Part 2
Vata aggravates either due to depletion of Dhatus or due to obstruction.
Aggravation of Vata causes 80 diseases. They include paralysis, joint pain, back pain, sciatica etc. Signs and symptoms of Vata diseases are pain, numbness, shooting pain, tremor, weakness, sleeplessness, dryness and stiffness.
Aggravation of Pitta
Causes
Foods: Hot, Chilly, Spicy, Salt and sour Activities: Exercise, Anger
Season: Autumn, Exposure to sun
Pitta aggravation causes 40 diseases which include, peptic disease, jaundice, ulcers, bleeding diseases. Signs and symptoms of Pitta aggravation include burning sensation, heat, redness, oozing, sweating, inflammation, bleeding and pus formation.
Aggravation of Kapha
Sheetha or cold causes aggravation of Kapha.
Causes
Foods: Oily, hot, cold, sweet saltActivities Activities: Lack of exercise, Excessive sleep. daytime sleep, overeating
Season: Vasantha (spring)
Classification of Roga
Rogas are usually classified into Nija and Aganthu
A Nija roga occurs because of improper lifestyle, food habits, climatic changes etc. which causes the aggravation and imbalance of the Doshas. This imbalance of the Doshas results in Roga.
Agantu Roga is caused by trauma, burns, poison and other external fact vitiation factors. Here the injury occurs first and then the Doshas are affected.
Rogas are of 3 types depending on the causative factors. They are Karmaja, Dosaja and Dosha-Karmaja Rogas.
Karmaja Roga
These Rogas are produced due to past sinful karmas. In these diseases there might not be any apparent dosha vitiation. These Rogas are cured by repenting or by suffering the misery associated with it. In these Rogas rituals and worship are advised.
Doshaja Rogas
These Rogas are produced due to aggravation of the Doshas. Here the causative factors can usually be identified. Panchakarma therapies and cures using herbs are useful here.
Dosaja-Karmaja Rogas
Here both the aggravation of the Doshas and past sinful Karmas are responsible for the Roga. In this Roga rituals and worship as well as Panchakarma therapies and herbs must be used.
Rogas can be classified as Sadhya (possible) and Asadhya (impossible) depending on their curability.
Sadhya rogas are again classified into sukhasadhya or easily curable and Krucharasadya which could involve procedures like surgery.
Asadhyarogas are classified as Yapya and Anupakrama. Yapya are Rogas which can be controlled but not cured completely with treatments and diet. Anupakrama rogas are usually fatal and have no cure.
Roga Pariksha (Diagnosis of Diseases)
Five methods are used in Ayurveda for the diagnosis of Rogas. They are:-
1. Nidana or examination of the causative factors.
2. Poorvaroopa or early signs and symptoms of the disease.
3. Roopa or signs and symptoms of the disease.
4. Upashaya therapies used to evaluate the nature of the disease.
5. Samprapti or the progress of the roga process in the body
By understanding the above five factors a clear picture of the disease process will become apparent and based on this knowledge a suitable treatment can be adopted.
Rogeepariksha (Examination of the patient)
To give a proper treatment for the patient a treatment plan is just not enough. A complete knowledge of the patients condition, his health status, mental state, physical strength, digestive capacity, food habits and lifestyle have to be understood. The patient must be observed first before a thorough physical examination is done. After this a complete case history must be taken.
Mrs. Mira Swami, Department of Ayurveda