E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Vatarakta

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2024 Volume 9 Number 7 JULY
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Conceptual Review on Vatarakta

Shakuntala HG1*, Sajjana S2
DOI:10.21760/jaims.9.7.24

1* Shakuntala HG, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Pg Studies in Moulika Siddhanta, Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Hubli, Karnataka, India.

2 Savita Sajjana, Professor, Department of Pg Studies in Moulika Siddhanta, Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Hubli, Karnataka, India.

In the present era various types of health issues are increasing day by day because of unhealthy food habits and sedentary lifestyles. Vatarakta is a disease explained in Ayurveda involving Vatadosha imbalance affecting Raktadhatu, where the Vayu gets aggravated due to Vishamayaana (travelling with improper posture), and on the other hand Rakta gets vitiated by consumption of Lavana, Amla, Katu, Kshara etc. The Vata whose passages are blocked by Rakta further undergoes vitiation and further contaminates Rakta. The Rakta vitiated by Vayu will vitiate the Rakta in whole body later gravitates towards the foot. This vicious amalgamation of vitiated Vata and Rakta is called Vatarakta. The symptoms are first manifested in the small joints of the foot. Later it gradually spreads to the upper portions of the body causing itching, pain numbness etc. symptoms in all the joints of the hands and foot. The other joints of the body are also involved in the painful picture. In association of Kapha, this Vatarakta spreads throughout the body in quick time like rat poison. In the general population the prevalence of Vatarakta (Gouty Arthritis) is between 1.3 to 3.7 % and it is most common among men. As for as Chikitsa of Vatarakta is concerned Ayurveda is considered Basti Karma is effective in the management of Vatarakta.

Keywords: Vatarakta, Basti, Vatadosha, Raktadhatu, Gouty Arthritis, Ayurveda

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Shakuntala HG, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Pg Studies in Moulika Siddhanta, Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Hubli, Karnataka, India.
Email: 		Shakuntala HG, Sajjana S, Conceptual Review on Vatarakta. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2024;9(7):162-165.
Available From
https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/3563

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2024-05-14 2024-05-22 2024-06-01 2024-06-11 2024-06-21
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
None Nil Yes 12.22

© 2024by Shakuntala HG, Sajjana Sand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

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Shakuntala HG et al. Conceptual Review on Vatarakta

Introduction

Nidana, Lakshana and Samprapti of Vatarakta are having similarity with clinical presentation of Gout explained in modern medical science. In present era due to rapid modernization in developing countries like India, people are habituated to fast food, sedentary life style etc. which has given rise to increase in number of joint disorders. Among these Vatarakta considered to be serious of its chronicity. Earlier it has affected many great personalities especially wealthier once such as kings and emperors. Recent Indian studies indicate that about 65% of patients are from middle socioeconomic classes are prone to get gout. Prevalence of gout appears to be increasing, although public awareness about condition is extremely poor. Gout is most common form of inflammatory arthritis in men (5-27 per 1000 men) and rarely occurs in women before menopause.[1] Symptoms are first manifested in small joints of foot. Later it gradually spreads to upper portions of body causing itching, pain numbness etc. symptoms in all joints of hands and foot. The other joints of body are also involved in painful picture. In association of Kapha, this Vatarakta spreads throughout body in quick time like rat poison.

Synonyms

Synonyms of Vatarakta are Adhyaroga, Adhyavata, Khudavata, Vatabalasa and Vaatashonita.[2]

Nidana (Etiology) of Vatarakta[3]

Nidana of Vatarakta includes all factors, which cause aggravation of Vata and vitiation of Rakta or both. It may be categorized into two

  • Bahya Nidana
  • Abhyantara Nidana

All etiological factors of Vatarakta are eloberated in following subtitles.

  • Aharaja Nidana
  • Viharaja Nidana
  • Manasika Nidana

Aharaja Nidana

Intake of food which are predominantly Kashaya, Katu, Tikta Rasa’s & Ruksha Guna Alpa Ahara Sevana, Abhojana. Generally, Sukumara (Delicate persons).

Viharaja Nidana

Excessive riding on elephants, horses, camels, etc.

Manasika Nidana

Krodha

Classification

Depend on site of pathogenesis[4]

  • Utthana Vatarakta - where Twak and Mamsa are involved
  • Gambhira Vatarakta- all Dhatu was taking part in pathogenesis.

Table 1: Showing types of Vatarakta on basis of chronicity

TypesC.SS.SA.SA.HM.NG.NB.PY.RH.S
Utthana+-++-+++-
Gambhira+-++-+++-

Classification according to Doshik predominance[5]

Table 2: Showing types of Vatarakta on basis of Doshik predominance

TypesC.SS.SA.SA.HM.NG.NB.PY.RH.S
Vatadhika+++++++++
Pittadhika+++++++++
Kaphadhika+++++++++
Raktadhika+++++++++
Dwandaja++++++++-
Sannipataja+++++++++

Purvarupa[6]

Atisweda, Asweda, Karshnyata, Sparsha Adnyatwa, Kshate Atiruk, Sandhi shaithilya, Alasya, Sadana, Pidakodgama, Janu, Janga, Uru, Kati, Amsa Nistoda, Sphurana, Bheda, Gourava, Supti, Kandu, Sandhi Ruk, Vaivarnya, Mandalotpatti, Sheetalata, Osha, Daha, Shopha, Twak Parushya, Sira Dhamani Spandana, Sakti Dourbalya, Atislakshna Sparsha, Khara Sparsha, Shrama, Vrana Adhika Shoola, Vrana Chira Sthiti, Roma Harsha, Asrija Kshaya in affected part.

Rupa[7]

Kandu, Daha, Ruja, Ayama, Toda, Sphurana, Kunchana, Shyava Twak, Rakta Twak, Tamra Twak, Bheda, Gourava, Suptata of affected Sandhi.

Samprapti of Vatarakta[8]

Nidana Sevana
↓


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Vata Prakopaka Nidana like Lavana, Ksharadi Sevana and Haya, Ushtradiyana

↓

Vata and Rakta Dushti

↓

Obstruction to the path of Dushita Vata by Dushita Rakta

↓

Vata gets vitiate further and vitiates Dushita Rakta again

↓

(Mutual obstruction of path by each other) Rakta gets Avarana by Vata

↓

Spreads through Srotas by Sukshmatwa, Chalatwa of Vayu and Saratwa and Dravatwa of Rakta

↓

Takes Ashraya in Kara Pada Anguli and Sarvasandhies and produces Vakrata in Sandhi

↓

Vatarakta

Sadhyasadhyata of Vatarakta[9]

Sadhya

  • If Vatarakta caused by only one Dosha
  • No Upadrava
  • Freshly occurred
  • If patient is strong, who have good will power and proper availability of medicaments.

Yapya

  • If caused by two Dosha
  • Without Upadravas
  • If having one year duration or more
  • If patient is strong, self controlled and with sufficient means.

Asadhya

  • If caused by all three Dosha
  • Associated with Upadravas
  • Having complications like Aajanusuptita

Chikitsa of Vatarakta[10]

Rakta Mokshana

Though the Raktamokshana is one of the treatments in Vatarakta excessive bleeding may further vitiate the Vata Dosha of Vatarakta hence frequent employment of Raktamokshana in small amounts is always justified.

General line of treatment

  • In the beginning Snehana should be done. There after he should be given Virechana with Sneha Dravyas (if person is of Ruksha Shareera) or with Ruksha Virechana (if person is of Atisnigdha Shareera). Virechana should be mild in nature, as Tikshna Virechana will leads to Vata Prakopa. Then patient should be administered with Nirooha and Anuvasana Basti
  • Seka, Pradeha, Abhyanga, with Avidahi Dravya and [11]

Specific line of treatment

According to Acharya Charaka as the disease Vatarakta is of two types, accordingly treatment should be adopted i.e.

  • In Uttana Vatarakta - Alepa, Abyanga, Parisheka, Upanaha.
  • In Gambhira Vatarakta - Virechana, Asthapana Basti, Snehapana.[12]

Discussion

According to Acharyas other than these Nidana, Haya Ushtradi Yana, Jala Kreeda etc. are the specific Nidana of Vatarakta. Likewise, now a day, one who travels more over the vehicles may be more susceptible to disease Vatarakta, because continuous traveling may lead to the venous pooling in the distal parts of the lower limbs. The venous pooling i.e., the blood stays more in these parts because of gravitational force, this stagnated blood with raised levels of serum uric acid may lead to the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints. The movement of Vatadosha is inhibited by the unique pathology of Raktamargavarana in Vatarakta. This in turn initially manifest with certain clinical signs and symptoms in the form of Purvarupa. Alteration in the color and texture of the skin in the affected part, alteration in sweating, alteration in the sensation, different forms of pain and similar other manifestations are listed as Purvarupa.


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Ayurveda explains Shodhana Chikitsa, Shamana Chikitsa, and Rasayana Prayoga. Shodhana Chikitsa is considered as the best line of treatment for as the main line of approach is to eliminate the Sanchita Mala and to bring back Vata and Rakta to its normalcy. Among the Shodhana procedures Basti and Virechana are is considered as the main line of treatment for Vatarakta. Hence for the present study it is planned to evaluate the efficacy of Basti in management of Vatarakta.

Conclusion

Nidana of Vatadosha and Raktadhatu like Adyashana Ativyayama Alpanidra will separately or together can result in the Vikruti of Vata Dosha as well as Pradusti of Raktadhatu. Vitiated Vata Dosha further cause vitiation of Raktha Dhatu which causes Margavarana. Vitiated Vata Dosha takes Ashraya in Parvasthi Sandhi causing clinical signs and symptoms of Vatarakta. It has two stages i.e. Uttana and Gambhira. Gambhira Vatarakta mainly affects Asthi,Majja Dhatus and causes Ruja spreads as Aakur Visha. Among Vatahara and Raktaprasadaka remedies, Shodhana Procedures like Basti is main protocol of Chikitsa. As reoccurrence of Vatarakta is very common; so long-term treatment like Basti is essential for cure of the disease.

References

1. arthritis- india.com

2. Yadavji Trikamaji Acharya, Agnivesha, Charaka Samhita, with Ayurveda Dipika Commentary by Chakrapani, Chikitsa sthana, 29th chapter, Shloka No.1, Chakrapani commentary, verse 26, Chaukhamba Publication New Delhi. Reprint 2011, Page no.-627.

3. Yadavji Trikamaji Acharya, Agnivesha, Charaka Samhita, with Ayurveda Dipika Commentary by Chakrapani, Chikitsa sthana, 29th chapter, Shloka No.1, Chakrapani commentary, verse 26, Chaukhamba Publication New Delhi. Reprint 2011, Page no.-627. And Su.Ni.1/40-59.

4. Yadavji Trikamaji Acharya, Agnivesha, Charaka Samhita, with Ayurveda Dipika Commentary by Chakrapani, Chikitsa sthana, 29th chapter, Shloka No.19, Chakrapani commentary, verse 26, Chaukhamba Publication New Delhi. Reprint 2011, Page no.-628. And Su.Ni.5/1-3. A.Hr.Ni.16/1-3.

5. Hamsarajabhodhini tika Samhita, Vataraktaroga Nidanam, Shloka. No.1-12. Page. No.74

6. Yadavji Trikamaji Acharya, Agnivesha, Charaka Samhita, with Ayurveda Dipika Commentary by Chakrapani, Chikitsa sthana, 29th chapter, Shloka No.16, Chakrapani commentary, verse 26, Chaukhamba Publication New Delhi. Reprint 2011, Page no.-628.

7. Yadavji Trikamaji Acharya, Agnivesha, Charaka Samhita, with Ayurveda Dipika Commentary by Chakrapani, Chikitsa sthana, 29th chapter, Shloka No.20, Chakrapani commentary, verse 26, Chaukhamba Publication New Delhi. Reprint 2011, Page no.-628.

8. Yadavji Trikamaji Acharya, Agnivesha, Charaka Samhita, with Ayurveda Dipika Commentary by Chakrapani, Chikitsa sthana, 29th chapter, Shloka No.11, Chakrapani commentary, verse 26, Chaukhamba Publication New Delhi. Reprint 2011, Page no.-628.

9. Yadavji Trikamaji Acharya, Agnivesha, Charaka Samhita, with Ayurveda Dipika Commentary by Chakrapani, Chikitsa sthana, 29th chapter, Shloka No.29, Chakrapani commentary, verse 26, Chaukhamba Publication New Delhi. Reprint 2011, Page no.-627-638.

10. Yadavji Trikamaji Acharya, Agnivesha, Charaka Samhita, with Ayurveda Dipika Commentary by Chakrapani, Chikitsa sthana, 29th chapter, Shloka No.36, Chakrapani commentary, verse 26, Chaukhamba Publication New Delhi. Reprint 2011, Page no.-629.

11. Yadavji Trikamaji Acharya, Agnivesha, Charaka Samhita, with Ayurveda Dipika Commentary by Chakrapani, Chikitsa sthana, 29th chapter, Shloka No.41, Chakrapani commentary, verse 26, Chaukhamba Publication New Delhi. Reprint 2011, Page no.-629.

12. Yadavji Trikamaji Acharya, Agnivesha, Charaka Samhita, with Ayurveda Dipika Commentary by Chakrapani, Chikitsa sthana, 29th chapter, Shloka No.42, Chakrapani commentary, verse 26, Chaukhamba Publication New Delhi. Reprint 2011, Page no.-629-1630.


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