Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers majority of the internal organs (known as Mesothelium).
Concept of Mesothelioma according to Ayurveda
Ayurveda mentions Cancer as Granthi (benign tumours)or Arbuda (malignancy). Ayurveda has three body control system that coordinates the body functions and growth. When one or two of the three bodily systems goes out of control, body tries to coordinate among these systems. Cancer affects all the three major bodily system(tridoshas), losing mutual coordination and thus cannot prevent tissue damage, resulting in a deadly morbid condition. Along with tridoshas it also vitiates the dhatus (bodily tissues).
Causes Of Mesothelioma
- Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of the cancer. Mesothelioma develops when a person ingests asbestos, and it causes changes to a person’s DNA. Our genes, which are made of DNA, control how cells grow, multiply and die. Changes in our genes may cause cells to divide out of control and may lead to cancer. When asbestos is disturbed, microscopic fibers are released into the air and inhaled or ingested. Asbestos fibers become lodged in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart and testes, causing inflammation and leading to the development of mesothelioma.
- Hereditary factors
FAQ/Points Covered/Article Includes
- What are the first signs of mesothelioma?
- What are the main causes of mesothelioma?
- Types of Mesothelioma
- What are the symptoms of Mesothelioma
- Ayurvedic view of Mesothelioma
- Ayurvedic treatment for mesothelioma
- What are the complications of mesothelioma?
- How can we prevent mesothelioma?
- What are the diet and life style adaptation in mesothelioma?
- Best herbal medicine for mesothelioma
- Best Ayurvedic natural home remedies for mesothelioma
- Is Yoga beneficial for mesothelioma?
- Best yoga postures for mesothelioma
- Vegetarian and non-vegetarian diet for mesothelioma?
- Ayurvedic diet for mesothelioma
- How Ayurveda prevents mesothelioma?
- Herbal tea for mesothelioma
- Ayurvedic treatment as co therapy for mesothelioma
- What are rejuvenation therapies for Mesothelioma?
Symptoms Of Mesothelioma
- Dry cough
- Shortness of breath
- Respiratory complications
- Pain in the chest or abdomen
- Fever or night sweats
- Pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs)
- Fatigue
- Weakness in the muscle
These signs and symptoms vary depending on the site of mesothelioma.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, affects the tissue that surrounds the lungs, causes signs and symptoms that may include:
- Chest pain
- Painful coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Unusual lumps of tissue under the skin on your chest
- Unexplained weight loss
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma, which occurs in tissue in the abdomen, causes signs and symptoms that may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal swelling
- Nausea
- Unexplained weight loss
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma, affects tissue that surrounds the heart, can cause signs and symptoms
- Breathing difficulty and chest pains
Testicular Mesothelioma
Testicular Mesothelioma, affects tissue surrounding the testicles
- swelling or a mass on a testicle
Pericardial Mesothelioma and Testicular Mesothelioma are the rarest type. These Mesothelioma symptoms usually do not show until tumors have grown and spread. Mesothelioma latency is 10-50 years. Due to long latency period symptoms takes longer years to develop after exposure.
Complication Of Cancer
Cancer and its treatment can cause several complications like:
- Bio-Chemical changes in body
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Pain
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Breathing difficulty
- Spreading of cancer to other cells and organs
Mesothelioma In Ayurveda
The vitiated Vata or the air body humor is responsible for the abnormal and rapid growth of cancer cells and the Kapha element (bodily humor that governs liquid and solid part of body) causes the tumour to increase in size and density.
The vitiated doshas then go on to involve the other seven dhatus or body tissues mainly Rakta (blood tissue) and Mamsa (muscle tissue).
How To Prevent Cancer In Ayurveda?
Ayurveda suggests to follow a healthy regimen that does not lead to the aggravation of doshas (bio energies). To maintain this health- a good code of conduct and way of living like… Daily regimen, seasonal regimen, way of eating and diet plans etc should be practiced. Following good personal and social code of conduct helps to gain long, peaceful, happy and healthy life. In Ayurveda, through Prakruthi (body constitution) assessment, the dosha predominance can be identified in an individual and can predict the increased probability of illness and accordingly help in prevention and early detection of diseases. Panchakarma procedures also help in minimizing the future risk of cancer by purifying the system. Season wise Panchakarma therapies should be carried out in a healthy individual to prevent cancer. Individuals with family history of cancer should undergo Panchakarma therapies as a preventative care.
Ayurvedic Treatment For Mesothelioma
The main of Ayurvedic treatment is to control the cancerous growth, prevent or reduce its spread to the other parts of the body and to improve the overall survival of the patient. Ayurvedic herbal immunomodulatory agents are used in high doses to boost the immune system of the affected individual and to help fight against the cancer. Depending on the presentation of the disease, symptomatic treatment are given for symptoms like chest infection, fever, haemoptysis, pneumothorax, etc.
Cancer treatment in Ayurveda works on improving the quality of life of the patient through rejuvenation therapies. It aims at improving the immune response, correction of digestive system and improving the circulatory mechanism. Ayurvedic treatments like organ specific medications, panchakarma therapies, rejuvenation therapies and herbal preparations are useful. Other procedures with medicated oil like body massage, Shiro dhara(oil dripping therapy) are beneficial in treating the mind and body.
Internal medications
Ayurvedic semi solid preparations like Rasayana avaleha has rejuvenation properties, improves the quality of life and can be taken along with chemo or radiotherapy. Rasayana preparation like Ashwagandha Rasayana, Brahma Rasayana, Chyavanaprasha, Narasimha Rasayana, etc.
Medications those are good for heart includes:
Dadimarishtha, Dadimadyavaleha, Madiphala Rasayana, chavanaprasham, Indu kuvalayadi kashayam.
Medications those are good for lungs include:
Agasthya Rasayanam, Punarnavadhi lehyam, madhupipalyavaleham.
Medication those are good for abdomen include:
Pravalapanchamrutha rasa, Gudapippali, Panchapanchamoola Kashayam, Balajeerakadhi Kashayam, Dashamooladhi Lehyam, Drakshadhi Lehyam, Vilwadi Lehyam.
Medication those are good for testis include:
Vastyamayantaka Ghrita, Ashwagandha Rasayanam, Shatavaryadi Ghrita.
Ayurvedic Treatment As Co-Therapy For Mesothelioma
Ayurvedic treatments as co-therapy with chemo or radiation therapy are much beneficial and supportive to the patients. In order to withstand the side effects of chemo and radiation therapies, antioxidant Ayurvedic herbs are useful. Ayurvedic drugs work significantly in the complications arising from chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Ayurvedic drugs have been proved effective in some of the side effect that arise due to the treatment of cancer like nausea, decreased appetite, hair loss, excess salivary secretion, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, ascites, weight loss, sexual dysfunction, anxiety, depression, fatigue, liver and kidney disorders. Ayurveda provides extensive knowledge of herbs and treatment strategies. During chemotherapy or radiotherapy Ayurveda can help as well to reduce the side-effects of the treatment and assist the body in its recovery process. Ayurveda medicines improve the nutritional status and combat the complications. Therefore, Ayurvedic medicines can be prescribed along with chemotherapy and radiotherapy for better results.
Medications like Gugguluthikthaka kashaya, kanchanara guggulu, Triphala choorna, Ashwaganda choorna, Gokshuradi Guggulu ,etc can be used along with allopathic treatment.
Diet And Life Style Adaptation In Mesothelioma
Vegetarian diet
- Cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage
- Tomato, carrot
- Beans and legumes
- Green leafy vegetables
- Flaxseed
Non-vegetarian diet
- Good protein sources food like lean meat, fish and egg can be taken.
Other diet:
- Citrus fruits
- Turmeric, garlic, ginger,
- Nuts
- Olive oil
- Whole grains
- Lean protein
- Healthy fat
- Cow milk, ghee / goat milk
No single food can protect against cancer. Eating a diet full of diverse whole food such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, spices, healthy fat, fresh fish, high quality dairy products may reduce the risk of cancer.
Food To Avoid In Mesothelioma
- Deep fried food
- Maida and bakery products
- Raw food or salads
- Sugar and salt(limited use)
- Tobacco and alcohol
- Processed food, saturated fat
- Smoked food
- Over cooked food
- Processed dairy products.
- In-compatible food
- Red meat
Life Style Adaptations In Mesothelioma
- Avoid late night dinner.
- Take food only after digestion of previous meal.
- Once a week fasting
- Maintain a healthy body weight.
- Follow a routine exercise regimen.
- Eat at regular time.
- Good sleep( minimum 6 t 7 hours of sleep)
- Regular Yoga practice and meditation.
Natural Ayurvedic Home Remedies For Mesothelioma
There are no proven natural remedies to cure Mesothelioma, but there are effective natural remedies to support cancer patients for improving health and reducing the side effects of other treatments.
Effective Ayurvedic Herbs For Mesothelioma
Herbal medicines may lessen cancer symptoms and enhance certain cancer treatments. Medicines are made from herbs and administered in capsules, teas, creams and tinctures (concentrates of herbs in an alcohol solution). Scientific studies have proven certain herbs are effective at reducing cancer symptoms and improving the effects of cancer treatment.
Herbs like Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera), Kantakari (Solanum indicum), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) are useful in cancer treatment.
- Neem
- Tinospora
- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
- Turmeric
- Fenugreek
- Holy basil
- Ginger
- Cinnamon
- Garlic
- Indian gooseberry
- Semecarpus anacardium / marking nut
- Aloe Vera
- Moringa
Any formulations with these herbs can be included in the daily routine. They have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancerous properties. Intake of herbs during the radio–chemo therapy should be done only after discussion with your consulting Physician.
Herbal Tea For Mesothelioma
- Green tea
- Tea prepared by using ginger, garlic, turmeric, cinnamon, holy basil is also beneficial.
Yoga Asanas For Mesothelioma
Yoga asanas support the physical, psychological and emotional sufferings that disease creates. Yoga helps to tone the internal organ functions and improves the blood circulation. Practicing yoga asanas helps in calming the entire body and mind. Yoga helps the cancer patients overcome the negative effects of the disease. Stimulates the muscles, increase blood supply, balance the glands and helps in internal purification process. Yoga is effective in lowering the stress level, strengthening immune functions and rejuvenates a person enough to fight for their lives. Apart from these asanas (postures) Pranayama(breathing exercise),meditation are also helpful. Some of the best yoga asanas for cancer are below:
- Chair Pose
- Tree Pose
- Bridge Pose
- Corpse Pose
- Half Sun Salutation
- Reclining Butterfly Pose
