DIAGNOSIS IN AYURVEDA
In Ayurveda, the idea of diagnosis stems from the perception that the body is continuously interacting with order and disorder in a balanced way; and diagnosis is the concept of frequently monitoring these interactions on a moment-to-moment basis. Thus, diagnosis in Ayurveda isn’t the same as the idea of diagnosis in Western medicine, in which the disorder is recognized after it is present in the body.
The sickness process is a reaction between the body’s humor, tridoshas, and the dhatus or tissues. The signs and symptoms of each disorder are usually associated with the character of imbalance in some of the tridoshas. Once this imbalance is recognized, then the balance may be re-mounted via Ayurvedic remedy and management.
Factors Influencing Diagnosis of Diseases
Diagnosis-associated decision-making in Ayurveda could be very complicated and relies upon the assessment of many inner elements that present themselves in the course of a disease process, such as:
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Body humor (Tridoshas)
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Body tissues (dhatus)
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Excretory products (malas)
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Digestive power (Agni)
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Body channels (srotas).
Also, external elements like pathogens or infection, season or weather, and the affected person’s way of life such as diet, medication, smoking or alcohol, and other such conduct that are a part of vitiating his/her constitution, are involved in the expression of the disorder.
Methods of Diagnosis in Ayurveda
An Ayurvedic clinical examination consists of 3 diagnostic methods (trividhapariksha):
- Inspection (Darshana): Involves observation of the body parts,
- Palpation (Sparsana): Includes pulse & palpation of body parts (wrist pulse, stomach palpation, etc.).
- Questioning (Prasna): Understanding the medical history, signs, symptoms, and mental and physical state of the affected person is included in the course of the questioning stage.
Based upon this analysis, remedies and preferences of herbs/compound formulae are prescribed.
Pulse Diagnosis – Nadi Pariksha
To check the pulse, the arm and wrist of the affected person are kept at relaxation and three fingers are positioned at the wrist, simply under the wrist bone and the throbbing motion of the pulse is felt and analyzed.
The function of the index finger represents the vicinity of the Vata dosha When Vata turns predominant withinside the Prakriti or constitution of an individual, the index finger feels the pulse strongly. It is irregular & thin, and the pulse is felt like a snake-like motion; therefore, referred to as the snake pulse which shows annoyed Vata withinside the body.
The place of the middle finger denotes the pulse of the pitta dosha. When pitta turns predominant withinside the constitution, the pulse is stronger under the middle finger. It feels active & exciting & the pulse is felt just like the leaping of a frog; consequently referred to as the frog pulse. This pulse denotes annoyed pitta.
When Kapha turns predominant, the throbbing of the heartbeat under the ring finger is maximumly noticeable. The pulse feels robust and its motion resembles the motion of a swan across a pond. It is referred to as the swan pulse.