L6-Ayurveda Medicine Flashcards
(82 cards)
1
Q
Ayurvedic Medicine is one of the world’s oldest medical systems originating from India.
What is it?
A
a. k.a Ayurveda
- A “whole medical system”: Defined by NIH as “complete systems of theory and practice that have evolved over time in different cultures and apart from conventional or Western medicine.”
- Holistic: integrates balance of body, miind and spirit
2
Q
The term “Ayurveda” combines 2 Sanskrit words.
Ayur=?
Verda=?
A
- Ayur = life
- Veda = knowledge or science ( “the knowledge of life” or “the science of life”)
3
Q
T/F: Ayurvedic Medicine is considered a CAM.
A
TRUE
4
Q
Provide e.g. of popular therapies (4).
A
-yoga, meditation, massage, herbs
5
Q
Describe the history.
A
-handed down by word of mouth and written records
-over 2000 yo
>main texts: Caraka Samhita, Susruta Samhita
-has long been the main system of health in India
6
Q
Describe the education & training centres around the world.
(hint: India & NA)
A
India:
-approx 200 colleges/schools
-~5.5 years of training including an internship
NA:
-US: growing # in US
-no licensing boards in Canada/US - b/c of this it is important to ask A practitioner about their training.
7
Q
List the 3 diff training & scopes of practices.
A
- Ayurvedic practitioner
- Ayurvedic therapist
- Ayurvedic counsellor
8
Q
Ayurvedic Philosophy.
Describe the 5 guiding principles.
A
- Health is not the absence of disease, but state of balance between body, mind and spirit
- Universal interconnectedness
- 5 elements
- Life forces (doshas)
- Body’s constitution (prakruti)
9
Q
Ayurvedic Philosophy.
State & describe the 4 balanced states of health.
A
- Health consists of balanced state of:
1. 3 doshas: Vata, Pitta, Kapha - govern all body’s activities
2. 7 tissues: Dhatus - responsible for structure of body and functioning of organs
3. 3 wastes: Malas - > feces, urine, sweat
- produced and eliminated appropriately
4. Gastric Fire: Agni - biological fire/ heat energy that governs metabolism
10
Q
- Interconnectedness.
Describe
A
- all things in the universe (living/non) are connected
- health probs can result when person is out of harmony w universe
- disruptions to balance can be phys, emotional, spiritual or combo
11
Q
- The Five Elements.
Describe.
A
-provide the foundation of the physical world (space, air, fire, water and earth)
=building blocks of all material existence
12
Q
- Doshas.
Describe.
A
- life forces; life energies
- govern all physical and mental processes of the human body and mind
13
Q
- Doshas.
State the 3 doshas.
What are they composed of?
A
-also derived from the 5 elements, but 2 elements are predominant in each
Vata – composed of space and air
Pitta – composed of fire and water
Kapha – composed of earth and water
14
Q
- Doshas.
What does each dosha correspond with?
How does this affect an indie?
A
- Corresponds with a certain body type and personality type, and a greater chance for certain health problems
- It is the varying combinations of these doshas that contributes to an individual’s unique mind-body constitution
15
Q
- Constitution/Prakruti.
Define Prakruti.
A
-a unique proportion of doshas which is derived from the union of your parent’s doshas at the time of conception
16
Q
- Constitution/Prakruti.
T/F: Prakruti can change over one’s lifetime.
A
FALSE!
-Prakruti is aunique blueprint that does NOT change over one’s lifetime
17
Q
- Constitution/Prakruti.
In most individuals, one dosha ___, and a second dosha ___
A
- Predominates
2. Strong influence
18
Q
Restate the 3 doshas & what they are composed of.
A
- Vata – composed of space and air
- Pitta – composed of fire and water
- Kapha – composed of earth and water
19
Q
- Vata
Define.
A
Vata - energy of movement
- Physical and mental qualities that reflect the elemental qualities of space and air
- Quick-thinking, thin, fast- moving
20
Q
- Vata
Vata is described as “King of Doshas”. What does that mean?
A
Gives motion to Pitta and Kapha
21
Q
- Vata (Stephanie)
List the 8 characteristics and provide examples for each.
A
- Dry: dry skin, hair; constipation
- light: thin body frame, light sleep
- cold: cold hands/feet
- rough: cracked skin, nails
- subtle: subtle fear, fine tremors
- clear: clairvoyant
- astringent: likes sweet, sour and salty
- mobile: fast walking, many dreams
22
Q
- Vata
Describe re: physiologically & psychologically.
A
-Physiologically: governs breathing, talking, nerve impulses, movements in muscles and tissues,
circulation, assimilation of food, elimination, urination, menstruation
-Psychological: governs communication, creativity, flexibility, quickness of thought
23
Q
- Vata
If balanced, what happens?
A
Active, creative, gifted with a natural ability to express and
communicate
24
Q
- Vata
If unbalanced, what happens?
A
Anxiety, bodily disorders related to dryness dry skin and constipation
25
1. Vata
| List common vata disorders.
- arthritis
- high/low bp
- urinary disorders
- headaches
- dry, scaly skin
- low energy
- chronic energy
- heart disease
- low back pain
- intolerance to cold
26
2. Pitta
| Define.
-The energy of digestion and metabolism
-Physical and mental qualities that reflect the elemental qualities of fire and water
>Fiery personality, reddish complexion
27
2. Pitta (Andrea)
| List the 11 characteristics and provide examples for each.
- hot: good digestive fire, strong apetite
- sharp: sharp teeth, distinct eyes
- light: light/medium body frame, fair shiny hair
- oily- soft oily skin, does not like deep-fried foods
- spreading- rash, acne, inflammation; want to spread their name/fame all over the country
- sour- sour acid stomach, sensitive teeth
- bitter- n/v
- pungent: heartburn, feelings of anger
- fleshy smell- foul smell under armpits or mouth
- red: flushed skin
- yellow: yellow eyes, skin
28
2. Pitta
| Describe re: physiologically & psychologically.
1. Physiologically
- Provides body with heat and energy through breakdown of food
- Governs digestion and related to hormones
2. Psychologically
- Governs joy, courage, willpower, anger, jealousy and mental perception
29
2. Pitta
| If Pitta is balanced, what happens?
Joyful disposition, sharp intellect, courage and drive
30
2. Pitta
| If Pitta is unbalanced, what happens?
(the fire of the body and mind becomes “unruly”)
- Anger, rage and ego
- Infection, inflammation, rashes, ulcers, heartburn and fever
31
2. Pitta
| List common Pitta Disorders.
- heartburn
- ulcers
- GI disorders
- rashes
- eye disorders
- intolerance to heat
32
3. Kapha
| Define.
- energy of lubrication and structure
- Provides the body with physical form and structure
- Helps maintain strength and immunity and control growth
- physical and mental qualities that reflect the elemental qualities of earth and water-> solid body frame, soft temperament
- grounded and smooth flowing
33
3. Kapha (Tae/Steph Pt II)
| List 10 characteristics and provide examples.
- heavy: heavy bones and muscles, grounded
- slow: slow walk, talk and digestion
- cold: cold clammy skin, steady appetite
- oily: oily hair, skin
- damp: congestion in chest
- smooth: smooth skin, calm nature
- soft: soft pleasing look, love, care
- static: loves sitting and doing nothing
- viscous: sticky; loves to hug
- cloudy: in early morning mind is cloudy, desires coffee
34
3. Kapha
| Describe re: physiologically & psychologically.
Physiologically
► Moistens food, lubricates joints, gives bulk to our tissues
Psychologically
► Governs love, patience, forgiveness, greed, attachments
35
3. Kapha
| If balanced, ?
Naturally good health, rugged bodies, mental peace
36
3. Kapha
| If unbalanced, ?
Obesity, nasal congestion, mucous, lethargy, depression
37
3. Kapha
| List common disorders.
- obesity
- DM
- colds/flus
- allergies
- hypothyroidism
- excessive sleeping
38
According to A philosophy, disease results when there is an imbalance of one or more of the 3 doshas.
What can an imbalance in a dosha be caused by?
1. An unhealthy diet or lifestyle
2. Too much or too little mental / physical activity
3. Not being protected from environmental factors weather, chemicals or germs
39
Dx.
| What are the 2 things you need to determine before Dx'ing an indie?
1. Prakruti: primary (dominant) dosha
>Relative balance of the 3 doshas
2. “Vikruti"
>Determine their “current state” of the doshas
40
Dx.
| What are the 3 doshic states?
1. Balanced: all 3 doshas are in equilibrium
2. Increased: one dosha is > proportion (i.e. “aggravated” or “excess state” )
3. Decreased: one dosha < proportion “reduced” or “depleted state”
41
Dx.
| Compare & contrast a person in excellent health v imbalance.
In person with excellent health, the proportions of their current state (vikruti) will be the same as their constitution (prakruti)
► An imbalance in a dosha will produce symptoms that are related to that dosha
► Tx is based on categorizing and balancing an individual’s dosha
42
Dx.
| Methods of Dx.
1. Questions: diet, lifestyle, sx
2. Observation of physical characteristics
3. Taking the pulse (each dosha is thought to make a particular kind of pulse)
4. Examining stool and urine
43
Tx.
| List 4 goals of therapy.
1. Eliminate cause of disease
2. Reduce symptoms
3. Correct and prevent doshic imbalances 4. Rebuild and support the body
44
Tx.
| List the tx options.
- yoga
- stretching
- breathing exercises
- panchakarma
- meditation
- herbs
- specific foods and diets (nutrition is very big in ayurvedic med, ie what types to eat or what types to avoid)
- tiny amounts of metal and/or mineral preps
- hands on therapy (massage of "vital points)
45
Tx.
| List the specific treatment options.
1. Panchakarma
2. Yoga
3. Meditation
4. Herbs
46
Tx.
| Describe Panchakarma.
-Cleansing – to eliminate impurities
-Combination of treatments including:
>Fasting, herbs, special diets, enemas, sweating, other therapies
47
Tx.
| Describe Yoga.
-Asanas (yoga poses and exercises) used for health
reasons
-Used to balance the doshas
-Effective in treating depression, anxiety, low back pain, HTN, obesity, increasing immune response
48
Tx.
| Describe Meditation.
Health benefits widely known and studied
49
Tx.
| Describe Herbs.
-Huge pharmacopia of herbs
>Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India=official compendium for quality standards of single drugs of plant origin
-Aware that some preparations may be mixed with metals
50
CASE
LOL
51
Does Ayurveda work?
-long hx of use
-difficult question, as holistic type ayurvedic medicine does not lend itself well to RTC's
>whole system is broken up into distinct intervention strategies
-study each intervention separately to see if effective
-interactions among tx strategies may act synergistically rather than additive and simplistic
52
List research difficulties.
1. Many studies have been small & often have methodological flaws
2. Most preps contain combos of herbs, thus difficult to know which component is having an effect
3. Need to design and structure studies to account for way it was intended to work in practice
53
List the 4 common ayurvedic herbs.
1. Ginger
2. Tumeric
3. Guggul
4. Ashwaganda
54
1. Ginger.
| List 3 tx uses.
1. Digestion
2. OA
3. N/V
55
1. Ginger.
How does it help digestion?
(hint of fats/CHO & Pr)
Dyspepsia (most common):
1. Improves digestion of fats & CHO
>MOA: increases pancreatic lipase & amylase activity & bile acid volume and secretion
2. Improves digestion of Pr
>MOA: increases pancreatic trypsin
56
1. Ginger.
| How does it help OA?
- conclusion of 5 RTCs: modestly efficacious and reasonably safe for tx of OA
- reduced pain and disability (has been shown to inhibit COX2, therefore less LTs)
57
1. Ginger.
How does it help N/V?
(hint: 1. pregs, 2. post-op, 3. chemo)
1. PREG:
-MUST use dried root not extract (too strong and can stim uterine contractions)
-found to be some benefit and no risk
POST OP
-shown to be more effective than placebo
CHEMO
-more effective than placebo
58
1. Ginger.
| List AE and DI's.
- AE: Gi upset
| - DI: anticoag effects: high doses may decrease platelet aggregation, but typical doses will have little effect
59
2. Turmeric.
| Describe.
- flowering plant in the ginger family
- flavourful spice and used as a coloring agent for both food and fabric
- main ingredient in Asian curry
- primary active agents in tumeric are the curcuminoids (iecurcumin)
- can add freely to diet or use a standardized extract
60
2. Turmeric.
| What is it good to tx? List 4.
1. Arthritis
2. Cancer prevention
3. Digestive aid
4. Alzheimer's
61
2. Turmeric.
| How does it help tx arthritis?
Anti-inflammatory effects
- curcumin inhibits 5 and 12 lipooxygenase and cyclooxygenase
- possibly effective and likely safe
62
2. Turmeric.
| How does it help Px cancer?
- may decrease the risk of colorectal, prostate, and gastric cancers
- it is bactericidal to H.Pylori and decreases adhesion to stomach mucosa (H.pylori increases risk of GI cancers and leading cause of gastric cancer)
63
2. Turmeric.
| How does it help as a digestive aid?
- salivary and gastric secretions are stimulated by the aroma and pungent taste of spices
- curcumin induces gallbladder contractions
64
2. Turmeric.
| How does it help tx Alzheimer's?
-possible correlation btwn low level of alzheimer's dementia in elderly indian pop and the consumption of tumeric (curry)
65
2. Turmeric.
| List AE, cautions, CI's.
-AE: GI upset, contact derm (minor)
-Avoid:
1. Gallstones or bile duct obstruction as curcumin induces gallbladder contraction
2. Pts on anticoag/anti-platlet as it inhibits aggregation
-CI: preg (as therapeutic dose as it causes uterine stimulation)
>BUT can use spice
66
3. Guggul.
| Describe.
- tree that grows in dry areas in India and Pakistan
| - sap has long Hx in A medicine
67
3. Guggul.
| What is it good to tx? List 4.
1. Obesity
2. Arthritis
3. Lowering cholesterol
4. Atherosclerosis
68
3. Guggul.
| Describe effects.
-1 study have shown to decrease TC, LDL, VLDL, TG and increase HDL; another more recent showed small increase in LDL
69
3. Guggul.
| T/F: Guggul is likely effective at treating obesity.
FALSE!
| ALSO insuff evidence to rate for hyperchol, OA, RA
70
3. Guggul.
| T/F: Guggul is superior to placebo.
TRUE!
71
3. Guggul.
| Proven to be generally safe, however, list some AE & CIs.
- GI upset, diarrhea most common
| - CI in preg (uterine stim)
72
3. Guggul.
| List some DIs.
- guggul decreases effectiveness of propranolol and diltiazem
- may have anticoag/antiplate effects
73
SO CLOSE!
KEEP GOING!
74
4. Ashwaganda.
The root of Ashwaganda used as rejuvenating tonic for thousands of years.
List some uses.
1. Premature aging and debility
2. Classified as "rasayana"
3. Classified as "adaptogen"
4. Often used in combo, but also alone for chronic illness and inflam disorders (anti-inflam, anti-tumor, anti-stress, anti-ox)
75
4. Ashwaganda.
| Define Rasayana.
enhances longevity, youth, memory, intellect, immunity, and physcial endurance
76
4. Ashwaganda.
| Define Adaptogen.
increase resistance to stress, general "tonic"
77
4. Ashwaganda.
| List AE's & CIs.
- insuff evidence to rate effect
- possibly safe for short term (<12wks)
- no other AE
78
4. Ashwaganda.
| T/F: Likely unsafe in preg
TRUE!
79
4. Ashwaganda.
| List DIs.
Increases effects of:
1. Barbiturates
2. Thyroid function (T4 - in large doses)
3. Hypoglycemic effects in diabetic pts
80
Safety.
| Most A Tx are safe however it is important to caution pts with some Tx. List some examples.
1. Fasting, enemas, strong herbs, use of emetics, purgatives
2. W/ re: yoga - same as any other exercise regime
3. DIs - esp. meds for high risk things such as blood thinners
4. Potentially toxic (ingredients not studied, heavy metal concerns)
81
List regulations.
>Health Canada - NPN
| >Internet
82
Describe concern w heavy metals.
-in some, heavy metals are intentionally combined w herbs w belief that they increase potency of herbs in formulation
>rasa shastra
-> mercury, lead or arsenic; study found 1/5 did contain one of these at levels that could be harmful
