Amenorrhoea

Amenorrhoea 

Amenorrhoea (Greek: a - no; + men - month; + rhoia - flow) is the absence of periods. This is a normal (physiological) occurrence in girls before puberty (menarche), during pregnancy and breastfeeding (lactation) and following menopause. But failure to menstruate after puberty is called Amenorrhoea. It is generally regarded as abnormal by the age of 14 years in girls without other signs of secondary sexual development, or by the age of 16 in girls with normal secondary sexual characteristics. Absence of menstruation for six consecutive months before menopause in a woman who has previously had regular periods is also termed as amenorrhoea. The first condition is called vilambit artava (delayed menstruation) and second condition is called Artavavrodh (suspension of menstruation)

Following are the organs that are responsible for regular menstruation:

1. Uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and vagina: It is very important to have normal physiology and anatomy of these organs.
2. Blood: It is important to have regular blood level.
3. Nervous system and endocrine system: Nervous system coordinates all the gynaecological organs with endocrine system with the mind of the woman. Thus, it is very important to have healthy nervous system.

Amenorrhoea is of two types

1. Primary amenorrhoea: If a girl has not had her first period by the time she is 16, this is known as primary amenorrhoea.
2. Secondary amenorrhoea: This is when a woman, who has menstruated normally in the past, stops having periods, temporarily or permanently. While many women skip an occasional period for different reasons, amenorrhoea is diagnosed if the woman has missed three or more periods in a row.

Types of Amenorrhoea according to doshas

1. Vataj: It is primarily due to aggravation of vata dosha.
2. Kaphaj: It is primarily due to aggravation of kapha dosha.
3. Vata-kaphaj: There is involvement of both the doshas. But vata is the prime dosha.

Nidan (Causes of Amenorrhoea)
According to the Ayurveda, perspective, imbalance of tridoshas and three mental properties lead to Amenorrhoea. Aggravated vata and kapha dosha and low pitta dosha are responsible for Amenorrhoea. Specifically, imbalanced or high apana vata is responsible for amenorrhoea. Located in the pelvic region, it controls the flow of menstruation.

Mental properties like high rajsic properties high tamsic properties and low sattvik properties of mind are responsible for Amenorrhoea.

The causes for Primary Amenorrhoea

1. Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia: Eating disorders cause nutritional deficiency and deterioration of the dhatus (body tissues). According to Ayurveda, kshya or deterioration increases vata dosha. This aggravated vata dosha leads to Amenorrhoea.
2. Intense physical athletic training before puberty: Intense physical athletic training also causes deterioration of dhatus (body tissues). Kshya or deterioration increases vata dosha. This aggravated vata dosha leads to Amenorrhoea.
3. Extreme obesity: Extreme obesity causes aggravation of kapha dosha. Kapha dosha causes blockage of srotas and causes Amenorrhoea.
4. Drugs such as certain antidepressants may cause primary Amenorrhoea.
5. Chronic illnesses like thyroid problems, Anaemia, Chlorosis, Tuberculosis, diabetes cause aggravation of vata and kapha dosha. These diseases block the artavavahi channels, which leads to Amenorrhea.
6. Turner's Syndrome: This is when a woman is born with only one X chromosome (there should be two). Turner's Syndrome results in the woman having no ovaries, therefore menstruation cannot take place.

Congenital obstructive defects in lower genital tract e.g. non-canalisation of cervix, vagina or an imperforate hymen

Causes for Secondary Amenorrhoea

1. Stress: Negative mental feelings like stress, tension, anger, or sorrow affect menstruation. Very often, women do not have periods while changing jobs or schools, travelling, or when under emotional duress. Stress aggravates the prana vata. Prana vata is subdosha of vata dosha. It stays in the brain and controls our nervous system. Aggravated prana vata causes imbalance of the next subdosha that is apana vata. Thus, stress and tension create an imbalance of apana vata, which leads to Amenorrhoea.
2. Contraceptives: Some women on the oral contraceptive pill ("The Pill" and "The Mini-Pill"), and many women on Depo Provera injections experience no periods. Regular and prolonged use of these contraceptives can cause aggravation of vata, which leads to Amenorrhoea.
3. Rapid weight loss often caused by an eating disorder: Eating disorders cause nutritional deficiency and deterioration of dhatus (body tissues). According to Ayurveda, kshya or deterioration increases vata dosha. This aggravated vata dosha leads to Amenorrhoea
4. Excessive exercise: Exercising beyond one's capacity can deteriorate the dhatus (body tissues). Kshya or deterioration increases vata dosha. This aggravated vata dosha leads to Amenorrhoea.
5. Increase of cold temperament in the body at the commencement of menstruation or during menstruation also causes aggravation of vata dosha, which leads to Amenorrhoea. Thus it is very important to keep the body warm at commencement of menstruation or during menstruation.
6. Excessive lethargy and sedentary lifestyle aggravates the kapha dosha, which blocks menstrual channels, leading to Amenorrhoea.
7. Marijuana use and chronic illness can also cause Amenorrhoea.
8. Polycystic ovaries or ovarian tumour can cause Amenorrhoea.
9. Medical therapies: Occasionally, periods can stop after pelvic surgery or chemotherapy. Prescription medicines such as Haloperidol can also cause Amenorrhoea.
10. Hormonal disorders: Rarely, benign (non-cancerous) tumours can occur in the pituitary gland. This leads to an excess of the hormone Prolactin that can stop periods, and cause a milky discharge from the nipples. Disorders of other glands such as the thyroid, adrenal and the ovaries can also cause periods to stop but these are rare.

Common causes for both types of Amenorrhoea

Diet
Eating excessively cold, light, dry, or airy foods increase vata dosha in the body. Eating gas forming vegetables and fruits like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, lettuce, mushrooms, parsley, peas, yeast-based products, white flour and white sugar products in excess, also increase the vata dosha. Excessive use of fried foods, heavy creams and puddings increases kapha dosha. Gradual aggravation of vata and kapha dosha leads to blockage of artavavahi srota and causes Amenorrhoea.

Lifestyle
Excess physical exercises, improper ways of intercourse, use of artificial objects for reaching orgasm, sedentary lifestyle, no exercises, excessive cold or warm temperature also leads to an imbalance of dosha. Gradual aggravation of vata and kapha dosha leads to blockage of artavavahi srota and leads to Amenorrhoea.

Samprapti (Pathogenesis)
Let us see how this aggravated vata and kapha causes Amenorrhoea:

1. Aggravated vata or apana vata causes increase of digestive fire, impairing digestion at a subtle level. Impaired digestion causes accumulation of ama or toxins in the body. This ama leads to Amenorrhoea.
   
   It is like this: The food that we eat is digested by the digestive fire and is converted into nutrient plasma (rasa dhatu). This nutrient plasma nourishes all other body tissues (dhatus) like blood (rakta dathu), muscles (mamsa), fat (meda), bones (asthi), bone marrow (majja), and reproductive fluid (shukra). This nourishment for production of various tissues is carried through a network of channels to various parts of the body. Artava or menstrual blood is a part of rasa dhatu or nutrient plasma.
   
   When digestion is impaired, instead of the healthy nutrient plasma, ama or toxins are produced. This ama accumulates in weaker channels of the body. When this ama accumulates in rasavahi srota (which carries the nutrient plasma) or artavavahi srota (which carries the menstrual flow) and blocks them stopping the flow of menstruation, it can lead to Amenorrhoea.
2. Aggravated kapha also causes low digestive fire (mandagani), impairing the digestion at subtle level. This causes accumulation of ama or toxins in the body. This ama leads to Amenorrhoea. The food that we eat is digested by the digestive fire and is converted into nutrient plasma (rasa dhatu). This nutrient plasma nourishes all other body tissues (dhatus) like blood (rakta dathu), muscles (mamsa), fat (meda), bones (asthi), bone marrow (majja), and reproductive fluid (shukra). This nourishment for production of various tissues is carried through a network of channels to various parts of the body. Artava or menstrual blood is a part of rasa dhatu or nutrient plasma.
   
   When digestion is impaired, instead of the healthy nutrient plasma, ama or toxins are produced. This ama accumulates in weaker channels of the body. When this ama accumulates in rasavahi srota (which carries the nutrient plasma) or artavavahi srota (which carries the menstrual flow) and blocks them stopping the flow of menstruation, it can cause Amenorrhoea.
3. Aggravated vata and kapha dosha increases the cold temperament in the body, which leads to low pitta dosha or decrease of hot temperament. Menstrual blood is analogous to pitta dosha. Thus, low pitta dosha or low hot temperament leads to decrease or loss of menstrual blood.

Doshas involved: High vata, kapha and low pitta

Srota involved: Rasavahi srota and artavavahi srota.

Treatment

• Diet: A diet, which will increase pitta and pacify vata and kapha, is advised. It should be nourishing and easy to digest. Follow a hot and spicy diet, which is astringent, acidic, with garlic, onion, nuts, ginger etc. Herbal teas are recommended. Spices like black pepper, cinnamon, coriander, cardamom, fennel, ginger, cumin, black pepper, fenugreek, clove, celery seed, salt, soya seed and mustard seed can be used for garnishing the foods. Milk and milk products are good. But avoid yoghurt, as it causes blockage of menstrual channels.
• Eating excessively cold, light, dry, or airy foods that increase vata dosha in the body should be avoided. Also resist from eating gas forming vegetables and fruits like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, lettuce, mushrooms, parsley, peas, yeast-based products, white flour and white sugar products in excess, as they increase the vata dosha. Excessive use of fried foods, heavy creams, and puddings increases kapha dosha so should be avoided.
• For obese persons, an anti-kapha diet is recommended.

Anti-kapha diet

• Dairy: Low-fat milk is recommended. Boil milk before drinking. Drink it warm. This makes it easier to digest. Do not take milk with a full meal or with sour or salty foods. Add a pinch of turmeric or ginger to the milk before boiling it. This helps to reduce the kapha increasing qualities of the milk.
• Fruit: Lighter fruits, such as apples, oranges, grape fruit, pineapple and papaya and pears, are recommended.
• Sweeteners: Honey is excellent for reducing kapha. Reduce the intake of sugar products, which increase kapha.
• Beans are recommended.
• Nuts should be avoided.
• Grains such as barley, chickpea and millet are recommended. Do not take too much wheat or rice, as they increase kapha.
• Spices are recommended as they decreases kapha.
• Vegetables such as sweet potatoes and root vegetables are good.
• Lifestyle: Follow a lifestyle that will increase pitta and pacify vata and kapha.Negative feelings like stress and tension should be avoided. Do not undertake physical or mental work beyond your capacity. Excessive intercourse should be avoided. Limit the use of contraceptives. Follow an active lifestyle, yet the exercises should be according to one's capacity. Both, excessive fasting and overeating are harmful. Smoking, drinking alcohol and using narcotics aggravates menstrual disorders.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a metabolic disorder, characterized by the excessive production of thyroxin by the thyroid gland. The increased metabolism causes loss of weight and symptoms such as trembling and sweating of hands. Goiter may also be present.

According to Ayurveda, impaired digestion of food leads to blockage of the minute channels causing an imbalance in the function of the thyroid gland. The first line of treatment is to clear these channels in order to balance body energies and restore the correct production and circulation of thyroxin.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism

Definition
Hypothyroidism may be caused by problems within the thyroid gland that causes insufficient circulation of the thyroid hormone. Symptoms show a decrease in metabolism, with the slowing of mental and physical activity. Patients may experience a variety of differing symptoms such as sensitivity to cold, dryness of the skin, constipation, anorexia, anginal pain, anemia and disordered menstrual function.

Causes
The prime cause of Hypothyroidism is the deficiency of Iodine. In many cases, this disease is caused by pituitary or hypothalamic disease or certain medications.

Symptoms
The typical symptoms of Hypothyroidism are:

• High levels of lethargy
• Coldness in the hands and/or feet
• Frequent constipation
• Frequent headaches
• Dry skin
• Obesity is also sometimes related to thyroid dysfunction

Ayurvedic View
Ayurvedic treatment involves clearing these channels in order to balance body energies and restore the circulation of thyroxin. Herbal preparations are administered to increase the digestive fire at a cellular level, restoring proper metabolism.

Diet and Lifestyle Advice

• Take adequate quantities of milk in your diet.
• Increase intake of rice, barley, Bengal gram, moong dal and cucumber.
• Coconut oil helps in improving body metabolism in thyroid patients.
• Avoid heavy and sour foods.

Some Home Remedies

• Mix equal quantities of long pepper (Pipali), black pepper and dry ginger powder. Consume half teaspoon twice a day with lukewarm water.
• Chew Licorice (mulethi) and Black Pepper in a 2:1 ratio three times a day.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Definition
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a common condition that arises when there is an infection caused by bacteria. The infection usually starts in the urethra and then travels up to the bladder and other parts of the urinary tract. There is a burning feeling when urinating and an increased frequency of urination. The condition is more common in females, as the urethra is smaller (becomes infected more easily) and near the anus (a source of contamination). Conditions such as diabetes, bowel incontinence, kidney stones, immobility, reduced intake of fluids, and pregnancy can also contribute to Urinary Tract Infection.

Causes
Increased intake of sour, salty, bitter, oily, spicy, and fried foods and tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages aggravate Pitta (Fire) in the body, which leads to the condition of UTI. Working in the sun or hot weather and excessive physical exertion aggravates the condition.

Symptoms
The most common symptom is a burning sensation while passing urine. There is discomfort, pain, or a burning sensation at the urethra. There may be the presence of pus or blood in the urine and fever. Also there is increased frequency of urination, along with the feeling of needing to pass urine even when the bladder is not full. The need to urinate during the night may increase.

Ayurvedic View
According to Ayurveda, Urinary Tract Infection or Pittaj Mutrakrichhra, is caused by the aggravation of Pitta Dosha. Pitta is an Ayurvedic humor that symbolizes heat or fire. So, a diet and lifestyle that increases Pitta causes UTI. Aggravated Pitta produces heating toxins in the body. These heating toxins accumulate in the mutravahi strotas (urinary channels) and create an imbalance in the infection-fighting properties of the urinary system. It might lead to bacterial growth in the system, amounting to UTI. Many chemical drugs work on bacteria, but these do not work for infection-fighting properties and heating toxins. Thus, such infection can often recur. Ayurvedic medicine, on the other hand, balances the infection-fighting properties of the urinary system and pacifies heating toxins, thereby giving long-term relief to the patient.

Diet & Lifestyle Advice

• Avoid intake of hot, oily, spicy, sour, salty, and bitter foods.
• Increase intake of liquids in the form of water, juices, coconut water, and other cooling drinks.
• Increase intake of pitta-pacifying herbs like green cardamom, coriander, red sandalwood, licorice root, etc.
• Avoid working in the sun or in a hot atmosphere such as near furnaces and boilers.
• Take a cold-water bath 2-3 times a day with ½ teaspoon of powdered red sandalwood added to the water.

Some Home Remedies

• Put 3 tablespoons of powdered coriander seeds and 1 tablespoon of powdered rock candy (or unrefined sugar) in a vessel (preferably an earthen pot) containing 3 cups of water. Keep it overnight. Mix well and drink 1 cup of the liquid 3 times a day. This is a very good home remedy for pacifying Pitta in the urinary tract.
• Mix 1 teaspoon of roasted barley water in 1 cup of water. Add ½ teaspoon powdered rock candy (or unrefined sugar). Have this twice a day. This is a very good diuretic and cooling preparation.
• Have 1 cup of radish leaf juice on an empty stomach in the morning.

Migraine

Migraine

Definition
A common neurological syndrome, Migraine is characterized by altered bodily perceptions, severe pounding headaches, nausea and irritability. This pounding or pain usually begins in the forehead, the side of the head or around the eyes and gradually gets worse. Bright lights or loud noises can worsen the condition. The headache can last for two hours or even up to two or three days.

Causes
Change in weather conditions, missing a meal, stress, alcohol and certain types of food items are considered to be common causative factors of Migraine. About 50% of women claim that their menstrual periods happen to be a significant trigger. Additionally, allergic reactions, exposure to loud noises or certain odors, smoking, or long exposures to computer screens/televisions could lead to Migraine attacks.

Symptoms

• Nausea and vomiting
• Altered mood
• Irritability
• Depression or euphoria
• Fatigue
• Excessive sleepiness
• Craving for certain food items
• Stiff muscles (especially in the neck)
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Increased urination

Ayurvedic View
The traditional science of Ayurveda does not regard Migraine as a case of prolonged headaches. On the contrary, it considers this condition to be caused by deep-rooted problems, including a sensitive nervous system and impaired digestion.

Improper diet and lifestyle causes aggravation of Pitta (Ayurvedic humor representing Fire) in the body. In an aggravated state, Pitta impairs digestion, leading to production of digestive impurities (known as ama). This ama gets stored in the manovahi strotas (mind channels), thereby becoming the cause for pains in migraine.

A sensitive nervous system lowers the ojas (energy) in the body. Ojas is the essence of all body tissues and provides strength to the nervous system and body. If you have a strong nervous system, you are able to fight against problems and carry on with your work with a healthy mind. Lowering of ojas causes migraine-like problems.

Ayurvedic treatment of Migraine therefore is centered on the pacification of Pitta Dosha, and restoration of digestive function in the body. Nervine tonics are also recommended to enhance the ojas, relax the mind and give strength to the nervous system.

Diet & Lifestyle Advice

• Avoid hot, spicy foods, fermented foods, white sugar, white flour products, and sour or citrus fruits, because they aggravate the Pitta in your body.
• Drink more water and eat more fiber, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains
• Avoid excessive sugar or salt, refined foods, animal products (meats and dairy), caffeine, tea, and alcohol, as these items will further lead to aggravation of Pitta.
• Avoid direct exposure to the sun, as migraine headaches are predominantly a Pitta disorder and can be triggered by the hot sun.
• Head massage with Bhringraj Oil is also beneficial. This massage gives a calming effect to your nervous system.
• Headaches caused due to tension and worry can be alleviated through deep breathing and relaxation, especially in a lying down position in a quiet place. Inverted postures, or those where the head is lowered briefly, increase oxygen to the brain and can reduce headache-causing strain.

Some Home Remedies

• If there is a burning sensation, apply a paste of ground clay or sandalwood powder mixed with rose water.
• When the headache is due to inflamed sinuses, inhale steam with vinegar added to the water.
• Mix ¼ teaspoon of clove powder with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon oil. Apply this paste on the affected area for 20-30 minutes.

Panchakarma
Ayurvedic treatment therapies, known as Panchakarma, are also effective in treating Migraine pains. Nasya (administration of herbal oils into the nostrils) and Shriodhara (head massage) are especially highly recommended to such patients. Both procedures are aimed at removing the cause of the headache and the pain.

Hypertension

Hypertension

Definition
Hypertension (known as Rakta Gata Vata in Ayurveda) is elevated pressure of the blood in the arteries. The increase in blood pressure depends upon a person’s age, sex, physical and mental activities, family history, and diet. Normal blood pressure of a healthy adult individual is 120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic.

Causes
Unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyles are the chief causes of hypertension today. Most of the food items that we consume – fast foods or items packed with preservatives and chemicals – create digestive problems in the body. Impaired digestion leads to accumulation of ama (toxins), which further lead to the high blood pressure. The food we eat is digested by our digestive fire (jatharagni) to produce nutrient plasma. This plasma nourishes all other dhatus (body tissues) and aids in the production of healthy blood, which circulates all over the body through various channels (srotas).

However, if digestion is impaired, the nutrient plasma ends up producing digestive impurities or ama. This ama mixes with plasma and makes it sama (combined with ama) or heavy. As a result, the blood thus produced also becomes heavy or sticky. This heavy blood (laden with impurities) circulates through various channels and toxins start accumulating in weaker channels of the body. When accumulated in the heart’s channels, these toxins cause narrowing of the channels. The blood has to therefore end up exerting more pressure to circulate through these channels, leading to the condition of high blood pressure.

Additionally, stress, anxiety and negative mental feelings also cause increase in blood pressure. Other causes could be history of BP in the family, obesity, lack of exercise, consumption of high-fat and low-fiber diet, excessive intake of tea, coffee, and refined foods, etc.

Symptoms
Hypertension rarely shows any symptoms; BP levels should be checked at regular intervals to ensure that the problem is diagnosed in time. Some of the symptoms that might be present are pain at the back of the neck (occipital headache), fatigue, palpitations and dizziness.

Ayurvedic View
The Ayurvedic line of treatment for hypertension is aimed at identifying the root cause of the condition and then administering herbs that can eradicate the problem from its roots. For this to happen, it is imperative that digestion is improved and the digestive fire is strengthened. Secondly, the toxins that have already accumulated in the heart channels have to be eliminated. And lastly, mind relaxation techniques – including meditation, yoga and pranayama – are recommended to ensure that the mind remains calm and stable.

Diet and Lifestyle Advice
Avoid meat, eggs, table salt, pickles, tea and coffee. Avoid smoking as it increases heart rate. Increase use of garlic, lemon, parsley, Indian gooseberry (amla), watermelon, grapefruit, skim milk and cottage cheese. Regular exercise is one of the best ways to lower blood pressure; brisk walking, jogging, swimming and athletics are good options. Laughter is the best medicine, as it relieves stress and anxiety, which are the main causes of high blood pressure in today’s lifestyle.

Some Home Remedies

• Make a juice of 3-4 garlic cloves, 10-12 basil leaves, and a small quantity of wheat grass. Have once a day.
• Take 2-3 peeled garlic buds with water on an empty stomach in the morning.
• Mix 1 teaspoon of onion juice with an equal amount of honey. Take once a day for 1 week. Upon noticing improvement, continue for several more days.

High Cholesterol

High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a type of fat present in the blood in small quantities. It forms a part of cell walls, nerve coverings and brain cells so it has an important function in the body. If this molecule is present in excess quantity in the body, it may cause coronary blockage.

Ayurvedic treatment consists of herbal medications that eliminate the toxins and mucus from the channels and restore the digestive fire to proper function. Advices on diet and regimen adjustments are also given to support treatment.