Ayurveda as a Supportive Treatment: A Case Report on Integrative Management of Intracranial Haemorrhage

Abstract

Stroke is one of the leading causes of adult neurological disability across the globe. Currently, Intracranial Haemorrhage (ICH) has the highest mortality rate of all stroke subtypes. An ICH accounts for only 15% of all stroke subtypes but is one of the most disabling forms of stroke. Over one-third of patients with ICH do not survive and only 20% regain functional independence. This high rate of morbidity and mortality has prompted investigations into new medical and alternative medical therapies for ICH. The stroke is defined in the context of pakshaghata as a vatavyadhi affecting the madhyama rogamarga in which the siras and snayus are affected. The patient was administered to Rookshana followed by oleation, fomentation, purification, enema, and nasal purgation along with selected samana drugs. Assessments were done before and after treatment using Medical Research Council (MRC) Scales, Modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scales (NIHSS). The assessments revealed a positive approach to external and internal Ayurvedic treatments as a supporting treatment for the management of stroke due to ICH. The gradual recovery was promising and worth documenting.