Issue :- 12

December 2016

Ayurvedic Treatment for Asthma
Ayurveda for Bronchial Asthma

Watch Health Mantra Live on Zee Salaam every Sunday at 11:30 am with Dr.Aslam Javed and know about your problems with him

To read the full article Importance of Skin Care
Dr.Aslam Javed

Ayurvedic Treatment For Kidney

Difference between Unani medicines and use of steroids is harmful for the body:-

Unani medicine is an alternative and highly respected form of medicine. It is also one of the most archaic forms of medicine with its origin dating back to the ancient times when it was in vogue in Greece and in Persia. Though, the precise date and location of origin of this form of medicine is not ascertained, its knowledge has been veritably passed from generation to generation over the years.

Today, it is practiced in several parts of Asia and is spreading its wings in other corners of the world as well. In India itself, there are more than two scores of colleges dedicated towards the spread of unani medicine. As such, one can say that unani medicine scope is huge and promising.

Unani medicine benefits are too many to count. Its benefits can be surmised from the fact that its propagators have had to battle with significantly reduced health problems. In those geographical regions where Unani is the chief form of medical treatment, the quality of health is very high. Reports of deadly diseases like cancer have been significantly low in those regions

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As an individual, you can expect a lot from this branch of medicine. Unani medicine can cure almost every physical problem which you have. It is also capable of providing solution to the mental or psychological problems which you may have. Unani therapy involves study of humours which are considered as the driving forces of a human body.

When an imbalance occurs in the composition of these elements, then some physical abnormalities kick in. The practitioners of Unani medicine offer a number of solutions to bring about a balance in humours and to maintain it over the years.

Unani medical therapy helps you to get rid of your physical troubles. Besides, if you are going through an emotional malaise, then Unani also suggests relaxation of body through spa and sauna therapies.

Unani medicine scope is huge and it is growing at a very positive rate in recent times. It is unfortunate that it had to stay secluded for such a long time. Mankind could have benefited a lot had it been propagated and advertised in earlier centuries. But now with the advent of internet and other forms of technology, the popularity of this form of medicine is on the rise. As awareness spreads through blogs and social media, more and more people are resorting to Unani medicine and registering relief from it.

India has a strong heritage and tradition of using traditional medicines for treatment of both day to day and chronic ailments. All of us believe in and trust the medicines from the Ayurveda, Siddha, Unanai and Homeopathy systems. With the advancement in the manufacturing and quality control of Herbal medicines the quality of these products has improved and today is at par with the modern system of medicine.

Herbal medicines are far safer than allopathic medicines in concern of side effects, acute and severe allergic reactions and liver or kidney diseases due to medicines. Herbal medicines never cause liver dysfunction, kidney failure and ulceration in the stomach.

Steroids And Their Harmful Side Effects

The term steroids normally are associated with reference to a class of drugs that are used to treat a variety of medical conditions. Steroids have several uses for medical purposes, such as maintaining sexual characteristics in males following surgery for removal of testes following testicular cancer, in adolescent males suffering with malfunction of the pituitary gland, and following surgery and cancer that involves loss of muscle tissue. These drugs are also used for supporting reproduction, regulation of the metabolism and immune functions. Also used for increasing muscle mass, bone mass, inflammation and other medical conditions.

Side Effects of Steroids Use

The side effects that steroids have on the body are many and can cause some serious side effects including cancers, but many sports users chose to ignore any information on side effects, even to the point of using the excuse of "its only the drugs abuse that causes side effects" but any drug that alters the homeostasis of the body will have an effect.

Looking at the body in more detail we can look at how steroids can affect each different part of the body:

Brain:

Studies have shown a pattern between high testosterone levels and aggressive behaviour, which is often seen as the users involved in violent acts. Often steroids have been used as an excuse for a person�s aggressive behaviour. High dose users have also been affected with psychotic syndromes and a high level of anxiety. Other effects that appear are, sleep disturbances, feelings of euphoria, high levels of paranoia, various stages of depression, with some users suffering extreme mood swings, and also changes in their personality. A large number of users become dependant on steroid use which then can lead to addiction.

Face:

Steroid use results in high levels of water retention (oedema) leading to the user becoming �round faced� with puffy cheeks. In females reports have shown the effect of a growth of facial hair quite common, bad breath is quite a common effect as is the voice of females becoming husky by a deepening of the voice. Steroids also commonly affect the skin of the face and body by causing acne.

Eyes:

Long term use of steroids can actually damage the eyes, resulting in eye infections, cataracts or glaucoma.

Hair:

Male pattern baldness is common in both females and males due to the conversion of high levels of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone or DHT, causing the hair follicles to shrink, which only then produces very fine hair. Eventually with continued steroid use the hair follicle dies leading to permanent baldness.

Heart:

This section the steroid user should be most concerned about, but normally choose to ignore until a serious cardiovascular event happens. Steroid use causes heart disease and becomes evident due to high increases in total cholesterol levels, causing a build up of cholesterol on the walls of the blood vessels which can also lead to strokes. Also shown is a decrease in the levels of the good cholesterol (HDL) and increase in the bad cholesterol (LDL). Blood pressure is known to increase and blood clots in blood vessels disrupting the blood flow causing damage to the heart muscle leading to heart attacks.

Stomach:

Normal signs of problems to the stomach from steroid use include feelings of being bloated, a feeling of being nauseous leading to bouts of vomiting with blood sometimes being evident in the vomit caused by irritation to the stomach lining and increased stomach acids with a lower level of stomach mucus.

Kidneys:

The kidneys are important for the elimination of waste material from the blood and the regulation of salt and water levels. Another important function of the kidneys is the regulation of blood pressure; high blood pressure damages the blood vessels and filtering system of the kidneys. The occurrence of kidney problems occurs mostly with the use of oral steroids with a suppression of blood clotting factors leading to increased blood clotting time following cuts or injury. The kidneys have to work harder with oral steroid use due to increase requirements to filter the blood. Steroid users also normally resort to ultra high protein intake, sometime far in excess of normal intake involved with weight training which can lead to kidney stones. Kidney stones can block the opening of the urinary tract leading to problems with urinary excretion. High blood pressure can also cause problems to the kidneys by damaging the blood vessels by causing thickening and narrowed blood vessels leading to a reduced blood supply and filtration.

Liver:

The liver, the largest organ of the body is used to filter harmful toxins from the blood and for storage of certain nutrients like vitamins/minerals. It is also important for the managing levels of chemicals such as proteins, cholesterol and sugars. The liver is also used for the production of bile to aid in the digestion of food. Steroid use has been shown to cause irreversible liver damage and cancers. Oral steroids are difficult for the liver to metabolise leading to a decrease in the ability of the liver to clear waste products. Some counterfeit steroids have been known to carry all kinds of bacteria and virus leading to adverse liver function.

Hepatocellular jaundice which is evident by a yellowing of the skin and eyes, can be caused by an abnormal liver function as the liver cannot effectively filter the blood.

Chest:

Breast development (Gynocomastia) from steroid use is a very common and an often seen side effect of long term steroid cycles or high dose steroid use, causes a formation of breast tissue which begins as visible lumps under the nipples that normally requires surgical intervention. The breasts of female steroid users can actually shrink in size.

This image shows Gynocomastia developing in a male:

Bones:

Use of steroids by teenagers and males in their early twenties who have not yet ceased growing can impair bone growth leading to being shorter in height in adulthood due to premature closure of epiphyseal growth plates. Bone pain can also be a side effect of steroid use.

Muscle and Tendons:

The use of steroids can make a person feel stronger than they actually are, resulting in trying to lift heavier weights than their body is actually capable of, which can lead to muscle tears. The muscle can get stronger more rapidly than the strength of the tendons then a greater possibility of tendon rupture is likely to occur.

Skin:

Steroid use can have an effect on the user�s skin by affecting the skin pores and causing roughness in the skin texture. Other skin conditions that are often seen are red blotchy, greasy skin with acne on the face and back. Stretch marks can also appear due to rapid growth of muscle or a thinning of the skin. As mentioned above steroids affect the liver and a side effect is jaundice, this becomes evident by a yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Impaired immune system:

An impaired immune function can occur with steroid use with problems occurring after cessation and effects becoming more visible.

Oedema:

This means the appearance of being bloated and is caused by an accumulation of fluid which is mostly seen as swollen ankles and fingers.

Prostrate gland:

The prostrate gland is specific to males and located just below the bladder, its main functions are the production of prostatic fluid, a component of seminal fluid and are also for maintaining sperm activity. Steroids are known to cause an enlargement of the prostrate gland, and as the prostrate gland encircles the urethra any swelling of the prostrate can cause interference in the urine flow. Males should be made aware that any changes in the prostrate gland can also affect sexual activity. Other effects that can happen are abnormal sperm and a decreased sperm count.

Blood Poisoning:

Many steroid users are often frightened to go to a needle exchange to obtain a supply of sterile needles in case they are labelled addicts, often resulting in the use of, or sharing of non sterile needles, which can cause blood poisoning with a higher risk of infection and infectious diseases. The user�s injection site can also become swollen and tender and can lead to abscesses which can then lead to the requirement of painful medical intervention.

Impotence:

Taking steroids will cause the testes to decrease its normal function. When stopping the testosterone supplementation it takes a while for the pituitary gland to signal the testes to once again begin manufacturing testosterone. In long term or high dose testosterone use the testes can actually cease production or can actually atrophy which can lead to a long delay in the testes beginning manufacturing testosterone naturally. Impotence occurs after the steroids cessation, and long term drug use causes lack of erections.

Females and Steroid Use


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Many more females are now using anabolic steroids to improve performance, increase muscle size and or increase strength for performance, but as with males there are side effects to the female body, Many of the side effects are identical to those of males, but other side effects can be the growth of facial hair, male pattern baldness, deepening of the voice, breast size reduction, infertility. Other effects include menstrual cycle changes, infertility and possible clitoral enlargement.

From the side effects listed above we can see that steroid use suppresses the production of normal bodily hormones. The body will attempt to adjust its own level of hormones, but disrupting or increasing the body�s natural hormones will cause disruptive changes to the users own physical and mental environment. I have also seen people; and this includes friends, experience the drugs side effects. Some more serious than others but serious health problems have in the end become evident. My advice to anyone who is taking or even contemplating taking these drugs either for appearance, ego or as an easy option to hard training is to stay well away from them. They will affect you in some way, some minor effects with short term use, but more serious side effects with high dose long term use.

What are the Most Common Side Effects That May Occur with Anabolic Steroid Use?

There is a wide array of serious side effects associated with abuse of anabolic steroids.Steroid use can alter the normal hormonal production in the body. Most side effects can be reversed if the drugs are stopped, but some, such as a deepened voice in women may persist. Data on long-term side effects primarily come from case reports and not from well-controlled, long-term epidemiological studies, which might be reliable.Common side effects with anabolic steroids may include:

Severe acne, oily skin and hair

Hair loss
Liver disease, such as liver tumors and cysts

Kidney disease
Heart disease, such as heart attack and stroke
Altered mood, irritability, increased aggression, depression or suicidal tendencies
Alterations in cholesterol and other blood lipids

High blood pressure
Gynecomastia (abnormal development of mammary glands in men causing breast enlargement)

Shrinking of testicals
Azoospermia (absence of sperm in semen)
Menstrual irregularities in women

Infertility
Excess facial or body hair, deeper voice in women
Stunted growth and height in teens
Risk of viral or bacterial infections due to unsterile injections

History of Unani

Nature has blessed India with a vast variety of herbal and medicinal plants and shrubs that grow in its different climatic regions from the frozen Himalayas in the north to the tropical forests in the south. From times this immemorial rich beauty has been used in preparing herbal medicine to cure various diseases and to promote a great repository of this knowledge, organized in the from of Unani and Ayurvedic herbal systems of medicine. The systems have a mass following and word wide acceptability.

Practice of medicine is as old as human existence. The extensive studies on earliest civilization and the prevailing religions, it is quite evident, that the philosophy of medicine originated by not as a science but as some dogma, magic, superstition and spirits. How ever, it was Greek philosopher physician Hippocrates (460-377 B.C) who had freed medicine from the imagination of magic, spirits and superstition.

The foundation of fundamentals was laid down by the father of Unani medicine "HIPPOCRATES" and a number of other Greek Philosophers, physicians and scholars have not only enriched the system but also gave it -a status of science.

"Unani" was derived from the word "IONIAN" which indicates it origin to Greece. "TIBB" means medicine. Hence, the Unani Tibb-a system of medicine is an age old time tested system. In fact Unani system of medicine is a synthesis of Greek & Arab systems. The land of Greece had been the epicenter of learning & intellectuals ever since the ancient time .In India it has a long history though it was originated from Greece, 5000 years back . Unani physicians were the first to classify the disease on the basis of different anatomical and physiological symptoms of the body, Hippocrates explained that the disease was a normal process and its symptoms were the reaction of the body to the disease.

After him many scholars enriched the system of whom Jalinoos (Galen) 131-210 A.D. AL-Razi (Razes) 850-925 A.D and Abu Ali Ibn (Avicenna) 980-1037 A.D are note worthy. Unani pathy got enriched by imbibing what was best in the contemporary system of traditional medicine in Egypt, Syria, Iran, Persia, India, China and other middle east and far east countries. That is why, this system is known in different parts of the world, with different names such as Greeco-Arab medicine, Ionian medicine, Arab medicine, Islamic medicine, Traditional medicine, oriental medicine etc. Arab physicians introduced Unani pathy in India which took firm roots in the soil soon. Unani pathy had its days in India during 13th & 17 centuries. Soon it spread all over the country and remained popular among the masses, even after the downfall of Mughal Empire. It got a set back during British rule but still remained in practice as it enjoyed the faith of masses.

The Unani pathy survived during the British rule due to the efforts of the Sharifi family in Delhi, The Azizi family of Lucknow and the Nizam's of Hyderabad.

Hakim Ajmal Khan (1868-1927) from Sharifi family was an outstanding physician and scholar of Unani medicine kept the tempo high.

Ajmal Khan was the scion of the family of physicians who had long served the Mughal court and after their decline those of regional princes. Like his father and grand father, Ajmal Khan was an influential figure in the city of Delhi, respected for his aristocratic standing and behavior & renowned for miraculous cures.

Besides this Maseeh-ul- Mulk ,as he came to be known, was a versatile genius of his time ,he was an acclaimed physician, a statesman of national stature, a poet of great sentiments, a reformer and an orator , all at the same time. Ajmal Khan's was an aristocratic style . He was a patron and a host, invariably in the company of poets and literary landlords and government servants. His sporting activities shifted from traditional 'Akhara' (wrestling pit) to billards and shikar. It has been mentioned that he went along on the hunt but never actually shot anything, arguing that a Hakim ought not to take but give life.

Ajmal Khan's most original contribution was almost single handedly making available some of the great benefits of traditional medicine. The respectability which the Hakims and Vaids enjoy today is largely due to his tireless efforts. His efforts were devoted to reversing the tide of cultural decline in medicine his political activities were an inevitable out growth of them.

In an introduction to a catalogue of Arabic and Persian manuscripts he wrote: "Although the sun of Eastern arts and sciences kept rising in its own time and many nations drew benefits from its light, now that sun has declined and the age, as is its habit, has given birth to a new sun that fulfil's the needs of the people of the age ...The results of this reversal, which previous nations have already endured, will happen to us: We will see our former greatness and glory in the hand of oblivion if we do not take thought to preserve it."

Hakim Ajmal Khan vigorously advocated the causes of Unani & Ayurvedic systems of medicine. He stressed that two Indian systems which had served the people well should continue and make progress without any hindrance. While speaking at the first Tibbi conference he tried to emphasize the value of Eastern medicine by giving historical evidence .He said:

"It is not I who aim at praising the Unani System of medicine but the whole world recognizes that the Greek medicine traveled from Greece to Egypt, then to Spain from where it reached Baghdad. From Baghdad it came to Iran where it made tremendous progress and produced great physicians and scholars who in spite of flux of time still shine and I am confident, they will continue to guide us till knowledge remains in the world. From there it came to India & flourished here".

He believed that both systems' the Ayurvedic and the Unani had entered a period of decline. Indeed that of the former was far greater and he ventured that it had seen no development for four to five hundred years. For reforms of content, he turned to western medicine to learn some techniques, primarily to areas like surgery. It was to western medicine that Ajmal Khan wanted a Tibb to answer.

Of the groups whom Ajmal Khan found to support his schemes, the princes more than any other group value medicine intrinsically as well as for its symbolic value. The Nawab of Rampur cherished Ajmal Khan personally and supported the institutions he exposed. The ruler of Bhopal had a state- wide organization of medical care staffed by Unani trained doctors. The rulers of the princely states almost single - handedly provided capital for the college that Ajmal Khan founded for indigenous medicine.

From the very beginning of his career, Ajmal Khan also attempted to gain respect of the British for his endeavors. "It in this, his concerns were like those of the Aligarh modernists and other apologists who required validation of their efforts by the British".

Ajmal Khan's relation to the British was based on a quest for respect, for'lzzat' and 'wiqar'. He sought this respect for himself, for his family, and for his art. He accepted the family title of 'Haziqul-Mulk' from the British in 1908. Hailey the chief commissioner wrote to the viceroy in 1913.

"He is man whose opinion.. is of great value as he comes across all classes of men and has a very sound judgment in all such matters.' Hakim Ajmal Khan is remembered as nationalist and a modernist Ajmal Khan's complete commitment to Hindu- Muslim cooperation was shaped by his long and deep experience of the value of cooperation in the field of medicine.

Through out his life he worked for Hindu-Muslim unity Gandhiji in a letter which he wrote to Ajmal Khan from the sabarmati jail in 1922, writes:

"I write to you in your capacity as chairman of the working committee and therefore leader of both Hindus and Muslims, or better still of all India. I write to you also as one of the foremost leaders of Musalman but above all I write this to you as an esteemed friend.. A staunch Musalman you have shown in your own life what Hindu- Muslim Unity means".

Ajmal Khan was perhaps the Muslim closest to Gandhi ji.

It is difficult to appreciate the achievement of Hakim Ajmal Khan in satisfying the standards of two radically different cultures, the aristocratic and the democratic. As personal physician to a Nawab he was in a word of affluence, of indulgence of scorn for the undistinguished multitude and subservience to the great. He could never let it appear that anything else in the world was important, when the Nawab did not think it to be so. But he did believe many thing to be important. He had his old style Matab, where he examined the rich and the poor patients regardless of caste, creed and religion. While in Delhi, he never took fees from his patients, gave very cheap prescriptions, and gave the costly medicines free of cost .But outside Delhi, he charged up to Rs. 1000/-per day.

In spite of the fact that he was a famous physician, he sacrificed his comforts for the sake of the poor and underprivileged. On one occasion when he was about to leave for an outing, a 'Mehtr' (sweeper) came and informed him that his wife was seriously ill. Hakim Sahib told his servant to bring his medicine chest, and proceeded to the Mehtr's house.

He, however, left behind him two institutions of considerable promise. The Tibbia college and Jamia Millia Islamia -according to Mohammad Ali-one the child of his youth, the other of his old age.

Unani Way of Treatment

In Unani, the most important aspect for the diagnosis of diseases are three in number, and they are Nabz (pluse), examination of baul (urine) and Baraz (stool).

The surroundings and the ecological conditions are very much responsible for the state of health of a person. In Tibb much emphasis is made on the causes for the prevention of health as (asbab sittah Zaruriyah ) are taken into consideration . They are atmospheric air, food and drinks, physical or bodily movement or response, mental or psychic movement or response, sleep and wake fullness and excretion and retention. In unani all the disease are treated on four therapies.

They are as follows.

1. ILAJ Bil Tadbir (Regimental Therapy):

This therapy includes venesection (Fasad); cupping (Hajamat); exercise (Riyazat); steam bath (Hammam); leeching (Taleeque) Diathermy (Amal-e-kai)

2. ILAJ Bil Ghiza (Dieto Therapy);

In this therapy patient is treated with specific diets as diet itself plays an important role in human's life. At a time it acts as a drug and the very same diet can become harmful to the same person. In this therapy specific diets are administered or some alteration is done in the quality and quantity of the patient's diet.

3. ILAJ Bil Dawa (Pharmaco Therapy)

This therapy aims at treating the diseases with drugs of natural origin like herbs, animal origin and mineral origin. Mostly they are used as single drugs but in case of chronic disorders or various complex diseases compound formulation are also used.

4. ILAG Bil Yad (Surgery):

The practice of jarahat in Unani is as old as human existence. The special techniques and instruments are applied in this field

How is Unani medicines are safer than Allopathic Medicines?

Commonly used painkillers in allopathic medicines cause severe ulceration in the stomach, produce excess acids and lead to a severe form of gastritis. It never happens to herbal remedies if used under the guidance of Unani physician.

If you feel, especially in India, that you are suffering from a disease, but no doctor was able to cure or suppress the disease and some special doctor gives you medicine and your symptoms are suppressed. It may mean that that RMP or doctor is giving you steroid, which is very dangerous for your health. You may have noticed that when you stops taking medicines, symptoms recur and it means your symptoms are suppressed by the use of steroids. Beware of this allopathic practice. Steroids have very harmful effects on your health. Studies have shown that use of steroid lowers the immunity of the person and causing more prone to other diseases. One disease may be pacified with allopathic medicines, but others may result from the use of allopathic medicines. Therefore, never use allopathic medicines when you can cure your diseases with Herbs or Nature cure.

Commonly used allopathic medicines known by name of paracetamol has severe side effects on the liver, so when you or your family member suffers from fever, never use OTC products containing acetaminophen or paracetamol. It may damage your liver. Use ayurvedic medicines to lower fever and cure from infections or diseases that causing fever.

A medication commonly used for prevention of asthmatic attack is salmeterol. It is long acting beta two adrenergic agonist agent. It can increase the risk of death due to asthma. It is reported in many researches that it may lead to death of asthmatic patients. However, Unani medicines for asthma never cause these type of circumstances. Therefore, if you are suffering from asthma, use only herbal medicines for prevention instead of salmeterol and fluticasone. Asthma medications and inhalers such as fluticasone cause throat irritations, upper respiratory tract infections, headache, hoarseness of voice, fungal infections of oral cavity and thrush.

These conventional medicines also result in infections of ear, nose and throat when used in children. Whereas, Unani medicine never causes these side effects. Levothyroxine, a Medicine used for hypothyroidism, causes agitation, insomnia, restlessness, headache, tremors, cramps, skin rashes, pruritis, dyspnea, sweating, flushing, hair loss, muscular weakness, menstrual irregularity and fatigue. Second thing, it is needed to take for a whole life. Whereas, Unani medicines can cure hypothyroidism in the course of 6 to 8 months and they do not have such side effects.

However, pure form of Unani medicines should be consumed.

Some people are spreading humors around the world regarding Unani medicine�s side effects, so that allopathic medicine sale can be increased, it is just money making condemnation of people practicing allopathic medicines or supporting conventional medical system only. Unani medicines do not have any side effects if taken under the supervision of Unani doctor. However, do not purchase or try medicines because you have read about that on the internet without having a professional advice from your Unani doctor.

Unani medicines are far safer than allopathic medicines in terms of safety and efficacy without having adverse effects in the body. Unani is an answer to all obstinate diseases and chronic sufferers. Therefore, just find a good Unani physician to get Unani treatment.

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