Introduction
Ayurveda is a holistic healthcare approach that deals with changing one's lifestyle as well as treating and preventing disease. In the Ayurvedic system, epidemics are referred to as Janopadodhwansa and are caused by vitiated Vayu-Jala-Bhumi-Kala.[1]
These deteriorate mostly as a result of human contamination, which is connected to Adharma. According to Acharya Charaka. Adharma is the primary cause of Janopadodhwansa.[2]
Polluted soil, water, and air are the cause of numerous ailments. Before learning about disease treatment, it is important to grasp what exactly an epidemic is and the impact that rising levels of environmental pollution have on societal health.
Additionally, determine if there is any connection between Charakokta Janopadodhwansa and the current epidemics. Detoxification measures (Shodhan Chikitsa), Rasayan Chikitsa, and lifestyle modification are a few strategies that can be used to control epidemic diseases and so restore health.[3]
Aim and Objectives
1. To study the Role of Environmental Pollution in Epidemics.
2. Management of epidemics according to Ayurveda.
Materials and Methods
Various Ayurvedic and Modern texts, Samhitas, Published articles and information available on the internet was used.
Pollution
Pollutionis the introduction ofcontaminantsinto the natural environment that cause adverse change.[4] According to the WHO (World Health Organization), environmental pollution kills more than seven million people around the world every year.[5]
Impact of pollution
1. Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases: High levels of air pollution, particularly from pollutants like fine particulate matter and harmful gases, can lead to respiratory issues. This can potentially increase the severity and spread of epidemics such as flu or respiratory viruses.
2. Pollution and Waterborne Diseases: Contaminated water sources due to pollutants like sewage, industrial waste, or chemical runoff can lead to waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea and hepatitis.
3. Vector-Borne Diseases: Pollution can disrupt ecosystems and influence the distribution of disease-carrying vectors, like mosquitoes.
Changes in temperature, humidity, and habitat due to pollution can expand the geographic range of these vectors, increasing the risk of diseases like malaria, dengue, and Zika spreading to new areas.
4. Immunosuppression:Prolonged exposure to environmental pollutants, such as heavy metals or persistent organic pollutants, can weaken the immune system.
A compromised immune system can make individuals more susceptible to infections, potentially facilitating epidemic outbreaks.
5. Climate Change: Climate change driven by environmental factors can affect the geographic distribution and transmission patterns of infectious diseases. Changes in temperature and precipitation can create new conditions conducive to epidemics.
Janopaddhwansa
Janapada - Community
Udhwansa - Destruction
Factors responsible for Janopaddhwansa
1. Vayu
2. Udaka
3. Desha
4. Kala
Vikrut Vayu
Uncharacteristic of the season, i.e., flowing highly erratically or quickly, harsh, extremely cold, extremely hot, extremely dry, and full of moisture (typically, such winds do not bring rain) The air is contaminated (filthy) with steam, sand, dust, and smoke, and it was exceedingly whirling (whirling, whirlwind, etc.), very harmful in sound, coming from many directions and crashing with each other.[6]
Vikrut Jala
Polluted water has significantly altered scent, colour; it is hazy. Aquatic birds have abandoned water. The reservoir has dried up; or animals (fish, etc.) that live there have died or deteriorated.[7]
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