With rapid economic development and increasing westernization in the past few decades, prevalence of lifestyle disorders has reached alarming proportions in India in the recent years. The lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, overweight, dyslipidemia, overweight/obesity etc. are on the rise. Cardiovascular disorders continue to be the major cause of mortality worldwide.
Ayurveda is an ancient medical science and is recognized as foremost life science. It describes the ways to prevent as well as manage lifestyle disorders. The world is being attracted towards its potential as it provides better solution in the form of dietary and lifestyle management.
According to Ayurveda, lifestyle disorders are outcome of mithya ahara and vihara (wrong diet and lifestyle). They are generally caused due to not following proper dinacharya (daily regimen) and ritucharya (seasonal regimen), holding natural urges, not maintaining balance between rest, sleep, physical activities, not following the rules of dietetics etc.
If one follows the rules of dietetics, sadvritta and undergoes samshodhan regularly and other preventive measures, he cannot fall prey to the lifestyle disorders.
How Ayurveda helps in the prevention of lifestyle disorders?
In the management of lifestyle disorders, Ayurveda offers various regimens including Dinacharya (daily regimen), Ritucharya (seasonal regimen), Rasayana (rejuvenation therapies), Panchakarma (five detoxification and bio-purification therapies) etc.
The science of Ayurveda not only focuses on physical well-being of a person but on psychological aspects as well. For example, cardiovascular disorders are known as Hridya Rog in Ayurveda. It has been said that Pariharya Visheshena Manaso Dukkhahetavah. This means that any kind of psychological disturbance will lead to a disturbed patho-physiology of the heart. On the other hand, modern medicine deals with the cardio-vascular disorder with single side of somatic disorder. Hence, it can be said that Ayurveda has an upper edge in treating the disease with emphasis on its root cause.
- Dinacharya (Daily Regimen): According to Ayurveda, Sadvritta (ideal routine) and Aachara Rasayana (code of conduct) are utmost important to maintain healthy and happy life.
- The schedule is described in great detail in Ayurvedic classics. Master Charak has given a comprehensive account of the mode of healthy and happy life.
- Such a state of health can be achieved by observing rules of good conduct i.e., sadvritta.
- Ahara- Diet and Dietary Regimen: Wholesome and unwholesome diet play a major role in lifestyle disorders.
- These have been described in Ayurvedic texts under pathya and apathya.
- Ayurvedic texts describe in detail about the diet, its contents, preparations etc.
- The diet should be digestible so that toxins are not accumulated within the system.
- Over-eating and consumption of tamsik and rajsik should be avoided because such a diet causes an unnecessary over-load on digestion and metabolism.
- Ancient Ayurvedic Masters have clearly stated that while taking food half of the stomach should be filled with solid food, 1/4th with the liquids and rest 1/4th should be left empty for easy digestion of the food.
- Vyayama (Exercise): In Ayurveda, exercise is considered as an important regimen of the daily regimen.
- According to Master Charak, physical exercise when done in moderation, it brings lightness to the body.
- Yoga and Pranayam are also given importance in Ayurveda as these help in preventing as well as managing a wide variety of lifestyle disorders.
- Rasayana (Rejuvenation therapy): Besides the prescribed mode of life, dietetics and physical exercise, Ayurveda also propagates the appropriate use of rasayana and vajikaran remedies as the restorative agents for the prevention of lifestyle disorders.
- Rasayana is one of the eight clinical specialities of classical Ayurvedic practice.
- It is not a drug therapy but it is a specialized procedure practiced for gaining health.
- The improved nutritional status and the better quality of dhatus (tissues) lead to longevity, enhanced immunity, improved mental and intellectual competence etc.
- Rasayanas have an effect on both body and mind.
- Panchakarma: Ayurveda strongly emphasizes on purification of the body.
- It is classically termed as samshodhan and includes five measures.
- The accumulation of vitiated doshas should be eliminated.
Thus, it can be said that Ayurvedic physicians concentrate on achieving the objective of preventing lifestyle disorders for physical and mental health and management of disorders for a healthy and happy life in the ailing society.
Disclaimer:-
This article is not a substitute to the standard Medical Diagnosis or personalized Ayurvedic Treatment! It is intended only for Information!
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