World Hearing Day

 

Did You Know that March 3^rd is World Hearing Day? 

World Hearing Day is a day-long campaign by the World Health Organization (WHO) that focuses on spreading awareness of hearing defects and deafness, as well as sharing preventative strategies for maintaining “healthy hearing”. 

As of 2020, it is estimated that over 5% of the world population (466 million people) suffer from a disabling hearing issue, and this statistic is projected to double in the next 20 years. Additionally, the WHO estimates that over 1 billion young adults are at permanent risk of hearing failure due to unsafe listening patterns daily (i.e. headphones, music, etc.). Thus, the WHO has dedicated this day to learn about such issues, and easy-to-follow steps that will help ensure that an individual’s hearing does not depreciate. 

Therefore, to begin March with our “Did you know series”, we have decided to discuss preventive strategies as well as viable treatments (both from a Western and Eastern Background) to maintain healthy hearing! If you already employ these techniques, please take a moment, and share this article that others might find helpful! 

Firstly, what is “deafness and hearing loss”? According to the World Health Organization, hearing loss is when an individual cannot hear over the threshold of 20 decibels in both ears (a sound quieter than a whisper), while deafness is the innate loss of hearing where no sound is audible. These deficiencies can arise from genetics, however, in the context of this article, we will be discussing hearing loss that occurs due to unknowingly mistreatment. These mistreatments can be due to untreated infections, unregulated noise over a period, smoking, ototoxic (medicines or drugs that can affect hearing) chemicals, and prolonged wax stoppage. For the full list of causes, please visit the World Health Organization website to view a full list that spans from birth into adulthood. 

The preventative strategies that are commonly recommended are the converse of the causes. For example, an individual should monitor the amount and level of noise being heard every day, such as music through headphones, or in the car. High levels of noise through these methods are heavily present in the young adult communities and must be rectified by either reducing the noise or limiting the number of times the high noise is heard. If this lifestyle is still wanted, there are some external equipment, such as personal and permanent earplugs, to reduce the number of decibels experienced by an individual. Other ways to combat the loud noises are removing oneself from these environments, as well as allowing at least 18 hours of recovery if exposed to prolonged noises. Furthermore, it would be most prudent to get one’s hearing tested to discover the health of the hearing. Conversely, mindful meditation and yoga might suffice when controlling or transforming the mindset of wanting to experience loud noise in the first place. 

Although the most common causes are already stated, sometimes hearing loss does occur and treatments must be administered. The western viewpoint of these treatments ranges from according to the varying degrees of severity. To start, a practitioner might advise the removal of ear wax, which can be completed in a single session. However, if this is not the issue, a practitioner will then recommend several other options depending on the symptoms. In cases of infections, an audiologist might insert small tubing to help assist in the draining of fluids from the ear. Often, in most cases, an audiologist will recommend a hearing aid to alleviate any discomfort. However, in severe cases, an audiologist will implement surgical procedures to alleviate the hearing loss. These procedures can be due to abnormalities in the eardrum or ossicle bones, or in the direst of cases, cochlear implants are used. These treatments all have risks and benefits and should be discussed with a practitioner. These western treatments do have validity and history, and ancient treatments from Eastern Medicine are gaining acceptance in the west “new” from the area of Ayurveda. 

Ayurvedic Medicine addresses the whole person for healing, so it will take into consideration and choose methods of healing according to the constitution, age and condition of the person and look for root causes and best ways to remove them, as well as the nourishment and rejuvenation of the person afflicted, so typically treatments are in steps. Hearing has to do with the element of ether and air, or vata dosha, which we experience in the ears and on the skin, so oil applications are most beneficial along with addressing diet and lifestyle to balance vata dosha and it’s subdoshas of prana vayus which control movement and when impaired will affect the ears and the nervous system. In recent studies, Ayurvedic practitioners look to root causes of diseases and will often implement Karnapuran therapy to help combat Badhirya, or hearing loss. Karnapuran Therapy is the use of oils within the ear. These medicinal oils give all parts of the ear nourishment, including external ears, middle ear, inner ear, and eardrum, and can help combat multiple symptoms such as vertigo, tinnitus, swimmer’s ear, hearing loss, and reduce swelling due to infections. Ear wax can occur do to a imbalance of kapha dosha resulting from low agni or digestive capacity, so agni deepana and ama pachana or ways to improve digestive capacity and remove toxins are also addressed. Tinnitus or ringing in the ears is very common and can have multiple causes, so a skilled practitioner needs to determine the cause to make the correct recommendations. It can occur do to imbalances of vata, pitta or kapha dosha with issues of the nervous system, inflammation, the structure, congestion or allergies. 

Please remember today, and every day, that the health of your ears does matter!

For more information and Ayurvedic Consultation and treatments, please visit https://chayaveda.com/

For hearing consultation visit https://www.clearsoundaudiology.com/services/

A list of more resources is linked below.

Works Cited

“Deafness and Hearing Loss.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss.

“Hearing Loss.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 16 Apr. 2021, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373077.

Kotwal, Dr. Shweta, et al. “Concept of Lashunadi Taila Karnpooran as an Adjunctive in Treating Hearing Loss (Badhirya).” Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences, https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/832.

NHS Choices, NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/-5-ways-to-prevent-hearing-loss-/.

Victory, Joy. “Hearing Loss Treatment: What Are Your Options?” Healthy Hearing, 26 Apr. 2021, https://www.healthyhearing.com/help/hearing-loss/treatment#:~:text=Hearing%20loss%20treatment%20options&text=Hearing%20loss%20treatments%20include%20hearing,health%20conditions%20facing%20Americans%20today.

Web.s.ebscohost.com. https://web.s.ebscohost.com/abstract?direct=true&profile=ehost&scope=site&authtype=crawler&jrnl=13055992&AN=108438135&h=hDwZ0aNQjn1g%2bOH4MWxz3hDdVSYcHP2rO3Sm8vLeU7uwtTGcg11cNyqN5fe0S4htb6nk45pqTYlv0N8uYCfiYg%3d%3d&crl=c&resultNs=AdminWebAuth&resultLocal=ErrCrlNotAuth&crlhashurl=login.aspx%3fdirect%3dtrue%26profile%3dehost%26scope%3dsite%26authtype%3dcrawler%26jrnl%3d13055992%26AN%3d108438135.

“World Hearing Day 2022.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-hearing-day/2022. 

Did You Know......About Heart Healthy Foods and National Chili Day Recipe

 

Did you know... about Heart Healthy foods? 

As today is the last Thursday of February, we have decided to combine two different themes for our Thoughtful Thursday; International Heart Month and National Chili Day! 

Although International Heart Month is coming to an end, remember that taking care of your heart shouldn't just happen 28 days out of the year! One easy way to maintain your heart's health is to monitor what you're eating and eat according to your constitution, age and condition. However, eating a healthy diet is not synonymous with dieting, instead, it is focusing on foods that you should eat more of and foods to avoid, so it's not about limiting but improving the quality of your digestion by the food choices you make. By focusing on this ideal, the benefits are endless! These benefits can be the lowering of cholesterol levels, lowering of blood pressure, maintaining healthy body weight, improving energy and mood and much more! These are all crucial elements that help keep the heart strong and pumping! If an individual's diet is not regulated, it can lead to imbalances and eventually to serious illness, including heart failure, or in some cases fatality. Although it sounds daunting, it is much easier than one would think to improve our diet and our wellness index and since it's National Chili Day, we've included this Ayurvedic style chili dish recipe. This dish wonderfully blends multiple vegetables, along with protein sources to create both a tasty and healthy dish! The link for the dish will be typed below. 

Contact us for more details on how to live a healthier, lifestyle and Happy National Chili Day to all!

http://www.mindfulyogahealth.com/food/ayurveda-sweet-potato-black-bean-vegan-chili-recipe/

The Potential Of Loving Kindness

 

Did you know... that today (2/17) is National Random Acts of Kindness Day? To continue with our series about the human heart, we have decided to showcase that Love and Compassion spring forth from the heart, especially through acts of kindness.

In a recent study, it has been shown that Loving-Kindness Meditation, Compassion Meditation, and acts of kindness have strengthened the areas related to empathy, as well as intangible positive effects. Take this day to reflect on the kindness you have felt and experienced, and pay it forward to someone else.

Enjoy the day!

Read the complete study here

An Ayurvedic Approach To Treat Valvular Heart Disease; Hridroga

Did you know that Ayurveda can help treat and maintain the heart? This week we will be continuing our series on the heart in celebration of American Heart Month! For this week’s spotlight, we will be investigating how Ayurvedic practices can maintain the heart’s health, even in dire situations. 

In 2020, a case study was performed to investigate a patient who had tried every possible western medicine approach (diet change, exercise, and medication) to treat their valvular heart disease. With the only option being surgery, the participant elected to participate in the Ayurvedic study.

In most cases, Western medicines typically elect to prescribe changes in an individual’s diet, exercise, medication, or in severe cases, surgery. These solutions typically aim to lower an individual’s Blood Pressure (BP), Heart Rate (HR), and increase the function of their Cardiovascular System. However, in this case study, not only did these prescriptions exaggerate the patient’s symptoms but also accelerated the patient’s need for invasive heart surgery. The surgery would involve a mitral valve transplant. Furthermore, the patient turned to a team of researchers to alleviate their condition instead of surgery. 

Before and after treatment, special care was given to apply techniques and methods of modern science to test and validate the results. Most of the modern doctors didn't accept the 3D cardiovascular test, so an echo test was also done for their acceptance of modern fraternity and to establish the efficacy of the age old indigenous System, Ayurveda.

In Sanskrit, the language of Ayurvedic texts, Hrid means heart and in these texts 2 complications of the heart referred to as Amavata (elevated vata with ama) are explained. One is Hridayavishuddhi and another is Hridgraha (Cardiology in Ayurveda by Dr.V.B.Athavale). Hridayvishudhi may be considered as the unclean state of the heart and Hridgraha as the impaired condition. Due to regular and prolonged accumulation of the ama in the heart, the proper function of the heart may get impaired. Accumulation of ama in the endocardium gives rise to valvular heart disease, called Amajwara and Hridyavishuddhi is one of its symptoms. In Charaka Samhita (Ayurvedic text) there are many clinical features of hridroga, which may correspond to symptoms of valvular heart disease. 

The treatment in this study focuses on correcting the imbalanced vata (a dosha), rasa (body fluids), rakta (blood), and the mamsa (flesh/muscle of the heart). The mamsa is an important aspect of treatment because it is the flesh/muscle that needs to be treated, but the rasa and rakta also prove to be fundamental in the maintenance and preservation of the heart because they are the essential components that feed and nurture the heath of both the fluids and blood, that ensure the heart is constantly working. 

With these explanations, the researchers developed an Ayurvedic treatment plan to alleviate the patient’s joint pain, breathing labors, and chest pains. The first component of the treatment is Langhana, or a light diet/fasting along with Virechana, a mild purgation (cleansing) of one’s ama (toxins) from the body. 

The treatment is given in tandem with the use of Ayurvedic medicines that are selected mainly for having Deepana-Pachana-Hridya properties. Deepana-Pachana medicines are used to help stimulate digestion enzymes (agni) to remove ama. 

Once the ama is completely removed from the participant’s body (when the participant feels light-bodied),  the aim was to rebuild or correct the degenerated valves to its original texture by administering pushtikrit or kshayanashanam medicines, where the participant was instructed to use Rasayana (tonics) and Ojaskara Oushadhas (medicines) for the rest of the treatment, which effectively rebuild the damaged valves, reduce joint swellings (due to the absence of ama), and mediate the rasa, rakta, and mamsa. Finally, the patient is treated with multiple Kashayams (herbal decoctions), Arishtas (fermented decoctions), Herbal Tablets and Herrak Bhasmams (made from ash), Ghandarvashtadi for purgation, Pichu (pouring of oil) on the heart (similar to Hrdaya Basti) with Dhanwantaram Tailam, along with dietary protocols that included rice kanji and to calm the mind specific instructions for breathing exercises and meditation were included.

Detailed symptoms, specific treatments provided and laboratory and clinical findings are listed in a chart in the study, link below.

After 6 months of treatment, a follow-up investigation was conducted where the Mitral Valve had shown repairs as well as growth in the patient’s heart. Additionally, the patient was asked and stated that they were completely satisfied as their fatigue, chest pains, and associated symptoms have decreased and were no longer noticeable. The quality of personal and official life of the patient had improved significantly and instead of a bleak future she developed confidence and an experience of well-being. 

Although this is a case study, it produced conclusive evidence that Ayurvedic heart treatment is useful and needs further research and discussion. 

To read the study that includes the complete list and dosage of the medications used, please follow this link with the awareness that Ayurvedic treatment is based according to the individual and may differ from person to person and taking treatment under the advice of a Ayurvedic Professional is needed to insure proper administration.

To learn more:
Schedule an Ayurvedic Consultation with Chaya
Take a Ayurvedic Massage & Bodywork course with Chaya 
Take a Yoga Teacher Training with Chaya
Take a Ayurveda & Yoga Training with Chaya

The Vagus Nerve As A Biomarker For Vata Dosha Activity

 

In honor of February being American Heart Month, the ChayaVeda team has decided to create a series investigating new studies on the heart, or associated tissues, and complimentary Ayurvedic theory and practices. 

For many years there have been a common belief that Eastern and Western medicine practices are separate entities, that do not overlap, or relate to one another. However, with emerging research and studies, it is coming to light that not only are they related, but they also have a symbiotic relationship where one affects the other.

 Therefore, for this week’s “Did You Know” series, we will be highlighting the interconnected relationship between the Vagus Nerve and Vata Dosha in the digestive system as major koshta, koshtasthavata or “gut” regulators. 

Firstly, not only does the vagus nerve innervate the heart, but it also serves as a regulator for both the respiratory and digestive systems. In the digestive system, afferent vagus branches send information concerning “appetite, stress, food intake, and food composition” via the gut-brain link to the brain. Once the information is processed, the efferent vagus nerve branches signal, either directly or indirectly, other organs and tissues to maintain the gut homeostasis, inflammation, and other processes that directly affect an individual’s immune system.

 In Western Cultures, it is believed that the vagus nerve is solely responsible for this maintenance, however, in recent research studies, it is shown that the vagus nerve stimulates Vata Dosha in the digestive system as well. The gut-brain link we have seen before with the vagus nerve, is also seen involved with Prana and Apana, two of the major sub-groups of Vata Dosha. When these sub-groups are affected, there is a noticeable difference in gastrointestinal motility, which is in turn interpreted by the vagus nerve. Additionally, the integrity of the Koshta (GI Tract) and Pakwashaya (large intenstine) are critical in maintaining the Prana and Apana Vata sub-groups, which in turn ensures the gut’s homeostasis. As you can see both the Vata Dosha and Vagus nerves work interconnectedly to maintain the digestive system’s homeostasis and are not so different after all. 

Chaya delves into Vata Dosha and the sub-doshas of vata in both the Marma Chikitsa and Sinus/SANS modules of the Ayurvedic Massage & Bodywork Program, as well as her Yoga Teacher Training and Ayurvedic Yoga Immersion, since it is a foundational component of both Yoga and Ayurvedic Treatment. 

Research Study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0975947619300920. 

To learn more visit:

https://chayaveda.com/school-of-massage

https://chayaveda.com/school-of-yoga

https://chayaveda.com/ayurveda-%26-yoga-immersion

To schedule an Ayurvedic Consultations: https://chayaveda.com/services