Abstract

A LITERARY REVIEW OF ARDHAVABHEDAKA VIS-A-VIS MIGRAINE IN BRIHATRAYEE

Asherfi Lal Gupta*

Abstract

Ardhavabhedak roga is one among the Shiroroga as described by our Acharyas. Ardhavabhedak is Vata-Kaphaja by Acharya Charaka, Tridoshaja by Acharya Sushruta but according to Acharya Vagbhatta it comes under Vataja Shirahshula which is limited to the half of the portion of head i.e. “Ardhetu moordhanah so ardhavebhedaka”. Chakrapani commentator of Charak Samhita statement regarding Arddhavabhedka runs as follows: “Arddha Mastakavedana” i.e. Vedana in half of the portion of the head is called Arddhavabhedaka. It is described as a sadhya (type) of Siroroga. According to Acharya Shushruta Ardhavabhedaka is characterized by severe tearing and pricking pain in the half portion of head with giddiness suddenly after a fortnight or ten days. The severe pain is associated with mental confusion. Ardhavabhedaka etiology and symptoms are most appropriately related to migraine hence it can be co-relate with migraine headache of modern medicine. A migraine is a primary headache disorder and third most common disease in the world characterized by recurrent headaches that are moderate to severe.[1] Migraine is the 3rd most prevalent and 7th leading cause of disability worldwide. India, where the prevalence of migraine is unknown.[2] Typically, the headaches affect one half of the head, are pulsating in nature, and last from 2 to 72 hours.[1] Associated symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, or smell.[3] This disease occur due to various faulty(irregular) life styles i.e. Adhyashana (irregular patterns of eating – again eating prior to digestion of earlier meals), Vegadharana (suppression of natural urges), Ayaas (excessive exertion), Atimaithuna (excessive indulgence in sexual activities) and Purva Vata & Avashyaya (roaming around in cold air) etc and psychological factors i.e. Manah-santapa, Rodana, Shoka, Bhaya etc. may be few reasons for the vitiation of the Tridosha, which may cause Ardhavabhedaka. Due to dreadful complaints (disease), in this article we have planned to study the complete review which was explained in the Brihatrayee and tried to correlate and understand the Ardhavabhedaka disease with migraine.

Keywords: Ardhavabhedaka, Migraine, Nasya, Shiroroga.