What is the Ayurvedic Viewpoint on Men’s Health?
It is no secret that a man’s health will begin to decline after the age of 40. This is the natural ageing process that, unfortunately, cannot be reversed.
However, according to Ayurveda’s proven 5,000-year-old system, rejuvenation can be achieved to ease the ageing process and lighten the burden of associated symptoms. This is due to Ayurveda’s holistic approach, where the body, mind and spirit are treated as a whole to encourage optimal health inside-out.
Ayurveda achieves this by providing organic and systemic treatments that support the body in producing its own hormones, like testosterone, rather than quickly succumbing to their rapid decline. The overall treatment benefits the individual on multiple levels, improving bodily processes ranging from digestion to erectile function.
Important Aspects that Impact a Man’s Health
While age is the main factor that will affect a man’s health, a decline in male hormones and vitality can occur at any time.
Symptoms such as baldness, wrinkled and sagging skin, erectile dysfunction, low libido and scarce energy levels can occur in men even under the age of 40. There are various reasons as to why this might happen:
- Chronic stress
- Work-related stresses
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Smoking
- Overconsumption of alcohol
- Lack of physical exercise
- Being overweight
- Bad diet habits (eating too much processed or fast food)
- Chronic illness
- Chemotherapy
- Chronic intake of pharmaceutical drugs
Symptoms and Warnings
Symptoms associated with a decline in a man’s health and are part of the natural ageing process include:
- Chronic physical pain (mild to moderate)
- Incontinence or frequent urination
- Sagging, wrinkled skin
- Hair loss with or without bald patches
- Whitening of hair
- Decrease in bone density
- Decrease in muscle mass
- Digestive problems (due to lack in adequate enzymes – not disease)
- Hearing difficulties or problems
- Vision problems
- Memory problems
- Low libido and infrequent sexual arousal (compared to when younger)
- Lower energy levels than when younger
Warning signs that are much more serious and warrant attention from a health professional include:
- Prostate pain, inflammation or enlargement
- Erectile dysfunction
- Arthritic/Joint pain
- Lower back pain that doesn’t subside (moderate to intense)
- New moles or spots on skin
- Chest pain and/or shortness of breath or other respiratory problems
- Chronic fatigue
- Dizziness
- Excessive thirst
- Heat intolerance with or without excessive sweating
- Excessive or insufficient urination, with or without pain/pressure
- Bloody, discoloured or frothy urine
- Chronic digestive problems (pain, indigestion, ulcers, etc)
- Memory loss (not just mild forgetfulness)
- Severe vision problems (loss of vision)
- Any type of chronic physical pain (moderate to severe)
- Any type of chronic condition that persists or gets worse
How Can Ayurveda Help?
Ayurveda is a holistic health science that treats men’s health problems in two ways:
- by repairing the affected organs (organic treatment)
- by rejuvenating the entire system (systemic treatment)
The two main problems that are treated when it comes to men’s health are the following:
- Low testosterone: With hormones being the backbone of our system, it is only natural to address them as the body ages. Each different stage in a man’s life comes with different problems, so a unique treatment will need to be given based on the symptoms presented and the areas affected. Low testosterone is evident when the individual suffers from decreased bone and muscle mass. Erectile dysfunction, urination and prostate problems may also be present.
- Skin and hair problems: An external condition that reveals internal imbalances, skin problems are part and parcel of ageing. But a man can look and feel younger if these problems are dealt with as early as possible. Wrinkling, sagging, dry or bald patches, hair loss, skin tags, skin discolouration, dehydration and other skin or hair-related problems can be treated through Ayurvedic remedies, oils, herbs, diet and customised medicine.
How is Ayurveda Different to Western Medicine?
Western Medicine does not look at the body system as a whole, nor does it offer customised treatment, nor does it focus on prevention. Rather, its sole purpose is to provide prescription drugs (often with multiple side-effects) on the onset of disease by means of supressing symptoms. It also doesn’t treat the patient as a unique individual and constitution, but provides the same drugs to all.
Ayurveda, on the other hand, treats the individual as unique and the body as a whole. It addresses both the organs and the entire system to prevent disease from reoccurring. Ayurveda’s dosha philosophy is also entirely unique, as is each treatment prescribed.
Common health problems experienced by men visiting our centre include:
Please view our ailments glossary for more information