Review on Asthi Kshyaya: Symptom or Disease

Abstract

Asthi kshaya (osteoporosis) is a global problem that will increase in significance with the growing elderly population. The condition even though affects both the sexes; women especially post-menopausal are at greater risk. The description of Asthi dhatu and its related diseases is found in vedas which are known as the most ancient documented literature. In the Ayurvedic Samhita Granthas, the description of Asthi kshaya along with its Chikitsa sutra is available. There will be kshaya of depletion of Asthi dhatu in case of Asthi kshaya which means there is decrease in the density of the bone tissue. Keeping this fact in mind we can compare Asthi kshaya to osteoporosis in contemporary science. Till date there is a huge confusion going on whether to take asthi kshaya as a disease or only as a symptom of the dhatu kshaya as explained in the Ayurveda texts. This article tries to highlight the summery based on the concept of Asthi kshaya & to validate it as an independent disease