Muscular dystrophy (MD)- Astrological pointers

Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of muscle diseases that weaken the musculo skeletal system and hamper locomotion.[1][2] Muscular dystrophies are characterized by progressive skeletal muscle weakness, defects in muscleproteins, and the death of muscle cells and tissue.[3] In the 1860s, descriptions of boys who grew progressively weaker, lost the ability to walk, and died at an early age became more prominent in medical journals. In the following decade, French neurologist Guillaume Duchenne gave a comprehensive account of thirteen boys with the most common and severe form of the disease, which now carries his nameDuchenne muscular dystrophy.

PROGNOSIS
The prognosis for people with muscular dystrophy varies according to the type and progression of the disorder. Some cases may be mild and progress very slowly over a normal lifespan, while others produce severe muscle weakness, functional disability, and loss of the ability to walk. Some children with muscular dystrophy die in infancy while others live into adulthood with only moderate disability. The muscles affected vary, but can be around the pelvis, shoulder, face or elsewhere. Muscular dystrophy can affect adults, but the more severe forms tend to occur in early childhood.
[EDIT]TYPES

Type

OMIM

Gene

Description

Becker's muscular dystrophy

300376

DMD

Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is a less severe variant of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and is caused by the production of a truncated, but partially functional form of dystrophin.[4] Survival is usually into old age.[14] Affects only boys (with extremely rare exceptions)

Age at onset: birth; symptoms include general muscle weakness and possible joint deformities; disease progresses slowly; shortened life span.[15] Congenital muscular dystrophy includes several disorders with a range of symptoms. Muscle degeneration may be mild or severe. Problems may be restricted to skeletal muscle, or Congenital muscular dystrophy muscle degeneration may be paired with effects on the brain Multiple Multiple and other organ systems. A number of the forms of the congenital muscular dystrophies are caused by defects in proteins that are thought to have some relationship to the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex and to the connections between muscle cells and their surrounding cellular structure. Some forms of congenital muscular dystrophy show severe brain malformations, such as lissencephaly and hydrocephalus.[4]

Duchenne muscular dystrophy

310200

DMD

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common childhood form of muscular dystrophy, it generally affects only boys (with extremely rare exceptions), becoming clinically evident when a child begins walking. By age 10, the child may need braces for walking and by age 12, most patients are confined to a wheelchair.[16] Patients usually die around age 25, but this depends from person to person.[16] In the early 1990s, researchers identified the gene for the protein dystrophinwhich, when absent, causes DMD. The amount of dystrophin correlates with the severity of the disease (i.e. the less dystrophin present, the more severe the phenotype). Since the gene is on the X chromosome, this

disorder affects primarily males, and females who are carriers have milder symptoms. Sporadic mutations in this gene occur frequently, accounting for a third of cases. The remaining two-thirds of cases are inherited in a recessive pattern. Dystrophin is part of a complex structure involving several other protein components. The "dystrophin-glycoprotein complex" helps anchor the structural skeleton (cytoskeleton) within the muscle cells, through the outer membrane (sarcolemma) of each cell, to the tissue framework (extracellular matrix) that surrounds each cell. Due to defects in this assembly, contraction of the muscle leads to disruption of the outer membrane of the muscle cells and eventual weakening and wasting of the muscle.[4]

Distal muscular dystrophies' age at onset: 20 to 60 years; symptoms include weakness and wasting of muscles of the hands, forearms, and lower legs; progress is slow and not lifethreatening.[14] Distal muscular dystrophy 254130 DYSF Miyoshi myopathy, one of the distal muscular dystrophies, causes initial weakness in the calf muscles, and is caused by defects in the same gene responsible for one form of LGMD (Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy).[4]

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy

310300,181350 EMD,LMNA Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy patients normally present in childhood and the early teenage years with contractures. Clinical signs include muscle weakness and wasting, starting in the distal limb muscles and progressing to involve the limb-girdle muscles. Most patients also suffer from cardiac conduction defects and arrhythmias which, if left untreated, increase the risk of stroke and sudden death. There are three subtypes of Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy, distinguishable by their pattern of inheritance: XLinked, autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive. The Xlinked form is the most common. Each type varies in

prevalence and symptoms. The disease is caused by mutations in the LMNA gene, or more commonly, the EMD gene. Both genes encode for protein componenets of the nuclear envelope. However, how the pathogenesis of these mutations is not well understood.[17]

Facioscapulohumeral 158900 muscular dystrophy

DUX4

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) initially affects the muscles of the face, shoulders, and upper arms with progressive weakness. Symptoms usually develop in the teenage years. Some affected individuals become severely disabled. The pattern of inheritance is autosomal dominant, but there are a significant number of spontaneous mutations. Seminal research published in August 2010 documents that two defects are needed for FSHD, which for the first time provides a unifying theory for the underlying genetics of FSHD. The first is the deletion of D4Z4 repeats and the second is a "toxic gain of function" of the DUX4 gene.[4][18]
[19]

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) occurs both in males and females.

Limb-girdle muscular Multiple dystrophy

Multiple

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy is also called LGMD. Affects both boys and girls. LGMDs all show a similar distribution of muscle weakness, affecting both upper arms and legs. Many forms of LGMD have been identified, showing different patterns of inheritance (autosomal recessive vs. autosomal dominant). In an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance, an individual receives two copies of the defective gene, one from each parent. The recessive LGMDs are more frequent than the dominant forms, and usually have childhood or teenage onset. The dominant LGMDs usually show adult onset. Some of the recessive forms have been associated with defects in proteins that make up the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex.[4] Though a person normally leads a normal life with some assistance, in some extreme cases, death from LGMD occurs due to cardiopulmonary complications.[20]

Myotonic muscular dystrophy is an autosomal dominant condition that presents with myotonia (delayed relaxation of muscles) as well as muscle wasting and weakness. [21] Myotonic dystrophy varies in severity and manifestations and affects many body systems in addition to skeletal muscles, including the heart, endocrine organs, eyes, and gastrointestinal tract. Myotonic muscular dystrophy type 1 (DM1), also known as Myotonic muscular dystrophy 160900,602668 DMPK,ZNF9 Steinert disease, is the most common adult form of muscular dystrophy. It results from the expansion of a short (CTG) repeat in the DNA sequence of the DMPK (myotonic dystrophy protein kinase) gene. Myotonic muscular dystrophy type 2 (DM2) is much rarer and is a result of the expansion of the CCTG repeat in the ZNF9 (zinc finger protein 9) gene. While the exact mechanisms of action are not known, these molecular changes may interfere with the production of important muscle proteins.[4]

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy

164300

PABPN1

Oculopharyngeal MD's age at onset: 40 to 70 years; symptoms affect muscles of eyelids, face, and throat followed by pelvic and shoulder muscle weakness, has been attributed to a short repeat expansion in the genome which regulates the translation of some genes into functional proteins.[4]

Working model points taken into consideration

1 Mars- for muscular system -- Saturn - Skeletal system and muscular as per Western astrology. Saturn - As karak for chronic diseases. Venus aspected by saturn or mars. Sixth house of diseases. Lord of sixth in Ascendant ,6th ,8th,10th or twelfth house aspected by malefic. Rahu ketu axis. Gulika/Mandi Badly placed mercury or aspected by malefics. (Mercury-Governs the nervous system) Badly placed or functional malefic jupiter.( planet of expansion) Saturn aspecting either Aries or scorpio. Weak sun and moon. Sun represents soul and general body. Mars in 12th house .

MUSCLE,Mamsa Mars is a planet of work and action, & Saturn, which is responsible for the structure of the body. Rahu for genitical diseases. Virgo- The natural disease karak for the kaal pursh WEak jupiter as jeeva.

Planets Sun Moon Mars

Dhatu/Upadhatu Asthi (Bones) Rakta (Blood) Majja (Bone Marrow)

Mercury Twacha (Skin) Jupiter Venus Saturn Vasa (Adipuse tissue) Shukra (Semen/Sperm) Snayu (Muscle)

Body Systems Western Model In western medicine, the body is studied in terms of systems or groups of organs that work together. The organs in a system are grouped together because they are interconnected and also because they have made up of the same type of tissues. System Skeletal Planet Sun Major Organs and Structures Bones, cartilage, joints and ligaments that hold them together. Muscles: (i) skeletal or voluntary (with bones and tendons is responsible for all forms of conscious movement ), (ii) smooth muscles responsible for involuntary movement of internal organs, (iii) cardiac muscles, the bulk of the heart. Brain and sense organs (eyes, ears, taste buds, smell and touch receptors), nerves andspinal cord. Control and influence the bodys chemistry and metabolic processes. Hormone producingglands: pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenals,

Muscular

Saturn

Nervous Endocrine

Mars Venus

pancreas, thymus, testes/ovaries. Lungs, bronchi (tubes to lungs), trachea(windpipe), mouth, larynx, nose, diaphragm. Heart, arteries, veins, capillaries, blood. Structures involving the circulation of lymphand the bodys defense against disease, including lymph nodes, lymph vessels, spleen, tonsils, adenoids, thymus. Mouth, teeth, tongue, salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, small intestines, liver, gall-bladder, pancreas. Organs and glands involved in the removal of waste matter from the body: sweat glands, large intestines, urinary system (kidneys,ureters, bladder, urethra). Male: testes, penis, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, urethra.Female: ovaries, Fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, vagina, vulva.Male and female sex hormones relates to sexual growth and function (menstruation in females).

Respiratory Cardiovascular

Mercury Sun

Lymphvascular

Mercury

Digestive

Jupiter

Excretory

Saturn

Reproductive

Venus

Chart 1

Lord of sixth saturn is placed in sixth and retrograde in opposition to mars lord of 3rd and 8th a doubly malefic planet. Saturn as sixth lord aspects moon and venus on virtue of being retrograde from previous sign and jupiter from sixth house placement ,mars also aspects jupiter .Jupiter in 3rd is in maran karak sthaan .Mars is placed in twelfth thus vitality and muscles suffer as placed in house of expenditure/loss/hospitals etc. First dasha was of Jupiter,followed by saturn when the disease was discovered.

Sixth lord in 8th ,aspected by sat/jup due to being retrograde ,jupiter is in maran karka staan,mars is also in maran kaarka sthaan aspecting the lagna ,moon and sun rendered powerless.Mars and rahu aspects afflicted 3rd and 8th lord venus.

Sixth lord mars in 12th with ketu in opposition to rahu,Sixth lord aspects MD lord venus retrograde and combust venus ,saturn aspects jupiter suffers from kendra adhipati yoga being the owner of two kendras a functional malefic and badhak. ,retrograde jupiter also aspects venus. Mars is the lord of 11th and sixth .Mer as lagna lord is aspected by jup and sixth lord mars.Lagna in paap kartaari yoga,malefics in 2nd and 12 th to it. Conclusion- Mars ,saturn aspects to benefics , ill placed jupiter ( jeeva) and afflicted venus the other benefic along with adverse sun and mercury placement is the common cause in all three charts and around seven others that i studied .Saturn predominant as the disease is linked to wastage of muscles and loss of vigour and vitality Mars.

Astrological Significators of Mental Illness

by Michael Bryant Msw Asw
Mental illness is a subject not often addressed in astrology. One reason may be the emphasis on prediction in Vedic astrology, leaving psychological astrology to Western astrologers. Another, more probable reason may be because many astrologers, Vedic or otherwise, simply do not feel equipped or knowledgeable enough to deal with this subject. This may be deemed an area best left to therapists or medical professionals. We may come across the charts of individuals or work with clients who experience existential or neurotic crises. However, it is an altogether different matter when addressing the issues ranging from borderline psychosis to actively psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia or manic depressive states (or Bi-polar Affective Disorder the less pejorative contemporary medical term.) As an experienced psychiatric social worker and counsellor, I have worked for over twenty years in both America and England with individuals who suffer from mental illness. When individuals with a history of chronic psychiatric illness are in remission and well, it may be impossible for a lay person to identify that only recently they may have been experiencing hellish hallucinations or perhaps felt suicidal. My point is not to stigmatise or scaremonger, but rather to emphasise that as practising astrologers, we have an obligation to be aware that people may seek astrological advice during difficult periods in their lives. If an astrologer gives advice and cannot recognise the potential mental health problems from the natal chart, they are doing the client an extreme disfavour. How then do we gain the knowledge of this aspect of astrology? Interestingly, classical astrological texts did address some of the possible indicators of severe mental illness. As with any astrological work, listings of any medical / spiritual illnesses should not be taken in a literal cookbook fashion, but applied in a studied, judicious manner, after examining the whole chart.

The Jataka Tattva lists some of the following conditions as possible combinations for mental illness:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Jupiter in the ascendant and Mars in the seventh house or vice versa. Saturn in the lagna and Mars in the 5th, 7th or 9th house. Saturn in the 12th house associated with a waning Moon. Saturn in the lagna, Sun in the 12th house and Mars or the Moon in a trine. Association of Saturn and the lord of the second house with the Sun or Mars. Birth in the hora of Saturn or Mars, a Sun-Moon conjunction in the lagna, the 5th or the 9th, and Jupiter in a quadrant. Mandi (the malefic sub-planet that has no physical existence but has a Saturn-like quality) in the 7th, afflicted by a malefic. The same result may apply if Mandi is in the 5th house.

8.

Rahu and the Moon in the Lagna, and malefics in the trines. (i.e., Pishacha Grasta Yoga, a combination for being overtaken by the spirits, indicative of phobias.)

As previously stated this must be corroborated by other indicators such as:

1. Afflictions to the Moon (mind), Mercury (nervous system) and Jupiter (maturity / wisdom). Particularly, when all three of these planets are afflicted, conditions leading to mental illness are highly possible. An afflicted fifth lord. The fifth house can correspond to thinking, logic and wisdom. The lagna and or Aries, both which indicates the head, if afflicted. Kemadruma Yoga This is a condition occurs when the moon has no planets in either of the signs surrounding it. When there is no planet in the 2nd or the 12th from the moon, the soundness of the mind may become an issue. Again, the entire chart needs to be viewed. Always look for confluence in the chart, before making such a serious decision. If there is a likelihood of mental illness, these indicators will often show up not only in the rasi chart, but also the Navamsha and possibly other divisional (harmonic) charts.

2. 3. 4.

Case Study
In an attempt to illustrate some of the above astrological indicators, what follows is a case study of a schizophrenic man. (see chart Chart details: D.o.b. 17.9.1960, Time of Birth: 16h30 BST, London).

This individual lives at home with his elderly mother and has been under the care of NHS-based community mental health teams since the onset of his schizophrenic illness in 1981. Although he has remained well enough to not necessitate frequent hospitalisation, and has never been a danger to himself nor others, he is unable to work due to constant problems with his hearing voices. The medical model would understand these voices as auditory hallucinations. Although these voices are not frightening to him, they are extremely distracting and weaken his concentration. The medication he regularly takes as prescribed by psychiatrists takes an edge off of

what would be a disturbing quality, but does not remove the chonic persistence of his voices. He regularly dialogues with these voices, forgetting who is around him. Ironically, he is an avid reader of newspapers and can hold for brief moments, informed conversations about current events. This usually is not sustainable and he reverts to a form of communication that is childlike, tangential and incapable of any abstract thinking or complexity.

General chart overview

Many of the planetary combination indicators given above both from the Jataka Tattva and the additional indicators list are present in this particular chart: 1. Jupiter is in the lagna and is opposing the seventh house Mars. (It is interesting that even though Jupiter should be strong in its own sign of Sagittarius, this does not prevent schizophrenia, in this case. It may however, lead to the fact that this individual is a relatively well schizophrenic.) 2. Saturn is also in the lagna, associated with Jupiter. This would create a restriction on the otherwise strong Jupiter in Sagittarius. 3. According to the above list taken from the Jataka Tattva, the next possible indicator of mental illness would be if Saturn is in the 12th house associated with a waning Moon. In the Rasi chart, although the Moon is indeed waning, Saturn is at 18 degrees and the Ascendant at nearly 23 degrees Sagittarius, so even though Saturn precedes the lagna, it is still by Vedic standards in the 1st house. However, in the Navamsha the situation is reversed, there is a new moon, but Saturn is in the 12th house. In balance, this could arguably qualify to meet the given indicator being discussed here. 4. The fourth indicator does not apply. The Sun is not in the 12th house, nor does Mars or Moon trine Saturn. 5. The next indicator does apply as Saturn is the lord of the second house and aspects both the Sun and Mars. The second house is relevant as it may refer to speech. This would be very applicable given the description ana, this individuals difficulty with communication. 6. Another area that does not fully apply. However, it is interesting that parts of this more complex combination applies or nearly applies. For instance, Jupiter is in a quadrant and in the Navamsha there is a Sun-Moon conjunction, although not in given houses. 7. Mandi is at nearly nine degrees Virgo in the tenth house. Mandi is not in the seventh house, but it is doubly afflicted by both Mars and Saturn. Mandi is conjunct the Sun, Mercury (exalted) and Venus, all of whom share this unfortunate dual aspect from Mars and Saturn. Interestingly, the individual under discussion has felt severe shame about his inability to maintain employment. He keenly desires to work, yet fears a repeat of his brief early employment experiences, which preceded the onset of his first mental illness. It was then that he began to suffer from his inability to concentrate due to hearing voices. 8. This indicator does not apply as Rahu and the Moon are not in the lagna.

In terms of the additional indicators given above:

Moons condition: The Moon, while not in a Kemadruma Yoga is surrounded in both adjacent houses by malefics, Mars and Rahu, giving a Papa Kartari Yoga. This does not bode well for the planet that is the significator of feelings and emotional reactions. Mercurys condition: Mercury, significator of reason and intellect, although in Virgo, unfortunately experiences aspects from both Saturn, Mars and the Sun in the rasi chart. In the Navamsha, Mercury is formidably opposed by Mars in Scorpio. Jupiters condition: Jupiter, planet of wisdom, as previously mentioned, is conjunct Saturn and opposed by Mars in the rasi. In the Navamsha it is conjunct Ketu in Aries in the seventh house. Lagnas condition: The lagna is, as previously mentioned is also conjunct Saturn and opposed by Mars in the rasi. In the Navamsha, it is conjunct Rahu and surrounded in adjacent houses by both Mars and Saturn.

Nakshatras
No Vedic chart can be fully interpreted until the connections of planets and the Nakshatras (constellations) and Nakshatra rulers are examined. I will not go into a description of the meanings of the Nakshatras here, as this is a separate area of essential study for anyone interested in Vedic astrology. What I am attempting to do here is simply to show the interconnection of the planets and the Nakshatra rulers that they are located in: 1. Lagna lord Jupiter is in the Nakshatra of Mula, which is ruled by Ketu. Ketu, in turn is in Purva Bhadra, which is ruled by Jupiter. This establishes not only a Jupiter / Ketu connection, but also a connection between the first, third and second houses, dealing with the self (1st), the mind (3rd) and the home, private life, mother and peace of mind (4th). 2. The Moon is in Ashlesha ruled by Mercury. Mercury, in turn is in Hasta, which is ruled by the Moon. The houses affected here are the seventh, eighth and tenth. The Moon itself is in the eighth, a dushsthana (malefic) house. The eighth can be associated with mental sufferings and psychological afflictions. 3. Lagna and Saturn are both in Nakshatra Purva Ashada, ruled by Venus. Venus is in Chitra ruled by Mars. Mars is in Mrigashira, its own constellation. The planets are located the first/seventh/tenth houses and own six of the twelve chart houses. So here is a very powerful connection for deeper analysis. Rahu is also in a Venus-ruled Nakshatra Purva Phalguni. 4. The Sun is in its own nakshatra of Uttara Phalguni.

Conclusion
What I have attempted to do is to show the power of some of the ancient classics in terms of diagnostic tools perfected centuries ago. Meanwhile, psychiatry and psychology still grapple with

clumsy, constantly revised diagnostic tools, such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (DSM-IV), the book by which all psychiatric clinical diagnoses are measured. Keep in mind that all of the above has been examined without even beginning to look at an analysis of significant life events and corresponding Dasha / Bhukti planetary or transits or progressions. The next logical progression would be to then approach the area of remedial measures, an area effectively blocked by the medical profession and the pervading contemporary approach to healing. Nevertheless, this should illustrate that the area of mental health diagnoses is certainly not an area that originates with western psychiatry or Sigmund Freud.

o o o

COURSES

Beginners Course in Vedic Astrology Education

FOLLOW BAVA JOIN BAVA TODAY!

Join BAVA for Free webinars, Gochara Journal and discount on Conferences
Design by Pam Carruthers Web Design Go To Top Copyright 2013 BAVA