Ayurvedic Treatment for Oral Lichen Planus
Lichen planus is an inflammatory disease of the skin. It is characterized by itchy, non-infectious rashes on the arms and legs. It consists of small, flat on top, pink- or purple-coloured bumps with many sides. Considered to be an autoimmune disease, it typically occurs in people over the age of 30 years. It occurs more in females than in males. People with liver diseases, such as hepatitis C or cirrhosis are more susceptible to lichen planus. The mouth is a common site of inflammation and clinical manifestation of lichen planus and the condition is known as oral lichen planus.
Signs & symptoms
Itchy, discoloured patch or patterns of shiny, raised, red, pink, or purple, flat-topped bumps on the skin inside cheeks & tongue.
Papules, approximately 3 to 5 mm in diameter.
White streaks on the papules are called Wickham’s striae. Intense itching can develop, mostly at night.
The first attack may continue for weeks or months, while recurring sessions can continue for years. Recurrence is very common in cases of oral lichen planus.
Oral lichen planus
- White streaks appear on the inside of the cheeks. The gums, tongue, and lips may also be affected.
- The streaks are not usually painful or itchy but they do not resolve.
- Redness and blistering of the gums.
- Sore mouth ulcers can develop and recur.
- Loss of taste, metallic taste in the mouth.
- Dryness of mouth.
Causes
The exact cause of lichen planus is not known yet.
It is considered to be an autoimmune disorder, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues.
Hereditary factors do not play any role in this condition.
It is not an infectious condition
It is not related to malnourishment/deficiencies. But some spicy foods, citrus juices, etc. can aggravate open sores in the mouth.
Some reasons for lichen planus are believed to be the following:
Medications – Lichen planus can develop as a reaction to medicines:
- Beta-blockers, which are common drugs used to treat cardiovascular problems
- anti-inflammatory medications
- antimalarials
- thiazide diuretics
- phenothiazines, a group of tranquillizing drugs with antipsychotic actions
Mercury tooth fillings.
Grinspan’s syndrome – characterized by hypertension, diabetes, and oral lichen planus.
Pathophysiology
The classic histopathology of Oral Lichen Planus is liquefactive degeneration of the basal cell accompanied by apoptosis of the keratinocytes, a dense band-like lymphocytic infiltrate at the interface between the epithelium and the connective tissue, focal areas of hyper-keratinized epithelium and occasional areas of atrophic epithelium where the rete pegs may be shortened and pointed (a characteristic known as sawtooth rete pegs). Eosinophilic colloid bodies or Civatte bodies, which are degenerating keratinocytes, are often visible in the lower part of the surface epithelium. Degeneration of the basal keratinocytes and disruption of the anchoring elements of the epithelial basal membrane and basal keratinocytes weaken the epithelial connective tissue interface. As a result, histologic clefts (Max–Joseph spaces) can form and blisters on the oral mucosa develop.
Diagnosis
Physical examination due to its appearance.
A punch biopsy of skin
Treatments
Lichen planus is not a curable condition.
In most cases, it is a harmless disorder causing no or negligible problems. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene despite the pain.
Therapy includes antihistamines, phototherapy, or steroid creams/tablets.
Antihistamines are used to manage itching in severe cases.
For lichen planus that occurs in the mouth, steroid lozenges are used or mouthwashes if mouth ulcer symptoms become uncomfortable.
Corticosteroids will be needed in severe cases as tablets.
Prognosis
Usually, mild lichen planus on the skin clears up on its own in some months to years.
Moderate cases subside within some weeks to months with treatment.
Some cases where the disease affects mucous membranes are resistant to treatment and prone to recur.
Complications
Permanent brown or grey marks on the skin. Rarely, recurrent and persistent aberrations on the skin and mucosa increase the chance of getting oral cancer in patients with lichen planus.
Disease & Ayurveda
Charmakushtha
Nidana
An unwholesome diet with opposite potency
Improper routine and behaviour
Teasing and humiliating other good people
Theft
Bad deeds which cause emotional stress factors like repentance/fear/anxiety
Kapha-Vaatadoshakopanidana – causes for vitiation of all the kapha and Vaatadosha
Purvaaroopa
Absence of sweating
Loss of tactile sensation
Samprapti
Due to the causative factors, vitiated doshas (mainly kapha& Vaata) vitiate rasadhatu and reaches the skin. It settles on the skin and develops into thick and hard skin rashes.
Lakshana
Hasticharma – thick skin like that of an elephant
Kharasparsam – Hard/rough to touch
Divisions
Not mentioned
Prognosis
Akrichram or yaapyam
Chikithsa
Samana
Pralepa with lekhanadravya
External application of ghrita after aamapachana
Gandoosha/Kabalagraha
Sodhana
Snehana
Swedana
Nasya
Dhoomapana
Virechana
Ksharakarma
Commonly used medicines
Patolamuladi kashayam
Thriphalachoornam
Jathyadi ghrutam
Brands available
AVS Kottakal
AVP Coimbatore
Vaidyaratnam oushadhasala
Home remedies
While lichen cannot be cured, some home remedies have been said to relieve symptoms.
Turmeric has been suggested as a remedy for oral lichen planus as it has shown effects on the immune system that could help reduce the inflammation that contributes to the condition.
A recent pilot study demonstrated promising results for this herbal treatment.
Other suggested treatments include:
- applying certain oats, to the skin
- chewing sage
- applying aloe vera gels to the skin
- essential oils
- borax
However, there appears to be little to no evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of these treatments.
It is better to follow a course of treatment prescribed by a medical professional.
Diet
- To be avoided
Red meat, fried non-veg items, and seafood
Heavy meals and difficult to digest foods – cause indigestion.
Junk foods and spicy food- cause disturbance in digestion and reduces the bioavailability of the medicine
Carbonated drinks – makes the stomach more acidic and disturbed digestion
Refrigerated and frozen foods – causes weak and sluggish digestion by weakening agni (digestive fire)
Curd – causes vidaaha and thereby many other diseases
- To be added
Light meals and easily digestible foods
Green gram, soups, buttermilk boiled with turmeric, ginger and curry leaves
Freshly cooked and warm food processed with cumin seeds, ginger, black pepper, ajwain etc
Behaviour:
Avoid a sedentary lifestyle. Be active.
Better to avoid exposure to excessive sunlight wind rain or dust.
Maintain a regular food and sleep schedule.
Avoid forcing or holding of natural urges like urine, faeces, vomiting, hiccups etc.
Avoid Stress and emotional imbalance as much as possible.
Yoga
Ardha mathsyentra asanam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51EqCa6ZGCw
Halasanam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6RdNJzDGxA
Vakrasanam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fi85Dqdo1M
Dhanurasanam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adqNfP_NaGo
All the exercises and physical exertions must be decided and done under the supervision of a medical expert only.
Research articles
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5541468/
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, United States. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult your GP before the intake. Ayurveda Supplement with GMP Certification from India.
Writer:
Dr. Rajesh Nair, the co-founder and chief consultant of Ayurvedaforall.Com, is a graduate of prestigious Vaidyaratnam Ayurveda College (affiliated with the University of Calicut), Kerala, India. Additionally, he holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Yoga Therapy from Annamalai University.
Dr. Nair offers consultation at two busy clinics in and around Haripad, Alleppey, Kerala, the southern state famous worldwide for authentic ayurvedic treatment and physicians. While offering consultation on all aspects of ayurvedic treatments Dr. Nair has a special interest in Panchkarma, Yoga, and Massage.
Through Ayurvedaforall Dr. Nair offers online consultation to patients worldwide and has served hundreds of patients over the last 20 years. In addition to his Ayurvedic practice, he is the chief editor of ayurveda-amai.org, the online portal of Ayurveda Medical Association of India, and the state committee member of Ayurveda Medical Association of India.
Dr. Nair is a regular speaker at Ayurveda-related conferences and has visited Germany to propagate Ayurveda. You can write directly to him-
rajesh@ayurvedaforall.com
Whatsapp – +91 9446918019, +91 8075810816
URLs: https://www.ayurvedaforall.com/
https://www.ayurvedaforall.co.uk/
To give you a quick idea about Ayurvedaforall, we are a group of ayurvedic practitioners committed to propagating Ayurveda in its best tradition around the world. Our online store sells authentic ayurvedic formulations backed by professional advice. Now into the seventeenth year of operation, the site has helped us build a dedicated clientele which regularly uses our products and services as well as refers others to us. Needless to say, this has been achieved through our adherence to the highest standards of customer service and professional ethics.
Author information
The post Ayurvedic Treatment for Oral Lichen Planus appeared first on Ayurvedaforall UK Blog.
source https://www.ayurvedaforall.co.uk/blog/ayurvedic-treatment-oral-lichen-planus/
No comments:
Post a Comment