DIAGNOSIS IN AYURVEDA

Diagnosis
The Charaka Samhita recommends a tenfold examination of the patient.The qualities to be judged are:

• constitution
• abnormality
• essence
• stability
• body measurements
• diet suitability
• psychic strength
• digestive capacity
• physical fitness
• age

                   Ayurvedic practitioners approach diagnosis by using all five senses. Hearing is used to observe the condition of breathing and speech. The study of the vital pressure points or marma is of special importance.
Hygiene
            Hygiene is an Indian cultural value and a central practice of Ayurvedic medicine. Hygienic living involves regular bathing, cleansing of teeth, skin care, and eye washing. Occasional anointing of the body with oil is also prescribed.
Treatments
Ayurveda stresses the use of plant-based medicines and treatments.^[6] Hundreds of plant-based medicines are employed, including cardamom and cinnamon.^[6] Some animal products may also be used, for example milk, bones, and gallstones.^[6] In addition, fats are used both for consumption and for external use.^[6] Minerals, including sulfur, arsenic, lead, copper sulfate and gold are also consumed as prescribed.^[6] This practice of adding minerals to herbal medicine is known as rasa shastra.
In some cases, alcohol is used as a narcotic for the patient undergoing an operation.^[6] The advent of Islam introduced opium as a narcotic.^[10] Both oil and tar are used to stop bleeding.^[6] Traumatic bleeding is said to be stopped by four different methods ligation of the blood vessel; cauterisation by heat; using different herbal or animal preparations locally which facilitate clotting; and different medical preparations which constrict the bleeding or oozing vessels. Different oils may be used in a number of ways including regular consumption as a part of food, anointing, smearing, head massage, and prescribed application to infected areas.

Shrotas

         Ensuring the proper functions of channels (shrotas) that transport fluids from one point to another is a vital goal of Ayurvedic medicine, because the lack of healthy shrotas is thought to cause rheumatism, epilepsy, paralysis, convulsions, and insanity. Practitioners induce sweating and prescribe steam-based treatments as a means to open up the channels and dilute the Doshas that cause the blockages and lead to disease.