Read

A 38-year-old female patient presented with recurrent episodes of headaches since 3 months which were triggered by loud noise and the honking of vehicles. She also had persistent heaviness on the right side of her head. She consulted an Opthalmologic Surgeon and was diagnosed with Bilateral Papilledema along with idiopathic intracranial hypertension, right is more than left. Despite taking allopathic medication and doing a lumbar puncture, the condition persisted. So she was suggested to undergo brain shunt surgery. The patient refused surgery and opted for Ayurvedic management, and approached Dr Preethi Chhabra. The condition was diagnosed as shiroroga -shirashoola in Ayurveda. The line of treatment followed was Raktamokshana with jalauka as it is pitta and rakta vyadhi hara. Moderate relief in heaviness on the right side of the head was noticed from the first session of Jalaukavacarana. After 3 to 4 sessions of jalaukavacarana, patient had significant relief from all the symptoms. No further episodes of headaches were noticed after 10 sessions of jalaukavacarana. VAS score before treatment was 8 which became 1 after treatment. After treatment, the patient had vision improvement and papilledema resolved. This case report demonstrates the standalone ayurvedic management of papilledema with idiopathic intracranial hypertension, in a patient who did not get relief even after taking allopathic medications and undergoing a lumbar puncture.