Digestive System Case Study

Know Your Body - Digestive System

Introduction

Digestive system in Ayurveda is referred to as Pachan Tantra. From anatomy point of view, it is defined as the gastro-intestinal system. The digestive system mainly consists of the digestive-tract and of accessory organs, playing role in the process of digestion. Digestion initiates in the buccal-cavity and is a continuous affair in the intestine. Every component of the digestive system has significant role to offer in the process of the digestion.

From Anatomical point of view, the digestive tract has following components

 Mouth (Mukha)

 Pharynx (Gras-nali)

 Oesophagus

 Stomach (Amashya)

 Small Intestine (Kshudrantra)

 Large Intestine (Vrtahtantra)

 Organ playing accessory role in digestion

If we see the perspective of stomach from Ayurvedic point of view, why it has been addressed Amashya? In fact, Amashya is the seat for ama, the toxic culprit behind diseases. As per Ayurvedic nidan (diagnosis), jihva (tongue) is seen as the mirror-image of the digestive system.

Some important ailments of the digestive system along with Ayurvedic perspective are explained below:

Vibandha (Constipation)

Constipation is defined as irregular or inadequate defecation. It is caused when movement of waste materials through the large intestine is slow and too much water is absorbed. According to experts one should pass stools twice a day for proper functioning of the digestive system. Ayurvedic physicians see constipation as major cause of the digestive system diseases. In urban areas, constipation has become major problem. Sedentary life, lack of exercise and eating habits are main causes of constipation. People having non-vegetarian diet pass stool once in three or four days.

Some people suffer from regular constipation (obstinate constipation). If constipation persists for longer period, it can lead to various discomforts like headache, tympanites (abdominal distension), loss of appetite, pain in the abdomen, lethargy and above all hemorrhoids (piles).

Agnimandya or Indigestion

Abdominal pain.

6. Lethargy.

7. Depression.

Parinama-shoola or ana-drava-shoola (Ulcer)

In Ayurveda improper dietary habits are considered to be the cause of the disease. Irritation of the mucosa by coffee, cigarette, alcohol, and drugs like corticosteroids and pain killers lead to ulcer formation. Recurrent attacks of hyperacidity (gaseous eructation) after consumption of spicy foods are linked to ulcer formation.

Infection with bacterium is considered to be the cause of recurrent attacks of hyperacidity and ulcers. Above all, modern rat-race is blamed for the increasing incidence of ulcer. Stress and anxiety are linked to increased acid secretion and result is ulcer.

Signs and symptoms: Pain in the chest is the main complaint. The major complication of ulcer is heamatemesis (vomiting of blood). It is a serious condition and is treated under expert supervision.

Piles or Arsha-roga (Haemorrhoids)

Veins (blood vessels carrying impure blood) in the anal region are longitudinal and have no valves (normally valves maintain unilateral flow of blood). As a result the veins are prone to blood congestion. More so these veins are comparatively superficial. Piles are basically varicosity (torturous) of the rectal veins. This varicosity forms a swelling of variable size within the