Diseases Diagnosis & Treatment » Diagnosis

Three-fold Rogi Pareeksha — Ayurvedic Diagnosis
Trividha pareeksha or three fold diagnosis gives the Ayurvedic practitioner an overall view of the specific conditions of the person and the disease. Darshan (observation), sparshan (touching) and prashna (interrogation) are the three steps of rogi pareeksha that an Ayurvedic practitioner performs to reach an anuman (inference).

Darshan or direct observation diagnosis is the first of the three fold rogi pareeksha methods. The general physique type, movements, etc are observed.

Sparshan or touching method of Ayurvedic diagnosis gives more information about the physical type of the person. Ayurveda puts great importance to individual, personalized diagnosis to prescribe a treatment that is completely right for the person.

Sparshana, touching or palpation method of diagnosis is the first in trividh pariksha (three-fold diagnosis), in which the practitioner examines the person by touching. There can be factors that may not be clear by direct observation, which is made clear by palpation method of diagnosis. The physician calculates the pulse, body temperature, texture and type of skin, eye-balls, etc.

The type of skin gives an indication of the body (dosha type) of the person. Vata type persons have thin, dry, cold, wrinkled skin. Pitta types have moist, soft, firm, warm skin. Pitta dominant types have thick, smooth, moist, soft skin.

The last method is prashna or interrogation. The physician asks in detail about the background of the disease, his/her lifestyle, eating habits, change in any activities lately, etc to identify the reasons for the disease and possible cures for the exact condition.

Rogi Pareeksha Diagnosing the Person
Ayurveda rogi pareeksha or patient examining is the detailed process of identifying the social, physical and mental conditions of a person that seeks treatment. Rogi pareeksha is a detailed ten-fold process. The physician studies the person as a whole; his/her level of emotional stability, lifestyle, etc are the things to look for.

The ten fold rogi pareeksha routine as described by Charaka in his book Charaka Samhita are described below.

Prakriti - prakriti refers to the physical condition of a human being. It is the some total of the state of tridoshas and trigunas. Identifying the states in each place forms the first step in assessing the physical and mental state of a person.

Vikriti – vikriti is the vitiation from prakriti. Diseases caused due to vikriti are easier to treat than diseases caused due to prakriti itself. The state of vikriti is identified by closely examining the dhatus, malas, and the emotional control of the person.

Sara – Sara refers to the quality of sapta dhatus. The conditions of dhatus are classified as pravara (good), madhyama (medium) and avara (poor). Pravara suggests excellent immune system and condition. In Sara, the physician also checks the extent of satwa in the mind of the person. Emotional stability, clear thoughts, calmness, optimism, etc are regarded as high level sattwa, while a decreased level of this quality refers to rajas and tamas gunas of trigunas, the three qualities of mind.

Samhanana – samhanana refers to the physique of the person. A compact body frame usually suggests a healthy body. Lean or obese body are unhealthy.

Pramana – pramana or examining body proportion involves assessing the relationship between the lengths of spread arms and the height of the person. An almost same length is a healthy sign. There are also several other measurements that tell the physician about a well proportioned body.

Vyayama shakti – (or strength for exercise) is the strength of the person for physical exertion. Appropriate secretion of metabolic or endocrine products during physical is essential for good endurance in demanding situations.

Satmya – adaptability measurement. It is a process of measuring the capabilities of the person to physically or mentally adapt to changing conditions. It is a complex process, measuring the mental and physical reaction of the person to demanding conditions. His/her psychological, neurological, immunological conditions are checked. No other treatment method had similar tests.

Sattva – checking mental balance. It is the capability of the person to continue doing what is required of him without giving heed to distractions – both physical and mental.

Ahara Shakti – or the power of digestion, this test involves checking the metabolic capacity of the person. To take, digest and absorb food to the body.

Vaya – vayassu or age – Ayurvedic physician compares the actual age of the person with his or her apparent age. Sounds strange, but a person appearing younger than he or she really is, is a sign of health. There are different things to look for – skin condition, hair, lifestyle, etc.

Roga Pareeksha, Diagnosis Diseases in Ayurveda
There are different methods to follow in roga pareeksha or diagnosing the disease in Ayurveda.

Prasna (interrogation) is the process of obtaining data about present illness, diseases in the past, his/her lifestyle change or activities in the immediate past, etc.

Panchendriya Pareeksha (test using five senses, panchendriyas) is the physical examination. The body is divided into six major regions – head, neck, chest, abdomen, and two extremes. It also includes identifying the state of srotas and dhatus. Physical examination also includes darshana (by sight) and sparshana (by touch).

Ashtavidha pareeksha (ashtavidha pariksha) or eight-fold examination includes checking eight physical aspects of the body

1. complexion
2. eyes
3. voice
4. tongue
5. skin
6. stool
7. urine and
8. pulse

The roga pareeksha and rogi pareeksha are methods for identifying the cause of the disease and the stage of the disease. The response of the condition to medications is also observed until the person is declared complete healthy.