AJEERNA (INDIGESTION)

1

INTRODUCTION

According to the basic concepts of Ayurveda, all the diseases (most of them) are manifested due to the disturbance of Agni (metabolism errors), unless proved otherwise. The main causes of Mandagni (sluggish digestion or low metabolism) are

Ajeerna (indigestion),

Malina ahara (contaminated and incompatible foods) and

Mala sanchaya (accumulation of unwanted wastes in the body cells and gut).

The general sequence will be –

Agnimandhya (low digestion power) will lead to Ajeerna (indigestion), Ajeerna leads to Ama (metabolic toxins which clog the cells and channels of transport in the body due to the sticky nature and produce a wide array of systemic, inflammatory and immunological disorders) and this Ama will sequentially lead to many diseases related to body and mind.

Therefore the treatment line-up of most of the systemic disorders in Ayurveda starts with the correction and balancing of metabolic errors, bringing the Agni to balance. 

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NIDANA

Below mentioned is a list of causative factors for indigestion (Ajirna, Ajeerna) –

Ati ambu paanam – Drinking more water

Vishama ashana – Taking incompatible foods

Sandhaaranaat – Forcibly controlling the naturally impending body reflexes like those for hunger, thirst, defecation, urination etc

Svapna viparyaya – Sleep disturbances (excessive awakening at night, day sleeping etc)

Eershya – Aversion, Jealousy

Bhaya – Fear

Krodha – Anger

Lubdha – Greed

Ruk – Pain due to other diseases

Dainya – Helpless condition, depression

Pradvesha yuktena sevyamaanam – Food served by whom we dislike or hate

Chinta – Anxiety

Dukha shayya – Uncomfortable bedding

Prajaagara – Excessive awakening during night times

Due to the above mentioned causative factors, the food taken even in a small quantity doesn’t get digested easily.The above said factors include causative factors which not only disturb the body factors but also those which upset the mind equilibrium. This proves that indigestion or any digestive errors are not purely physical. In fact they are psycho-somatic in nature. 

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LAKSHANA

The symptoms of Ajeerna (indigestion) are as mentioned below –

Vishtambha – Improper elimination or excretion of stools and urine

Sadanam – Weakness

Shiro ruk – Headache

Murcha – Unconsciousness

Bhrama – Giddiness

Prushta graham – Gripping pain or stiffness in the back

Kati Graham – Gripping pain or stiffness in the low back

Jrumbha – Yawning

Angamarda – Body aches

Trushna – Thirst

Jwara – Fever

Chardi – Vomiting

Pravahanam – Straining at passage of stools, tenesmus

Arochaka – Tastelessness, Anorexia

Avipaaka – Indigestion

Ghora annavisham or ama – Life threatening food toxins are formed (food poisoning)

When this annavisha or ama gets association with morbid Pitta, it leads to –

Daha – Burning sensation

Trushna – Thirst

Mukhamayaan – Stomatitis, ulcers in the mouth

Amlapittam – Gastritis, Acid-peptic disorders, Reflux oesophagitis

Pittaja vikaara’s – Many diseases caused due to aggravation of Pitta

When this annavisha or ama gets the association of morbid Kapha it leads to –

Yakshma – Wasting diseases, Phthisis etc

Pinasa – Rhinitis

Mehaadi roga – Diseases of metabolic origin like chronic urinary disorders, Diabetes Mellitus etc

Kaphaja Vikaara – Many diseases caused due to aggravation of Vata

When this annavisha or ama gets association of morbid Vata, it leads to many diseases due to aggravation of Vata

When this annavisha or ama gets associated with Mutra or urine and gets located in Mutrashaya (urinary bladder), it causes many serious Urinary diseases

When Shakrut or faeces / stools get associated with annavisha or ama, it leads to Kukshi Vikaara’s (diseases of gut or lower abdomen)

When this ama or annavisha gets located in the Rasa etc tissues, it leads to the manifestation of multi-tissue or multi-organ related diseases

Absence of the symptoms of sub-types of Ajeerna –

Ajeerna or indigestion is of 6 sub-types depending on the predominance of Dosha 

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TYPES OF AJIRNA 

According to predominance of vitiated doshas ajirna is broadly classified into three categories3

i. Amajirna: Due to vitiation of Kapha dosha.

ii. Vidagdhajirna: Due to vitiation of Pitta dosha.

iii. Vishtabdhajirna: Due to vitiation of Vata dosha.

iv. Other types of Ajirna.

v. Rasasheshajirna- Related to Ahara Rasa indigestion on nutrient of food.

vi. Dinapaki-Ajirna - In which the food is digested on next day but causes no difficulty.

vii. Prativasara Ajirna- Which is found every day normally, immediately after taking food. 

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COMPLICATIONS 

If Ajirna is not managed properly leading to development of Fatal signs .i.e. fainting, delirium, vomiting, excessive salivation, debility, giddiness and death 

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TREATMENT 

Management of Ajirna comprises of fasting and other purificatory and pacification measures should be considered to get relief from Ajirna.

i. Sweet & fresh buttermilk with a pinch of cumin seed powder and Trikatu Churna should be taken after meals [31].

ii. Ayurveda also recommends a very simple solution for people with digestive problems. Take some freshly grated ginger, sprinkle some rock salt on it and chew it just before beginning the meal. It will result in elimination of any kind of digestive problems, gas, belching etc [32].

iii. Avoid drinking excessive water during hunger because it can weaken the digestive fire. 

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MEDICINES 

The following medicines are useful to treat Ajirna [33]

i. Amairna - Hingvashtaka Churna, Lasunadi Vati, Sanjivani Vati, Chitrakadi vati.

ii. Vidagdhairna- Shankha Vati, Lavanabhaskara Churna, Arogyavardhni Vati.

iii. Rasaseshajirna- Lavana Bhaskar Churna, Agnitundi Vati, Sukti bhasma. 

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CONCEPT OF AGNI 

The term Agni, in common language, means fire. However, in the context of functioning of living organism, which maintains its integrity and performs its vital activities, by converting-in Pakadi Karmas or biophysical and biochemical processes – the foods consumed in various ways- licked, masticated, drunk etc., not only into its various structure and functional constituents but also to provide the energy, necessary for proceeding with its innumerable vital activities. In these sequences, the term Agni comprehends various factors which participate in and direct the course of digestion and metabolism, in a living organism. Hence it is termed as bio digestive fire [3-5]. Vata (Prana, Apana, Samana and Udana) augments the digestive fire. Power of Agni or normal condition of Agni is responsible for strength, health, longevity and vital breath. Food substances undergo metabolic transformation by the effect of Jatharagni, Bhutagni and Dhatvagni. Jatharagni is the main principle substance responsible for disease and health. During its normalcy it is responsible for longevity, complexion, strength, health, enthusiasm, well built, lustre, immunity (Ojas) [6]. Jatharagni is the chief among all types of Agni’s because functions of Bhutagni and Dhatvagni depend on this. Aggravation or diminution of Jatharagni results in aggravation or diminution of Bhutagni and Dhatvagni. Therefore by all means one has to protect Jatharagni by consuming suitable wholesome dietetics and behaviour because longevity and strength depends on normal state of Agni