Brain tumors are masses of abnormal cells in the brain. They can be benign or cancerous. Brain tumors can begin in the brain or other parts of the body before spreading to the brain. Brain tumor symptoms include frequent headaches, changes in speech, nausea, sudden changes in vision, confusion, personality changes, hearing problems and hormonal disorders.
Traditional Treatments for Brain Tumors
Traditional treatments for brain tumors vary according to the size of the tumor. In some cases, tumors are small and can be easily removed from brain tissue. Other tumors can be larger or embedded in brain tissue, making it impossible to remove the entire tumor.
Radiosurgery is another common treatment for brain tumors. It involves using beams of radiation to kill tumor cells in a small area.
Chemotherapy is treatment in which a course of drugs are given to kill tumor cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be taken orally or injected into the patient. Additionally, chemo disks can be surgically placed inside the patient that slowly release chemicals to kill tumors.
Other traditional treatments for brain tumors include targeted drug therapies, clinical trials, and speech or rehabilitation treatment for other effects.
Ayurvedic Treatments for Brain Tumors
Ayurveda is a type of spiritual healing that originated in India has been in practice for thousands of years. It is based on the idea that each human is part of a collective consciousness; every human being contains elements that can be found in the universe. The health of a person will be good if the mind and body are in harmony and one's interaction with the universe is natural and wholesome. Ayurveda teaches that disease arises when a person is out of harmony with the universe. Disruptions can be physical, emotional, spiritual or a combination of these. Therefore, physical, spiritual and mental health are intertwined, and all must be in balance to achieve healing and overall well-being.
In Ayurvedic medicine, each human has a prakriti. This makes up the physical and psychological characteristics of a person and the way the body functions to maintain health. Each prakriti is made up of three doshas, or life forces. The balance of the doshas affects the health of a person. The vata dosha has to do with basic life processes and microbiology, the pitta dosha has to do with hormones and digestion, and the kapha dosha maintains strength and immunity. The doshas are also tied to the seasons and the earth's elements.
Ayurvedic medical treatment focuses on eliminating impurities in the person or diet, reducing illness symptoms, increasing resistance to disease and reducing worry and increasing harmony. A combination of treatments is administered to accomplish these goals.
According to the Divyajyot Ayurveda Research Foundation, specific herbs for treating brain tumors are effective. The herbs administered for brain tumors or cancer include Mandukaparni (Bacopa monerea) or Kasturi Bhairav Rasa and divya herbs. In addition to herbs, other healing measures are critical to the theories of Ayurveda healing. Spiritual healing is encouraged, in which patients chant, mediate, participate in bhakti yoga and perform yagnas, or provide religious offerings. The idea is that by purifying the mind through rigorous exercise and meditation, the body will benefit because the negative tendencies are reduced. Negative past experiences (karma) must be neutralized through good deeds as well as religious and ritual practices in order to positively affect the health of the patient.
While there are many Ayurvedic practitioners in India (150 undergraduate colleges and 30 postgraduate colleges in Ayurvedic medicine exist), there are no standards for training and certification for this type of medicine in the United States. Therefore, care must be taken when choosing an Ayurvedic practitioner.
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