A Case Study on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Abstract

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common hereditary neuromuscular disease affecting all races and ethnic groups.The incidence is 1 in 3,600 live born infant boys.This is an X-linked recessive disease caused by mutation in the gene for the protein dystrophin which is located on the short arm of X chromosome in the Xp21 region. Its characteristic clinical features are progressive muscle weakness, delay in motor development, intellectual impairment, hypertrophy of the calves, and proliferation of connective tissue in muscles. Patient becomes unable to ambulate independently by age 10, wheel chair dependent by age 15 and die of cardio respiratory problems by age 25-30. In Ayurveda it can be classified under Adibalapravrittavyadhi and the pathogenesis occurs due to the Beejbhaga Avayavadushti which leads to Vataprakopa takes Sthansamshraya in Medomamsadhatu and deplets them. There is no specific treatment in any system of medicine and disease prognosis is unpreventable. Ayurveda instills a regenerative mechanism in neuromuscular disorders with special concern to Panchakarma, Rasayana, Rasa Oushadhi etc. These do not proclaim to be curative as DMD is Asadhyaanuvamshika Vyadhi, but can provide a floor for better quality of life with a longer survival. The present case study is about treating a 4 years male child with DMD through Ayurveda. The reduction in symptomatology was seen after three sittings of Panchakarma procedures and internal medications with interval of 20 days.