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Down Syndrome

Updated: Nov 7, 2023


Down Syndrome

Down syndrome is one of the commonest genetic disorders which occur due to abnormal cell division. It occurs due to the imbalance of genes located on human chromosome 21 (Hsa 21). Down syndrome is associated with the number of phenotypes including congenital heart defects, Alzheimer's disease, leukemia, etc.


WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF DOWN SYNDROME?


Normally, human cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes. Down syndrome results when there are abnormal cell division and these abnormalities result in an extra partial or full chromosome 21. The presence of extra genetic material is responsible for characteristic features.

  • In 95% of the cases, Down syndrome is caused by the trisomy 21 that means the person has 3 copies of chromosome no. 21 instead of having the usual 2 copies in all the cells. This abnormal cell division is caused during the development of sperm cell or egg cell.

  • Mosaic Down Syndrome is a rare form of Down syndrome in which a person has only some cells with an extra copy of chromosome 21 which is caused by abnormal cell division after fertilization.

  • Down syndrome can also occur when a portion of chromosome 21 becomes attached to another chromosome which is known as translocation. The children affected by it have the two copies of chromosome 21 and they also have additional genetic material from chromosome 21 which is attached to another chromosome. It occurs before or after conception.


WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DOWN SYNDROME?


The adults and children suffering from Down syndrome have distinct facial features.


Some Of The Common Symptoms Include:

  • Small head

  • Short neck

  • Flattened face

  • Unusually shaped or small ears

  • Poor muscle tone

  • Protruding tongue

  • Relatively short fingers, small hands and feet

  • Short height

  • Short hands

  • Tiny white spot on the iris in the eyes

  • Excessive flexibility


WHAT IS THE AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON DOWN SYNDROME?


In Ayurveda, it is said that genetic disorders are caused due to lack of sattva guna within the mind which results in imbalances in rajas and tamas. Due to this imbalance, there are disturbances in prana, tejas and ojas too. This ultimately affects the physical body by causing imbalances in Vata, Pitta and Kapha.



Reference: Astang Hridyam Sutrasthanam, Chapter No. 11, Shlok No. 37 & 38


Meaning: In this shloka, the qualities of ojas are explained. According to this shloka, ojas is the essence of dhatus. It is mainly located in the heart and present all over the body and regulates health. The qualities of ojas are unctuous, oily, watery, transparent (clear), slightly reddish yellow in colour. Loss of ojas leads to loss of life and all aspects of health are related to ojas.​


Down syndrome is considered as a condition when Vata is vitiated and pushes kapha out of balance.​


According to Charak Samhita (ancient Ayurvedic text), Vata dosha which consists of prana, udana, samana, apana and vyana sub-types, when aggravated vata affects the body with various types of diseases and affects the strength, happiness and lifespan of an individual. Vata dosha when vitiated perturbs the mind, affects the sense faculties, deforms and detains the embryo for long and gives rise to fear, anxiety, humility and delirium.


​The role of Kapha dosha is that it protects the mind against the movements and agitation generated by Vata dosha. Tarpak Kapha (sub-type of Kapha dosha) helps the nerve impulses move at the proper rate by nourishing and protecting the axons of the nerves but when it is vitiated, it obstructs the nerve impulses causing them to move slower than the normal which results in slow response time, mental dullness, physical dullness etc.


​HOW PLANT BASED AYURVEDA CAN HELP IN THE TREATMENT OF DOWN SYNDROME?


Plantbased Ayurveda offers various herbal remedies that act as rasayana therapies. Rasayan therapies are forms of tonification that help to build ojas and healthy rasa in the body.​These Remedies Include:​

  • Ashwagandha Capsules

  • Daily Essentials Capsules

  • Digestion Support Capsules

  • Coral Calcium Capsules


Herbal Remedies For Down Syndrome


1. Ashwagandha Capsules

Plantbased Ayurveda's Ashwagandha Capsules are prepared from the standardized extract of the herb Withania somnifera. This herb acts as Rasayana and useful in various debilitating conditions by inhibiting the growth of acetylcholine and many elements of Ashwagandha are anti-oxidants. This property of Ashwagandha helps to facilitate cognition, reduces inflammation, increases ojas and resists ageing. This herb enhances memory and increases the growth of axons and dendrites of neurons.​


Dose: 1-2 capsules twice daily with plain water after taking meals.


2. Daily Essentials Capsules

Daily Essentials of Plantbased Ayurveda is a best combination of herbs that are well known for their therapeutic benefits. This product of Planet Ayurveda contains the unique combination of herbs that transforms the quality of health of an individual making him strong due to the anti-oxidant nature of the ingredients used in these capsules.​


Ingredients Of Daily Essentials Capsules Are:

Sr. No.

Indian Name

Botanical Name

Quantity

1.

Grape Seed

Vitis vinifera

200 mg

2.

Cow colostrums

Bovine colostrums

200 mg

3.

Bhumi amla

Phyllanthus niruri

50 mg

4.

Green tea

Camellia sinensis

50 mg

Dose: 1-2 capsules twice daily with plain water after taking meals.


3. Digestion Support Capsules

Persons suffering from Down syndrome also suffer from various digestion related problems such as acid reflux, constipation, diarrhea, celiac disease etc. For digestion related problems, Plantbased Ayurveda offers Digestion Support Capsules which is a blend of various herbs that are useful in the management of all digestive disorders.


​Ingredients Of Digestion Support Capsules Are:


Sr. No.

Herb Used

Botanical Name

Quantity

1.

Amla

Emblica officinalis

100 mg

2.

Haritaki

Terminalia chebula

100 mg

3.

Bahera

Terminalia bellerica

100 mg

4.

Saunf

Foeniculum vulgare

50 mg

5.

Dhania

Coriander sativum

50 mg

6.

Pippali

Piper longum

50 mg

7.

Jeerak

Cyminum cuminum

50 mg

Dose: 1-2 capsules twice daily with plain water after taking meals.


4.  Coral Calcium Complex Capsules

These capsules by Plantbased Ayurveda contain the natural calcium ingredients that are useful in keeping the optimum levels of calcium in the body that is required for healthy muscles, bones and nerves.


Ingredients Of Coral Calcium Capsules Are:


Sr. No.

Ingredient Name

Common Name

Quantity

1.

Coral

Praval pishti

125 mg

2.

Agate

Akik Pishti

125 mg

3.

An Ayurvedic herb

Jawar Mohra Pishti

125 mg

4.

An Ayurvedic herb

Kamdudha Ras

125 mg

5.

Pearl

Mukta pishti

50 mg

6.

Giloy Satva

Guduchi

125 mg

Dose: 1-2 capsules twice daily with plain water after taking meals.







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