Lifestyle disorders used to be called longevity diseases in the past, as only elderly people used to suffer from them. According to WHO, lifestyle is defined as patterns of (behavioral) choices from the alternatives that are available to people according to their socio-economic circumstances and the ease with which they are able to choose certain ones over others. But nowadays due to fast-paced life, even the younger generation is facing lifestyle disorders like obesity, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and heart disease. Major causes include a sedentary lifestyle, wrongful eating habits, and unhealthy sleeping patterns.
In the present scenario ayurvedic treatment for diabetes and other lifestyle diseases are becoming a treatment of choice for many to combat diseases related to lifestyle.
CAUSES OF DISEASES IN AYURVEDA
In Ayurveda, 3 main causes of any disease are described as Heenayoga (less use), Mithya yoga(wrong use) or Aatiyoga (excessive use) of Kala(time), Artha (Sense organ), Karma (actions). Artha refers to Karma Indriya and Gyan Indriya. Karma Indriya consists of Vak (mouth), Hasta(hand), Pada (legs), Guda (Anus) and Linga(Sexual organ). Gyan indriyaare Karna (ears), Netra (eyes), Jivha (tongue), Nasa (nose), and Twacha (skin). Less indulgence or less usage of a certain karma indriya like less walking, no exercise, overindulgence in eating, and constantly sitting in one place are a few etiological factors. All these factors contribute to lifestyle disorders and metabolic disorders like obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Santarpanjanaya roga and Sthaulya explained by Acharya Charak can be correlated to lifestyle disorders. Numerous quotations are mentioned in Charak Samhita like“being lean and thin is better than being obese as obesity leads to life-threatening disorders which are difficult to treat”. Another famous one quotes that a person who prefers standing to walking, to being seated than standing up, to lying down than sitting, and to sleeping than lying down, will surely die of Prameha roga (Diabetes).
PREVENTION OF LIFESTYLE DISEASES THROUGH AYURVEDA
Ayurveda is a way of life and so its principles state to prevent disease in the first place, “Swasthasyaswasthya Rakshna” and if not prevented then to manage it through various treatments, “Aaturasyavikarprashaman”. Following are the things to follow to avoid lifestyle disorders.
PRAKRITI
For the prevention of any diseases, every individual should firstly follow a lifestyle that includes food habits, sleeping habits, and daily routine habits according to their Prakriti. The Prakriti of every individual is decided at the time of conception and cannot be altered thereafter. A person having Pitta dosha dominant prakriti should avoid hot and spicy food items. Similarly, a kapha-dominant person should avoid sweet, oily, and other heavy food items that will vitiate the kapha dosha and cause kapha-dominant diseases like Sthualya and Prameha.
DINACHARYA
Dinacharya(daily regimen) includes a set of daily practices that help in self-care and prevention of diseases. Vyayama (exercise) is explained in detail in Dinacharya. It is indicated for healthy persons as well as patients with obesity, diabetes, and other kapha diseases. It should be done in moderation , as excessive exercise can give rise to heart fatigue, lethargy, vomiting and even heart diseases. “Ardhshakti” or half of own strength or capacity is the optimal amount of workout one should do. The benefits of Vyayama are lightness, stability, and firmness in the body. It also decreases fat deposition and increases digestive fire. The best seasons for exercise are winter and spring season, as the strength of body is maximum at that time. With such great benefits exercise is one of the best methods for prevention of lifestyle disorders.
AHARA AND NIDRA
Trayostambh are explained which refers to Ahara, Nidra and Brahmacharya, the three pillars of health. Balancing Trayostambh by following the different regimes in Ayurveda will help in achieving a balanced state of dosha and dhatus of the body. Aahar or food is the most important factor for dhatu poshan(nutrition), as it helps in growth and development. Food should be eaten twice a day, at the right time, in right quantity (sam matra) and after proper digestion (jirna aahara). Samashana (intake of wholesome and unwholesome food at the same time),Vishamashana (intake of less or more food at irregular timing), Adhyashana (intake of food before previously eaten food is digested) all these factors are harmful for the jataragni. This manda jataragni leads to multiple chronic diseases. Nidra, is another important factor and is a aadharniya vega. Suppression of nidra vega causes heaviness in head, bodyache, headache. In long term, it can lead to disturbances in sleep cycle and also hypertension. Sleeping in daytime(divaswapna) leads to vitiation of tridosha and is called adharma also. This indicates the significance of a sound sleep.
SHAMAN AND SHODHAN CHIKITSHA
If Nidan parivarjan (avoiding causative factors) is not done, the disease progresses to the next stage and then shaman or shodhan chikitsa is advised according to the severity of the disease and condition of the patient. Shaman includes using ayurvedic herbs like Triphalaguggulu , Trikatu, medohar guggulu, and Chandraprabha Vati tablet in lifestyle disorders.
Udvartana by Triphala churna is also very beneficial in obesity and kapha dominant diseases. Panchkarma aims at removal of deep seated toxins in the body and increasing the lifespan of individuals. Specifically, Virechan and Basti play a major role. Lekhniya basti, Vaitaran basti, Medohar basti and Madhutalika basti are various types of Niruha basti indicated for lifestyle disorders.
All lifestyle disorders can be easily prevented by following the principles of Ayurveda like Dinacharya, Ritucharya , and Ratricharya according to the Prakriti of the person. Nidan parivarjan and Panchakarma play pivotal roles in the treatment of lifestyle disorders. The scope of Ayurveda for the management of lifestyle diseases is limitless. A good physician should apply his Yukti and treat the patient according to the patient’s need.