It is an uncommon degenerative disorder of the brain involving permanent and progressive damage to the areas of the brain controlling balance, gait and eye movements.
It is also known by the name of the scientists who first described this condition as Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome.
It may affect any individual randomly without any predisposition with respect to gender, race or geographical preference.
So far, there is no cure for this condition and PSP remains as one of many degenerative disorders of the brain whose treatment mostly depends upon the management of its signs and symptoms.
Symptoms
- Major symptom of the condition includes an inability to balance the body properly while walking.
- Difficulty in aiming eyes like looking upwards or downwards.
- Difficulty in reading and seeing one object as two due to inability to focus correctly on it.
- Difficulty in swallowing which may progressively increase
- Inefficient speech
- Frequent falling due to postural imbalance and visual problems
- Stiffness in the body, it may be bent backwards.
- Colliding with people or objects very frequently.
- Increased sensitivity to light.
- Depression and anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
- Rigidity of facial muscles giving the face a striking look.
- Urinary incontinence and constipation
- Difficulty in keeping good memory, problem solving and decision making.
Differentiation From Other Similar Degenerative Disorders of the Brain
PSP bears a lot of similarity with respect to the signs and symptoms and the onset of the disease to a lot of other brain diseases like Parkinson’s, multiple systems atrophy, stroke, encephalitis, head trauma etc.
But the visual, speech and balancing problems are much more common to PSP patients and a number of striking visual problems make it even more peculiar a condition amongst all other similar ones.
Managing a Patient of PSP
A very important aspect of treatment and management of a patient of PSP is the support he gets from his family and colleagues in response to his progressive deterioration of physical as well as mental health.
It is very important that a patient’s family members understand his disease completely and the challenges that the patient has to face everyday both physically as well as emotionally.
If the patient’s family realizes this and offers him the desired support, they can make him feel a lot better emotionally, helping him develop a positive attitude towards his condition.
Ayurvedic Point of View
Ayurveda is an alternative system of medicine dealing with holistic health for the body with the use of five elements of nature known as Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space.
Lately, people have gathered a lot of interest in looking at their body and health through the point of view of Ayurveda.
Most of us today are aware of the fact that medicines do more harm than good for our body and if we want to live a healthy and long life, we will have to keep away from these medicines as much as possible. Another thing is to be more adaptive and aware of our own body and what it demands from us to keep it healthy and safe from regular wear and tear.
Ayurveda as a holistic science, offers the right knowledge about our human body and how by making minor variations in our way of living we can achieve great health and fight the deadliest of diseases with ease.
Since rehabilitation is a very important aspect of a PSP patient, Ayurvedic treatment and procedures can be very effective in naturally imparting a better maintenance of health in them.
Can Natural Supplements Help a Patient of PSP ?
As already mentioned above, there is no set treatment procedure for a patient of PSP. In such cases, rehabilitation and basic maintenance of diet and daily routine can be of great help in making lives better in such patients.
Natural supplements can act as a very healthy dietary routine that can help in naturally protecting and maintaining the body and its functioning.
Natural Supplements For a Healthy Mind and Body
Planet Ayurveda has a number of health supplements that have an overall healthy impact on the body in a very natural way. Given below are some of the natural preparations from Planet Ayurveda.
1. Boswellia Curcumin
It is a capsule formulation containing standardized extracts of both these herbs.
Dose: 1 Capsule, twice a day.
2. Ashwagandha Capsules
Another capsule formulation containing standardized extracts of Ashwagandha herb. Herb Ashwagandha is considered a Rasayana in Ayurveda, which means, it naturally helps in maintaining the mind and body.
Dose: 1 Capsule, twice a day.
3. Hakam Churna
A herbal blend of Nigella sativa, Lepidium sativum, Trigonella foenumgraecum and Trachyspermum ammi, hakam churna is a very effective combination to balance vata disorders as per Ayurveda.
It is a healthy, dietary supplement for people.
Dose: 1 Teaspoonfull, twice daily.
4. Shilajit Capsules
It is a very popular dietary supplement containing standardized extracts of Shilajit (Asphaltum).
Dose: 1 Capsule, twice a day.
5. Giloy Capsules
It contains standardized extracts of Giloy herb (Tinospora cordifolia). Giloy is also a very good Rasayana in Ayurveda.
Dose: 1 Capsule, twice a day.
