Introduction
Waram-e- Mi’da (Gastritis) is a disorder affecting all age groups and both sexes, but it is more common amongst adolescents (12-17 years). It is the commonest GIT (Gastrointestinal tract) disorder in all cultures and civilizations. The term "Gastritis" refers usually to inflammation, erosive state to the stomach lining tissue which may occur either instantly (acute) or gradually (chronic).
It occurs when there is an imbalance between the acid production, resulting in swelling and damage of the stomach lining. In fact there is excess secretion of acid by the gastric glands of the stomach.
Various factors like spicy food, medicines, tobacco, alcohol etc. can cause increase in gastric acid production and disturb, weaken or damage the normal stomach lining.
If anyone have upper abdominal pain or discomfort , nauseatic feeling, stomach fullness, heartburn, vomiting, indigestion, burning sensation, belching, water brash or irregular bowel movement, we need to rule out whether he or she is suffering from acidity or gastritis or these symptoms are appearing due to some other reasons. Waram-e- Mi’da (Gastritis) can lead to many other illnesses in the body if ignored.
Waram-e- Mi’da (Gastritis) becomes worse when an individual has poor eating habits and living improper lifestyle.
Symptoms of Gastritis (Waram-e- Me’da):
Symptoms of gastritis vary among individuals, and in many people even there are no symptoms. It also depends on the duration of disease, whether it is of acute or chronic type.
The most common symptoms of acute gastritis include:
Causes and Factors responsible for Waram-e- Mi’da (Gastritis):
Common causes of gastritis are many like, Ingesion of fatty and spicy food, intake of bitter or sweetish things, smoking, emotional disturbance, continued use of alcoholic beverages, long duration intake of NSAIDS, aspirin use for rheumatoid and osteoarthritis patients, autoimmunity (body loses its own immunity and attacks itself) etc.
Sometimes overeating may be responsible for acute gastritis. In some cases, however drinking of hot water may also cause inflammation of mucous membrane of stomach. Other factors like chronic bile reflux, psychological stress, autoimmune disorders and HP (Helicobacter pylori) infection are responsible for chronic gastritis.
These factors in the long term may even cause an ulcer (permanent breakage of the stomach lining), acid reflux disorder (food coming back to mouth after swallowing) and stomach cancer.
If acute gastritis (Warm-e- mi’da haad) persists for long periods, it can lead to chronic gastritis (Waram-e- mi’da muzmin).
Unani Perspective of Waram-e- Mi’da (Gastritis)
Unani physicians have mentioned the disease by different names e.g Waram-e- Me’da, Sozish-e- Me’da, Hurqat-e- Me’da, and Iltehab-e- Me’da.
As per Unani Philosophy Waram-e- Mi’da (Gastritis) is caused by Su’-e- Mizaj- Mi’da Haar (Hot temperament of stomach) or Su’-e- Mizaj- Me’da Baarid (Cold temperament of stomach),.
In other words it is caused by the accumulation of Dam (Samguine), Safra (Yellow bile), Balgham (Phlegm) or Sauda (Black bile) in the stomach, leading to the inflammation of gastric mucosa. It may also be elaborated as retention of humours (Akhlaat) within the stomach is main cause of Waram-e- Mi’da (Gastritis).
It is characterized by abdominal heaviness and distention, Humma (Fever), Qai (Vomitting), Shiddat-e- pyas (Excessive thirst), restlessness and decreased appetite in case of Waram-e- haar (Hot type ofWaram-e- Mi’da (Gastritis).
In case of waram-e- baarid (Cold type of Waram-e- Mi’da (Gastritis) of soft consistency caused by Blgham, there will be Humma-e- layyinah (Mild fever), excessive appetite, decreased appetite, distended stomach, whitish tongue and puffiness of face.
While in case of hard consistency caused by sauda (Black bile), there will be hardness on palpation, but no history of fever.
Avicenna describes in his book “Canon of Medicine”, the diseases of internal organs, in particular to detailed description of symptoms of gastritis and gastric ulcer. He also provides data on diseases of the stomach and intestines as a reaction of the organism to changing environmental conditions and violation of specific forms of adaptability of the organism.
Unani classification of Waram-e- Mi’da (Gastritis):
Hot (Haar) type of Waram-e- Mi’da (Gastritis): It is of two types
Cold (Baarid) type Waram-e- Mi’da (Gastritis): It is of two types
Principles of treatment (Usool-e- Ilaj)
Management of Gastritis (Waram-e- Me’da)
Stomach (Me’da) is the prime concern in Unani medicine and Unani physicians emphasized on better functioning of stomach (mi’da). An appreciable number of Unani mufrad (single) and murakkab (compound) drugs are used to treat the disease. Efficacy of the drugs against gastritis has been tested by in vivo and in vitro studies. In Unani system of medicine plants, animals as well as mineral origin drugs are being used for the treatment of gastritis without any known side effects.
Single drugs (Mufrad advia): Some of the Unani drugs used since ancient times for the treatment of gastritis found to be highly effective.
Compound drugs (Murakkab advia): Compound Unani drugs highly effective in gastritis are, Majoon Zanjabeel, Jawarish Anarain, Jawarish Mastagi, Majoon Dabeedulward, Qurs Satawari, Qurs Tabasheer, Jawarish Tabasheer, Khameera Sandal, Itrifal Aftimoon, Sharbat Neelofar, Sharbat-e- Anar, Sharbat-e- Unnab.
A part from above mentioned Unani compound drugs (when used alone) some other compound drugs are also very effective if they are used in combination e.g.
Regimental therapy (Ilaj Bil Tadbeer)
Dietary recommendations
Dietary restrictions
Pharmacotherapy (Ilaj Bil Dawa)
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