Changes

<big>'''Abstract'''</big>

<big>'''Abstract'''</big>

<div style="text-align:justify;">This chapter deals with sudation (Swedana) therapy, essentially followed after oleation therapy. Swedana (sudation) is a process in which the individual is subjected to therapeutic sweating. It is considered an essential prerequisite to Panchakarma (purification therapy involving five procedures) in [[Ayurveda]]. Swedana is intended to remove excessive vata and kapha dosha and is contraindicated in pitta disorders. The extent and intensity of swedana depends upon various factors such as physical strength, severity of dosha, season, site, age etc. There are specific indications and contraindications for swedana karma and the optimal signs should be strictly followed for the procedure. There are many agents to induce sweating which can be broadly divided into sagni sweda (sweating induced with the help of fire) and niragni sweda (induced without using fire). Bolus fomentation, steam fomentation, tub fomentation and poultice fomentation are some of the very common types of swedana procedures. There are thirteen varieties of fomentations (prevalent in the olden days) that involve direct usage of heat derived from fire, and ten methods without fire. Swedana is an effective therapeutic method in [[Ayurveda]] and is the focus of study in this chapter. </div>

<div style="text-align:justify;">This chapter deals with sudation (Swedana, therapeutic sweating) therapy, essentially followed after oleation therapy. Swedana (sudation) is a process in which the individual is subjected to therapeutic sweating. It is considered an essential prerequisite to Panchakarma (purification therapy involving five procedures) in [[Ayurveda]]. Swedana is intended to remove excessive vata and kapha dosha and is contraindicated in pitta disorders. The extent and intensity of swedana depends upon various factors such as physical strength, severity of dosha, season, site, age etc. There are specific indications and contraindications for swedana karma and the optimal signs should be strictly followed for the procedure. There are many agents to induce sweating which can be broadly divided into sagni sweda (sweating induced with the help of fire) and niragni sweda (induced without using fire). Bolus fomentation, steam fomentation, tub fomentation and poultice fomentation are some of the very common types of swedana procedures. There are thirteen varieties of fomentations (prevalent in the olden days) that involve direct usage of heat derived from fire, and ten methods without fire. Swedana is an effective therapeutic method in [[Ayurveda]] and is the focus of study in this chapter. </div>

'''Keywords''': ''Avagaha sweda,'' fomentation,  ''jentaka sweda, nadi sweda, niragni sweda, ushma sweda,  pottali sweda, ruksha sweda, sagni sweda, sankara sweda, samyak swinna lakshana, snigdha sweda, sudation swedana, swedatiyoga, swedayoga, trayodasha sweda, upanaha sweda,'' fomentation, heat, sudation therapy, hydrosis.

'''Keywords''': ''Avagaha sweda,'' fomentation,  ''jentaka sweda, nadi sweda, niragni sweda, ushma sweda,  pottali sweda, ruksha sweda, sagni sweda, sankara sweda, samyak swinna lakshana, snigdha sweda, sudation swedana, swedatiyoga, swedayoga, trayodasha sweda, upanaha sweda,'' fomentation, heat, sudation therapy, hydrosis.

== Vidhi Vimarsha (Applied Inferences) ==

== Vidhi Vimarsha (Applied Inferences) ==

===Clinical administration of swedana===

===Clinical administration of swedana===

''Swedana'' should only be administered following a proper ''snehana'' (unless indicated otherwise). On application of unctuous substances like ''taila'' on various body parts, ''sweda'' forms an intervening viscous layer between the skin and the immediate environment prior to transdermal drug absorption. Thus the heat lost through sudation, along with large amounts of fluid and a marginal amount of Na+ and Cl- ions through radiation / conduction / convection / evaporation (which could potentially impair thermoregulation or cause hypothermia) does not happen too rapidly. Also, the procedure of ''swedana'' promotes the transdermal absorption of the ''sneha'' by inducing peripheral vasodilatation. However, environmental humidity and the duration of ''swedana'' procedure has to be strictly monitored, as exposure to small rise in temperature for a prolonged time can have a greater impact (more evaporation) than exposure to high temperature for a short time in a humid atmosphere<ref name="ref1">Cabanae, M., (2006), Journal of Applied Physiology, 100, Adjustable set point, 1338 – 1346.</ref>. Hence ''yathavath prayojithaihi'' has been written expressly to denote the optimal exposure to ''swedana''.

''Swedana'' should only be administered following a proper ''snehana'' (unless indicated otherwise). On application of unctuous substances like oil (''taila'') on various body parts, ''sweda'' forms an intervening viscous layer between the skin and the immediate environment prior to transdermal drug absorption. Thus the heat lost through sudation, along with large amounts of fluid and a marginal amount of Na+ and Cl- ions through radiation / conduction / convection / evaporation (which could potentially impair thermoregulation or cause hypothermia) does not happen too rapidly. Also, the procedure of ''swedana'' promotes the transdermal absorption of the ''sneha'' by inducing peripheral vasodilatation. However, environmental humidity and the duration of ''swedana'' procedure has to be strictly monitored, as exposure to small rise in temperature for a prolonged time can have a greater impact (more evaporation) than exposure to high temperature for a short time in a humid atmosphere<ref name="ref1">Cabanae, M., (2006), Journal of Applied Physiology, 100, Adjustable set point, 1338 – 1346.</ref>. Hence ''yathavath prayojithaihi'' has been written expressly to denote the optimal exposure to ''swedana''.

Proper application of ''snehana'' (''abhyanthara'' and ''bahya'') and ''swedana'' enhances gastro-intestinal motility. A study enumerates the instantaneous as well as prolonged benefits of continued ''swedana'', concluding that habitual use of ''swedana'' improves one’s heat tolerance capacity and physical endurance, while observing increased autonomic functions among patients due to intermittent purposeful heat stress.<ref>Sanjeev Rastogy & Francesco Chiappelli, (2013 April – June), AYU, 34(2): Heamodynamic effects of Sarvanga swedana (Ayurvedic passive heat therapy): a pilot observational study 154-159.</ref> There are numerous studies which claim that gastrointestinal motility disorders are caused due to decreased autonomic activity and its therapeutic increase, therefore helps cure motility disorders, thereby improving bowel-bladder functioning. [verse 3-5]

Proper application of ''snehana'' (''abhyanthara'' and ''bahya'') and ''swedana'' enhances gastro-intestinal motility. A study enumerates the instantaneous as well as prolonged benefits of continued ''swedana'', concluding that habitual use of ''swedana'' improves one’s heat tolerance capacity and physical endurance, while observing increased autonomic functions among patients due to intermittent purposeful heat stress.<ref>Sanjeev Rastogy & Francesco Chiappelli, (2013 April – June), AYU, 34(2): Heamodynamic effects of Sarvanga swedana (Ayurvedic passive heat therapy): a pilot observational study 154-159.</ref> There are numerous studies which claim that gastrointestinal motility disorders are caused due to decreased autonomic activity and its therapeutic increase, therefore helps cure motility disorders, thereby improving bowel-bladder functioning. [verse 3-5]

Environmental and age related factors also need to be considered for sudation. In extremely warm regions or during the peak of summer, there is remarkable bodily dehydration. And in an intensely humid climate or in an ill ventilated room where there is peripheral heat production from the body surface (and yet minimal evaporation), sudation has to be strictly monitored and precautionary procedures have to be well thought-out. Cold seasons are ideal for ''swedana'' procedures because body homeostasis favors or demands heat (evident from the behavioral response mechanisms adopted by each one of us in cold seasons). Among specific fomentation techniques, ''sarvangasweda'' is contraindicated in individuals at the extremes of age (i.e., infants and very elderly people) where there is ineffective thermoregulation, although ''ekanga'' and ''mridu sweda'' could be prescribed. [verse 6]

Environmental and age related factors also need to be considered for sudation. In extremely warm regions or during the peak of summer, there is remarkable body dehydration. And in an intensely humid climate or in an ill ventilated room where there is peripheral heat production from the body surface (and yet minimal evaporation), sudation has to be strictly monitored and precautionary procedures have to be well thought-out. Cold seasons are ideal for ''swedana'' procedures because body homeostasis favors or demands heat (evident from the behavioral response mechanisms adopted by each one of us in cold seasons). Among specific fomentation techniques, ''sarvangasweda'' is contraindicated in individuals at the extremes of age (i.e., infants and very elderly people) where there is ineffective thermoregulation, although ''ekanga'' and ''mridu sweda'' could be prescribed. [verse 6]

Health indicators such as serum electrolytes, blood urea, creatinine, mean acid base balance, serum and urine osmolarity, hemoglobin, hematocrit and vital signs should also be assessed before and after ''swedana''. <ref>ibid</ref>

Health indicators such as serum electrolytes, blood urea, creatinine, mean acid base balance, serum and urine osmolarity, hemoglobin, hematocrit and vital signs should also be assessed before and after ''swedana''. <ref>ibid</ref>

''Bala'' of the individual has to be assessed through ''vyayama shakti'' (exercise capacity), which corresponds to the time taken for spending one’s ''ardha shakti'' (half strength). Based on the outcome of this assessment, ''pravara'' (maximum), ''avara'' (minimum) and ''madhyama'' (medium) ''bala'' have to be assessed. Based upon the results of these ''bala'' assessments, ''maha sweda'' (whole body sudation for an extended duration) and various minor/major ''sweda'' measures could be prescribed.

''Bala'' (physical fitness) of the individual has to be assessed through ''vyayama shakti'' (exercise capacity), which corresponds to the time taken for spending one’s ''ardha shakti'' (half strength). Based on the outcome of this assessment, ''pravara'' (maximum), ''avara'' (minimum) and ''madhyama'' (medium) ''bala'' have to be assessed. Based upon the results of these ''bala'' assessments, ''maha sweda'' (whole body sudation for an extended duration) and various minor/major ''sweda'' measures could be prescribed.

Exercise intolerance has a significant impact on heat intolerance. People who exhibit exercise intolerance (like in the case of mitochondrial diseases, or in persons leading a sedentary lifestyle) may have autonomic dysfunction including vascular autonomia characterized by tachycardia, dizziness, changes in heart rate and blood pressure, heat intolerance and unusual sweating pattern. Also, deficiency in energy metabolism may cause exercise intolerance and reduced stamina. It is evident that exercise intolerance leads to heat intolerance and abnormal sweating pattern, making it difficult - and hazardous- to conduct ''swedana'' in those individuals. An interesting observation is that if an individual is acclimatized to hot environment, he gradually attains exercise tolerance by an increase in plasma and thereby increase in blood volume, increased venous return, increased cardiac output, sub maximal heart rate, sustained sweat response, earlier onset of sweat and increased capacity for evaporative cooling, decreased osmolality of sweat and electrolyte conservation and decreased likelihood for fatigue<ref>Kondo, N., et. al, (2009), Global Environmental research, Thermoregulatory adaptations in Humans and its modifying factors, 13 (1), 35 - 41.- online research</ref>

Exercise intolerance has a significant impact on heat intolerance. People who exhibit exercise intolerance (like in the case of mitochondrial diseases, or in persons leading a sedentary lifestyle) may have autonomic dysfunction including vascular autonomia characterized by tachycardia, dizziness, changes in heart rate and blood pressure, heat intolerance and unusual sweating pattern. Also, deficiency in energy metabolism may cause exercise intolerance and reduced stamina. It is evident that exercise intolerance leads to heat intolerance and abnormal sweating pattern, making it difficult - and hazardous- to conduct ''swedana'' in those individuals. An interesting observation is that if an individual is acclimatized to hot environment, he gradually attains exercise tolerance by an increase in plasma and thereby increase in blood volume, increased venous return, increased cardiac output, sub maximal heart rate, sustained sweat response, earlier onset of sweat and increased capacity for evaporative cooling, decreased osmolality of sweat and electrolyte conservation and decreased likelihood for fatigue<ref>Kondo, N., et. al, (2009), Global Environmental research, Thermoregulatory adaptations in Humans and its modifying factors, 13 (1), 35 - 41.- online research</ref>

Practically, ''valuka sweda'' may be considered to be an extreme form of ''ruksha sweda'' and taila droni as an ultimate form of ''snigdha sweda''. ''Patrapotala sweda, jambheera pinda sweda'' etc are ''na atisnigdharuksha'' (neither too unctuous nor too dry) in nature. From this, a spectrum of ''swedana'' techniques could be formulated starting from ''valuka sweda'' (sudation using sand as driest form) and ending in ''taila droni'' (dipping in warm oil as most unctuous form). The complete sequence of techniques would imply ''valuka sweda'' at one end of the spectrum, followed by ''thusha sweda, kareesha sweda, pinyakasweda, dhanyamla dhara, churnapindasweda, jambheera panda sweda, patrapotala sweda, anda sweda, shashtika pinda sweda, sarvanga dhara'' and eventually ending with ''taila droni''. [verse 7-8]

Practically, ''valuka sweda'' may be considered to be an extreme form of ''ruksha sweda'' and taila droni as an ultimate form of ''snigdha sweda''. ''Patrapotala sweda, jambheera pinda sweda'' etc are ''na atisnigdharuksha'' (neither too unctuous nor too dry) in nature. From this, a spectrum of ''swedana'' techniques could be formulated starting from ''valuka sweda'' (sudation using sand as driest form) and ending in ''taila droni'' (dipping in warm oil as most unctuous form). The complete sequence of techniques would imply ''valuka sweda'' at one end of the spectrum, followed by ''thusha sweda, kareesha sweda, pinyakasweda, dhanyamla dhara, churnapindasweda, jambheera panda sweda, patrapotala sweda, anda sweda, shashtika pinda sweda, sarvanga dhara'' and eventually ending with ''taila droni''. [verse 7-8]

In general practice, early degenerative lesions such as pre-senile dementia, demyelinating poly neuropathy of adolescence or adulthood such as CIDP, and post-infective (febrile) neurological disorders such as GBS present themselves as ''amashayagata vata samprapthi lakshanas'' (signs of ''vata'' vitiated in ''amashaya'') and therapeutic ''swedana'' measures such as ''rukshana'' (dry fomentation techniques) are found to be very effective in the initial stages of these conditions. Metabolic disorders of the aged, such as vascular dementia, and various rheumatological disorders resemble ''pakwashayagata kapha lakshanas'' and the treatment may be initiated with ''snigdha sweda''. [verse 9]

In general practice, early degenerative conditions such as pre-senile dementia, demyelinating poly neuropathy of adolescence or adulthood such as CIDP, and post-infective (febrile) neurological disorders such as GBS present themselves as ''amashayagata vata samprapthi lakshanas'' (signs of ''vata'' vitiated in ''amashaya'') and therapeutic ''swedana'' measures such as ''rukshana'' (dry fomentation techniques) are found to be very effective in the initial stages of these conditions. Metabolic disorders of the aged, such as vascular dementia, and various rheumatological disorders resemble ''pakwashayagata kapha lakshanas'' and the treatment may be initiated with ''snigdha sweda''. [verse 9]

For some of the disorders mentioned above that are ''sweda sadhya, mridu sweda'' alone should be performed. If the disease is ''sweda asadhya'', it’s better to avoid administering ''swedana'' to these areas. This indicates that utmost care has to be taken when it comes to applying fomentation to vital areas as well as fomenting the whole body. Various ''acharyas'' suggest using ''dravyas'', or medicated formulations, to shield or protect vital organs from any adverse affects of ''swedana''. ''Gangadhara'' recommends the use of ''sheeta veerya dravyas'', in this context, while administering ''mridu sweda'' to these vital parts, and Chakrapani also advises the use of these ''dravyas'' as protective measures of those parts while performing ''swedana''. It is well established that hyperthermia in testicular region adversely affects spermatogenesis and virility of semen, in turn hampering fertility.

For some of the disorders mentioned above that are ''sweda sadhya, mridu sweda'' alone should be performed. If the disease is ''sweda asadhya'', it’s better to avoid administering ''swedana'' to these areas. This indicates that utmost care has to be taken when it comes to applying fomentation to vital areas as well as fomenting the whole body. Various ''acharyas'' suggest using ''dravyas'', or medicated formulations, to shield or protect vital organs from any adverse affects of ''swedana''. ''Gangadhara'' recommends the use of ''sheeta veerya dravyas'', in this context, while administering ''mridu sweda'' to these vital parts, and Chakrapani also advises the use of these ''dravyas'' as protective measures of those parts while performing ''swedana''. It is well established that hyperthermia in testicular region adversely affects spermatogenesis and virility of semen, in turn hampering fertility.