Ayurvedic approach towards Karnagata Rogas

The Uttamanga or head occupies the first place among the vital organs of the body. It is due to its substratum of vital and sense organs which includes eyes, ears, nose, oral cavity and CNS. Shalakya Tantra one among the Astangas of Ayurveda deals with the anatomically, physiology, pathology and management pertaining to Jyanendriyas. The ears are one of the Jyanendriya. An ear is the organ that enables hearing and body balancing using the vestibular system. The organ of ear is situated deep below the body surface and inaccessible for inspection with naked eye or palpate. It can be facilitated with the help of modern aids like head mirrors, otoscope, various speculums, mirrors etc and the disorders can be understood on Ayurvedic line i.e., site, underlying Doshas, Dushyas, Lakshanas and should be treated with Ayurvedic line of management. Asatmyendriyartha Samyoga of Indriya i.e Ayoga, Atiyoga and Mithya Yoga of Srotrendriya causes Roga. Factors that affecting ear health are prolong usage of ear phones (particularly when the volume is set close to the maximum), exposure to loud noise/sounds (movie theatres, concerts, firecrackers etc), impacted ear wax, insertion of sharp or unclean particles into the ear, instillation of contaminated solutions, swimming in polluted water, recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, nutritional deficiency. Noise above 70 dB over a prolonged period of time may start to damage hearing. Loud noise above 120 dB can cause immediate harm to ears. In this article an attempt is made on the understanding Nidana, Samprapti, signs and symptoms and management of Karna Rogas mentioned by various Acharyas in Ayurveda.