Pathophysiological understanding of Asthivaha Srotas Dushti WSR to the osteoarthritis and osteoporosis

Abstract

The World Health Organization defines osteoporosis as "a progressive systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural damage of bone tissue, with consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture." Osteoporosis is considered a serious public health problem. According to the 2001 census, there are approximately 163 million Indians above the age of 50. This number is expected to increase to 230 million by 2015. Even conservative estimates suggest that 20% of women and about 10-15% of men should be osteoporotic. So the total affected population would be around 25 million, this number may increase up to 50 million. According to the classics, Asthi Kshaya has Lakshanas like Asthi Shoolam, Kesha, Loma, Nakha, Dwija Prapatanam, Sandhi Shaithilya. As some of the Laskshanas of Asthi Kshaya resemble the signs and symptoms of osteoporosis, it can be compared to osteoporosis to some extent.