Paget's Disease - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Paget's disease, also known as osteitis deformans, is a chronic bone disorder that is caused due to irregular breakdown and formation of bone tissue. Common symptoms of this condition include bone pain, headache, hearing loss, pressure symptoms of the spinal nerves, hip pain, damage to the cartilage of joints and in advanced cases, increased head size, bowing of limbs or curvature of the spine. This condition may also lead to arthritis, heart disease, kidney stone, loosening of teeth, decreased vision and bone sarcoma.

The Ayurvedic treatment of Paget's disease is aimed at controlling the symptoms and treating the basic pathology of the disease. To prevent irregular breakdown and formation of bone tissue, medicines like Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Laxadi-Guggulu, Trayodashang-Guggulu, Chandraprabha-Vati, Praval-Panchamrut, Shrung-Bhasma and Asthishrunkhala (Cissus quadrangularis) are used in high doses. Bone pain is treated using Triphala-Guggulu, Godanti-Bhasma, Vat-Gajankush-Ras, Maha-Vat-Vidhwans-Ras, Vish-Tinduk-Vati and Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina). Hearing loss is treated using medicines like Kaishor-Guggulu, Tapyadi-Loh, Ekang-Veer-Ras and Saarivadi-Vati. Symptoms caused by pressure on the spinal nerves are treated using Maha -Rasnadi-Guggulu, Maha- Rasnadi-Qadha, Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), Khurasani ova (Hyoscyamus niger), Kuchla (Strychnos nuxvomica) and Guggulu (Commiphora mukul). Heart disease can be treated using medicines like Laxmi-Vilas-Ras, Shrung-Bhasma, Abhrak-Bhasma, Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa) and Arjun (Terminalia arjuna). Kidney stones can be prevented using medicines like Punarnavadi-Qadha, Gokshuradi-Qadha, Pashanbhed (Bergenia lingulata) and Ikshumool (Saceharum officinarum)

Paget's disease can cause bones to expand and weaken, resulting in an increased head size, bowing of limbs and curvature of the spine. This can be treated using medicines like Laxadi-Guggulu and Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu. As a corrective measure, a special procedure called 'Tikta-Ksheer-Basti' is used, in which a medicated enema is prepared by boiling several medicines like Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Indrayav (Holarrhina antidysentrica) and Chirayta (Swertia chirata) in milk. Repeated courses of these medicated enemas have to be given over prolonged periods in order to have the desired therapeutic effect.

In general, the overall outlook in Paget's disease is good, particularly if treatment is given before major changes in the affected bones have occurred. It is important for people affected with this disease to get regular exposure to sunshine and to exercise regularly in moderation.