A Study on Prediction of Prognosis of Diseases on the Basis of Mutra Pariksha

Abstract

Ayurveda, which is not only a system of medicine but a way of life, advocates prevention of disease as its primary aim and following holistic approach in dealing with different diseases. Prognosis is an important aspect of diagnosis and treatment. From ancient times, predicting prognosis has always been a big challenge to the medical profession. Patients want to have access to accurate prognostic information, knowing prognosis plays an important role in end-of-life decisions and it helps to determine whether it makes more sense to attempt certain treatments or to withhold them. If we look into Ayurvedic texts, then we will find that art of prognosis was well developed in ancient times. In 16th century, Taila Bindu Pariksha, a urine test for knowing prognosis was popular. In this test, urine is taken in a glass vessel over which an oil drop is placed and characteristic of oil spread (rate, shape and direction of spread) is noted down. These parameters are indicative of prognosis of diseases. They were popular prognostic tools in the past but nowadays they are not specifically used, so there is need to re-establish their results so that they can be used in future. In the present article, Mutra Pariksha has been reviewed in various aspects of the disease, and as a technique of predicting prognosis of diseases.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Mutra Pariksha, prognosis