An Ayurveda Approach in Managing Chemotherapy Induced Toxicity: A Case Study

Background: Chemotherapy-induced toxicity is a significant concern in cancer treatment, resulting from the harmful effects of chemotherapeutic agents on healthy cells and tissues. This toxicity can manifest in various forms. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and liver dysfunction, impacting patient quality of life and treatment outcomes. In Ayurveda, chemotherapy drugs can be seen as a form of visha (toxin) that can cause harm to the body. Dushivisha is a toxin that accumulates in the body over time, often due to repeated exposure to small amounts of the substance. Its slow acting and can effect multiple system and organs in the body. The concept of Dushivisha (cumulative toxin) in Ayurveda is relevant to understanding the effects of chemotherapy drugs on the body. Patient information: This case study was concluded within a 60-day timeframe, focuses on a 70 years old male patient diagnosed with cancer and undergoing through chemotherapy treatment treated at PGIA, DrSRRAU Sanjeevni hospital, Jodhpur. The patient presented with generalised weakness, nausea, vomiting, constipation and indigestion as side effects of chemotherapy treatment. He had no family history of cancer. Intervention: The treatment involved internal medicines Bilwadi agad and Shwadanshtradi churna, utilising their multifaceted benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anti-toxic, antioxidant, rejuvenating, and chemo-preventive properties. Outcome: Regular follow-up assessments revealed significant improvements, with notable reductions in generalized weakness, nausea, vomiting, constipation and indigestion demonstrating the efficacy of the treatment approach. Conclusion: This report highlights the effectiveness of ayurveda medicines as a holistic, time-efficient, and affordable approach in managing side effects of chemotherapy in cancer. The treatment yielded significant relief in patient from toxicity symptoms, resulting in a marked improvement in the patient's quality of life.