Ayurvedic Treatment of Hypocortisolism (Addison’s Disease)

Introduction

It is well said that a fit and healthy body is the best fashion statement. A healthy body defines your personality and adds more awesomeness in your life. But here the question comes how to be the owner of a healthy body? In this modish world there are very less chances of this thing that people are not suffering from the health complications. Hormonal disorders are also at peak and here comes the hypocortisolism (Addison's disease). This disease was discovered by Dr. Thomas Addison in 1849 and disease is named as Addison's disease. In a survey it is found that 1-2 out of 100,000 individuals is suffering from this disease. Let's see the various aspects of this disease

About Hypocortisolism (Addison's Disease)

Hypocortisolism is endocrine disorder in which adrenal glands are enabling to produce the sufficient cortisol and aldosterone. This disease is dreadful and affects the people of all age groups. Thus hypocortisolism is known as adrenal deficiency.

1. Primary Adrenal Insufficiency

As earlier discussed that hypocortisolism (Addison's disease) occurs due to the damage of Cortex in adrenal glands thus fails to produce the hormones in sufficient amounts. When hypocortisolism occurs due to the damage to adrenal glands it is named as adrenal insufficiency. Cause of the insufficient production of cortisol hormones by adrenal glands is the associated with the reason when our own immune system attacks itself by mistake.

Cause:-

Causes associated with primary adrenal insufficiency are infections in adrenal glands, tuberculosis and metastatic cancer.

2. Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency

Secondary adrenal insufficiency occurs when pituitary gland affected by the medical complication which causes the inadequate production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH is responsible for the functioning of adrenal cortex to produce its own hormones. So, when adrenal glands are not damaged but enable to produce the enough hormones due to the decreased levels of ACTH is termed as Secondary adrenal insufficiency.

Cause:-

Reason behind the secondary adrenal insufficiency is when individuals take the corticosteroids treatment for some other health complications and stop their use abruptly.

Symptoms of Hypocortisolism (Addison's Disease)

Symptoms Appear Gradually in Hypocortisolism (Addison's Disease), As it Take Several Months.

• Weakness in muscles
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Decreased blood sugar (Hypoglycemia)
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Muscles and joints pains
• Craving for salty things
• Hair loss
• Depression
• Sexual dysfunction in female
• Weight loss
• Skin darkening (hyper pigmentation)

Symptoms Associated With Acute Adrenal Failure

Sometimes Signs And Symptoms Of Addison's Disease Appear Suddenly Which Are As Follows:-

• Pain in the legs, abdomen and lower back
• Severe dehydration conditions like vomiting and diarrhea
• Loss of consciousness
• Hypoglycemia
• Hyperkalemia (high potassium) and hyponatremia (low sodium)

What Can Be The Complications Due To Adrenal Failure?

• Adrenal crisis must be treated immediately because delay in the treatment may lead to coma and death.
• Heart failure.
• Stroke when blood supply to brain is stopped.
• There is condition called as hypoxia may also occur in which body's tissue do not get the sufficient oxygen.
• Hypovolaemic shock can also occur in which heart fails to pump the blood in body.

Ayurvedic Perspective

Ayurveda means the science of life. Ayurveda was originated around 5,000 years ago. It is the holistic approach for the treatment of disease without any side effects. In Ayurveda there are three energies which are responsible for a healthy body. These energies include the vata, pitta and kapha and collectively known as tridoshas in Ayurveda. Imbalance of any of three dosha results in the health complications. There are various herbs present in Ayurveda which are beneficial for the management of health disorders. Besides this, it is also believed in Ayurveda that proper eating habits, a good life style and daily exercise are mandatory to keep our body healthy and fit.

According to Ayurveda Hypocortisolism is vata kaphaj disease with dominance of vata. In Ayurveda prana vata is considered responsible for secondary hypocortisolism. There is insufficiency of Adrenocorticotrophic hormones (ACTH) by disturbed functioning of pituitary due to imbalance of prana vata. Underactive pituitary gland may cause ACTH deficiency. Due to ACTH deficiency adrenal cortex may not be able to produce sufficient cortisol.

In Ayurveda many Vataj diseases like Vataj Aruchi, (Anorexia) Vataj shool (Body aches) and Vataj chhardi (vomiting) can be included in hypocortisolism. There is association (anubhand) of kapha along with vata in this disease.

Ayurveda considers this disease as a Rasaj vyadhi a disease originating due to poor jatharagni (digestive fire) and weak Dhatu agni (hormones of adrenal gland). Due to weak agni there is formation of poor quality of Rasa dhatu (nutrient plasma), and due to poor rasa the subsequent dhatus (body tissues) are of poor quality. This leads to shukra kshaya (low androgen) and Dhatu Kshaya (deterioration of overall health and general debility).

As a result of Dhatu Kshaya vata increases in body and causes black pigmentation of skin folds on knees or elbows,weight loss and depression.