AN AYURVEDIC UNDERSTANDING OF DETERIORATING HEALTH IN THE CURRENT ERA

There is a noticeable increase in disease burden and deterioration in health globally in recent years. There are several pieces of evidence available through epidemiological data to prove the above statement. The above trends coincide with Ayurvedic beliefs about deterioration in health and life expectancy in Yugas, especially Kaliyuga. The theory of causation of diseases in Ayurveda includes the individual factors of Prajñāparādha, Asātmyendriyārtha Saṃyoga, and Pariṇāma along with the environmental factors of Janapadodhwamsa. The imbalance of common environmental factors like air, water, land, and time results in disease outbreaks affecting the masses. Lifespan is a valuable health status indicator considering both individual and community factors. Commentaries on Charaka Samhita by Gangādhara and Chakrapāṇi discuss how lifespan is affected by causative factors, time, and environmental elements. They emphasize that the reduction in lifespan is a gradual process caused by multiple factors affecting a population.