Vata Disorders (Vatavyadhi): Definition, Causes, Symptoms

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) and Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S

Table of Contents

Introduction

Vata is one among the three Doshas. It is a prime driving force behind all the body activities. The activities of Pitta and Kapha, dhatus (tissues) and malas (excreta) are all dependent on Vata.

Vata is a Tantra (formula) which runs the Tantra (machine) of our body. Vata also controls the mind, senses and perception. When this Vata gets disturbed it drives the body crazy. It disturbs all the events in the body and causes many sorts of damages and diseases.

Vata Vyadhi
Vata Vyadhi is a set of diseases caused by vitiated Vata.
Vata = Vata, Vyadhi = Disease

Vata Vyadhi definition

Definition of Vata Vyadhi
वात एव व्याधिः वात व्याधिः।(मा.नि.२२)
‘Vata itself is a Vyadhi (disease)’

By telling this, we would include the whole universe in the category of ‘having disease’ or ‘diseased’, and the whole world would be diseased at any given point of time but practically it isn’t. Vata is present in everyone but it doesn’t produce a disease in everyone and everyone in the world is not diseased. Vata is morbid (disease causing) only when it is diseased.

वातेन जनितो व्याधिः वात व्याधिः।(मा.नि.२२)
‘The disease which is caused by Vata is called Vata Vyadhi’

By telling this, we sould be including the Vata subtypes of all the Saamanya Vyaadhis (general diseases) under this category i.e. Vataja Jwara (fever due to vitiation of Vata), Vataja Atisara (diarrhea due to vitiation of Vata), Vataja Arshas (piles or haemorrhoids by vitiated Vata) etc sould be considered as Vata Vyadhis. But these and all other diseases are not only caused by vitiated Vata but are also caused by vitiated Pitta and Kapha.

Therefore the above 2 definitions which would probably define Vata Vyadhi are neither applicable, nor appropriate.

विकृत वात जनितो असाधारणो व्याधिः वातव्याधिः।(मा.नि.२२)
‘An Asaadhaarana (uncommon, special) Vyadhi (disease) caused by Vikruta Vata (vitiated Vata) is called Vata Vyadhi’

This looks like an appropriate and comprehensive definition of Vata Vyadhi.

By including the term ‘Asaadhaarana’ we make Vata Vyadhi a special condition. This term also excludes the Saamanya Vyadhis and their Vata Subtypes from the discussion.

By including the term ‘Vikruta Vata’ in the definition, we exclude the healthy people from the discussion.

Therefore Vata Vyadhi can be defined as any special condition (uncommon disease) caused by vitiated Vata.
Related reading – Why is Vata Vyadhi discussed as a separate and special pathological entity?

Causative factors

Causative Factors of Vata Vyadhi
Dry foods
cold foods
less quantity of food
foods which are light to digest
excessive indulgence in sexual activities
excessive awakening during night times
Improper administration of treatments mainly cleansing treatments like Vamana (therapeutic emesis), Virechana (therapeutic purgation) etc
excessive elimination / discharge / elimination of doshas
excessive bleeding
excessive running, jumping walking, exercises,
Excess thinking, stress, grief, fear
Depletion of tissues
debility due to chroming and longstanding diseases
forcible withholding of natural urges
undigested food in circulation
accident, trauma
Deficit intake of food, fasting in excess
injury to Marmas or vital points in the body
Riding on elephants, horses and camels regularly and in quick pace
falling down from the animals (while riding them)
Fractures
Excessive administration of Panchakarma
Excessive consumption of cold foods and activities
Fear, irritation
Kashaya – Excessive consumption of astringent, bitter and pungent (spicy foods)
cloudy and rainy season
After the digestion of food
Evening
Read related: Different Causes For Vata Dosha Imbalance, Increase

Pathogenesis

Pathogenesis of Vata Vyadhi
देहे स्रोतांसि रिक्तानि पूरयित्वा अनिलो बली।
करोति विविधान् व्याधीन् सर्व अङ्ग एक अङ्ग संश्रयान्॥(च.चि.२८)

The Vata on getting aggravated by the above mentioned causes gets filled (occupies) in the Rikta Srotas or the empty, susceptible channels of the body (the channels of transport which have lost their protective sheaths and lost qualities like unctuousness, smoothness and stickiness etc). On occupying the susceptible srotas, the vitiated Vata will produce many Ekanga (limited to particular parts of the body) or Sarvanga (afflicting the whole body) diseases. Such diseases which are manifested either in certain portions of the body or the whole body is called Vata Vyadhis.

Purvarupa

Poorva Roopa: Premonitory symptoms, Symptoms of Vata Vyadhi
अव्यक्तं लक्षणं तेषां पूर्वरूपम् इति स्मृतम्।
आत्म रूपं तु यद् व्यक्तम् अपायो लघुता पुनः॥(च.चि.१४)

Avyakta Lakshanas (un-manifested symptoms or feebly manifested symptoms) are the premonitory symptoms of Vata Vyadhi.

PurvaRupas (Premonitory Symptoms) –
संकोचः पर्वणां स्तम्भो भङ्गो अस्थ्नां पर्वणाम् अपि।
रोमहर्षः प्रलापः च पाणि पृष्ठ शिरो ग्रहः॥
खञ्ज्य पाङ्गुल्य कुब्जत्वं शोथो अङ्गानां अनिद्रता।
शिरो नासा अक्षि जत्रूणां ग्रीवायाः च अपि हुण्डनम्।
भेदः तोदो अर्तिः आक्षेपो मुहुः च आयास एव च॥(च.चि.२८)

Sankochaha Parvanaam – The phalanges, inter-phalangeal joints get constricted, restricted and crooked, movements of fingers and toes will be hampered

Parva Stambha – Stiffness of inter-phalangeal joints
Asthi Bhanga – fracture or dislocation of bones
Parva bhanga – fracture or dislocation of inter-phalangeal joints
Roma harsha – horripulation
Pralapa – delirium
Pani graham – catch, stiffness, tightness in the hands
Prushta graham – catch, stiffness, tightness of back
Shiro graham – catch, stiffness, tightness of head
Khanjya – limp
Pangulya – lameness
Kubjatwam – dwarfness, hunch-back
Angaanaam shotha – swelling of body parts
Anidrataa – sleeplessness
Garbha nasha – destruction of fetus, abortion, miscarriage
Shukra nasha – destruction of sperms, semen, azoospermia, infertility
Rajo nasha – destruction of ovum, scanty menstruation or absence of menstruation (oligomenorrhea, amenorrhoea)
Spandana – pulsations
Gaatra suptataa – numbness of body / body parts
Shiro hundanam – twitch, twist, crookedness of head
Nasa hundanam – twitch, twist, crookedness of nose
Akshi hundanam – twitch, twist, crookedness of eye
Jatru hundanam – twitch, twist, crookedness of root of neck, Clavicle region
Greeva hundanam – twitch, twist, crookedness of neck
Bheda – splitting pain
Toda – pricking pain
Arti – discomfort, pain
Aakshepa – convulsions, tremors
Aayaasa – tiredness

Rupa

Rupa (Symptoms) –
Aatma Rupa or symptoms manifested in various forms of Vata Vyadhi are the symptoms of Vata Vyadhi. Vata Vyadhi manifests in several forms. The symptoms too will be identical to the manifestation of the disease. The symptoms of manifested condition are the symptoms of Vata Vyadhi.

Swarupa (form, characteristic) – Apaaya (instability of symptoms i.e. extremes of manifestation, absent sometimes and appearing at other times, severe sometimes and feeble other times) and Laghutaa (feeling of lightness or emptiness) are the characteristic features of all the Vata Vyadhis.

Symptoms of Vata Vyadhi
एवं विधानि रूपाणि करोति कुपितो अनिलः।
हेतु स्थान विषेषाञ्च भवेद् रोग विशेष कृत्॥(च.चि.२८)

Symptoms similar to premonitory symptoms are manifested in Vata Vyaadhi. The same symptoms are manifested in a bigger form. The symptoms are variable and are in accordance with hetu (causative factors) and sthaana (place of manifestation of disease).

VataVyadhis

Below mentioned is the gist of Vata Vyadhis explained in Ayurvedic treatises.

Gata or Sthita Vayu – This is a condition in which the vitiated Vata is located in various tissues and organs causing damage and degeneration therein. Some of the Gata Vata type of Vata Vyadhis is –

Koshtashrita Vayu – Vayu located in visceral spaces
Sarvanga Vata – Vayu afflicting the entire body
Guda sthita vata – Vitiated Vata located in the anal region
Amashaya sthita vata – Vitiated Vata located in the stomach
Pakwashaya sthita vata – Vitiated Vata located in colon
Twak gata vata – Vitiated Vata located in the skin
Rakta gata Vata – Vitiated Vata located in the blood
Mamsa gata vata – Vitiated vata located in the muscles
Meda sthita vata – vitiated vata located in the fat tissue
Asthi gata vata – Vitiated Vata located in the bones
Majja gata vata – Vitiated Vata located in the bone marrow
Shukra gata vata – Vitiated Vata located in the semen
Sira gata vata – Vitiated Vata located in the blood vessels
Sandhi gata Vata – Vitiated Vata located in the joints
Snayu gata Vata – Vitiated Vata located in the ligaments and tendons

Avarana (Vata Vyadhi caused by obstruction of functions of Vayu and its subtypes by other elements) –

Examples of Avarana are as below mentioned:

Pitta Avruta Vata – Vitiated Pitta obstructing the functions of Vata
Kapha Avruta Vata – Vitiated Kapha obstructing the functions of Vata
Pitta Avruta Prana – Vitiated Pitta obstructing the functions of Prana Vayu
Kapha Avruta Udana – Vitiated Kapha obstructing the functions of Udana Vayu
Rakta Avruta Vata – Vitiated Rakta (blood) obstructing the functions of Vata
Mamsa Avruta Vata – Vitiated Mamsa (muscles) obstructing the functions of Vata
Anna Avruta Vata – Vitiated food obstructing the functions of Vata
Mala Avruta Vata – Vitiated or contaminated feces obstructing the functions of Vata

Anyonya Avarana (Vata subtypes blocking the functions of each other:

Prana Avruta Udana – Vitiated Prana Vayu obstructing the functions of Udana Vayu
Udana Avruta Prana – Vitiated Udana Vayu obstructing the functions of Prana Vayu
Apana Avruta Vyana – Vitiated Apana Vata obstructing the functions of Vyana Vata
Samana Avruta Apana – Vitiated Samana Vata obstructing the functions of Apana Vata
Prana Avruta Samana – Vitiated Prana obstructing the functions of Samana Vata etc

There are 42 types of Avarana and the above ones are quoted as examples.

Other Vata Vyadhis –

Akshepaka – convulsions
Dhanurvata / Dhanustambha – tetanus
Apatanaka – tetani
Apatantraka – hysteria
Abhyantara Ayama – Emp-osthotonos
Baahya Ayama – Opisthotonos
Pakshavadha – Hemiplegia, Paralysis
Ardita – Facial paralysis
Hanu graham – Lock Jaw
Manya stambham – Torticollis or Wry Neck
Jihwa stambha – Glossal palsy or tongue paralysis
Gridhrasi – Sciatica
Vishwachi – Apabahuka – Radial neuritis, Ulnar neuritis, Radio-ulnar paralysis
Kroshtu sheersha – Sino-arthritis of knee joint, inflamed knee
Khanja – limp, monoplegia
Pangu – lame, paraplegia
Vata kantaka – ankle arthritis
Pada daha – peripheral neuritis
Amsa shosha – emaciation of scapular region following paralysis
Mukata – aphasia
Aadhmaana – distension of abdomen, tympanitis
Kampa vata – shaking palsy, paralysis agitans
Khalli – muscle cramps etc

Line of treatment

Treating Vayu

Sneha – Administration of medicated oils / ghee, Massage, oil pouring etc
Sweda – Steaming / sudation / sweating therapy
Mridu shodanam – Evacuation treatment (mild cleansing treatments like Virechana etc)
Snigdhoshna Vasti – Medicated enemas with oils and ghee, given luke warm
Deepana pachana sneha – Oils and ghee processed with deepana (appetizer) and pachana (digestant) drugs
Svadu bhojana – Consuming sweet foods
Amla bhojana – consuming sour foods
Lavana bhojana – consuming salt foods
Ushna bhojana – Hot and fresh foods
Abhyangam – Massage with herbal oils
Mardana – Tapping the body with closed fists after application of vata alleviating oils
Seka – Pouring of medicated oils over the body in streams
Paishtika Madhya – Alcohol or fermented products prepared with flours
Goudika Madhya – Alcohol or fermented products prepared with jaggery

Just Before Finishing
Vata Vyadhi covers a wide range of neurological, neuro-muscular, musculo-skeletal disorders and degenerative disorders. Vata is the master of the body orchestra. If it can be kept healthy and normal through healthy lifestyle and diet practices one would escape the risk of degeneration and disasters caused by Vata. The knowledge of Vata Vyadhi and its diagnosis helps in planning and administering comprehensive treatment towards effectively combating Vata Vyadhi.

Effective decoctions for Vata disorders from Sahasrayogam

1. Vatahara Kashayam

Ref – Sahasrayogam, Kashaya Prakaranam, 59

a. Prasarinyadi Kashayam

Ingredients	Botanical Name	Method of using	Indications
Prasarini	Paederia foetida	The decoction prepared with these ingredients should be served fresh mixed with milk	1.Vata disorders 2.Shoulder and arm pain (Apabahuka)
Black gram	Vigna mungo
Bala	Sida cordifolia
Garlic	Allium sativum
Rasna	Pluchea lanceolata
Ginger	Zingiber officinale

b. Sahacharadi Kashayam

c. Rasonadi Kashayam

d. Gandharvahastadi Kashayam (Vatahara Kashayam)

e. Brihat Panchamoola Kashayam

Ingredients	Botanical Name	Method of using	Indications
Bilwa	Aegle marmelos	The decoction prepared with these ingredients should be served fresh	Cures – 1.Vata disorders 2.Gout
Agnimantha	Clerodendron phlomidis
Shyonaka	Oroxylum indicum
Patala	Stereospermum suaveolens
Gambhari	Gmelina arborea

f. Rasnaerandadi Kashayam (Vatahara Kashayam)

g. Rasnadi Kashayam

2. Rasna Shuntyadi Kashayam

Ref – Sahasrayogam, Parishishta Prakaranam, 5

Ingredients	Botanical Name	Method of using	Indications
Rasna	Pluchea lanceolata	The decoction prepared with these ingredients should be served fresh.	1.Stiffness of the nape of neck 2.Hernia 3.Fever 4.Diabetic carbuncles 5.Pain in pelvic region and joints 6.Vata vitiated in the entire body
Ginger	Zingiber officinale
Guduchi	Tinospora cordifolia
Sahachara	Strobilanthes heynianus
Musta	Cyperus rotundus
Shatavari	Asparagus racemosus
Haritaki	Terminalia chebula
Shatahwa	Anethum graveolens
Katuki	Picrorhiza kurrooa
Kacchura	Curcuma zedoaria
Vasa	Adhatoda vasica
Roots of Castor	Ricinus communis
Dasamoola	Ten roots

3. Brahmi Drakshadi Kashayam

Ref – Sahasrayogam, Parishishta Prakaranam, 6

4. Eranda Bilwadi Kashayam

Ref – Sahasrayogam, Parishishta Prakaranam, 68

Ingredients	Botanical Name	Method of using	Indications
Castor	Ricinus communis	The decoction prepared with these ingredients should be served fresh with alkali, asafetida, rock salt and castor oil.	1. Pain in pelvic region, shoulder and shoulder girdle, back, region of heart, breasts & thighs.
Bilwa	Aegle marmelos
	Gmelina arborea
Brihati Dwaya	Solanum indicum & Solanum xanthocarpum
Matulunga	Citrus medica
Pashanabheda	Bergenia ligulata
Trikatu	Piper longum, Piper nigrum Zingiber officinale
Mulaka	Raphanus sativus

5. Shatavaryadi Kashayam

Ref – Sahasrayogam, Parishishta Prakaranam, 98

Ingredients	Botanical Name	Method of using	Indications
Shatavari	Asparagus racemosus	Prepare decoction with the above mentioned herbs and divide it into two halves. Administer one half early in the morning with castor oil and rock salt and the second half in the evening, after meals / dinner with powder of cumin seeds and sugar.	1. All types (80 types of) Vata disorders
Haritaki	Terminalia chebula
Musta	Cyperus rotundus
Kacchura	Curcuma zedoaria
Katukarohini	Picrorhiza kurrooa
Devadaru	Cedrus deodara
Rasna	Pluchea lanceolata
Castor	Ricinus communis
Bala	Sida cordifolia
Saireya	Barleria prionitis
Satapushpa	Anethum sowa
Punarnava	Boerhavia diffusa
Bhunimba	Andrographis paniculata
Dashamula	Ten roots
Vasa	Adhatoda vasica

Other medicines from Sahasra Yoga Text book
Yogaraja guggulu
Kasturyadi gulika
Shuddhabala tailam
Kottamchukkadi Tailam
Balashwagandhadi tailam
Sahacharadi tailam
bala tailam
Kshirabala Tailam
Kshirabala Avarthava tailam
Dhanwantaram Tailam
Ketakyadi tailam
Chinchadi tailam
Prabhanjana vimardana tailam
Tintrini swarasadi tailam
Prasarini tailam
Pancha sneham
Dasamoolarishtam
Balarishtam
Devadarvyaishtam
Chinchadi Lehyam
Dasamoolavaleha
Sukumara Ghrita
Indukantam Ghrita
Panchatiktaka guggulu Ghrita

Pathya-Apathya

Wholesome diet and habits according to Yogaratnakara

Horsegram, blackgram, wheat, red rice, pointed gourd, drumstick, brinjol, pomegranate, falsa fruit, inspissated juice of the sugar-cane, ghee, milk, inspissated milk, dadhi kurchika, jujube fruit, grapes, betel chewing, salt, meat of sparrow, hen, peacock, partridge and animals of arid, desert-like land, shileendhra, parvata, nakra, gargara and khudisha types of fish etc. (according to the condition of the patient)

Unwholesome diet and habits according to Yogaratnakara

Worrying, being awake at night, suppressing the natural urges like urine, feces etc., vomiting, fatigue, fasting, bengal gram, peanut, powder of Barnyard millet, kuruvinda, nivara, Foxtailmillet, green gram, water from pond and river, Caper fruit, honey, astringent, pungent and bitter tastes, sexual intercourse, elephant and horse riding, sleeping on cot etc.
And for patients suffering from distention of abdomen and facial palsy – taking bath with unhygienic water, brushing the tooth etc.