Post electric shock neurological complication managed through Ayurveda -A case study

Abstract

             Electrical injuries can have an impact on the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). CNS complications are well recognized, causing an increased risk of morbidity, while PNS complications are less predictable after electrical injuries. The clinical sequelae of an electrocution can appear immediately or hours, days or even years later. Neurologic sequelae include loss of consciousness, headache, memory disturbance, seizures, movement disorders, speech impediment and mutism, vertigo, cranial nerve dysfunction, meningitis, autonomic nervous system complications, and peripheral neuropathies. In this case report, a 43 year old female patient came to outpatient department of Govt.Ayurveda College Hospital, Thripunithura,Ernakulam,Kerala with complaints of slurring of speech and difficulty in understanding ,writing and reading., along with weakness, numbness and reduced sensation and power of left upper and lowerlimb  following electric shock. She had also experienced auditory hallucinations and slight memory loss after the incident. The case was managed with internal medicines and external therapies as per Nanatmaja vatavikara ,Siromarmabhighata and Atithejasam daghdha chikitsa .After two months of ayurvedic management, there was considerable improvement in neurological symptoms. Impaired touch sensation, auditory hallucination and numbness of left upper and lower limb were completely cured. There was a one-grade improvement in muscle power and reflexes. Aphasia was reduced in severity from moderate language related disability to minor difficulties of language..Dementia was  also reduced in grading  from mild to questionable or very mild. No reversal of symptoms was reported even after one year of treatment.  So, ayurvedic physicians can adopt treatment principles of Nanatmaja vatavikara, Siromarmabhighata and Atithejasam dagdha chikitsa in post electric shock neurological complication to get symptomatic relief thus to improve quality of life of affected persons.