Indications ,Contraindications ,Method of Swedana

Swedana  (Fomentation or Sudation ) –

Part 3 on 7 Nov 15,Saturday

Indications for swedana karma

•      As a purvakarma for Vaman, Virechana, Basti & Nasya

•      As swedana karma is properties like heat,hot,sharp ,it is indicated in the problems of Kapha predominant person or diseases.Also it will be of help in  Stritorodhajanya Vata disorders ( Obstructive pathology) ,Ama conditions ,disorders of Parthiv elements like Mansa,Meda,Asthi dhatu

•      Conditions like Muscular stiffness, Joint sprain & arthritis, Backache, Neck pain, Spasmodic pain in abdomen due to gas, indigestion, constipation

•      Diseases like paralysis, facial paralysis

•      Respiratory conditions like Sinusitis, Cough, Cold, asthma etc .Applying calamus powder on the chest, back, neck to the children ,after bath in winter & rainy season ,to protect from cold

•      Shivering in winter ,is a natural Sweden ,gift of nature

Contraindications for swedan karma

Consider heat ,sharp & hot,light nature of Swedan Karma & then we can understand it’s contraindications

Pitta prakruti ,even Pitta vata prakruti & diseases

Pitta dominated diseases like Jaundice, Peptic Ulcer

Pitta & Rakta are having intimate relation .So avoid swedana in all  Bleeding disorders like Epistaxis, Retinal haemorrahage, Haemoptysis, Brain haemorrhage, Peptic ulcer, Haematuria,P/R bleeding, Heavy menstrual bleeding ,Subconjunctival haemorrage, bleeding gums

Weakness due to heavy physical or mental work or due to chronic degenerative physical diseases like Cancer,HIV

Very fat or very thin persons ( Because these people are delicate to tolerate any strong treatments .Ayurveda described them in the group of Ashtau Nindita)

Pregnancy ( This is altered Physiological but delicate condition ,which will never tolerate heat & hot treatments or behavior)

Severe Anemia, Ascitis

Excessive ,uncontrolled Hypertension is strong contraindication for Swedana.Otherwise due to vasodilatation effect of swedana ,patient may get Brain haemorrhage ( Rather ,it will be better to take written consent ,even for swedana ,who are Hypertensive or suffering from Heart diseases )

Procedure of swedana karma

•      Pretreatment includes Oleation and massage , except for some conditions like Amavata

•      Firstly decide the type and intensity of fomentation

•      Then foment the patient until the symptoms of proper fomentation appears.

Symptoms of proper fomentation

•      Sweat production

•      Relief from pain, coldness. These symptoms appear on spot.

•      Decrease in stiffness, heaviness, appearance of softness.

•      Feeling of lightness & warm

Symptoms of very intense fomentation --- Due to simple cause like severe dehydration, up to pathology like sun stroke i.e Trauma to thermal regulating center .So this can emergency like ICU management for Shock

•      Burning, Bleeding 

•      Palpitations , Fainting,Vertigo or giddiness

•      Excessive sweating & Excessive Thirst

•      Fever or Hyperpyrexia,Hyperthermia ,skin can becomes red & hot –similar to Sun stroke

•      Vomiting

•      Burn injuries on skin

Post Therapeutic Schedule --

•      After fomentation patient should stay in a room devoid of breeze with full physical & mental rest

•      After adequate time ,Take warm water bath.

•      Take Nutritious ,light & easily digestible food like Mung Dal with thin rice or Khichadi.

•      Prof.Dr.R.R.Deshpande --- 9226810630

•      Dr.Sachin Sarpotdar -------- 9822795363

•      Dr,Mayura Shinde ---------- 7276866831