ANATOMICAL CHANGES IN GERIATRIC: A REVIEW

Dr. Suryakant D. Rokade* and Dr. Chandrashekhar D. Vaikos

ABSTRACT

Aging in modern science is defined as a Progressive failure of the body haemostatic, adaptive response; Ayurveda has considered Jara or vardhakya as a natural and inevitable process as well as a swabhavaja vyadhi as old age sets in, homestasis between the Tridosas are disturbed. Kapha decreases resulting in an increased vata this result in disturbance in pitta too. As age advances, several changes take place in the body, in the external appearance, in the condition of Dosha, Dhatu, Mala, Agni, Oja, and so on, as well as in the mental and cognitive functions. Elderly people are susceptible to several chronic diseases also. This stage is characterised by decay in the body. Dhatu, perception power of indriya, potency, strength, speech, various mental and congnitive functions (e.g memory, intellect, reception, retention, analytic ability etc.) During this phase there is predominance of vaaya dosha, (one of the three physiological body factors). The major physical changes seen at this time are wrinkling of skin, graying of hair, baldness and diminishing ability to do physical work. These anatomical changes include loss of compactness of the muscles, looseness of joints, vitiation of Rakta, excessive production of meda, failure of majja, accumulation in bone failure of production of Shukra and loss of oja factor. Aging represents structural and functional changes of an organism over its entire life span. The aim of this conceptual article is to compile the various Anatomical changes in geriatrics.

Keywords: Aging, Ayurveda, Geriatrics, Vriddhavastha.