Janapadodhvansa (also spelled as janapadodhvamsa) means destruction of communities due to a common cause. The affliction of diseases in society disrupting the physical, psychological, social health of community is phenomenon observed since inception of life on the earth. The pandemic and epidemic situations are considered to be as old as human evolution. Ayurveda texts have thus also extensively mentioned the pandemic conditions at various places commonly referred to as janapadodhvansa, maraka or janamara. Acharya Charak has explained the concept of janapadodhvansain vimana sthana of the treatise Charak samhita. The concept of janapadodhvansais thus reference point for the description of disease origin and spread in the population highlighting the principles of epidemiology in ayurveda.
| Section/Chapter/topic | Concepts/Janapadodhvansa |
|---|---|
| Authors |
Bhojani M. K. 1, Joglekar Aishwarya 2 |
| Reviewer | Basisht G.3, |
| Editor | Deole Y.S.4 |
| Affiliations |
1 Department of Sharir Kriya, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, India 2 Department of Department of Samhita Siddhant, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, India 3 Rheumatologist, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. 4 Department of Kayachikitsa, G. J. Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India |
| Correspondence emails |
meera.samhita@aiia.gov.in, carakasamhita@gmail.com |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India |
| Date of publication: | May 16, 2023 |
| DOI | 10.47468/CSNE.2023.e01.s09.137 |
What is janapadodhvansa?
Janapadodhvansa is defined as a phenomenon in which a large population is inflicted with one particular disease irrespective of their prakriti (phenotype), ahara (dietary habits), dehabala (innate immunity and strength), satmya (behavioural habits and lifestyle) and sattva (mental conditions), vayasa (age group) (Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 3/6)
Etymology
Janapad refers to group of people/inhabitants or community while uddhwansa refers to the destruction of the community. Thus it is a condition where large group of people or entire community is destroyeddue to the natural or artificial phenomena.
Synonyms of janapadodhvansa
Janapadodhvansa is quoted as janamara by Acharya Bhela and Maraka by Acharya Sushrut (Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 6/19) indicating the prevalence of epidemics in those times as well.
Causes of janapadodhvansa
Two types of causes of origin of diseases (vyadhi-utpatti hetu) are described. Common aetiological factors (sadharana hetu) can produce diseases in almost all the beings (bahujana sadharana).Specific etiological factors (asadharana hetu) are personalized and differ from individual to individual. (Chakrapani on Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 3/3)Janapadodhvansa chapter deals with the common causes of disease occurrence in large community.
The four main environmental factors like vata (vitiated air or atmospheric factors), jala (vitiated water), desha (geographical factors or those related to vitiated land and soil resources), kaala (seasonal and climatic conditions)are focused to cause epidemic situations. (Cha. Sa Vimana Sthana 3/6). These can be summarized as given in the table below: (Table No. 1 – Entity causative of janapadodhvansa and its interpretation in present context)
| Entity | Signs of vitiation | Present context |
|---|---|---|
| Vayu | Vishama vayu - showing characteristics contradictory to normalair conditions | This represents the climate change that causes impact on the social and environmental determinants of health.[1] |
| Atichala – fast blowing winds / squall | These are natural phenomena that can cause a loss of human and environmental resources over a large area.[2] | |
| Ati- stimita –stagnation of air | Poor air circulation and damp atmosphere promotes the spread of bacteria and viruses.[3] | |
| Atiparusha – excessive dryness | This can be correlated with low air humidity resulting in excessive dryness in air especially indoor air.[4] | |
| Ati sheeta- excessive cold air | Exposure to cold weather which can occur in the high altitude regions and extremes of climate especially during winter season.[5] | |
| Ati abhishyandi – overt humidity in air | An increase in air humidity that triggers rise in the occurrence of diseases.[6] | |
| Ati ushna- excessive heat in surrounding air | Excessive hot atmosphere can lead to conditions like heat exhaustion.[7] | |
| Ati kundalinaam- hurricanes or cyclones. | Cycloneis a system of storms or winds that rotate at centre of atmosphere with at a very high speed usually associated with heavy rains.[8] It possesses potential to destruct habitations over a large area. | |
| Asatmya gandha – foul smelling | Odor pollution is emerging risk factor for the populations exposed to industrial pollution, generalized climate change and environmental pollution.[9] | |
| Containing bashpa (fog), sikta (air pollutant like industrial effluents, solid pollutant particulate matter), panshu (micro pollutants), dhuma (smoke or smog) | The particulate matter is mixture of microscopic solids and liquid droplets suspended in air. These include pollutants like acids, organic chemicals, soil, dust particles and allergens.[10] | |
References
- ↑ Climate change [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jan 23]. Available from: https://www.who.int/westernpacific/health-topics/climate-change
- ↑ Eichelberger S, Mccaa J, Nijssen B, Wood A. Climate change effects on wind speed. NAm Wind. 2008 Jan 1;7:68–72.
- ↑ Bacteria and Viruses | American Lung Association [Internet]. [cited 2020 Apr 5]. Available from: https://www.lung.org/clean-air/at-home/indoor-air-pollutants/bacteria-and-viruses
- ↑ Choi SH, Lee SW, Hong YS, Kim SJ, Kim NH. Effects of atmospheric temperature and humidity on outbreak of diseases. Emerg Med Australas. 2007 Dec;19(6):501–8.
- ↑ Cold Related Illnesses | NIOSH |CDC [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2022 Jan 23]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/coldstress/coldrelatedillnesses.html
- ↑ Wolkoff P. Indoor air humidity, air quality, and health – An overview. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. 2018 Apr 1;221(3):376–90.
- ↑ WHO | Information and public health advice: heat and health [Internet]. WHO. World Health Organization; [cited 2020 Apr 5]. Available from: http://www.who.int/globalchange/publications/heat-and-health/en/
- ↑ Definition of CYCLONE [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jan 21]. Available from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cyclone
- ↑ Ranveer A, Pawar P, Latake P. Odour Pollution and Its Measurement. International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET). 2015 Dec 1;3:221–9.
- ↑ Particulate Matter Effects on Health - Air (U.S. National Park Service) [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jan 19]. Available from: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/air/humanhealth-pm.html