fw: Good News For the Sufferers of Parkinson

April 14, 2003

I thought I'd pass this along in case any of you know someone with

Parkinson's disease - this could possibly help them. I am not affiliated

with the company selling this remedy, nor have I ever purchased

anything from them, but I'm assuming they're ethical.

- John

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http://www.baidyanath.org/parkino.htm

-

" Shree Baidyanath Ayurved Bhawan Naini, Allahabad "

<baidyanath

<sh

Monday, April 14, 2003 12:31 AM

Good News For the Sufferers of Parkinson

Parkino

Break through in parkinson

Parkinson's disease is a chronic progressive degenerative disease

characterized by hypokinesis, rigidity and tremor. Ayurveda considers such

movement disorders under Vata-Vyadhi. and in common practice, the term Kampa

Vata is used to describe the syndrome. . The strategy is to combat Vata Dosa

and to sustain neuro-nutrition by Rasayana remedies. Parkino, an Ayurvedic

formulation, being a holistic medicine addresses the whole aspect of

Parkinson's.

Sample time study of parkino at B.H.U. has showed remarkable and

significant achievement in bringing down the following parameters by around

25-30% by the end of the first month without any side effet.

Involuntary movements.

General well being.

Parkinson's face (masked).

For further information and enquiries of Parkino www.baidyanath.org

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A review of Parkinson's vis-à-vis kampa vata and a sample time study of

the efficacy of Parkino, an Ayurvedic Formulation in the treatment

of Parkinson's disease

By

Baidyanath Research Institute

Done under the guidance of Prof R.H.Singh. Presented by Dr.K.G.Newton

Department of Kayachikitsa Shree Baidyanath Ayurved Bhawan

Institute of Medical Sciences Naini, Allahabad - 211008

Banaras Hindu University Phone- 0532-695220,697209.

Varanasi, India Email : query

Abstract

Parkinson's disease is a chronic progressive disease of

Extra-pyramidal system where voluntary movement is disturbed

with appearance of involuntary movements and altered muscle

tone. Parkinsonism is a syndrome characterized by

hypokinesis, rigidity and tremor, the incidence rising along

with increasing age. Though the aetiopathogeneis of this

disease is not precisely known but it is understood to be

caused by lesions in the basal ganglia and is associated

especially with damage to the interconnecting system between

substantia Nigra and Corpus stratum. Parkinsonism is

associated with Dopamine deficiency. It is prevalent all

over the world and has no definitive treatment except the

palliative prescription of anti-cholinergics together with

Levodopa and dopadecarboxylase inhibitor. Ayurveda considers

such movement disorders under Vata-Vyadhi. and in common

practice, the term Kampa Vata is used to describe the

syndrome. The strategy is to combat Vata Dosa and to sustain

neuronutrition by Rasayana remedies. This paper deals with

the literature review of parkinson's disease vis-à-vis kampa

vata and also the present communication is based on a lead

case study on Kampa Vata treated with the compound Parkino

20 ml. twice a day for 8 weeks. The response was assessed

symptomatically in terms of subjective feelings of the

patient, degree of involuntary movements and facial

expressions. All the patients exhibited highly significant

improvement in symptoms during first 2 to 4 weeks of

treatment but during subsequent intervals no further

improvement was noted. It is suggested to continue the trial

for further observations on the efficacy of this drug.

Introduction:

Parkinson's Disease is a slowly progressive disorder of the

central nervous system that affects movement, muscle control

and balance. Although the exact cause of Parkinson's Disease

is unknown, research has concentrated on genetics,

environmental toxins, endogenous toxins and viral infection.

In Parkinson's, cells are destroyed in part of the brain

stem - the substantia nigra, which sends out fibers to the

corpus stratia, gray and white bands of tissue in both sides

of the brain. Cells there release dopamine, one of three

major neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) which help the

body respond to stress. By the time symptoms develop,

patients have lost 80 to 90 percent of their

dopamine-producing cells. Symptoms include tremors, slowed

movement and postural instability. Other features include

rigidity, flexed posture, freezing phenomenon and loss of

postural reflexes. Patients can experience depression, sleep

disturbances, dizziness and problems with speech, swallowing

and sexual functioning. Since medications and other

conditions can cause Parkinson's-like neurologic symptoms,

diagnosis is critical and misdiagnosis is frequent. Medical

science lacks an accurate blood or imaging diagnostic test

for Parkinson's, though tests can exclude other conditions.

Diagnosis is based on an evaluation of symptoms. The

progression of the disease varies from individual to

individual, so treatment is also individualized. Treatment

in modern science focuses on relieving disabilities. While

there is no cure, therapies can minimize symptoms and

maximize function and quality of life. The usual treatment

is a combination of levodopa and carbidopa (Sinemet).

Levodopa, which treats neurochemical abnormality. However,

over the years, its effectiveness can decline and its side

effects, such as motor complications, can increase. Adjusted

dosage can help but additional medications may be required.

Because of levodopa's complexities, young people with

Parkinson's often start with other treatments, reserving

levodopa for later in the disease. Patients have other

treatment options, including surgery. Transcranial magnetic

stimulation is also being studied. Parkinson's can impair

quality and length of life, so its diagnosis and symptoms

can devastate an individual and family, and patients often

face depression. However, excellent physical therapies, and

educational and support resources are available. Research is

steadily improving quality of life and symptom control.

Incidence:

Parkinson's disease has been reported to affect

approximately 1 percent of Americans over 50 years of age,

but unrecognized early symptoms of the disease may be

present in as many as 10 percent of those over 60 years of

age. Early-onset Parkinson's disease, which often affects

persons in their 20's, is receiving more attention because

of its impact on employability. Epidemiological studies

conducted in the United States have found that Parkinson's

disease is more prevalent in men than in women (approximate

ratio: 3:2).

Clinical Presentation

The first step in evaluating a patient with problems

suggestive of Parkinson's disease is to determine which

components of motor control are affected. The patient's

signs and symptoms are then clustered to determine whether

the diagnosis is Parkinson's disease or another movement

disorder. Like some other CNS degenerative disorders,

Parkinson's disease begins insidiously. Persons close to the

patient may notice the problem before the patient does. The

patient's facial expression may appear " depressed " or

" apathetic, " and the voice may become softer in volume and

monotonous in tone. The patient may complain of muscular

" weakness " or " stiffness. " Involuntary movements, such as

tremor or the turning in of a foot (dystonia), may become a

problem. The symptoms may be noticed during routine

activities, or they may be present only at certain times,

such as when the patient is walking or writing. In the

initial stages of Parkinson's disease, many patients do not

have movement problems. Instead, they may complain of

anxiety and difficulty sleeping. However, signs of motor

system dysfunction become apparent on neurologic and

physical examination. The clinical examination of a patient

with possible Parkinson's disease should include a detailed

evaluation of mental status, cranial nerves, motor tone,

muscular strength, reflexes, coordination and sensation.

Kinesis, posture, gait and habitual activities must be

observed using physical examination maneuvers that best

bring out the patient's motor dysfunction. The hallmark

physical signs of Parkinson's disease are tremor, rigidity

and bradykinesia. Poor postural reflexes are sometimes

included as the fourth hallmark sign. When postural reflexes

are inadequate, patients may fall if they are pushed even

slightly forward or backward, or if they are standing in a

moving vehicle such as a bus or train In Parkinson's

disease, tremor typically occurs at rest but may also be

present when the arms are raised (postural tremor). Tremor

is not a pathognomonic sign because it can also occur with

other movement disorders. Conversely, not all patients with

Parkinson's disease manifest tremor, so the absence of

tremor does not rule out the diagnosis. " Cogwheel rigidity "

refers to increased tone that is felt by the examiner as a

ratchet-like resistance during passive range of motion. This

sign may be present with or without tremor. " Bradykinesia "

means slowed movement and includes both non-volitional and

volitional movements. The " masked facies " of Parkinson's

disease is an example of slowed non-volitional movement.

Because adjustments of posture to maintain balance require

rapid activation of agonist-antagonist muscle groups,

bradykinesia may be the underlying reason for poor postural

reflexes in Parkinson's disease.

Stage-wise Development of PD.

Stage I Unilateral involvement only, minimum or no function impairment.

Stage II Bilateral involvement, without impairment of balance.

Stage III First sign of impaired righting reflexes, unsteadiness,

functionally restricted but physically capable of leading an independent life.

Stage IV Fully developed, severely disabling disease, still able to walk

and stand un-helped, but marked impairment is visible.

Stage V Confined to bed or wheel chair.

Parkinson's in Ayurved

Paralysis agitans. Described by James Parkinson in 1817, is independent

re description of Kampa vata (Kampa;tremor, Vata metabolic derangement

Predisposing to neurological and mental diseases) described in Ayurveda

centuries ago. Various signs and symptoms associated with the disease

such as akinesia, drooling, reptilian stare, tremor, constant somnolence,

rigidity, and dementia were described in Caraka Samhita. A more clear

definition.

'tremors of hands and feet, difficulty with body movements is described by

Charak Samhita similar to Kampavata) '' is found in Basavarajiyam (1400AD).

Several preparations containing Mucuna pruriens (Atmagupta) were described

for treatment of patients with Kampavata. The major active compound present

in Mucuna pruriens is levodopa. Levodopa is the major drug used in the treatment

of Parkinson's disease. The evidence suggests that Parkinson's disease existed

in ancient India under the name Kampavata and herbal preparations containing

levodopa were administered to alleviate the symptoms of the disease centuries

before such a drug came into modern medicine.

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there was more text, but I cut off here to save space...

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April 14, 2003