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ISSN: 2322- 0902 (P) ISSN: 2322- 0910 (O) International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research Review Article PREVENTIVE PRINCIPLES OF DISEASES ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA Mahesh Raju. B1*, Gurubasavaraj Yalgachin2, Durga Bhavani 3 *1Assistant Professor, Department of Swasthavritta & Yoga, Sharada Ayurvedic Medical College, Yadgir, Karnataka, India. 2Assistant Professor, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan, Karnataka, India. 2Assistant Professor, Department of Rasa shastra & Baishajya kalpana, Sharada Ayurvedic Medical College & Hospital, Yadgir, Karnataka, India. ABSTRACT Ayurveda the most ancient science of life, practiced in India for thousands of years based on its own unique fundamental principles such as prevention of disease, maintenance of health and promotion of longevity of life. Ayurvedic classics give special emphasis on preventive aspects like practicing Dinacarya, Nishacharya, Rithucharya, Nithya sevaniya ahara, Varjana of Nidhana sevan and Pragnaparadha, undergoing regular Rithu shodhana etc., these are the important points which have been considered as the most conducive factors for maintenance of life and health. Trayopasthamba consists of Ahara (food), Nidra (Sleep) and Brahmacarya (Good conduct). Each Upasthamba has its own importance in prevention of disease. Ahara (diet) has been considered as the first one which shows its prime importance. Intake of wholesome and unwholesome diet is responsible for prevention and production of various diseases respectively including life style disorders. Acharya Charaka has clearly stated, that a daily diet should be (of such quality), which not only helps to maintain present well-being but serves as a prophylactic against coming diseases. This is a very important aspect of preventive medicine as mentioned in Ayurveda classics. Lifestyle disorders are a big problem for our society today. Such diseases mainly result from life style related factors such as unhealthy diet and dietary habits, lack of physical activity and lack of awareness regarding the preventive aspects of diseases etc. In this article, we are mainly concerned with the various principles of prevention of diseases and maintenance of healthy life is discussed as mentioned in the Ayurveda. KEYWORDS: Prevention, Ayurveda, Dinacarya, Ritucarya, Trayopsthamba. INTRODUCTION According to classics it is stated that no These are of two types. creature in this universe is immortal, it is impossible A) Vaiyakthika Swasthavritta: The principles that to prevent the death, but it is possible to prevent are to be followed by the individual to prevent disease, so one should try for that which are diseases. preventable.1 A wise person should perform such B) Samajika Swasthavritta: Principles to be actions which are good for his body / health as the followed by the community for the maintenance of officer in charge of the city and charioteer, in charge health of the society.4 of the chariot protect city and chariot respectively2 1) Man should always follow those procedures For further maintenance of health, one should take which keep him healthy always, as health is care of his body by neglecting all other things always desired.5 because if body is not healthy then nothing is existing.3 2) Daily regimen, night regimen, seasonal regimens should be followed as mentioned to maintain Content of the Paper health no other wise.6 The regimens to be followed after awakening 3) The person who always consumes wholesome from sleep to maintain health routinely and helps in food, practices wholesome habits, who is not prevention of diseases are mentioned in interested in worldly matters, sacrifices, is always Swasthavritta. balanced towards all beings, forgives, speaks IJAPR | June 2018 | Vol 6 | Issue 6 72 Mahesh Raju B et al. Preventive Principles of Diseases According to Ayurveda truth and follows words of Apta (Aptha Vachana) If we compare the same concept in modern, the does not develop any disease.7 concepts of prevention as enunciated by Leavell and 4) Food: Charaka emphasizes on food which are Clark have stood the test of time. The basic wholesome to the body like rice, green gram, rock framework worked out by them has practical utility salt, goose berry, barley, rain water, milk, ghee, even today. The four phases of prevention are: meat and honey. These should be consumed 1. Primordial prevention regularly for maintenance of health and 2. Primary prevention prevention of diseases. The above reference can 3. Secondary prevention be taken as definition of balanced diet in 4. Tertiary prevention Ayurveda, rice and barley as carbohydrate sources. Green gram, meat as source of protein. These phases are further categorized into five levels Ghee as fats. Honey as source of sugar. Rock salt of prevention as follows: as source of mineral, milk and goose berries as Primary prevention- Health promotion and Specific vitamin and mineral source which make the protection. components of balanced diet.8 Secondary prevention- Early diagnosis and 5) Regimen: One should avoid Prajnaparadha treatment. (intellectual errors), take care of sense organs, by Tertiary prevention- Disability limitation and avoiding under utilization, wrong utilization over Rehabilitation. utilization of sense organs, one should have good Primordial Prevention- It has come from a Latin memory, knowledge about place, time and one word ‘primordium’ means beginning. It means self and should follow rules of Sadvritta to prevention at a stage, when the risk factors have not prevent diseases.9 yet developed. Primordial prevention is aimed to 6) Purification of Body: The diseases due to eliminate the development of risk factors, while variations in the climate can be prevented by primary prevention is aimed to reduce the risk of following purification in respective seasons. The exposure. Primordial prevention is achieved by Kapha dosha produced due to effects of cold health education. Example being, information is during Hemanta and Sisira ritu should be imparted to school children for adopting and expelled out in the beginning of Vasantha Ritu maintaining healthy lifestyles. through emesis, Vata accumulated during Grisma Primary Prevention- The process of primary Ritu should be expelled in Varsha Ritu through prevention is limited to the period before the onset of Asthapana Basthi and Pitta accumulated during clinical disease in an individual. Thus activities Varsa Ritu should be expelled in the beginning of directed to prevent the occurrence of disease in Sharath ritu by purgation (Virechana) and human population fall in this category. These bloodletting (Raktha Mokshana).10 These activities are related to health promotion and specific purification procedures prevent seasonal protection diseases. Similarly, purification of Vata, Pitta and Health promotion: Health promotion is an all Kapha accumulated in Grisma, Varsa and embracing entity which goes much beyond Hemanta should be done in the month of Sravana, prevention of only specific disease. It is the means to Karthika and Chaitra respectively. attain a state of “positive health”, or, at least, 7) All the diseases are produced by creation of “freedom from disease”. Health promotion concerns unmanifested urges or suppression of natural activities within as well as outside the health sector. urges. So one should always avoid both to Examples of activities within the health sector maintain the health.11 are: Health education to increase awareness of health 8) One, who is desirous of his own well being, problems so that populations identify their health should take appropriate treatment while disease needs and become familiar with preventive strategies is in initial stages. and the health facilities available. This is the only These are the measures in short which help in component which has a long-term and lasting benefit. prevention and cure of Nija and Aganthuja variety of a. Health education can also improve compliance disease. The above mentioned 7 points can be taken with advice, medication and follow-up. as aspects of primary prevention dealt in Ayurveda. b. Improved protected water supply systems. 8th point can be related to secondary prevention. c. These again have a long-term impact. The rejuvenation therapy (Rasayana chikitsa) is d. Improvement of environmental sanitation. used in the prevention and cure of disease as well as e. Inculcation of healthy habits. prevention of old age. Kashyapa has mentioned about concept of Bala Rasayana to enhance the immunity. f. Family life education. Available online at: http://ijapr.in 73 Int. J. Ayur. Pharma Research, 2018;6(6):72-76 Specific protection: Specific protection has prevention can be illus-treated by the example of benefitted to a great extent by improved modern day leprosy. Leprosy can lead to irreversible ocular medical technology. Technological break-through has damage and blindness when left untreated. If provided adequate and appropriate tools for multidrug therapy is instituted even after some prevention. However, specific protection dates back ocular damage has occurred, total blindness can still to 1753 when James Lind advocated the use of citrus be prevented. fruits to seamen in order to prevent scurvy. Jenner’s Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation can be considered as discovery of the smallpox vaccine in 1796 gave a a preventive measure in that if effectively utilized, it further boost to strategies for specific protection. can prevent further social drift of the affected Mass chemoprophylaxis is also a modern tool of individual.