Abstract

DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC TOXICITY OF ALCOHOL AND ITS WITHDRAWAL THROUGH AYURVEDA

Dr. Sandeep Charak*, Dr. Monika Sharma and Dr. Sharad M. Porte

Abstract

Alcohol, acute alcoholism, chronic alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal has been mentioned in Ayurveda under the heading of Madhya, mada, madatya and panapkaram respectively. Chronic toxicity of alcohol has been classified into vataj, pittaj, kaphaj and tridoshaj madatya with its clinical manifestation in Ayurveda while in modern science it is described under the systemic toxicity of gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, cardiovascular system, hematological system and reproductive system. Acharya kashyap has described panapkarm which means sudden stop of alcohol by chronic drinkers, which is similar to alcohol withdrawal syndrom. Vata and pitta dosha vikriti along with vatavaha, sanghavaha, annavaha and rasavaha srotas vikriti will be found in chronic toxicity of alcohol, while in alcohol withdrawal syndrome vikriti of all the three doshas and two manas doshas along with annavaha, vatavaha, manovaha swedavaha, and sanghyavaha srotas will be found. Trividh pariksha and ashtvidha pariksha should be done to rule out severity of chronic toxicity and withdrawal before treatment. Alcohol withdrawal should be managed by using psychological counseling, anticraving, antianxiety agents and other symptomatic drugs. Shirodhara, shiropicchu, shiroabhyang, Hastabhyang and Padaabhyang, Yoga and meditation these procedures will be prove beneficial during the management of alcohol withdrawal. The toxicity will be manage by using appropriate antitoxic herbo-mineral drugs for concern disease. Appropriate pathya will be proved beneficial to decrease the withdrawal and toxicity of alcohol. Thus Ayurveda may play a major role to manage chronic toxicity of alcohol and its withdrawal.

Keywords: Madatya, Alcoholism, alcohol withdrawal etc.