ABSTRACT
Constipation is a frequent cause of distress in advanced cancer. A palliative care unit in Kerala, a southern state of India, conducted a controlled trial comparing a liquid Ayurvedic (herbal) preparation (Misrakasneham) with a conventional laxative tablet (Sofsena) in the management of opioid-induced constipation in patients with advanced cancer. Although there was no statistically significant difference in the apparent degree of laxative action between the two, the results indicate that the small volume of the drug required for effective laxative action, the tolerable taste, the once-daily dose, the acceptable side effect profile, and the low cost make Misrakasneham a good choice for prophylaxis in opioid-induced constipation. There is a need for further studies of Ayurvedic medicines in palliative care.
Subject(s)
Analgesics, Opioid/adverse effects , Cathartics/therapeutic use , Constipation/drug therapy , Morphine/adverse effects , Senna Extract/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Constipation/chemically induced , Female , Humans , Male , Medicine, Ayurvedic , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Filariasis is known to medical science over many centuries. It is a disease of tropical countries due to the presence of microfilaria. The effected areas are large and elephantoid in appearance, so it is called 'Elephantiasis'. A non-parasitic form of Elephantiasis occurs when the lymphatics are blocked. In Ayurveda this disease is termed as Shlipada.
