VISUCHIKA, ALASAKA AND VILAMBIKA – DEFINITION, LAKSHANA, UPADRAVA AND SADHYASADHYATA

VISUCHIKA, ALASAKA AND VILAMBIKA – DEFINITION, LAKSHANA, UPADRAVA AND SADHYASADHYATA

DEFINITION OF VISUCHIKA, ALASAKA AND VILAMBIKA

VISUCHIKA
Visuchika is a type of atisara (diarrhoea) associated with sudden vomiting and purgation due to vitiation of doshas, especially aggravated by ama (toxins from undigested food) and deranged agni. It is considered to be one of the severe and acute gastro-intestinal disorders.
It is compared with conditions like food poisoning, cholera, and acute gastroenteritis in modern pathology.

Sanskrit Reference (Ashtanga Hridaya, Nidana Sthana 8/21):
"विसूच्यादीन्युपद्रवास्त्रिविधा दोषवैषम्यात्।
पित्तं प्रकोपयित्वा चोष्णैर्नान्नैः पिबेन्नरः॥"

ALASAKA
Alasaka is a condition where there is suppression or absence of both vomiting and purgation despite the presence of ama and aggravated doshas. It results in obstruction of gastrointestinal channels without expelling the accumulated doshas.

Sanskrit Reference (Ashtanga Hridaya, Nidana Sthana 8/25):
"आलस्यादलसं दोषं कदाचन विसृज्यते।
आलसाको भवेत्तस्मात्स्तम्भो नाभ्याः प्रजायते॥"

VILAMBIKA
Vilambika is a milder form of visuchika and resembles a state where food remains in the GI tract for prolonged duration due to impaired digestion. It causes delayed digestion, heaviness, and feeling of uneasiness.

Sanskrit Reference (Ashtanga Hridaya, Nidana Sthana 8/28):
"आमेनैव समं वायुः समीकृत्य जठाग्निनम्।
विलम्बिकां करोत्येषा नान्तर्वान्तं न चातिसारः॥"

LAKSHANA (CLINICAL FEATURES)

LAKSHANA OF VISUCHIKA

• Sudden onset of vomiting (vami) and purgation (atisara)

• Gripping abdominal pain (udarashoola)

• Excessive thirst and dryness of mouth

• Sweating, fainting, tremors

• Feeling of pricking pain as if pierced by a needle (visuchyā iva)

• Confusion and dizziness

• Rapid dehydration

Sanskrit Reference (Ashtanga Hridaya, Nidana Sthana 8/23):
"विसूचिका तु लिङ्गानि वान्त्यतिसारशूलिनि।
प्रलापश्वासकासार्तिः शूलमूर्च्छाज्वरान्विता॥"

LAKSHANA OF ALASAKA

• Non-expulsion of vomit and stools despite intake of heavy food

• Severe abdominal distension and pain

• Drowsiness and lethargy

• Rigidity and stiffness of abdomen

• Obstinate constipation

• Risk of developing toxicity due to ama

Sanskrit Reference (Ashtanga Hridaya, Nidana Sthana 8/26):
"वातपीत्लामकफसंयुक्तं जठरे स्थितम्।
विमोच्यते न चालस्यालस्येनोत्थितं नृणाम्॥"

LAKSHANA OF VILAMBIKA

• Retention of food in the stomach for a long time

• Anorexia

• Tiredness and drowsiness

• Feeling of heaviness in abdomen

• Belching with foul smell

• Low digestive power

Sanskrit Reference (Ashtanga Hridaya, Nidana Sthana 8/29):
"शिरःकम्पश्च मोहश्च तन्द्रा च गुरुभोजनात्।
विलम्बिकां सदा कुर्यात्प्रज्ञया न विचार्यते॥"

UPADRAVA (COMPLICATIONS)

VISUCHIKA

• Severe dehydration

• Hypovolemic shock

• Delirium or unconsciousness

• Death in unmanaged cases

ALASAKA

• Peritonitis due to bowel perforation

• Intestinal obstruction

• Sepsis

• Toxicity due to retained ama

VILAMBIKA

• Progressive ama janya vyadhis

• Low immunity and poor digestion

• Recurrence of visuchika or alasaka if not treated

• Vitiation of doshas

SADHYASADHYATA (PROGNOSIS)

VISUCHIKA

• Sadhya if:

  • Dosha involvement is mild

  • Patient is strong and treatment is started early

• Asadhya if:

  • Associated with unconsciousness, severe dehydration, tremors, convulsions

Sanskrit Reference (Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana 28/15):
"विसूचिकायां मूर्च्छा कम्पोऽतिवेगिता।
प्रलापोऽग्निविनाशश्च मृत्युभायं प्रदर्शयेत्॥"

ALASAKA

• Sadhya if:

  • Mild symptoms, early management

• Asadhya if:

  • Retained ama is high

  • Rigid abdomen and failure of bowels to evacuate

VILAMBIKA

• Mostly Sadhya with proper digestion-enhancing therapies

• Yapya if patient is chronically affected with weak agni

MODERN CORRELATION AND PATHOLOGY PERSPECTIVE

VISUCHIKA

• Correlates with acute gastroenteritis, cholera, food poisoning

• Causative organisms: Vibrio cholerae, E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella

• Pathological findings:

  • Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance

  • Hypovolemia, metabolic acidosis

  • Presence of bacteria/toxins in stool culture

ALASAKA

• Correlates with paralytic ileus or intestinal obstruction

• Pathology:

  • Absence of peristalsis

  • Accumulation of gas and feces

  • Risk of perforation

VILAMBIKA

• Correlates with indigestion, dyspepsia, chronic gastritis

• Pathology:

  • Delayed gastric emptying

  • Impaired motility

  • Ama accumulation (toxin buildup equivalent)

TREATMENT (BRIEF MENTION)
Though not required in-depth here, treatment includes:

• Visuchika: Langhana, Deepana, Pachan, Shodhana (if patient is fit), hydration, antidiarrheal drugs

• Alasaka: Vamana if possible, anulomana, snehana if indicated

• Vilambika: Deepana, Pachana, light diet, Trikatu churna, digestive lehyas

Sanskrit Quote (Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana 28/78):
"विसूचिकायामभ्यङ्गो लङ्घनं दीपनो रसः।
वमनो बस्तिरित्यादि कर्म युक्तं विधानतः॥"