Remission in ulcerative colitis with standalone Ayurveda intervention: A Case Report

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is an autoimmune disorder presents with bloody diarrhea. This responds well to conventional medicine including steroids but recurrences are frequent once the treatment is stopped. Present report is about a case of UC having frequent recurrence of symptoms with ongoing conventional medicine, having treated with Ayurveda interventions to the extent of remission like state followed up for over 1 year. The case proposes that Ayurveda interventions in refractory cases of UC can be of value to provide long term remission and sustained clinical relief. The patient treated here was a young girl having blood mixed loose stools 10-15 times a day and ongoing weight loss. With conventional treatment, there were partial responses followed by the recurrences once the treatment stopped. Endoscopic finding were suggestive of multiple ulcers in the colon and rectum. On the basis of clinical and endoscopic findings, the patient was diagnosed for UC. Considering it as aam-raktaj pravahika, Ayurveda interventions were individualized for the patient. Following the Ayurveda treatment for about 1 year, patient reported reduced frequency of stool with blood along with weight gain. Endoscopic observation after one year reveled no ulcers in the colon and rectum. This report suggests that in cases of refractory UC, it is worth trying other therapeutic options like Ayurveda as these may provide additional relief and reduced frequency of relapses. Based upon such observations, more systematic clinical trials are required to be planned to evaluate these therapeutic options in cases of UC.