Vol. 8, Issue 5 (2019)

Author(s):
Srivastava Kumar Niraj and Saxena Varsha

Abstract:
Ayurveda is an ancient system of personalized medicine which is documented and practiced in India since 1500 B.C. Thus Ayurveda emphasizes evaluation of patient in totality for perfect diagnosis, management of health and disease. Acharya Charaka and Sushruta have recommended extensive guidelines for assessment of disease (Vyadhi) and diseased (Rugna). These guidelines aim at precise understanding of physiology and pathology; hence are applied to healthy individuals for Prakriti assessment. Prakriti assessment is a part of Dashavidha Pariksha and that needs consideration of other factors like Vikriti Pariksha (pathology), Sara Pariksha (status of tissues), Samhanana (compactness), Pramana (quantitative examination of organs), Aahara shakti (digestive capacity), Vyayamashakti (Capacity of exercise), Bala (strength), Kala (season), Vaya (age). Considering all these dimensions, physician defines patient status, which forms the base of treatment. Prakriti evaluation coupled with all the above factors give complete information on which treatment (or health advice) is based. Various Ayurvedic scholars like Charaka, Sushruta, Vagbhata, Sarangadhara, Bhela, Harita, Yogaratnakar have described the characteristics of different types of Deha Prakriti. Charaka has explained assessment of Prakriti based on Guna and described manifestation of each Guna separately. Sushruta, Vagbhata, Harita, Bhavmishra and Sarangdhara have described Prakriti based on anatomical, physiological and psychological characters. Knowledge about the Prakriti is prerequisite for assessment of Vikriti (Pathology) hence it plays a very important role in deciding diagnosis, therapeutics and prognosis. It also has a decisive role in maintenance of health and cure of the disease, which is the prime objective of Ayurveda. This article focuses on Dashavidha Pariksha (Ten-fold examinations) to understand the overview of patient’s condition in relation to diseases person with special references to Prakriti for clinical practice in childhood diseases.