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=== Introduction ===

=== Introduction ===

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In this important section dealing with the diagnoses of some common disorders of the body and the mind, the [[Nidana Sthana]], this eighth and concluding chapter deals with apasmara, a disorder afflicting the mind and sharing similar etiological and pathological factors as ''unmada'' (the subject of the preceding chapter). ''Apasmara'' (Sanskrit for ''apa'' (to lose) or leave, and ''smara'' (memory)) is a psychosomatic disorder involving memory, intellect and mind and present with cardinal features such as transient loss of memory, abnormal movements of body and blackouts. ''Apasmara'' is counted, in Ayurvedic texts, among the eight ''mahagada'' (most dreadful diseases). The extent of knowledge on the disease indicates that it must have been quite prevalent in antiquity. Ayurvedic scholars have observed that ''apasmara'' simulates epilepsy in its features. Epilepsy is a common neuropsychiatric condition involving mainly the brain, nervous system and the psyche. However, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda Ayurveda] emphasizes heart, the abode of consciousness and mind, as its core pathological site while covering diseases of memory, intellect as well as psyche under the umbrella of ''apasmara''.  

In this important section dealing with the diagnoses of some common disorders of the body and the mind, the [[Nidana Sthana]], this eighth and concluding chapter deals with apasmara, a disorder afflicting the mind and sharing similar etiological and pathological factors as ''unmada'' (the subject of the preceding chapter). ''Apasmara'' (Sanskrit for ''apa'' (to lose) or leave, and ''smara'' (memory)) is a psychosomatic disorder involving memory, intellect and mind and present with cardinal features such as transient loss of memory, abnormal movements of body and blackouts. ''Apasmara'' is counted, in Ayurvedic texts, among the eight ''mahagada'' (most dreadful diseases). The extent of knowledge on the disease indicates that it must have been quite prevalent in antiquity. Ayurvedic scholars have observed that ''apasmara'' simulates epilepsy in its features<ref> Venkataraghvan S., Rajagopalan V, Srinivasan K. Study of doshik involvement in Apasmara (Epilepsy) and its utility. Ancient science of life, Vol.No.VI[3],1987.138-47  </ref> <ref> Murthy ARV, Singh RH.A Critical study on the Ayurvedic concept of the psychopathological basis of Apasmara. Journal of NIMA XXXII [6] 1990.7-11  </ref>. Epilepsy is a common neuropsychiatric condition involving mainly the brain, nervous system and the psyche. However, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda Ayurveda] emphasizes heart, the abode of consciousness and mind, as its core pathological site while covering diseases of memory, intellect as well as psyche under the umbrella of ''apasmara''.  

Causative factors of ''apasmara'' can be categorized under dietary, lifestyle, psychological and iatrogenic factors. Vitiated ''doshas'' get through the vessels of the heart and when exposed to predisposing psychological factors like excess worry, grief, anger, and fear, move upwards from the heart, the abode of all consciousness, to the brain, afflicting the senses while altering memory. This eventually leads to ''apasmara''. The etiology of the disease and specific features of the dominant ''doshas'' involved, and ''nidanarthakara roga'' (one disease causing other disease) and its importance in diagnosis and treatment have been described in detail in this chapter, with some important aspects of diagnosis addressed. In some cases, both diseases (the causative and the secondary ones) coexist while in other cases, the causative disease disappears and the new disease remains present. Thus, this chapter, while focusing on ''apasmara'', also talks of complications that lead to secondary conditions and their treatment.

Causative factors of ''apasmara'' can be categorized under dietary, lifestyle, psychological and iatrogenic factors. Vitiated ''doshas'' get through the vessels of the heart and when exposed to predisposing psychological factors like excess worry, grief, anger, and fear, move upwards from the heart, the abode of all consciousness, to the brain, afflicting the senses while altering memory. This eventually leads to ''apasmara''. The etiology of the disease and specific features of the dominant ''doshas'' involved, and ''nidanarthakara roga'' (one disease causing other disease) and its importance in diagnosis and treatment have been described in detail in this chapter, with some important aspects of diagnosis addressed. In some cases, both diseases (the causative and the secondary ones) coexist while in other cases, the causative disease disappears and the new disease remains present. Thus, this chapter, while focusing on ''apasmara'', also talks of complications that lead to secondary conditions and their treatment.

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===Sanskrit Text, Transliteration and English Translation===

===Sanskrit Text, Transliteration and English Translation===