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LUMBAGO

2008-09-18T19:22:00.010+05:30

LUMBAGO

Lumbago is the pain caused by a severe and prolonged spasm of the muscles in the lower back region of the body. It is usually caused by a fibrosis’s. It is always accompanied by muscle tenderness and pain either in the centre or the back or on one side. The onset of this disease is often very sudden and acute. Sprain or chronic constipation precipitates this disease. It usually occurs in old age and is more common in males than in females.

Prasarani is the drug for the treatment of this condition. It is used both externally and internally. The juice of this plant is boiled with gingerly oil by following a specific pharmaceutical process and this oil, when warm, is used for massage over the afflicted part, 2-3 times a day. The juice of this plant is given to drink in a dose of 125 ml three times a day.

The leaves of this plant produce a peculiar foetid –odour but when crushed with a pestle and mortar, the foetid odour disappears. A spoonful of honey and 1/4^th teaspoonful of black pepper powder may be added to this dose so as to make it palatable. For relieving constipation, the patient should be regularly given same purgative tablets in a suitable dose early in the morning.

Prasarani should be taken for about a month. Even after the pain is subsided, there is every possibility that this may recur.

After taking food, the patient should be advised to lie down. He should not sit for 15 minutes. Sedentary habit is harmful for such patients. Some physical exercises which involve the movement of the muscles in the back and pelvic region are good for the patients. Morning walk is helpful. Exposure to cold, strain and over exertion are strictly prohibited.

Sour and fried things and pulses are strictly prohibited in this condition. Wheat, bajra and jowar are better than rice.

LEUKAMIA

2008-09-18T19:22:00.009+05:30

LEUKAMIA

Leukemia or Vana Sammipataja Panduroga in Ayurveda commonly known as cancer of the blood is a disease usually of chronic type, in which the number of white corpuscles of blood is permanently increased. In many ways it resembles a form of malignant disease.

In acute cases of leukemia, which are rare, the patient shows pallor, occasional purpuric rash, and enlargement of the lymphatic glands and spleen. The temperature is raised and the condition is liable to be mistaken for general TB. In the chronic type of leukemia, which is the usual type, the onset is gradual and the usual symptoms are either swelling of the abdomen or shortness of breath, due to painless enlargement of the spleen, or of the glands in the neck, armpits. There is pallor of the skin, palpitation and other symptoms of anemia. There may also be occasional hemorrhages form the nose, stomach, gums or Bowes. There is dropsy of the feet, diarrhea and also a slight degree of fever. The life expectancy of the patient is not more than a few years if the disease is not treated in time.

In allopathy there is no known cure for leukemia. Modern medicine has faide to come up with any explanation as to why the white blood corpuscles multiply fast giving rise to the complications mentioned above but Ayurveda, however, believes it to be caused by a vitiation of all the three Doshas, (vata, pitta and Kapha) and seeks to cure it with drugs which restore the balance of the three.

For acute cases of leukemia, the following drugs are prescribed.

Bajra Bhasma (calx of diamond) - 5.8 mg

Muktapishtha - 60 mg.

Pandupanchanan Rasa - 120 mg

To be taken 3 times daily.

LOW BLOOD PRESSURE

If the pressure of the blood being pumped by the heart into the arteries falls below the average 140 (systolic) and 80 (diastolic) there may be increase in the pulse rate, cold sweats, a feeling of extreme weakness and giddiness. Low blood pressure (Nyuna Raktachap) may be caused by:

(1) injury leading to loss of blood

(2) food poisoning

(3) anaemia, acute or chronic

(4) other disorders

if the pressure remains a little lower than the average it is a healthy sign, because in moments of stress the heart will be able to deal with any emergency. But if it falls below the minimum necessary for sound health, it may cause worry. The first requirement is to ascertain the cause of the malady. If it is anemia or sudden loss of blood, these conditions should be treated first. Severe blood loss, as in an injury, may need immediate transfusion of blood. Low blood pressure due to anemia can be cured only when the persistent lack of blood in the system has been dealt with.

Low blood pressure is also a disorder caused by the vitiation of Vayu and can be treated with drugs which correct the balance of this Dosha. A patient suffering from it should be given a balanced, nutritious diet, full of proteins and carbohydrates. Dry fruits, cheese, flesh of chicken, goat-soups of meat and black gram, fruits like mango, apple, banana, grapes and leguminous vegetables, should be the main diet of a patient suffering from chronically low bleed pressure.

Administration of brandy or alcohol of any variety in quantities from 15 to 0 ml. diluted with warm water is a temporary expedient which can be tried till the exact cause for the malady is ascertained.

The patient should be given total rest.

LEUCORRHEA

2008-09-18T19:22:00.007+05:30

LEUCORRHEA

In Ayurveda, this is believed to be caused by the aggravation or vitiation of kapha Dosha. This commonly occurs in females who are weak, emaciated and anemic.

This is characterized by a discharge from the female genital tract. It is often associated with infection of the genital tract by some organism. Organism apart, some metabolic and hormonal disturbances are also responsible for this disease.

The discharge from the genital tract produces bad smell if there is infection. The consistency of the discharge varies from patient to patient depending upon the age and the menstrual phase when the patient is afflicted with this disease.

Patients suffering from chronic leucorrhea become irritable and it is often associated with digestive disturbances. There is always some difficulty in the movement of the bowels. The patients develop a black circular patch around their eyes which is very characteristic from the diagnostic point of view. Remaining awake long at night precipitates the attacks of this trouble. There is a vicious circle of leucorrhea and mental worry.

For the treatment of this ailment, it is necessary to locate the exact causative factor for this disease. Regular douching of the genital tract with a decoction of the bark of banyan an fig trees is very useful. One tablespoonful of the powder of each of these two barks should be boiled in one liter of water and reduced to half. The decoction is then to be filtered and the powder thrown away. When it is slightly warm. Douching should be performed. This decoction keeps the tissue cells of this area healthy. The very popular medicine for this condition is pradarantaka lauha. This drug contains some bhasmas of metals. The most important one is the bhasma of iron. For the preparation of this medicine, the ingredients are triturated with the juice of kumari. 250 mg. of this drug is given to the patients three times a day, with honey.

Lodhra is also used for the purpose of douching. The bark of this tree is used. The decoction of the bark is prepared on the lines suggested above. This medicine is also used in the form of lodhra asava. The alcoholic soluble fraction of this drug is extracted through a special process during which some other drug are added to it. 30 ml. of this drug is given to the patient twice daily after food, with equal quantity of water. Sphatik or alum is also used both externally and internally for the treatment of this condition. Alum is fried in a vessel over fire and then powdered.

One teaspoonful of this powder is added to the decoctions described above and used for the purpose of douching 125 mg. of this powder is mixed with 125 mg. pradarantaka lauha and given to the patient twice daily on an empty stomach mixed with honey. Along with all the medicines described above tandulodaka (rice-wash) is given as a means to accelerate their action. Rice-wash alone is helpful for the cure of this disease.

Kumari is also used in the treatment of this condition. It tones up the tissue cells of the uterus and the genital tract and prevents exudation of abnormal fluid. Kumari is planted in the hedge of gardens. When fully matured this plant produces beautiful pink flowers. When the outer skin of the leaf of this plant is removed, a fleshy pulp comes out which is used for the extraction of juice. 30 ml. of this is to be given to the patient twice daily with a littly honey added to it, preferably on an empty stomach. This juice stimulates the liver, promotes digestion and regulates the bowels. It has some effect in correcting the hormonal imbalances by which genital organs of the patient get toned up.

Alternatively the following prescription are advised:

1. Kukkutanda Twakbhasma 240 mg.

Yashada Bhasma 120mg

Powder of Amlaki 500 mg.

To be taken in the morning and evening with honey.

2. Chandraprabha 500 mg.

Triphala powder 3 gm.

To be taken at mid-day and night with warm water.

Darukadi Churna 6gm. May be taken last thing at night with cow’s milk.

` Patients suffering from neurasthenia along with leucorrhoea Ratnaprabha Vatika Should be given in 120 mg. doses in the morning and evening.

A strict regimen is necessary for the patient of this ailment. Fried and spicy foods are to be avoided, as pickles and other savouries. The patient should be encouraged to chew betel nut(supari) after meals it has curative effect and also prevents the developments of the disease. The patient should avoid worry and mental strain of all kinds. Late nights and sexual inter course is to be avoided. A brisk walk and light Yoga-Asans early in the morning are helpful.

LEUCODERMA

2008-09-18T19:22:00.005+05:30

LEUCODERMA

According to Ayurveda as described by Sharak this is caused by some morbidity in the liver which results in the deficient production of pitta. These white patches of leucoderma often go without any physical trouble. This disease in characterized by the localized loss of pigmentation of the skin.

It however, creates a great deal of worry to the patient suffering from it because it disfigures him. This disease is hereditary. Therefore, the marriage of the children of the patient, suffering from this disease, becomes a problem. The white patches cook very awkward.

In Ayurveda, this is considered to be a type of kushtha. Common men who are ignorant of the actual implications of these technical terms consider leucoderma to be a type of leprosy( kusta) and thus, shun the patient. This is the result of a misunderstanding. Actually in Ayurveda the term kushtha means any obstinate skin disease including leprosy. Because leucoderma is one of the obstinate skin disease it is included under kushtha and it has no link with leprosy in any form.

At times these skin patches become reddish brown, and small eruptions appear over them. They cause considerable amount of itching which is followed by watery exudation and burining sensation.

According to Ayurveda leucoderma appearing in the join of skin and mucous membrane is diffucult to cure. This disease is also difficult to be treated when it appears in aged persons .

Leucoderma is often caused by some disturbance in digestion. People suffering from chronic dysentery are more prone to be affected by this disease. Therefore, in the first instances steps are taken to correct the digestion and dysentery, if any, in the patient. Kutaja is the best drug in this condition.

The bark of this plant is used in the form of a powder in the dose of one teaspoonful three times a day, some other carminatives and laxatieves can be given to the patient. Arogya vardhini vati is also a very useful drug.

It is given to the patient in a dose of four tablets three times a day. Kutki drug stimulates the liver and corrects its impairment which helps in the cure of leucoderma. It also contains copper in the form of bhasma. This metal helps in the metabolism and synthesis of melanin pigment.

The other drug which is commonly used for the treatment of this disease is bhallataka. It is prepared in the form of linctus by adding some other medicines. This is given to the patient in a dose of one teaspoonful twice a day. This medicine may have some adverse effects on the body. these effects can, however, be prevented by taking suitable action well in advance. Before taking this linctus the inner mucous membrane should be covered with a coating of ghee or butter. Care should be taken so that the linctus does not come into direct contact with the mucous membrane.

Immediately after taking this medicine some milk may be given to the patient. while taking this medicine the patient should avoid hot things and should not expose himself to heat or sun rays. If in spite of all these precautions skin rashes appear, then the pulp pf raw coconut should be given to the patient. This eliminates all the toxic manifestations of the drug.

Bakuci is very popularly used for the treatment of this disease in Ayurveda. A paste prepared form the seed of this drug is applied externally.

The powder of this drug mixed with the decoction of Khadira and amalaki is given to the patient in a dose of ½ teaspoon twice daily. The oil prepared by boiling gunja is also good the treatment of leucoderma.

The patient should not expose himself to heat or sun in excess. Psychic factors are known to be responsible of precipitation and aggravation of this disease. The patient should, therefore, try to keep himself free from worry, anxiety and other forms of mental strain. Awakening at night for long should be avoided. Medicines- suggested work better if the patient is free from constipation.

The patient should not be given salt in any form. The more he avoids salt the quicker will be the action of the drug. Only, rock salt can be given in a small quantity only. Spices and other pungent things should be avoided. Vegetables having bitter taste like bitter gourd and bitter variety of drumstick are useful.

JAUNDICE

2008-09-18T19:22:00.002+05:30

JAUNDICE

Jaundice or kamala- as defined in Ayurveda is a condition in which there is discoloration of the skin because of deposition of bile pigment in its deeper layers. It may be caused by inflammation of the liver, hepatitis, an infection or an obstruction of the bile ducts due to cirrhosis.

It can also be caused by ingestion of certain poisonous substances the morbidity of which the liver is unable to deal with. Whatever the technical name, many diseases of the liver result in jaundice. The yellow colour first appears in the whites of the eyes and then spreads to the whole of the skin. excess of bile pigment(pitta) circulating in the blood give the skin its yellow colour.

Since the bile does not go into the intestine as it normally does, the stools of the jaundiced patient lose their typical brownish colour and in severe cases are almost whitish. There is loss of appetite and impairment of digestion. The liver is unable to digest fat and there may be a sense of dullness all the time.

Nausea may also be present in certain cases because of defective digestion. If the liver is inflamed (hepatitis) there is also pain in the region of the organ and it is tender to touch.

Only cholagogue type of purgatives which stimulate the function of the lover and increase the flow of bile in the bile duct are used.

Trivrit and kutaki are the two drugs for its treatment. The root bark of trivrit and the rhizome of kutaki are used separately or mixed together in a powder form. Depending upon the position and condition of the patient and as well as the stage of the disease, the powder of these drugs is given in a dose of one to two teaspoonfuls, twice daily with Luke- warm water. Two compound preparations frequently used in the treatment of this condition are avipattikara churna and arogya vardhini vati. Trivit is an important ingredient of the former and katuki of the latter. The former which is in a powder form is given in a dose of one teaspoonful twice daily with hot water. The latter which is in the form of tablets (of 0.25 gm. Each) is given in a dose of two tablets three times daily followed by hot water or mixed with honey.

The patient should be given complete rest. He should avoid heat, sun, sex and psychic factors kike anger and anxiety.

Sweet things and liquid foods like sugar- cane juice, orange juice and dry grapes are to be given to the patient in large quantities. This increases urination which helps in the elimination of bile pigments which are excessive in the blood. Vegetable and meat soups can be given to the patient. Vegetables having bitter taste are useful in this condition. Food articles which are sour and pungent in taste and spices are not good for this condition. Salt should be taken in less quantity. Pomegranate, although sour, is good. Curd should not be given. But butter- milk prepared by churning the curd and removing can be given to the patient in large quantities provided it is not very sour.

CRAMPS

2008-09-02T19:01:00.001+05:30

CRAMPS

In Ayurveda this is known as mamsagata vayu. An involuntary and painful contraction of a voluntary muscle or a group of muscles, is know as Cramp. When it is confined to calf muscles of the leg, it is called pindiko-dveshtana. Carrying out exercises much in excess of one’s own capacity, indulgence in dry and rough food articles and taking some harmful medicines may result in its attack.

Of the type of vayu , vyana vayu exits in all over the body and among other functions to regulates the functions of voluntary muscles. This regulates the functions of the cerebro-spinal nervous system. If any metabolic waste which normally should be eliminated from the body does not get out, and circulates in the body, it is likely to get deposited between nerve endings and the muscle tissues. This in Ayurved is known as ama, which is responsible for the causation of these cramps.

Cramps are also the indications of different other diseases.

Generally massage is the best therapy for correcting vyana vaya. It should be done by rubbing medicated oil like mahanarayana taila all over the body.

(In winter season, it should be made warm by heating and then applied for massage).

Those who gets cramps frequently can even use ordinary gingelly oil and have a massage by themselves, before taking their daily bath. Simhanada guggulu is a good drug for the treatment of this condition.

If there is constipation then simhanada guggulu relieves constipation when given in a higher dose. Normally it is given in a dose of 4 tables, three times a day; but it can be increased further. Hot milk, should be given to the patient after he has taken this medicine.

The patient should resort to regular massage and exercise. He should not expose himself to cold with or rain. Fasting, suppression of natural urges, anxiety, worry and anger are some of the important causes of aggravation of vayu, hence they should be discouraged and he should not sleep during daytime.

The patient should not be given such foods that aggravate vayu. Pulses are bad for such patients. Cold, rough, dry, pungent and astringent food items should not be given to such patients. Sweet and sour things can be given to the patient in good quantity. Garlic, asafetida and patola as vegetable are very useful for such patients

COUGH

2008-09-02T18:59:00.001+05:30

COUGH

An unproductive cough is dry and produces no sputum. The line between the two types is not hard and fast, and indeed, the same cold can produce both at different times of date. Smoker’s cough, tonsillitis, inflammation of the larynx or voice box or of the throat, certain unusual kinds of pneumonia, “nervous” coughs both in the sense of psychological and in the sense of coughs orientated by signals from the brain “stomach” coughs associated with constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, and worms, early morning coughs due to irritation from a sticky mucus in the larynx or windpipe and whopping cough are usually unproductive.

Unproductive coughs are not biologically useful and can be merely wearing. Dry coughs at the beginning of an illness may become productive as the disease develops. Unless they are associated with diseases that can be cured like tonsillitis, however, these coughs are very hard to control. Cough medicines can be expensive and relatively useless unless they contain codeine, an opiate and therefore potentially addictive.

Throat, is the term applied to the region in front of the neck. The correct use is the pharynx and the cavity at the back of the mouth, into which the nose, the mouth, larynx, gullet, and the Eustachian tubes open. In Ayurveda, however, the diseases of this region of the body are treated under the general head Kasa Roga.

Kasa Roga is sub-divided into five heads :

(1) Born out of Vata;

(2) Caused by Pitta;

(3) Caused by Kapha (phlegm);

(4) Caused by injuries of infections;

(5) Caused by tuberculosis.

The first three types are easily handled, but the latter two categories are difficult to control. But whatever the type of Kasa, if it is allowed to persist, it becomes chronic and might even result in consumption or TB.

Clinically, the disease may be distinguishable from each other, but practically Kasa Roga is broadly of three types :

(1) cough without expectoration;

(2) cough with expectoration;

(3) cough mixed with blood, which one finds in typical cases of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Injuries or infections in the region of the throat might also produce blood mixed phlegm which is a serious condition. Ayurveda has characterized what the modern medicine calls bronchitis, also as a type of Kasa Roga: it may be turn chronic and deteriorate into tubercular bronchitis.

In some cases, particularly among the aged, the lack of elasticity in the lung tissues, the disease may turn into broncholectasis.

Standard Ayurvedic preparations used in cough are : (i) Chaturashana Churna; (ii) Eladi Churna; (iii) Yavani Shadava; and (vi) Aparajita Leha. The latter remedy is a specific for whooping cough.

But in coughs where there is no phlegm is produced, the treatment should start with the lubrication of the throat.

Ayurvedic practitioners advise such patients to consume milk and ghee: if there is constipation present, laxatives like castor oil should be administrated.

Decoction of liquorice root ( Mulethi) should be given with sugar or honey to clear the phlegm.

Another remedy is black pepper in doses of 250 to 750 mg. given with ghee, sugar and honey.

A paste made of equal parts of black raisins, dates, black pepper, Vidanga (Behera), long pepper (Pipli) and honey may be used to get quick relief. Alternatively, a linctus made of the powder of long pepper, ginger, nut grass ( Nagarmusta), Harada and sugar or honey can be taken easily.

The dietary regimen to be allowed to be followed in cases of cough and allied disorders is to encourage the use of wheat, moong, old rice, barley, cow’s milk and ghee, raisins and amalaki.

The stuffs which one should avoid are: brinjal, bael fruit, bitter-gourd mustard and fried artichoke.

The patient should desist from sexual intercourse and must sleep during the day. He must take complete rest.

CONSTIPATION

2008-09-01T22:26:00.002+05:30

CONSTIPATION

One should pass stools twice a day- once after getting up from the bed and once in the evening. This is more essential for vegetarians because their food contains lot of roughage.

Some people, however, evacuate their bowels only once In a day, usually in early morning and it is generally normal for them.

Yet popular fear of constipation produces two of the most pronounced and sometimes expensive errors of civilization: insistence on regularity and the purchase of purgatives. Nor is it only modern, western, high-technology civilization that produces these mistakes; purgatives make up the largest part of most herbal pharmacopoeias. They are amongst the earliest recorded remedies just as constipation has the same status amongst maladies. One man’s regularity is another’s diarrhea- or, indeed, constipation. Central Africans on a bulky, vegetarian diet may defecate within 8 to 10 hours after each meal. In Britain, it may be quite common to open the bowels no more than every other day, certainly without any threat to health. Regularity has become a bugbear that causes more psychological trouble than regular bowels could possibly correct. Worry may well produce constipation, just as purgatives can. Purgatives irritate the intestinal lining and tend to drive out water. They may also cause dependence upon them to develop so that you cannot go without a daily dose.

This habit is commonly found amongst city-dwellers whose evening programs are uncertain. The roughage content of those who take non-vegetarian diet is so little that they do not feel any discomfort even if it remains inside the intestines for 24 hours or more. In European countries where people living mostly on meat, they pass stools once in three of four days, and they consider it normal.

Now the constipation may be caused by

(a) poor bowel habits, improper eating habits, irritable colon, spastic colitis or emotional disturbances; or

(b) paralytic or mechanical obstruction to the passage of stools, such things as adhesions, tumors of the bowel, structure of the anus, or rectum, or inflammatory conditions may produce organic constipation.

Apart from the roughage from food, stool contains some metabolic waste products. They come out from the blood. Therefore, even if a man does not take anything, he has to pass stools, because the metabolic process that is going on in his body yields some waste products which are to be eliminated only through stools. If they are not eliminated, they cause lot of discomfort in the abdomen.

There is wind formation, heaviness in the stomach, and loss of appetite. It may also result in headache, sleeplessness and even high blood pressure.

Some disease like Asthma, chronic cold, bronchitis and tonsillitis are associated with constipation and once the constipation is removed, the disease automatically disappears. It is therefore, necessary to take care of constipation well in time.

For this change of food habits is a better way to deal with constipation than drugs of any kinds. Since the disorder is born out of the habit of taking heavily spiced, fatty foods and too refined cereals, the first step in dealing with constipation is to advise the patient to take light foods.

Milk, fruit juices, and boiled vegetables and total abstinence from fats and refined foods, is the first step towards the treatment of the constipation.

The patient should be advised to take sufficient amounts of liquids- water, milk etc.-which will deal with dryness of the intestines which obstructs faces to come out.

In the case of children suffering from constipation, a suppository made of macerated leaves of Harita-Manjari ( acalypha indica) should be introduced into the rectum.

An alternative is the suppository made of the stalk of betel leaf coated with castor oil, or a poultice made of the leaves of Kidmari (aritolochia bracteata) should be applied upon the abdomen of the child.

The other remedies which tend to relieve constipation are:-

(1) powder of Madhuka (liquorice root) taken with gur and water;

(2) decoction of Akashbel (dodder);

(3) the pulp of the roots of Arni (clerodendrum phlomidia) taken with ghee;

(4) Isabagol (flea seed) – two heaped tablespoons - taken with milk or water;

(5) Castor oil seed in small doses;

(6) Sienna, one part and Harada half a part, finely powdered taken in one gram doses thrice daily.

But the chronic constipation can be best dealt with by the pills made of the following ingredients-

Rose buds - 5 parts

Sienna leaves - 4 parts

Pulp of Amaltas - 3 parts

Harad - 5 parts

Alternatively Pipli - 4 parts

Nishottar - 2 parts

Harada - 5 parts

Gur (equal to the quantity of all the substances enumerated above)

If the constipation is attended to dry, hard and lumpy stools, Jhohar (euphorbia nerifolia) should be cooked as a pot herb and eaten before meals.

Harada should be fried in ghee or castor oil and the powder made out of it should be taken with black salt (kala namak).

Swadishtra Virechan, Lasuna Kshira and Avipittakar Churna are also the standard drugs for the remedy of constipation.

The patient suffering from chronic constipation should be advised to take fruits, leafy vegetables and fruit juice in plenty.

The bran of both rice and wheat are useful in relieving constipation. The patient should, therefore, use whole meal flour and not refined flour. Similarly, he should use rice along with it bran, and not polished rice.

Among the vegetables, surana and papaya are very useful in relieving constipation.

Fried things, pulses and preparations of pulses are extremely harmful for patients suffering from chronic constipation. Taking sugarcane juice is very useful for relieving constipation. Regularity in the habit of evacuating bowels, is very important for a person to keep himself free from chronic constipation. Whether he gets motion or not, he should attend to the call of nature.

Persons who are given to sedentary activities are often exposed to constipation and constipation produces several other diseases like fistula and piles in them. Persons suffering from chronic constipation should undertake some physical exercises regularly. Walking a few kilometers is also sufficient for a person to get himself relieved of his constipation. Mental worries and anxieties have a great role to play in causing constipation. It is, therefore, necessary that the patient should change his daily habits and lead a care-free life to keep himself free form this aliment. Excessive intake of tea and coffee is most harmful for such person.

COMMON FEVER

2008-09-01T22:21:00.001+05:30

COMMON FEVER

The term fever may be defined as a condition of the body characterized by increase in temperature, but this term has a very wide application as fever is one of the most common accompaniments of diseases in general.

According to the modern classification the fevers are of the following 25 types: (1) Influenza ; (2) pneumonia; (3) typhoid; (4) cerebro-spinal fever; (5) plague; (6) diphtheria; (7) dengue fever; (8) sand fly fever; (9) yellow fever; (10) mumps; (11) rheumatic fever; (12) heat exhaustion and heat stroke; (13) small pox and chicken pox; (14) erysipelas; (15) measles; (16) hectic fever; (17) fever at the various stages and types of tuberculosis; (18) fever of dysentery; (19) malaria; cerebral malaria; (20) black water fever; (21) kala-azar; (22) relapsing fever; (23) Malta fever; (24) rat bite fever; and (25) filarial.

In the case of common fever, where there are no side complications , or in fevers which are not due to any specific causes, the following Ayurvedic medicines are very helpful to discord them.

The Tulsi plant and its tender leaves are a specific for many types of fevers. During the rainy season when Malaria and Dengue fevers are common, some tender leaves of the plant boiled with one’s daily tea would act are preventive against fever.

In the case of acute fever of unknown or unspecified origin, a decoction made of about 12 gms. of Tulsi leaves, boiled with half a little of water, should be administrated with milk, sugar and powdered cardamom to bring down the temperature.

Powder of the root of the horse-radish tree (shigru) is another remedy for common fever in their preliminary stage.

Powder of Indrani leaves is also efficacious in these fevers. If the patient is constipated, costiveness must also be dealt with: Jwarakesari (one tablet) should be taken at night.

The following two prescriptions should deal with any ordinary case of fever:

Mrityunjaya - 120 mg.

Godanti Bhasma - 120 mg.

Pippali Churna - 240 mg.

To be taken thrice daily with warm water, milk or decoction of Tulsi leaves.

Tribhuvanakirti Rasa - 120 mg.

Abhraka Bhasma - 120 mg.

Amritasatva - 240 mg.

To be taken thrice daily with warm water, juice of fresh ginger or honey.

If the fever is acute, i.e., if there is shivering, dryness of the throat and intense thirst, pain in the region of the chest or joints of the body, the following medicines will help.

Kirtatiktadi Quath - 50 ml.

In the morning with the medicine indicated above.

Hinguleshwara - 120 mg.

Godanti Bhasma - 120 mg.

Powder of the black cumin seeds

roasted over a hot plate - 500 mg.

To be taken thrice daily with warm water.

In case, there is diarrhea present, along with vomiting,. Intense thirst, insomnia, profuse sweating and signs of delirium or disorientation or even fainting fits, the following prescription would be more effective.

Sarvatobhadra Rasa - 250 mg.

Golanti Bhasma - 120 mg.

Amritasava - 240 mg.

To be taken 3 times in a day with warm water.

When fever strikes, the patient should not be permitted to sleep during a day, bathe, cat, or sexual intercourse, going out in the open where the wind blow strongly, taking exercise and eating of sour substances should also be prohibited.

Common cold

2008-09-01T22:16:00.001+05:30

Common cold

A definition of the common cold( medical name: coryza) seems pretty gratuitous. However, cold also refers to a sensation which can easily be a symptom. The running nose usually first produces a clear liquid, mucus mixed with water and perhaps a few other molecules. After two or three days, the fluid often becomes thick and yellowish, a sign that bacterial infection has followed the cold infection. From the outset, the running nose will have been accompanied by sneezing. Sore throat may actually precede the running nose. Headache is common, especially if the bacterial infection affect the sinuses.

If the infection spread, it can also cause earache and a cough which may be due to bronchitis or pneumonia. A person with a clod often has a slight fever and feels generally tired and unwell. Of course, as everyone knows. It is possible to have a cold without all of these signs and symptoms.

One can also have a “sub-clinical” cold characterized by mild sore throat and general malaise without the obvious symptoms like running nose, but these can precede a great many illnesses.

Universal, incurable given existing knowledge, and a damn nuisance. Cold seem to be more common in autumn and winter because people stay squeezed together in warm trains, offices and cinemas, with less incentive and less opportunity for some life in the open. Anyone who lives in city can expect to have three or four colds a year.

One of upwards of 30 different viruses, mostly of the rhinovirus family, but adenoviruses and other may also be the cause. They are carried in droplets of water sneezed out by sufferers and breathed in by the victims. Cold air, draughts and wet feet do not cause colds, as skiers and yachtsmen can testify, but they may be predisposing factors in the sense that a feeling of overwork or tiredness seems to make you more susceptible to a cold or any other infection.

Ayurveda has recognized five types of cold or Pratishyaya :

(1) Chronic cold, born out of the three Doshas.

(2) Born out of Vata.

(3) Born out of the vitiation of Pitta.

(4) Born out of Kapha.

(5) Born out of disorders of the blood.

In the case of a running nose, smoke from burning turmeric should be inhaled; it will encourage a copious discharge and would shortly provide relief.

Smoke from the root of Amaltas also provides quick relief.

Paste made of nutmeg ( Jaipahla) and cow milk together with 75mg of opium should be applied on the forehead and the nose.

In case the nose is blocked and the patient feels difficulty to eject the phlegm, a powder of equal parts of cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom and seeds of Khrishnajiraka should be sniffed to induce sneezing.

In chronic coryza, the Ayurveda remedies to be taken are :-

Madhuyasthyadi Quath, - 50ml.

(thrice daily.)

Mahalaxmi Vilas - 120mg.

(To be taken with powder

of Mulethi, honey and ghee)

Chitrak Hiratiki( to be taken - 10gm.

in the morning and last thing at

night with warm cow’s milk.

Vyoshadya Churna( To be taken - 3gm.

Twice with warm after meals)

Six gm. of garlic and an equal quantity of gur pounded together may be given at bed time.

In a coryza of recent origin, the standard preparation in Ayurveda is the Laxmivilas Churna 120mg. Shring Bhasma (clax of the horn) 120mg and Narsar 240mg administered thrice in the day with warm water.

Vyoshadi Vati should be sucked as a lozenge thrice to four times a day. Decoction of bran should be taken at bed time in a dose of 50ml.

A person suffering from cold should encouraged to take vegetable, soups with a bitter or sour taste, garlic in moderate quantities and warm water.

He should avoid a cold bath, particularly of the head, heavily spiced or fried foods and if the nostrils are dry and caked, he should take more curds in his diet. He should take full rest also.

Colic Pain

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Colic Pain

Colic reflects either inflammation, caused by infection or irritation, knowledge, or blockage. Both causes can arise from any internal abdominal organ. Thus, the pain of appendicitis is a colicky pain due to infection. Gallstones can cause pain from irritation or from blockage. The same is true of kidney stone. Food poisoning causes colic often associated with vomiting and distension. Ulcers usually cause pain sometimes accompanied by bleeding. Colic pain is relieved by some pressure on the abdomen and is not attended by the fever, which distinguishes it from colitis-the inflammation of the intestine. The pain may also travel to other parts of the body like the scapular region or the genital organs. It may also be attended with nausea and vomiting.

Colic in adult is either due to presence of wind in the stomach, the result of chronic constipation or a result of exposure too damp and cold. Infants being artificially fed are also prone to this disease. The attack of colic is generally-and mercifully-of short duration but it should not be ignored because the spasms are likely to lead to a twisting of the intestine which may necessitate surgical interference. An attack of colic pain may also be due to appendicitis, gallstones or stones in the kidney or inflammation of liver or the ovaries.

In Ayurveda this is known as Shula and caused by the aggravation of vayu, one of the three dominant Doshas.

Depending upon the cause of pain, it is of several types. The common causes of colic are appendicitis, gall-stone, kidney stone, intestinal spasm, duodenal and gastric ulcer and the inflammation of the ovary of the liver.

Colic pain appears all of a sudden, or gradually. Digestion and appetite are usually affected. The patient is constipated. The pain must spread to the other part of the body such as the scapular region, or the genital organs. There might be vomiting and nausea. Other signs and symptoms vary depending upon the organ or part of the body affected.

Immediate relief to the victim can be provided by administration of two remedies : Shankha-Bhasma or Hingvashtaka-Churna, both drugs in Ayurveda for colic pains. Any one of these may be given. In severe cases Maha-Shankha Vati should be administered in doses of two tablets times a day.

Another drug Lasunadli vati containing lasuna is given in a dose of two tablets four times per day. Abhraka Bhasma can also be given in doses of 150 mg four a day mixed with honey.

Hing an lasuna are also considered to be very useful in this condition. Hingvashtaka churna, which contains hing as an important ingredient, is used for the treatment of colic pain in a dose of one teaspoonful to be taken with three time a day.

If the colic is due to appendicitis or presence of stones in the kidney or the bladder then the steps should be taken to relieve these conditions. But if the pain is caused by presence of Vata (air) it should be taken to mean that chronic constipation or dyspepsia has caused it. In that case steps should be taken to relieve constipation after the attack of colic has passed. A mild purgative should be given after which the patient should be advised to improve his diet.

He should take foods which do not aggravate the constipation. Fried foods and carbohydrates and starches should be restricted to the minimum.

Boiled vegetables and fruits should be taken in larger quantities and fats should be avoided. Pulses, beans and fried things are strictly prohibited. The patient should take sufficient rest. Exercise immediately after taking food should be avoided.

Mental worry, anxiety and anger are responsible for the aggravation of vayu, which is responsible for the causation of this condition. They should therefore be avoided.

Cirrhosis of the Liver

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Cirrhosis of the Liver

The liver is the largest gland in our body and one of the five major organs which are vital to life. It regulates the digestion, metabolism and many other physiological functions of the body. A malfunctioning of the liver may not become apparent immediately, unless, of course, the blood flows through it is impeded or the bile ducts are obstructed. Nor does it recover quickly once a disorder lodges itself in the organ. Damage of this organ may, therefore, lead to chronic gastritis, morning sickness and constipation. Apart from loss of appetite, the patient loses weight because of defective metabolism and he may suffer from diarrhea and flatulence. There may be a little pain in the right upper portion of abdomen where the liver is located.

Slowly, the size of liver increases and because of the pressure on the muscular wall which separates the lungs and heat from the organs in the abdomen the patient feels difficulty in breathing and coughing. He may also suffer from nausea and vomiting.

The liver tissues becomes fibrosed and it shrinks in size. Because of this shrinkage the veinous circulation gets obstructed, and there is accumulation of water in the abdomen.

The disease generally occurs because of a faulty diet among children; among adults it is generally the result of excessive intake of alcoholic-drinks. The liver helps neutralize the toxic effects of substances ingested and if such substances are taken in excess, it may fail to meet the demands made on it. The first thing that should be done before medication is started in a case of cirrhosis of the liver is to ban all intoxicating substances like tea coffee, tobacco, and alcohol.

According to Ayurveda Katuki (picrorrhiza kurroa) is the drug of choice for cirrhosis among adults. The root of the herb which grows at high attitudes is given in a powdered form.

One teaspoonful of the powder mixed with an equal amount of honey is administrated three times a day. In case of constipation, the dose should be increased to double and be given with a cup of warm water three to four times a day. It stimulates the liver to produce more bile, the excretion of which relives congestion of the liver and the tissues which have become defunct start functioning again.

A STANDARD Ayurvedic medicine, Aarogyavardhani, a compound of katuki and calx of copper, can be administrated with advantage in cirrhosis of the liver. It has the property of reviving the cells which have become atrophied. A 250 mg. tablet of this medicine is available in the market and two to four tables may be given thrice in the day with a cup of warm water.

The best remedy for this condition of the liver is Bringarakaraja (eclipta alba), a small herb which grows in marshy lands. The juice of the leaves, flowers, stems and roots of plants is administrated in doses of one teaspoonful thrice daily in the case of infantile cirrhosis. The juice should be mixed with honey. Drugs prescribed for jaundice or hepatitis are also helpful in a case of cirrhosis of the liver.

The diet Is more important than any medication in cases of diseases of the liver. All fatty substances and foods are hard to digest should be avoided. Skimmed milk or goat’s milk, butter milk, juice of sugarcane, instead of curds, and garlic should be prescribed.

In case these there is accumulation of fluids in the region of the abdomen, a salt-free-diet should be given to the patient.

Constipation should not be allowed to develop at any cost even if it needs a daily purgative or an enema. If the patient feels uneasiness without intake of salt, he may be permitted to use a little rock sale. Vegetables which are bitter in taste like bitter-gourd should be given to the patient. Garlic is also very useful.

In addition, the patient should be advised to take complete rest. He should not sleep during the day and should not ride a vehicle which might jerk the whole body or take any violent exercise. The only exertion permitted is walking over a flat, even ground to avoid shaking the body.

CHOLERA

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CHOLERA

Cholera, or Vishuchika as described in Ayurveda, is one of the most severe diseases of the intestines. It is supposed to be caused by an organism called vibrio cholerae (comma bacillus) found in large numbers in the faces of those suffering from the disease. It spreads trough flies and water contaminated by the germs of the chloerae variety. It is also fatal if not treated in time. Ninety persons out of a hundred suffering from this disease have an even chance of succumbing to it.

In the first stage which lasts from three to twelve hours, there is painless diarrhea and vomiting. This is followed by cramps In the stomach, intense thirst and restlessness. There is fever also in the latter stages but signs of collapse appear rapidly.

Death occurs in less than 24 hours, but in an epidemic from people are known to have succumbed to the infection within the matter of hours.

In the case of a fast spreading disease like cholera, prevention is as important as cure. The patient suffering from this disease should be segregated and the place where he vomits or passes his stools should be liberally sprinkled with slaked lime or other disinfectant materials.

The initial medicine is Amritdhara or Karpurdhara in small doses of two to three drops every fifteen minutes. Care should be taken to restrict the dosage because larger quantities of these preparations might lead to the stoppage of urine which would create complication. If these remedies fail to help, Lasunadi-vati should be administrated in doses of one pill with water mixed with juice of fresh lime every half an hour to an hour till the virulence of the disease subsides. The other Ayurvedic remedies for cholera include Sanjivani-vati, Ajirnakantaka-Rasa, Amarasthikwatha, Akra-Vati, Visuchika-Vati, and Visuchividhvansan-Rasa.

If there has been dehydration, the only remedy left is to infuse a saline liquid through the vein. If there is suppression of urine, step should be taken to administrator a diuretic. A hot water bag is applied to the region of the bladder can help as a local application.

If after the diarrhea and the vomiting of the cholera patient have been controlled, but he is unable to pass urine, it is an unhealthy sign and must be dealt with expeditiously and for this Mritsanjivani Sura is the drug of choice to induce urination.

Ayurveda recommends that Vaidya should not hasten to stop the diarrhea and the vomiting present in a case of cholera. The disease should be allowed to run its course for an hour or a little more, so that the toxins are ejected from the body. But a serious complication—a direct result of the disease-is the loss of body fluids, or dehydration which must be dealt with.

It should be prevented by administration of liquid preparations in small doses. Attack of Ajwain, water mixed with juice of lime or tamarind water (ripe tamarind mixed with water) should be administrated in small doses.

A patient suffering from cholera should not be given any solid food. Liquid foods, bland substances and gruel are the only substances he can take without endangering a recurrence of the disease. He should drink boiled water made cool.

The bodies of cholera victims remain warm even after death. In some cases the temperatures are known to have risen after death leading to muscular contractions as a result of which the limbs are distorted to unnatural positions. Hence, the care of the body should be taken if the unfortunate death has occurred.

Child-Birth Fever

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Child-Birth Fever

Child-birth fever, Pras-utika Jwara,( Peurperal fever) as described in Ayurveda is one of the premier reasons for mortality among the mothers. Of all the maladies and disorders that a woman is subject to after she has given birth to a child, this fever is the most common one.

It is of various types and grades of severity. After the birth of the child, the mother is specially liable, for several reason, to contract any infections disease to which she may be exposed. In the first phase she is much weakened by-labor through which she passed, and often by the loss of a great quantity of the blood.

In the second phase the injuries incidental to child-birth produce raw surfaces in the genital tract from which absorption occurs very easily.

The symptoms of this fever appear generally on the second or third day after the child-birth, the first three days being regarded as critical in recovery. There is general discomfort and feverishness, rise of temperature, quickening of the pulse and pain in the lumber region.

Inflammation of the pelvic region may also occur in some cases.

The fever may rise further and if the infection is not checked, peritonitis may set in, leading in some cases to a most serious condition known as septicemia (or general blood poisoning). In some cases, the symptoms may not be checked and death may occur because of the involvement of the heart.

In case the temperature goes beyond 103 degree Fahrenheit, cold compresses should be applied to reduce it. If the patient is very weak and complains of dizziness, then the blood transfusion should be undertaken.

The following Ayurvedic remedies are very helpful.

Prataplankeshwar Rasa - 240mg.

Sanjivani - 120mg.

To be given thrice daily with juice of ginger and honey.

Shuddha Tankan - 120mg.

Devadarbadi Quath - 58mg.

One dose in the morning.

Saubhagya Vati - 240ml

Two doses in the day.

Dashmularishta - 20ml with water.

If the fever is very high, Shri-Jaimangal Rasa should be given in place of Sanjivani.

If the fever has continued for some days in spite of medication, Vasantmalati may be given nutritious but easy to digest foods.

Clean, healthy surroundings are a must for a woman suffering from child-birth fever. She must be given nutritious but easy to digest foods.

Milk sweetened with sugar should be the main diet of her.

Sour and astringent substances should be avoided. Complete rest is necessary. Her genitals must be properly douched daily with a weak solution of potassium permanganate to keep them clean.

This disease generally occurs due of child proper nutritious substances should be given to the mother, and after birth also proper care and good diet is most essential to her. She must be saved by cold and hot.

Chickenpox

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Chickenpox

Chickenpox or Smallpox-Masurica-or Variola, is an acute infectious disease characterized by fever and by the appearance on the surface of the body of an eruption which after passing through various stages, dries up leaving more or less distinct scars.

Few diseases have been as destructive as smallpox. It is extremely infectious and if one case is imported into a locality then it may cause an epidemic. In spite of the fact that a vaccine to prevent this had been invented many decades ago but it continued to plague in our country mainly because of a superstition against the use of vaccine. This disease is superstitiously known as Goddess of Hindus.(Sitala-mata).

In Ayurveda this called Masurica or Sheetala and is supposed to be caused by the vitiation of any of the three Doshas of the body. It is of many kinds, depending on the severity and persistence of the malady.

The temperature generally does not exceed 104 degree F, but if the swelling accompanying the eruptions is too severe it may lead to internal hemorrhage and cause death. The first thing to be done when a case of smallpox is noticed is to segregate the patient so that the infection does not spread to others.

His bed cloths and use utensils should be thoroughly cleaned as soon as they are soiled. A mild purgative, if the patient is strong, might be given to reduce the virulence of the disease but if the fever is high and the eruptions red and painful, no laxatives are favorable.

In the first week, the following medicine should be given:

Swarnamakshishka - 120 mg in the morning and

Bhasma evening with decoction of Kashnar

Tree bark.

Eladyarishta - 20 ml after meals with lukewarm

Water.

In the second week, the following prescription is helpful:

Indulekha Vatika - 120 mg. in the morning and

Evening.

Haridra churna - One gm. with the juice of leaves of

Bitter-gourd plant twice-midday and

Night,daily.

Chicken pox is an acute contagious disease of children, characterized by feverishness and an eruption on the skin. Children of ages 1 to 12 are more prone to it. Even though it has a superficial resemblance to smallpox it is entirely a separate disease.

Purgatives should be avoided and also the hard food. A patient may be kept on normal soft diet.

CHANCRE

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CHANCRE

Chancre is characterized by pain as if the affected part generally the male organ or the outer vagina is being pierced by a needle.

Eruptions like small boils appear which exude pus of a pale yellow colour. In “Upadansha” born out of the vitiation of blood there may be also exudation of blood from the affected part. It gives more pain at the time of urinating and the patient feels that the organ is being pierced by needles.

Chance is the primary lesion of syphilis according to allopathy, but in Ayurveda it is treated separately. It is a contagious disease contacted thorough sexual intercourse with an infected person. it may also be caused by wounds on the male organ by nails, teeth or during intercourse with a woman during her monthly periods or with a woman suffering from some vaginal infection,

Charak has described this as Dhwahabhanga. It is of five types: three varieties are born out of the vitiation of the three Doshas of the body, one by the vitation of the blood and the fifth because of the vitiation of all the three Doshas together. It is known us Updansha in Ayurveda. There is also a feeling of itching and even in a mild form there is inflammation and the parts are tender to the touch.

The boils, when they burst, give rise to wounds with sharply defined edges. The affection spreads to glands, penis and the prepuce in the males and the labia minora and clitoris in the females.

According to Charak the following medicines are most helpful in chancre—

Chopchindadi paka - 12 gm

To be given once at breakfast time with milk.

Rasamanikya - 120 mg.

Varadadi Guggul - 1 ½ gm.

Chopchina Churna - 1 ½ gm.

To be given twice daily with decoction of neem leaves.

Sarivadyasava - 12 ml

Rasashekhar - 240 mg.

With water after meals twice daily. At bed time with water.

Bhairava Ratnavali is the best medicine for chancre. It should be given in doses of 900 mg. daily for three days and 300 mg. for the next 11 days. The total intake should be about 5.1 mg. in 14 days. The maximum allowed is 7.5 gms of the medicine throughout the course of the treatment.

The medicine must be given in a capsule because its direct oral administration may lead to eruptions in the mouth.

The affected parts should be washed with decoction of need-leaves or boric powder and properly dried.

Washing them with mild and using hot water for cleaning the parts is also very helpful.

Patient suffering from this disease should take a salt free diet. Bitter, sour and pungent substances should be avoided and intercourse is strictly prohibited.

Bed Wetting

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Bed Wetting

Generally the boys and girls up to the age of 15-16 years suffer from this ailment, but boys are more sufferers than girls.

Due to certain reasons, this control does not manifest because of which they continue to pass urine in beds at night.

Bed-wetter may pass urine at night even more than once. It is often found that the brothers and sisters of the same family use to pass urine involuntarily at night. It is also recorded that the parents in their young age had also the same trouble. The causative factors of bed-wetting are physical and emotional. If there is an infection in the bladder or kidney or an organic defect in the urinary tract then the child may wet the bed.

Thread worms also play mischievous role. At night they come out of the anus to lay the egg outside and thus they cause a certain amount of irritation and as a reflex action the child passes urine. Other intestinal worms are also found to cause this problem. They cause some amount of pain in stomach and as a reaction, the child wets at bed. If there is an organic defect in the urinary tract, Ayurvedic medicines, if used continuously for sufficiently long time, help the child to get control over his urinary sphincters and thus he stops bed-wetting.

The medicine that is commonly used for this purpose is shilajit. To a child of five years, this medicine can be given twice daily in a dose of 1/4^th of a gm mixed with milk on empty stomach.

For young boys and girls of the age up to 15 it can be given in a dose of 1/2gm twice daily. This produces a sense of warm in the body of the patient when taken continuously for a long time, therefore, during winter season and in summer, its doses should be reduced to 50%.

The psychic factors of bed-wetting are…

(1) Too early an attempt for bladder training,

(2) Emotional immaturity.

(3) Shyness.

(4) Conflicts between parents.

(5) Conflict between the child and his parents

(6) Rivalry among brothers and sisters.

(7) Insufficient attention from the patients.

(8) Sense of insecurity.

(9) Problems of school adjustments.

The cause of the disease should first be located and if it is physical or emotional it should be corrected treated. The child should not be scolded after 4pm. Should not be given any water to drink even if he feels thirsty. He should have dinner without water or much of fluid. The parents should find out approximately the time of bed-wetting and should wake up the child about half hour before that and take him to the toilet.

As a practice the child should be asked to urinate before going to bed. He or she should be made to get up from his bed and visit the toilet for passing the urine. Some times the children get nightmares and they are mostly thumb suckers or nail bitters.

There are many medicines containing Shilajit as an important ingredient. The one popularly used medicines for bed-wetting is Chandra-prabha vati. Normally tablets of this medicine are available and they weigh 0.25gm. To children of about five years age, half a tablet of this medicine is given in the morning and another half in evening on empty stomach with half a cup of milk or lukewarm water.

Children of more than 10years of age can take one full tablet, twice daily with milk. It strengthens the geneto-urinary tract and simultaneously strengthens the nervous system.

The patients’ bowels should be kept clear so that the thread worms do not trouble him or her at night. This is one of the important cause of bed-wetting. He or she should be shown affection and an atmosphere of friendship should be created amongst his or her brother and sisters.

He or she should stop taking water after 4o clock in the after noon and no liquids should be given to him during night meals.

Food ingredients which are spicy which cause constipation and wind formation in the stomach are strictly prohibited. The patient should take punpkranpatola, bitter gourd, tomato, potato, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, radish drumstick and other leafy vegetables.

Cervical Spondylosis

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Cervical Spondylosis

This disease is a particular form of arthritis which attacks vertebrae and connecting bony and ligamental structures. It is known as spondylosis. The osteo-arthritic type of spondylitis is known as spondylosis. Frequently it occurs in the cervical vertebrae. The spines of majority of people above the age of 50/60 have certain degree of osteo-arthritic changes. Though they seldom cause acute symptoms. Certain precipitating factors like excessive intake of sour food trauma, incorrect posture of the body and pressure while sleeping, usually form these attacks.

In Ayurveda this condition is known as griva sandhigata vata. Pain in the back of the neck, shoulder and arms stiffness of the neck and even paraplegia occur due to this condition. The pain of the neck is generally aggravated by the movement of the spine. It is generally associated with loss of memory and sleeplessness.

Violent massage with deep pressure is very harmful for the patient. Only gentle massage of mahanarayana taila is best suited. This gentle massage can be given 2-3 times a day. In winter season, this oil should be gently warmed before application. Guggulu, gum-resin extracted from the plant is the best medicine for the treatment of this condition. A compound preparation named as simhanada guggulu is popularly used for the treatment of this condition. It is given in a dose of 2-4 tablets, four times a day. Usually hot water or hot milk is given to the patient after the administration of this medicine.

For the patient is recover from this ailment, it is necessary that his bowels should move easily and regularly. This medicine, is very helpful for this purpose. For patients having clear motions, this medicine should be given in a dose of 2 tablets and for constipated patients the dose should be at least of 4 tablets.

Triphala powder is the best medicine for the above purpose. One teaspoonful of triphala should be given to the patient, mixed with a cup of warm milk and one spoon of sugar I night. If the motions become regular by the intake of simhanada guggulu, then triphala powder may be given only twice a week.

Hot fomentation of the vertebrae of the neck is very helpful in this condition. In a big handkerchief about 500 gm. of salt should be kept over a frying pan till it becomes tolerably hot. Then this should be applied over the neck.

After fomentation the affected pat should not be exposed to cold wind. In winter season, therefore, immediately after fomentation, the affected part should be covered with some cotton garments. It is good to take fomentation before bedtime. After fomentation the patient should go to sleep so that there may be no risk of exposure.

Bitter vegetables like bitter variety of drumstick, neem flowers and bitter-gourd are very useful. Wheat is better than rice for the patient.

Exposure to cold, cold bath and any violent exercise of the neck muscles, including pressure, are very harmful for the patients. Under the impression that this pain is being caused by some defects in the muscles, people undertake different types of exercises of the neck. If the pain is acute even ordinary head bath is prohibited. Morning walk gives considerable relief to the patient ; but if it is cold outside, the patient should always use a woolen scarf around his neck while going out. He should ,however, avoid taking refined wheat which is known as maida ( fine flour) and suji (semolina). To some extend they are constipative and do not help the patient in his recovery. Sour things, particularly curd, are strictly prohibited. Fried things, pulses and various preparations of pulses are also contraindicated in this condition.

Cataract

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Cataract

In this disease one first notices deteriorating vision, especially for distances. Indeed, close vision may actually improve for a time. One eye may see a double image. Like any other affliction associated primarily with age, records of cataract are very old. It may be more common today because people live longer, but on the other hand, early eye care is better, and eye infections and physical damage probably less common. On balance, there may even be fewer cases of cataract than there once were. Injury to the eye can lead to cataract, and a few infants are born with a defect resulting in early cataracts.

The lens is a clear tissue consisting of regularly aligned molecules of protein connected to fat. These molecules become deformed so that their regular alignment is disrupted. In outline, that is what happens, but why it happens, no one knows. The lens lies just behind the iris, the colored portion of the eye. In normal light the lens is invisible, showing only as the black pupil. However, its dimensions are regulated along with the size of the opening by muscles in the iris which are also attached to the lens. Light enters through the glassy surface of the eye, the cornea, passes through the iris and is focused by the lens on the heavily innervated inner surface of the eyeball, the retina. However, the curved surface of the cornea also helps to focus light on the retina.

At first, cataract obscures sight at the periphery, and slowly it produces total blindness in the affected eye. In Ayurveda this disease called timira or linga nasha. Aggravated vayu (air) is considered to be responsible for the manifestation of this disease.

One of the properties of vayu is to make things dry up. When the uncutaneousness and softness of the lens and its capsule are lost, it become opaque and the rays of light coming from the object are unable to pass through this. When the rays do not pass through this, the retina becomes incapable of accepting them. Thereby, the preparation of vision is impaired. In the first stage of the cataract the whole lens or the capsule may not be affected and thus, there will be only partial impairment of vision. The object may appear disrupted or dull.

The aggravated vayu has to be corrected first. Ghee is one of the important articles which corrects vayu. Triphala provides nourishment and strengthens the nerves and other tissue of the eye ball.

MahaTriphala ghrita consisting of ghee with triphala, among others, is generally used for the treatment of this condition. This medicine, acts very well only in the first stage of the development of this condition. This medicated ghee is given to the patient in a dose of two teaspoonfuls twice daily about one hour before taking food mixed with a cup of warm milk. If the cataract is fully matured, then it is very difficult to correct it.

Chandrodaya vati is used externally in this condition. On a clean stone it is rubbed with a little water and the paste is applied in the form of a collyrium. It promotes blood circulation and lacrimation in the eyes. The collyrium also provides nourishment to the tissue of the eye. To keeps the eyes free from any disease it is necessary to keep the patient free from constipation. Both maha Triphala ghrita and triphala water help in keeping the patient free from constipation. For prevention of this disease and also for curing when it has just started, triphala water is very useful.

Triphala powder should be taken in a dose of one tablespoonful and added to a tumbler full of water in the evening. This is kept for 12 hours well covered. In the morning, this should be squeezed and strained through a piece of clean cloth. The filtrate, thus obtained, should be used both for washing the eyes and taking internally.

Exposure to excessive heat and sun is strictly prohibited. Excessive worry, anger and anxiety should be avoided, because they promote the disease.

Cow’s ghee, milk and butter are very useful. The patient can take wheat, rice, moong dal, banana, spinach, methi, patola, sweet variety of koshataki, drumsticks, lady’s fingers, pomegranates, grapes, apples, and oranges. But pungent, bitter, soar, and saline ingredients of food should be avoided.

Very carefully the treatment should be done otherwise a total blindness may erupt.

Bulbous Eruptions

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Bulbous Eruptions

There is an another category fever-Visphotaka Jwara the one which accompanies eruptions, particularly bulbous eruptions. They may be confused with eruptions of smallpox even though the two are of different varieties.

Ayurveda recommends drugs which alleviate Pitta and help to purify the blood. When there is fever along with a bulbous eruption on the body or any of its parts, the following drugs should be administrated.

Shuddha Gandhka - 120 mg.

Chandanadi Loha - 240 mg.

Pravala Pishti - 120 mg.

(To be given daily with candy)

No cold substances or food causing ‘Pitta’ should be given. A complete rest is also advised.

Burning Urine

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Burning Urine

Some people feeling burning sensation while passing urine. An infection in the urinary passage caused by venereal disease like gonorrhea, enlargement of prostrate glands, a stone in the urinary bladder, or simple concentrated urine, as it happens in summer, might be responsible for this types of complaint.

The burning sensation may occur along with the passage of urine or it may occur even after that. In the beginning it may subside by some alkaline drinks or few glasses of simple water. Other symptoms like discharge of pus from the urethra, stoppage of urination, bleeding and fever might accompany, when occur then the treatment is very necessary.

The main disease because of which burning sensation occurs in the urinary passage has to be treated meticulously. There are some Ayurvedic medicines which act to correct the burning sensation. They are shilajatu, gokshura, chandan ,and ushira. Many preparations of these medicines are also available and they are commonly administrated to such patients.

Gokshuradi guggula and Chandra prabha vathi are given to the patients in a dose of two tablets, three or four times a day. They act as an antiseptic while being eliminated through the urinary tract. They are used both for preventing and curative purpose.

Chandanaseva and Ushiraseva are two alcoholic preparations. They are given to the patient in a dose of six teaspoonful after food, twice daily mixed with equal quantity of water.

If the complain is chronic, the patient has to given pravala in a powder form. It is made to a powder by grinding with rose water. This is usually given in a dose of 0.5 mg. twice daily mixed with milk.

The patient must be given as much water as possible to drink. Fresh lemon juice, orange juice, carrot juice, fresh coconut water, sugarcane juice , and pineapple juice are useful in this condition. Hot spices are to be strictly avoided. The patient should be given the fruits like grapes, apple, peaches. And plums.

Leafy vegetables, rice, ghee, milk are also helpful for the patient

The patient should not expose himself to sun or heat. In summer season, burning urine commonly occurs along with heat stroke. Before going out in the sun, it is always advisable to take a glass or two of syrup prepared by boiling green mangoes and adding sugar or sugar-candy (Gur) to it known as ‘Panna’. Jamun is also a very useful fruit for this.

Two or three glasses of water mixed with ‘gur’ should be taken early morning every day, during summer season. This will be more helpful in this disease.

Bronchitis

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Bronchitis

In Ayurveda, this is known as Kasa roga. Ayurveda considers Kasa roga to be caused primarily by the impairment of digestion. For the treatment of bronchitis, therefore, drugs having properties to correct both the lungs and stomach are prescribed by Vaidyas

A serious variety of Kasa Roga, bronchitis (Shwasa pranati Shoth) is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes which carry air to the lungs. It is a disease endemic to cold, damp climates but may strike anywhere.

Ayurveda ascribes it to impairment of the digestive processes and the remedies selected for its cure are those which help to restore the digestive balance too.

The disease bronchitis is characterized by the inflammation of the bronchi of the lungs which results in the discharge (coughing out) of a muco-purulent substances, commonly known as phlegm.

It is of several types depending upon the nature of the discharge- bronchitis can occur as a symptom of many other diseases like tuberculosis. In all such cases, one or the other type of germ is considered to be the main causative factor.

The inflammation of bronchitis attacks the mucous membrane of the bronchi to which phlegm adheres and there is difficulty in expelling it. the phlegm, when expelled, is found to be viscid and purulent. because of the tendency of the viscid phlegm to stick to the bronchi, there occurs difficulty in breathing and the lungs are starved of air.

A fit of coughing may turn the face of the patient blue and the patients becomes thin and emaciated. In its acute form it may give rise to temperatures, breathlessness and loss of appetite. In give rise to temperatures, breathlessness and loss of appetite. In its chronic form it is, sometimes a manifestation of tuberculosis.

If proper care is not taken and the disease becomes chronic ir may deteriorate into bronchial asthma.

The simplest treatment for bronchitis is the administration of one teaspoonful of turmeric powder (Haridra) with a glass of milk twice or thrice daily. It acts best when taken on an empty stomach.

A powder of equal quantities of dried ginger, black pepper and long pepper(pipili) can also be given thrice daily.

It may be mixed with honey. Because of their anti- pyretic qualities a powder of these three deals with the fever attendant upon bronchitis and also balances up the metabolism of the patient.

Standard Ayurvedic preparation for bronchitis, both acute and chronic, is as under-

Juice of Vasa

(adhatoda vasika) - 2 teaspoonfuls

Honey - 2 teaspoonful

(This is to be taken thrice daily)

Rasa sindur - 120 mg

Pravala pisthi - 240 mg

Sitopaladi churna - 3 gm

(To be taken thrice daily with deshi ghee)

Kaphachintamani - 120 mg

Kaphaketu - 120 mg

Shringyadi churna - 2 gm

(To be taken thrice daily)

In the case of a congested throat which accompanies bronchitis in many cases, khadiradi vati should be sucked as a lozenge four or five times a day. The main ingredient of the, catechu, helps relief the congestion. The main ingredient of this drug is know as khadira.

At the time of infection, the patient also suffers fever and these medicines cure fever as well, because of their anti-pyretic and stimulant effects.

These drugs create such an environment in the body, and specially in the lungs of the individual, that the harmful germs do not find it congenial to thrive.

If these drugs taken in excess they may produce a little burning sensation in the chest, and in that case, the dose should be reduced, or some more honey should be added.

A plant called vasa is also very useful in curing cough and bronchitis, specially when they become chronic. The juice of the leaves of this plant is generally used in a dose of two teaspoonful, three time a day. The taste of the juice is slightly bitter. Thus to make it palatable, an equal quantity of honey may added.

Exposure to cold wind and rain should be avoided. Bath in cold water is contraindicated, more so when bronchitis is in its acute phase. Curds and sour substances should be avoided. Banana and guava are also fruits which are contraindicated in this disease. Proper care and attention is very necessary for the treatment of this disease.

Black- water fever

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Black- water fever

The disease is found mostly in case where administration of quinine has been present over a long period.

The malaria for which quinine is given enters the tertiary stage and degenerates into black water fever.

Black water fever ‘Kalamcha jwara’ – is an acute disease characterized by haemoglobinuria (black water) – presence of blood pigment in the urine.

The infection of black water fever destroys the red blood corpuscles in the blood vessels or in the urinary passage leading to a dark red colour of the urine. It is generally associated with malignant tertian malaria and occurs mostly in tropical countries as India.

The symptoms of black water fever are: temperature of the body ranging from 104 degree Fahrenheit to 105 degree Fahrenheit, rigor nausea, bilious vomiting, jaundice, gastric discomfort and the passage of blackish or brownish urine due to the presence of the blood pigment in the urine.

Both the spleen and the liver are enlarged and tender to the touch.

The temperature of black water fever falls after a few hours preceded by profuse sweating and the skin become jaundiced. Mild cases may recover in a couple of days but if a failure of diagnosis or carelessness occurs, the fever may last many days.

In this disease the patient should be kept warm. A mild laxative enema may be given. A drip (containing rock salt 6 grams. Soda- bi-carbonate 12 gm, glucose 58 gm, adrelinine 5 minims) would be effective.

Water from a fresh coconut should be given to the patient if during fever he wants to drink something.

The fever, according to Ayurveda, is the result of vitiation of both Vata and Kapha. The following drugs are recommended at the time the fever is at its height:-

Swarnagairika - 240 mg.

Meghnada Rasa - 120 mg.

Talbhasma - 120 mg.

Swarnamakshika Bhasma - 120mg.

Should be taken four times a day.

Raktapittakulakandana Rasa - 120 mg.

Laksha Churna - 500 mg.

Chandanadi Lauha - 240 mg.

Karanjadi Vati 500 mg.

Should be given four times daily with decoction of bark of neem tree.

After the attack has passed, treatment indicated for jaundice should be given with all the regiments regarding food and rest.

One should not to confuse the black water fever with kala Azar. Kala Azar is a totally different fever and probably more serious than this.

Baldness

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Baldness

Normally, many people are found with hairlessness on a circumscribed area of the skull or the beard. This is known as baldness. This baldness may be local or general. In worst cases, hair of the beard, eye lashes, eyebrows, armpits and even pubic region id lost. In Ayurveda this condition has been described as Khalitya.

Generally mental worry, anxiety and anger are the cause of this ailment. A type of pathogenic organism is also considered to be the cause on the loss of hair from the body including the head. It does not cause any physical pain but it creates a lot of psychic problems.

For this disease Bhringaraja oil is the drug of choice for the treatment of the disease. Mahabhringraja taila or Nilibhringadi taila are also useful. Any one of this is to be gently massaged over the affected area about one hour before taking bath.

By this massage some of the existing weak hair fall out. Therefore, in the beginning, the hair will look thinner and the baldness would appear as if increasing. The patient should not worry about this. This should be used constantly for about six months before ant significant result could be achieved.

Powder of bhringaraja should be given to the patient orally. One teaspoonful of this powder mixed with honey should be given on empty stomach, twice a day.

Elephant tusk is very popularly used by ‘vaidyas’ for the treatment of this ailment. The tusk is cut into small pieces and taken burnt to ashes. This is rubbed with ghee or honey over the patches, daily. This can preferably be done at night so that the ashes of elephant tusk remain in the contact with the skin overnight.

If baldness appears in young age the Ashvakanchuki rasa should be used for this purpose. It is a strong purgative. In the beginning, application of this medicine causes a little redness and irritation but slowly hair begin to grow.

These tablets are crushed, mixed with honey and externally rapid. This is applied over the spot in afternoon and allowed to dry up. The patient should go to bed without washing. According to Ayurveda the main cause of hair-falling is the weakness. Thereafter the sutterer should take nourishing diet like butter, ghee, milk and such other high- protein diet as normally recommended. Therefore, fried things are strictly prohibited for such patients.

Worry is one of the primary causes of baldness. The patient should, therefore, try to maintain a tranquil disposition and avoid anxieties. Spending sleepless nights and suppression of the natural urges of stool and urine, excessive sexual indulgence are strictly prohibited. The tension further aggravates the baldness. The patient should see that he gets clear motions every day because the constipent may disturb sleep and this sleepness may increase this disease. A glass of water early morning will be quite helpful for the patient. It will be necessary for him to walk for about 1-2 kilometers either in the morning or in the evening daily.

If this happens after 50/55 years of age then no treatment should be done because of the age factor.

Remember an early care is very helpful to control this disease.

Asthma

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Asthma

In Ayurveda Asthma is considered to originate from the affliction of the stomach and other parts of gastro-intestinal tract. Therefore, in most of the cases, the patient suffers from constipation, indigestion or diarrhea.

The point of the disease is lungs. Because of pressure, the heart also gets involved. Usually before the attacks, the patient gets nasal congestion, even obstruction and sneezing.

In Ayurveda, therefore, for both the prevention and cure of this disease, primary attention and cure of this disease, primary attention is given to stomach, bowels, nose and lungs. In chronic cases the special care is taken to strengthen the heart.

Asthma and bronchial asthma are similar disease and the remedies for both of them are common. Bronchial asthma is known as Tomak Shvasa in Ayurveda and is supposed to originate from afflictions of the stomach and the gastro intestinal tract. That is why in the preliminary stage of the disease the patient complains of indigestion, constipation and even of diarrhea.

An attack of asthma comes on early in morning when the patient suddenly wakes up with a feeling of apprehension and alarm.

Suddenly breathing becomes impossible in a recumbent position.

The attack may last for a few hours or a few days before it subsides.

In early stages of the disease, it leaves the patient normal. When it becomes chronic then the patient acquires a typical asthmatic look—i.e., a pale face and an emaciated body.

Asthma is characterized by difficulty in breathing, a sense of tightness, constriction around the chest and a wheezing noise as the breath is expelled. The small bronchial tubes which connect with the lungs are constricted due to swelling or accumulation of viscid phlegm in the main bronchi, hence the difficulty in inspiration and expiration. Asthma is of many types. The one commonly found is called bronchial asthma.

For this disease, the medicines commonly used in ayurveda are agastya rasayana and chavan prash. Both these medicines are composed of many drugs. But the chief ingredient of chyavana prasha is the fruit of amalaki. This is one of the important sources of vitamin c. vitamin c is found in many citrus fruits. But they get destroyed when they are exposed to the heat of sun or fire. Amakali, however, is an exception, and the vitamin C content of it does not get destroyed even after boiling. The fruit of haritaki is the main ingredient of the other medicine, viz, agastya rasayana. This is also known as Agastya haritaki.

Of these two, i.e., Chayavana prasha and Agastya rasayana the former is used more as a tonic and is specifically indicated in the cases of bronchial asthma, in which the patient becomes more weak.

Agastya rasayana is given to patients of bronchial asthma who are constipated and also to those who often complain of sneezing, blocking of the nostrils and of the throat.

Both these drugs can be taken in a dose of up to two teaspoonfuls three times a day. Care should be taken to see that the normal appetite of the patient is maintained.

Agastya rasayana, if taken in heavy dose, may cause loose motions and in that case the dose of the medicine should be reduces. Both these medicines are to be taken before food, preferably on empty stomach and at bedtime. A cup of warm milk or even warm water should be taken after these medicines. They are to be taken during and even after the attack of asthma.

They have both preventive and curative value. It takes some time for the action of these medicines to work. Even though they might give some relief immediately after their intake, they usually take two to three weeks to act fully. In chronic cases may take still more time.

Sitopaladi chunamay be taken, three to four times a day, in one teaspoonful dose, thoroughly mixed with honey. In the same manner, and same dose, pippali powder may be used. Some medicines containing mineral products are also very useful in reducing the attacks of asthma immediately. They are kanakasava, shvasa kasa chintamani rasa, suvarnapushpasuga rasa.

Care should be taken about these medicines as they may at times produce side effects. Therefore, they should preferably be taken under the supervision of an expert vaidya.

The patient should strictly avoid curd, butter-milk, banana, guava and other fried things. At night, he should take light food. dry grapes are useful in this condition. Smoking and intake of tea or coffee should be reduced. The patient should not expose himself to rain and severe cold-wind. He should not also indulge in hard- work.

Arthritis (RHEUMATOID)

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Arthritis (Rheumatoid)

In the very beginning, this disease affects the small joints in fingers. Stiffness of the small muscles of the hands is generally the next stage and the fingers tend to get curved and ultimately become fixed. The infection then spreads towards the trunk involving the wrist joints, ankle joints, elbow joints, knee joints, shoulders, hips and jaw.

If the bigger joint are affected then Brihadvata chintamani is the drug of choice. It is given in a does of 0.250 gms, mixing with honey two or three times a day, depending upon the period of the pain and the duration of the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a generally progressive disease affecting primarily the joints which becomes swollen and painful. The muscles, ligaments, synovial membrane and the cartilages get inflamed and therefore, movement of the joints becomes extremely painful. If it goes unchecked, and the joints remains immobilized for long periods, then ankylosis occurs. This leads to deformity, it may result in deformity.

In the beginning, Mahayogaraja guggulu is given to the patient. In the winter season it is given in a dose of two tablets four times a day. In summer season it is given in a dose of two tablets, two times a day. Hot water or milk is given to the patient after these tablets. They are more effective when taken on empty stomach.

Medicated oil, namely, Mahanarayana Taila should be used for gentle massage over the joints. In winter season, it should be luke-warmed before massage.

If in a later state the spine gets affected then in this position Brihadvata Chintamani should be given to the patient in a litter higher dose for about a week and then reduced.

If the patient is not suffering from constipation then these 2 drugs mentioned above will work properly to give result. If there is a constipation then Castor oil may be given as purgative every evening to remove constipation.

If the condition of patient becomes move chronic then along with both medicines described above a decoction ‘Maharasanadi Kwattha’ should be given to the patient, in a dose of 6 tea spoonful slightly warmed.

Garlic and ginger are most useful in this disease. Five cloves of garlic twice a day should be given. Bitter gourd, bitter drumstick and ‘neem’ flowers are very helpful diets for this.

Rice and sour things like curd, preparation of pulses fried things and constipating food should not be given to the patient.

The patient should not expose himself to cold wind or rain. He should not drink iced water.

Light and gentle exercise are also recommended to the patient. Though the patient is advised not to make much of movement but he should not keep joints immobilized. This may result in permanently deformity.

anaemia

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Anaemia

The most common deficiency leading to anemia is a shortage of the oxygen-carrying mineral, iron, which normally forms the heart of hemoglobin molecules in all red blood cells. Because the iron from old red blood cells is stored in the liver and re-used, the diet needs to make up only for the iron lost in the cells shed from the skin or the intestinal lining. Blood contains about 2.5gm of iron in adult, and the liver reserve adds roughly another 1.5gm. the most common source of deficiency is menstruation. Although the average Western diet contains about 10mg of iron per day, we normally absorb only about 1mg. During pregnancy and breast feeding, absorption rises to about 3mg per day, a topping up operation which is not understood. But a half-teaspoon of blood contains roughly 1mg of iron so that menstruation or other kinds of slow bleeding can easily produce iron deficiency. Pregnant women and young children whose blood volume must expand with their bodies are obviously at risk of this form of anaemia.

The best food sources of iron are certain vegetables, notably soybeans. Bread also contains iron, but although whole wheat contains more than white or brown, another chemical in the former, physic acid, impairs mineral absorption.

In Ayurveda anaemia is known as ‘pandu’. According to Ayurveda followings are the causes of this disease.

(1) Loss of blood by excessive menstruation, child-birth, injury, bleeding from the gastro-intestinal tract, due to certain diseases like purpura and haemophilia which are characterized by bleeding.

(2) Formation of defective blood due to infections, drugs and toxins.

(3) Deficiency of iron.

(4) Defective absorption of substance in diet, which can’t enrich the blood.

One of the most striking symptom of anaemia is the pallor of the skin. The color of the internal lining of eyelid becomes yellow. There is weakness, giddiness, breathing is shallow, the rapid pulse and low blood pressure.

In severe cases the tongue in often sore and the nails of the fingers brittle and concave instead of convex.

This disease has many stages and it’s treatment should be done very carefully. If this disease is ignored, it may turn into pernicious anaemia which is more difficult to cure.

In some serious cases, the patient may have to be given a blood transfusion to make up the loss of blood as happens in traumas like serve hemorrhage due to injury or bursting of an ulcer in the abdominal region.

Before treatment, the exact cause of the malady should be ascertained. If it is of a mild nature and has been occurred due to insufficient nutrition, then the massive doses of the lacking substances could cure it. If it is due to stomach or bone-marrow or malfunctioning of the liver Punarnavati Mundura can be given.

One gm. of this medicine should be given with honey four times a day. This medicine contains about 22 ingredients. This formula possesses rejuvenating properties. The viscera or part thereof, the vitiation of which produces anaemia, gets rejuvenating by the use of this drug. Other drugs included in this formula also stimulate the affected organs and regulate their functions. Some of them increase the appetite organs and regulate their functions. Some of them increase the appetite of the patient, and thus, food is properly digested. Some of these medicines may become a little toxic if not used in the proper dose. In serious cases of anaemia, these drugs are to be used under the proper supervision of an expert Vaidya.

In this disease, sour things specially curd, and fried things, are prohibited. Green vegetables are considered to be very useful. Sweet prepared by adding til seeds (without removing the outer husk) in a syrup prepared of Gur (sugar candy) is to be very helpful. This specially given when the liver function is seriously affected.

Fruit juices, milk, green vegetable and light food free from fats and sour substances are recommended for an amaemia patient. Sweet mango is very helpful in this disease. ‘Triphala’ water (three myrobatian soaked in water for one night) is the best remedy for constipation, if the patient is suffering this.

According to Ayurveda, this disease is considered to be caused by the vitiation of Pitta. Purgation is considered to be the best therapy for correcting Pitta. Therefore. While treating a case, constipation is corrected in the first instance. In a constipated patient, the medicines mentioned above do not work well. Punarnava mundura, itself, works as a mild laxative when administered in a large dose.

Apart from the medicine described above, there are many other medicines mentioned in Ayurveda, which are to be given in specific types of anaemia.

Vyoshadi Ghirata, Pandu Panchanan Rasa. Lauhesava, Phaltrikadi. Kashaya are some of the other standard Ayurveda preparation useful in anaemia.

Amoebic Dysentery

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Amoebic Dysentery

It is an infection caused by an organism. This organism is only a secondary factor in the causation of this disease. Irregularity of diet, intake of heavy indigestible food, and emotional factors such as worry, anxiety and anger etc. are mainly responsible for the emergence of this disease. In Ayurveda amoebic dysentery has been described as pravahika.

There is loss of appetite and the patient becomes excessively weak. In chronic amoebic dysentery, the liver is affected seriously and the patient loses a considerable amount of weight, because his disease is characterized by the passage of mucus along with the stool which occurs frequently.

For the treatment of this disease kutuja is the best drug. The bark of this plant in powder form is given to the patient in a dose of one teaspoonful, three times a day. To make this, 30gms. of the powder of this drug is boiled with two cups of water till it reduced to one-fourth. Some honey may be added while given it to the patient, because this decoction becomes bitter and the patient can’t swallow it easly.

After taking this drug, the patient will have frequent motions but the stools containing mucus will be of small quantity. He may even feel constipated. Therefore, for constipation as a routine, the patient should be given two or three teaspoonful of the powdered Isabagol with milk.

In chronic dysentery Rasaparpati is used. It is a preparation of mercury and sulphur, and is given to the patients in a dose of 125 gms thrice a day. During this treatment the diet should be limited to boiled rice cooked in milk mix with a little sugar.

A complete bed rest is advised to the patient. He should not take the bath also during the actue stage of this disease. Salt and water should be strictly prohibited.

Curd mix with rice with a little dose of opium can be given in the patient. A mixture of boiled moong-dal with rice is also a good diet in this disease. Soups of tomato is also advised for the patient. Substances having sour taste like lemon, pomegranate, banana are useful. For children banana with a very little opium may be given once a day.

The patient of this disease should never be given fried substances, chillies or other alike things.

Ayurvedic Treatments

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AYURVEDIC TREATMENTS
(For Various Diseases and Body Disorders)

AMOEBIC DYSENTERY
ANAEMEA
ARTHRITIS (RHEUMATOID)
ASTHMA
BALDNESS
BED-WETTING
BLACK-WATER-FEVER
BRONCHITIS
BURNING URINE
BULBOUS ERUPTIONS
CATARACT
CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS
CHANCRE
CHICKENPOX
CHILD-BIRTH FEVER
CHOLERA
CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER
COLIC PAIN
COMMON COLD
COMMON FEVER
CONSTIPATION
COUGH
CRAMPS
DENGUE FEVER
DIABETES
DIARRHEA
DIPHTHERIA
DISPLACEMENT OF THE UTERUS
DUODENAL ULCER
DYSENTERY
DYSPEPSIA
DYSUREA
EAR-PUS
ECZEMA
ENLARGEMENT OF THE PROSTATE GLAND
EPILEPSY
EPISTAXIS
ERYSIPELAS
FACIAL PARALYSIS
FEMALE STERILITY
FILARIA
HECTIC FEVER
INFLUENZA
INTERMITTENT FEVER
KALA-AZAR
MALARIA
MEASLES
MUMPS
PNEUMONIA
RHEUMATIC FEVER
SANDFLY FEVER
TYPHOID FEVER
YELLOW FEVER
FLATULENCE
GASTRITIS
GLOSSITIS
GOITER
GONORRHEA
GOUT
GRAYING OF HAIR
GYNECOLOGICAL DISORDERS
HAEMATURIA
HEMORRHAGE
HEADACHE
HEART DISEASE
HEAT STROKE
HEMATEMESIS
HAEMOPTYSIS
HICCOUGH
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
HOARSENESS
HYSTERIA
IMPOTENCY
INDIGESTION
INTESTINAL WORMS
JAUNDICE
LEUCODERMA
LEUCORRHEA
LEUKEMIA
LOW BLOOD PRESSURE
LUMBAGO
MALE STERILITY
MIGRAINE
MENORRHAGIA
MENSTRUATION
MYOPIA
NEPHRITIS
OBESITY
OEDEMA
PILES
PLEURISY
PRICKLY HEAT
PSORIASIS
PYORRHEA
RHEUMATISM
RING WORM
SCABIES
SCHIZOPHRENIA
SCIATICA
SCURVY
SLEEPLESSNESS
SNEEZING
SPRUE SYNDROME
STONES IN THE URINARY TRACT
STOMATITIS
STYE
SYPHILIS
THIRST
TONSILLITIS
TUBERCULOSIS
ULCERS OF THE STOMACH
URTICARIA
VOMITING
WHOOPING COUGH

Ayurveda in detail

2008-08-20T13:34:00.006+05:30

What is Ayurveda ?

Thousands years ago Indian Yogis Invented its on treatment for common diseases. It was the god of medicines ( Dhanvantari) who gaves this terminology as Ayurveda. The oldest book on this subject is “Charak Sanhinta” apart this with the change of the time many of the treatments were invented by Indian saints towards Ayurveda.

Ayurveda is the science which treats of what is advantageous and what is harmful for the body and also the happy and unhappy states of life. It explains what is good and what is bad for the human life, its measurement and other related matters.

The word Ayurveda is composed of two terms, Ayush meaning life and Veda meaning knowledge of science. Thus, etymologically, Ayurveda means the science of life or biology-has it’s root in antiquity and has been practiced in our country for centuries, but the western culture and education and English - regime pushed this ancient science in the shades. It was only after freedom that physician started thinking of reviving this ancient science.

It is in the connection that one thinks of Ayurveda, which is more than a system of medicine. Even though, etymologically, it may be loosely translated as the science of life, but Ayurveda provides rational help for the treatment of many internal diseases which are considered to be obstinate and incurable in other system of medicine. Simultaneously it lays a great deal of emphasis upon the maintenance of positive health of an individual. Thus it aims at both the prevention and cure of diseases.

Ayurveda is also studies basic human nature, and natural urges like hunger, thirst, sleep, sex, etc., and provides measure for a disciplined, disease-free life for human beings.

Ayurveda is a science of healing, it concentrates on the techniques of a healthy normal life, and it believes that every human is comparable to the cosmos. He is a minuscule image of the great cosmos. According to it’s panch bhuta (five elements) theory, all animate and inanimate things in the universe are made of panch bhutas,(the five forms of matter_ earth, fire, water, air and ether). These matters become organized in the form of living creatures who constantly absorb the five elements in the environment.

The body transforms the nutrition in the environment into Prasad and kitta or mala ; out of this transformation are born in the seven physiological elements__ blood, bone, flesh, fat, marrow, and semen. The body, like nature with its ceaseless transformation of matter is in a state of constant flex. “ Every thing in it is in a state of ceaseless change. According to this theory death is the reversion of matter constituting the organism to its original state.”

Ayurveda has 8 distinct branches__

General Medicine
Major Surgery
Ear, Nose, Throat, Eye, and Mouth
Psychiatry
Midwifery, Pediatrics
Toxicology
Rejuvination
Aphrodiasics.

Because of these eight-fold development Ayurveda is also known as ‘Ashtanga Ayurveda’. The practitioner of Ayurveda is known as ‘Vaidya’.

According to Ayurveda three things are responsible for the health of any human being. i.e.Vata (wind), Pitta (bile) and Kapha (phlegm).

Vata is a combination of the two elements of the universe, namely, air and ether. Pitta is an amalgam of fire and earth. Kapha is the combination of ether and water. Of these three Vata or wind occupies a prominent position. Food which we take is moved into the stomach and blood circulated through all parts of the body by the power of the prana vayu, air of life.

The apan vayu (unwanted air) is in the region of the anus and acts downwords to expel the faeces, urine, semen, and fetuses. The saman vayu (air of equal) located in the region of the navel helps in digestion of food and transforms all into blood, semen and urine.

During different seasons of the year, these doshas undergo certain changes. For example, vayu gets aggravated during at the end of the summer, i.e, June-August. Pitta gets aggravated between October-December, i.e, during autumn, and kapha gets aggravated between during spring i.e, February-April.

Health according to Ayurveda, is a state of balance of the three doshas and also a condition in which the three aspects of a human body_ body, mind and the soul are in a natural state.

The main aim of Ayurveda is to restore the balance in times of sickness and to maintain it for a healthy and long life. That is exactly why the Ayurveda emphasized a regimen of diet (pathya) as much as they emphasized the use of appropriate drugs.

Touch, inspection and interrogation are the main points of diagnosis adopted by the Ayurvedic practitioners. In addition, they would inspect the pulse and sometimes, urine of the patient and, then medicines are supplemented with diet prescribed according to the dosha from which the patient suffers. The regimen of diet is as important as the remedies prescribed since the former help to restore the balance as much as the latter.

The food we take gets itself converted into different tissue elements and for all the tissue elements there is a fixed time. This time of conversion of the food ingredients and production of a particular type of tissue can be changed through medicines.

A disease is caused by the obstruction of the channels of circulation. the obstruction is caused by the accumulation of waste products. These waste products or the undigested material can be converted or eliminated if the enzymes of that locality are stimulated. This is the role that Ayurvedic medicines play to control and cure the diseases.

Ayurveda recognize 13 channels in the human body. These channels of circulation play an important role in producing the diseases. If the movement of the circulation in these channels is stopped or impaired because of some external or internal factors, then, this results in the accumulation of substance being carried in that particular channel and the metabolism of the tissue is affected, thus giving rise to immature or uncooked products. These uncooked products may circulate throughout the body being diverted to other channels which are still functioning and thus they may impair the activities of those channels which results in the manifestation of a disease. To keep the channels patent or in a state of proper functioning, many prescriptions and prohibitions are given in Ayurveda. The important ones are, timely taking of food, passing out of excreta, attending to the natural urges of the body, and physical exercises.

After determining the effect In the equilibrium of the three doshas, the “ vaidya ” goes deeper still to find out the type of imbalance and describes the phases, namely, waning, aggravating, and expanding.

The physician who knows the different diagnosis between the curable and incurable disease conditions and begins treatment with the full knowledge of the case and in time, obtain success for his effort without fail… when the diagnosis is correct, the remedy would invariably be effective.

The Normal function of vata of vayu(air) is to sustain the body and that is why it is the originator of every kind of action of the body it has been called Tantra-Yantra dhara, in other words, the maintainer of the human machinery, keeping it in proper shape.

Vayu occupies the important place in the three doshas. It has been defined in five kinds: prana, udana, vyana, samana and apana. Prana vayu is responsible for breathing and swallowing of food and also for the functioning of heart and part of the body directly connected with it. Its normal function is to maintain the functioning of heart, the mind, the sense, the intellect, the arteries, the veins and all the nerves.

Udana vayu is responsible for the production of the various sounds and speech the action and efforts to keep this strength of the body and especially for giving strength to mind and memory.

Samana vayu helps the flow of liquids of the body and the action of the digestive enzymes. It separates the essences vital for the nourishment of the body and sense the wastes to the large intestine.

Apana vayu’s function are to hold the faeces, urine, menses, and semen upto a normal period and then to expel them through the various orifices of body.

Vyana vayu flows in the whole body and carries the food juice and blood throughout the body. It helps the secretion of perspiration and control the opening and closing of eyelids and other several movements of the body.

Like the vayus, pittas are also of five kinds: Pachak, Ranjaka, Sadhaka, Alochaka, Bhrajaka.

The first, is mainly responsible of the digestion of food. It divides the food juice into the fine and waste parts and then helps the other four types of pittas to function normally in the body.

Ranjaka pitta, gives color to the food juice when it goes from the stomach to the liver.

Sadhaka pitta has its place in the heart and it’s the finest of all the pitas. It helps in the normal functioning of the intellect and memory.

Alochaka pitta is responsible for the maintenance of normal vision in the eyes.

Bhrajaka pitta is situated in the kin of the body and it controls the normal color of the skin.

Kaphas (phlegm) are also of five types. The first of these is Kledaka, is responsible for moistening the food in the stomach. It nourishes the other kaphas by its special humid properties.

The second Kapha, Avalambaka, is the thorax and protects the heart from excessive heat by its cooling influence and gives a supporting power to the heart.

Bodhaka Kapha moistens any substance when its comes in contact with the tongue and helps to know the taste to substance ingested. It extends from the root of the tongue to the throat and plays an important part in increasing appetite.

The Tarpaka the fourth Kapha cools the organs of the senses of sight and hearing.

Shleshaka Kapha is situated in the joints of the body and keeps them in good order so that the various parts of the body remains firm and free to move.

According to Ayurveda, the human body in health has a fine balance of the Tri Doshas, the Dhatus and the Malas. The tri Doshas have the pride of the place and then come the Dhatus and Malas. Ill-health or disease id the result of the disturbance in the balance between them.

Ayurveda believes that any disturbance, physical or mental, must manifest itself both in the somatic and in the psychic spheres, through the vitiation of the Doshas.

Thus Ayurveda provides national methods for the treatment for any diseases which are considered to be obstinate and incurable in other systems.

Ayurvedic ways to stay Healthy and Young

In so many books written by famous sages many ways have been described to stay healthy and young for a long time. Early to rise before sunrise ,ie, Early in the morning the time remains as auspicious one as there is already fresh air and a minimum noise in the atmosphere,hence one should get up from bed at this time. Before getting down from bed one should offer prayers according to one’s own religion after this one should perform the following acts.

Cleaning the face: One should wash one’s face with water. This helps in the cleaning of the dirt accumulated on the face during night and gives freshness, in winter season, Luke warm water may be used.
Protecting eyesight : After washing the face, one should take a mouth closed and keeping the eyes open as far as possible, sprinkle fresh water over the eyes. This is very useful for preserving and promoting eyesight. After wards eyelid should be gently rubbed and a tender massage should be given to eye-balls.
Drinking pure water : After this one should take a glass of water. This helps in the smooth passing of stool and urine. Taking cold water is, however, prohibited if one is suffering from cold, cough or sore throat. It is advised not take the tea before evacuation of bowels. Taking tea on bed may develop constipation later on. Tea being hot stimulate the intestines so strongly that it’s stimulating effect loses its significance.
Evacuation of bowels: one should make a regular habit of evacuating bowels immediately after getting up from bed. In the beginning it may not be possible but one should try this and after some-days it will become a regular habit. Drinking a glass of water every morning will help in this matter. Some people have the habit of going to toilet for 2 to 3 times in the morning for the final evacuation of bowels. This should be stopped. One should control him for this. After sometime this position will come to an end if controlled properly. If necessary care is taken about food, drinks and sleep then this situation will not occur. Evacuation of bowels should not take more than five minutes. Smoking at this time is very harmful, hence this should be avoided, other wise many disease may grip one self
Cleaning teeth: the twig of neem, or babool should be used cleaning teeth. The top of twing should be crushed by teeth to make it soft so that the gums are not affected while rubbing teeth. Cleaning the teeth removes the foul smell and tastelessness. It removes the dirt of the tongue, teeth and mouth.
Scraping the tongue: The above twing after cleaning the teeth may be used as tongue scrapers by folding it in two parts. Other scrapers made of copper, stainless steel or plastic may also be used. So the tongue should be scraped regularly otherwise it gives rise to foul smell.
Gargling: Many people do the gargling while cleaning the mouth by simple water only. This is good but Til oil gargling is more beneficial for jaws, depth of voice and good taste for food. By doing this gargling one never gets cracked lips, bad odor, sore throat and tooth-ache.
Bathing: After all this one should take bath. Bath removes dirt, sweathing and fatigue and brigs freshness to the body. Before bath Til oil massage is very beneficial to skin. One who does this massage regularly enjoys a good physique and becomes strong.
Application of oil: One who applies Til oil on his head regularly does not suffer from headache, baldness or graying of hair. They remain black, and deep-rooted. Dropping the Til oil regularly into the ears prevents the hardness of hearing and deafness. It also prevents the ear diseases. One or two drops of the oil in nostrils will keep the nose clean. There will be no nose-wetting. Til oil is very helpful for making one’s body strong. It also makes the skin smooth and charming.
Exercise : Physical exercise as specially. Yoga Asans bring lightness to the body ability, to work, stability, resistance to discomfort and stimulate the power of digestion. After taking bath some Yoga Asans should be done to circulate the blood properly and to gain extra-strength for the day. One can do his own desired Yoga Asans. Atleast one Asan known as ‘Sheersha Asan’ should be done for 2-3minutes. According to ‘Ayurveda’ this is the most beneficial Asan for human-beings.
Dress : Wearing clean and good tailored dress adds to the bodily charm, reputation and prevents inauspiciousness. It puts grace, competence and good looks and brings praise.
Perfumes: Use of perfumes, produces good smell and charm. It gives pleasure not only to one’s mind but to other persons alos with whom contact is made. A flower of Champa or Red-rose may be attached to the button-hole. It also increases one’s personality.
Ornaments : Wearing of gems rings adds grace, and prevents evil spirits,etc. It is pleasant and charming. Wearing of gems-ring according to one’s sun-signs auspiciousness, prosperity and longevity.
Hair and nails: The dressing and cutting hair moustaches, beard and nails of hand and feet etc, add cleanliness and beauty to one’s personality.
Food: One should take the food in proper quantity. The quantity of food to be taken again depends on the power of one’s digestion. The proper amount of food, gets digested as well as metabolized in proper time. One must not over-eat any thing and should drink water in good quantity. Ayurveda recommends vegetarian foods which give more nourishment to the body than the non-vegetarian foods. Animal’s meat, fish, eggs disturb the digestion systems. Harm the body and may give birth to diseases of different kinds. Therefore Ayurveda recommends simple food, bread, oats, milk or ghee must be taken during meal. Butter is also a good tonic. Simple food makes the body strong and discords diseases. After taking food a rest, at least of 10minutes must be taken. No food should be taken in hurry. After proper chewing It must be swallowed. If no rest is taken after taking meal then many diseases may grasps the body. The food should be cooked neat and clean properly with proportional manner and should be tasty and easily digestable. Food should be taken 2 times a day. One at about 10 A.M, other upto 7, 7 ½ P.M. in morning a cup of milk or some snacks with tea may be taken. In lunch light snacks may be taken including some seasonal fruits. Chewing or eating something every time is not a good habit. Over eating may cause obesity and may invite diseases. Fresh lukewarm food should be taken according to limit. One should not be talkative at the time of consumption of foods.: One should not study if there is insufficient light, and during important festivals, or during important festivals, or during the solar or lunar eclipse, on a new moon date and during the dawn or dusk. One should not study without being initiated by heart. While studying, one should not recite words incomplete in sounds and also not high or harsh voice. One should not neither too fast or too slowly.
Night Meals: Food should be taken 2to3 hours before going to bed. There should be sufficient gap between the time of intake of food and the time of going to bed. This will help in proper digestion of food. Proper digestion of food gives good and sound sleep. Milk, ghee, butter, curd, fruits should be taken in meal. Seasonal vegetables should also be consumed also be consumed. One should keep a fast once a day in a weak. This will keep the body in good health. On the day of fast only milk or fruits may be taken.
Sex : Sexual activity in any organ other than the genital organ is prohibited. One should not indulge in sexual intercourse with a woman during her menses or one who is suffering from a disease or is impure or is having infection with or a woman who is not friendly or has no passionate desire or is passionately attached to somebody else or is married to somebody else or a woman of another caste or over raged. After taking food no sex should be performed immediately. Later this act may be performed with the immediately. Later this act may be performed with the willingness of woman in a pleasant atmosphere and only in night time. Sex done in day time is harmful to health.

Ayurvedic Treatments

Health and the expectant Mother

2008-08-17T11:35:00.011+05:30

HEALTH AND THE EXPECTANT MOTHER

THE IMMINENT ARRIVAL of a baby in a home (especially the first) presages many changes in the home and in family life. But the first and most important consideration is the health of the mother-to-be and the unborn child.

If the expectant mother has a physician, the task of choosing a doctor is relatively easy. Thus the family physician himself may well care for the mother during pregnancy and childbirth, and later for the baby. In the event of complications, obstetrical consultation may be necessary, but for the most part, childbirth is usually an uncomplicated procedure.

Prenatal Care

It is vital that we provide the best facilities and protection available for the important group of our society.

This should begin with proper instruction in our schools, especially for the girls. It should be impossible for a girl to graduate from high school without having learned the fundamental facts about her own body and its functions, and about how to care for a newborn child.

It is further important to realize that the child is father to the man and that boy in his teens will soon be heading his own home, responsible for the health and welfare of three or more people. The more he knows about the reproduction of his species, the better off he and his marital partner and their offspring will be.

Many state require couples to have a medical examination within 15 days before marriage to determine the absence of venereal infection. The couple should have a complete physical examination including examination of heart and lungs, and or the general tract to see if any abnormalities or deformities of these organs are present. The blood pressure ( BP) should be taken to determine if it is higher or normal than normal. The urine must be tested for albumin or other evidence of kidney damage, and for sugar. After such an examination a physician can usually give reassurance that there are no abnormalities.
These precautions will help to prevent needless apprehension, pain, and embarrassment after marriage.

When is Pregnancy Most Likely

Assuming that the women has a normal menstrual cycle of 28 days and that this is reasonably regular, the date of ovulation (when the ovum is discharged from the ovary) can be calculated within fair accuracy. When the cycle is irregular, this becomes more difficult, and the greater the irregularity, the less likely it is that the period of greatest fertility can be estimated.

Since fertilization depends on the meeting of the ovum with a living sperm, the most likely time for fertilization to occur is at the time of ovulation. The life-span of an unfertilized human ovum is unknown, but is perhaps less that 24 hours. Fertilized ova require four to five days to progress from the end of the fallopian tube to the uterus. The sperm likewise lives for about 36 to 48 hours after being discharged into the vagina. The most fertile time therefore comes midway between the first days of two successive menstrual periods in a regular cycle. The least fertile periods are normally those times most remote from the central point in time when the ovum is discharged. Pregnancies, however, have been known to occur at all stages of the menstrual cycle, so there is no time when a pregnancy may be regarded as out of the question.

Signs and Symptoms for Pregnancy

The signs and symptoms of pregnancy vary greatly in different women and at different stages of pregnancy. During the early weeks they are vague, but become more clear in time.

The missing of a menstrual period is probably evidence that pregnancy exists if periods have been previously been regular. However, some women menstruate more regularly than others because of their physiological and psychological constitutions. A period may be delayed a week or more than as result of such simple causes as nervous shock, bad news, change of climate, or acute infections.

In early pregnancy, the breasts become larger and there is more tingling and soreness of the nipples. The pressure of the enlarging uterus upon the bladder may result in greater frequency in urination. Nervous instability and an abnormal desire for unaccustomed foods such as sour pickles is normal.

After the second missed period, a special test (Friedman) can be made using an immature female rabbit and injecting into her vein 10 cc. of the patient’s filtered urine. After 48 hours the rabbit is killed, the abdomen opened, and the ovaries exposed. If there are certain changes in the rabbit’s ovaries which are characteristic of pregnancy, it can be correctly assumed in 85% of cases that the woman is pregnant.

More recent simple test for pregnancy are based on the immune reaction of the woman’s body to the hormones secreted by the placenta (afterbirth). These are detected by skin tests which require only a few hours, and are very simple to perform.

The Months of Pregnancy

If the expectant mother sees her doctor regularly at eh intervals which he suggests, she gives him an opportunity to observe her pregnancy progress, control her weight, and take prompt measures to correct any abnormalities which may appear. Though observations, examinations, urinalyses, and blood pressure reading, he is able to detect threatened toxemias due to liver or kidney failure and to watch the growth of the baby and its position in the uterus.

Obstetrical History

When taking the patient’s health history the doctor will inquire about illness which the patient has experienced involving heart, lungs, and abdomen, especially rheumatic heart disease, diabetes, German measles, surgical operations, and their dates and circumstances. He will wish to know about diseases in the patient’s family and that of her husband.

The menstrual history as regards amount, duration, regularity, and type of blood, and whether she has leukorrheal (whites) discharge will be discussed, together with any known pelvic abnormalities or disease. Previous pregnancies, if any, their dates, and outcome will be recorded.

Physical Examination

When pregnancy seems likely, a through examination is in order. Many young women look upon this with considerable apprehension. This is one of the difficult mental hazards to be overcome. In reality, it is very simple and very necessary procedure. The doctor must know certain anatomical and physiological facts which he can obtain only by making a complete examination. This will determine if there are any physical defects which must be considered in connection with the management of the pregnancy. The heart, lungs, teeth, nervous system, kidneys, blood, and blood pressure are investigated.

A careful pelvic examination is made to disclose if bony deformities or tumors are present which might obstruct the passage of a baby. The examination findings are carefully recorded on a chart, for later comparison.

Laboratory examinations which are important in pregnancy are;

Urine analysis which determine the ability of the kidneys to do their work properly.
Blood count and hemoglobin estimation: this is very important that many women are anemic before becoming pregnant or become anemic during pregnancy, and all are faced with the possibility of blood loss during labor and after delivery. Since this cannot be anticipated in most cases, it seems logical to estimate the amount of blood a patient has and how much she is apt to lose.
Blood tests are also important to determine the Rh factor to prevent a possible severe transfusion reaction or even injury to the unborn baby. The Wassermann or kahn test is also done routinely. If positive, it usually means that the patient has syphilis, and if treatment can be started before the 16th week of the pregnancy, the baby will not be infected and the mother will get the benefit of immediate medical treatment.
X-ray examinations may be necessary in exceptional circumstances to determine the presence of the developing baby, and its presentation and position. When recommended such examinations are entirely safe for mother and baby. Deformity in the pelvic bones, tumor masses which might prevent normal delivery, and the presence of twins or triplets can also be determined by x-ray.
Blood pressure is taken to detect any significant rise above normal that might indicate a possible toxic condition in the mother which could be dangerous.

Growth of the Fetus

The baby begins to move within the uterus with sufficient vigor to be felt by the mother at about the 20th week, if it is her first pregnancy, and at about the 18th if she has previously had a baby. At first the movement is a weak flutter, but later vigorous kicks are felt. Along about the time the fourth period has been missed or a few weeks earlier, the size of the abdomen becomes markedly greater and continues to increase as time goes on. The stretching of the skin of the abdomen gives rise to streaks of a silvery or pink color. These never completely disappear after pregnancy.

The length of the fetus in centimeters equals the square of the month of pregnancy ; one month equals 1 cm, two months equals 4 cm, three months 9 cm. After the 5th month of gestation the fetus grows 5 cm in length every month until the 10th lunar month. During this period the nervous system, lungs, liver, kidneys, heart, and other vital organs develop and becomes functional so that a baby born after the 28th week can usually survive if properly cared for. However, every week that the baby spends in the uterus until the full 280 days have passed is so much clear gain as far as its strength, maturity, and ability to survive is concerned. For this reason it is advisable to try to prevent the onset of premature labor whenever possible.

Diet

Except for limitation of the daily calorie intake, the diet of the expectant mother does not differ from that of any adult who prays proper attention to the intake of all essential foodstuffs. A good general diet includes protein, meat, egg and fish. Red meats are particularly important during pregnancy because they furnish hemoglobin which will be stored in the liver, spleen and bone marrow, and used to make new blood cells and thus protect from the dangers of anemia due to hemorrhage if this occurs. Necessary minerals such as Calcium, Phosphorus and Manganese ate also supplied through foods and transferred from the blood through the placenta to the baby. Fruits, Vegetables, dairy products, cereals, and some meats contain vitamins necessary for the health of both mother and baby.

Weight control is of the greatest importance to the pregnant women, both during her pregnancy and afterward. Excess weight puts an extra burden on the liver and kidneys, which already carried on overload. It adds to her discomfort, especially in the later months when the abdomen becomes enlarged. It increases the likelihood of pregnant marking on her skin. It also impairs her figure after the baby born.

Digestive Disturbances

Most women have some nausea with or without vomiting in the early weeks of pregnancy- due probably to the adjustment that has to be made in the function of the thyroid and other glands of internal secretion. Certain changes in their functions are important in the initiation and maintenance of pregnancy. Constipation bothers many pregnant women, but it can usually be controlled by the eating of sufficient fruits and vegetables and by the avoidance of a diet that seems to produce constipation.

Diarrhea is usually due to some indiscretion in diet and should be checked promptly if severe because it may stimulate uterine contractions and even bring on miscarriage, especially in the early months. A bland diet of custard, milk, and cheese is helpful. “Heartburn” or sour stomach is frequently present in the early months. Ordinarily this occurs about one hour after meals and can usually be controlled by taking one-half teaspoonful of baking soda in a glass of water or a few soda mint tablets.

Exercise and Rest

Every pregnant women in normal health should take some form of exercise. Walking, swimming, rowing, and other comparable activities are advised in moderation. Diving, horseback riding, and other sports in which the hazards of blows or falls are great are best avoided. If she feels refreshed after a rest, the exercise has been beneficial.

A rest period of 20 minutes or so before noon will help the pregnant woman get through the day more comfortably. Fatigue is the enemy of the pregnant woman. She should try to get eight hours of sleep at night if possible, and more if necessary.

Back pains may be caused in later pregnancy by loosening of the sacroiliac joints. This condition can be helped by the use of a properly fitted maternity corset which supports the joints. Dry or moist heat applied to the lower back on retiring is very soothing.

Dental Hygiene

Dental hygiene during pregnancy is particularly important. Pregnancy puts a drain on the body’s calcium supply, and this may cause tooth decay. It was formerly believed that a woman had to lose “ a tooth for every child “. Dental work can be done during pregnancy, but is best done at a date removed from that at which menstruation would have been expected in the absence of pregnancy.

Dress

The most important item in a pregnant woman’s dress is her shoes, both for comfort and safety. These should be well fitted, with low heels. “ wearing out “ old and dilapidated shoes during pregnancy is not only uncomfortable but dangerous, since they may cause falling.

In early pregnancy, up to fourth the month, one may wear ordinary clothing except for stockings. These should support the superficial veins of the legs because they tend to dilate during pregnancy.

About the fifth month the distension of the abdomen by the pregnant uterus requires some form of girdle support. A well-fitted maternity corset with sacroiliac belt attachment can be obtained at any store handling women’s apparel. This will help to prevent or relieve low backache when under physical strain and will furnish additional protection against cold weather.

It is particularly important for the pregnant woman to avoid chilling and to be well protected against colds, sore throat, influenza, and other infections. Heavy underwear and stockings and overshoes to avoid cold and wet feet are recommended.

The Breasts

There is, in most cases, no other food which is quite as good. The primary reason for this is that immune substance transmitted to the baby from the mother protect it from the diseases which she has had and recovered from.

An additional reason for nursing the baby is that many authorities believe it helps establish a sense of security in the baby and develops an emotional closeness which may help to prevent behavior problems as the baby grows up.

During pregnancy nipples should be kept clean made longer and softer by massage and gentle pulling using a cold cream or cocoa butter in the last three months to prevent inversion. Small breasts may undergo considerable development during pregnancy ; if they become tender, a well-fitting brassiere gives considerable comfort. Occasionally they leak fluid near the time of delivery, and it may be necessary to wear a protective pad.

Health factors in the home

2008-08-17T10:11:00.009+05:30

Health Factors In The Home

If Ben Franklin were living today, he might well urge “costly thy house as thy purse can buy”. This is merely to say that a good home is worth what it costs. What you can afford to spend, you should spend; for the good home pays dividends far beyond its value in shelter. The enjoyment of the family and community living, the pleasure of gracious entertaining, and sheer physical comfort are but a few examples of the benefits to be gained from life in a superior dwelling.

For the sake of comfort

The good home goes a step further by providing comfort as well as protection. Thus does man strive to alter his environment rather than to adapt to it. The ideal house can be readily warmed in winter and kept reasonably cool in summer. Indoor temperatures in winter should be fairly steady, around 70 degree for active, healthy people, higher for people at rest and for the infirm, and lower for sleeping. Winter comfort within a home is determined mostly by air and wall temperatures.( humidity and air circulation are somewhat less important factors).

Air temperature can be controlled only by heating devices- fireplaces, stoves, or furnace- and by ventilation. Wall temperature results from outdoor temperature and from the wall’s construction. Everyone knows that it feels cooler in front of a window than next to an insulated wall. In front of the window we lose our own body heat faster and thus tend to chill more readily. Too rapid loss of body heat makes us uncomfortable.

Temperature within the home normally vary more in summer than in winter. In summer, humidity and air circulation are most important factors in body comfort because low humidity and moving air help us to lose body heat. Summertime discomfort stems from too little loss of body heat. Thermostats make for comfort by helping to maintain uniform temperature. Cross Ventilation is must for summertime comfort. Air conditioning remains beyond the reach of a great many people, comfortable though it is. Air Delivered by the fans of AC is actually purer than “fresh” outdoor air, because it is filtered or washed.

Air free from dust and unpleasant odors is much to be sought. Fumes, gases, and vapors such as carbon monoxide, artificial, and natural gas are dangerous or even deadly.

Within the home, the most common sources of unpleasant odors are human body and cooking. Both can be kept to a minimum by the reasonable practice of personal cleanliness and by adequate ventilation. During the summertime odors can enter from the outside from improperly stored garbage and rubbish and from animal droppings on the premises.

In winter enough ventilation is secured- even in well constructed homes—from air leakage through porous walls and ceilings and around doors and windows. Just as we may safely occupy a home in daytime in winter with windows closed, so is it healthful to sleep at night with closed windows. In winter air does not need to be cold to be fresh. On the other hand, night air differs I no way from daytime air. Those who like to sleep in a cold room with windows open are free to do so, but should recognize that it is a matter af individual preference and not a question of health.

Proper Lighting

Every occupied room, bathrooms included, should have at least one window providing the greatest possible illumination and this, insofar as possible, without glare or shadow. Rooms that are shaded by trees, tall buildings, or porches need proportionally more window space.

Direct sunlight is often advantageous, especially in winter and particularly for the ill or infirm.
Noise takes its toll in tension, frayed nerves, and short tempers. Here the rural and suburban dwellers are apt to have the better of it. Air conditioning in city apartments is as useful for keeping noise out as for bringing cool fresh air in.

In a house with children, space is much a matter of comfort as of health. Play areas should also include outdoor space as well as room inside the home. The facilities such as parks must be considered among the rights, as well as the delights, of childhood.

For the Sake of Mental Health

The human spirit being what it is, people need both privacy and generous portions of companionship. Too much solitude requires relief through company of others. Too much of the world’s noise and tension, plus normal bits of family bickering, entitle parent and child alike to the release and relaxation that privacy alone can provide.

In the interest of privacy “ a room of my own” is ideal. A room shared with but one other person is next best, of course.

Normal family life provides those social contacts expected in the home and in the community. People cannot mentally healthy without them.

A suitable dwelling should have a living room or family room, one or more gathering places, plus kitchen, dining room, and whatever bathrooms and bedrooms the family may need and can afford. The need for companionship as well as for privacy, as moods change from time to time, can thus be satisfied to help keep the family happy.

Some families may occupy one dwelling for a lifetime, enduring a measure of crowding as perhaps too much space as children leave home. Others move to larger or smaller houses or apartments according to the space they need. Each method has points in its favor. The first accepts a bit crowding at times in return for community stature and stability. The second more nearly assures enough space at all times. Some opportunity shades over into community responsibility also. Recreational facilities and libraries plus the usual marks of our culture_ the shopping district, the church, and the school-all should be reasonably close at hand. And, though commuting is the lot of many, it is desirable that the bread-winner’s job should not be too far away.

Cleanliness and Orderliness

The mentally healthy, well-adjusted person can abide extremes of cleanliness and tidiness for short periods and can put up with disorder and disarray when necessary. But most persons prefer to live in a state between these extremes.

The good home will have facilities to ease the fatigue of the housewife’s 60 hour week. Direct and easy access to storage, cooking, dish washing, laundering, ironing, garbage and refuse disposal are a few examples from among dozens of regular tasks. It is unreasonable to have to carry supplies up and refuse down three to seven floors, as it necessary in some older apartments.
Circulation within the home, the ability to move with ease and purpose, is of primary importance to the whole family. Such things as narrow doors and halls, crooks and turns and unexpected step downs reduce the home’s live ability.

Cleanliness demands water, in plenty, at the right places, much of it hot, and proper pressure. Water so supplied makes the home a different world from one where water must be carried and heated on a stove. Plenty of water inevitably means cleaner people in a cleaner home. No harm can come from getting dirty either in honest labor or zestful play staying dirty is quite another matter. odilly only, to be always filthy or always spotlessly clean marks one as being abnormal perhaps emotionally disturbed.

The appeal of beauty is so universal that the good home will exhibit many attempts to create the beautiful. On succeeds in one home may fail in another, but the attempt will usually be made and should be encouraged. Success and satisfaction along these lines are emotionally stimulating and uplifting. Beauty for the sake of beauty needs no justification.

In like manner, a home marked by lack of beauty, poorly maintained and not in keeping with those around it, is an ever present cause of feeling of inferiority and emotional stress, particularly in children while we generally deplore the tendency to keep up with the joneses, we should not be too remarkably unlike them.

The Control Of contagious Diseases

Though contagious and infectious diseases no longer play the major role they once did American life their combined toll is still significant. The kind of home people live in, their size, design, and quality have a great deal to do with the amount of illness caused by communicable disease.

No house can be built that will entirely prevent contagious diseases among the occupants, but it goes without saying that well built homes give better protection than do jerry-built huts.

Safe Water And Sewage Disposal

Enough good, safe water is priceless heritage for a nation and a treasure in any home. Ideally it will be under pressure , as in a municipal supply, o through an automatic pump arrangement . It must not be subject to contamination by disposal of waste materials. Hopefully it will be free of objectionable tastes, odors, and chemicals.

With the nation becoming more and more densely populated, pure water-safe for domestic use-is becoming harder and harder to find. It is necessary, therefore , to protect, insofar as possible, all water supplies, whether for giant city or for the single rural or suburban dwelling.

The greatest threat to a good water supply is raw, untreated sewage. In many areas of the country industrial waste run a close second as a threat. Again, this is whether of a large city or an isolated home.

Sewage and industrial wastes therefore should be carefully collected and treated before being discharged into our water ways. Water, in turn, should be given adequate treatment before being used for domestic purposes. The drinking of water of unknown quality is a clear and present danger, an open invitation to attack by any of a number of serious diseases.

Fortunately, mankind has been able to device methods of treating sewage and industrial wastes successfully. Also, it is completely feasible to use and reuse treated water as it passes to the sea. Some cities and some homes, drawing their water form safe deep wells, as spared some of the tremendous expense of treating it to bring it up to drinking water standards. Even good water should be chlorinated to assure safety.

All domestic water supplies, whether public or private, should be tasted periodically for purity. Every consumer is entitled to know there is no risk of contamination.

In spite of the tremendous knowledge built up in this field there is much water of questionable quality in daily use in this country. The old time pit-privy has not disappeared from the face of the land. Such practice contaminates the ground water and the wells in some rural areas.

Subdivisions in rapidly growing areas outside city or village boundaries are sometimes provided only with septic tanks instead of sewer systems. Sooner or later this is likely to cause trouble and expense.

Improper way of drainage disposal

Just as water must be protected before it is brought into a home and as sewage must be properly handled as it leaves, so must care be exercised within the home. This involves having correctly installed, leak-proof plumbing, with no possible cross-connection between water pipes and sewer lines. The possibility of such an occurrence seems beyond belief, but cross-connections do occur with distressing frequency. And have been responsible for many outbreaks of water-borne disease.

Protection Against Vermin

Man’s most health-endangering enemies around the home are rats, flies, and mosquitoes. Other vermin, such as roaches, may not be implicated in the spread of disease, but should be eliminated for general health reasons. All can under given circumstances cause disease, so that necessary measure to keep them out, or to destroy the, are implicit in the good home. Sound construction and screening are the principle weapons. Rats and flies attracted primary by food. Thus, you can generally keep them away by storing all garbage and rubbish in containers that are fly-tight and rodent-proof.

Pets and fleas go together like macroni and cheese. Lice cannot always be avoided, particularly head lice encountered at school. Some ticks are to be expected, particularly by persons who love forest and field.

Feces from large pets such as dogs, deposited on the dwelling premises, are frequently causes of odor and fly infestation. During the summer months, such conditions account for the majority of citizens complaints reaching health departments. Such nuisances are an abuse of neighborliness as well as a menace to health and an affront to decency. The real solution is neighborly observance of the Golden Rule.

All vermin are to be combated on general principles, whether they are of disease-producing or merely nuisance varieties. Reliable poisons exist to rid the home if they are applied successfully at the time of invasion. These poisons must be properly used.

Food Protection

Most of food requires good refrigeration to keep it fresh. Every home should be able to keep foods at 50 degree or lower. Failure to do so is to invite trouble from any of the number of disease producing agents.

Removing food from the refrigerator, using part of it, and allowing the remainder to stand and grow warm, is a particularly bad habit to acquire. Unused portions should be returned promptly so they will stay cold.

Contact Infection

It is obvious, and experience has proved time and again, that crowding promotes the spread of certain infectious diseases. Influenza and the common cold are typical examples. While no house can be built big enough to guarantee the occupants protection against contact diseases, overcrowded homes definitely are harmful in this respect. Sleeping space seems to be particularly important.

Bedrooms should provide 50 or more square feet per person and beds should be 3 or more feet apart, especially in case of illness of a communicable nature. Thus, tiered bunks or double-deck beds are undesirable.

For The Sake of Safety

Home safety implies a sound structures reasonably fire-resistant, and not likely to collapse under the impact of the locality’s most rigorous weather. In urban and suburban communities, building codes serve to insure these conditions. Rural dwellers, despite of the many compensations of rural living, probably would profit by the application of some of the rules required under city building codes.

Different areas of our immense nation decree different building methods. Homes have varying degrees of fire resistance. Whether in the magnificent urban apartment housing hundreds of people, or in more modest domiciles, reasonable fire-resistance and accessible exists to be used in case of fire and essential.

Involved in fire protection also are such things as construction of chimneys and flues, furnaces, stoves, and electrical wiring. Automatic circuit breakers are coming to replace the older style of fuse box, but the dangers of the penny inserted behind the burned out fuse still exist, as do many other hazards created by carelessness or ignorance.

Some of the worst home booby traps are:

Poor lighting;

Stairways that are too narrow, too steep, too crooked;

Winding stairways with inadequate tread on the inner side of the curve and no handrail along the wall;

Toys, stools, chairs, or ladders out of place, left where the unwary may trip over them;

Low window sills that lead to falls by careless leaners, especially children;

Bathrooms with slick floor, tub, or shower surfaces, and inadequate holds or grab-bars;

Electrical fixtures or outlets that can be reached while standing in water;

Two-way swinging doors;

Sharp turns that can lead to collisions;

Carbon monoxide from inadequate stove, heater, or fireplace flues or from a leak of either natural or artificial fuel gas;

Burns, from an endless number of causes;

Electrical shocks;

Toxic vapors, as from cleaners and solvents, as well as insecticides improperly and too extensively used;

Explosions;

Poisonings.

Safe living and maintaining good health involve the same basic principles whether one lives in the city or on a farm. However, the problems and hazards peculiar to rural living not experienced elsewhere. The proper handling of toxic chemicals such as insecticide sprays, the safe use of dangerous farm machines, the utilization of techniques to prevent spread of animal diseases to humans, provision for pure water, and adequate sewage disposal for the farm home are built some of the many areas which should be of special concern to farm families.

The Rural home

If necessary illness and accidents are to be prevented on the farm, a thorough knowledge of the dangers and how to prevent unfortunate result is essential. Knowledge of the toxic potential of the many chemical products used in the home and on the farm is needed. The majority of farm chemicals are adequately labeled as to proper precautions in using. It is failure to follow instructions or not even reading the instructions which most often give rise to serious consequences. Proper storage of chemicals from the children is important.

The use of various pesticides about the farm is becoming increasingly a part of good farming techniques. Certainly this products should be used with the utmost caution including the use of the protective clothing when advocated by the manufacturer.

Disease testing programs in animal herds are important in the eradication of diseases such as bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis. Water used on the farm for human consumption can carry serious disease germs. Certainly the water supply should be tested for harmful ingredients, both chemical and bacterial.

Long hours in operating a piece of farm equipment in the field without the periods of adequate rest results in undue fatigue which can also be responsible for farm machine accidents.

shiatsu

2008-08-04T00:26:00.003+05:30

Shiatsu

Shiatsu, in alternative medicine, a Japanese method of massage derived from acupuncture and sometimes referred to as acupressure.

Shiatsu treats organic or physiological dysfunctions by applying finger or palm pressure to parts of the body remote from the affected part.

The first session of Shiatsu is long. In this session, the practitioner generally examines the clients in order to check the imbalance of energy along the meridians.

A Shiatsu treatment is usually done by making the client lie on a cotton mattress on the ground. Very loose fitting clothes should be worn just to make one feel comfortable. Clients feel the change in them mostly by the end of the 4 sessions. Further treatment is performed based on the feedback of the previous sessions.

This therapy is particularly good for chronic conditions such as back pain, headaches, joint pain, menstrual problems, digestive problems, asthma, insomnia, stress or depression.

Nature cure therapy

2008-08-04T00:14:00.005+05:30

Nature Cure Therapy

This system is based on the use of five elements of nature ( Water, Air, Fire, Earth & Sky) for treatment.

Hydrotherapy, enema, fasting, sun bath, steam bath, massage, air bath, fruits & vegetables, exercises are some of the tools used in this therapy.

Regulation of diet is the first and foremost step to cure diseases. A simple rule is do not eat when you are sick, stick to a light diet of fresh fruits.

Fresh air, plenty of sunlight, pure drinking water, scrupulous cleanliness, adequate rest and right mental attitude can ensure proper health and prevent disease.

The application of cold water, especially to the abdomen, the seat of most diseases, and to the sexual organs, through a cold sitting (hip) bath immediately lowers body heat and stimulates the nervous system.

Ultrasonic therprapy

2008-08-01T23:50:00.002+05:30

Ultrasonic Therapy

It makes use of high frequency ultra sound waves whose frequencies above that of audible sound (20000 cps).

This therapy is used for pulverizing stones of gall bladder, kidney etc. and also for many other purpose thus obviating the necessity of surgery in such cases.

Therapeutically, ultrasonic energy is employed empirically, but the present trend is to utilize low and medium intensities, 0.5 to 2.0 watts per square centimeter, rather than high intensities, over 2.0 watts per square centimeter, for medical purposes.

The important physiological effects of ultrasonic energy on living tissue are thermal, mechanical, chemical and biological. From a clinical point of view ultrasonic energy has been most effective in the treatment of painful conditions involving the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular structures.

Ultraviolet therapy

2008-08-01T23:46:00.002+05:30

Ultraviolet therapy

It is used to treat certain skin diseases it may damage the tissues with severe burns, if not used properly.

Young people who suffer from pimples and acne will ultraviolet radiation an excellent way to get rid of this trouble some skin conditions. But it must taken in moderation.

Ultraviolet rays are high frequency (low wavelength) radiations and contain high energy.

The use of ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation in the treatment of disease, usually of the skin. This is the part of the sun's spectrum that causes sunburn and tanning. Ultraviolet A, used in PUVA, is closer to visible light and less damaging than Ultraviolet B, which is ionizing.

Unani therapy

2008-08-01T23:22:00.005+05:30

Unani therapy

Herbs and minerals are used as medicine. Mughal rulers introduced this system in India during a.d.12s

This system is based upon four humours present in the body, ie, sauda (black bile), safra (Yellow bile) , balgham (phlegm and Dam ( Blood). Each humour has its own temperament - blood is hot and moist, phlegm cold and moist, yellow bile hot and dry and black bile cold and dry. Pulse examination how ever is a prime necessity for diagnosis.

The diagnosis of diseases in Unani system of medicine is through examination of pulse, urine and stool.

This system observes the influence of surroundings and ecological conditions such as air, food, drinks, body movement and repose, psychic movement and repose, sleep and wakefulness and excretion and retention on the state of health. This influence causes a dominance of one of the four humours in every human body.

Unani therapy is useful for curing diseases like Arthritis, Leucoderma, Jaundice, Bronchial Asthma, Filariasis and several other acute and chronic diseases where other systems do not give the desired level of positive response.

steam sauna therapy

2008-08-01T23:02:00.004+05:30

Steam sauna therapy

Fever is one of the body's most powerful defense mechanism in fighting disease because many invading organisms have a limited tolerance to heat and cannot survive higher temperatures.

Artificial fever created by steam bathing is thought to stimulate the immune system by increasing the number of white blood cells in the body and by increasing the production of antibodies and interferon. In addition, by increasing the blood flow to the skin, it removes impurities and delivers vital nutrients, thus stimulating cellular activity and growth.

During a steam bath, the blood flow to the skin can increase as high at 50 to 70 percent of the cardiac output.

Dramatically increase oxygenation of the tissues and cells

Increase the White Blood Cell count

Increase circulation, oxygen and nutrient delivery within the body

Burn 400-600 calories per session.

Increase tumor necrosis factor by up to 500 times

Purge the body of accumulated toxins such as pesticides, PCBs, drug residues, acidic wastes and much more

Kill bacteria and viruses

Relax and loosen sore muscles.

massage therapy

2008-07-25T13:48:00.007+05:30

Massage Therapy

Massage is the treatment and practice of manipulation of the soft body tissues with physical, functional,

Target tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints, or other connective tissue, as well as lymphatic vessels, and/or organs of the gastrointestinal system. Massage can be applied with the hands, fingers, elbows, forearm, and feet.

There are over eighty different massage modalities

Massage increases the blood circulation in the body and lymph flow, relaxes the tired muscles, increases endorphins and soothes the frayed nerves

This therapy is very effective for diseases arising out of stiffness of muscles and joints low blood circulation. The functions of the circulatory, lymphatic, muscular, skeletal and nervous systems get improved by this therapy.

It also improves the rate at which the body recovers from any illness.

Massage has been shown to reduce blood pressure and heart rate as temporary effects.

There are many benefits of massage therapy. These benefits include relaxation, the relief of muscle tension, and reduction of chronic pain while maintaining general muscle wellness.

Magnetotherapy

2008-07-25T13:09:00.005+05:30

Magnetotherapy

Our body is invested with magnetism and enveloped in a magnetic filed. The strongest magnetic field is created by the brain while we sleep and sleeping with our head to the north facilitates the easy flow of the earth’s magnetism through our body thus inducing sound sleep.

During a full moon our body fluids flow with greater ease and so fasting on these days helps maintain an equilibrium of liquids in the body. We are affected by the dark and bright phases of the moon because every planet through its magnetism exercises some influence on other planets.
Magnetotherapy makes use of application of magnets to treat various types of diseases, pains, and stiffness in the body.
When the body comes into contact with magnets, the magnetic waves pass through the tissues. This induces secondary currents to produce impacting heat and thus it reduces pain.

Magnets have the power to promote the growth of cells and they increase the number of healthy red blood corpuscles.
The magnets influence the iron in the blood through which it reaches every part of the body. Thus, it removes calcium, cholesterol and other minerals which deposited in the cells.
Magnets have the potential to clean, purify and ionize the blood. Magnetotherapy does not require medicines and injections.
North Pole magnets proves to be beneficial in diseases caused by bacterial infection. And South Pole magnets are effective in the treatment of all kinds of pains and swellings. Both poles are placed under the palms or soles. The north pole is applied to right side and the south pole to the left.
Each session in magneto therapy lasts for 20-30 minutes. Magnetotherapy requires no medicines, no injections, no tonics.

There are no side effects but nevertheless there are some guidelines to be considered:

No cold baths or meals should be taken immediately after magnetic treatment
Magnets must be kept away from children and Fire.
Dont keep magnets carelessly
High powered magnets should not be applied to pregnant woman.
Opposite poles of high power magnets must not be near each other face to face.
Watches should be removed during treatment.

Ozone therapy

2008-07-21T14:07:00.005+05:30

Ozone therapy

Ozone removes unwanted bacteria and viruses from the blood.

The possibility of becoming infected with hepatitis, HIV virus, syphilis or other infectious diseases through blood transfusion could be eliminated by the use of ozone.

Ozone is highly effective in peripheral vascular disease. .

Ozone is effective in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, arteriosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia, and promptly restores circulation, relieves angina pain and improves brain function.

With ozone cancerous tumors, lymphomas and leukemia may be eliminated without the use of surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.

Ozone is highly effective for all forms of rheumatoid and arthritis collagen diseases.

Ozone is very effective for allergies of all types.

Ozone improves multiple sclerosis, and other neurological diseases, senility, as well as in Parkinson\'s disease.

External use of ozone is very effective in treating burns, acne, leg ulcers, open cuts and wounds, eczema, fungus and other skin disorders.

Rectal insufflation with ozone is effective for proctitis, colitis, prostatitis and fissure; vaginal insufflation is effective for candidiasis and other yeast infections, trichomoniasis and other forms of vaginitis; bladder insufflation is effective for cystitis and bladder fistulas, as well as cancer.

AIDS, herpes, hepatitis, mononucleosis, and cirrhosis of the liver have been successfully treated with ozone.

The application of ozone is virtually painless, , has no adverse side effects and is extremely cost-effective for both physicians and patients.

TENS(Trancutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulator)

2008-07-21T13:55:00.011+05:30

TENS

Trancutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulator is an electronic device to relieve one from pain.

This device delivers controlled low voltage electrical impulses to the skin. Reaching underlying sensory nerve fibers of painful area and stimulating them. Such electrical stimulation of the sensory nerve effectively blocks the pain message to be carried to the brain.

TENS is used for various types of conditions such as low back pain (LBP), myofascial and arthritic pain, sympathetically mediated pain, bladder incontinence, neurogenic pain, visceral pain, and postsurgical pain.

The currently proposed mechanisms by which TENS produces neuromodulation include the following:

1. Presynaptic inhibition in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.

2. Endogenous pain control (via endorphins, enkephalins, and dynorphins).

3. Direct inhibition of an abnormally excited nerve.

4. Restoration of afferent input.

v Treatment Method

The Physical Therapist applies electrode patches to the skin in the area to be treated. The mild current runs from the stationary stimulator through these patches.

TENS is also used to deliver topical steroid medication through the skin to treat acute episodes of pain. This treatment is called Iontophoresis. The mild current causes the medication to migrate into soft tissue serving to reduce inflammation.

v About the equipment

The portable stimulator is a small battery-operated device that can be worn around the waist. The unit can be turned on or off as needed for pain control.

Although these units can be purchased or rented, a prescription from a physician is required. The Physical Therapist is often the person to teach the patient how to use the device including proper placement of the electrodes for optimal benefits.

To ensure the patient will benefit from TENS, the portable device is used on a trial basis before the patient takes it home for long-term use. Unfortunately, TENS is not always an effective treatment.

Caution

Patients with pacemakers should avoid TENS because the electrical current could interfere with the operation of a pacemaker.

Yoga therapy

2008-07-21T13:36:00.007+05:30

Yoga therapy

Yoga originated in India.

It is regarded as the oldest system of personal development which encompasses the entire body, mind and spirit.

Yoga brings the body and the mind together into a harmonious experience.

Yoga aims to attain the unity of mind, body, and spirit through three main Yogic structures:

Exercise: Regular yoga exercise enhances the glandular system of the body becomes more efficient and this brings a positive change.

Breathing: Regular yoga practices helps one to have a better breath control.

Meditation: Meditation has the power to relieve the mind from stress. The thinking capacity of the person gets increased.

Yoga has 6 branches

i. Hatha Yoga: The term “ha” means sun and the term “tha” means moon. This branch of Yoga brings union of the opposite pairs referring to the positive (sun) and the negative (moon). On practicing the exercises in this category, a person can feel stronger and very relaxed.

ii. Bhakti Yoga: This group of yoga is also called as the yoga of devotion. The Yogis who regularly practice this yoga sees the Divine in everyone. This helps him to be lovable and he has an accepting attitude towards people.

iii. Raja Yoga: It focuses more on meditation and contemplation. People who practice this form of yoga are generally very spiritual.

iv. Jnana Yoga: “Jnana” means wisdom. Jnana yoga deals with wisdom and knowledge and it is regarded as, “The Yoga of the mind ”. This yoga leads to the path of self-realization.

v. Karma Yoga: “Karma” means deeds and this yoga group is regarded as, “The yoga of service to others and to God”. It explains people to work for their own sake without bothering much about the results. This path of yoga demand humans to be selfless and to work towards good deeds and good thoughts to transform the soul.

vi. Tantra Yoga: This path of yoga is the simplest of all. It involves regular and prolonged recitation of one or more potent sound. It is believed that these sounds have the power to awaken the chakras.

There are Five Principles of Yoga..

1. Proper relaxation

2. Proper exercise

3. Proper breathing

4. Proper diet

5. Proper thinking

Yoga can cure almost all diseases. However, it is important to practice the right yoga postures. Also, it is important to practice yoga regularly to maintain a good mind and body.

Reiki

2008-07-21T13:17:00.004+05:30

Reiki

Reiki, (Japanese rei, "universal," and ki, "life force energy") in alternative medicine, a hands-on healing system based on channeling universal life force energy.

Reiki teaches that a life force energy is present in all living things, and that a shortage or blockage of this energy results in physical and mental imbalance and illness. Balance can be restored by tapping into the universal source of life force energy.

The principles of Reiki are thought to be related to ancient Tibetan healing practices rediscovered by the Japanese Buddhist monk Mikao Usui in the late 1800s and brought to the United States in the 1930s.

Reiki practices are not taught, but are rather transmitted as a series of attunements from Reiki master to student.

Reiki therapy does not involve actual touching. The Reiki practitioner holds his or her hands a few inches away from the patient's body and manipulation of the energy field is done from there itself. However, the practitioner may touch the patient at some instances for some specific treatment.

There are 5 ideals in Reiki which every human being must follow because they help to maintain peace.

1. Just for today, I will not be angry.
Anger is just one word short of danger. It is the most complex enemy which badly affects the minds of individuals.

2. Just for today, I will not worry.
Worries have only negative roles in life and they generate auspicious minds . It has an inhibiting effect on the person.

3. Just for today, I will be grateful.
Simple expressions such as smile, good words, gratitude etc does not cost much but means a lot which brings joy and harmony in one’s life. It generates those things which are priceless in one’s life.

4. Just for today, I will do my work honestly.
It is said, “An ideal mind is a Devil’s workshop”. It is important to keep yourself occupied at some work. Sincere work gives quality results.

5. Just for today, I will be kind to every beings’
Being kind to everyone is important and can lead to a quality living

Music Therapy

2008-07-21T13:05:00.007+05:30

Music therapy

Music therapy involves the use of music and musical elements by a therapist to promote, maintain, and restore mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

Music has nonverbal, creative, structural, and emotional qualities. These qualities of music are used in the therapeutic relationship to facilitate contact, interaction, self-awareness, learning, self-expression, communication, and personal development.

Various methods used to cure various disorders through music therapy are:

Singing: This method is very helpful to people with speech disorders to improve their rhythm, articulation, and breath control. It is also being used for those suffering asthma or breathing difficulties.

Listening: Listening to music with concentration has many therapeutic applications. It helps to develop important skills such as good attention and lasting memory. It has the power to keep the mind calm. Thus, good music facilitates a good state of mind.

Playing instruments: This method can improve gross and fine motor co-ordination in individuals with motor impairments or neurological trauma related to a stroke, head injury or a disease process. Playing instruments can enhance cooperation and attention.

Rhythm: Activities based on rhythm can be used to facilitate and improve an individual's strength, balance, co-ordination and relaxation. Rhythmic patterned activities can also help hose with expressive difficulties to improve their ability to tolerate and successfully process sensory information, at the right time.

Improvising: This offers a creative, nonverbal means of expressing thoughts and feelings. When learning ability of a child is not appreciable (limited), the opportunity to try different instruments, musical sounds and different mediums may provide an opportunity for mastery of a new skill and increase life satisfaction. It helps in discovering the talents of the young minds.

Composing: This quality becomes useful in sharing of feelings, ideas and experiences. For children who are hospitalized, writing songs is a means of expressing and understanding fears. For people with a terminal illness, it is a process for examining feelings about the meaning in life and death. Discussion of lyrics and song writing can help adolescents deal with painful memories, trauma, abuse, and express feelings and thoughts that are normally socially unacceptable

Physiotherapy

2008-07-21T12:48:00.006+05:30

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, is a type of exercise that will improve or relieve physical problems, usually after an operation or accident Paralysis, Muscle weakness, poliomyelitis,fractures, sprains, and multiple sclerosis cases can be treated by this therapy.

Physiotherapists make the use of the following devices for treatment:

Radiant or Infrared heat lamp
Electrical heating pad and Diathermy
Hot bath
Ultraviolet lamps
Ultra sound
Equipments such as pulleys,weights,bars,braces,crutches,wheel chais.

Among the diagnostic tests used by the physical therapist are manual muscle testing, electrical testing, perceptual and sensory testing, and measurement of the range of motion of joints.

Therapeutic exercise in various forms is used to increase strength and endurance, to improve coordination, to improve functional movement for activities of daily living, and to increase and maintain range of motion.

Gait training is practiced with the assistance of canes, crutches, walkers, braces, and artificial limbs.

Physical therapy also uses massage, bandaging, strapping, and application and removal of splints and casts.

The physical therapist gives the information about the system to the patient.

Osteopathy

2008-07-21T12:34:00.005+05:30

Osteopathy

Osteopathy states that the body is a vital and physical mechanism, subject to derangement, structural alteration and functional changes.

Osteopathy includes preventive, palliative and curative measures.

In this method treatment is done by manipulation of bones of the body and is mostly used to correct the misalignment of spinal vertibra. A lesion may be in bony, muscular, ligamentous, facial, or other tissues. It results in lack of normal movement in surrounding tissues allowing blood and lymph to stagnate, causing acidosis, irritating nerves which pass that way and through them affecting the functions of various organs including blood vessels.

An Osteopath thoroughly examines the patient and observe how he sits, stands or lies down and also the manner in which the body is bent to the side, back or front.

The practitioner will also feel the muscles, soft tissues and ligaments to detect if there is any tension present, so that the Osteopath is able to take note of the extent and ability of the joint to function. X-rays are also checked when needed to determine the extent of any problem. Muscles can be freed from tension if the tissue is massaged and this will also stimulate the flow of blood.

Techniques of learning to relax, how to stand and sit correctly and additional exercises are suggested by the Osteopath.

Another form of therapy, which is known as Cranial Osteopathy is used for patients suffering from pain in the face or head. This is effected by the Osteopath using slight pressure on these areas including the upper part of the neck. If there is any tautness or tenseness present, the position is maintained while the problem improves.

Nuclear Medicine

2008-07-20T23:22:00.008+05:30

Nuclear Medicine

It is the use of radioactive isotopes or radiopharmaceuticals to diagnose and treat diseases such as such as sports injuries, heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. For example, an isotope Iodine-131 is used to diagnose and treat problems of Thyroid. Similarly an isotope Cobalt-60 is used to treat cancer.

In treatment applications, which are less common, substantially larger doses of radiation are used to destroy diseased tissues.

Nuclear imaging can detect the narrowing of blood vessels—an early warning sign of possible heart disease or stroke. Nuclear medicine imaging procedures are noninvasive and usually painless medical tests that help physicians diagnose medical conditions. These imaging scans use radioactive materials called a radio pharmaceutical or radio tracer.

Depending on the type of nuclear medicine exam you are undergoing, the radiotracer is injected into a vein, swallowed by mouth or inhaled as a gas and eventually collects in the area of your body being examined,where it gives off energy in the form of Gamma rays. This energy is detected by a device called a gamma camera , a Positron Emitting Tonography (PET) scanner or probe. These devices work together with a computer to measure the amount of radiotracer absorbed by your body and to produce special pictures offering details on both the structure and function of organs and other internal body parts.

Gamma camera operation

In some centers, nuclear medicine images can be superimposed with Computed Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to produce special views, a practice known as image fusion or co-registration.

Nuclear medicine imaging to analyze kidney function, to visualize heart blood flow and function, to scan lungs for respiratory and blood flow problems, to identify blockage in the gallbladder, to evaluate bones for fracture, infection, arthritis and tumors, to determine the presence or spread of cancer, to identify bleeding into the bowel , to locate the presence of infection, to measure thyroid function to detect an overactive or underactive thyroid, to investigate abnormalities in the brain.

Internal Medicine

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Internal Medicine

It is the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of aliments caused by infections, systematic, metabolic, nutritional, physical and chemical agents.

It covers the diseases of lungs, kidneys, heart, blood vessels, endocrines, digestive and nervous systems.

Internists, the physicians who specialize in the field, are skilled in disease prevention and can handle severe chronic illnesses and situations where several different illnesses may strike at the same time.

Internists are equipped to deal with whatever problem a patient brings (no matter how common or rare, or how simple or complex). They also bring to patients an understanding of disease prevention and the promotion of health, women's health, substance abuse, mental health, as well as effective treatment of common problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system and reproductive organs.

Within the field of internal medicine, nine subspecialties are recognized:

1. Cardiology (the treatment of diseases of the heart and blood vessels),

2. Endocrinology (the study of glands and other structures that secrete hormones),

3. Gastroenterology ( the care of conditions of the digestive tract, liver, and pancreas),

4. Rheumatology (the treatment of disorders involving joints and other connective tissues),

5. Nephrology (the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases),

6. Hematology (the study of blood and blood-forming tissues),

7. Oncology (the study and treatment of cancerous tumors),

8. Infectious disease (the study of severe or unusual infections),

9. Pulmonary disease (concerned with disorders of the lungs and other components of the respiratory system)