Pravahika, as described in the Ayurvedic texts, can be compared with the dysentery. Pravahika is caused by the infection of Entamoeba histolytica, a Protozoan. Pravahika is diagnosed by the symptoms of diarrhoea with blood and mucus, flatulence, abdominal cramps and pyrexia. Laboratory investigations included the stool examination for the presence of amoebic cysts.
Pathogenesis of Pravahika (Amoebiasis)
When Vata, the biological air aggravates and associates with Kapha, the biological water, produces the disease called “Pravahika”. Pravahika is vyadhi of Annavaha Srotas (Channels of circulation dealing with food) and Pureeshvaha Srotas (Channels of circulation dealing with feces). Agnimandya (indigestion) is the root cause of Pravahika.
Acharya Sushruta and Madhav nidankar has given the clearest idea about the samprapti of the disease Pravahika. Charak, the great Indian physician and Vagbhata has elaborated the samprapti (pathogenesis) of Atisara (diarrhea). In Atisara, there is loss of drava dhatu (tissue-fluid) and in the Pravahika there is loss of kapha (the biological water) with feces. The vata (the biological air) and kapha (the biological water) are involved in the pathogenesis of Pravahika.
The aggravated vata (the biological air) drags accumulated kapha (the biological water) From Amashaya (Stomach) and bring it to Pakwashaya (Large intestine). Due to ruksha (ununctuous) and khar (rough) guna (physical property) of vata (the biological air) and snigdha (unctuous) guna of kledak kapha (Kapha responsible for lubrication), obstruction is created.
Kapha adheres to the walls of pakwashaya (Large intestine) internally. Because of that Vata (the biological air) requires more force to expel kapha (the biological air) out. The patient develops Pravahan i.e. forceful defecation or tenesmus. Thus, by more and more Pravahan, there is repeated defecation containing kapha. This process is called as Pravahika. It is characterized by defaecation of stools with small quantity of shleshma (Mucus) and rakta (if pitta is involved) frequently accompanied with tenesmus.
Vaghbhata says Agnimandya (indigestion) is the major culprit behind all the diseases. Hence, in Pravahika, Agnimandya is vital factor as far as pathogensis is concerned. Agnimandya is produced by dravaguni kledak kapha (lubricating biological water). Agnimandya further effects prakruta saman vayu (variety of vata in the digestive system), because samana vayu and agni are closely allied to each other, hence function of samana vayu is also hampered, it results in impaired digestion. Agnimandya produce Ama, due to Ama, srotorodha (obstruction in the channels of circulation) is produced, this cycle continues. Aggravated vata tries to expel out the accumulated kapha from the large intestine. Due to disturbance in the properties of accumulated kapha, there is increased urge for stool passing. This type of stool passing is abnormal as compared to natural stool passing. Such abnormal stool passing denotes an impaired function of Apana Vayu.
Clinical Features
According to the Ayurveda, Pravahika is Characterized by:-
- Alpalapam-small quantity
- Bahusam-frequency
- Sapicham (jelly-like mucus)
- Sapravahikam (straining i.e. a very intense urge again caused by the irritant effect of mucus)
- Saraktam (blood in stool)
- Sashulam (with pain)
- Upveshyte (urgency of defecation).
Types
- Vataj pravahika (Dysentery caused by aggravation of the biological air): Vataj pravahika is characterized by frequent defecation with pain.
- Pittaj pravahika (Dysentery caused by aggravation of the biological fire): Pittaj pravahika is characterized by burning sensation.
- Kaphaj pravahika (Dysentery caused by aggravation of the biological water): Kaphaj pravahika is characterized by mucus in stools.
- Raktaj pravahika (Dysentery caused by aggravation of the blood): Raktaj pravahika is characterized with blood in stools.
Herbal Remedies for Pravahika (Amoebiasis)
According to Ayurveda Pravahika is known as atisara (Diarrhoea) usually kapha gets aggravated in stomach & intestines. Along with kapha vata pulls down the accumulated kapha & eliminate stool with mucus. Planet Ayurveda offers best quality herbs and herbal remedies for ayurvedic treatment of Amoebiasis (Amoebic dysentery).
- Sanjivani Vati is highly effective remedy providing statistically highly significant relief in clinical symptoms associated with pravahika. These classical herbal tablets contain herbs that relives signs & symptoms of pravahika easily. Two-four tablets, twice a day is the ideal dosage.
- Digestion Support, A proprietary Ayurvedic medicine, are clinically-tested for improving digestion, detoxifying ama and improving other symptoms associated with pravahika. As the name suggests, it helps in proper digestion of food. It is a natural herbal supplement that contains herb that prevent pravahika. One to two capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.
- Kutajghan Vati is highly effective remedy providing statistically highly significant relief in clinical symptoms associated with pravahika with reference to Amoebiasis. Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica) is the main ingredients of this formulation. Two-four tablets, twice or thrice a day is the ideal dosage.
- Chitrkadi Vati is very efficacious in promoting appetite and restoring the digestion. Take one to tablet twice daily with plain water after meals.
- Belgiri Churna – Take half teaspoonful (2.5 g) of Belgiri churna twice or thrice a day with plain water after meals for diarrhoea associated with pravahika.
- Mahashankh Vati is highly effective remedy providing statistically highly significant relief in pain associated with pravahika. Two tablets, twice a day is the ideal dosage with plain water.
Precautions or Diet
Dietary restriction has its own importance in treating pravahika. Buttermilk is the mainstay of the treatment. Salt, spice and water should be avoided.
Conclusion
Pravahika is the outcome of ama accumulation it the gut. In treating Pravahika from Ayurvedic point of view, neutralizing the toxins in the intestine is the mainstay of the treatment.
