Shreevidya Herbal Research Center Private Limited

Ambarnath, Thane, Maharashtra

Gout is a kind of arthritis.It is a disease in which crystals of uric acid are deposited in the joints, tendons, and skin. Most commonly affecting men, gout emerges as the sudden development of swollen, warm, tender joints, especially at the big (great) toe, ankle, wrist, and knee. Gout is a disease, mainly affecting small joints. It is also related with disorders of the kidney. Gout occurs more commonly in those who eat a lot of meat, or are overweight. Gout if left untreated can cause irreversible damage.

Multiple sclerosis (ms) is an inflammatory disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. The name multiple sclerosis refers to scars (scleroses—better known as plaques or lesions) particularly in the white matter of the brain and spinal cord, which is mainly composed of myelin. In this process, myelin – the fatty substance that coats and protects the nerve fibers in the brain and the spinal cord gets damaged. The damage of myelin leads to demyelination (damage of myelin causing slowing down or withdrawal of nerve impulses thereby leading to neurological problems, multiple areas of scarring (sclerosis) and a range of other multiple sclerosis symptoms. Ms occurs in a wide range of people in all ages. However, the occurrence is more common in adults between the ages of 20 years to 40 years. Also, ms is seen to be more common among females. Nerve cells in the human body communicate with each other within the brain and the spinal cord by sending electrical signals ‘action potentials’ down long fibers called axons. This communication between the nerve cells plays a major role in optimum regulation of all functions in the body. The axons that help the communication between nerve cells are wrapped in an insulating substance called myelin. In ms, the body’s own immune system attacks and damages the myelin. Once this happens, the axons can no longer conduct signals effectively. As a result of this, one or more neurological symptoms can be seen along with further progression of the disease into physical and cognitive disability.

Alzheimer’s is a physically progressing disease that affects the brain. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia-memory loss (However, Alzheimer’s disease may not necessarily be the only factor determining Dementia). Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by symptoms including hearing difficulties, problems in reasoning, language and perception. Problems with performing known tasks, losing or misplacing things, loss of sense with respect to time and place are commonly seen in patients. The intensity or level of impairment varies with each patient. Patients of Alzheimer’s disease find it very difficult to lead a normal life due to the chaotic situations likely to be created everyday with the symptoms that they suffer. The families of such patients are in turn affected as they remain deeply concerned and apprehensive about the patient’s life which also has an impact on their own life. Alzheimer’s disease is usually found in older people after the age of 70 however it need not be a normal phenomenon with ageing since it is seen that some people aging beyond 90 or more years may have never developed the disease. It is also important to understand that a certain amount of forgetting naturally occurs with increase in age of humans and forgetting may not necessarily mean Alzheimer’s disease. It is best to consult a doctor before jumping to conclusions.

‘Osteo’ means ‘of the bone’. Osteoporosis literally means ‘porous bones.’ Osteoporosis is the thinning/degeneration of bones that occurs with age. The Bone Mineral Density (BMD) declines with age and bones become weak and fragile making them more susceptible to fracture. Bones become porous, compressible almost like a sponge. In most cases symptoms are not noticed superficially till a fracture occurs in the bone. Bones affected by Osteoporosis can break even with a relatively minor injury as compared to normal healthy bones. The spine, hips, ribs, and wrists are common areas of bone fractures from osteoporosis. However, fractures can occur in any other affected bone in the body. It is therefore important to keep our bones healthy right from an early age with good dietary habits, exercise and thus ensure a healthy lifestyle.

The word Osteoarthritis is derived from Greek language. Osteo meaning “of the bone”, arthr meaning “joint” and itis meaning “inflammation”. Thus Osteoarthritis means ‘inflammation of joints’. Osteoarthritis (OA) also known as degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease(DJD), or osteoarthrosis, is a type of joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone.The most common symptoms are joint pain and stiffness. Initially, symptoms may occur only following exercise, but over time may become constant. Other symptoms may include joint swelling, decreased range of motion, and weakness or numbness of the arms and legs in cases where the back (backbone-spinal column) has been affected. The most commonly involved joints are those near the ends of the fingers, at the base of the thumb, neck, lower back, knees, and hips. Joints on one side of the body are often more affected than those on the other. Usually the problem crops up gradually over the years with increase in the age of a person. It can affect work as well as normal routine activities in life particularly the ones involving fine motor skills. Unlike other types of arthritis, only the joints are typically affected in Osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks itself, causing chronic joint inflammation. While it primarily affects joints, it can also cause inflammation of organs as the disease progresses. People with RA may experience an increase in symptoms –called flares – that can last for days or weeks. They may also have periods of remission where they have few or no symptoms. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis in modern system of medicine, but non steroid anti inflammatory drugs(NSAID) and steroids are given which according to some slow the progression of the disease and ease symptoms. The side effects of these drugs are sever.

Dysmenorrhea (painful periods / difficulty in monthly flow) is experienced as pain along with cramps associated with the menstruation cycle. It is the most commonly found pain among women. Dysmenorrhea can be classified into two types primary and secondary dysmenorrhea. Symptoms symptoms typically last from 1 to 3 days. Pain usually begins around the time when menstruation begins. The pain is usually in the pelvis or lower abdomen. Other symptoms may include back pain, diarrhea, or nausea. The cramping and pain usually start a day or two before the period begins with the most severe discomfort occurring on the first day of menstruation. There are more than 150 symptoms known and some of the more common ones include depression, bloating, fatigue, social withdrawal, angry outbursts, breast tenderness, vague aches and pains, menstrual migraines, and weight gain. The cause primary dysmenorrhea is caused due to excessive levels of prostaglandins; hormones that make the uterus contract during menstruation and childbirth. Its pain mostly results from contractions of the uterus that occur when the blood supply to its lining (endometrium) is reduced. Other factors that may make the pain of primary dysmenorrhea even worse include a uterus that tilts backward (retroverted uterus) instead of forward, lack of exercise, psychological or social stress, smoking, drinking alcohol, being overweight, and early beginning of the menstruation cycle( before age of 11.) it is more common among those with heavy periods, irregular periods, whose periods started before twelve years of age, or who have a low body weight. Conditions that should be ruled out include ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, interstitial cystitis, and chronic pelvic pain.

Perimenopause means “around menopause” and refers to the time period during which a woman’s body makes its natural transition towards permanent infertility (menopause) or the cessation of the menstrual cycle in a woman in simple words. Perimenopause is also called the menopausal transition. Women start perimenopause at different ages. You may notice signs of progression toward menopause, such as menstrual irregularity, sometime in your 40s. But some women notice changes as early as their mid-30s. The level of your estrogen — the main female hormone — rises and falls unevenly during perimenopause. Your menstrual cycles may lengthen or shorten, and you may begin having menstrual cycles in which your ovaries don’t release an egg (ovulate). You may also experience menopause-like symptoms, such as hot flashes, sleep problems and vaginal dryness. The average length of perimenopause is 4 years, but for some women this stage may last only a few months or continue for 10 years. Perimenopause ends when a woman has gone 12 months without having her period and is then referred to as a menopause. It is of immense importance that every women attempts to understand and accept the changes going on in her body and deal with this usually difficult period. The family also plays an important role with respect to the support, both physically and emotionally , needed by a woman.