Medicine from India and Ailments of the Elderly

Ayurvedic Medicine

The traditional medicine of India is called Ayurvedic medicine. In use there for over 3000 years, it still commands significant respect, especially in rural areas and for chronic conditions. I went to India in 1987 to study it.

It became part of my practice along with (carefully chosen) drugs and everything else.

What makes Ayurveda different? Rather than treating each symptom separately, Ayurveda looks at underlying patterns in the body. This approach can be especially helpful for the cluster of "dryness symptoms" many of us experience as we age.

As I became an older doctor, my patients became older right along with me. Many of the problems they brought with them had to do with earwax, dry eyes, dry mouth, dry skin, dry bowel movements, and poor digestion.

Those problems made what I had learned in India seem more relevant than ever before.

Here's why: Ayurvedic medicine recognizes three elements of human functioning---think of them as three different energies that govern how our bodies work.

Kapha (KAH-fah): The element of structure and stability---like the builder.
Pitta (PIT-tah): The fire and organizing intelligence that drives our action and productivity---like the manager.
Vata (VAH-tah): The element of motion and emotion---like the messenger.

(Don't worry if this seems abstract---the practical recommendations below are simple.)

We need Kapha, Pitta, and Vata all the time, yet each of the three dominates in turn during our passage through life. Kapha governs as we build our bodies in childhood, Pitta in our middle years of adult productivity, and, the topic of this newsletter, Vata when we are older.

Vata

As with all these elements, Vata can become imbalanced. When it does, you might notice:

Feeling anxious or having an overactive brain.
Sleep not so good.
Difficulty with decisions.
That common element of aging which a carpenter once described to me as "aching bacon."
Cold hands and feet.
Feeling tired but "wired".

Most tellingly for older adults: increasing dryness throughout the body.

Here's an important point about Vata. It can become imbalanced at any age. So, if you have the symptoms listed above, these general measures can help you even if you are younger.

Symptoms of dryness

Earwax accumulates because it's too dry to come out on its own with the natural movement of the jaw.
Eyes become dry.
The mouth becomes dry.
Digestion is not as good because digestive fluids diminish.
Further, diminished fluids in the G.I. tract lead to constipation.
And, covering all this, can be a dry, itchy skin.

Balancing Vata

What Ayurvedic medicine offers is the ability to address all of these at once with lifestyle changes.

Because Ayurveda considers Vata to be cold, dry, light, and moving in its nature, it prescribes warm, moist, heavy, stable, and grounding qualities to counteract.

For example, regularity of mealtime and sleep counteracts the excessive movement of unbalanced Vata.

Dietary Recommendations:

Favor warm, cooked, moist foods over raw or cold foods. That doesn't mean not to eat fruit or nuts, because we need many types of food. But warm is better than cold, etc. I'll send you a list of specific foods in a couple of weeks, but for now, let's get the big picture in your mind.

Lifestyle Measures:

Stay warm. Use a neck gaiter on these chilly days.
Practice gentle, grounding exercises like tai chi or walking. Vigorous exercise is fine if comfortable for you.
Rest when needed. Avoid overstimulation.
Attend to what is around you that you can influence for the better. Pay less attention to those things you cannot directly change.
Do not isolate yourself. Be with other people.

Herbal Remedies:

(These herbs are available at health food stores or online. Start with one at a time and consult your doctor if you take other medications.)

Triphala (trih-FAH-lah): A gentle, traditional formula for digestive support.
Brahmi (BRAH-mee): Supports mental clarity and nervous system health.
Ginger and licorice teas: Widely available warming teas that aid digestion.

Other Suggestions:

Warm baths.
Early bedtime, ideally by 10 PM.
Regular meditation and/or prayer.
Reduce travel, multitasking, and overscheduling.

Start Simple: Three Easy Changes

Eat warm, cooked foods instead of cold salads and raw vegetables.
Establish a regular bedtime (try for 10 PM).
Drink hot water or herbal tea throughout the day instead of cold water.

These changes can make a surprising difference.

A Final Word

The measures described here are those specific for someone with a Vata imbalance, the symptoms of which are described above. The other energies in the body can become unbalanced as well, so the measures in this newsletter are not suitable for every ailment.

But for the typical Vata symptoms of aging, this is the time-tested Ayurvedic approach. You don't need to adopt every recommendation---even incorporating a few of these practices can help you feel more balanced, comfortable, and grounded.

Final word for those of you who wish to try this. Keep it simple. Do as many of these as fit your lifestyle. If you're jonesing for details, your Vata will be more balanced by starting with these simple measures and waiting for next month's newsletter for more.

Coming Soon

More details about the Ayurvedic approach, including

Detailed food recommendations.
Home physical therapy methods.

Current pharmaceutical and natural approaches to dryness.