Abstract

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF IGG DISEASES IN AYURVEDA

Shereen Sreenivas*, Muralidhara and Sindhura A. S.

ABSTRACT

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an increasingly recognized syndrome of unknown etiology, which is comprised of a collection of disorders that share specific pathologic, serologic, and clinical features. IgG4-RD, a multi-organ disease, has a tendency for the following organs: pancreas, bile ducts, lacrimal glands, major salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, sublingual), lungs, kidneys, aorta, meninges, thyroid gland. Patients often present with subacute development of a mass in the affected organ or diffuse enlargement of an organ. It is more common in middle-aged and older men, is also seen in women, and has been reported in children. Lymphadenopathy is common, and symptoms of asthma or allergy may be present. The pathogenesis of IgG4-RD remains incompletely understood. The diagnosis of IgG4-RD generally requires piecing together clues from several areas including Clinical findings, Serological data, Radiology studies, Pathology results. If diagnosed before serious organ damage has occurred, IgG4-RD typically responds well to treatment but chronic therapy and the attempts to avoid side-effects of treatment, particularly glucocorticoids, remain the rule. In Ayurveda, the basic concept of inflammation can be analysed under the concept of Agnivaishamya leading to Ama, Ajirna, later to Grahani. The analysis and treatment are discussed in the article.

Keywords: IgG4 related diseases, Ama, Ajirna, Grahani, Pranavaha Srotas.