Ayurveda & Diarrhea
- By Dr.Upneet Kaur, BAMS
- Published 03/26/2008
- Ayurveda
Dr.Upneet Kaur, BAMS
graduated from Baba Farid University Of Health Sciences, Faridkot, Punjab.
View all articles by Dr.Upneet Kaur, BAMSAccording to Ayurveda, thre are 6 types of diarrhea:
Vataja, Pittaja, Kaphaja, Tridoshaja, Bhayaja (caused by fear) & Shokaja (caused by grief), and Raktatisara (diarrhoea associated with bleeding).
Vataja, Pittaja, Kaphaja, Tridoshaja, Bhayaja (caused by fear) & Shokaja (caused by grief), and Raktatisara (diarrhoea associated with bleeding).
- Vataj- It is characterised by abdominal cramping and gas in the abdomes. It contains more water and less fecal matter.
- Pittaj- It is characterised by yellowish stools and offensive odour.
- Kaphaj- It is characterised by stools whitish in colour with mucous along with it.
- Tridoshaj- Has all the features simultaneously i.e. it is manifested with symptoms of all doshas.
- Shokaj and Bhayaja- Vayu gets vitiated quickly by fear & anxiety. This diarrhea caused by fear and anxiety are psychic & exogenous. The mind disordered by fear causes increase of pitta & vayu which cause the feces to become liquid & produce diarrhea, elimination is quick, feces is warm, fluid like, floating (on water).
- Raktaj- It is characterised by blood mixed fecal matter.
While vitiation of
any of the three doshas can cause diarrhea, In India, the basic dosha
involved is vata dosha because it brings more water to the intestines
and lowers the digestive fire which causes diarrhea. This article discusses Vata-caused diarrhea. It is defined as any form of loose or watery stool, and is all too common. It is also known as a condition of frequent and watery bowel movements.
- AGE WISE EFFECT: Diarrhoea can be dangerous in newborns and infants. In small children, severe diarrhoea lasting just a day or two can lead to dehydration. Because a child can die from dehydration within a few days, the main treatment for diarrhoea in children is rehydration.
- HECTIC LIFE STYLE: The people who have live hectic lifestyles are more likely to catch this problem because generally the don’t have time to take their proper meals, grabbing more junk food, which in turn disturbs the digestive system and causes diarrhea. Mental stress can also agitate the digestive juices.
Ayurvedic Pathology: The main dosha involved in the pathogenesis or samprapti of diarrhea is vayu. Following Subdoshas are involved:
Samana Vayu: This is a subdosha or type of Vata which governs the absorption of nutrients into the body. Assuming they were broken down properly, samana vayu can guide their absorption. Not only does samana vayu govern absorption but it also directly affects agni as would wind when it blows upon a fire. If the wind is strong, the fire is strong. If the wind is weak, the fire burns low. If the wind fluctuates so does the fire. Faulty samana vayu can lead to diarrhoea.
Apana Vayu: This type of Vata governs the downward motion. Particularly the excretion of toxins and faeces. When it is healthy, elimination is normal; the bowel movements are solid but soft. When apana vayu is faulty, a variety of problems can manifest diarrhoea.
Apana Vayu: This type of Vata governs the downward motion. Particularly the excretion of toxins and faeces. When it is healthy, elimination is normal; the bowel movements are solid but soft. When apana vayu is faulty, a variety of problems can manifest diarrhoea.
Types
Acute diarrhoea -with a sudden onset is often caused by something eaten, such as food poisoning. It lasts less than 3 weeks.
- Infectious diarrhoea – bacterial or viral infection.
- Travel - related diarrhoea known as Traveller’s diarrhoea
- Chronic idiopathic diarrhoea – It lasts more than 3 weeks.
- Anxiety diarrhea
- Stress diarrhea
- Loose, watery stools occurring more than three times in one day.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Thirst
- Fatigue
- Dark colored urine
- Infrequent urination
- Dry skin
- Infections
- Bacterial infections. Several types of bacteria, consumed through contaminated food or water, can cause diarrhoea. Common culprits include Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, and Escherichia coli.
- Viral infections. Many viruses cause diarrhoea, including rotavirus, Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, and viral hepatitis.
- Parasites. Parasites can enter the body through food or water and settle in the digestive system. Parasites that cause diarrhoea include Giardia Lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, and Cryptosporidium.
- Food intolerance. Some people are unable to digest a component of food, such as lactose, the sugar found in milk.
Some medicines are there which have an adverse effect on our body system causing diarrhea. They are:
- Antibiotics.
- Blood pressure medications.
- Antacids.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Some people with IBS, also known as spastic colon, have spasms in the colon that affect bowel movements.
- Constipation and diarrhea often alternate, and abdominal cramping, gassiness, and bloating are other common complaints.
Bowel Disorders
Functional bowel disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, in which the intestines do not work normally.
After effects of surgery
Some people develop diarrhea after stomach surgery or removal of the gallbladder. The reason may be a change in how quickly food moves through the digestive system after stomach surgery or an increase in bile in the colon that can occur after gallbladder surgery.
- Dehydration
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Feeling uncomfortable
- Feeling sluggish
- Fever
- Bloody stools
Treatment of Constipation:
Home remedies
Ayurvedic remedies
Home Remedies
- Ginger tea is a great home remedy for diarrhea. It helps in reducing cramps and pain.
- Drink plenty of liquids especially carrot juice which helps making stools less watery. But avoid Caffeine and alcohol.
- Boil brown rice and water for 45 min. After that eat the rice and drink the water.
- Soak hibiscus flower in a glass of water overnight. In the morning squeeze the flowers till the juice is drained into the water and discard the flower. Keep on drinking this water throughout the day.
- Water boiled with coriander seeds should be given (after straining).
- Pomegranate juice in small quantities can be also given frequently.
- Decoction prepared from pomegranate skin is very useful in stopping diarrhoea. To prepare the decoction, take 50 grams of fresh pomegranate skin. Soak it in 800 ml. of water for one hour. Boil until a quarter of the volume remains (200 ml). Store this mixture in a clean, dry bottle. A couple of tablespoons can be taken several times a day. If there is blood in the stools, add half a teaspoon of honey to the decoction.
- Sugar and salt solution. Mix one teaspoon of sugar and half a teaspoon of common salt in a cup of water. Small doses of this mixture (around a quarter cup) can be given whenever the patient wants to drink.
- Yogurt
- Rice
- Banana
- Apple
- Boiled vegetables
- Khichadi
- Fruits
Ayurvedic Remedies
- Take 1 -2 teaspoons of Triphala Churna with lukewarm water or milk at bed time.
- Take 2 – 3 tablets of Gangadhar Ras with water twice a day.
- Take 1 – 2 teaspoons of Bilwadi Churna (powder) with water thrice a day.
- Take 2 tablets of Kutajghan Vati thrice a day with water.
- Take 1 – 2 tablets of Garbhpal Ras with honey twice a day.
- Take 1 – 2 tablets of Lashunadi Vati with warm water after meals.
Queries if any may please be addressed to dr_upneet@yahoo.co.in
