Ajirna Samanya Laksana – General symptoms of indigestion

Diarrhea or constipation, exhaustion, inactivity of Vata, distension of the abdomen, feeling of heaviness and dizziness are the general symptoms of Ajirna (indigestion).

Ajirna Anyakaranani – other causes of indigestion

Consuming large quantity of food is not the only cause for production of Ama Dosha; foods which are disliked, which cause flatulence, which are over-cooked or uncooked, which are not easily digestible, which are dry, very cold, dirty (contaminated), which cause burning sensation during digestion, which are dried up or soaked in more water, do not undergo proper digestion; so also the food consumed by persons afflicted with grief, anger, excess hunger etc.

Ajirna Bheda – Different kinds of Indigestion

Vitiation of Kapha causes ”Ama Ajeerna” It is characterized with swelling of the eyes socket and cheeks, belching similar to those which come up immediately after meals, excess salivation, nausea and heaviness of the body.

Vishthabdha ajirna – this type of indigestion is caused due to vitiated Vata and is characterized by pain in the abdomen, constipation, flatulence and debility.

Vidagdha ajirna – this type of indigestion is due to vitiated Pitta and has thirst, fainting, dizziness, giddiness, sour belching and burning sensation as its symptoms.

Ajirna Chikitsa – Treatment of Indigestion

For Ama ajirna, Langhana – fasting should be done;|
For Vishtabdha Ajirna, Swedana (sudation therapy) should be done;
For Vidagdha ajirna, Vamana (emesis therapy) should be done, or any therapy appropriate to the stage of the disease can be done.

Vilambika Disease

Vilambika is another kind of indigestion occurs due to profound accumulation of Ama inside the channels. It is caused due to vitiation of Kapha and Vata, and has all the symptoms of Ama; its treatment also is similar to that of Ama.

Rasashesha Ajeerna -another type of indigestion

Rasashesha ajeerna – Lack of enthusiasm, discomfort in the region of the heart in spite of pure belching are the features of Rasashesha ajirna – another kind of indigestion. Such a person should sleep for some time during day without eating anything.

Patient of indigestion of any type should sleep during day without taking any food, later, when he develops hunger he should eat little quantity of easily digestible food.

Ama Dosha

Persons who indulges in
Viruddha Ashana – taking incompatible foods,
Adhyashana – taking excess food
Ajeerna Ashana – Eating over undigested food,
develops the dreaded Amadosa which is similar to poison. Hence it is also called as Amavisha (undigested food poison). Such a person should be refused for treatment because of its similarity with poison, quickness in causing death and requiring treatments of opposite nature to one another Doshas and qualities.

Aama Dosha Chikitsa

The patient of indigestion though having severe abdominal pain should not take pain killing drugs; the Agni – digestive fire which is associated with Ama – improperly processed metabolites will not be able to digest the Doshas, drugs and food; the severe troubles arising from these three will soon kill the patient.
After the food is found digested, if stiffness and heaviness of the abdomen persisting, then the medicines should be given to digest the residue Doshas and to stimulate the Agni – digestive power.

Diseases produced by Ama – undigested food, become relieved by Apatarpana (non-nourishment);

Three kinds of Apatarpana, appropriate to the three Doshas should be adopted after careful consideration of all aspects.
If Ama is little, only Langhana (fasting) will be suitable,
If it is moderate, Langhana (fasting) and Pachana – digestive drugs are needed;
If it is severe, then Shodhana (purification Panchakarma therapy) is necessary; for these will expel out the Dosha and Ama from the very root.

Treatment principle for diseases

Even the other diseases should be treated by adopting treatments which are opposite of their causative factors. It is called as Hetu Viparyaya Chikitsa. Hetu means causative factors. If, however, the diseases reoccur or persist for long time then the Hetu Viparyaya should be given up and disease specific treatment should be adopted. It is called as Vyadhi Viparyaya Chikitsa.

Or Tadarthakari Chikitsa (therapies which, though not actually opposite of either the cause or the diseases still produce the desired result) should be adopted;
When the Doshas have returned to normal, when the Ama is completely relieved, when digestion activity is completely restored to normalcy, then oil-bath, drinking of oil (oleation therapies) and enema therapy, etc. should be administered appropriately to gain the lost strength in the patient.