Diagnostic aid in Ayurveda - Nadi Pariksha

Nadi Pariksha is the ancient art and science of detecting the existing status of a person’s body, mind, soul and spirit. It is used as diagnostic, prognostic tool and determine the Prakruti (body constitution), Vikruti, status of Dosha in each organ and effect on Dhatus, Manas and Sukshma Sharir. It is a noninvasive science that helps to reach root cause of disease and not just the symptoms. There are very few ancient texts which have been completely dedicated to the above topic. Concept of Nadi Pariksha found in various ancient Ayurved Samhitas like, Bhavprakash, Sharangdhar Samhita, Yogratnakara, Nadi Pariksha by Ravansamhita, Nadivigyan by Kanad. Pulse diagnosis was initially identified in the books of Sharangdhar Samhita in the 13th century highlighting the correlation between Nadi and Tridosha. Later, in the 16th century it was again mentioned in ‘Bhavprakash’ scripted by Shri Bhav Mishrji. However, Nadi Pariksha gained its significance during the 17th century in Yogratnakara through 48 shlokas, detailing the science of Nadi. The examinations of Nadi Pariksha (Pulse examination) are evidence of many diseases as per Yogratnakara. In Charaka and Sushruta Samhita information about Nadi is not found separately. Nadi Parikshan requires expertise who has long experience and skill of reading the pulses for any disease diagnosis. They were popular diagnostic tools in the past but nowadays not specifically used, so there is need to re-establish their results so that they can be used in future. Several problems that remain undiagnosed even with the aid of sophisticated diagnostic tests can be accurately judged by examining the pulse

LIFESTYLE-RELATED PREDICTORS OF TESTOSTERONE DEFICIENCY AMONG MALE PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC SPINAL CORD INJURY

Objectives: In the current study the author evaluated the prevalence of low testosterone and its independent predictors among male patients with chronic SCI. Design: This descriptive type of observational study was conducted in department of PMR of SMS medical college. Method: In this cross-sectional study, 120 patients of chronic SCI were recruited, serum testosterone level was assessed and testosterone level below 300ng/dl was considered as low. The following eight suspected independent predictors for low testosterone level were assessed:- Age, body mass index (BMI), nicotine users, total lipid profile, level of injury, ASIA impairment scale, LTPA score (h/week) by LTPA questionnaire, AMS score by AMS questionnaire. Results: The mean age of patient’s was 33.2 ± 7.8 years. Patients with low testosterone exhibited a significant association with dorsal spinal cord injury (70.9%), motor complete (ASIA A & B) SCI (76.4%), nicotine use (65.5%), higher  triglyceride level (168.5mg/dl), higher total lipid level (712.9mg/dl), and higher AMS questionnaire score (35.7). Patients with low testosterone were found to be engaged in lower (9.4hour/week) LTPA. Significant negative correlation of total testosterone levels was observed with triglyceride (TG) (r=-0.184, p value= 0.044), total lipid (r= -0.570, p-value <0.001), BMI (r= -0.504, p-value < 0.001), and AMS Scores (r= -0.549, p-value <0.001). Whereas there was a significant positive correlation observed between total testosterone and LTPA (r= 0.380, p-value <0.001). Conclusion:  The prevalence of low testosterone is found 45.8% and BMI, LPTA, AMS, and total lipids are identifies as an independent predictors of low testosterone. &nbsp