1700 B. C. Health For The Hindu Adherent

Hinduism is the third largest faith in the world with Hindu adherents spanning across the globe. It could be one of the oldest with sacred texts from early as 1700 B.C. Health for the Hindu adherent involves balance of the mind, body, and soul with nature. They have a holistic view with consciousness not being associated with the mind but, with the soul itself. Health can also be determined by actions and deeds therefore past actions cause illness. This is known as the law of Karma.
Ayurvedic medicine is the whole body approach to a health. In Ayurvedic the universe consist of five elements which are prithvi (earth), jala (water), teja (fire), and vauy (air), and akash (space). Three of these elements can affect the human body. Wind, fire, and water exist in
the human body as breath, bile and mucus and their balance negates health. The functions of metabolism, digestion, and excretion are emphasized in maintaining health. All body functions are defined on the bases of doshas or patho-physiological entities. The first is vata dosha which is all movement and functions of the nervous system and musculo-skeletal system. Next is Pitta dosha which is digestion, metabolism, hormones, and the immune system. Lastly there is kapha dosha with is related to maintaining homeostasis and physical strength. Different combinations of doshas that a person receives at conception helps determine a person prakriti or body constitution therefore determining an individual’s genotype. These combinations may be seen as more or less susceptible to specific diseases or conditions. Moderation and exercise along with yoga and meditation are seen as vital to health and well being and are seen as a way to maintain balance. Medication is taken in moderation along with herbs and medicinal remedies. Additionally medication containing pig, cow, or other animal may not be acceptable for many Hindu’s. Prolonging life is not encouraged.
For patients that adhere to Ayurvedic medicine it is important to allow needed time for the patient to pray and perform purity rituals.
Since there is no set time that Hindus pray and it can be done anywhere and at any time. Hindus view the connection between mental and physical activities as a great importance. Any imbalance in one affects the other and can cause illness and disease. Grief, fear, worry, sorrow, and anger are seen as causes of physical conditions such as indigestion. To restore the mind/body balance medicine, diet, routines, spiritual learning, patience, prayer and meditation are essential.
Also to understand the patient may use religious symbols, amulets, and symbols. Women wear sacred jewelry or threads and the examiner should first see if it is okay to remove it before proceeding with an exam. Hindu adherents do accept modern medicine however, it is very important to determine what herbs and homeopathic treatments are being used since that can be contraindicated with western medication. Also these patients due to their belief in moderation may see western health care as over use of medication and may be resistant or see using medicine as inconsistent with acceptance and
suffering.
Cleanliness and purity is maintained, both physical and spiritually. Purity of the body is maintained through hygiene practices. Hindu may wish to have water available after using the toilet and even may prefer to shower after defecation. Bed baths may be preferred starting with the face and ending with the feet to maintain cleanliness. Additionally the patient may prefer to shower since washing under running water is a preferred method of cleansing. Hindu may also brush their teeth and clean their tongues after waking up in the morning and use things such as mint leaves, cloves, and fennel to maintain dental health. Saliva and body discharges are looked at as impure and tamsic (polluting). A female’s menstruation is polluting and they must be restricted from specific activities and must go into a ritual bath after ending her cycle to begin having intimate relations again with her husband.
They believe that all illness have a biological, psychological and spiritual element so treatments need to address all these elements or could be viewed by the patient as incomplete or not effective. Hindus may see mental illness, disabilities, and cognitive dysfunctions as a result of karma or nazzar (evil eye). A punishment for a misdeed in the current or a prior life and must be suffered to pay for the debt of the prior act(s). Dharma which is a road map or guide to living life in a positive way can counter the Karma. In Hindu mythology men and women with disabilities can be viewed quite differently. Men with disabilities can be viewed as strong and capable while a female with disabilities can be viewed as weak and unimportant. Western counseling for mental illness may be resisted if it views the illness as purely a mind problem and does not offer a holistic approach to treatment.
Since many Hindu’s believe in reincarnation they also believe that rebirth of an individual begins at the moment of conception. Due to this abortion is never an option since life must be allowed to fulfill its destiny. After the birth of a child a Hindu father may touch and smell the newborn and whisper mantras into the newborns ear as part of the Jatakarma ceremony. Also after birth a small dot may be drawn behind the newborns ear in the shape of an Om symbol. This symbol may also be drawn on the newborns tongue using sugar and honey. Some Hindus may choose to bury the umbilical cord from the child on the sixth day after birth. Circumcision is never considered a possible option in the Hindu belief system.

Modesty is an important attribute to Hindu people and they may have a preference of seeing a clinician of the same sex or have a family member present during an examination.