Ayurvedic Management of Crohn’s Disease - A Single Case Study

Abstract

Crohn’s disease is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease condition characterized by skip lesions and transmural inflammation that can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. It is having variable presenting symptoms and may include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea, vomiting etc. The diagnosis is typically made with endoscopic and/or radiologic findings. A 16-year-old female patient diagnosed with Crohn’s disease having complaints of frequent loose stools, bleeding per rectum after evacuation of bowel, generalised weakness, reduced appetite and weight loss since more than 6 years approached the outpatient department of Kayachikitsa, SDM Ayurveda hospital, Kuthpady, Udupi, Karnataka, India. Patient was intervened with Vilwadi Gulika, Dadimashtaka Churna, Kutajarishta, Takra Kalpana, Parpati Kalpana, Picha Basti etc. strictly following Laja diet with Takra in 4 courses of admissions with a time gap of 2-3 months. There was marked improvement in the frequency of loose stools and rectal bleeding. Improvement in weight was noted by a gain of 12 kg and generalised weakness was completely relieved. The therapy gained confidence in the patient to stop all the steroid and immunosuppressant medications completely and continue with Ayurvedic medication. Thus, it can be concluded that Ayurvedic interventions are effective in the improvement of symptoms in Crohn’s disease.