World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TOWARDS HIRSCHSPRUNG DISEASE (HD) AND ITS MANAGEMENT.

Saxena Varsha* and Singh Lakshman

ABSTRACT

Hirschsprung disease (HD) or congenital megacolon is a disease of the large intestine that causes severe constipation or intestinal obstruction. It occurs approximately in 1 in 5000-8000 live births & predominates in males in ratio of 4:1. The basic pathophysiological feature of Hirschsprung disease is a functional obstruction caused by a narrowed distal aganglionic colonic segment that prevents the propagation of peristaltic waves. Symptoms in infants include difficult bowel movements, poor feeding, poor weight gain, and progressive abdominal distention. Early diagnosis is important to prevent complications (e.g., Enterocolitis, colonic rupture). The appropriate diagnostic approach may vary, depending on the age of the patient and the presenting clinical picture. A plain abdominal radiograph may show a dilated small bowel or proximal colon. Contrast enema (CE), Anorectal manometry (ARM), and Rectal suction biopsy (RSB) are the most important tests used for the diagnosis. RSB is the most accurate test for diagnosing HD. In Ayurveda there is a disease called Baddhagudodara in Nidanasthan of Sushruta samhita which is remarkably similar to that of Hirschsprung disease. According to Sushruta, Baddhagudodara is caused by simultaneous derangement of Vayu and Pitta. As in allopathic medical science there is only surgical method to correct the disease but there is need of repeated surgeries due to chances of spreading the disease over further region of colon, also re-occurrence of the disease is quite common. So to avoid all this, an ayurvedic approach is considered for the management of this disease.

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