Description of 18 types of bhutonmada or grahonmada (psychiatric diseases caused by idiopathic factors) has been documented by Maharshi Vagbhata. Pischacha grahonmada (PG) is one among those 18 types. No works are available on PG till date. The concept of PG and its clinical application is unclear due to the scarcity of published literature on this topic. The aim of the present study is to explore the condition of PG in terms of contemporary psychiatric literature. Ayurvedic literature pertaining to “Pishacha grahonmada” has been collected from major classical Ayurvedic texts and their commentaries. Electronic databases have been searched to find out the relevant psychiatric and/or neuropsychiatric conditions which are similar to PG by using relevant keywords. PG is characterized by clinical features like Aswastha chittam (feeling uneasy), naikatra tishtantam (unable to sit at one place), paridhaavinam (wandering/pacing/running), dayita nritya geeta haasa ucchishta ratim (hypomania or mania like features), madya maamsa ratim (fond of eating meat, alcohol abuse), shunya nivaasa ratim (staying alone/social withdrawal), nirbhartsanaat (threatening others), deena shankita vadanam (depression with suspiciousness), nakhai aatma vapushi likhantam (self-injurious behavior with nails), nashta smriti (memory loss), baddhaabaddha bhaashinam (irrelevant speech), akasmaat rudantam (crying suddenly), dukhaani aavedayamaana (sharing his sorrows to everyone)/dukhaani avedayamaana (unable to feel pain), uddhvasta (nakedness), rooksha deha and swara (rough emaciated body and voice), durgandham/ashuchi (unhygienic), rathya chaila trina aabharanam (gross abnormal behavior), and bahvaashinam (hyperphagia). “Nashta smriti” is the unique symptom of PG and it denotes memory impairment commonly seen in conditions like dementia. The clinical features of PG have shown similarity with “Frontotemporal dementia” associated with malnutrition and/or Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency. The present study provides inputs for future research works.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

The communicable diseases including tuberculosis, HIV, measles, plague, flu, Ebola, and coronaviruses are contagious in nature and mostly caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. They generally spread through air, direct contact with contaminated surfaces, body fluids, blood, and respiratory droplets. Recently, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus disease-2019 as a worldwide pandemic disease. The coronavirus is an enveloped positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome virus that causes respiratory tract infections in humans, birds, and bats. A definite treatment for this disease is not yet available, and the disease is spreading continuously worldwide. It is challenging for healthcare fraternity to restrain its spread. The traditional medical care may be helpful, so it is needed to explore the herbal sources to combat this pandemic situation. Thorough study of Ayurveda literature, Various indications find regarding prevention of communicable diseases. The ancient Ayurveda and traditional care have description of epidemic, along with their management, under the heading Janapadodhwamsa (Mahamari) with their management. Furthermore, categorization of the Aoupasargik Roga/Sankramak Roga indicates the significance attributed to contagious nature of these communicable diseases. Appropriate lifestyle measures such as good personal conduct, balanced nutritious diet, and guided social behavior would complement to prevent the spread of these diseases. This is an attempt to briefly review the role of traditional medical care in preventing the spread of communicable diseases.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]