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by Umeshkumar Sapra (Contribution by), Vaidya Vasant Patil (Author)
A physician's job is to know the human body and its functions in terms of Prakritisthata (homeostasis). The four cornerstones of diagnostic medicine, each essential for understanding homeostasis, are: anatomy (the structure of the human body), physiology (functions of Dosha, Dhatu & Mala), pathology (what can go wrong with the anatomy and physiology) and psychology (thought and behavior). Once the doctor knows what is normal and can measure the patient's current condition against those norms, she or he can then determine the patient's particular departure from homeostasis and the degree of departure. This is called the diagnosis. Once a diagnosis has been reached, the doctor is able to propose a management plan, which will include treatment as well as plans for follow-up. From this point on, in addition to treating the patient's condition, the doctor educates the patient about the causes, progression, outcomes, and possible treatments of his ailments, as well as providing advice for maintaining health.In order to diagnose the disease on the basis of Ayurvedic principles, the physician should have to work very hard to know the subtle changes occurring inside the body due to the imbalance of Dosha. To become perfect in Ayurvedic diagnosis, the physician needs to understand Dosha Vikalpa (Dravyataha-Gunataha-Karmataha Vriddhi of Dosha), Dhatu Vaishamya (the quantum of vitiation, the status of Dhatu & Srotas), Agni Sthiti and nature of Ama. At the beginning, most of the students and practioners find it is very hard to diagnose a disease on the basis of Ayurvedic principles or if they diagnosed, still they may not feel satisfied. I think we have failed to taught & train the students to do Ayurvedic diagnosis. The method of diagnosis in Ayurveda mainly depends on the in-depth understanding of Dosha & Dooshya. The process of diagnosis begins when the patient consults the doctor and presents a set of complaints (the symptoms). If the patient is unconscious, this condition is the de facto complaint. The doctor then obtains further information from the patient himself (and from those who know him, if present) about the patient's symptoms, his previous state of health, living conditions, and so forth.
