Ayurveda View of Diseases

Introduction Indian medicine names three main causes of disease ? 'overuse', 'disuse' or 'misuse? of faculties; 'errors in judgement'; and influence of seasonal changes. According to Ayurveda all human diseases can be classified into the seven broad categories, namely :

1. Genetic (Adibalapravritta)
-Consists of ailments such as obstinate skin diseases, hemorrhoids, diabetes, tuberculosis and asthma, arising primarily due to defects in the sperm (sukra) of the father ? when it is called pitrija or the ovum (sonita) of the mother ? when it is termed matrja.
-Undigested food, abnormal behaviour, addiction of any type and stressful situations affect the reproductive elements of both the male and female, resulting in a defective foetus.

2. Congenital (Janmabalapravritta)
-Caused essentially due to nutritional disorder (rasakrita) and unfulfilled cravings of the mother during pregnancy (dauhrdya)
-If diet and / or conduct of the mother aggravates Vata, the foetus might end up with deformities as kyphosis (hunchback), blindness and dwarfism; increased Pitta may cause alopecia (balding) and yellowish pigmentation of skin; and excess Kapha might result in albinism (lacking skin pigmentation).

3. Constitutional (Doshabalapravritta)
-Arise out of any dietary or behavioural disturbance brought about by an imbalance in any one of the three vital physical energies (Tridoshas) or the three vital mental energies (Trigunas).
-Thus constitutional disorders are of two types: somatic (Sharirika) & psychic (Manasika).

4. Traumatic (Sanghatabalapravritta)
-Undergoing any trauma causing experience ? external or internal ? leads to this.
-External trauma is induced by injuries inflicted by sharp instruments and bites of animals or venomous insects.
-Stress and overstrain lead to internal trauma.
5. Seasonal (Klabalapravritta)
-Brought about by changes in the nuances of seasonality.
-Sometimes the body fails to adjust itself to the sudden and abnormal climatic changes ? extreme cold might lead to frostbite and rheumatic disease. While extreme heat may cause sunstroke or fever.
6. Infectious and Spiritual (Daivabalapravritta)
-Either born out of natural calamities as lightning, earthquakes, floods and the invisible, malignant forces of nature.
-Or contacted through sexual & physical intimacy, and sharing of food, plates, bed, clothes, towels and cosmetics with infected friends & relatives.
-Or as a result of sheer jealousy.
7. Natural (Swabhavbalapravritta)
-Even the healthiest of people are struck by hunger, thirst, sleep, death or senility.
-Brought about by functional, organic and natural changes in the body.

In Ayurveda, physicians try to assess the symptoms of these diseases as much as the nature of ailment and its root causes (nidana). This is of utmost importance in ensuring correct choice of remedial & preventive measures for treatment of the disease. For otherwise, even after therapy, one might not get the desired response and there would remain a chance of recurrence.

The early signs and symptoms (purvaroopa) provide useful warnings and the opportunity for taking necessary action before a disease can assume dangerous magnitudes. The main signs and symptoms (roopa) reflect the true nature and intensity of the disease.

Another oft-used method of diagnosis is exploratory therapy (upasaya) which uses diet, medicines and routines to detect diseases otherwise difficult to diagnose. Acting either against the cause of disease or the disease itself or producing relief. For example a swelling that is alleviated by an oily & hot massage, is obviously caused by an imbalance of Vata.

Thus Ayurveda offers a unique and complex view of the causes of disease, and in determining their root causes.

Home

Tweet