Abstract :
Bell’s palsy is
characterised
by the sudden weakness in the muscles of one half of the face due to
the inflammation or compression of facial nerve which is commonly unilateral. Bell’s palsy can
be correlated to
Arddita
mentioned in
Ayurvedic
classics.
Arddita
is included among
Vatavyadhi
.
The aggravated
Vata
will produce symptoms like deviation of half of the
face
, Tremulousness in
the
head
, Speech difficulty, deformities in eyes etc. A 45year old male patient reported in the
outpatient department with sudden onset of deviation
of angle of mouth towards right before 2
weeks. The complaints are associated with speech difficulty, drooling of saliva from the left side,
inability to close the left eye, reduced taste sensation, heaviness & mild swelling over the
affected
side of the
f
ace
. The case was clinically diagnosed as Bell’s Palsy/
Arddita
. The patient is treated
with
Kaphahara/Sophahara
followed by
Vatahara
medicines and procedures. The case was
assessed with ‘House and
Breckmann
’ assessment scale. The result showed significant
improvement in motor factions and asymmetry of face. After the
treatment,
the ‘House and
Breckmann
’ gradation improved from grade 4 to grade1. This case report shows that
classical
Arddita
treatment is effective in Bell’s palsy
Keyword :
Ayurveda, Arddita , Bell’s palsy, Nasya