A REVIEW OF VATA - RAKTA ON THE BASIS OF NIDANA PANCHAKA

Abstract

Vata – Rakta as the name indicates is a disease that originates from the vitiation of Vata dosha and Rakta dhatu. Being dominated by Vata dosha, it is a Vata Pradhana Tridosaja Vyadhi. This disease is quite common in delicate, sensitive and obese personalities including those whose day to day activities like sleeping and eating are irregular or not time bounded (sedentary lifestyle). The disease usually begins at the Padamula and spreads in the upward direction. Occassionally it may originate at the Hastamula also. Vata – Rakta is of two types – Uttana Vata – Rakta (Superficial) and Gambhira Vata – Rakta (Deep). This disease include symptoms like burning pain, swelling, pruritus, agonizing pain inside the joints and curvature of fingers and toes is also seen sometimes. In Ayurveda, there are five means of diagnosis namely – Nidana Panchaka i.e. Nidana(causes), Purvarupa(Pre – monitory symptoms), Rupa (Symptoms), Upasaya (Therapeutic effects) and Samprapti (Pathogenesis). Nidana Panchaka is a great tool not only for diagnosis of disease but it also gives information about prognosis, treatment and differential diagnosis.