Fluid Imbalance and Constipation: Ayurveda Perspective

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S  

Fluid issue and Ayurveda

Fluid imbalance brought on by insufficient consumption of water is without doubt one of the most vital causes for constipation. So, maintaining the degrees of hydration to optimum ranges by consuming a very good amount of water as per one’s wants is without doubt one of the formulation to maintain the constipation at bay and to keep up a perfect intestine well being.

Ayurveda treatises haven’t instantly defined this position of water in stopping constipation and maintaining optimum colon well being. However from a couple of references that are oblique we are able to infer the position of water on this perspective.

Idea of fluid imbalance and causation of constipation – Ayurveda perspective

The Jala Mahabhuta issue

Jala Mahabhuta i.e. water ingredient is one among the many 5 components of nature which participate within the formation of our physique. It does the perform of kledana within the fetus i.e. it maintains the moistness and integrity in its formation. Dravatva i.e. liquidity is a particular characteristic of this ingredient. With this high quality it retains issues shifting and flowing within the physique. Its high quality shall be maintained individually and comparatively (relative to different components) to maintain good well being and for many capabilities to maintain going easily within the physique. Imbalance of water ingredient causes severe well being points when it’s not balanced. ‘Peeta’ i.e. drinkable meals are one among the many 4 kinds of meals we take in line with Ayurveda and it’s an integral a part of our meals apply. Peeta contains water and different types of fluids we eat in our meals. When the water part of the physique decreases it results in excessive dryness, enhance of vata and subsequent constipation.

The ‘Vata’ issue

Constipation is without doubt one of the signs or situations brought on by extreme enhance or aggravation of vata. So recurring consumption of vata aggravating meals, life actions and regimens and impression of vata vitiating seasons, when not addressed would result in constipation owing to dry and tough attributes of vata.

When the ultimate merchandise of digestion of meals attain the colon, they’re acted upon by the shoshyamana vahni i.e. ‘drying hearth’ situated therein and trigger the paripinditatva of digested meals i.e. ‘bolus of ultimate merchandise which is nearly devoid of watery elements or moistness’ i.e. faecal mass which is able to be excreted. This explains the re-absorption course of within the colon. When vayu is in a state of stability, the feces is fashioned correctly and is definitely expelled by the motion of the identical vata, apana vata on this case.

Irregular enhance of vata will enhance roughness and dryness within the colon. It will dry up the feces excessively and make it troublesome to be excreted. This results in constipation. If that is unattended it results in persistent constipation. Enhance of dryness is brought on by extreme consumption of meals which worsen vata – primarily dry, mild and tough meals. This additionally displays deficiency of moistness and unctuousness within the physique. This may increasingly occur resulting from insufficient hydration of the physique brought on by inadequate water consumption. This additionally reveals that correct and sufficient hydration is required to maintain the doshas, vata on this case, in a state of stability.

The ‘vata prakriti’ issue

Vata structure individuals are vulnerable to vata imbalances resulting in constipation. These individuals have much less water parts within the physique and fewer of doshas and tissues which include water elements. They’ve a dry setting within the intestines. If these individuals don’t handle their water stability and hydration, they could develop severe constipation in the long term.

Vata Prakruti individuals whose physique structure is predominantly made up of akasha and vayu mahabhutas ought to pay further consideration to maintain themselves hydrated.

The ‘Vataja Rutu’ issue

Excessive dryness in vata aggravating seasons i.e. summer season and wet seasons could point out want for frequent hydration. If not compensated with, one may develop seasonal constipation throughout these seasons. Constipation could worsen in these having constipation already, in these having persistent constipation and ailments of colon and could also be of extreme type particularly in vata prakriti people or these affected by vata issues. 

The ‘vishamagni’ issue

Vishamagni i.e. erratic digestive hearth is without doubt one of the causes for vata aggravation and vata issues within the physique. This can be a type of agni influenced by the erratic nature of vata. Folks having vishamagni would have probabilities of creating dryness within the colon and consequently constipation. Correct hydration is required in these individuals. The pitta predominant agni i.e. ‘teekshnagni’ also can trigger water imbalance within the physique particularly when it’s related to elevated vata additionally which might result in constipation.

Learn extra: Understanding Agni: Idea, Definition, Capabilities, Varieties

The ‘excessive pitta’ issue

Folks with excessive pitta of their system also needs to hydrate themselves repeatedly. Excessive pitta is excessive fiery exercise within the physique. This will even trigger extreme dryness and warmth within the physique and would trigger an acceptable basis for the event of constipation.

The ‘kapha’ issue 

Kapha is consultant of water within the human physique. It’s the calming moon power. It’s predominantly made up of water components and partly by earth components. Many tissues belong to the kapha group i.e. kapha resides in most tissues within the physique. Other than this, faeces and urine are the excreta which have predominance of kapha dosha. Vata enhance or something which will increase vata will trigger depletion of kapha and therefore water depots within the physique which might result in constipation. The reverse can also be true i.e. kapha depletion will even trigger vata enhance and therefore constipation. Correct hydration may be very a lot required to maintain the kapha and its tissues balanced within the physique and to maintain away the dryness of vata and warmth of pitta. Kapha being a water physique thus works as a buffer and prevents put on and tears and burnouts within the physique and likewise prevents constipation from occurring by maintaining the physique, tissues and organs cool and moist.

The ‘ati langhana’ issue

Extreme fasting which incorporates insufficient consumption or in no way consuming meals and water as part of therapeutic, recurring or obsessive hunger will deplete water shops within the physique. It will trigger extreme dryness and result in vata aggravation. It will create a dry ambiance within the intestines, an excessive amount of absorption of water within the colon as a suggestions mechanism and consequent constipation. Equally different types of langhana therapies which result in lightness within the physique additionally trigger constipation when practiced in extra.

The ‘different ailments’ issue

Extreme train, ailments like atisara – diarrhea, chardi – vomiting, prameha – urinary issues together with diabetes, ailments of mutravaha srotas and all vata issues trigger constipation resulting from dehydration.

The ‘vega’ issue

One also needs to avoid withholding the pure urges, primarily of pureesha – defecation and apana vata – fart / flatus. This is able to trigger irregular motion of vata i.e. udavarta which might consequently trigger constipation and different vata issues. 

Learn extra: Constipation Causes, Ayurvedic Therapy, Residence Cures