SIDDHA MEDICINE - IT HEALS ALL DISEASES: March 2008

Now under treatment....

Before treatment.....

Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory skin disease of unknown origin.
It is characterised by well-circumscribed erythematous, dry elevated lesions of various sizes, covered with mica like scales.
It is said to be a disorder of excessive growth and reproduction of skin cells.
Psoriasis affects both sexes equally and can occur at any age, although it most commonly appears for the first time between the ages of 15 and 25 years.

CAUSE:

AGGRAVATING FACTORS:

These include stress, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking.
Individuals with psoriasis may suffer from depression and loss of self-esteem.

CLINICAL FEATURES:

Common features of psoriasis include red scaly patches to appear on the skin.
This scaly patches caused by psoriasis is called psoriatic plaques.
These plaques are formed very quickly over the skin and accumulates at these sites like silvery-white appearance.
The common sites where the psoriatic plaques frequently occur are skin of the knees and elbows,but can affect any area including the scalp and genitals.
The disorder is a chronic recurring condition which varies in severity from minor localised patches to complete body coverage.
Finger-nails and toe-nails are frequently affected.Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as psoriatic arthritis.

TYPES:

are the common forms.

OTHER AFFECTIONS:

DIAGNOSIS:

A diagnosis of psoriasis is usually based on the appearance of the skin.
There are no special blood tests or diagnostic procedures for psoriasis.
Sometimes a skin biopsy, or scraping, may be needed to rule out other disorders and to confirm the diagnosis.

GRADING SEVERITY:

Psoriasis is usually graded as mild (affecting less than 3% of the body), moderate (affecting 3-10% of the body) or severe.
The Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) is the most widely used measurement tool for psoriasis.

PATENT'S QUALITY OF LIFE:

Beyond the physical sufferings like itching and some pain,Psoriasis patients are also affected mentally due to strain.
Other chronic diseases such as depression, myocardial infarction, hypertension, congestive heart failure or type 2 diabetes are also common among them.
Individuals with psoriasis may also feel self-conscious about their appearance and have a poor self-image that stems from fear of public rejection and psycho sexual concerns.
Psychological distress can lead to significant depression and social isolation.

TREATMENT:

The treatment is based on the type of psoriasis, its location, extent and severity.
The patient’s age, gender, quality of life, commodities, and attitude toward risks associated with the treatment are also taken in to consideration.
Variation between individuals in the effectiveness of specific psoriasis treatments are common.
Because of this, dermatologists often use a trial-and-error approach to find the most appropriate treatment for their patient.
As a first step, medicated ointments or creams, called topical treatments, are applied to the skin.
If topical treatment fails to achieve the desired goal then the next step would be to expose the skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
This type of treatment is called photo therapy.Photo chemotherapy[PUVA] is also related to this.
The third step involves the use of medications which are taken internally by pill or injection.
This approach is called systemic treatment.
The three main traditional systemic treatments are methotrexate, cyclosporine and retinoids.
Antibiotics are not indicated in routine treatment of psoriasis.
However, antibiotics may be employed when an infection, such as that caused by the bacteria Streptococcus, triggers an outbreak of psoriasis, as in certain cases of guttate psoriasis.

TOXICITY:

Patients undergoing systemic treatment are required to have regular blood and liver function tests because of the toxicity due to medication.
Pregnancy must be avoided for the majority of these treatments.

RECURRENCE AND RISK:

Most people experience a recurrence of psoriasis when systemic treatment is discontinued.
Psoriasis is a life-long condition.
There is currently no cure but various treatments can help to control the symptoms.
Many of the most effective agents used to treat severe psoriasis carry an increased risk of significant morbidity including skin cancers, lymphoma and liver disease.

IN SIDDHA SYSTEM:

*Piththa Vedippu,

*Namattu chori,

*Chenthil uthir noi ,

*Yannai chori ,

*Kalanja padai,

*Varal thirambi are some among them.

The famous Siddha Text "Yugi Sindhamani-800" describes a vatha disease "KALANJAGA VATHAM" characterised by pain and swelling over the joints associated with some pealing skin lesions.
Based on this Prof.Dr.RAMANAN,MD(s) named the skin disease as 'KALANJAGA PADAI NOI'.

IN MY CLINICAL PRACTICE:

Psoriasis cases are common in Siddha practice.
Usually the cases I have met are very chronic and challenging.
Resistant cases also seek siddha medicine after getting a very long treatment from Dermatologists.
Before treatment,I use to investigate the patients thoroughly to rule-out for other systemic diseases.
This is very essential for choosing a drug.
The treatment is individualised according to the body constitution and condition of the patient.
We are preparing an "external medicine for psoriasis" in the form of OIL which gives remarkable results.
Initial stage cases respond very well to this external medicine.
Internal medicine is administered to the patients who are chronic and resistant to other drugs.
The recurrence rate is very minimal.
Even recurrance occurs, the interval is too long.