STUDY ON EFFECT OF MADYA ON OJAS            Ojas (~Essence of body tissues) is one of the life sustaining factors of the body. When it is in the normal state it helps in maintaining of body and mind. Ojas gets vitiated because of various factors; Madya (~Alcohol) is one of the factors which cause the Kshaya (~Decrease) of Ojas. Madya by the virtue of its ten Guna (~Properties) which are opposite to the Guna of Ojas causes Kshaya of Ojas when consumed in excess. Alcohol consumption rate has been increased now a day because of various reasons. This drastic increase in the rate of consumption has lead to various ill effects on human beings. The research was under taken to study the effect of Madya on Ojas. Alcoholic patients were screened using AUDIT and two groups were made consisting of 100 patients each. Group A had Atipita (~Problem drinking) patients and Group B had Alpapita (~Social drinking) patients. A self prepared scale was prepared to assess the Ojo Kshaya. Ojo Kshaya score was more in Atipita group. Durbalata (~Loss of strength) was the dominant symptom in both the group. Madyapana causes Ojokshaya if consumed for longer period without following the rules and regulation of alcohol consumption. full article @ http://www.iamj.in/current_issue/images/upload/iamj22.pdf

What is more?

Alcohol drinking has increased its rate now a days because of various reasons. The average alcohol-dependent person decreases his or her life span by 10 to 15 years, and alcohol contributes to 22,000 deaths and two million nonfatal injuries each year. At least 20 percent of the patients in mental health settings have alcohol abuse or dependence, including individuals from all socioeconomic strata and both genders. Consumption of alcohol should be done in a proper way to avoid its adverse effects. One should know what is more for onself before starting a drink. Knowing of the concept ”at risk” drink helps to avoid its ill effects.

Concept of Problem Drinking

            The word Problem Drinking/ at risk dring means having drunk extremely, such that it may cause harm to body. It refers to drinking alcohol at levels that are associated with short-term and/or long-term harm. It is defined as more than seven drinks per week or more than three drinks per occasion for women; and more than 14 drinks per week or more than four drinks per occasion for men. A drink or a standard drink is that which contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol.

Standard Drink equivalents	Approximate number of standard drinks in
Beer or Cooler ~5%	12 oz = 1 16 oz = 1.3 22 oz = 2 40 oz 3.3
Malt  liquor ~7%	12 oz = 1.5 16 oz = 2 22 oz = 2.5 40 oz = 4.5
Table Wine ~12%	750 ml( 25oz) = 5
80 – proof Spirit (hard liquor) ~40%	A mixed drink = 1 or more A  pint (16 oz) = 11 A fifth (25 oz)  = 17 1.75 L (59 oz) = 39

Concept of Social Drinking

            "Social drinking" refers to casual drinking in a social setting without intent to get drunk. For example: Happy news is often celebrated by a group of people by having a few drinks.

Conclusion:

Consuming alcohol is having high rate of morbidity in terms of addiction, death and other diseases associated with alcohol. It’s very important to know the juncture where the alcohol consumption can turn to “at risk”. Know yourself were you stand and avoid the ill effects of alcohol.

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A PILOT STUDY ON DESIGN AND VALIDATION OF MANASIKA PRAKRITI QUESTIONNAIRE

Background: Prakriti is the expression of one’s body constitution. It is the state of intensified Dosha in a non pathogenic state formed at the time of conception. These intensified Dosha are present in different proportion in different individual forming the Dehaprakriti which shows the psychosomatic expressions of individual. Satva, Raja and Tama are the Manasika Guna which are also intensified at the time of conception and there by forming the Manasika Prakriti which exhibit psychic function of individual. Objectives: The study was under taken to design and standardize the questionnaire to assess the Manasika Prakriti. Materials & Methods: Interview method which involves qualitative, semi structured data collection technique was used. Total 401 volunteers of either sex which included students and teaching staff from SDM College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan were selected for the study. Study was conducted through interview method. Results: Questionnaire to assess Manaiska Prakriti was designed and subjected to internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha (0.651 to 0.806). Prepared questionnaire was administered to 401 adult subjects ranging from 17 yrs to 42 yrs. Among them 212 subjects were female and 189 male. Majority (75.2%) of individuals were of Satvika Prakriti. Conclusion: The thought, actions and psyche of an individual are based on three Gunas and the analysis of these three Gunas in an individual helps in better psychological assessment.

Full article : http://www.jahm.in/index.php/JAHM/article/view/3