ABSTRACT
Oral submucous fibrosis is a precancerous disease of the oral cavity mostly found in South Asian countries. Oral submucous fibrosis is now worldwide accepted as an Indian disease which has a high morbidity rate of malignant transformation. The rapid increase in the Oral submucous fibrosis is due to the intake of tobacco or areca nut (Supari). These are easily available in India and thus most of the cases are found in Southeast India. Mostly young people are more affected with this disease as the tobacco intake is quite popular among them. In Modern medicine the results of this disease are not quite satisfactory. In Ayurveda, fibrosis can be related to arbuda or granthi and this condition is well manageable with herbal remedies. In this article, we are going to discuss Oral Submucous Fibrosis and its Ayurvedic management by Planet Ayurveda.
INTRODUCTION
Oral submucous fibrosis is a precancerous stage of oral cancer. In most of the conditions it turns into benign cancer but in some cases it is malignant too. Usually this condition is seen in South east Indians as the chew of areca nut and tobacoo is more common there. In oral submucous fibrosis there are fibroelastic changes and epithelial atrophy that can cause the stiffness of the oral mucosa. The symptoms may include reduced movement of the tongue, leathery texture or blanching of the oral mucosa, and reduction in the opening of the mouth. This condition can be fatal and need proper care at the earliest.
CAUSES OF ORAL SUBMUCOUS FIBROSIS
Oral submucous fibrosis is mainly found in the young Indian males due to the intake of Areca nuts and other certain items like chewing tobacco, paan masala, etc. Areca nuts contain alkaloids like arecoline, and some other chemicals, such as tannin and catechin, that plays a major role in stimulating the production of collagen fibers. Areca nuts have a high copper content, and if you chew areca nuts for 5 to 30 minutes then it can significantly increase the soluble copper levels in the oral fluids that will support the hypothesis and stimulate fibrogenesis. So the main causes of the Oral submucous fibrosis are listed below:
Chewing Areca nuts (Supari) or taking regular Paan masala or gutka
Intake of Tobacco
Deficiency of micronutrients like zinc, iron and other essential vitamins.
Smoking
Practicing unhealthy or toxic diet patterns
SIGN AND SYMPTOMS OF ORAL SUBMUCOUS FIBROSIS
Some signs and symptoms of Oral submucous fibrosis are-
Palpable fibrotic bands in the oral mucosa
Frequent mouth ulcers
Stiffness of the mouth
Stiffness of lips
Reduced mouth opening
Burning sensation in the mouth
Pigmentation of the oral cavity
Sometimes pain in the ear
RISK FACTORS FOR ORAL SUBMUCOUS FIBROSIS
The risk factors of Oral submucous fibrosis are –
Areca nut chewing
Ingestion of chillies
Immunologic and genetic processes
Nutritional deficiencies
COMPLICATIONS OF ORAL SUBMUCOUS FIBROSIS
Oral submucous fibrosis can be cured if it is noticed earlier. If it left untreated then there can be some complications like –
Oral dysplasia
Squamous cell carcinoma or Oral Cancer (malignant)
DIAGNOSIS
Your doctor can diagnose Oral submucous fibrosis on the basis of physical examination and the history of tobacco or areca nuts intake. However, he may perform some tests to rule out other diseases
Histopathology or oral biopsy
MRI head
Some other blood tests
AYURVEDIC VIEW OF ORAL SUBMUCOUS FIBROSIS
Ayurveda is the pioneer and the oldest health wisdom and initially the concept of specialization has been highlighted in it as there is the mention of eight Ayurvedic clinical branches Kaaya Chikitsa (Internal Medicine), Baala Chikitsa (Treatment of Children / Pediatrics), Graha Chikitsa (Demonology / Psychology), Shalakya or Urdhvaanga Chikitsa (Treatment of disease above the clavicle), Shalya Chikitsa (Surgery), Damstra Chikitsa (Toxicology), Jara Chikitsa (Geriatrics, Rejuvenation), Vrsha or Vajikarna Chikitsa (Aphrodisiac therapy).
Shalakya Tantra is one of the clinical branches of Ayurveda that deals with the Urdhvajatrugata roga (diseases of the supraclavicular region). Acharya Sushruta has mentioned 65 Mukhagata rogas and categorized them into 7 subsites – Oshtha, Danta, Dantamulagata, Jihva, Talu, Kantha and Sarvasara. Oral submucous fibrosis can be classified in Sarvasara Rogas in which there is a tridosha vitiation with Kapha and Vata doshas as predominant. Generally the fibrosis is related to arbuda or granthi in which the Mamsa dhatu (muscular tissue) is vitiated by the dushya (vitiated Tridosha). Same condition happens in the oral mucosa in case of Oral submucous fibrosis. The symptoms include mukhpaka (mouth ulcers), dryness of mouth, fibrotic bands, stiffness of the mouth, etc. However, the Ayurvedic formulations and therapies have effective results in this condition.
TREATMENT
In Modern Medicine, oral submucous fibrosis is managed at initial stage by discontinuation of the tobacco or other addictive habits, local steroidal infiltration, immunomodulatory drugs, local injectible of hyaluronidase and human placental extract and in advance stage scalpel intervention is done. However, there is no satisfactory and permanent cure of this condition and later it can turn into malignant oral cancer.
In Ayurveda, this condition is well manageable with herbal formulations along with the Nidana parivarjana (avoiding causative factors), diet and some therapies like Gandusha (oil pulling) with irimedadi oil, Kawal (mouth wash) with triphala or haldi. Gandusha shows very effective results in this condition as it strengthens the oral mucosa and also enhances the penetration of the herbal drugs.
HERBAL REMEDIES FOR ORAL SUBMUCOUS FIBROSIS BY PLANTBASED AYURVEDA
Curcumin Capsules
Ashwagandha Capsules
Chandraprabha Vati
Kanchnaar Guggul
Gum Care Powder
Irimedadi Oil
Coral Calcium Complex
Arjun Saar
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRODUCTS
1. CURCUMIN CAPSULES
This is a single herbal formulation by Planet Ayurveda prepared from the pure extract of Haridra (Curcuma longa). Curcumin is a most potent herb to treat various tumors and cancers. It has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antioxidant, digestive, and anti-cancer properties. It acts as an excellent adjuvant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Curcumin capsules purify the blood, remove toxins, reduce swelling, inflammation, and pain, and also stop the spread of cancers of tumors and control them. It shows good results in controlling the fibrogenesis and also protects from the free radical damage. Thus it has very effective results in oral submucous fibrosis.
Dosage: 2 capsules to be taken two times a day with warm water after meals.
2. ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES
This is a single herbal formulation by Plantbased Ayurveda prepared from the pure extract of the amazing herb Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Ashwagandha acts as a good nervine tonic, acts as a natural rejuvenator that provides proper nourishment to the tissues, muscles, and bones. It helps to balance the Vata dosha and has rejuvenating properties. It helps in the proper function of the tissues. It has anticancer properties and also reduces the pain and swelling. Thus due to these properties it shows good results in oral submucous fibrosis.
Dosage: 2 capsules to be taken two times a day with warm water after meals.
3. CHANDRAPRABHA VATI
This is a classical herbal formulation by Plantbased Ayurveda in a tablet form prepared from the blend of pure extracts of herbs like Shilajit (Asphaltum punjabianum), Guggal (Commiphora mukul), karpoor (Cinnamomum camphora), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Mustak (Cyperus rotundus), Vidanga (Embelia ribes), etc. It has aphrodisiac, rejuvenating, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and promotes fat metabolism by increasing the growth hormone. It helps to reduce the inflammation and removes toxins from the body and also strengthens the gums. Thus useful in Oral submucous fibrosis.
Dosage: 2 tablets to be taken two times a day with warm water after meals.
4. KANCHNAAR GUGGUL
It is a classical herbal formulation by Plantbased Ayurveda prepared from the pure extract of potent herbs like Kanchnaar (Bauhinia variegata), Guggul (Commiphora mukul) along with some other herbs. It is a wonderful supplement for cancer and also shows good results in treating conditions like fibrosis. This herbal formulation helps to balance the tridoshas and also prevents the proliferation of the benign or metastatic cancerous cells. It helps to reduce the inflammation and size of the tumor. Kanchnaar guggal also promotes the growth of the healthy cells of the body and is useful in Oral submucous fibrosis.
Dosage: 2 tablets to be taken three times a day with warm water after meals.
5. GUM CARE POWDER
It is a polyherbal formulation by Plantbased Ayurveda in a powder form prepared from the blend of potent herbs like Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Mustak (Cyperus rotundus), Khadir (Acacia catechu), Twak (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), etc. As the name indicates this powder is beneficial in gum care and protects your gums from any damage. This is useful in maintaining oral hygiene and thus used in the Oral submucous fibrosis.
Dosage: Mix with Irimedadi oil and gargle for a while.
6. IRIMEDADI OIL
It is a polyherbal formulation in oil form prepared from the blend of potent herbs like Irimeda (Acacia farnesiana), Laung (Syzygium aromaticum), Agar (Aquilaria malaccensis), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Kapur (Cinnamomum camphora), Ela (Elettaria cardamomum), Khadirkasht (Acacia catechu), Jaiphal (Myristica fragrans), Dalchini (Cinnamomum verum) ,etc. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, rejuvenating, hypotensive, and anti-hemorrhagic properties and pacifies the Kapha and Pitta doshas. This helps to strengthen the oral mucosa and heals the oral ulcers. So, this is useful in the Oral submucous fibrosis.
Dosage – Mix with Gum Care Powder and gargle for a while.
7. CORAL CALCIUM COMPLEX
It is a polyherbal formulation by Plantbased Ayurveda prepared from the amazing ingredients like Praval pishti, Jahar Mohra Pishti, Akik pishti, Kamdudha Ras, Pearl Mukta , and Giloy Satva. It has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antipyretic properties and also reduces the level of free radicals and enhances the detoxification process in the body. Thus it shows good results in Oral submucous fibrosis.
Dosage- 1 capsule twice daily with warm water after meals.
8. ARJUN SAAR
It is a wonderful combination of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) and Amla or Indian gooseberry (Embelica officinalis) prepared by Planet Ayurveda. This herbal formulation boosts the immune system and removes the toxins from the body and also prevents the growth of harmful or cancerous cells. Arjun saar helps to stop the spread of carcinogenic cells and is useful in Oral submucous fibrosis.
Dosage – Rinse the mouth after 2-3 minutes of the massage with Gum Care Powder.
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