Diagnosis in Ayurveda 

The art of diagnosis in Ayurveda can be divided into 2 parts: The inspection of the human being (Rogi-Pariksa) and the examination of the disease (Roga-Pariksa). A very important aspect is the determination of the constitution, which maybe described as the individual state of health. The constitution is diagnosed by determining the individual constellation of the 3 doshas at the time of birth. On the basis of the dietary recommendations are given, and it also indicates the proneness to possible diseases. A disease start by a deviation from the constitution and is understood to represent a deviation from the normal composition of the 3. Thus the current state of the 3 doshas has a great importance in finding a diagnosis. 

DIAGNOSTIC METHODOLOGY 

Information about diagnostic methodology in Ayurveda is plenty but is lying scattered in the text at various places in the form of Sutras, Slokas or Verses. This puts  Ayurvedic scholars in difficulty for examining and diagnosing  a patient in an organized or systematic way. Many new diseases are developing and so never diagnostic methodologies. It has become essential that an alternative medicine should remain updated with the recent developments in modern science utilized for diagnosing diseases. According to Charaka, three things are essential for diagnosing a disease. 

The are: 

• Pratyaksha (Observation) 
• Anumana (Interference), and 
• Aptopadesh (saying of seers in authoritative classical and other texts) 
• Susruta prescribed the use of five senses while examining a patient and asking Prashnas (questioning). It is essential for a physician  to do both Roga (disease) and Rogi (patient) Pariksha (examination). 

• Nidana or Hetu (causes responsible for Roga,  the disease)
• Purva-Rupa (Prodromal syndromes) 
• Rupa (Signs  and symptoms  of Roga)
• Samprapti (Pathogenesis) and 
• Upasaya (Therapeutic test) 

After Madhava we find Astavidh Pariksha developed as in the text Yogaratnakara. 

They are: 

• Nadi (pulse) 
• Mutra (urine) 
• Malam (faeces) 
• Jihva (tongue) 
• Shabda (voice) 
• Sparsha (skin or touch) 
• Drika (sight or eyes) and 
• Akriti (appearances, face, overall appearance) 

In addition  to the above in females, examination of Artava (menstruation) and Stanya (breast milk) is done. Ayurveda texts mentioned Dashavidha Pariksha (ten types of examination). This examination should be made before final medicaments are given to the  patient. In this way we observe, there is not much difference in the Ayurvedic methodology of diagnosing from the modern allopathic method of diagnosing disease. Some minor conceptual variations are there. 

The Vaidya,the Ayurvedic Doctor examines your eyes, hair, skin, tongue,hand & feet and your teeth and feels the Pulse. Meanwhile he/she also listens  to the tone of your voice, the pitch & rhythm of speech and how many times you've blinked your eyelids. He/she feels if the palm of your hand is moist, looks at the colour of your skin and at what condition your hair is in. 

The Vaidya uses these observations to determine the unique nature of your constitution known as your Sharir Prakruti. Your Manas Prakiti, the Triguna, the three mental attributes as Satva, Rajas and Tamas is also analysed.This is established by a spiritual bond which comes into being between yourself and your Vaidya, by touch and feel of your Pulse at a subtle level  with the Ayurvedic Intutive powers.  The body is considered as one single energy field which is being upset by illness. The illness as such is manifesting itself across the whole body. 

Ayurveda says that  the human body and mind are formed by 5 elements: Akasha (ether principle), Vayu ( air principle), Tejas (fire principle), Jala (water principle) and Prithvi (earth principle), These 5 elements amalgamate into 3 basic bioenergies or head types (dosha): Ttridosha. These dosha are called: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. 

• Vata  
• Pitta  
• Kapha  

Vata stands  for air and ether (or space). Physically Vata dosha manifests itself in  the principle of movement. Vata refers to the subtle energy which controls all movements like breathing, muscle movement  and impulses of  the nerve cells. Vata also controls certain feelings like nervousness, fear and pain. 

Pitta  means fire and is composed by the elements fire and water. Physically this dosha is influencing the digestion, body temperature, the colour of the  skin, the brilliance of the  eyes, intelligence and insight. Psychologically Pitta drives anger, hate and jealousy. 

Kapha  means water and consists of the elements of water and earth. Physically Kapha influences the structure and the appearance. Kapha controls resistance, oils the joints, moistens the skin and ensures strength and stability. Kapha is responsible for energy in the heart and lungs, but also for traits like greed, affection and long-term envy
  
Diagnosis with vastu for your environment, house and office... 

Vastu  is the science of direction that combines all the five elements of nature and balances them with the man and the material. Vastu Shastra is creating  a congenial settings or a place to live or work, in most scientific way taking advantages of the benefits bestowed by the five elements called "Panchabhootas" of the nature thereby paving the way for enhanced health, wealth, prosperity and happiness in an enlightened environment. 

Vastu-Shastra, the Indian prototype of Feng-Shui (or  is feng shui China's version of vastu?). Vastu in Sanskrit means nature, a surrounding or environment. The word "Vaasthu" came from Vasthu, denoting anything existing such as house, shelter, building etc. Shastra in sanskrit means systems. Vastu shastra is an ancient art and science, containing principles and practices of constructing buildings which ensures a harmonious balance between man and nature and thereby bring all round happiness, health, wealth and prosperity. 

We have  to pay attention  towards following points when we choose  a land or doing construction or buy a building as well as take any place on rent. For i.e. to setup a clinic will important to keep in your mind: 

• Length & breath  of land & worth of land, nearest road & surrounding trees, atmosphere & shape of land 
• Direction of main gate 
• direction of reception direction of medicine counter 
• Placement of waiting chairs 
• Direction of doctor's chair. 
• Placement of electric transformer, generator, Inverter, switch board etc 
• Placement and direction of examine bed 
• Direction of first aid table 

According to Shastras, if we worship, revere and respect the lords of these eight directions, they will shower on us their blessings and benefits. 

• Esshan ie Ishwar (North-east)  - He grants us wisdom, knowledge and serve all comforts and relieves us from sufferings. 
• Indra (East)  - He is the king of angels. He gives wealth and all pleasures of life. 
• Agni/Fire (South-east)  - He gives us beautiful personality and all the best of life. 
• Yamaa or Yamaha (South)  - He is god of death. He is embodiment of dharma. He eradicates evils and grants all good things. 
• Nissan or Niruti (South-west)  - He vanishes fear about our enemies. 
• Varun (West) -  He is god of rain. He showers his blessings through rain and brings prosperity and pleasure in life all round. 
• Vayu/Wind (North-west)  - He bestows on us long life, health and strength. He is the basic of all life. 
• Kuber (North)  - He is god of wealth. He grants us wealth and all comforts of life. 

Ayurveda  practitioner Pankaj Naram's meteoric rise culminates in a multifunctional health center in Mumbai, India, which combines the best of ayurvedic treatments  with a soothing ambience. 

The white elegant building lends unexpected dignity to  the muddy by-lane it stands on  at Malad, a suburb of Mumbai, in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. Set amidst a miniature lawn with tall almond trees, the five-level structure, with its color-coded décor  and antique, ethnic wooden furnishing, has a polished sophistication reminiscent of a holiday resort, a multinational office or  an arts zone. Anything but what it actually is: an ayurveda center. 

Ayushakti Ayurveda Health Center is  the dreamchild of ayurvedic physician Pankaj Naram. It is  the culmination of Dr Naram's meteoric rise that has seen him treat, within the span of a decade or so, over 200,000 patients globally. The good doctor has, apart from centers all over India, nine centers in Italy  and two in Germany.  He treats about 300-400 patients a day. 

Impressive statistics, however, can't capture  the essence of a human story. Dr Naram's tale is one of giving hope  to the hopeless. More than 7,000 couples have been cured of infertility. Heart patients, suffering  from total arterial blockage and consigned to dotage, have stepped out  of his clinic as limber as athletes. Victims of rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, blood pressure and spondylitis have been almost totally cured. Dr Naram has even stabilized  the condition of some AIDS patients. Epilepsy patients and the mentally deficient have found relief with him. 

• Diabetes  
• Diabetes, gestational 
• Diabetic retinopathy 
• Peripheral neuropathy 
• Diabetic retinopathy 
• Autonomic neuropathy 

Dr Naram's USP lies in his nadi vidya (pulse diagnosis) expertise. Practiced by relatively few ayurveda practitioners, nadi vidya enables the physician  to zero in on any imbalance of the body's three doshas (humors)—vata (wind), pitta (bile) and kapha (phlegm)—simply by feeling the pulse. Vata, composed of ether and air, stands for mobility. Only vata can expel toxic substances from the body, dry  out wounds, generate new cells and control circulation. Pitta is composed of fire and a small portion of water. It  is the metabolic power that causes biochemical changes and is responsible for gastrointestinal secretions. Pitta also controls body temperature, hunger, thirst and suppleness. It stands for courage, intellect and cheerfulness. Kapha comprises water and earth. It is the nourishing power that protects the human organism and its reproductive abilities. When these three doshas are in balance, it signifies health. 

• Vata  
• Pitta  
• Kapha  

In pulse diagnosis, the physician places his index finger, middle finger and ring finger below the radial bone  of the wrist.  The index finger identifies vata, the middle finger pitta and the ring finger kapha. "Based on the dominant dosha and the direction in which the pulse moves—its degree of heat, cold, humidity and dryness—it  is possible  to identify 350 different body situations," says Dr Naram's wife and helpmate, Smita. Dr Naram learnt pulse diagnosis from his guru Baba Ramdas, a Tibetan lama who consented to initiate him into the art only after breaking down his ego by making him sweep his place. Even today, Dr Naram is under strict injunctions not to charge for consultancy or advertise his practice. 

Also central to ayurveda is the concept of aam—impurity generated by tridosha imbalance. With herbal extracts, diet and panchkarma, an ayurvedic physician can eliminate aam to  restore balance. The Ayushakti center is fully equipped for such treatment. 

The ground floor of Dr Naram's setup leads to an ayurvedic restaurant, probably  the first of its kind in India. Adjacent to it is a counter that sells a vast range of products—health snacks, dry fruit fudge and saffron syrup—all created by the doctor's wife. The counter also sells a variety of toiletries and cosmetics. Culled from the ancient ayurvedic manuscripts that Dr Naram received from his guru, the cosmetics are apparently based on the beauty recipes of the legendary ancient Indian dancer Amrapali! They include rejuvenating hair oil, to which Dr Naram, prematurely bald at 20, owes his thick crop.Opposite the food and cosmetic counter stands the dispensary. All products at Ayushakti are made at Dr Naram's laboratories, and are prepared from specially picked herbs. Dr Naram attributes his medicines' efficacy to their unpolluted source as well as the fact that they are made from ghana (liquid) extract of herbs rather than the standard powder extract. 

On  the first floor of the Ayushakti center is the outpatient department, where Dr Naram, his wife and a team of 10 doctors attend to a non-stop stream of patients. Elegant stone terrazzos flank the open balconies, providing patients with airy seats. 

The second floor of Ayushakti has the panchakarma centers, with separate sections for men and women. 

• Panchakarma  - Panchakarma, which is currently enjoying a successful revival all over the world, stands for five purifying measures—vamana (vomiting), virecana (purging), nasya (nasal treatment), vasti (enema), and rakta moksha (bloodletting). The facilities include steam bath, fiberglass beds and jacuzzi. A beauty parlor is on the cards. 
  

• vomiting  - Dr Naram also has a few special tricks up his sleeve. Take marma, the art of using the body's pressure points. I watch him in action with 19-year-old Archana Tambey, whose right half of the face is heavily distended. With quicksilver agility, Dr Naram touches five points in the face and then applies some medicine, which gets absorbed. "It's my injection," Dr Naram says. This treatment, agrees Archana's uncle, has reduced her swelling by 50 per cent. 

Yet another technique is panchoti, in which Dr Naram aligns the body's chassis by making the space between the navel and the nipples equidistant. One day, Ramesh Venkatachalam, who looks after Dr Naram's export section, bent down to pick up something, sneezed and threw his back out of kilter. "I found I was tilting to one side. On immediate examination, the difference between the distance of the right and left shoulder from the navel turned out  to be three inches." A few days later,  as I watch, Dr Naram measures the distance and finds it reduced to one and  a half inches. Turning  the patient on his stomach, Dr Naram deftly touches the pressure points at the base of his spine, rubs in some medicine, which promptly disappears, then thumps the length of the spine sharply. Turning him back, Dr Naram re-measures the length between the shoulders and the navel: they are now in perfect proportion. 

The animal and plant world, too, benefits from ayurveda. Dr Naram's album is full of photographs of him checking the pulse of baby leopards, snakes, bunnies and dogs. His wife claims that he has been treating a blind lioness at a nearby national park for the last six months. Now, its caretakers believe that the lioness has begun  to see. 
Though Dr Naram claims  that he specializes in the treatment of chronic diabetes, blood pressure and arthritis, his success with infertility cases is also quite spectacular. So, what's the secret? 

Says Dr Naram: "Eighty per cent of today's population has pitta  dosha because of our stressful lifestyle and pollution. Pitta increases body heat. Semen, on the other hand, is cold. This is why cases of low sperm count have increased. Since only ayurveda thinks in terms of hot and cold, we alone can cure this problem by prescribing cooling herbs and diet." 

Dr Naram assesses his success rate at 70 to 80 per cent. He has himself benefited from ayurveda—his blood sugar count dipped from 420 to 95. "After seeing even 3,000 patients a day, I feel as energetic as when I started," he says. "The purpose of my life is to be happy and to create an opportunity for others to be happy." 

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