Treating Multiple Myeloma Naturally

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that commences in plasma cells which are a part of the white blood cells present in the blood circulation. These plasma cells play an important part in the immune system of the body by producing antibodies to help protect the body against infection and damage. In this disease, plasma cells become abnormal and are then termed as myeloma cells, which produce antibodies known as M proteins. These myeloma cells gradually crowd out the normal cells within the bones and produce symptoms in several bones at a time, because of which this condition is termed as multiple myeloma. When myeloma cells collect in one single bone, this mass is known as plasmacytoma.

Multiple myeloma produces symptoms such as weakness, tiredness, frequent infections, frequent thirst, bone pains - especially the back, broken bones, frequent urination, nausea, constipation, anaemia, weight loss, kidney failure, and amyloidosis. Multiple myeloma is diagnosed with the help of tests such as x-rays for bones, high levels of plasma cells and calcium in the blood, M protein and Beta 2 microglobulin, and Bence Jones protein test for 24 hours urine. A bone marrow examination is usually diagnostic of this condition. CT scan, MRI, and PET scan can be utilised to identify the spread of the disease and severity, after which the disease is graded so as to define the treatment plan for this condition. Anticancer drugs, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplantation constitute the conventional treatment for this condition. Overall, response to anticancer drugs and radiation therapy is quite poor, and most patients stop responding after some time.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment is especially useful in the treatment of multiple myeloma, since it treats both the original problem in the bone marrow and also treats its associated symptoms. The herbal medicines which are used in the management of this condition have a specific action on the bone marrow and stimulate it to start producing normal plasma and other blood cells. Simultaneously, other medicines are utilised in order to kill and remove the abnormal plasma cells from the blood and the bones. These dead cells are then flushed out from the body either from the gastrointestinal tract or through the kidneys via the urine.

Herbo- mineral medicines can be used in the management of multiple myeloma which normalise the production of red blood cells and white blood cells and thereby treat symptoms such as weakness, tiredness, frequent thirst and anaemia. Removal of the abnormal plasma cells from the bones reduces bone pains and prevents or reduces fracture of bones due to bone weakness. The excess calcium present in the blood is redirected towards the bones to normalise the disturbed metabolism resulting from multiple myeloma. Medicines which remove the debris, dead cancer cells, and generated toxins through the kidneys also have a preserving function on the kidneys so that these are not damaged due to the disease. If the affected individual exhibits symptoms of amyloidosis, this condition needs to be treated separately with Ayurvedic medicines.

Some Ayurvedic medicines which are useful in the management of multiple myeloma include Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis),Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), Abhadi Guggulu, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut Gugglu,Gokshuradi Guggulu and Mahamanjishthadi Qadha. Most individuals affected with multiple myeloma require Ayurvedic treatment for about 9 to 15 months in order to benefit significantly from treatment and obtain considerable relief from this condition. Ayurvedic treatment can definitely bring about a good response in this condition, which has so far proved to be refractory to conventional treatment, and herbal treatment can provide significant improvement in the quality of life as well as survival of affected individuals. Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant contribution to play in the management and treatment of multiple myeloma.

Dr. A. A. Mundewadi is Chief Ayurvedic Physician at Mundewadi Ayurvedic Clinic based at Thane, Maharashtra, India. He is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com
The online clinic offers Ayurvedic treatment for all chronic and refractory health problems. Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, B.A.M.S., has clinical experience of over 25 years and clinical research experience of 12 years. He has conducted extensive research in HIV infection, Schizophrenia and many other chronic diseases.

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Multiple Myeloma: What You Need To Know - Part 1

1. What is Multiple Myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a relatively uncommon form of cancer which affects the plasma cells that are produced in the bone marrow - the soft tissue found inside some hollow bones. Normally plasma cells have the function of producing antibodies (immunoglobulin) as part of the body's immune system. However when plasma cells become cancerous they grow out of control producing tumors called plasmacytomas. These tumors usually develop in a bone, but may also occur in other tissues. A single plasma cell tumor is called an isolated (or solitary) plasmacytoma, whereas several plasma cell tumors are referred to as multiple myeloma.

2. What are the common symptoms?

There is a range of symptoms possible with multiple myeloma.


Anemia: a shortage of red blood cells causes sufferers to become pale, weak and fatigued.
Increased bleeding and bruising: due to low levels of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia).
Difficulty fighting infections: due to a shortage of normal white blood cells (leukopenia).
Weak and fragile bones: due to the myeloma cells sending signals to dissolve bone but not rebuild it.
Bone Pain: Any bone can be affected, but painful back, hips and skull are most common.
High Blood Calcium: due to dissolution of the bones. Related symptoms include extreme thirst, excessive urination, dehydration, constipation, loss of appetite, weakness, drowsiness and confusion. Extreme levels of calcium can lead to a coma.
Kidney Problems: due to high quantities of myeloma protein damaging the kidneys.
Nervous System Problems: due to physical collapse of affected vertebrae. Also myeloma proteins can be toxic to nerve calls, causing weakness and numbness.

3. What are the risk factors?

There are few risk factors that may affect someone's chance of getting multiple myeloma. However the following have been observed:


Age: Most sufferers are over 65 years while less than 1% of cases involve people under 35.
Gender: Men have a slightly greater chance of developing MM as women.
Race: MM is nearly twice as likely in black compared to white Americans.
Radiation Exposure: may slightly increase the risk.
Family History: A person with a parent or sibling with myeloma has a 4 times greater risk.
Workplace: Workers in petroleum related industries may have a higher risk.
Obesity: Overweight people have a slightly greater risk.
Plasma Cell Diseases: Many people with Solitary Plasmacytoma eventually develop multiple myeloma.

4. What causes this cancer?

Unfortunately, despite extensive research, the causes of multiple myeloma are still unknown.

5. How is it detected?

Multiple Myeloma causes few symptoms in the early stages and any occurring are often vague. Routine blood tests may show an abnormally high level of protein in the blood. If symptoms do suggest Multiple Myeloma then usually laboratory tests of blood and urine, bone x-rays and bone marrow biopsies are performed.


Blood Counts: Low levels of red cells, white cells and platelets.
Quantitative Immunoglobulins: Often one type of immunoglobulin is high while others are low.
Electrophoresis: Carried out on blood and urine to determine proportions of immunoglobulins.
Beta-2 microglobulin: Not harmful of itself, but high levels are indicative that the disease is advanced and the prognosis worse.
Bone Marrow Biopsy: A small amount of liquid bone marrow is withdrawn from the bone via a needle. The sample is examined with a microscope for the presence of myeloma cells.
Imaging Studies: Bone X-rays, CAT Scans, PET Scans and MRI's may all be carried out to locate and identify myeloma tumors throughout the body.

Diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma requires a combination of the patient's symptoms, doctor's physical examination and the results of blood tests and x-rays. The following observations are necessary for a positive diagnosis:


A plasma cell tumor identified via biopsy
OR
Plasma cells constituting over 10% of bone marrow cells

In addition any one of the following:


High levels of Myeloma protein in blood (> 3g/dL)
High levels of Myeloma protein in urine (> 1g/dL)
Holes in bones, caused by growth of tumors, detected on x-rays

By John Cusworth (Editor: "Healthy Wealth For Life")
Part 2 of this article will include information about the Stages of Multiple Myeloma as well as conventional and alternative treatments.
More information on Multiple Myeloma can be found at http://www.multiplemyelomasymptoms.net

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