A Siddha review of fi stula.

Abstract

Fistulas were formerly associated with considerable mortality rates. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are 50,000-100,000 new cases of stulas every year. The three humours maintain the upkeep of the human body through their combined functioning and when deranged they bring about peculiar effects. Siddha system of medicine can create great hope for controlling the stula. It is considered that many such diseases have multiple etiologies; hence a multipronged approach is more suitable in their management. A detailed description about Pakanthiram is present in ancient Siddha texts “Pararagasasegaram” and “Siddhar aruvai maruththuvam” with symptomatology, their curative and preventive measures. This review explains the basic understanding and description of pakanthiram (stula), symptomatology of which resembles with symptoms of stula and, classication of Pakanthiram. Data was collected from 'Pararasasegaram' and 'Siddhar Aruvai Maruththuvam' about 'Pakanthiram' related to modern aspect. The data was analyzed in terms of allopathic system. 'Pararaasa Seagram' has classied stula in to six major groups; Moola Pavunthiram, Suroni Pavunthiram, Yoni Pavunthiram, Pavunthira Odu, Thaarai Pavunthiram and Vilai Pavunthiram. The rst four major groups have been related to the perennial region. Thaarai Pavunthiram is concerned with artery and vein. Finally, Vilai Pavunthiram has been related to the intracranial space and upper spinal cord. The relationship between the ancient Siddha medicine sagacity and modern classication of stula bears striking similarities.