| *Types
of Treatment*
The
treatment of disease can broadly be classified as
1.
Shodhana therapy (Purification Treatment)
2.
Shamana therapy (Palliative Treatment)
3.
Pathya Vyavastha (Prescription of diet and activity)
4.
Nidan Parivarjan (Avoidance of disease causing and aggravating
factors)
5.
Satvavajaya(Psychotherapy)
6.
Rasayana therapy(use of immunomodulators and rejuvenation
medicines)
(a)
Shodhana treatment aims at removal of the causative
factors of somatic and psychosomatic diseases. The process
involves internal and external purification.The
usual practices involved are Panchkarma (medically induced
Emesis, Purgation, Oil Enema, Decoction enema and Nasal
administration of medicines), Pre-panchkarma procedures
(external and internal oleation and induced sweating).Panchkarma
treatment focuses on metabolic management. It provides
needed purificatory effect, besides conferring therapeutic
benefits.This
treatment is especially helpful in neurological disorders,
musculo-skeletal disease conditions, certain vascular
or neuro-vascular states, respiratory diseases, metabolic
and degenerative disorders.
(b)
Shamana therapy involves suppression of vitiated humours
(doshas). The process by which disturbed humour subsides
or returns to normal without creating imbalance of other
humours is known as shamana.This
treatment is achieved by use of appetisers, digestives,
exercise and exposure to sun, fresh air etc. In this
form of treatment, palliatives and sedatives are used.
(c)
Pathya Vyavastha comprises indications and contraindications
in respect of diet, activity, habits and emotional status.This
is done with a view to enhance the effects of therapeutic
measures and to impede the pathogenetic processes.Emphasis
on do’s and don’ts of diet etc is laid with the aim
to stimulate Agni and optimize digestion and assimilation
of food in order to ensure strength of tissues.
(d)
Nidan Parivarjan is to avoid the known disease causing
factors in diet and lifestyle of the patient.It
also encompasses the idea to refrain from precipitating
or aggravating factors of the disease.
(e)
Satvavajaya concerns mainly with the area of mental
disturbances.This
includes restraining the mind from desires for unwholesome
objects and cultivation of courage, memory and concentration.The
study of psychology and psychiatry have been developed
extensively in Ayurveda and have wide range of approaches
in the treatment of mental disorders.
(f)
Rasayana therapy deals with promotion of strength and
vitality.The
integrity of body matrix, promotion of memory, intelligence,
immunity against the disease, the preservation of youth,
luster and complexion and maintenance of optimum strength
of the body and senses are some of the positive benefits
credited to this treatment.Prevention
of premature bear and tear of body tissues and promotion
of total health content of an individual are the roles
that Rasayana therapy plays.
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