Diagnostic Evaluation and Management of Acute Abdomen in Ayurveda A Conceptual Study

Abstract

Introduction: Acute abdomen is a condition which requires urgent attention and  immediate treatment. The patient usually presents sudden onset of abdominal  pain which is intolerable and also associated with other symptoms. In Ayurveda,  the word Mahagada has been used for the lethality of the disease (in which there  is fear of loss of life) and the word Atyayak has been used for emergency.  Charaka Samhita and Susruta Samhita mentioned three such diseases under  Ashta mahagada in which urgent or prompt treatment is asked and if the  treatment is not done, death is certain.  Material & method: Ayurvedic Samhitas, Modern books, and other  manuscripts related with this topic are collected and a comparative study has  been done.  Result: Knowledge of acute abdomen is scattered in Ayurvedic Samhita. So,  through this work we are trying to compile all the available details regarding the  same and compare with modern science.  Discussion: Ayurveda describes both conservative and surgical treatment  options for acute abdomen. Acute abdomen can be managed extremely  successfully with the use of Vedhana Nasaka, Sholaprasamana Maha Kashaya,  Sophagna Maha Kashaya/Sopha Nasaka Oshadha (Anti-inflammatory Drugs),  Agni deepana oushadha – deepaniya mahakashaya (Appetizers) etc.