A CONCEPTUAL STUDY ON THE ETIOPATHOGENESIS OF ASTHIKSHAYA W.S.R TO SENILE OSTEOPOROSIS

Abstract

Ayurveda emphasizes that harmony between Dosha, Dhatu, and Mala contributes to good health while their vitiation causes illness. There are four main causes for their vitiation, i.e., Sharirika (physical), Manasika (mental), Agantuja (accidental), and Swabhawaja (natural). Natural causes are those that automatically give rise to certain conditions like old age and, eventually death. According to Ayurveda, there is a predominance of Vata Dosha in old age, which causes degeneration of body tissues. Senile osteoporosis represents a condition of bone loss that results from aging. With a rise in older population due to increased life expectancy, osteoporosis has become a serious problem among elders because its prevalence increases with age. Considering the causes of Vata vitiation and Asthikshaya as same and Vata dominance in old age, the etiopathogenesis of Asthikshaya can be understood in relation with senile osteoporosis. In this study, effort has been made to understand the etiopathogenesis of bone loss in elderly.