Ayurvedic Case Studies on Digestion Disorders

Digestive disorders cause irritation and discomfort that may drastically affect the state of general wellbeing and limit the energy levels and active lifestyle. The symptoms of poor digestion include excessive gas formation, constipation, diarrhoea, burping, burning, vomiting, indigestion, bloating and abdominal pain.

 

 

Ayurveda Understanding of Digestion

Ayurveda states that the digestive system of an individual determines the health and well being of an individual. Hence a healthy digestion is directly proportional to healthy living. Even the high quality diet and pure food will not be able to deliver good health if it is not digested properly and can be rather harmful for the body. The majority of the digestion processes is carried out in the stomach (Jathar) which is referred metaphorically as “fire” (Jatharagni). As per Ayurveda, a healthy digestion produces healthy tissues (Dhatus) and in case the digestion is not healthy, this reasons the accumulation of the toxins (Ama) in the body.

 

3 Types of Digestion Toxins

There are 3 types of toxins which are built up in a digestive disorder:

Ama: Ama is formed because of a weaker digestive tract or excess load of wrong food. This Ama if not cleaned from the body leads to an imbalance of the doshas within the body.

Amavisha: The build up Ama can react with subdoshas and can create Amavisha (toxin), which is believed to be the strongest toxin, resulting in a disorder.

Environmental Toxins: These toxins are formed from the exposure to the contaminants.

The underlying root cause of most of the Digestive disorders like bloating, gas, ingestion, or an abdominal pain is the weak Agni or the Digestive fire. Uncovering the root cause of the digestive problems is the first step towards the treatment of the disorder.

Generally in Ayurveda, various Ayurvedic medicines, herbal & mineral natural Ayurvedic remedies, diet, massages, yoga, meditation and other products & techniques are used for the purpose of healing, cleansing and restoring the balance of the body.

The first line of treatment in Ayurveda includes Detoxification and Cleansing of the body, without which other modes of treatments prove to be less effective or ineffective. According to Ayurveda, Digestion & metabolism are usually associated with the Pitta dosha (related to the elements fire element)

Certain techniques to practice, improve and strengthen your digestive fire:

• Regularly taking up some form of daily activities like yoga, or a 15 minutes morning walk controls the sugar spikes and aids in improving digestion.

 

• It is essential to avoid over-eating. Excess if not properly broken down can produce ama / acid and cause reflux and indigestion, finally leading to more gas formation, bloating and discomfort.

 

• In Ayurveda, Ginger is known as a Universal Remedy for most of the ailments because of its beneficial herbal properties. Ginger relaxes the smooth muscle of the intestines, thereby relieving symptoms of gas and cramping. Including ginger or ginger tea throughout the day or in the meal is a good practice for improving body’s digestive fire.

 

• Eating the biggest meal at the lunchtime as studies have shown that highest concentration of digestive juices are secreted during the afternoon. Heavy meal at dinner leaves you bloated and results into difficulty in falling asleep.

 

• Regular meditation practice (20-30 minutes twice /day) helps restoring the body’s homoestasis and controlling digestive processes.

Gastro-intestinal disorders show high prevalence in pediatric practice. Digestive diseases commonly affect the persons at the prime period of their life i.e., in the young – most productive part of the life and the children during the crucial stage of growth and development. Grahani Dosha is a disease related with gastrointestinal disorders. The present paper deals with study on ediopathogenesis of Grahani Dosha and evaluates the efficacy of Deavadarvyadi-Vati. Patients (3-12 yrs), having signs and symptoms of Grahani Dosha have been selected from O.P.D. of Kaumarabhritya Dept., I.P.G.T. and R.A., G.A.U., Jamnagar hospital, Gujrat after excluding conditions like congenital disease, hereditary disease, worm infestation and infectious disease. Majority of the patients were taking biscuits, chocolates, kurkure, sweets, ice cream, wafers, curd, tea and bakery items frequently in their whole day diet. Total 32 patients (3-12 years) were registered and randomly divided into two groups. In Group A Devadarvyadi-Vati (treated group) and in Group B Bhunimbadi-Vati (control group) given for 4 weeks with Koshna Jala. In Group A (Devadarvyadi-Vati), marked improvement was observed in 21.43% of the patients, moderate improvement was observed in 57.14% of patients and mild improvement was observed in 21.43% of patients. The effect of trial drug Devadarvyadi-Vati showed better result on Muhurbaddha Muhurshithila Mala Pravritti, Anaddhodarata, Arochaka, Balakshaya, Aalasya, Klama, Trishnaand Antrakujanam due to its Kaphavatashamaka properties predominantly, while the control drug Bhunimbadi-Vati showed better result on Mukha Vairasya and Tikta Amlodgaradue to its Kaphapittashamaka properties predominantly. Both groups showed similar effect on Praseka.

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal complaint in apparently healthy population as well as in patients with various predisposing disorders with approximately 12 to 19% global prevalence. An open-label, prospective, interventional, and exploratory clinical trial was carried out to evaluate the efficacy and safety of “TLPL/AY/01/2008″ in 34 patients suffering from functional constipation. “TLPL/AY/01/2008″ is an Ayurvedic proprietary polyherbal formulation in powder form, containing 5 herbs including Isabgol husk, Senna extract, and Triphala extract. 21 Men and 13 women (age group, 18-70 years) suffering from functional constipation, attending the Outpatient Clinic at T. N. Medical College and B.Y.L. Nair Ch. Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra and meeting all the inclusion criteria were recruited in the trial. Administration of “TLPL/AY/01/2008″ for 14 days showed a significant increase in mean weekly bowel movements from 10.19 ± 05.64 to 18.29 ± 05.72 (P<0.05). A significant improvement (P<0.05) was also noted in straining during defecation, sensation of incomplete evacuation, sensation of anorectal blockage, and other associated symptoms of functional constipation. The significant improvement in most of the above symptoms was endured for a post-treatment observatory period of one week. This study proved that Triphala also helps in digestion and proper assimilation of food. Thus, addition of Triphala to combination of Senna and Isabgol helped in maximizing the laxative effect of the formulation.

Case Study 3.

Urdhwaga Amlapitta (non-ulcer dyspepsia), a gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disorder, has acquired majority of the share with causative factors like improper diet and habits, stress, not following Ahara Vidhi Visheshayatana, etc., Viruddhahara, Asatmya Ahara, stale food, spicy irritant food, oily foods, bakery products, some fast foods, excess consumption of tea and coffee, excess food intake, drinking excess water after meals, frozen products, wine, cigarette smoking during meal, chemical medicines during meal, etc. A survey study was conducted on 138 patients, irrespective of sex, religion, etc., who had presented with the clinical symptoms of Urdhwaga Amlapitta and attended the OPD of Department of Basic Principles, at I.P.G.T. and R.A., Gujarat Ayurveda University, Jamnagar, Gujarat between February 2009 and June 2010. Selected patients were 15 – 65 years of age, and had classical signs and symptoms of Urdhwaga Amlapitta like Avipaka, Vidaha, Klama, Tiktamlodgara, Hritdaha, Kanthadaha, etc., The data revealed that majority of the patients indulged in faulty dietary habits like excess Katu Ahara Sevana (99.3%), Amla Ahara (95.65%), Guru Ahara (90.57%), Snigdha Ahara (86.23%), Viruddha (81.88%), Abhishyandi Ahara (81.88%), Atiushna Ahara (73.9%), Vidahi (51.44%), Pistanna (47.10%), etc., and the data on lifestyle revealed that majority of the patients indulged in Diwasvapna (89.85%), Antarodaka Paanam (81.88%), Chinta (79.71%), etc., This survey study upholds the novel concept of diet and lifestyle of Ayurveda. This study data reflects that dietary patterns, lifestyle choices, and physical activities play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of Urdhwaga Amlapitta, and it is important for patients to have access to diet and lifestyle modifications.

 

Case Study 4. Conducted at Indus Valley Ayurvedic Centre

The client stayed at Indus Valley Ayurvedic Centre for two weeks to address a long term health problem with specific signs and symptoms of increased bowel movements – 3-4 times a day, associated with abdominal discomfort and occasional bloating, since many years, more since 2 – 3 years, haemorrhoids since 1 year. There were also increased stress levels.The therapeutic treatments offered were not set in advance but idiosyncratic to the client’s condition, which according to the client was really nice, and most importantly, in coming up with a long-term dietary regimen that was realistic in taking into account work and lifestyle. He also conveys that the Ayurvedic treatments provided at IVAC was something that he believed that he could actually follow after returning to normal life. After 2 weeks of Ayurvedic treatments, the abdominal discomfort and bloating was reduced considerably, the bowels were getting to once or twice a day, and overall the client felt relaxed and energetic.

 About the Author:

Dr Sonica Krishan is Author and Speaker in the areas of Healthy and Joyous Living through Ayurveda, Meditation, Yoga and other Contemplative practices. She is a leading Ayurveda Professional in India. She is also Health Writer, Columnist, Editor, Ayurveda Consultant and Holistic Healing Coach. Dr Sonica is open for National as well as International Collaborations with interested people / institutions in fields of Ayurveda, Meditation and Yoga.