Diffuse systemic sclerosis managed with ayurvedic treatment modalities - A case report

Diffuse systemic sclerosis or scleroderma is a chronic connective tissue disorder involving many systems and visceral organs. The association of interstitial lung disease carries high mortality risk. This is a case report of a patient aged 25-years, who was diagnosed as diffuse systemic sclerosis, a disease complex along with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), sclerodactyly. She also presented with digital ulcers and calcium deposits in the ulcers. The symptomatology was understood by analysing the dosha predominance and the composition of the different qualities of each dosha in the patient. This complicated case with a bad prognosis was managed with Ayurvedic treatment procedures and medicines. Matrabasti (medicated enema) with mahamasha taila and dhanvantara taila was given. yogabasti with dashamoola ksheera paka, dhanvantara taila and madhu (decoctive enema), along with other palliative medicines like rasna yoga raja, Yogendra rasa, vasakasava, drakshadi paka, kaishora guggulu, raktapachakaghana vati and Mahatiktaka ghrita were given to the patient. After 1-1.2 years of continuous treatments, patient started showing gradual changes in her health condition. Relief from joint pains, intake of normal food, weight gain, re-establishment of menstruation, healing of ulcers was some of the changes seen in the patient. This case report summaries the effective management of diffuse systemic sclerosis after deducing the complex disease structure to dosa and guna involved and treated by adopting ayurvedic medicine and treatment procedures.