Can Ayurveda help in reversing erythromelalgia?

Erythromelalgia, also known as Mitchell’s disease, is a rare vascular peripheral pain disorder in which blood vessels are episodically blocked. This makes blood vessels hyperemic and inflamed. The most common symptoms of erythromelalgia include erythema, swelling, a painful deep-aching of the soft tissue (typically radiating or shooting), soreness, and a severe burning sensation in the limbs. These symptoms are often symmetric and more commonly affect the lower extremities than the upper extremities. Erythromelalgia, being a rare disease, isn’t directly mentioned in Ayurveda. The signs and symptoms detect it. Its characteristics concerning burning pain, redness, and warmth emphasise balancing doshas in the body.

Let’s get to know the disease from an Ayurvedic point of view and see the line of treatment gradually.

Pathology of erythromelalgia in Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, erythromelalgia is examined through the lens of dosha imbalances, with a particular emphasis on the Pitta dosha, which governs heat, metabolism, and change within the body. Here’s how erythromelalgia may be recognized in Ayurvedic pathology:

1. Dosha imbalance:

  • Pitta Dosha: Erythromelalgia is primarily caused by an aggravation of Pitta dosha. Pitta regulates the body’s heat and metabolic functions. When Pitta gets imbalanced, it causes excess heat and inflammation, which manifests as the searing pain and redness associated with erythromelalgia.
  • Vata Dosha: Vata dosha, which governs movement and nerve impulses, may also be involved, particularly if there are signs of nerve dysfunction or hypersensitivity. An exacerbated vata can cause pain and strange sensations.

2. Dhatu involvement:

  • Rakta Dhatu (Blood Tissue): The main tissue involved with erythromelalgia is Rakta dhatu, which is responsible for blood and circulatory processes. Excess heat in the blood can cause vasodilation, increased blood flow, and inflammation, resulting in redness and warmth on the skin.
  • Mamsa Dhatu (Muscle Tissue): Secondary involvement of Mamsa Dhatu might occur as a result of inflammation and discomfort in the muscles around the afflicted blood vessels.

3. Srotas (Channels) Involvement:

  • Rakta Vaha Srotas: The channels responsible for blood circulation (Rakta Vaha Srotas) are the most affected. Blockages or dysfunction in these channels can result in poor blood flow and temperature regulation.
  • Vata Vaha Srotas: The nerve channels (Vata Vaha Srotas) may also involved if there are neuropathic symptoms such as searing pain and tingling.

4. Agni:

  • Tikshna agni: An abnormally powerful digestive fire (Tikshna agni) can contribute to the body’s overproduction of heat, worsening Pitta imbalance and causing erythromelalgia.

Pathogenesis of erythromelalgia

The pathophysiology of erythromelalgia in Ayurveda consists of the following steps:

  1. Nidana (causes): Pitta-stimulating foods and lifestyle variables such as excessive heat exposure, spicy and acidic foods, and emotional stress.

        2. Dosha Prakopa (aggravation of doshas): These variables aggravate Pitta and Vata doshas.

        3. Sthana Samshraya (localization): The irritated doshas settle in the Rakta vaha srotas, disrupting blood circulation and increasing heat in the Rakta dhatu.

        4. Vyakti (manifestation): This causes the clinical symptoms of erythromelalgia, such as searing pain, redness, and warmth in the extremities.

        5. Bheda (complications): Left untreated, it can cause extreme pain, inflammation, and tissue damage.

Treatment of erythromelalgia in Ayurveda

Every person is considered an entity, and in Ayurveda, it is said to be composed of five elements (air, water, earth, fire, and space). An Ayurvedic practitioner identifies an imbalance by studying the entity and its components. According to Ayurveda, there are three main prakriti types: vata, pitta, and kapha. Each type has distinct physical and psychological characteristics.

Prakriti

Physical characteristics

Psychological characteristics

Vata

Thin, light build, dry skin and hair, cold intolerance, cracking joints, and a tendency for constipation

Quick-moving, talkative, hyperactive, anxious, and forgetful

Pitta

Medium build, soft skin, reddish complexion, excessive sweating, intolerance to heat, and a tendency for premature greying and balding

Sharp intellect, confident, irritable, and sensitive

Kapha

Sturdy, heavy build, soft and smooth skin, thick hair, strong joints, and low body temperature

Slow-moving, calm, loyal, and good memory

Once the Prakriti of an individual is studied by an Ayurvedic practitioner, it becomes easy to reverse the imbalance within the body. For erythromelalgia, Ayurveda focuses on balancing Pitta dosha, which is primarily vitiated. Below is a detailed Ayurvedic treatment approach for erythromelalgia.

1. Dietary recommendations

  • Cooling Foods: Cucumbers, melons, leafy greens, coconut water, and dairy products like milk and ghee are all naturally cooling and can help lower Pitta.
  • Avoid Pitta-aggravating foods: Avoid spicy, hot, sour, or acidic foods. Limit your intake of citrus fruits, tomatoes, fermented foods, and caffeine.
  • Hydration: Drink plenty of water and cool herbal teas like mint, coriander, or fennel tea.

2. Lifestyle modifications

  • Regular Routine: Maintain a consistent daily schedule, including normal sleep patterns. Going to bed and waking up at the same times every day helps to balance Pitta.
  • Stress Management: Stress can aggravate Pitta, so use relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga.
  • Avoid heat exposure: Maintain a cool environment, avoid direct sunlight, and apply cooling measures such as cold compresses to sensitive regions.

3. Panchakarma therapy

  • Virechana (Purgation Therapy): This detoxification procedure aids in the elimination of excess Pitta from the body, lowering symptoms of heat and inflammation.
  • Snehana (Oleation Therapy): External and internal oleation with medicinal oils balances Vata and supports the body’s tissues.
  • Swedana (Sudation Therapy): Gentle sweating therapies can help open the

4. External applications

  • Cold compresses can help relieve burning sensations and minimize redness.
  • Herbal Pastes: Using pastes produced from cooling herbs such as sandalwood, neem, or turmeric can help relieve symptoms.

Consultation with an Ayurvedic practitioner

A customized therapy plan requires consultation with a certified Ayurvedic practitioner. The practitioner will evaluate your unique constitution (Prakriti), present dosha imbalances (Vikriti), and specific symptoms to personalize the treatment to your exact needs. Combining these Ayurvedic practices with current medical therapies can give comprehensive care to erythromelalgia patients while also improving their quality of life.