Unit 2 - Ayurvedic Medicine

Question 1

T/F Ayurvedic medicine (also called Ayurveda) is one of the world’s oldest medical systems and it originated in India and has evolved there over thousands of years.

Answer 1

True.

Question 2

What is the objective of Ayurveda?

Answer 2

To integrate and balance the body, mind, and spirit.

This is believed to help prevent illness and promote wellness.

Question 3

What is the philosophy of Ayurveda?

Answer 3

People, their health, and the universe are all
thought to be related. It is believed that health problems can result when
these relationships are out of balance.

Question 4

T/F In Ayurveda, herbs, metals, massage, and other products and techniques
are used with the intent of cleansing the body and restoring balance. Some
of these products may be harmful when used on their own or when used
with conventional medicines.

Answer 4

True

Question 5

What does Ayurveda mean?

Answer 5

The term Ayurveda combines two Sanskrit words—ayur, which means life, and veda, which means science or knowledge. Ayurveda means “the science of life.”

Question 6

What is Ayurvedic medicine based off of?

Answer 6

On theories of health and illness and on the ways to prevent, manage, or treat health problems.

Question 7

Where did Ayurveda receive its basis?

Answer 7

Hinduism and some ideas evolved from ancient Persian thoughts about health and healing.

Question 8

The first two ancient books of Ayurveda, Caraka and Susruta, covered many topics like?

Answer 8

Pathology (the cause of illness), diagnosis, treatment, surgery (no longer a part of standard practice), how to care for children, lifestyle, advice for practitioners, including medical ethics and philosophy.

Question 9

When did Ayurveda become more popular in the US?

Answer 9

The late 20th century.

Question 10

What are some of the interconnectedness ideas about Ayurvedic medicine?

Answer 10

• All things in the universe (both living and nonliving) are joined together.
• Every human being contains elements that can be found in the universe.
• All people are born in a state of balance within themselves and in relation to the universe.
• This state of balance is disrupted by the processes of life. Disruptions can be physical, emotional, spiritual, or a combination. Imbalances weaken the body and make the person susceptible to disease.
• Health will be good if one’s interaction with the immediate environment is effective
  and wholesome.
• Disease arises when a person is out of harmony with the universe.

Question 11

What refers to a person’s general health, how likely he is to become out of balance, and his ability to resist and recover from disease or other health problems?

Answer 11

Constitution.

Question 12

What is constitution known as and is thought to be a unique combination of physical and psychological characteristics and the way the body functions?

Answer 12

Prakriti. It is influenced by such factors as digestion and how the body deals with waste products. It is believed to be unchanged over a person’s lifetime.

Question 13

What are the qualities called that form the important characteristics of the constitution and control the activities of the body?

Answer 13

Doshas. Practicioners of Ayurveda call the doshas by their original sankrit names: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Question 14

What is believed that each dosha is made up of?

Answer 14

One or two of the five basic elements: space, air, fire, water, and earth.

Question 15

What does each dosha hold a particular relationship with?

Answer 15

Relationship to body functions which can be upset for different reasons.

Question 16

What is particular about each person and their doshas?

Answer 16

Each person has their own balance of the three doshas, although one dosha is prominent. The doshas are constantly being formed and reformed by food, activity, and bodily processes.

Question 17

What are doshas specifically associated with in a person?

Answer 17

Certain body types, certain personality types, and a greater chance of certain types of health problems.

Question 18

What causes symptoms in the Ayurvedic whole medical system?

Answer 18

Imbalances in a dosha will produce symptoms that are related to that dosha. Symptoms of imbalances are different for each dosha.

Question 19

What can imbalances be caused by?

Answer 19

Unhealthy lifestyle or diet; too much or too little mental and physical exertion; or not being properly protected from the weather, chemicals, or germs.

Question 20

Explain elements of the vata dosha and theories behind it.

Answer 20

• Combination of space and air.
• The most powerful dosha because it controls very basic body processes such as cell division, the heart, breathing, and the mind.
• Vata dosha can be thrown off balance by, for example, staying up late at night, eating dry fruit, or eating before the previous meal is digested.
• Vatas are susceptible to skin, neurological, and mental diseases.

Question 21

Explain elements of the pitta dosha and theories behind it.

Answer 21

• Elements of fire and water.
• Controls hormones and the digestive system.
• When out of balance, a person may experience negative emotions, and physical symptoms like heart burn.
• Can be upset because of spicy or sour food, being angry, tired, or fearful; or spending too much time in the sun.
• Pitta constitution are thought to be susceptible to heart disease and arthritis.

Question 22

Explain elements of the kapha dosha and theories behind it.

Answer 22

• Elements of water and earth.
• Controls strength and immunity and growth.
• An imbalance may cause nausea immediately after eating.
• Can be aggravated by sleeping in the daytime, eating too many sweet foods, eating after one is full, and eating food and drinking beverages with too much salt and water (especially in the springtime).
• Kaphas are thought to be vunerable to diabetes, galbladder problems, stomach ulcers, and respiratory illnesses such as asthma.

Question 23

How does a practitioner decide a person’s dosha balance?

Answer 23

A series of questions that allow them to become familiar with the patient. For example lifestyle, diet, behavior, and reasons for illness. Observance of physical characteristics such as teeth, skin, eyes, and weight. Lastly, taking the person’s pulse because each dosha is thought to make a particular kind of pulse.

Question 24

What should you except when meeting an Ayurvedic practitioner at first?

Answer 24

In addition to questioning, Ayurvedic practitioners use observation, touch, therapies, and advising. During an examination, the practitioner checks the patient’s urine, stool, tongue, bodily sounds, eyes, skin, and overall appearance. He will also consider the person’s digestion, diet, personal habits, and resilience (ability to recover quickly from illness or setbacks). As part of the effort to find out what is wrong, the practitioner may prescribe some type of treatment.

Question 25

How does an Ayurvedic practitioner make a patient feel emotionally supported and comforted, which is considered important?

Answer 25

Will develop a treatment plan and may work with people who know the patient well.

Question 26

What is expected of the patient?

Answer 26

To be active in their therapy.

Question 27

What are the 4 goals of treatment?

Answer 27

Eliminate impurities - Process called panchakarma and is intended to be cleansing.
Reduce symptoms - Practitioner may suggest various options like yoga or breathing exercises. Herbs, minerals and metals may be prescribed.
Reduce worry and increase harmony in patient’s life.
Help eliminate both physical and psychological problems.

Question 28

How many “vital points” does Ayurveda propose that are in the body where life energy is stored which can be massaged to improve health?

Answer 28

107 vital points.

Question 29

Roughly how many products are included in the “pharmacy” of Ayurvedic treatments?

Answer 29

5000

Question 30

What are some ways Ayurvedic practitioners are trained and certified?

Answer 30

• Western medical tradition like nursing with a focus of Ayurveda.
• Training in naturopathic medicine before or after Ayurvedic training.
• This training can take up to 5 years.

Question 31

T/F The United States has a national standard for certifying or training Ayurvedic practitioners.

Answer 31

False. Some states do have approved Ayurvedic schools.

Question 32

T/F There are very few rigorous, controlled scientific studies have been carried out on Ayurvedic practices.

Answer 32

True.

Question 33

Where do most of the concerns about Ayurveda stem from?

Answer 33

Practices involving herbs, metals, minerals, and other materials.

Question 34

What must you keep in mind about medications in Ayurveda?

Answer 34

• Potential to be toxic.
• Materials have not been studied.
• Most medications are not regulated and they are sold as supplements.
• A study shown that out of 70 medications, 14 of them contained lead, mercury, and/or arsenic at levels that could be harmful.

Question 35

Other than toxicity, what is another challenage of Ayurvedic medications?

Answer 35

Medications consist of combinations of herbs and medications so it can be challenging to know which ones are having an effect and why. The medications could even have an affect on each other which could result in adverse reactions.