Struggling with Multiple Sclerosis and Gut Health Management - #36863

Thank you for reaching out and trusting this platform with your health issues I can deeply understand how difficult it feels when the body is in pain energy is low and even preparing food becomes overwhelming Living with multiple sclerosis brings its own daily challenges and when digestion and bowel movements also become irregular it can make you feel helpless and disconnected from your body But please know that even gentle small steps can slowly bring balance back and ayurveda always begins exactly from where you are with compassion and practicality not pressure It’s beautiful that your instincts already guided you toward what ayurveda teaches Your awareness of which foods agree with you and your preference for warmth and simplicity are signs that your inner intelligence is still strong Sweet potatoes are nourishing and soothing to the digestive tract especially when your system feels unstable Avoid raw foods cold foods Sip warm water Fennel cumin tea Avipattikara churna 0-0-1/2 tsp with warm water Giloy tab 1-0-1 Shankapuspi churna 1/2-0-1/2 tsp with warm water

Take Ashwagandha capsule 0-0-1 Triphala churna 1/2 at night Shankapuspi syrup 10-0-10 ml Stay hydrated Avoid cold drinks raw salads fried oily processed foods

Hello Multiple sclerosis is a challenging, hat off to you the way you manage . You can have sweet potato, also vegetables like Doodhi ( gourd) , potatoes, soft rice can be taken Massage your body with sesame oil during winter season and coconut oil during summer season.followed by warm water bath. Do pranayam lom -vilom bhastrika bhamri 5-10mins daily Start with Tablet Liv-52 1-0-1 after food with water Laxadi guggul 1-0-1 after food with water Ashwagandha churan 0-0-1tsp at bedtime with warm milk.

Take ashwagandhalehyam 1tsp, Sutashekar ras gold 1tab, bilwasava 20ml bd, kutajarista 20ml bd enough,

Managing multiple sclerosis alongside gut health concerns can indeed be challenging, especially given the symptoms you’re experiencing. Re-establishing a healthy digestive routine using Ayurvedic principles can be quite effective. Since you find sweet potatoes agreeable, let’s build upon that ease of preparation.

Start by focusing on optimizing your agni (digestive fire), as Ayurveda emphasizes its importance for overall health. Drinking a glass of warm water with lemon powder and a small amount of maple syrup in the morning is a good practice. It helps to awaken the digestive system and could be complemented with ginger. You can use ginger powder or grated ginger boiled briefly in water, which when cooled slightly, can be mixed into your morning drink.

Regarding meals, kitchari— a simple dish made from mung dal and rice with digestive spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric—could be beneficial. It’s easy to digest and can be prepared in batches. If kitchen work is taxing, you might enlist help for batch cooking, storing portions and freezing them for simplicity.

Spices play an essential role in Ayurveda by aiding digestion. Incorporate fennel seeds or ajwain, they can be lightly toasted and consumed after meals to alleviate bloating or digestive discomfort. Sipping cumin-coriander-fennel tea through the day can also soothe your gut and balance digestion.

Since sweet potatoes work for you, you might explore variations like adding ghee and cardamom or even combining them with easily steamed greens like spinach to boost nutritional value. It’s vital to avoid foods the aggravate your Vata dosha, prevalent in MS. Stay clear of cold, raw foods, processed items or anything heavy on the system. Stick with warm, cooked, and mildly spiced dishes.

Don’t forget lifestyle adjustments; short, gentle movements, pranayama or breathing exercises, can help circulate prana and reduce pain, decrease stress levels and support digestion. Implement these gradually, listen to your body’s signals—take it slow, and constant.

With your bowel irregularity, it’s critical to target consistency. Triphala, an Ayurvedic herbal blend, could be supportive in regulating bowel movements. Take it in powder or tablet form in the evening with warm water. But, consult a healthcare provider before integrating new herbs or supplements into your regimen to ensure they’re safe for you.

HELLO SHULLAMIT,

In Ayurveda, Multiple sclerosis is seen as a vata vyadhi- a disorder of the vata dosha, which governs the nervous system,movement, and communication between brain and body. -Overtime, Ama (toxic buildup from poor digestion ) and kapha imbalance (causing heaviness and stiffness) join with vata to damage the nerves - leading to fatigue, numbness, stiffness, and bowel irregularities -Your gut (agni/digestive fire) is weak, so food isn’t fully digested- producing toxins that travel through the blood stream and irritate nerves -This imbalance affects both the gut (grahani) and the brain- spine network

IN SIMPLE TERMS Your digestion is the foundation of your strength. when digestion weakens , toxins accumulate and disturb the body’s communication system (the nerves).

TREATMENT GOALS -regulate digestion and bowel movements -eliminate ama (toxins) from the gut and tissues -balance vata and Kapha doshas reduces dryness, stiffness, ad pain - nourish nerve tissue and rebuild strength -reduce pain and fatigue -improve mental calmness and sleep

INTERNAL MEDICATIONS

1) TRIPHALA CHURNA= 1 tsp with warm water at bedtime =cleases gut, balances bowels, removes toxins gently

2) DASHMOOLA KASHAYA= 20 ml with equal warm water twice daily before meals for 3 months = reduces inflammation, pain, balances vata

3) ASHWAGADHA CAPSULES= 1 cap twice daily after meals for 3 moths =strengthens nerve and muscles, reduces stress

4) BRAHMI VATI= 1 tab twice daily after meals for 3 months =improves brain and nerve function

5) TRIKATU CHURNA= 1/4 tsp with honey before meals for 3 weeks =rekindles digestive fire

6) MAHAYOGARAJ GUGGULU= 1 tab twice daily after meals for 3 months =releievs stiffness , reduces inflamamtion

LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT

1) KEEP WARMTH ALWAYS= avoid exposure to cold wid, cold water, or skipping meals 2) SLEEP WELL= go to bed early, lack of rest aggravates vata 3) STAY CALM AND STEADY= emotional stress directly worsens MS flares 4) AVOID fasting, raw salads, cold drinks, processed foods, caffeine, and excess sugar 5) EAT WHEN CALM= avoid eating in front of screens or while upset 6) MAINTAIN GENTLE DAILY ROUTINE= irregularity disturbs digestion and vata

YOGA ASANAS -pawanmuktasana= supports digestion -supta baddha konasana= relaxes abdomen and nerves -balasana= calms vata - tadasana= improves balance -vajrasana= enhances digestion

PRANAYAM -Anulom vilom= balance brain hemispheres. calms vata -Bhramari= relaxes nerves -Deep diaphragmatic breathing= enhances parasymphatatic acitivty

DIET -warm, soft, moist cooked foods -ghee, sesame oil ,olive oil (good fats nourish nerves) -sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, squash, zucchini, oats, rice, mung dal, well cooked lentils -stewed fruits like apples, pears, dates -spices= turmeric, cumin, ginger, coriander, fennel, cinnamon -Warm herbal teas= ginger, licorice, or cumin coriander fennel tea

AVOID -cold, raw foods, and salads -carbonated drinks, ice water -coffee, alcohol -dry snacks-crackers, chips - processed , fried, or microwaved foods -excess dairy= can cause mucus

HOME REMEDIES -Warm water with lemon and maple syrup (you already use)- keeps digestion active -Ginger tea= fresh or powdered reduces bloating and pain -Cumin coriander fennel tea= sip throughout the day for gut detox -Castor oil cleanse = occasionally used to reduce toxins (1 tsp in milk weekly once at night) - Daily ghee 1 tsp into food- lubricates nerves and gut

Multiple sclerosis with gut imbalance requires long term, compassions, and integrative care- not aggressive detox or sudden dietary overhauls. Ayurveda offers tools to restore your digestive intelligence, calm vata and nourish your nervous system naturally

START SMALL -continue your sweet potato + lemon water habit -add one healing meal- like khichdi - slowly introduce self oil massage -include breathwork daily- even 5 minutes

Over month, your digestion energy and stability will improve . Ayurveda heals by rhythm and gentleness not by force

DO FOLLOW

HOPE THIS MIGHT BE HELPFUL

THANK YOU

DR. MAITRI ACHARYA

For addressing issues related to gut health alongside managing multiple sclerosis, maintaining a balance in your diet and lifestyle is crucial. It sounds like you’ve been dealing with a lot, and sweet potatoes are certainly a good start, as they are grounding and align well with your dosha-friendly preferences.

First, let’s focus on restoring some consistency in your digestive system. Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of agni, or digestive fire, to ensure proper digestion. Starting your day with warm water and lemon is a good practice. You can complement this by adding a small slice of ginger in warm water before meals. Ginger helps in stimulating digestive enzymes and can be beneficial for your metabolism.

Incorporate kichari into your diet. It’s a traditional Ayurvedic dish made from rice and mung beans, which are easier to digest and can be prepared in a batch, making it practical for extended use. You can add mild spices like turmeric, cumin, and coriander, which aid digestion and are anti-inflammatory, supporting both your gut and overall health.

Consider including cooked vegetables and soups that are easier on the digestive system. Root vegetables, like carrots and butternut squash, and soft fruits such as bananas, which can be easily blended for a smoothie, might also suit you. It’s best to avoid cold foods and carbonated drinks, as they can disrupt the digestive balance.

Probiotics could also help, but it’s important to choose an option that fits your body’s needs—fermented foods like yogurt or pickles might be beneficial, but you’d have to test your tolerance carefully.

Managing stress, an important factor, has a direct impact on your symptoms and digestion. Simple pranayama breathing exercises or gentle yoga when possible can help in calming the nervous system and supporting digestion.

Since your condition can be complex and the pain seems significant, it’s indispensable to work with a medical professional familiar with your case. This is very important so as not to disrupt any existing treatment plans or omit critical medical care.

Ensure any dietary or lifestyle changes complement those treatments and provide the support your body needs at this time.