Ayurveda management of Guillain-Barre syndrome: A case report

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a severe acute paralytic neuropathy with rapid progression usually occurring post infections. Inspite of the active medications it is associated with severe weakness, incomplete recovery and pain. Long disease course can cause autonomic dysfunction or deterioration in general health and life threatening complications like respiratory failures. Current case was diagnosed as GBS with motor, sensory & sphincter disturbance. Ayurveda diagnosis of Sarvangavata was made and customized treatment strategy was planned. First part of Kapha pitta samrushtavata (Vatadosha associated with Kapha and Pitta dosha) and then vatahara chikitsa were followed. Treatments were Koshta shodhana (gut cleansing), Abhyanga (massage of whole body with medicated oil), Ksheera parisheka (dripping of medicated milk over body), Shastikashali panda sweda (Rubbing of medicated rice poultice over body), Anna lepa (application of medicated rice over the body), Shirotalam (trans cranial drug administration by applying medicines over scalp), Basti (trans rectal administration of medicines) and Oral medicaments. Panchakarma treatments were for 14 days followed by oral medications for next 151 days. Intervention period of 165 days showed complete recovery of all the motor, sensory & sphincter deficits however follow up of the patient was maintained for 437 days looking in to the sustainability of the outcomes.