the condition of leukodystrophy.

Planet Ayurveda is leading ayurvedic company of the India, known to provide herbal formulations to manage the condition of leukodystrophy.

HERBAL FORMULATION BY PLANET AYURVEDA FOR LEUKODYSTROPHY

1. Brahmi capsules

This formulation is formulated from the herb Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri). In ayurveda, brahmi is used to regain health of brain and body. According to Ayurveda brahmi is known as Medhya (intellect promoter), Majjadhatu Rasayana (nervous system rejuvenation), balya (strength enhancer), Anuloma (redirecting the flow of vata downwards), Jivaniya (life energy provider) and Nidrajanana (sleep) etc. this herb have many active components alkaloids brahmine and herpestine, saponins, betulic acid, stigmastarol, bacosides and bacopasaponins. These helps in repair the damaged neurons by enhancing the neural synthesis, kinase activity, nerve impulse transmission and restoration of activity of synaptic nerves.
These functions of this herb make this formulation to control the condition of Leukodystrophy.

Dose – 1-2 capsules two times a day after meals with plain water.

2. Gotukola capsules

This is formulated from the herb gotukola (Centella Asiatica). This is one of the most rejuvenative herb used in healing system. This is used as medhya rasayna in ayurveda. This herb known to contain phytochemicals like triterpenoid, saponins and related sapogenins. This is known to improve brain damaged cells and enhances brain activity. This herb’s properties are known to manage the condition of problems occuring in Leukodystrophy.

Dose – 1 to 2 capsules two times a day after meals with plain water.

3. Ashwagandha capsules

This formulation is known to have Ashwagandha herb [Withania Somnifera]. This herb is known as medhya rasayna in ayurvedic medicinal healing system. One of the active ingredient in this herb – Withanolide A, known to recover neurotic and synaptic loss. This is known to improve memory, oxidative brain stress and prevents degradation of nerve cells. These things improves the damaged condition of brain and neurons during Leukodystrophy and manage this diseased condition.

Dose – 1-2 Capsules twice daily after meals with plain water.

4. Swaran vasant malti

This formulation is enriched with various minerals. These are

• Swarm Bhasma (Gold Calcined clax)
• Mukta Bhasma (Pearl calcined clax)
• Shuddh Hingul (Cinnabar – HgS purified clax)
• Kharpar Bhasma (Zinc Carbonate Calcined clax)
• Maricha (Piper Nigrum)

These minerals are known to control the level of enzymes elevated during brain damage and its related problems. This further known to control the problem of Leukodystrophy.

Dose – one tablet with milk.

5. Medhya Churna

Medhya Churna is a pure natural preparation that has ability to maintain a healthy mind and supports healthy brain of people of all ages because of its rejuvenating property. Amazingly improves the memory, increases the period of concentration, lowers the anxieties, and elevates your confidence and recollecting things. This herbal formulation is prepared by combining certain pure herbs with amazing healthy properties. It’s a great Herbal Remedy for Leukodystrophy.

Herbs used are:

• Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) – This Ayurvedic herb has the capacity to increase the retaining and remembering power of the brain. It is a good reliever of stress and anxiety. Used in nervous disorders and mental disorders.
• Vacha (Acorus calamus): It is helpful in speech disorders, enhancing speaking abilities and coordination.

Other herbs are:

• Marich (Piper nigrum)
• Pipali (Piper longum)
• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
• Ajmoda (Carum roxburghianum)
• Shwet jeerak (Cuminum cyminum)
• Krishna jeerak (Carum carvi)
• Sonth (Zingiber officinale)
• Patha (Cissampelos pareira)
• Brahmi (Bacopa monnierri)

All the Herbs used in the formulation of Medhya churna have amazing properties.

Dose: 1/4 teaspoon once daily with 1 spoon of Cow Ghee (Clarified Butter).