Old Age Care
In the Ayurveda system of medicine, emphasis is laid on the care and
treatment of the elderly and those that have retired from an active
life. Ayurveda terms this care and treatment of the elderly as "Vridhopacharaneeyam".
According to Ayurveda, human body consists of seven dhatus namely: Rasa
(Lymph), Raktha (Blood), Mamsa (Flesh), Medas (Fat), Asthi (Bone), Majja
(Marrow) and Sukla (Sperm). These dhatus get degenerated due to the
body's prolonged structural changes. The capacity of dhatus is lessened
during old age. The result is a massive physiological, psychological and
pathological variation in the body.
Rejuvenation therapies like Pizhichil, Njavarakizhi etc., strengthen the
system, invigorate immunity and impart freshness in the body.
Panchakarma therapies, particularly medicated enemas relieve
constipation and correct digestion.
Sirodhara nourishes the head, which is the abode of all the sense
organs. On the whole, this package wages war against old age health
problems from all fronts and brings back the harmony of mind, body and
soul.
A happy and comfortable old age is the fruit of well-spent childhood,
youth and middle- age. However, old age brings along with it many
nagging health problems like constipation, indigestion, sleeplessness,
exhaustion, wrinkled skin, diminishing sensory faculties, etc. In older
age the senior citizens are prone to hypertension,diabetes,cardiac
problems.
Many of the senior citizens are afflicted by grave diseases such as
diabetes, hypertension, cardiac problems, rheumatic complaints,
hemiplegia, Parkinsons disease, alzheimers disease etc. These diseases
could also be accompanied by other nagging problems like constipation,
indigestion, sleeplessness, exhaustion, wrinkled skin and diminishing
sensory faculties. Ayurveda system of medicine deals with every form of
age old problem and is the ideal remedy for all ills afflicting the
senior citizens
Diagnosis the Ayurveda way
All treatments in Ayurveda are prescribed only after a careful diagnosis
of the patient's body constitution, family history, sex, age, stage of
the disease etc.
The first consultation with an Ayurveda doctor, including the diagnosis
will last for more than an hour. The basic step in the diagnosis will be
to find the person's body humour (Dosha) Vata, Pita or Kapha, because
it is the imbalance of these body humours that create every disease.
The dominance of dosha in a person is found by asking several questions
on his behaviour, food habits, sleeping patterns, personal details like
age, height & weight, place of life, profession, health problems and
medical reports etc. Ayurveda diagnosis comprises of clinical and
laboratory tests also. The doctor can decide if an Ayurveda treatment is
helpful on providing these details.
Pulse, tongue, nail, and eye examinations are important diagnosis
methods used to reveal a person's body humour and its imbalance. This
will help the doctor in treating the disease.
Pulse diagnosis in Ayurveda is not just counting the beats. It also
reveals the health status of the entire body constitution, including the
dosha imbalance and the health of the various body organs.
In tongue diagnosis, the doctor checks the general appearance, colour
and coating of the tongue. In Ayurveda, as different areas of the tongue
correspond to different organs of the body, the Ayurvedic practitioner
can determine which organs of the body are out of balance by having a
detailed tongue examination.
Nail examination is done to check the type, colour and shape of the
person's nail. Imbalances of doshas are easily detected on close
examination.
In the eye diagnosis, the colour, size and even the shape of the eyes
are important in determining the dosha dominance of a person. His mental
status nervousness, anxiety, confidence level etc can also be learned
through eye diagnosis.
A preliminary consultation with Ayurveda doctors online is also possible nowadays for guests worldwide
Treatment Methods for old age care
After the diagnosis, the doctor sets out to treat the patient in a very
systematic manner. This would include a set of appropriate Panchakarma
treatments and Rasayana therapies .These treatments are meant to flush
out the toxins, to nourish the body, to bring the doshas back to balance
and to regenerate the body.
They are, however classified as pre-purification, main purification and
post purification phases and include various types of therapies like oil
massages, fermented liquid massages, medicinal enemas, herbal
purification methods, diet regulations, daily regimens, intake of oral
medicines etc. The treatments suggested here are for general guidance
only. It may vary according to the decision of the doctor for each
person.
Panchakarma for old age care
Pre-purification therapies
Pre-purification therapies are the first ones applied to loosen the
toxins, open up the circulation channels and get the body ready for
discarding these wastes. These methods are highly relaxing for the body
and mind.
A few of the following pre-purification methods are usually adopted in the treatment of Obesity.
Sirodhara therapy refers to the pouring of warm medicated herbal oil on
the person's forehead, non stop, for about 30 to 40 minutes from a
suspended oil filled vessel hung 3 or 4 inches above the patient. The
medicated oil is made b feel.
y boiling herbs and fruits such as gooseberry, bala,sandalwood, bael,
liquorices, nut grass tuber,winter cherry etc in gingelly oil, coconut
oil, ghee, milk etc.
Abhyangam means full body massage done with bare hands, using warm
herbal oil. The high penetration ability of the healing herbs help
surface the toxins inside the body, and ensures active blood circulation
to afflicted areas. Medicinal herbs like neem, bael, sida, spreading
hog weed, ten roots rock salt, sweet flag etc. are used.
Elakizhi is massage-sweat therapy using warm oil and cotton pouches
filled with fresh green leaves and herbs. It causes nervous reflex and
dilates blood vessels in the arthritis areas. Plants like vitex, Castor,
Datura, Calotropis and Tamarind are commonly used. They have good anti
inflammatory and analgesic properties.
Main Purification Therapies for old age care
This is the phase of elimination of toxins that were loosened at the pre
purification treatment stage. These therapies are highly potential
methods and are usually overseen by doctors. The commonly adopted
Panchakarma treatments for after retirement care are: Nasyam Vamanam and
Virechanam.
Nasyam is the instillation of medicated oil through the nose. The excess
humours accumulated in the human body are eliminated through Nasyam. It
improves blood circulation and reduces nerve stretching and
inflammatory pains in the head. Sarsaparilla, nut grass tuber and
cardamom are some of the main ingredients used in nasyam.
Vamanam- is also known as therapeutic vomiting. It is a treatment that
eliminates the vitiated doshas (waste products) through the upper
gastro-intestinal track. It expels and cleanses undigested food, Kapha
and Pitta. Herbs generally used in vamanam include - emetic nut, sweet
flag, liquorice etc.
Virechanam consists of intake of safe herbal medicines leading to the
elimination of the poisonous wastes through the anal route. This
cleansing of the mid zone benefits the entire body system. The appetite
and body strength increases making you a more active and energetic
person.
Rasayana Therapies for old age care
These are body nourishing therapies to rejuvenate the body and mind
after the Panchakarma treatments. They keep the enzymes in the tissue
cells in their normal functioning condition. It restores and balances
the body functions and maintains the overall health and well being of an
individual for much longer periods after the Panchakarma course.
Rasayana therapy is found to be very effective in fighting old age
disabilities and the treatments consist of both oral medicines and DIET
regulation
Oral medicines for old age care
Herbal medicines form an important part of any ayurvedic treatment. Oral
medicines for after retirement care rasayana treatments will be herbal
concoctions, powders, pills, fermented syrups, and or herbs processed in
clarified butter (ghee). These are prepared specifically to restore the
lost balance and to provide the needed inputs to cure age old problems.
Kashayam,Arishtam ( herbal decoctions and fermentations), Lehyams
(semi solid formulations) are commonly prescribed.
Chyavanaprash is considered to be a remarkable anti-aging medicine.
Goose berry (Phyllanthus Embelica) is one of the main ingredients used
in its preparation. Sankupushpi, Brahmins (Gratiola monieria) and
Mandukapparni (Hydro Cotyle Asiatic a) are effective in boosting ones
memory and could be taken on the advice of a physician. Besides, the
juice of the above mentioned herbs taken with honey also acts as a
memory booster.
The type and quantity of the medicines to be taken are decided by the
doctor after a detailed consultation and examination. The patient's body
type, age etc are also important factors to be considered.
Diet Regulations for old age care
A balanced diet should be followed during old age. It is advisable to
consume more of fruits, vegetables, milk and unpolished rice. At the
same time one should also reduce the Intake of salt, oil, meat and eggs.
One should also drink at least three litres of water daily. A diet,
that contains more anti-oxidants including Gooseberry, lemon, Orange,
Carrot, Apple and Leafy Vegetables, is recommended.
Yoga and Life Style for old age care
Yoga and meditation are always beneficial and have always played a vital
part in curing every type of disease. Yoga exercises done every day
replenish and rebalance the physical and emotional systems that are
depleted by the everyday stresses that lie so heavy on our lives. Yoga
makes it possible to rest on a strong base of confidence and strength
within oneself.
Life Style : It is advised that senior citizens avoid tension, stress
and anxiety in their daily lives. They are also advised to take at least
one or two weeks rest after the Panchakarma experience. At this time
the body is weak after the purification process and needs time to get
back to normalcy. They should engage themselves in some sort of useful
activities including gardening and light agricultural activities.
However, they should avoid strenuous exercise, stimulating experiences,
late nights and viewing television for long periods.
Keeping animal pets and socializing with people of their age are all
useful methods to keep worries and distractions away. They should spend
more time with their family and children .They should develop a feeling
of being wanted in society and avoid all forms of negative emotions. An
early morning walk is very beneficial.
The observance of truth and discipline and freeing oneself from anger
and a fast paced life style are very important factors that help us to
lead a long, healthy and contended life.
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