An Observational Study to Assess the Etiopathogenesis of Adenoid Hypertrophy in Ayurveda

The study entitled “An observational study to assess the etiopathogenesis of Adenoid Hypertrophy in Ayurveda” was conducted to analyse the nidana, dosha, dhathu, srothas, and agni involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Adenoid Hypertrophy is a condition characterised by the abnormal enlargement of the adenoid tissue, located in the nasopharynx, which can lead to nasal obstruction, mouth breathing, snoring, recurrent infections, and other complications.** The prevalence of the disease is increasing, and the complications that arise due to the condition are also wide-ranging. Hence, there is a need to analyse the pathophysiology in Ayurvedic standards to study the disease completely, as samprapthi vighatana is chikitsa.

A total of 86 clinically diagnosed cases of Adenoid Hypertrophy were included in the study. Data collection was done using a structured proforma which included demographic details, family history, clinical features observed in the patients, vital data and specific Ayurvedic assessments. The Ayurvedic parameters studied included Prakruthi assessment, assessmentof nidanas, agni status,dosha dusthti lakshanas, dhathu involvement, and srothodusthi. Statistical analysis was carried out using descriptive methods.

The results revealed that the majority of participants were indulging in the consumption of kapha-vardhaka as well as agni-mandhyakara ahara and vihara, which are considered contributory factors in the pathogenesis of the disease. Most of the participants exhibited clinical features suggestive of vatha-kapha pradhana dosha dushti. Among the dhathus, mamsa dhathu and rasa dhathu were identified as the primary factors involved in the disease causation. With regard to srothas, the study showed the involvement of pranavaha srothas, rasavaha srothas, mamsavaha srothas, and pureeshavaha srothas in the pathogenesis. Furthermore, evidence of agnidushti was observed in the majority of cases, indicating impairment in digestive and metabolic functions. Interestingly, certain Krimi lakshanas were also traced in a considerable proportion of participants. By analysing the above factors, a possible samprapthi of the disease was formulated, with special emphasis on identifying and highlighting the samprapthi ghatakas involved.