Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S
Fluid issue and Ayurveda
Fluid imbalance attributable to insufficient consumption of water is among the most essential causes for constipation. So, maintaining the degrees of hydration to optimum ranges by consuming an excellent amount of water as per one’s wants is among the formulation to maintain the constipation at bay and to take care of a super intestine well being.
Ayurveda treatises haven’t instantly defined this position of water in stopping constipation and maintaining optimum colon well being. However from a number of references that are oblique we will infer the position of water on this perspective.
Idea of fluid imbalance and causation of constipation – Ayurveda perspective
The Jala Mahabhuta issue
Jala Mahabhuta i.e. water factor is one among the many 5 components of nature which participate within the formation of our physique. It does the perform of kledana within the fetus i.e. it maintains the moistness and integrity in its formation. Dravatva i.e. liquidity is a particular characteristic of this factor. With this high quality it retains issues transferring and flowing within the physique. Its high quality shall be maintained individually and comparatively (relative to different components) to maintain good well being and for many capabilities to maintain going easily within the physique. Imbalance of water factor causes severe well being points when it’s not balanced. ‘Peeta’ i.e. drinkable meals are one among the many 4 varieties of meals we take based on Ayurveda and it’s an integral a part of our meals observe. Peeta consists of water and different types of fluids we eat in our meals. When the water part of the physique decreases it results in excessive dryness, improve of vata and subsequent constipation.
The ‘Vata’ issue
Constipation is among the signs or situations attributable to extreme improve or aggravation of vata. So recurring consumption of vata aggravating meals, life actions and regimens and impression of vata vitiating seasons, when not addressed would result in constipation owing to dry and tough attributes of vata.
When the ultimate merchandise of digestion of meals attain the colon, they’re acted upon by the shoshyamana vahni i.e. ‘drying hearth’ situated therein and trigger the paripinditatva of digested meals i.e. ‘bolus of ultimate merchandise which is nearly devoid of watery elements or moistness’ i.e. faecal mass which is able to be excreted. This explains the re-absorption course of within the colon. When vayu is in a state of steadiness, the feces is shaped correctly and is well expelled by the motion of the identical vata, apana vata on this case.
Irregular improve of vata will improve roughness and dryness within the colon. It will dry up the feces excessively and make it troublesome to be excreted. This results in constipation. If that is unattended it results in persistent constipation. Improve of dryness is attributable to extreme consumption of meals which worsen vata – primarily dry, mild and tough meals. This additionally displays deficiency of moistness and unctuousness within the physique. This will occur as a result of insufficient hydration of the physique attributable to inadequate water consumption. This additionally exhibits that correct and sufficient hydration is required to maintain the doshas, vata on this case, in a state of steadiness.
The ‘vata prakriti’ issue
Vata structure individuals are liable to vata imbalances resulting in constipation. These individuals have much less water parts within the physique and fewer of doshas and tissues which include water parts. They’ve a dry atmosphere within the intestines. If these individuals don’t deal with their water steadiness and hydration, they might develop severe constipation in the long term.
Vata Prakruti individuals whose physique structure is predominantly made up of akasha and vayu mahabhutas ought to pay further consideration to maintain themselves hydrated.
The ‘Vataja Rutu’ issue
Excessive dryness in vata aggravating seasons i.e. summer season and wet seasons could point out want for frequent hydration. If not compensated with, one may develop seasonal constipation throughout these seasons. Constipation could worsen in these having constipation already, in these having persistent constipation and illnesses of colon and could also be of extreme type particularly in vata prakriti people or these affected by vata issues.
The ‘vishamagni’ issue
Vishamagni i.e. erratic digestive hearth is among the causes for vata aggravation and vata issues within the physique. This can be a form of agni influenced by the erratic nature of vata. Individuals having vishamagni would have probabilities of growing dryness within the colon and consequently constipation. Correct hydration is required in these individuals. The pitta predominant agni i.e. ‘teekshnagni’ may trigger water imbalance within the physique particularly when it’s related to elevated vata additionally which might result in constipation.
Learn extra: Understanding Agni: Idea, Definition, Capabilities, Varieties
The ‘excessive pitta’ issue
Individuals with excessive pitta of their system also needs to hydrate themselves recurrently. Excessive pitta is excessive fiery exercise within the physique. This will even trigger extreme dryness and warmth within the physique and would trigger an appropriate basis for the event of constipation.
The ‘kapha’ issue
Kapha is consultant of water within the human physique. It’s the calming moon vitality. It’s predominantly made up of water components and partly by earth components. Many tissues belong to the kapha group i.e. kapha resides in most tissues within the physique. Aside from this, faeces and urine are the excreta which have predominance of kapha dosha. Vata improve or something which will increase vata will trigger depletion of kapha and therefore water depots within the physique which might result in constipation. The reverse can be true i.e. kapha depletion will even trigger vata improve and therefore constipation. Correct hydration may be very a lot required to maintain the kapha and its tissues balanced within the physique and to maintain away the dryness of vata and warmth of pitta. Kapha being a water physique thus works as a buffer and prevents put on and tears and burnouts within the physique and likewise prevents constipation from occurring by conserving the physique, tissues and organs cool and moist.
The ‘ati langhana’ issue
Extreme fasting which incorporates insufficient consumption or in no way consuming meals and water as part of therapeutic, recurring or obsessive hunger will deplete water shops within the physique. It will trigger extreme dryness and result in vata aggravation. It will create a dry environment within the intestines, an excessive amount of absorption of water within the colon as a suggestions mechanism and consequent constipation. Equally different types of langhana therapies which result in lightness within the physique additionally trigger constipation when practiced in extra.
The ‘different illnesses’ issue
Extreme train, illnesses like atisara – diarrhea, chardi – vomiting, prameha – urinary issues together with diabetes, illnesses of mutravaha srotas and all vata issues trigger constipation as a result of dehydration.
The ‘vega’ issue
One also needs to steer clear of withholding the pure urges, primarily of pureesha – defecation and apana vata – fart / flatus. This may trigger irregular motion of vata i.e. udavarta which might consequently trigger constipation and different vata issues.
Learn extra: Constipation Causes, Ayurvedic Therapy, Residence Treatments
