Published Paper Details:

Diarrheal diseases rank among the top three causes of death in pediatric population of the developing world. It is defined as the passage of three or more loose or watery stools per 24 hours, resulting in excessive loss of fluid and electrolytes in stools. Atisara explained in Ayurveda can be correlated to diarrhea, where 'Ati' means excess and 'Saranam' means flow i.e., a condition where watery stools passed in excess. Acharya Dalhan on his commentary on Sushruta Samhita stated that passing of watery stools in increased quantity is a characteristic feature of Atisara. The term Balatisara is found at first in Harita Samhita in context of treatment. The term Balatisara literary means Atisara occurring in children but it has not been mentioned as a separate entity in Brihattrayi. Though several scattered references of term Balatisara are found in context of treatment of Atisara in children in Laghuttrayi, Atisara (Diarrhea) has been dealt in much detail in Ayurvedic literature, but not in term of children specially. However, in Kaumarbhritya certain specific disorder in which Atisara is major symptom have been mentioned in Ayurvedic literature. Atisara is described as a symptom in many diseases like Dantobhedjanyatisara, Ksheeralaska, Vyadhiifaka, Revati, Putna, Balagraha etc. Most important factor in the pathogenesis of Atisara (diarrhea) is Mandagni. Mandagni is root cause of Amadosha and it is the crucial factor for manifestation of most of the diseases including Atisara. The Etiological factors are basically classified as Dietetic (Aharaja), Behavioral (Viharaja), and Psychological (Manasika) etc. The word 'Krimi' is an important factor for the Atisara, in children considered by Acharya Charaka and Acharya Sushruta.