Ayurveda was introduced to the earth so that man could live a long and healthy lifespan and achieve Purushartha Chatushtaya i.e Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. For this purpose, Ayurveda being life science contains 8 principle branches namely Kaya Chikitsa (General Medicine), Kaumarabhritya (Paediatrics), Bhutavidya/ Griha Chikitsa (Psychiatry), Shalakya tantra (Ophthalmology and ENT), Shalyatantra (Surgery), Agada Tantra (Clinical Toxicology), Rasayana Tantra (Rejuvenation Therapy) and Vajikarana Tantra (Aphrodisiac Therapy). Among these, Rasayana Tantra is solely concerned to preserve youth and combat complications and diseases associated with vriddhavastha (old age).
As the incidence of elderly people is rising in the population worldwide including India, it is now felt necessary to develop newer strategies for Geriatric health care. Geriatric medicine is a branch that focuses on health care of elderly people. The term geriatrics comes from the Greek word “geron” which means old man and iatros means healer. The biological changes associated with aging are governed by both hereditary and environmental factors but vary from person to person and from organ system to organ system. There are different patterns of functional loss with aging. There may be a total loss or partial loss.
The conventional system of medicine has nothing much to offer in the core area of geriatric care except the management of the diseases of old age. On the contrary, Ayurveda is essentially the science of life and longevity. It presents a sound concept of aging and incorporates Jara/ Rasayana Tantra as one of the main branches which are exclusively devoted to nutrition, immunology and geriatrics. Rasayana is defined as “rasayanam cha tat jneyam yat jaravyadhinashanam” – the branch of medicine which deals with the prevention of premature aging and management of diseases especially related to old age. Sharngadhara Samhita and Ashtanga Sangraha describe biological decline sequence occurring in different stages of life due to the process of aging which are valid till date.
CONCEPT OF AGING IN AYURVEDA
Vaya (lifespan) can be defined as the duration of time since birth to the death of an individual. According to Acharya Charaka, vaya has been classified into 3 stages.
Baala– 0-30 years
Madhyama– 30-60 years
Jeernavastha – 60-100 years
According to Acharya Sushruta
Baala – up to 16 years
Madhyama – 16 -70 years
Vriddha – above 70 years
Acharya Sushruta considers Jara as Swabhavabalapravritta vyadhi (due to natural factors). After 70 years, there will be Kshaya (deterioration) of Dhatu (body elements), Varna (complexion), Veerya (potency/ sexual drive), Indriya Bala (functioning of sense organs) and Utsaha (enthusiasm). Individual gets afflicted with Khalitya (baldness), Palitya (greying of hair), Kasa (cough), Shwasa (dyspnea) and he becomes Sarvakriyaasamartha (incapable of doing any kind of work). He becomes like a worn-out house in the rain.
Hrasa Krama (series of declining of body elements) mentioned in Sharangadhara Samhita. Birth onwards every 10 years, the following factors diminish
CAUSES OF AGING ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA
- Svabhavoparama Vada (theory of natural destruction)
- Kala (time factor) – change is the characteristic feature of time
- Role of Agni– as there is Vataprakopa in old age there will be Vishamagni (hampered digestive fire) which affects digestion and metabolism leading to undernourishment of Dhatu (tissue elements) ultimately leading to Dhatu Kshaya.
- Aharatmaka Hetu (dietetic factors) – excessive intake of Katu (pungent), Ushna (hot), Viruddhaahara (contradictory food items).
- Viharatmaka Hetu – activities like Ativyayama (excessive exercise), Ativyavaya (excessive coitus)
- Manasika Hetu – psychological factors like excessive anger, desire, attachment etc
CONTEMPORARY CONCEPT OF AGING
Aging is defined as a progressive breakdown of homeostatic adaptive responses of the body. Aging is not a disease however the risk of developing the disease is increased in old age.
Following are the modern theories of aging
- The wear and tear theory
- The neuroendocrine theory
- The genetic control theory
- The free radical theory
- Waste accumulation theory
COMMON PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH AGING
- Musculoskeletal – Osteo Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fractures
- Hormonal – Thyroid Dysfunction, Menopause
- Neurologic – Dementia, Parkinson’s disease
- Visual – Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma
- Lungs- COPD, Loss of Lung Volume
- GI Tract – Bowel Incontinence, Hemorrhoids
- Psychiatric – Anxiety, Depression, Sleep Disorders
- General Problems – Fatigue, General Weakness, Loss of Appetite, Weight Loss
MANAGEMENT OF GERIATRICS
Dietary habits – As there will be decline in tissue elements during old age, one has to adopt those food habits which enhance the quality of Dhatu (tissue elements) like Madhura, Snigdha (unctuous), Laghu (light to digest) Ahara. Consumption of nityasevaniya dravya (to be consumed daily) like Shashtika (a kind of rice harvested in 60days), Shali (rice), Mudga (green gram), Saindhava Lavana (rock salt), Amalaka (amla), Yava (barley), Antariksha Jala (rainwater), Paya (milk), Sarpi (ghee), Jangala Mamsa (meat of arid land animals) and Madhu (honey) aids in health promotion and disease prevention.
As Jatharagni (digestive fire) will be in Vishamavastha due to Vata Prakopa in Vriddhavasta, one has to take food in such a quantity that it should not harm the metabolism. Intake of spicy, oily food items, food in excess quantity and food articles which are heavy to digest impairs the Jatharagni, which further leads to various disorders.
Rasayana Dravya (rejuvenative) can be administered after proper Shodhana Karma (purificatory procedure).
Lifestyle modifications – Dinacharya (daily regimens) as explained in classics of Ayurveda has certain benefits in which:
- Abhyanga – helps to restore skin tonicity and complexion
- Karnapurana – to prevent tinnitus and deafness associated with old age
- Vyayama– to minimize energy loss
- Anjana – to enhance functional capacity of eyes and to prevent dry eyes
- Murdhni Taila and Nasya– to prevent Khalitya, Palitya and insomnia
- Padabhyanga– to prevent cracking of heals and insomnia
- Kavala and Gandusha – to prevent hoarseness of voice, promote oral health and to enhance complexion of face
Ritucharya (seasonal regimens) and Ritu Shodhana (seasonal purificatory procedures) if practised regularly help to maintain the optimal levels of health throughout the lifespan.
Stress Management – Yogasana, Pranayama and Dhyana (meditation) are other measures which can help to combat both physical and mental stress. Regular practice of Asana can help to manage musculoskeletal, neurological and gastrointestinal complaints of old age whereas Pranayama and Dhyana helps to control symptoms like anxiety, declining memory and insomnia associated with old age.
CONCLUSION
Though aging is an inevitable natural process, with the help of certain measures explained in Ayurveda, one can prevent early aging and also manage the common health problems associated with natural aging. Irrational dietary habits, sedentary lifestyle and mental stress in the present era contribute to accelerating the aging process and thus increase the associated complications. Consumption of a healthy diet, lifestyle modifications and measures to cope up the mental stress in the early days of life are the key to prevent early aging and enjoy the utmost quality of life during old age.
