Abstract

REVIEW OF ANATOMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES IN JARA (AGING) AS PER AYURVEDA

Dr. Vidhya Bharti Sharma*, Dr. Bharat Kumar C. Padhar and Dr. H.M.L. Meena

Abstract

Aging in modern science is defined as a Progressive failure of the body haemostatic, adaptive response; Ayurveda has considered Jara or vardhakya as a natural and inevitable process as well as a swabhavaja vyadhi (Natural disease) as old age sets in, homestasis between the Tridosas are disturbed. kapha decreases resulting in an increased vata this result in disturbance in pitta too. Jara (aging) is influenced by factor affecting shareera(physical), indriya(emotional), satwa(psychic level), agni(metabolism) and bala ojas(immunity). Vriddhavastha(jara) is the last part of the life span. This stage is characterised by decay in the body. Dhatu(various anatomical tissues), perception power of indriya (sensory and moter organ) potency, strength, speech, various mental and congnitive functions (e.g memory, intellect, reception, retention, analytic ability etc.) During this phase there is predominance of vaaya dosha, (one of the three physiological body factors). The major physical changes seen at this time are wrinkling of skin, graying of hair, baldness and diminishing ability to do physical work. These Pathological changes include loss of compactness of the muscles, looseness of joints, vitiation of Rakta(blood), excessive production of meda /fatty tissue), failure of majja (marrow) accumulation in bone failure of production of Shukra(semen) and loss of oja(vista) factor. Aging represents structural and functional changes of an organism over its entire life span.

Keywords: Jara, vardhakya, swabhavaja, vata, dhatu, satwa, agni.