Pachan- Digestion- Indigestion

The fast-paced and sedentary lifestyle of today has numerous negative effects, with digestive disorders at the top of the list. The causes of these disorders include changes in diet, a decrease in physical activity, increased use of vehicles, increased body weight, and a sedentary lifestyle.

The patient arrives at the clinic with a file containing a stack of reports; upon examination, all the records are found to be in order. However, the patient continues to complain, saying things like, “Doctor, I don’t feel fresh, always feel heavy in stomach, at night, my sleep is not complete no matter how much sleep I get, and particularly this heaviness in abdomen does not come in any investigation test.”

Common signs of an upset stomach include bloating, gas, heartburn, burping, throat irritation, loss of appetite, frequent bowel movements, stomach pain, weight gain, pale complexion, extreme thirst, constipation, and fecal incontinence.

Digestive disorders can also impact one’s preparedness, focus, physical and mental function, leading to symptoms such as memory loss, concentration issues, and palpitations.

There are 13 types of digestive fires (Agni) in Ayurveda, with the jatharagni being the most important as it initiates the digestive process and strengthens the ability of other 12 Agnis. The five bhutagnis and seven dhatvagnis play a role in converting food into different structures of the body. Seven dhatvagnis create seven dhatu.

Jatharagni initiates the first stage of digestion by converting food into “aahar rasa.” This “aahar rasa” is then divided into three stages, kapha, pitta, and vata, which become “madhura,” “amla,” and “katu awastha paka” respectively. The biofluid is then separated into excretable waste and pure, usable products by samana vata in the middle part of the gastrointestinal tract. Samana vata analyzes and separates the usable products (prasada) from the waste (kitta). The usable products are absorbed by the villi in the intestine, and sent to the micro channels (srotas) throughout the body by vyanvata. The waste products are excreted by apana vayu through urine, feces, and sweat.

Food is crucial for maintaining life. It not only composes the body but also nourishes it. Food is the origin of all life and all diseases. Happiness and sadness are respectively caused by wholesome and unwholesome food. The type of food consumed determines the body’s ability to resist physical and mental illnesses.

After being properly digested and metabolized, the ingested food nourishes the tissues, resulting in plumpness, vigor, a radiant complexion, health, and longevity. The tissues are kept alive by receiving numerous nutritional elements (poshaka dhatus). A skilled doctor should provide the proper eating regimen and therapy after thoroughly analyzing the features of these nutrients. This prescription is necessary for fulfilling dharma and fulfilling desires (kama).

Food and diet have a significant impact on health and disease.

A person who eats a healthy diet is less likely to become sick. However, a healthy diet does not always prevent or only partially causes disease. In addition to an unhealthy diet, there are other factors that contribute to disease such as seasonal changes, mental errors, unhealthy contacts, excessive or incorrect use of the senses of hearing, touch, vision, taste, and smell. Even with a healthy diet and consumption of flavors (rasa), these factors can still lead to disease in a person. It has also been noted that people who consume a healthy diet can still become ill.

Similar to consuming unhealthy food, the negative effects take time to manifest. Not all unhealthy foods are equally damaging, not all doshas have equal strength, and not all bodies are capable of resisting illness.

The danger posed by unhealthy food depends on various factors such as the environment, season, combination, strength, and amount consumed. The dosha becomes intense and difficult to control when it is associated with multiple factors, mismanaged, becomes deeply ingrained, chronic, affects one of the ten seats of vitality (prana), and impacts vital organs.

Even when following a healthy diet and consuming well-balanced flavors, various environmental and lifestyle factors can still lead to illness. On the other hand, the effects of consuming an unhealthful diet can take time to manifest, and not all unhealthy foods are equally harmful or impactful on everyone. The potency of doshas and the body’s ability to prevent illness also vary.

The danger of consuming unwholesome food depends on various factors such as the environment, season, mix, strength, and amount consumed. The dosha can become intense and difficult to control when multiple circumstances are present, such as improper management, chronicity, and vitiating one of the ten seats of vitality (prana), particularly if it affects critical organs.

The digestive fire, or Agni, is responsible for breaking down our food and eliminating waste. Indigestion, caused by poor Agni function, is the root cause of symptoms like constipation, heaviness, and fatigue. The body may develop a condition called AAM (undigested harmful food), which increases the risk of diseases.

Although stomach discomfort may seem like a minor issue, it can lead to serious consequences such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, acid reflux, bone fever, anemia, allergic cold sores, menstrual disorders, migraine, insomnia, infertility, hemorrhoids, fissures, dermatitis, sleep issues, hair issues, and eye issues. A poor stomach is also a major contributor to weight gain, increased belly fat, and abnormal body development.

If you experience any symptoms of a stomach ailment, it’s important to address them promptly. Neglecting to do so can lead to the spread of serious illnesses. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of their poor stomach health and resort to short-term remedies, only realizing the extent of the problem when symptoms become more pronounced.

Every day, regular bowel movements can leave the body feeling light and refreshed, leading to a joyful and ecstatic mental state. Symptoms like stomach discomfort, poor appetite and taste, bad breath, a coated tongue, loss of appetite, and lack of energy can detract from this experience.

For those who suffer from constipation, the condition can persist for months, causing fatigue due to excessive work and lowering confidence levels. To combat this, it is important to take an active approach to treat stomach problems, using a combination of medication, diet, and exercise.

Abdominal pain, depression, fear, low confidence, irritability, frustration, extreme depression, forgetfulness, lethargy, sexual problems, infertility, and more are common symptoms of abdominal pain. What is notable is that 90% of these patients are in the age group of 20 to 35 years, indicating that the issue is largely affecting young people, many of whom are unaware of it.

Constipation, a habit affecting people for weeks or even months, leads to feelings of exhaustion due to overwork. This, in turn, decreases overall confidence. It is crucial to take steps to treat any stomach problems, regardless of their duration. A combination of medication, diet, and exercise should be followed to achieve this.

A comprehensive Ayurvedic evaluation of each patient, including pulse diagnosis, appropriate medication, dietary modifications, and Panchakarma therapy, is crucial in reducing the severity of illness. Effective treatment of gastrointestinal problems and various ailments can be achieved through a balanced diet, Ayurvedic medicines, and Panchakarma therapy.

Many patients who have spent large sums of money on medical treatment from renowned doctors but remained uncured have found relief through Ayurveda, often attributing their illnesses to mental factors.
It’s important to be cautious when choosing an Ayurvedic practitioner, as the market for Panchakarma and Ayurveda is significant. To ensure the best outcome, make sure the doctor you select is qualified and experienced. Before starting any Ayurvedic therapy, it is crucial to consult with a qualified physician.

The early stages of illness can be dangerous with treatments such as home remedies, reading newspapers, books, and advertisements for medicine, neglecting to take into account seasonal changes and other natural factors. As a result, conventional medicines are often taken without proper consideration.

Half of Ayurveda’s teachings focus on promoting health and wellness, including principles of routine and diet. These guidelines are compiled to maintain physical well-being and prevent illnesses, such as stomach problems and the related mental stress. Adhering to these dietary principles can assist in avoiding these issues.

For sedentary workers, a balanced diet and some light abdominal exercise twice daily is sufficient. Contrary to popular belief, excessive water intake is not a cure for digestive issues. Overconsumption of water can actually lead to indigestion by extinguishing the digestive fire. It’s best to drink only as much water as needed to quench thirst, slowly sipping from a glass instead of drinking quickly. Drinking water immediately before a meal is not recommended. Instead, drink water frequently during the meal. Drinking water from above is also discouraged.

• Don’t forget the essence of Mitahar is Hitahar… Ekbhukta Yogi, Dvibhukta Bhogi and Tribhukta Rogi. Bite the food well. Do not swallow food too quickly. Keep in mind that the teeth are only in the mouth, not in the stomach. Saliva in the mouth is partially digested. If it is not done properly, there is stress on the intestines. Slow down means eating with a little space left for air circulation. Don’t eat as much as your stomach will feel.
• When there is no need, avoid taking stomach-cleansing medications all the time. This makes constipation worse. Acute laxative use on a regular basis is harmful to health. Occasionally eat the best sarak, which includes thick semolina pudding, coarse bhajan plate, aluchi bhaji, guava, mango, raisin, and fig.
• A diet that alters with the seasons need to exist. For instance, a cucumber might cough in winter but is cold in summer. Consume ripe pineapples, apples, mangoes, raisins, guavas, pomegranates, chickpeas, figs, citrus fruits, raisins, small, sweet grapes, and amla. 1-2 hours before and after meals, consume fruits.
• Dietary restrictions ought to be secret. Use only spices and red chilies. Herbs, no more potatoes. The dish should have a tiny quantity of bitter-astringent liquid.
• After the meal, create a centipede. Don’t head straight for bed.
• Don’t let the mind, tongue, and stomach lose! It is healthy to inhale and cover the stomach from time to time. The kerosene senses remain alert and efficient.
• When sitting or standing, always keep your spine straight and breathe well. Avoid poking, standing up, or sitting down. Even so, owning one is still beyond the reach of the average person.
• The tongue and abdomen should be covered. Eat not for the tongue but the stomach. It is up to you to maintain the right weight, increase or decrease it.
• Exercise is more beneficial and easier for women for health and bodybuilding. Exercise is forbidden during menstruation, the first and last two and a half months of pregnancy, and three months after delivery.
• Exercises should be done quietly, rhythmically, and in order. Take on an empty stomach. Breathing should also be done through the nose with the mouth closed.
• Breakfast should be served between 10 and 1 p.m. Dinner between 5 and 7 p.m. The daily meal time should be regular. There should be a gap of 2 to 3 hours between dinner and sleep. T. while eating. V. Avoid watching, chatting, mobile, and anxiety. Don’t eat late every night.
• Avoid waking up at night and sleeping during the day. If you wake up at night, go to bed half the time you wake up before eating in the morning.