Vol. 4, Issue 2, Part B (2018)

Abstract
Among all the annavaha sroto vikaras Grahani, Atisara, Pravahika and Arshas are the most prevailing disorders. Sushruta and Madhavakara have first identified Pravahika as distinctive disease. Charaka has mentioned it as a symptom in Kaphaja Atisara. Basically unhygienic conditions are the causes of spread of the disease. The disease is the result of the vitiation of Samanavata, Kledaka kapha and Apanavata. The Pravahika is the condition which almost resembles the disease Amoebic Dysentery. The etiology of Pravahika and Amoebic dysentry are similar. It may not be possible to identify E. histolytica in all cases of pravahika. Similarly all cases of amoebic dysentery may not have tenesmus or Pravahana. It can be said that Pravahika is the only condition described in Ayurveda which can include amoebiasis i.e. amoebic dysentery.