Ayurveda management of pulmonary mycosis: an integrative approach: a case report
Authors
Prasan Shankar
Rasayana Tantra Unit, IAIM Healthcare Center, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bangalore, India
Bhavya Vijay
Center for Clinical Research and Education, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bangalore, India
Narendra Pendse
Kayachikitsa Unit, IAIM Healthcare Center, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bangalore, India
Mahima Rahman
Rasayana Tantra Unit, IAIM Healthcare Center, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bangalore, India
Vasudevan Nampoothiri
Rasayana Tantra Unit, IAIM Healthcare Center, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bangalore, India
Keywords:
Pulmonary mucormycosis, Ayurveda treatment, Integrative approach, Shvaasa roga, Fungal lung infections, Case study
Abstract
Pulmonary mycosis is a fungal infection of the lung. Antifungal treatments are used in conventional treatments; however, incomplete response and toxicity are major challenges of antifungal therapies. In Ayurveda, pulmonary mycosis is diagnosed and treated based on principles of respiratory disorders (referred to as Shvaas Roga) with promising outcomes.
Case presentation
A > 60-year-old South Indian male patient visited Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine with complaints of cough, breathlessness, pedal edema, weight loss, uncontrolled diabetes, and anemia. Following chest X-ray, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and bronchoscopy, the patient was diagnosed with a case of pulmonary mucormycosis. The patient had availed conventional allopathic treatment for 3 months including standard antifungal medication for 3 weeks. However, due to unresolved and persistent symptoms, the patient sought Ayurveda treatment. The patient was diagnosed and treated for 6 weeks as a case of Shvaasa Roga, a subcategory of the respiratory disorder according to Ayurveda, and was cured of the infection following an integrative Ayurveda management regime which included internal medicines, panchakarma, necessary poorvakarmas (like abhyanga and swedhana), diet and lifestyle advice, yoga and acupuncture.
Conclusions
The patient was cured of fungal lung infection in 6 weeks using an integrative approach. Primary Ayurveda treatment supported with diet and lifestyle modifications, yoga, and acupuncture helped the patient to recover from illness. The patient is alive and free of disease for more than one year to date.
Supplementary Information
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13256-022-03736-6.
Keywords: Pulmonary mucormycosis, Ayurveda treatment, Integrative approach, Shvaasa roga, Fungal lung infections, Case study
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