Successful management of guillain-barre syndrome management through Ayurveda: A case report

Abstract

Outcome of Ayurveda management in Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) is studied. A 43-year-old female patient diagnosed with GBS for 10 days approached our hospital. History revealed that the patient was immediately managed in an intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital for 9 days and was intervened with antibiotics, glucocorticoids, and intravenous immunoglobulins, but the patient's attenders were not satisfied with the clinical improvements. The patient has a sensory deficit in the whole body below the neck level, loss of power in all extremities, and hypotonia with loss of deep tendon reflexes in all limbs and was diagnosed as Sarvāṅga vāta. Treatment was with panchakarma procedures such as Sarvāṅga alēpa (medicated paste applied to the whole body), Pariṣēka (medicated liquid poured over the whole body), abhyaṅga (therapeutic whole-body massage), Ṣaṣṭika śālī piṇḍa svēda (sudation massage using bolus of boiled rice with balā mūla decoction and milk), Nirūha basti (type of enema therapy), Anuvāsana basti (enema therapy), Grīvā Basti (oil pooling at cervical region of spine), Śirōtalam (medicated paste applied over the scalp), and oral medications. Usually, clinical worsening is observed in the first 2 weeks and then reaches a plateau and recovery might begin. The patient got total relief from the symptoms on the 80th day of the treatment. The patient was observed for the next 175 days. Assessments through the Barthel index, modified Rankin Scale, NIH Stroke Scale, and nerve conduction study showed complete recovery. Ayurveda treatment was effective in total recovery of GBS.