#7 - Status Update

Hello,

I just wanted to post a quick update while I am still in India.

The internet speed was finally fast enough for me to upload the first video (link here: https://youtu.be/mEWzK_jIrco).

My internship has now come to an end. I worked about 15 hours a day total, including weekends.

One thing that really struck me as different was how hospitals in general are run here in India (I don't want to make a generalization but many of them are similar to the one I interned at).

Typically, the patient comes in and requests to meet the doctor (similar to admitting procedures in the States) but here, the doctor sometimes sees many patients at once or sometimes even offers confections like tea or biscuits to the patients. Sometimes the patients even brought the doctor gifts or sweets as they were leaving (it was interesting to see these types of interactions).

In this specific hospital, since it is related to Ayurveda, the doctor even offered financial and relationship counseling along with the regular diagnosis because Ayurveda believes in fixing one's routine first.

At the Patanjali Hospital, many patients assumed I was a doctor and even asked me to treat them! This was probably because I was always seen with the doctor but since the doctor sometimes even let me conduct examinations, I enjoyed my time here and got to interact with patients in a new way.

Until next time,
Aashi :D

#6 - The Internship

Hello Everyone~

This week at the Patanjali Institute was really eye opening. Right away upon arrival, I was able to assess patients and help in the diagnosis process.

The first day was spent working with the doctors and making sure that I understood the process of diagnosis that the doctors use at the hospital.

By interning with Dr. Pandey this week, I have learned that Ayurveda is not just about the disease, but also about emotions and the way the patient lives.

Earlier I said I would explain the meaning of the doshas. Once a patients doshas are known, they serve to help identify what is out of balance in the body. The doctor asks the patient questions about the patients family relations, the type of job they have, and their current mood to help identify the level of stress present.

While I was learning about the diseases and the medicines on the first day, Dr. Pandey stated that a lot of the diseases that are present nowadays are due to increasing  levels of stress. More and more people are getting surrounded by stressful situations and distractions which results in a dis-balance of the doshas.

Similar to how western medicine has systems (eg: the digestive system, the circulatory system), Ayurveda has srotas (they are more defined than the ones present in western medicine).

For my research, I am focusing specifically on the Annavaha Srota which extends from the mouth to the appendix. The root of all diseases in this tract is a slow digestive fire (this is important because the stomach has the element fire as one of its components).

The Annavaha Srota is home to diseases like Anorexia, Dyspepsia, Flatulence, Distension, Constipation, Sprue Syndrome, Emesis, Hyperacidity, Gastric Ulcers, Duodenal Ulcers, Ulcerative Colitis, and other Abdominal Diseases.

Happy Reading :)
Aashi~

#5 - It finally begins

Hello Everyone~

After a long journey of 27 hours, I have finally made it into the land known for its rich culture, India.
Immediately upon arrival, I experienced a culture shock. The way of living is just so drastically different here. I will edit this post later on once I upload a you tube video documenting my first day here.

Currently, I am packing to finally start my internship at the institute tomorrow while simultaneously fighting jetlag.

The link to the video : https://youtu.be/mEWzK_jIrco

I will also include some photos I took on the journey to where I am staying.



Congested traffic (and autos! the vehicle in yellow):

Vegetable markets on the side of the road:

India Gate:

Roads in the capital of India, New Delhi: 

Small temple next to a train station:

Even more congested traffic:

Until next time~
Aashi :D