Stroke Paralysis is a common medical emergency and can happen anytime and the third leading cause of death worldwide. Stroke also known as CVA (Cardiovascular Accident) is the sudden death of some brain cells due to lack of oxygen when the blood flow to the brain is lost by blockage of an artery to the brain. It’s the most common cause of adult disability. Stroke can be correlated with the disease Pakshaghata in Ayurveda.

Symptoms for Stroke Paralysis

THE FIRST STEP to recognize the Signs and Symptoms for Stroke Paralysis and if any of these are seen in the person then immediately shift to the nearest hospital, quick action and perhaps save a life.

• Sudden unresponsiveness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Difficulty in walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.
• Severe headache with no known cause.

 The good news is that you can stop the brain damage caused by a stroke if you respond quickly for treatment. The cautionary signs of stroke, and to get help right away if you see them.

Acting F.A.S.T. Is Key for Stroke

 It can help stroke patients get treatments they desperately need. It’s important to act quickly and get medical help as The stroke treatments that work best are available only if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within 3 hours of the first symptoms. 

Follow simple test:

F—Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A—Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S—Speech: Ask the person simple phrases to repeat. Is the speech slurred or strange?

T—Time: If you see any of these signs, take him to the nearest hospital

Note the time when any symptoms first appear. This information helps health care providers to determine the best treatment for each person. 

Clinical features: Paralysis is the most common outcome of stroke 

1. Muscular: Paralysis of one side of the body, difficulty walking
2. Visual: blurred vision, or temporary loss of vision in one eye
3. Speech: difficulty speaking, slurred speech, or speech loss
4. Whole body:fatigue, light-headedness, or vertigo
5. Limbs: numbness or weakness
6. Sensory:pins and needles or reduced sensation of touch
7. Facial:muscle weakness or numbness
8. Also,common:difficulty swallowing, headache, unable to understand, mental confusion, or rapid unintentional eye movement

Stroke Management in Ayurveda 

Panchakarma (Cleansing therapies) for Paralysis patients include:

1. Snehana (Oleation) treatment like massage, Kayaseka, Shirodhara, Shirobasti, Pichu etc with medicated oils followed by different modalities of Medicated fomentation for 7 – 21 days.

2. Massage with symptom specific medicated oils followed by medicated fomentation helps to increase circulation also strengthens the muscles and nerves.

3. Virechana (Purgation) – To increase the Metabolism, to relieve constipations, strengthens the gut, also helps to improve the functioning of the nerves in the affected area. 

     4. Basti (medicated enema) in the form of Matra Basti, Anuvasana Basti, Nirooha Basti for the period of 8 – 32 days. 

Medicated enema helps in nourishing, strengthening, and also stabilizing the overall functions of the body functioning and this treatment takes a major role in healing the stroke patient if they approach within 3 months of the paralytic attack.

5. Nasya karma for 7 – 9 days -Therapy helps to strengthen the muscles, nerves and circulation above the shoulder.

Ayurveda medicine for stroke

     All therapeutic measures may be started after crossing the acute phase of attack in the form of: 

1. Herbs like Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Eranda, Rasona, Rasna etc
2. Medicines like Mahavatavidwamsana, Balarista, Dashmoola Arista, Sarasawathaarista, Bhihat vata Chintamani, Ekangavira rasa, Sacharadi kasahya, Gandarwahastadi qwatha etc

*Above said various modalities of treatments are common in practice, but the duration of the treatment, dosage, selection of herbs, type of Panchakarma, will be adjusted and planned by the ayurvedic doctors only according to the clinical findings and response to the therapy.

 Diet and Lifestyle in stroke paralysis 

• Avoid excessive use of spicy, astringent and/ or salty, oily/ fatty food and incompatible diet, Bengal gram, peas, potato, etc.
• Use black gram, horse gram, onion, garlic, ginger, radish, ash gourd, green gram etc in regular diet.
• Use fruits like pomegranate, grape or papaya.
• Consume low fat and a high fibres diet as advised by the physician.
• Control the treatable risk factors like Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart diseases.
• Practice regular exercises or physiotherapy. 
• Avoid excessive starvation, excess exercises, suppressing of natural urges. 
• Avoid alcohol consumption, smoking.
• Avoid discontinuation of any regular medication without medical advice.
• Be active and optimum use of affected part and Continue exercises as suggested by the physician

People wrongly assume, that “fasting” means “starvation.” In fact, fasting isn’t skipping meals or a fad diet either. The actual definition of fasting is “Abstaining from food for a defined period.”

Studies show that over the last few decades, the amount of time, we spend not eating has shrunk significantly. In fact, we are now eating food throughout the day (be it the snacks you consume on your desk or the coffee you sip every couple of hours), as compared to just thirty years ago.

In fasting, instead of three big meals a day and several snacks in between, you skip a particular meal(s) precisely at the same time every week (month/day).  

 let’s take a look at some of the fantastic benefits of fasting:

        1. Lose Weight

Intermittent fasting is a safe way to shed those extra pounds. This is because since your body doesn’t have any energy source to burn, due to the lack of food, it digs into the fat reserves, helping you lose stored body fat.

In fact, fasting is an efficient way to burn off body fat, than just regular dieting.

       2. Live for Longer

The lesser food you eat, the longer you live. As you age, the metabolism slows down, and it becomes difficult to digest foods as easily as when you were young.

When you fast, you eat less than regularly, reducing the burden on your digestive organs, and promoting longevity.

      3. Boost your Metabolism

Periodic fasting gives rest to your digestive system, thereby helping your body burn more calories. When your digestion is weak, your metabolism becomes weak. This is reset by fasting, which improves your body functions, which in turn improves your metabolism.

     4. Recognize Hunger Signals

True hunger kicks are felt only when you haven’t eaten for 12 to 24 hours.

Intermittent Fasting helps to regulate your hormones, helping in experience real hunger. One of the primary reasons for being overweight is that we’re unable to read the signals given by our body correctly.

     5. Improve your Brain Function

Intermittent Fasting boosts the production of a type of protein called as BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor).  This hormone is responsible for activating the stem cells in brains to produce new neurons and trigger other factors associated with neural health.

it also shields your brain cells from contracting Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

     6. Give a boost to your Immune System

Fasting prevents free radical damage and reduces inflammation in the body, in return strengthening the immune system.

     7. Reduce the risk of Diabetes

Fasting helps to improve insulin sensitivity. When you indulge in fasting, your body can better tolerate more carbs than otherwise, this can reduce the overall risk of Diabetes.

Final Thoughts

Here are a few ways to make your fasting easier and more efficient.

1. Decide on the type of fast you want to do – Set the period, you want to restrict your eating. 12-hour fast is ideal for beginners. If you have already fasted, then you can opt for alternate-day fasting.
2. Decide what you want to achieve – Lose weight, feel healthier, get more energy, spiritual experience, or rectify the lifestyle
3. Make your menu –Will you be drinking fruit juices, or eating uncooked vegetables and fruits. 

Above all, listen to your Body – Feel lightheaded and dizzy halfway through the fast? No worries, take a healthy snack. The main reason for fasting is to tune into your body’s signals. There are no hard and fast rules, so no worries about messing up. You can start again when your body is ready.

Article by:

Dr. Adithya Hande
Naturopathy & Yoga Physician
Shathayu Retreat

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