Diseases are of four types.
Some diseases are easily curable, curable with difficulty, some can be managed
and some of them are incurable. But there is an approach towards understanding the
progress of disease manifestation. It is called as Shatkriya kala. Whereas Shat
means six, kriya is action and kala indicates time. So, Shat kriya kala means
six different stages of a disease. This understanding is very useful
clinically.
The stages of a disease
are
- Sanchaya - This stage is known as stage of gradual accumulation. It is first stage of onset of a disease which is caused due to improper diet and activities. In this stage, the vitiated dosha gets increased in its own place. There will be some sort of disturbance or mild symptoms in the body. For example let us consider lumbar spondylosis. In this stage one can experience mild stiffnes and pain in the lumbar region occasionally.
- Prakopa - It is stage of provocation. When we continue with same food pattern and activities, it still vitiates the dosha. In this stage, the increased dosha tends to move to other places of the body. The progress of the symptoms may increase and there will be no much difference with the previous stage. But when a patient moves to a physician at these two stages, it will be very easy to treat. There will be constipation in this stage. Crepitus can be observed in the affected joints.
- Prasara - This is the stage of spreading. The vitiated dosha moves to other parts of the body. Symptoms can be felt in other parts of the body. At this stage radiating pain across the sciatic nerve can be felt.
- Sthana Samsraya - It is known as localization. In this stage, the vitiated dosha settles at one place. This stage is also known as Poorva roopa (premonitory symptoms). This stage helps for the differential diagnoses of a disease. At this stage mild degenerative radiographic changes can be observed in the lumbar spine.
- Vyakthi - This stage is known for disease manifestation. There will be clear cut complaints of the symptoms which gives exact idea of a disease. This stage helps to give direct treatment for the complaints produced. At this stage there will be constant pain and stiffness in the lumbar region, and there will be compression in the nerve roots. Burning sensation or tingling sensation may be observed when sensory roots are affected.
- Bheda - This is the stage of complication. When a disease is untreated, it leads to complications. This stage is very difficult to treat. At this stage the patient may end up paraplegic loosing the functionality of lower limbs.
-Dr. Manasa Suneel Krishnan