Diseases and food habits: According to Ayurveda the body comprises of three primary life forces or humors. In Ayurvedic terminology they are called doshas. The state of balance or equilibrium between these three doshas in the body is called health and the state of imbalance or disequilibrium is disease. The imbalance may be in one, two or all the three doshas. For example excess of vatta causes arthritis and excess of pitta causes acidity, ulcer and liver disorders. All causative factors of disease internal or external directly or indirectly create an imbalance in these doshas first and only then do the symptoms of the disease manifest. The causative factors can be the food, life style or other activities. All these factors are affecting one , two or all the three doshas.

So if you want to stay healthy, you must know what these factors which create an imbalance of doshas are. As said earlier these factors could be your diet, life style or daily activities. You will soon discover that majority of foods and activities we practice in the modern world are increasing one or more doshas. They are discussed briefly as below.

Factors responsible for increasing vatta:

Eating too much bitter, astringent and pungent tasted foods like cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, sprouts, beans, dry fruits, mushrooms and raw foods.
Too much traveling by any means of transportation.
Staying awake till late night or not sleeping at all.
Eating of junk food, frozen foods and food that have been micro-waved.
Excessive exposure to high noise level or high sounds.
Watching too much television and over exposure to computers or any other kind of electric gadgets from strong waves are emitted.
Indulging in too many sexual activities.
Excessive imagination, overworking or too many sports.
Taking too much medicinal, recreational and stimulating drugs.
Suppression of natural urges like urination, defecation, sneezing, cough, tears etc.
Emotions like fear and grief.

Aggravation of vatta weakens the nervous system

Other symptoms caused by excess of vatta in the body are joint pains, constipation, dry skin, loss of memory, palpitation, insomnia, stiffness of muscles, weight loss, loss of strength, migraine, vertigo, tremors, grief and fear etc.,

Factors responsible for increasing Pitta:

Drinking too much tea, coffee, alcohol.
Exessive smoking.
Eating salty, sour, hot and spicy food, eating too much chillis, tomatos, egg plant or onions.
Too much exposure to heat and sun.
Anger.

Some of the symptoms caused by excess of Pitta in the body are hyperacidity , skin diseases, burning sensation, fever, infections, ulcers, liver disorders, malfunction of sense organs, fatigue, loss of taste and sleep disturbances.

Factors responsible for increasing Kapha:

Eating sweet, salty and sour tastes in excess, fats, oily and fried foods , ice creams, mears, dairy products, and nuts.
Too much sleep, specially during day time.
Not doing much physical activity.
Some of the symptoms caused by excess Kapha in the body are asthma, cold, congestion in the chest, anorexia and obesity.

The treatment according to Ayurveda is to balance the tridosha. While making a diagnosis the Ayurvedic physician finds out which dosha is out of balance and tries to make the balance by prescribing some natural medicines, diet and life style.