PA03.20. Algorithm for ayurvedic management of vatarakta

PURPOSE: Ayurvedic treatment is individualised for each patient depending on a number of factors like constitution, type of disease and stage of disease. An attempt is being made to outline the treatment algorithm for Ayurvedic management of Vatarakta. METHOD: The algorithm has been developed by a careful study of the classical Ayurvedic texts of Caraka, Susruta, Vagbhata, Cakradatta and others. In addition, the clinical records of a few practitioners who have treated Vatarakta have also been examined to develop the treatment algorithm. RESULT: The classical texts of Ayurveda have discussed about the treatment of Vatarakta from the point of view of the type and stage of the disease. It is possible to create a sketch of the algorithm on the basis of textual inputs. However the texts do not explicitly provide the logistics for individualisation on the basis of constitution, digestive capacity, condition of alimentary tract and so on. These need to be derived from general principles. It has been found that actual practices by physicians do not fully correspond to the algorithm mentioned in the texts. CONCLUSION: It is possible to develop treatment algorithms for management of specific diseases by careful study of the classical texts of Ayurveda. These algorithms can be modified appropriately and fine tuned on the basis of inputs from clinical practice of experienced physicians in the field.