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=== Introduction ===

=== Introduction ===

‘Water is not necessary to life but rather life itself’ – This quotation describes importance of water in our life. Water is the most abundant constituent in the body, comprising approximately 50% of body weight in women and 60% in men.[ ] It is crucial for survival as it performs various functions. It transports nutrients to the tissues, removes metabolic waste products, detoxifies body elements, regulates body temperature, maintains pH, electrolyte balance etc. and homeostasis of body. In normal physiological process, certain amount of fluid is lost continuously. If this fluid balance is not maintained then, both acute and chronic fluid deficits may lead to number of adverse health outcomes. Even modest fluid deficits may precipitate adverse events, especially in young children, in the frail elderly and in those with poor health. [ ] Fluid balance in body is maintained via thirst, a feedback-controlled variable, regulated acutely by central and peripheral mechanisms. [ ] Thirst is physiological but when it exceeds its threshold it becomes pathological and is common in many diseases. Modern science accepts it as symptom only and have not given it as an entity of ‘disease’. Ayurveda is more comprehensive and broader in its approach. Fluid imbalance is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and considering this fact ‘thirst’ which is an indicator of fluid imbalance has been described as separate disease and not merely a symptom.

‘Water is not necessary to life but rather life itself’ – This quotation describes importance of water in our life. Water is the most abundant constituent in the body, comprising approximately 50% of body weight in women and 60% in men.[ ] It is crucial for survival as it performs various functions. It transports nutrients to the tissues, removes metabolic waste products, detoxifies body elements, regulates body temperature, maintains pH, electrolyte balance etc. and homeostasis of body. In normal physiological process, certain amount of fluid is lost continuously. If this fluid balance is not maintained then, both acute and chronic fluid deficits may lead to number of adverse health outcomes. Even modest fluid deficits may precipitate adverse events, especially in young children, in the frail elderly and in those with poor health. [ ] Fluid balance in body is maintained via thirst, a feedback-controlled variable, regulated acutely by central and peripheral mechanisms. [ ] Thirst is physiological but when it exceeds its threshold it becomes pathological and is common in many diseases. Modern science accepts it as symptom only and have not given it as an entity of ‘disease’. Ayurveda is more comprehensive and broader in its approach. Fluid imbalance is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and considering this fact ‘thirst’ which is an indicator of fluid imbalance has been described as separate disease and not merely a symptom.

The other meaning of trishna is greed or insatiable desire for something. It can be referred that word trishna not only denotes physical craving but includes psychological desires also. In morbid thirst both body and mind crave and there are conditions like psychogenic polydypsia in which thirst is only due to mental involvement. As mind plays an important role in thirst as a disease this chapter has been named as “trishna chikitsitam” not “pipasa chikitsitam.  

The other meaning of trishna is greed or insatiable desire for something. It can be referred that word trishna not only denotes physical craving but includes psychological desires also. In morbid thirst both body and mind crave and there are conditions like psychogenic polydypsia in which thirst is only due to mental involvement. As mind plays an important role in thirst as a disease this chapter has been named as “trishna chikitsitam” not “pipasa chikitsitam.  

Presently we rely only on fluid and electrolyte supplementation to treat thirst. Treatment of trishna by ayurvedic principles may open newer vistas in the cases where thirst is difficult to treat. Increased mortality due to dehydration, especially in vulnerable populations, it is commonly observed during periods of abnormally warm weather. [ ] Mortality rate is high in remote areas where health care facilities are not good enough. Ayurvedic preparations mentioned in this chapter are easy to make, can be life saving where sophisticated medical care is not available. Based on Ayurvedic principles, rules regarding use of water in various diseases have been also given in this chapter.

Presently we rely only on fluid and electrolyte supplementation to treat thirst. Treatment of trishna by ayurvedic principles may open newer vistas in the cases where thirst is difficult to treat. Increased mortality due to dehydration, especially in vulnerable populations, it is commonly observed during periods of abnormally warm weather. [ ] Mortality rate is high in remote areas where health care facilities are not good enough. Ayurvedic preparations mentioned in this chapter are easy to make, can be life saving where sophisticated medical care is not available. Based on Ayurvedic principles, rules regarding use of water in various diseases have been also given in this chapter.

अथातस्तृष्णाचिकित्सितं व्याख्यास्यामः ||१||  

अथातस्तृष्णाचिकित्सितं व्याख्यास्यामः ||१||  

इति ह स्माह भगवानात्रेयः ||२||

इति ह स्माह भगवानात्रेयः ||२||