Dyspepsia/Indigestion
Dyspepsia or indigestion is the term applied to difficulty in
digesting food. It may cause stomach pain, flatulence, heartburn,
loss of appetite and a general feeling of discomfort. In Ayurveda,
this condition is known as agnimandhya, which is the decreased
capacity of metabolic fires to digest food.
Dyspepsia
or indigestion is often caused by irregular food habits such as
overeating, eating at the wrong time or eating the wrong type
of food. These habits may vitiate any of the Ayurvedic body energies.
Ayurvedic
treatment involves balancing these energies or Ayurvedic humors
and restoring digestive power with the use of herbal treatments
and the adoption of correct eating habits.
Dysphagia
Difficulty
in swallowing or dysphagia is usually caused by a dysfunction
or disease of the esophagus, the passage between the mouth and
the stomach. Inflammatory diseases such as tonsillitis, stomatitis
or laryngitis may produce dysphagia. Neuromuscular disorders such
as myasthenia gravis or compression on the esophagus due to goiter
may also cause dysfunction. In other cases, esophagitis and stricture
cause ulceration and obstruction.
From
an Ayurvedic point of view, dysphagia is caused by obstruction
in the minute channels of the body. When the digestive or metabolic
fire is low, food is not digested properly, leading to the accumulation
of toxins (ama). These toxins accumulate within various body channels
causing blockages and impaired function.
Treatment
consists primarily of cleansing the body of toxins with purifying
herbs, boosting the digestive power with herbal treatment, and
restoring strength and immunity with Ayurvedic tonics.
Irritable
Bowel Syndrome (Grahani)
This
is a very common digestive disorder that plagues innumerable people
around the world. Scientific research has linked it to stress
and worry but as yet the exact cause of the disease is unknown.
Symptoms include abdominal pain and bloating, chronic constipation
and/or diarrhea, mucus discharge, bleeding. Nausea, anorexia,
headache and tiredness are also often present. Ayurveda describes
many different digestive disorders that would fit into this category.
Any of the body energies may be aggravated and toxins are usually
present.
Ayurvedic
treatment is very effective for this disorder and involves alleviating
the aggravated body energies, restoring the function of the digestive
system and the elimination of toxins. As stress is often a significant
cause of this disorder, an important line of treatment consists
of lifestyle guidance and herbs to nourish the mind, nervous system
and GIT.
Jaundice
Jaundice
is a condition in which there is discoloration of the skin eyes
and nails because of deposition of bile pigments in the skin’s
deeper layers. Digestion is impaired, leaving the patient physically
weak. Destruction of red blood cells and circulation of bile pigments
in an excessive quantity causes lack of oxygen to the tissue cells
resulting in defective metabolism. Symptoms are anorexia, nausea,
epigastric discomfort, abdominal pain or heaviness immediately
after meals, weight loss, fever and pale white stools and black
stools and right hypochondriac pain and inflammation. In Ayurveda
this is called kamala and is caused by excessive circulation of
bile pigments in the blood. In advance stage it is called Kumbakamala.
Ayurvedic
treatment involves pacifying aggravated body energies using herbs
that stimulate the function of the liver and increase the flow
of bile in the bile duct. Digestion is also restored to ensure
efficient metabolism.
Esophageal
Hiatus Hernia
Hiatus hernia is most common in middle aged and elderly women.
It is called vidagajrina in Ayurveda. Obesity, over-eating and
intake of spicy and sour foods are among the major causes of this
disorder. Psychological factors like stress, anxiety, tension,
anger, and fear also play an important role in aggravating this
disease. It may manifest into extremely painful ulcers. Ayurvedic
treatment is aimed at balancing body energies and restoring healthy
digestion.
Gall
Stone
Gall stone formation is the most common disorder of the biliary
tract. They are caused mainly by congestion and obstruction in
the flow of bile. They usually occur in conjunction with cholecystitis
and inflammation of the wall of the gall bladder. Symptoms are
acute pain in the liver and gall bladder region, along with swelling
and tenderness. Nausea, eructations, and fever may also be present.
Ayurvedic
treatment eliminates the need for surgery by assisting the body
to expel the stones naturally. Treatment involves the use of highly
effective stone dissolving (lithotriptic) herbal formulas along
with herbs to cleanse the liver and restore its function.
Peptic
Ulcer
Peptic ulcers are ulcers in the digestive system, including both
the gastric and duodenal kinds. They may be acute or chronic.
Ulcers are commonly found in patients suffering from stress and
anxiety. The pain usually starts when the patient is hungry and
subsides when the patient eats. Ayurveda calls this condition,
vran grahani. Individuals with a tendency towards stress and anxiety
are more prone to ulcers. Excessive anger and the intake of sour
and spicy food, alcohol and tobacco are also causative factors.
Ayurveda
treats the root cause of the disease with the use of herbal preparations,
dietary guidelines and relaxation techniques. The aggravated body
energies are balanced and digestion is restored allowing the ulcer
to heal permanently.
Ulcerative
Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease involving the mucosa
and submucos of the colon. The ulcers formed may be superficial
or deeply penetrative. Symptoms include malabsorption, weight
loss and anemia, low fever and chronic diarrhea.
This
stage is called called grahani with pravahika. According to Ayurveda,
this is caused by the build toxins (ama) due to excessive heat,
which is increased by the intake of sour and spicy food, alcohol,
tobacco and caffeinated beverages. Extremely negative emotions
like anger and hate also aggravate heat in the body. Ama (a toxic
element) is very sticky and it deposits itself between the villi
in the intestines, forming a smooth coating that impairs the normal
function and immunity of the intestines creating malabsorption
and weakness.
Ayurvedic
treatment involves gently eliminating the toxic ama, restoring
healthy digestion and creating a bacterially friendly environment
in the body. After the basic strength and immunity of the body
is restored, Ayurvedic treatment allows the natural healing of
the ulcers to take place.
Chronic
Gastritis
Inflammation of the gastric mucosa is called gastritis. This occurs
as a result of an excessive consumption of alcohol, tobacco, sour,
spicy, acidic foods and white flour products. Stress, anger and
exposure to heat are also causative factors. Symptoms include
acid reflux, burning sensation, pain in the abdomen and nausea.
Patients suffering from chronic gastritis become emaciated and
anemic. In Ayurveda, this condition is known as urdhvaga amla
pitta.
Ayurvedic
treatment involves the reduction of aggravated body energies and
the restoration of the digestive fire, using cooling herbal preparations
and diet along with Ayurvedic techniques of reducing tension and
stress.
Piles
(Arshus)
Hemorrhoids or piles are small, bluish swellings, caused by the
varicosity of blood vessels around the anus and bleeding. Constipation,
diarrhea, poor diet and eating habits, constant traveling, lack
of exercise, excess worry and stress are the main causative factors.
Both acute and chronic piles can be effectively treated with Ayurvedic
herbal preparations. Since Ayurvedic treatment primarily focuses
on digestion, the cause is eliminated and recurrence prevented.
Coeliac
Disease
Coeliac
disease is characterized by abnormal mucosa in the small intestines,
induced by a component of gluten protein in wheat. Barley, oats
and rye may also aggravate this condition. Coeliac disease usually
begins in the first three years of life. However, it may manifest
itself for the first time in adult life too. The commonest features
are diarrhea, weight loss and anemia. Other features are finger
clubbing, dermatitis, amenorrhoea and infertility.
From
an Ayurvedic perspective, this condition indicates an imbalance
of certain body energies causing weakened immunity and digestion.
The digestive system is too sensitive causing an allergic reaction
to certain foods. Treatment consists of initially withdrawing
gluten products from the diet while the immune system is boosted
and the digestive system is restored. After this has been achieved
and strength has returned, wheat products can be re-introduced
and the patient can return to a normal diet.
Intestinal
Worms ( Krimiroga )
Intestinal worms and parasites
are usually contacted due to poor sanitation, contamination of
food and water or due to a lack of personal hygiene. Worms' eggs
find their way into the human body through contaminated food and
water. Consumption of raw or improperly cooked vegetables, non-vegetarian
diet, dairy products, sugar products, chocolates, and putrid foods
increase the chances of the spread of this disease. This kind
of diet weakens the digestive fire and increases certain body
energies, providing a breeding ground for parasites.
Ayurvedic
treatment is aimed at eliminating body energy imbalance, along
with the worms or parasites. A change in diet and regimen is also
advised to prevent recurrence.
