HIV/AIDS

EXPLAINING HIV/AIDS

 

AIDS is an acronym for the 'Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome'. AIDS is a syndrome, not a single disease. It is a set of diseases, which results from the weakening of the body's defenses, the immune system, by the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV.

 

Upon entering the white blood cells known as CD 4 cells, HIV produces its own DNA and implants that viral DNA into the DNA of the host cell. The viral DNA can now control and manipulate the cell. It forces the cells to manufacture several new copies of HIV. 

 

People infected with HIV may take 7 - 10 years to develop AIDS. because of regulatory mechanisms, the viral DNA lies dormant in the host cell for several years before it begins to do the damage.

 

Signs and Symptoms

Initially, there is brief flu-like systems presented two to four weeks after infection that dissipate and generally go away. Symptoms are fever, headache, sore throat, swollen glands, and rash. Years later as the condition progresses some may develop mild infections or chronic conditions such as swollen lymph nodes (often a first sign) diarrhea, weight loss, fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If the condition progresses and the HIV infection is not treated the disease typically progresses to AIDS. At this stage the symptoms include: soaking night sweats, shaking chills or fever, cough and shortness of breath, persistent white spots and unusual lesions on the tongue or in the mouth, headache, persistent fatigue, blurred and distorted vision, weight loss, skin rashes.

 

Causes

  According to Ayurvedic scriptures, HIV is a tridoshic viral infection affecting the strength and ability of the immune system to function.  It causes a deficiency in the life-sap, called ojas. When strong and healthy Ojas is maintained, the HIV virus is unable to develop. Ojas is lost or diminished by excess sex, improper food, improper routine, worry and insomnia.  The HIV virus uses the body’s immune cells to replicate itself. Much like a ghost, this virus does not have a body of its own and uses its host’s cells and body to function and survive. Dr. Marc Halpern, director of the California College of Ayurveda wrote on Ksaya “A lifestyle that reduces ojas leads to individual susceptibility to the condition. A lifestyle that results in a loss of shukra (vital fluid) is considered to increase the risk of developing the condition. In addition, a person is weakened by the suppression of natural urges and the intake of foods and drinks that are disharmonious.”

 

It is estimated that over 23 million people worldwide are contaminated with the HIV infection, out of which over 8.1 million people have developed already developed full-blown AIDS. It is expected that the situation is going to be worse in the coming years. India has the largest number of HIV infected cases in South Asia.  Typical treatment of HIV infection/AIDS is by and large symptomatic only. More recently some antiretroviral agents consisting of a combination of reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors have been found to be slightly effective However this therapy is exorbitantly expensive and the duration and effectiveness of the treatment is uncertain. Hence, even in the western world, the search for the cure of HIV infection in alternative medicine is widely sought. There are lots of reports on the effectiveness of ayurvedic treatment methods for AIDS with the use of plants in China and India. Recently some clinical trials of ayurvedic drugs on animal models have also been found to augment immunity. A global attempt is being made to study and use Ayurvedic medicine in cases of HIV infection as an effective alternative treatment with way fewer side effects.

 

HOW AYURVEDIC TREATMENTS WORK

 

According to Ayurveda, the AIDS disease may be correlated with “Kshaya’ or “Ojakshaya’ meaning loss of energy. The disease is caused by the dominant Kapha dosha along with the other doshas which tend to block the path for the flow of rasadi dhatus in their respective locations ,cause deterioration of saptha dhatu Rasa(plasma), Rakta (blood cells), Mansa ( muscular tissue), Meda (adipose tissue), Asthi (bony tissue), Majja (bone marrow) and the Shukra (reproductive tissue), thus resulting in the disease. Currently, there is no vaccine for HIV/AIDS but Ayurvedic treatments from Mahima Ayurveda have evolved, which are much more efficacious. Various immunomodulator therapeutics and antiviral herbal combinations are used for the treatment. These improve the quality of life of the patient, extends life expectancy and reduces the risk of transmission of virus.

 

OUR TREATMENT VISION :

 

THE TRIPLE MODE OF ACTION OF OUR THERAPIES:

 

At mahima ayurveda and panchkarma, we study and research to produce fast working and effective treatment plans which aim to restore health and wellness in our patients through naturalistic and holistic ways. Our research shows that the best way to deal with the HIV virus is an all out complete attack  on the disease with our Tripple Action therapy which combines various active herbal ingredients along with some lifestyle changes. Our therapies achieve the following effects for the patient :

 

1. The Anti Viral effect:  To date, many viruses remain without effective immunization and only a few allopathic antiviral drugs are licensed for clinical practice. The situation is further exacerbated by the potential development of drug-resistant mutants, especially when using viral enzyme-specific inhibitors, which significantly hampers and reduce drug efficacy. This is where natural ayurvedic medicines come into play. These are novel antivirals that are highly efficacious and cost-effective for the management and control of viral infections when vaccines and standard therapies are lacking.

Herbal medicines and purified natural products provide a rich resource for novel antiviral drugs.. Identification of the antiviral mechanisms from these natural agents has shed light on where they interact with the viral life cycle, such as viral entry, replication, assembly, and release, as well as on the targeting of the virus–host-specific interactions. These therapeutics act as antiviral agents which strikes and suppress the activity of the virus. 

 

2. The Immunomodulator effect: An immunomodulator can be defined as a substance, which can influence any constituent or function of the immune system in a specific or nonspecific manner including both innate or adaptive arms of the immune response. The Ayurvedic system of medicine details the concept of immunomodulation by the term Rasayana. The use of herbs for improving the overall resistance of the body against common infections and pathogens has been a guiding principle of Ayurveda. Such herbs possessing immunomodulatory effects are referred to as Rasayana in Ayurvedic classics. Immunomodulators modify the immune response or the functioning of the immune system (as by the stimulation of antibody formation or the enhancement of white blood cell activity) which decreases the inflammatory response and creates such an environment that results in decreased activity of the virus.  Ayurveda has propounded the concept of immunity as “Vyadhikshamatwa” 4. Acharya Chakrapanidatta has interpreted the term Vyadhi-ksamatwa as Vyadhi bala Virodhitwa i.e., antagonistic to the strength and virulence of the disease and Vyadhyutpada Pratibandhakatwa i.e., the capacity to inhibit and bind the causes and factors of the disease 5.

In fact, one of the therapeutic strategies in Ayurvedic medicines is to enhance the body’s overall natural resistance to the disease-causing agent rather than directly neutralizing the agent itself. The use of herbs for improving the overall resistance of the body against common infections and pathogens has been a guiding principle of Ayurveda. They are supposed to have the ability to protect the body against external factors that induce disease. This implied resistance against disease may represent the modern concept of immunity. Which is very important for people suffering from HIV and Aids. A lot of medicinal plants valued in Ayurvedic Rasayana for their therapeutic potential have also been scientifically investigated with promising results. A number of plant-based principles have been isolated with potential immunomodulatory.  activity that can explain and justify their use in traditional medicine in the past and can form the basis for further research in the future as well. (1)

 

3. Healthy Lifestyle Changes: Ayurveda guides one on the journey toward equanimity and harmony. The two goals of Ayurveda are: to keep the body in a state of health and free from disease, and, To show us how to use health as a basis of, or as a part of, the path to enlightenment. Patients should be given such a diet which is fortified with nutrients. Patients should eat a diet high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. They should choose lean, low-fat sources of protein. They should also limit and reduce the intake of sweets, soft drinks, and especially foods that contain added sugar. The meals should include proteins, carbohydrates, and lots of good fats. Exercise is a great tool to stimulate the appetite. patients should be uplifted to do effortless exercises that do not strain their fragile health. they should be kept engaged in fruitful activities which strengthen the good tendencies inherent in them. If the patient is incapable of exercising or running (due to weakness), then steaming (swedanam) is another great option.

 

The knowledge gifted to us by Ayurveda asks us to look deep within and find the Sadguru, the teacher within; to spiritualize our circumstances and to learn from them. With Mahima Ayurveda’s expertly crafted products and support network, we wish to transform ill fortuned circumstances and diseases like HIV into spiritual teachers And help more and more people lead healthy fulfilling lives.