Sthaulya-A Life Style Disorder

Abstract

As we moved into rapid modernization, the lifestyle of an individual has become sedentary along with lack of exercise and there is increased popularity of fast foods leading to impairment of metabolism in an individual making him prone to series of disorders called as lifestyle disorders. Sthaulya can be included under santarpanajanya vyadhi as "Medo roga". It is a condition caused by derangement of agni, leads to amarasa, there is medodhatvagnimandya leading to improper formation of medo dhatu in excess, More than half of the Coronary Heart Diseases (CHD) are attributable to abnormalities in the levels and metabolism of plasma lipids and lipoproteins. In India, persons suffering from CHD have increased in last 20 years.According to WHO, raised serum cholesterol levels is one of the top ten causes of death throughout the world. Several modern drugs are available for the management of Sthaulya where most of them are potentially toxic, costly and are contraindicated in hepatic or renal impairment, gall bladder disease and pregnancy. There are many effective medicines and therapies are described in different classics of Ayurveda for treating Sthaulya. Ayurveda can intervene by modifying the risk factors aiming at the prevention.

Outcomes from a Whole-Systems Ayurvedic Medicine and Yoga Therapy Treatment for Obesity Pilot Study

“…Sthaulya is defined as a metabolic disorder stemming from lack of exercise, poor diet, stress, genetic predisposition, and ultimate increase in kapha dosha leading to excessive accumulation of adipose tissue, associated with accumulation of water and earth elements in the body-mind, poor digestive fire, and accumulation of toxins in the digestive tract. [38][39][40] Overeating and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to the accumulation of earth and water elements in the body, as does excess sleep, steroid medications, and psychoemotional conditions such as depression and anxiety. Earth and water are associated with the heavy, dense, slow, and cold qualities and are antagonistic to strong metabolic fire, which is sharp, light, and hot, thus contributing to slow metabolism and obesity.…”

“…2); (2) changes in mood associated with kapha aggravation; (3) media usage and excess sensory stimuli; (4) frequency, content, and intensity of yoga, breathing, and meditation; and (5) changes in relationship quality and interaction. 22,23,[38][39][40] Data were also collected through visual analog scales (VAS) with a range of 1-100 on appetite, energy, and self-awareness to represent nonspecific effects of the intervention or overall benefit. 51 Data were collected through Ayurvedic practitioner assessment, as well as patient self-report, across many time points.…”