DASŪMAT-FID-DAM (HYPERLIPIDEMIA): A UNANI PERSPECTIVE ON PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING

Hyperlipidemia is a significant metabolic disorder that is closely linked with cardiovascular diseases in contemporary medicine. Although classical Unani literature does not identify hyperlipidemia as an independent disease entity, Unani scholars acknowledged the presence of fat within the bloodstream, referred to as Dasūmat fid-Dam. They described abnormal fat accumulation in conditions such as Siman Mufriṭ (obesity). The present review examines the Unani understanding of hyperlipidemia in classical texts, with particular focus on the roles of Balgham and Shaḥm, as well as etiological factors, pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical features, and associated complications. The findings indicate that Kasrat-e-Dasūmat fid-Dam shows a strong conceptual similarity to modern hyperlipidemia in terms of causation, disease progression, and complications. Exploring these traditional concepts may offer valuable perspectives for integrative approaches in the management of metabolic disorders.