Changes

Most of the diseases are classified on the basis of ''dosha'' predominance. There is variable interplay of three ''dosha'' and four ''dushya'' in ''kushtha'', which can present as seven types, eighteen types and innumerable types on the basis of symptoms, color, location, prognosis and treatment. (see chart).

Most of the diseases are classified on the basis of ''dosha'' predominance. There is variable interplay of three ''dosha'' and four ''dushya'' in ''kushtha'', which can present as seven types, eighteen types and innumerable types on the basis of symptoms, color, location, prognosis and treatment. (see chart).

Kushtha and Visarpa, both diseases, have same seven causative factors (3 dosha & 4 dhatu), where Kushtha is chronic and Visarpa is acute and may be life threatening,  In Visarpa, Rakta is dominant which makes it spread rapidly, treatment is bloodletting. In case of Kushtha all seven factors are involved with little bit variation.

''Kushtha'' and ''visarpa'' - both the diseases have the same seven causative factors (three ''dosha'' and four ''dhatu'' type disorders), where ''kushtha'' is chronic and ''visarpa'' is acute and may be life threatening,  In ''visarpa'', ''rakta'' is dominant which makes it spread rapidly, treatment is bloodletting. In case of ''kushtha'' all seven factors are involved with little bit variation.

Causes of kushtha:

 

Diet and lifestyle play a significant role in health and disease. What, how and when diet should be taken is important. In Kushtha, alternating opposite character of food like hot/cold, nourishing/ non nourishing foods if taken one after the other is an etiological factor. Many other such etiological factors have been listed. All the etiological factors mentioned, also help in the growth of parasites like maggots at the involved skin.  

==== Causes of ''Kushtha'' ====

Environmental factors like diet and lifestyle, in the presence of genetic predisposition impair the immune system with increased susceptibility to secondary infection. Viruddhaahara (incompatible foods) has similar effect through epigenetic mechanism.

 

Early diagnosis is important and stages have been described for disease manifestation. Purva-rupa (prodromal symptoms) occur in the 4th stage of disease manifestation and if the disease is diagnosed at this level, early control and better treatment may be possible. Though in the stage of purva-rupa it may not be possible to diagnose the type/subtype of disease, however type of dosha can be decided and accordingly treatment can be started. (7)

Diet and lifestyle play a significant role in health and disease. What, how and when diet should be taken is important. In ''kushtha'', alternating opposite character of food like hot/cold, nourishing/ non nourishing foods if taken one after the other is an etiological factor. Many other such etiological factors have been listed. All the etiological factors mentioned, also help in the growth of parasites like maggots at the involved skin.  

Classification of kushtha:

 

The maha-kushtha has been classified under seven types as per their dosha predominance accordingly symptomatology of these has been described. All the body physiology and pathology is designated to a particular dosha thus the diseases are basically diagnosed on the basis of three dosha and their combinations. All the lesions color, texture, secretions, margins, types of pain they produce, their progression, has been classified on the basis of three dosha.

Environmental factors like diet and lifestyle, in the presence of genetic predisposition impair the immune system with increased susceptibility to secondary infection. ''Viruddhahara'' (incompatible foods) has similar effect through epigenetic mechanism.

Layers of skin:

Early diagnosis is important and stages have been described for disease manifestation. ''Poorvarupa'' (prodromal symptoms) occur in the fourth stage of disease manifestation and if the disease is diagnosed at this level, early control and better treatment may be possible. Though in the stage of ''poorvarupa'' it may not be possible to diagnose the type/subtype of disease, however type of ''dosha'' can be decided and accordingly treatment can be started. (7)

Caraka and Sushruta both have enumerated the layers of skin and the thickness of layers and diseases occurring in these layers have also been narrated. Their possible modern equivalence as given by some scholars in Ayurvedic texts is as follows:

 

==== Classification of ''kushtha'' ====

 

The ''mahakushtha'' has been classified under seven types as per their ''dosha'' predominance accordingly symptomatology of these has been described. All the body physiology and pathology is designated to a particular ''dosha'' thus the diseases are basically diagnosed on the basis of three ''dosha'' and their combinations. The color, texture, secretions, margins, and types of pain associated with these lesions, as wsell as their progression have been classified on the basis of three ''dosha''.

 

===== Layers of skin =====

 

Charaka and Sushruta both have enumerated the layers of skin and the thickness of layers and diseases occurring in these layers have also been narrated. Their possible modern equivalence as given by some scholars in Ayurvedic texts is as follows:

 

Sl. No Layers Thickness Modern comparable equivalence* Skin Reflection of disease

Sl. No Layers Thickness Modern comparable equivalence* Skin Reflection of disease

in vrihi – size of rice/ barley Seed Probable equivalence Layer

in vrihi – size of rice/ barley Seed Probable equivalence Layer

6 Rohini 01 lower dermis granthi, apachi, arbuda, sleepada, galaganda.

6 Rohini 01 lower dermis granthi, apachi, arbuda, sleepada, galaganda.

7 Mamsadhara 02 Subcutaneous tissue including fat bhagandara, vidradhi, arsha

7 Mamsadhara 02 Subcutaneous tissue including fat bhagandara, vidradhi, arsha

Classics have tried to classify all signs and symptoms on the basis of tri-dosha thus this serves a good tool to diagnose the lesions as per three dosaas seen in the following table.

 

Various Vedic texts on the subject have tried to classify all signs and symptoms on the basis of ''tridosha'' thus this serves a good tool to diagnose the lesions as per three ''doshas'' seen in the following table:

Sr Parikshyabhava ( assessment parameter) vata pitta kapha

Sr Parikshyabhava ( assessment parameter) vata pitta kapha