Abstract

ANATOMICAL CHANGES IN ASTHIVAHA SROTAS IN RELATION TO OSTEOPOROSIS

Anita* and Kumar Sudhir

Abstract

Osteoporosis has been described as Asthikshya or Asthishoshirya and Asthidoshaja vikar in Ayurvedic texts. It is a Bone Metabolic Disease usually associated with strength, mass, density and structure of bone. Osteoporosis is a skeletal metabolic disorder where quantitative reduction of bone takes place due to abnormalities in mineral deposition due to insufficient mineral supply in diet. Reduction of bone is the normal phenomenon of ageing process but some individuals lose bone tissue much faster than normal process. This leads to fragile skeleton associated with high risk of fracture. Ayurveda mentioned the lakashna of asthikshya such as praptana of kesh, loma, nakha, smshru, sandhisthilaya, asthishula, danta-nakha bhanga, rukshta etc. Asthivaha Srotas are the channels which are transporting the bone tissue. Bone tissue comprises mainly four cells i.e. osteoproginator cells, osteoblasts, osteocytes and osteoclasts; and a homogenous matrix with organic and inorganic components. The inorganic component mainly consists of hydroxyapatite. Effect on trabecular and cortical architecture leads to bone fragility. Further anatomical aspect of Asthivaha srotas in relation to srotodusti of osteoporosis will be described in full paper.

Keywords: Asthivaha Srotas, Asthikshaya, Asthidoshaja vikar, Osteoporosis.