DYSPEPSIA AND YOGA

In fact, another common name for dyspepsia is indigestion, which, for the same reason, is no better than the term dyspepsia! Doctors frequently refer to the condition as non-ulcer dyspepsia. Dyspepsia is the term applied to difficulty in digesting food. Its means painful, difficult or disturbed digestion. Dyspepsia affects almost one-forth of the adult population in the U.S. It is often defined as a chronic or recurrent discomfort centered in the upper abdomen and can be caused by a variety of conditions. It includes a group of symptoms that come from a problem in your upper gut. The gut is the tube that starts at the mouth, and ends at the anus. The pain might come and go, but it is normally there most of the time.

The causes of dyspepsia are many, and some of them are not clearly understood. Too often, dyspepsia has been dismissed as a psychosomatic disorder. The main causes of dyspepsia are overeating, eating wrong food combinations, eating too rapidly and neglecting proper mastication and salivation of food, overeating, makes the work of the stomach, lever, kidneys and bowels harder. When the food putrefies, its poisons are absorbed into his blood and consequently the whole system is poisoned. Certain foods especially if they are not properly cooked cause dyspepsia. Other causes are intake of fried food, rich and spicy food, excessive smoking, intake of alcohol, constipation, habit of eating and drinking together, insomnia, emotions such as jealousy, fear and anger and lack of exercise. However, in recent years, doctors have begun to realize that dyspepsia is often the result of a malfunctioning of either the nervous system or the muscular activity of the stomach or small intestine.

YOGA AND DYSPEPSIA

Yoga has many connotations. The physical discipline of yoga consists of many asanas or postures which have specific geometric shapes. Make stress management a top priority in your daily life. Stress greatly increases your risk for developing dyspepsia. Try meditation or take a yoga class.

Instead of sitting in front of the television or computer, go for a walk. Indulge in simple pleasures that take your mind off of the daily bump and grind of life. A healthy thyroid means healthy functioning of all organs of the body. There are poses which centralizes the blood in the spinal column and feeds it abundantly. It keeps the spine strong and elastic. It helps you not a little in keeping up Brahmacharya. It checks wet-dreams and rejuvenates the impotent. It is a blood and nervine tonic too. It removes dyspepsia, constipation and several other gastro-intestinal disorders.

YOGA POSES FOR DYSPEPSIA

Wind relieving pose

This pose is good for the digestive system. It cures constipation, flatulence, gas, acidity, dyspepsia and loss of appetite.

Locust pose

This is a good pose for digestive problems like indigestion, acidity, constipation, gas, dyspepsia.

The Corpse Pose

"Sava" means "dead body" in Sanskrit. To practice this asana, one should lie motionless on the floor like as dead body in order to secure complete relaxation of all parts of his body and remove tensions, both physical and mental.

Sitting Spinal Twist pose

This posture stimulates the pancreas, liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach and ascending and descending colons, useful in the treatment of diabetes, constipation, dyspepsia and urinary problems. It tones the nerve roots, and adjusts the vertebral column. The back muscles are pulled and stretched in a different direction than usual and this relieves them of tension.

Cobra position

This asana strengthens back, abdomen, arms, and shoulders, and increases flexibility in the middle of the back. Improves oxygen intake, increases circulation to the spine and improves digestion.

Wheel pose

This pose is beneficial to the nervous, respiratory, digestive cardiovascular and glandular systems. It influences all the hormonal secretions and relieves various gynecological disorders.

YOGA ASANAS FOR DYSPEPSIA

SARVANGASAN

It also helps in relieving bronchitis, dyspepsia, and varicose veins and increases digestive capacity. It stimulates the thyroid and para-thyroid glands and influences the brain, heart and lungs, and improves blood circulation.

Steps

• Lie on your back with legs and arms straight, feet together and palms on the floor beside your body. While exhaling, raise your legs slowly upto 90 and then the whole body and the rest your weight on the arms so that the chin touches the jugular notch.

• Bring the arms and hands to support your body at the hip region (fingers at the back and thumb in front of the body). The entire weight of your body rests on the head, neck and shoulders while the arms are used for balancing.

• Keep the trunk, legs and hips in a straight line and as vertical as possible Focus your eyes on your toes, with your chin pressed against the chest. Retain the posture for one for three minutes.

• While exhaling, return to the lying position by bringing the leg backward and releasing the hands and the palms.

SHIRSHASANA

This asana is helpful in cases of dyspepsia and constipation. It improves the functions of the reproductive glands and heart muscles and is of great advantage in checking wet dreams.

Steps

• Sit in a kneeling position with the buttocks resting on the heels of the feet.

• Lean forward and place the forearms on the floor in front while keeping the elbows about shoulder distance apart. Interlock the fingers of both hands.

• Place the top of the head flat on the floor with the back of the head pressed against the inside of the interlocked fingers.

• placing the tips of the toes firmly on the floor while lifting the heels, raise the knees off the floor.

• Hold for the duration of the held inhaled breath. When you can't hold the breath comfortable any longer, slowly exhale and return the back to the floor, slide the legs out straight returning to the shava-asana.

ARDHA MATSYENDRASANA

It is highly recommended for treatment of obesity, dyspepsia, diabetes and urinary disorders. One should not do this asana forcibly.

Steps

• Sit on the ground, stretching both the legs forward. Bend your right leg and place the heel under the left hip.

• Now bend your left leg, cross it over and place your foot by the side of the right knee. Try to hold the left ankle by passing the right arm over the left side of the left knee. At the same time, exhale and take the left arm behind the back and press the right side under the ribs.

• This has to be done by twisting the trunk to the back as much as possible. Maintain this posture for a few seconds and increase the duration to two minutes gradually.

• Repeat the same process on the other side for the same duration.

ASTROLOGY

Yoga is a Sanskrit term which means 'to unite'. What is being referred as the 'Yoga' in English, is more commonly known as 'Asana' in Sanskrit, which means different physical postures and poses. It is seen that people of a particular sun sign find it beneficial when they practice certain yoga asanas. According to astrological reports for yoga asanas the above mentioned asanas are said to be effective for those who come under the following zodiac sign.

• VIRGO

• LIBRA

• SCORPIO