The majority of us have encountered at least one episode of diarrhea or commonly addressed as ‘loose motions’ in our life. We have often taken immediate action against it and attained relief.
Diarrhea is one of the common diseases affecting people and so it is essential for us to attain basic knowledge regarding this condition. We must know the basic causes and remedies to tackle it. To begin with, let us learn the science behind this disease.
What is diarrhea?
Just like we commonly call it – ‘loose motions’, diarrhea is the passing of loose and fluid consistency of feces that may or may not be recurrent over a period of time. This fluid consistency might sometimes also be associated with pus or bloody discharge.
We might take this disease very lightly, but it is crucial to treat the underlying cause. Diarrhea could also occur as a complication of another disease that needs grave attention.
The symptoms of diarrhea are:
- Bloated tummy
- Feeling nauseous
- Stomach cramps
- May be associated with pus or blood
- Loss of weight
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling uneasy
- High temperature
Diarrhea and dehydration
One of the most common complications of diarrhea is dehydration. As we expel watery bowels from the body, there is a loss of water from our body as well as there is a disturbance in water-electrolyte balance. The proportion of water and electrolytes in our body is crucial to maintain. A slight change can disturb homeostasis. The body devoid of water and electrolytes makes the person extremely dizzy, and may even lose consciousness. The water and electrolytes sustain our bodies to an extent. Therefore, in case of diarrhea, it is essential to sustain the balance. The body has to be kept hydrated.
Ayurveda is a traditional science of medicine. Ayurvedic science is apart from other sciences of medicine. The beliefs it practices and the treatment protocol it follows vary from other sciences. This is the essence of Ayurveda. This distinctive quality makes it unique and promising. Ayurveda considers our body to be made of three doshas, namely :
These three doshas constitute our body and build it. All three doshas are important, but vata is considered superior to the other two because if the vata dosha gets singularly harmed, it vitiates the other two doshas, but that is not the case with pitta and kapha.
As these doshas build our bodies, they also build the disease in our bodies. The cause of any disease affects these doshas and then these doshas then further manifest the disease if left untreated. Diarrhea in Ayurveda is correlated to ‘Atisara’. The literal meaning of the word is:
- Ati – large quantity
- sara – fluid consistency
Types of Atisara
Atisara is of five types :
- Vata – due to vitiation of vata dosha
- Pitta – due to vitiation of pitta dosha
- Kapha – due to vitiation of kapha dosha
- Sannipata – due to vitiation of all of the above three doshas
- Bhayaja – due to fear
- Shokaja – due to emotional imbalance
The major causes and symptoms of atisara are similar to as mentioned above. The symptoms of each type of dosha may vary according to the dosha involved.
Certain causes are also specific to doshas for example :
- Vata – eating dry food
- Pitta – eating food that causes a burning sensation
- Kapha – eating heavy food of sweet taste in prominence.
Ayurvedic treatment protocol of atisara
Ayurveda firmly believes in the practice of letting go of the vitiated Doshas. The essence of ayurvedic treatment protocol is either alleviating the vitiated doshas or completely expelling it from the body.
Therefore, in the case of atisara, after analyzing the condition of the dosha and the strength of the patient the physician prescribes the treatment. The treatment specific to each dosha is as follows :
- In Vata predominant atisara, firstly the type of feces expelled is assessed. If the undigested matter is expelled then the flow is not stopped. Instead, drugs like haritaki (Terminalia chebula) can be used to propel it out of the body.
- If the severity of this is moderate or low then fasting is also adopted
- If the digested matter is expelled, drugs that cause stambhana (stop the flow) are used. Meat soup can be used for this purpose.
- In pitta dosha and kapha dosha, fasting and also drugs that stimulate digestion are used. In the case of pitta, if the patient is strong then virechana (purgation) can be done.
- In bhayaja and shokaja atisara, the treatment protocol of vata dosha can be adopted.
One of the key features of the Atisara treatment is piccha basti. It is a kind of enema that can be administered in pitta and kapha types of atisara.
The ayurvedic protocol is very precise and brings out the best result. Each patient is given a different treatment according to their body constitution, the predominance of doshas in their body, and the strength to tolerate any degree of treatment. Each Dosha is given importance.
The essence of ayurvedic treatment is the accuracy with which the causative doshas are identified and rectified. The diseases before manifesting complications are treated.
In case complications arise, then the disease is treated immediately. But if the complication is severe then the complication is treated first and then the disease. Ayurveda and its science of treatment are extremely fruitful and satisfactory. People leave with a healthy body and healthy mind.
Apollo AyurVaid has been always applauded for its precision and exemplary results. First, we assess the patient entirely, then we chart out the possible treatment protocol, discuss it with the patient and then carry on with the treatment.
We have always diagnosed the patient with much accuracy and patience. Our only motto is a healthy body and a happy heart for the patient. We have and continue to strive ahead to accomplish our goals.
Our hard work and strenuous activities have been widely acknowledged, and we have been honored with the NABH accreditation, awarded as the Best Ayurveda Center in 2017 from the government of India, and attained the Industry’s best customer satisfaction score of 92% graded by our patients. We aspire to only better ourselves, for the people that come to us with utmost trust.
