Theories of aging

All overthe world, scientists from various branches like genetics, endocrinologists andimmunologists are continuing their research for understanding various reasonswhy person becomes old. Although nodefinite cause is still known various theories have been put forward:

1. The life span of all healthy tissues is predeterminede.g. the fibroblast tissues in uterus multiply 50 times in the laboratory.
2. During the metabolic process, tissues are due tooxygen radicals and hence the waste products are formed. These are not eliminated and hence old agesets in
3. After certain time the cells develop AGE – advancedglycoylation end product. Hence theyloose their elasticity and are responsible for old age.
4. Some genes are responsible for controlling the oldage. C phos genes control the old age by reducing the genes that areresponsible for increasing the cells.
5. Cells like T and B-lymphocytes, which are responsiblefor immunity as well as interlukin2, are reduced
6. Mind is also an important factor in maintaining youngage and not allowing the body to become old. The life, which is, full of satisfaction and has spiritual backgroundwith calm and quiet mind remains young for more periods, than otherwise.



PhysicalChanges

As the ageadvances all tissues from rasa to shukra loose certain qualities, hence varioussigns and symptoms appear:

1. Rasa dhatu: Skin looses its elasticity and wrinklesappear comes lethargic. All hairs becomefind and there is diffuseloss of hairs leading to baldness.
2. Rakta dhatu: Rigidity of the atteries increasesleading to hypertension. Hence the incidenceof thromobosis increases. Decline instroke volume of the heart takes place and chances of heart disorders alsoincrease.
3. Mamsa dhatu : All muscles start loosing theirtone. They become weak and wasting setsin. The process is accentuated with physicalinactivity.
4. Medo dhatu: In some places fat tissue is lost while atother places there is excess growth. The tendency of obsesity and diabetesincreases.
5. Asthi dhatu : Rarefaction of bones leads toosteoporosis backache and spondilytis. Incidence of fractures increases.
6. Majja dhatua : Cerebral correx looses many neuronsleading to changes in mental functions. Memory becomes weak and all the functions of sense organs declinegradually. Eye sight becomes weak,cataract, glaucoma and deafness also increases.
7. Shukra dhatu : Capacity for reproduction decreases andimpotence develops.
8. Pranavaha srotas: Lung elasticity gets decreased, andthe incidence of lung embolism and myocardial infarction increases.
9. Annavaha srotas: The digestive capacity also decreasesand the incidence of cancer of the stomach increases.
10. Muttravaha srotas: Enlargement of prostate, incontinence of urine and chances of urineinfection increases.
11. Purishavaha srotas: Constipation is common asVattaaggravates.

PsychologicalChanges

These changes take place afterretirement. The person starts feelingthat he is no more required by the society, by his family members and thendepression may set in. Lack of sleep andphysical debility leads to irritability. If the adjustment with the youngerpeople becomes difficult that also becomes the cause of frustration.

Hence regular exercise and involvement in social activities as wellas some spiritual meditation is always helpful during this age.

Chikitsa

Rasayana treatment is beneficial. Depending on the symptom, various herbs canbe prescribed. See the chapter onRasayana where rasayana herbs for each tissue and channel as well as for senseorgans have been described.