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Tuesday, May 10, 2016
#10 - The Analysis
Hi~
Based on the results of my previous posts, the overall consensus is that Ayurveda does have an effect however I don't believe the answer is so black and white. Rather than that, I think that over the course of my internship my research question has modified from which method is better to how these two methods can work in conjugation.
Since the ayurvedic medicines are all natural, there are no side effects to any taken. They also don't react with any allopathic medicines being taken. In fact, often times if a problem was severe enough, the doctor recommended that the patient continue the regular medicines combined along with Ayurveda to ensure that the patients body is in the best state that it can be.
I don't think that Ayurveda can be a sustainable practice o its own primarily because of the 90% result i received from the data. Since Ayurveda is so heavily reliant on a patients lifestyle and not every patient is willing to make the change to lead a healthier lifestyle, it doesn't have the same effect on all people. However, with the PPIs, there is a guaranteed effect, provided that the list of side effects does exist.
I think to further my studies, I would conduct clinical trials to gather more concrete data on its efficiency and then compare those results with the efficient of PPIs.
This internship has definitely made me more open to trying natural medicine as a treatment option. I think that if clinical trials are conducted, people will be more open to trying this form of treatment.
With this final post, I bid you all goodbye.
Farewell,
Aashi~
Based on the results of my previous posts, the overall consensus is that Ayurveda does have an effect however I don't believe the answer is so black and white. Rather than that, I think that over the course of my internship my research question has modified from which method is better to how these two methods can work in conjugation.
Since the ayurvedic medicines are all natural, there are no side effects to any taken. They also don't react with any allopathic medicines being taken. In fact, often times if a problem was severe enough, the doctor recommended that the patient continue the regular medicines combined along with Ayurveda to ensure that the patients body is in the best state that it can be.
I don't think that Ayurveda can be a sustainable practice o its own primarily because of the 90% result i received from the data. Since Ayurveda is so heavily reliant on a patients lifestyle and not every patient is willing to make the change to lead a healthier lifestyle, it doesn't have the same effect on all people. However, with the PPIs, there is a guaranteed effect, provided that the list of side effects does exist.
I think to further my studies, I would conduct clinical trials to gather more concrete data on its efficiency and then compare those results with the efficient of PPIs.
This internship has definitely made me more open to trying natural medicine as a treatment option. I think that if clinical trials are conducted, people will be more open to trying this form of treatment.
With this final post, I bid you all goodbye.
Farewell,
Aashi~
#9 - The Results
Hi~
Originally, for this project, I wanted to compare all of the diseases in the gastrointestinal tract. However, when I arrived at the center, I narrowed it down to specifically ulcers. My main research question then became:
Are Ayurvedic treatments more effective than proton pump inhibitors for treating ulcers and acidity related problems in the gastrointestinal tract?
For my research, I interviewed patients in the outpatient department. Many of them were there for follow-up appointments, which helped me gather even more data for my research. I studied 30 case histories, 15 male and 15 females. To give you an idea of the age distribution, here is a graph below.
The reason that there are not 30 dots on the graph is because some of the patients shared the same age.
I then presented them with a questionnaire regarding their health. I would ask them how long they've had ulcers or acidity, what medication they have taken, if natural treatments have made an effect etc.
Here is a sample patient record.
After collecting these responses from 30 patients, I then made a pie chart of how many patients said that Ayurveda has positively impacted their ailment.
Here are the results below.
This means that out of the 30 patients I looked at, only 3 responded with a "no" or a "no change" answer.
I will analyze the implications of this data in the next post.
Until next time,
Aashi
Originally, for this project, I wanted to compare all of the diseases in the gastrointestinal tract. However, when I arrived at the center, I narrowed it down to specifically ulcers. My main research question then became:
Are Ayurvedic treatments more effective than proton pump inhibitors for treating ulcers and acidity related problems in the gastrointestinal tract?
For my research, I interviewed patients in the outpatient department. Many of them were there for follow-up appointments, which helped me gather even more data for my research. I studied 30 case histories, 15 male and 15 females. To give you an idea of the age distribution, here is a graph below.
I then presented them with a questionnaire regarding their health. I would ask them how long they've had ulcers or acidity, what medication they have taken, if natural treatments have made an effect etc.
Here is a sample patient record.
After collecting these responses from 30 patients, I then made a pie chart of how many patients said that Ayurveda has positively impacted their ailment.
Here are the results below.
This means that out of the 30 patients I looked at, only 3 responded with a "no" or a "no change" answer.
I will analyze the implications of this data in the next post.
Until next time,
Aashi
#8 - The Factory
Hi~
I also wanted to inform all of you that I was able to tour the factory where the medicines were being produced as well!
The factory was called Padhartha Food Bank. Padharta translates to substance, so this would be a place where foods substances are created.
The factory is over 200 acres big, and is also the biggest one in the world at the moment. Whle I was receiving the tour, the guide informed me that Barack Obama's father has eve visited this food park to gain inspiration and construct one in Kenya!
There are currently plans to build another one of these, which will occupy over 600 acres of land, in a different part of India.
To give you an idea of how big it is, here is a picture.
I also wanted to inform all of you that I was able to tour the factory where the medicines were being produced as well!
The factory was called Padhartha Food Bank. Padharta translates to substance, so this would be a place where foods substances are created.
The factory is over 200 acres big, and is also the biggest one in the world at the moment. Whle I was receiving the tour, the guide informed me that Barack Obama's father has eve visited this food park to gain inspiration and construct one in Kenya!
There are currently plans to build another one of these, which will occupy over 600 acres of land, in a different part of India.
To give you an idea of how big it is, here is a picture.
At the food park, they manufacture a variety of items ranging form medicine to cosmetic products to juices. The beneficial thing is that the packaging is 100% natural as well so that there are no toxins being ingested.
Also, since the factory is set in the country side there are a lot of village sin the area. In an effort to educe the unemployment rate in the surrounding area, the factory provides free transportation to and from the factory as well as a meal during the working hours so that villagers will not have a problem commuting. Currently they have employed over 10,000 workers.
Until next time,
Aashi Verma
Monday, April 18, 2016
#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
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
Sunday, April 10, 2016
#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~
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~
Sunday, April 3, 2016
#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):
Until next time~
Aashi :D
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
Sunday, March 27, 2016
#4 - A Quick Quiz
Hello Everyone~
I am so sorry for not updating as frequently, this week has been extremely hectic. With all the time spent packing and finalizing materials, the time just flew by. In about two days, I will finally get to start my internship in India. I will post pictures as soon as I arrive! I am absolutely thrilled to be able to partake on this journey.
As a continuation of my post from last time, I have come across a little quiz that everyone can take to assess what type of doshas are present in their body.
*Disclaimer: To get an accurate analysis, a consultation with an Ayurvedic Physician is necessary and this self-quiz is by no means guaranteed to reflect a person's doshas with 100% accuracy*
Rules for assessing your ayurvedic compositions:
I am so sorry for not updating as frequently, this week has been extremely hectic. With all the time spent packing and finalizing materials, the time just flew by. In about two days, I will finally get to start my internship in India. I will post pictures as soon as I arrive! I am absolutely thrilled to be able to partake on this journey.
As a continuation of my post from last time, I have come across a little quiz that everyone can take to assess what type of doshas are present in their body.
*Disclaimer: To get an accurate analysis, a consultation with an Ayurvedic Physician is necessary and this self-quiz is by no means guaranteed to reflect a person's doshas with 100% accuracy*
Rules for assessing your ayurvedic compositions:
- Everyone has all three doshas present in them but in varying amounts
- After reading each statement, respond to that statement with a number between 0-7
- 0/1 = Does not apply
- 3/4 = Applies sometimes
- 6/7 = Applies Most of the Time
- Note: The values 2 and 5 cannot be used
For calculating your Vata:
:For calculating your Pitta
For calculating your Kapha:
If the difference between two of the scores is less than 10, you are a two-dosha type. If all three of the scores are close enough, then you are a tri-dosha type.
In the next blog post, I will elaborate more on the meanings behind having these levels in our bodies.
Happy Reading :)
Aashi
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
#3 - Three Types of Governing Principles
Hi Everyone~
It's been a while but I just wanted to provide everyone with an update on my research.
According to Ayurveda, also known as the 5th Veda, there are five basic elements.
The 5 elements are
- Air
- Fire
- Water
- Earth
- Ether (a fancy word for space- like universe)
These five basic elements come together to form three major governing factors called doshas.
- Pita (fire and water)
- Vata (ether and air)
- Kapha (earth and water)
These three doshas are collectively known as the tridosha and govern all aspects, psychological and physical, in a human body. Each individual is born with a unique composition of these three principles and the concentration of each is determined at conception. Although each individual may have all three principles inside them, each person has one factor that is slightly more prominent and doctors use this during diagnosis to figure out what kind of treatment path to choose.
Each dosha has a specific function.
More information coming soon in the next post!
Thank you all for reading!
Aashi
More information coming soon in the next post!
Thank you all for reading!
Aashi
Friday, March 4, 2016
#2 - More Intro
Hi Everyone~
A lot of you may be wondering what Ayurveda even means or what it constitutes. Since my internship does not start until a month later or so, the last few weeks have been filled with poring over books and tables from the Vedas, an ancient Sanskrit scripture that serves as the basis for Hinduism, and over the course texts I will be using for this project.
Ayurveda is essentially the science of self-healing. While growing up, my mum would always tell me to apply some plant concoction or eat some other type of herbal mixture to aid in natural healing and I did so without giving it much thought.
However, now that I have grown up and learned about the effects of antibiotics and other western medicinal practices, I have started to question the effectiveness of those herbal mixtures.
Ayurveda is a unique branch of medicine in that it not only encompasses a biological factor, but also a religious and philosophical one as well. All Ayurvedic texts and principles are based on Samkhya (a sanskrit work; roots: "sat" meaning "truth" and "khya" meaning "to know").
This branch of medicine believes that the universe and a human being share a special kind of relationship since there is cosmic energy present in all living and nonliving things. The source of all existence is Cosmic Consciousness.
Cosmic Consciousness is made up of 24 elements, with "Prakruti" (creativity) being the most basic.
A lot of you may be wondering what Ayurveda even means or what it constitutes. Since my internship does not start until a month later or so, the last few weeks have been filled with poring over books and tables from the Vedas, an ancient Sanskrit scripture that serves as the basis for Hinduism, and over the course texts I will be using for this project.
Ayurveda is essentially the science of self-healing. While growing up, my mum would always tell me to apply some plant concoction or eat some other type of herbal mixture to aid in natural healing and I did so without giving it much thought.
However, now that I have grown up and learned about the effects of antibiotics and other western medicinal practices, I have started to question the effectiveness of those herbal mixtures.
Ayurveda is a unique branch of medicine in that it not only encompasses a biological factor, but also a religious and philosophical one as well. All Ayurvedic texts and principles are based on Samkhya (a sanskrit work; roots: "sat" meaning "truth" and "khya" meaning "to know").
This branch of medicine believes that the universe and a human being share a special kind of relationship since there is cosmic energy present in all living and nonliving things. The source of all existence is Cosmic Consciousness.
Cosmic Consciousness is made up of 24 elements, with "Prakruti" (creativity) being the most basic.
To better explain this process, I have included a flowchart below, along with some notes and translations I have made.
This is just some of the background on Ayurveda. I will include more information in my next blog post.
Happy Reading :)
Aashi
The title of the book I am referring to for basic background knowledge is titled "Ayurveda. The Science of Self-Healing. A Practical Guide" and is written by Dr. Vasant Lad
The title of the book I am referring to for basic background knowledge is titled "Ayurveda. The Science of Self-Healing. A Practical Guide" and is written by Dr. Vasant Lad
Sunday, February 28, 2016
#1 - An Introduction to Ayurvedic Medicine
Hi All~
With my internship starting in around a month, I have started researching and formulating the background for what exactly natural plant medicine is like so that I can be better informed during my internship. Since my internship does not start until April 1st, I have around one month to research all that I need to.
In April, I can gather data on site and gather anecdotal evidences and also work with doctors to see if my background research supports what I found. The paper would then be an analysis of a "does it work" type scenario.
Also, in April, I will be making daily video vlogs (taking videos of the facility, the materials used in the medicine etc) and will be posting that to a YouTube channel that I will provide a link for in the future.
I look forward to seeing what I will learn on this journey and I hope my experiences will give enlighten you with new-found knowledge as well.
Until next time,
Aashi
With my internship starting in around a month, I have started researching and formulating the background for what exactly natural plant medicine is like so that I can be better informed during my internship. Since my internship does not start until April 1st, I have around one month to research all that I need to.
In April, I can gather data on site and gather anecdotal evidences and also work with doctors to see if my background research supports what I found. The paper would then be an analysis of a "does it work" type scenario.
Also, in April, I will be making daily video vlogs (taking videos of the facility, the materials used in the medicine etc) and will be posting that to a YouTube channel that I will provide a link for in the future.
I look forward to seeing what I will learn on this journey and I hope my experiences will give enlighten you with new-found knowledge as well.
Until next time,
Aashi
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