Multiple myeloma is a cancer that commences in plasma cells which
are a part of the white blood cells present in the blood circulation.
These plasma cells play an important part in the immune system of the
body by producing antibodies to help protect the body against infection
and damage. In this disease, plasma cells become abnormal and are then
termed as myeloma cells, which produce antibodies known as M proteins.
These myeloma cells gradually crowd out the normal cells within the
bones and produce symptoms in several bones at a time, because of which
this condition is termed as multiple myeloma. When myeloma cells collect
in one single bone, this mass is known as plasmacytoma.
Multiple
myeloma produces symptoms such as weakness, tiredness, frequent
infections, frequent thirst, bone pains - especially the back, broken
bones, frequent urination, nausea, constipation, anaemia, weight loss,
kidney failure, and amyloidosis. Multiple myeloma is diagnosed with the
help of tests such as x-rays for bones, high levels of plasma cells and
calcium in the blood, M protein and Beta 2 microglobulin, and Bence
Jones protein test for 24 hours urine. A bone marrow examination is
usually diagnostic of this condition. CT scan, MRI, and PET scan can be
utilised to identify the spread of the disease and severity, after which
the disease is graded so as to define the treatment plan for this
condition. Anticancer drugs, radiation therapy, and stem cell
transplantation constitute the conventional treatment for this
condition. Overall, response to anticancer drugs and radiation therapy
is quite poor, and most patients stop responding after some time.
Ayurvedic
herbal treatment is especially useful in the treatment of multiple
myeloma, since it treats both the original problem in the bone marrow
and also treats its associated symptoms. The herbal medicines which are
used in the management of this condition have a specific action on the
bone marrow and stimulate it to start producing normal plasma and other
blood cells. Simultaneously, other medicines are utilised in order to
kill and remove the abnormal plasma cells from the blood and the bones.
These dead cells are then flushed out from the body either from the
gastrointestinal tract or through the kidneys via the urine.
Herbo-
mineral medicines can be used in the management of multiple myeloma
which normalise the production of red blood cells and white blood cells
and thereby treat symptoms such as weakness, tiredness, frequent thirst
and anaemia. Removal of the abnormal plasma cells from the bones reduces
bone pains and prevents or reduces fracture of bones due to bone
weakness. The excess calcium present in the blood is redirected towards
the bones to normalise the disturbed metabolism resulting from multiple
myeloma. Medicines which remove the debris, dead cancer cells, and
generated toxins through the kidneys also have a preserving function on
the kidneys so that these are not damaged due to the disease. If the
affected individual exhibits symptoms of amyloidosis, this condition
needs to be treated separately with Ayurvedic medicines.
Some
Ayurvedic medicines which are useful in the management of multiple
myeloma include Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Amalaki (Emblica
officinalis),Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), Abhadi Guggulu,
Panch-Tikta-Ghrut Gugglu,Gokshuradi Guggulu and Mahamanjishthadi Qadha.
Most individuals affected with multiple myeloma require Ayurvedic
treatment for about 9 to 15 months in order to benefit significantly
from treatment and obtain considerable relief from this condition.
Ayurvedic treatment can definitely bring about a good response in this
condition, which has so far proved to be refractory to conventional
treatment, and herbal treatment can provide significant improvement in
the quality of life as well as survival of affected individuals.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant contribution to play
in the management and treatment of multiple myeloma.
