CEREBRAL STROKES – CAUSE, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

– AN AYURVEDIC VIEW.

 

A brain stroke or a cerebral stroke or brain attack, occurs when blood that flows to the brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain cells of oxygen and other nutrients. This is said to happen if blood vessels are blocked (ischemic stroke) or by bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). But what is the exact mechanism? Why and how the blood vessels are blocked or bleed? There is no satisfactory answer. It can be answered only from Ayurvedic perspective.

 

Contrary to the claim of modern scientists, there is no separate quantum world. The macro and the micro worlds replicate each other (यद्ब्रह्माण्डे तत् पिण्डे). Since cerebral stroke is a circulatory problem, is is related to the principles of fundamental interactions everywhere.

 

According to Ayurveda, disease is caused by a deformation (धातुवैषम्य) of balance of different Tattwa (तत्त्व) we inherited at birth, which makes us uncomfortable. Solids, called Prithwi Tattwa (पृथ्वीतत्त्व) form our basic structure. All liquids are called Jal Tattwa (जलतत्त्व). Their deformations (विकार), are called Kapha (कफ). All heat in the body are called Agni Tattwa (अग्नितत्त्व).Their deformations are called Pitta (पित्त). All motions are called Vaayu Tattwa (वायुतत्त्व). Their deformations are called Vaata (वात). All vacant space inside our body are Aakasha Tattwa (आकाशतत्त्व).

 

Of these deformations (विकार), both Pitta and Kapha, along with all toxic elements (मल), are lame (पङ्गु), can’t move on their own (पित्त पङ्गु, कफ पङ्गु, पङ्गु मलादिधातवः). They move wherever Vaata (वात) takes them like clouds move wherever air takes them (वायुना नीयते यत्र तत्र गच्छन्ति मेघवत्). Inside the body, all motions of everything leading to interaction, is carried out by Vaata.

 

PANCHA VAAYU.

 

According to modern science, there are four fundamental interactions: Strong, weak, electromagnetic and gravitation. In Vedic science, the weak interaction is divided into two parts based on the decay pattern. Accordingly, Vaayu, which leads all interactions, is also functionally of five types as follows:

 

1) moving towards others - this creates new atoms (strong interaction - अन्तर्यामः - आत्मस्पृद् – हृद्य– सहचरसम्बन्धः निर्बन्धन; स्वरूपप्राप्तिः) that gives the new object its characteristic properties like redness of the rose (यथा रुधिरेलालिमा). This is called Samaana Vaayu (समान वायु).

2) Redistribute exterior part like Electrons (वहिर्यामः - beta decay); bringing in temporal changes like changing a white cloth red (औपाधिक – यथा वस्त्रस्य लालिमा). Our sense organs function on this principle (यथा देवा इहेन्द्रिये).This is called Praana Vaayu (प्राणवायु).

3) Redistribute (वहिरन्तस्तलस्पर्शी - यमँ परि॒वेष॑णे) existing mater like protons (यातयामः - alpha decay), that is totally thrown out (लक्षच्युतो गतरसो) and not locally adjusted like in beta decay or excreta from our body. This is called Udaana Vaayu (उदानवायु).

4) Neutralize external density distribution (पृष्ठस्पृत्) - electromagnetic interaction (उपयामः - य॒मँ उपर॒मे), like changing linen or a crystal getting the colour of a flower placed near it (उपाश्रित यथा स्फटिके लालिमा). Objects float on water due to this (यथाप्सु नौस्तृणं काष्ठम्). This is called Apaaana Vaayu (अपानवायु).

5) Gravitation (उद्यामः) is an inter-body force that combines the properties of all the above four forces (उद्धिर्निधेः प्रतिस्पर्द्धी योग). Contrary to popular belief, it is like two wrestlers trying to balance each other (भटं प्रति प्रतिभटो) by diffusing the pressure of the other (प्रतिदिग्धर्मः). Planetary motions (यथा द्यौः पृथिवीं प्रति) and magnetosphere of the Earth or the diffusion of rainbows are examples (यथेन्द्रधनुरम्बरे). This is called Vyaana Vaayu (व्यानवायु). This is responsible for the cerebral stroke.

 

The function of Vaayu in the body include, slipping of joints, expansion and contraction of joints, lack of joint function leading to pain, insensitivity, senselessness, all types of pain, combining with or breaking from others, bulging, sensation, thirst for everything, trembling, roughness, emptiness, dryness, pulsation, covering up, stiffness, bitter taste, and reddishness,

 

Praana Vaayu operates from the head, Apaana operates from below the navel. Udaana operates from the throat. Samaana operates from the navel. Vyaana operates from heart and moves throughout the body – mostly regulating Praana and Apaana.

 

Praana operates in chest and throat. It regulates, mind, intelligence, heart function, spitting, sneezing, vomiting, breathing, and eating. Apaana operates at waist, genitals, and thighs. Vyaana has the maximum speed among all five types of Vaayus. Thus, it pulls and pushes everything and is responsible for moving limbs up or down, for blinking, also eye-sight.  Most of the bodily functions are regulated by this Vaayu.  It is deformed due to excessive walking, reading, playing, doing opposite functions together (), roughness, fear, too much joy or sorrow. It leads to impotence, lack of interest (), weakness, uneasiness, fever, all body ache, fatness, senselessness in the body, leprosy, etc.

 

WHAT CAUSES DISEASE?

 

Diseases are of two types: mental (आधि) or physical (व्याधि). There are caused due to three reasons: The first is excessive or deficient exposure of our sense organs beyond their tolerance limit (विषम इन्द्रियार्थ सन्निकर्ष). The second is: effect of time (परिणाम). The time of day or seasons have different natural properties. Age also has its effect. At each time the three Doshas (दोष) – Vaata-Pitta and Kapha dominate differently. They tend to increase or decrease the effect on the body. Such deformations make us uncomfortable, which is called disease. The third is guilty consciousness (प्रज्ञापराध). We do many things while knowing that it is wrong. It creates hormonal imbalance that leads to disease.

 

CAUSES FOR CEREBRAL STROKE.

 

It is generally believed that narrowed blood vessel, bleeding, or a clot arising from coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart valve disease, , carotid artery disease that blocks blood flow, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, obesity, lack of physical activity, smoking, etc.  cause diabetes. A blocked artery can cut off blood to an area of the brain leading to paralysis.  Family history increases the risk of stroke. People who are 65 or older are vulnerable to brain stroke.

 

All these except diabetes are treated basically as neurological disorders, which is correct. But it does not explain why and how the system malfunctions. Even the causes for diabetes is not explained – why the pancreas do not produce enough insulin or the body is not able to effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone with molecular formula of C257H383N65O77S6 that regulates blood glucose, and when it's deficient or ineffective, glucose builds up in the blood, leading to diabetes. Ayurveda takes a holistic view.

 

WHAT CAUSES DIABETES & HOW?

 

The molecular formula for glucose is C6H12O6, where, the number of carbon atoms, which is Prithwi Tattwa (पृथ्वीतत्त्व) is equal to water molecules, which is Jala Tattwa (जलतत्त्व). As per Ayurveda, the combination of equal amounts of Prithwi Tattwa (पृथ्वीतत्त्व) and Jala Tattwa (जलतत्त्व) forms Sugar (मधुररस). But the molecular formula for sucrose, which constitutes 99% of sugar, is C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁., which is deficient by one water molecule.

 

Digestion in humans is a multi-stage process where food is broken down into smaller molecules for absorption into the bloodstream. This process begins in the mouth with mechanical breakdown by teeth and the action of saliva, which contains enzymes that start to break down carbohydrates. The food then travels down the esophagus to the stomach (आमाशयः). The chemical formula for carbohydrates is Cₓ(H₂O)y, or (CH₂O)n, where 'n' represents the number of carbon atoms in the molecule. This formula reflects the "hydrates of carbon" nature of carbohydrates, meaning they are composed of carbon and water molecules and is same as sugar.

 

When sucrose is broken down to carbohydrates, it absorbs one water molecule from the body, which increases the density of all body fluids. This is like muddy water flowing through a pipe. The water gathers moss, which comes out through the pipe. Similarly, the accumulated  Prithwi Tattwa (पृथ्वीतत्त्व) and Jala Tattwa (जलतत्त्व), whose deformation is sugar (मेह), comes out of our urine, which is called Type I diabetes (प्रमेह), which, when become severe, leads to Type II diabetes (मधुमेह).

 

CAUSES OF BRAIN STROKE (वातरक्त).

 

The primary function of the kidneys is to maintain the internal environment of the body by filtering and cleaning the blood and producing urine, to eliminate waste blood; remove waste and excess fluid; and regulate the body's fluid and electrolyte balance. They also play a role in blood pressure, regulating red blood cell production, and vitamin D activation. It does so by producing insulin, which is a hormone produced by the pancreas and has a molecular formula of is C257H383N65O77S6 and is a peptide, which are small molecules composed of two or more amino acids linked by peptide bonds. It allows glucose to enter cells for use or store Insulin and regulates fat and protein metabolism.

 

Peptides have a low molecular weight and consist of fewer secondary structures. They have a high amount of ionizable groups. Peptides are rigid and planar, hence rotation is very limited to near zero. This allows for the peptide bond to remain fixed in a cis or trans configuration. Peptides are water-soluble and have a relatively low melting point. It is because peptide bonds are weak and easily broken by heat. They regulate how humans digest and use energy from the food we eat, how hungry we feel, how our hormones work, and our cells move. When the breaking up of sucrose draws water from the body, the peptides create a dense toxic sticky substance called Aama (आमः - अमँ रोगे॑ - मलवैषम्यरोगः) in Ayurveda, because it is produced in Aamashaya (आमाशयः). This distorts and contaminates everything in the stomach. This is aggravated, if our digestive system is weakened and its capacity is reduced or we take food with opposing properties (विरुद्घ भोजन). Drnking too much wine, or taking too much sour food like curd etc, aggravates the problem.

 

If Aama affects the motion of Vyaana Vaayu because of its stickiness, the balance between Praana and Apaana is affected. That leads to fluctuating blood pressure, which is aggravated if there is diabetes due to metabolism of sucrose drawing up excess body fluid. If the Apaana Vaayu becomes weak, the flow of Aama goes upwards including to the brain. That may create blood clots in the brain leading to brain stroke. Signs of a stroke includes sudden confusion, trouble in speaking, or trouble in understanding speech, sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body, sudden severe headache with no known cause, etc. It will also appear as loss of control for urination and defecation. There will be unusually heavy accumulation of dust and dirt over the scalp. The eye-sight will fall. The body balance will be lost. Firting will be reduced or stopped. Sleep will be disturbed. The ratio of the quantity of food taken and the amount of stool produced will go up. There will be burning sensation in the feet. Tip of the penis will be contracted. There will be itching and heaviness in the body. Unregulated sleep, waking up, sex, lack of exercise, or other causes that aggravate deformation of Vaayu increases the risk. In such cases, the Vayuu climbs upwards first deforming the blood and then clotting it.

वातलैः शीतलैर्वायुर्वृद्धः क्रुद्धो विमार्गगः ।

तादृशैवासृजा रुद्धः प्राक्तदेव प्रदुषयेत् ।

आढ्यरोगं खुडं वातवलाख्यं वातशोणितम् ।

 

Depending upon the cause, it could be of different types.

 

TREATMENT:

 

Ayurvedic:

When the Vaayu is disturbed (दोष or विकार), it spreads the disease immediately from head to toe. But like flood water, while it spreads immediately, but recedes slowly (व्याप्नोति सहसा देहमापादतलमस्तकम् । निबर्तते तु कुपितो मलोऽल्पाल्पं जलौधवत्), diseases are cured slowly. Hence recovery takes time.

 

For treatment of this disease (व्यानवायुविकार), first Vasti Karma (वस्तिकर्म) should be done properly. देवदार, तगर, कूट, दशमूल, खिरेटी, अतिबला, वीरतरादि गण विदार्यादि गण destroy the adverse effects of Vaayu. Other medicines include:

1.Kwath Dvatrinshat

2 Erand Bhrishta Haritaki Churna

3 Dashmool Ghan Tab

4 Ayushkam Analan Tab

5 Gaumutra Haritaki Tab

6 Ayushkam Anushiva Tab

7 Ayushkam Nagaradi Churna

 

FOOD:

 

Among food, drumstick and juice of its leaves is very good. Aesphotida should be taken by a pinch. Increase of pulses except Chickpea lentils (चनादाल) and reduction of fatty substances helps. Carbohydrates should be taken in limited amounts. Two spoonful’s of ginger (अदरक) and three times turmeric (हलदी) should be made into a paste and taken before meals.

 

DRINK:

 

Water with coriander (घनिआ) powder and dry ginger (सोंठ) powder should be boiled till it is reduced to one-fourth. That water should be taken with all medicines and whenever required.

 

PREVENTION.

 

Smoke, heat, mist, watery sports, sleeping for long hours, waking up for long hours, tension, directly facing air, resisting crying or crying too much, drinking too much water, drinking too much wine, pinworms, tapeworms, roundworms, and whipworms. Etc., withholding stool or urine for long, using high rise pillows, not taking bath regularly, avoiding massages, looking downwards or at a particular thing for very long hours, foul smells, and increase in Aama, cause head related diseases. These should be avoided.

 

YOGAASANA.

 

Pawanamuktasana (पवनमुक्तासन), Uttanapaadaasana (उत्तानपादासम) Bhujangaasana (भुजङ्गासन) will help.

 

PRAANAYAMA:

 

Anuloma-Viloma Praanayama (अनुलोमविलोमप्राणायम) and Kapalabhati (कपालभाति) will help.

 

MANTRA:

 

Recitation of Purushasookta (पुरुषसूक्त), Naasadiya Sookta (नासदीयसूक्त), Lalita Sahasranaama (ललिता सहस्रनाम) will help.