REVIEW ARTICLE ON AYURVEDIC APPROACH OF ULCERATIVE COLITIS WITH SPECIAL CONSIDERATION TO AGNI

Pravini Valsalan* and Siddayya Aradhyamath

ABSTRACT

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one among the inflammatory bowel disease which involves large bowel. The exact aetiology in unknown but proposed causes includes environmental, immune cells and genetic predisposition. It presents with diarrhoea mixed with blood and mucous, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fatigue and weight loss. The disease pattern is such that rectum is always involved and accordingly classified based on the area affected. Ulcerative colitis has a bad impact on quality of life and it is a lifelong disease that has profound emotional and social impact on affected patients. In modern till now no satisfactory treatment is available. In ayurvedic point of view ulcerative colitis can be correlated to Pittakapha Grahani, Sangrahni, Raktatisaram, Gudasravam and Jathara vrana. The Ayurvedic way of management starts with Nidana parivarjana, Samprapti vighatana, Ama pachana, Agni vardhana, Vata pitta shamana along with Vrana shodana ropana oushadhas and Panchakarma treatments mainly Picha basti is adopted. Sushruta has indicated Picha basti in Alpa alpa or Bahu raktapravruti, Sashoola, Vayu vibdhata like conditions. Also there is importance for Pathya acharna in this disease management. These methods are effective in reducing disease, disease relapsing and moreover treatment is safe.

Keywords: Ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, Sushruta, Picha basti.