My wife is suffering from heel spurs and is in intense pain. Could you suggest a remedy? She is 53 years old and weighs 83 kilograms. She is taking a course of allopathic medication for diabetes, hypertension and rheumatic fever.
Jamal K.M., by email

The heel bone is the largest bone in the foot. It experiences a lot of shock and pressure regularly. A spur, known as Vata kandaka in Ayurvedic medicine, develops as an abnormal growth of the heel bone. Heel spurs are common in patients who have a history of foot pain caused by plantar fasciitis where the plantar fascia (the broad band of fibrous tissue that supports the arch of the foot) becomes inflamed. Calcium deposits form when the plantar fascia pulls away from the heel area, causing a bony protrusion, or heel spur to develop.

In the past, doctors often performed surgery to remove heel spurs, believing them to be the cause of the pain associated with plantar fasciitis. Currently, doctors rely more on ice, arch supports, physical therapy and pain medications. When the cause is flat feet, an arch support is effective. Other common treatments include stretching exercises, losing weight and wearing shoes that have a cushioned heel. She could consider padding her feet with cotton soaked in Murivenna* (medicated oil) as this may help ease the pain and inflammation. She could try this for a week at bedtime.

If the problem persists, consult your nearest Ayurvda doctor. Agnikarma (thermocautery) is a very effective treatment for Vata kandaka as practised in Ayurveda.

I am a 16-year-old girl suffering from severe hair loss for the past few months. I lost 10-12 kilograms last year. Could this be the cause? Please help.
S.K, by email

Extreme weight loss is usually achieved through severely limiting food intake, often at the expense of health. In such cases there may be a loss of essential vitamins and minerals. These deficiencies are likely to be B vitamins especially B6, Biotin and Niacin, as well as minerals. These can all be found in food, especially in fruits and in vegetables. Low iron in the blood may also be linked to hair loss. Iron-rich foods include red meat, beans, dried fruit and many cereals. Loss of hair can occur two to three months after you have been on a diet. Doctors often advise those who are slimming to take a multivitamin with iron and keep weight loss to around a half to a full kilogram a week.

Hair loss caused by rapid weight loss is reversible. Once your body gets back into sync with what it needs in terms of vitamins and nutrients, your hair will begin to grow back naturally. A multi-vitamin with iron may be needed to replenish what the body has lost.

  • Take a teaspoon of Chyavanaprasam* at bedtime.
  • Include lots of fruits, vegetables and proteins in your diet.
  • Try applying Kanjunnyadi keram* on scalp before showering.*Available at shops selling herbal products

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