Dr Narendra Shekade is an Ayurveda practitioner at Kharadi, Pune. He has his clinic, Ayush Ayurved in Kharadi and he also provides home visits for patients in nearby areas.
Eldr talked to Dr. Shekade about the benefits of Ayurveda for older adults.
The Basis of Ayurveda
Ayurveda has its roots in the early Vedic periods. It has been around for more than 5,000 years. It is believed that Ayurveda originated from Lord Brahma and reached the common man through sages. Dr. Shekade says that the whole concept of Ayurveda is based on the three doshas – vata, pitta, and kapha. Each dosha has a specific set of ailments associated with it. In humans, there is one dominant dosha and one secondary dosha. The role of an Ayurveda practitioner is to recognize the symptoms and the dosha and treat the disease accordingly. It is very helpful for the treatment for the elderly, he says.
Also Read: Can Ayurveda Treat Heart Diseases in Older Adults?
Why Ayurveda is Beneficial for Older Adults?
Dr. Shekade also says that many times, older adults are not able to withstand modern medicines due to their harsh side effects. In such cases, Ayurveda can be used effectively to treat diseases. Even problems related to eye and ear can be treated using Ayurveda. Using Ayurveda can reduce the dependency on medicines. Ayurveda can also be used to treat stress and depression in older adults. Problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, and constipation can easily be cured by Ayurveda. Ayurveda can also be used for pain management and strengthen joints, reducing joint surgeries, he says. Post-menopausal women have also benefitted widely due to Ayurveda.
We asked Dr. Shekade about critical illnesses. He says that Ayurveda can be used to treat conditions like paralysis and pain management for cancer treatment. He mentions the importance of light exercise and a balanced diet for older adults as well. However, exercise and diet should be followed according to your Ayurveda practitioner, he says.
Also Read: 5 Gifts From Ayurveda For Brain And Memory
AYUSH Scheme for Older Adults
Lastly, Dr. Shekade says that the Indian Government has implemented the AYUSH scheme all over India with 23 wellness centres and 50 beds. These provide alternative treatment methods for all free of cost. Dr. Shekade believes that every older adult in India should take the benefit of this scheme to live longer and healthier.
Watch the video to see what Dr. Narendra Shekade says.
