A correlative study of Shosha, As a ‘Rasavaha Srotovidda Lakshana’ with emaciation caused by ‘Short Bowel Syndrome’

Abstract

Human body is made up of numerous channels of transportation through which the Dhatus circulate. These channels are termed as ‘Srotas’. The concept of Srotas is explained very scientifically and distinctly in Ayurvedic texts. It is stated that, any corporeal entity do not arise or decay without the Srotases. There are divergent opinions regarding the number of Srotas. Charaka has explained 13 Srotas while Sushruta has mentioned 11 pairs of Srotas. Rasavaha Srotas, as explained by both the Acharyas, has its root in Hridaya and Rasavaha Dasha Dhamani. This particular Srotas is concerned with the absorption of Ahararasa and nourishing the subsequent Dhatus. When the Srotas is vitiated due to various causes, the nutrition to the subsequent Dhatus is disturbed, which may lead to the depletion of Dhatus resulting into Shosha i.e., emaciation. The ‘Short Bowel Syndrome’ is a disorder clinically defined by malabsorption, diarrhoea, steatorrhoea, malnutrition as well as fluid and electrolyte disturbances. All these conditions give rise to the malnourishment leading to the condition called ‘emaciation’. The clinical findings of emaciation resemble the signs and symptoms of Shosha explained in Ayurveda as a Viddalakshana of Rasavaha Srotas. Since the malabsorption is a common finding in both, the disorder emaciation can be correlated with Shosha. In this article, an attempt has been made to establish the co-relation between the Shosha due to the vitiation or injury to Rasavaha Srotas with its applied aspects.