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Introduction

Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine in India. The Ayurvedic system of medication is based on many centuries of experience in medical practice with the aims as protection and promotion of health. Acharya have described Dincharya (daily regimen), Ritucharya (regimen to be followed according to season), Sadavritta (regimen of good conduct) etc. in detail to maintain the good health.

Vegas are natural urges in response to the biological functions of the organism, adjusting the balance of the system. There are two types of natural urges: Adharaneeya Vega (Non-suppressible urges), Dharaneeya Vega (suppressible urges). Acharya Charaka has told Swastha Chatuska in the Sutrasthana. In this Chatuska, some imperative concepts related with food quantity, Ritu Charya (seasonal regimen), Adharneeya Vega (Non-Suppressible Urges), Prakruti etc are given.[1] There are 13 types of natural urges in the body which should not be suppressed and that can cause grievous repercussions when forcibly ignored.[2] In addition to these vegas, 14th  vega is mentioned by Acharya Vagbhata.[3]

Objectives: To review the Vegadharan of Nidra, Mutra and Purisha and its adverse effects on health.

Methodology:

Source of Data:

 Literary review made from the Brihatrayees, Laghutrayees, and other classical books including journals, presented papers, previous work done and co-related, analysed with the knowledge of contemporary science on the subject.

Method of the collection of the data:

Books, journals, presented papers were  reviewed and related information collected.

Concept on suppression of Common vega:

The word ‘Vegadharan’ has two mechanisms ‘Vega + Dharan’; Vega means natural urge & Dharan is suppression, thus Vegadharan means suppression of natural urges.

Types of Vegas:

The body produces 13 types of vegas, which should not be suppressed for any reason. They are as below mentioned-

Adharaniya vega (non-suppressible urges): [4,5,6,7]

   The intelligent person should not suppress the natural urges initiated by sensations of urine, defecation, sexual desires (release of semen), flatus, vomiting, sneezing, belching (eructation), yawning, hunger, thirst, tears, sleep and exertion induced Dyspnoea.

1. Vata (adho vata) – urge to fart or pass the flatus

2. Vita (pureesha) – urge for defecation.

3. Mutra – urge for urination.

4. Kshavathu – urge to sneeze

5. Trut – urge to drink water or thirst reflex

6. Kshudha – urge to take food or hunger reflex

7. Nidra – urge to sleep

8. Kasa – urge to cough

9. Shrama shwasa – urge of breathing on exertion

10. Jrumbha – urge to yawn

11. Ashru – urge to weep, tears

12. Chhardi – urge to vomit

13. Retas – urge for ejaculation of semen

Suppression of urge of Nidra:[8,9]

Suppression of the Vega of nidra causes delusion, Jrumbha (more of yawns), Angamarda (Body pain), Tandra (drowsiness), constipation, generalized body pains, Shiroroga (feeling of heaviness in head) and Akshigourav (feeling of heaviness in the eyes).

Suppression of urge of Mutra(urine):[10,11]

Mutra Vega rodha :

              Mutravega(Urination) is the release of urine from the urinary bladder through the urethra to the outside of the body. Suppressing the vega to pass mutra causes pains in the body especially Basti Shool (pain in urinary bladder) Mehana Shoola (pain in penis), Mutrakruchata (difficulty in micturition),Shiroruja (headache), Malaavrodha (constipation). In healthy humans, the process of urination is under voluntary control. In infants, some elderly individuals, and those with neurological injury, urination may occur as a reflex. It is normal for adult humans to urinate up to seven times during the day.[12] The urine fills the bladder and helps in the maintenances of the water balance of the body and excessive fluid of the body is removed by this Mutra. Function of Mutra is maintenance of Kleda around all the cells. Kelda is moisture.[13]

Purish:[14,15,16]

Person who suppresses the Vega of Purisha develops Pakwashaya Shool (pain in large intestine), Shiroshool (headache), Purish  Aapravarthanam (obstruction of stool), Vata Apravarthanam (obstruction of flatus), Pindiko dveshteana (cramps in calf muscles) and Aadhmanam (distension of abdomen).

Discussion

The concept of Adharniya Vega or non-suppression of natural urges is well described in Ayurveda and its role in production of disease is also emphasized. There are  13 Vegas described by different Acharyas along with disorders on their suppression and their treatment.  Intentional holding of urine leads to increase in intra-vesicular pressure causing stretching pain in penile/urethral area & bladder region which is very common among females and Prolonged hours of voluntary controlling the urge cause greater increase in concentration of urine can be correlated to urinary tract infections which cause Mutrakruchra (Dysuria).

Accumulation of urine in Kidney or bladder region causes neuralgic pains caused by neuritis (Spinal nerves compression) resulting into  Angabhanga (myalgia), Sirahshula (headache) compressional causes or the pain caused by raised toxins in blood during the filtration in kidneys or in long run due to Uraemia. The  others symptoms of forcible suppression of urination includes  Ashmari  (urinary calculi), Basti vedana (pain in the region of the urinary bladder), Medhra vedana (pain in the penis), Vankshana vedana (pain in the groin), Poorve cha prayo rogaaha - diseases mentioned in the 'adhovata vega avarodha' and' pureesha vega avarodha' also get manifest by suppression of urine.

              Considering the frequency and quantity of Purisha vega,  second most common vega which may hold by many. It is also inevitable daily urge One of the functions of Apana is to expel the faces. It is metabolic by product Person who suppresses the Vega of Purisha develops Pakwashaya Shool (pain in large intestine), Shiroshool (headache), Purish Aapravarthanam (obstruction of stool), Vata Apravarthanam (obstruction of flatus), Pindiko dveshteana etc symptoms.

Due to continuous holding of Nidra vega (urge to sleep) for the various reasons includes night shift of jobs, illness, night duties or some other problem and  effects of suppression of sleep  includes  Moha (delusion), Murdha gourava (heaviness of head), Akshi gouravam (heaviness of the eyes), Alasya (laziness, lassitude), Jrumbha (yawning), Angabhanga (body pains).

Conclusion

Vega is a very essential and imperative concept of Ayurveda. It is vital for our good health not to suppress urges from body, but suppress the urges which are concerned with the mind. So, in spite of having very busy work one should not hold the vega like Mutra, Pursiha and Nidra. As nidra is main pillar of a good health and two other vega are excretion and need to evacuate it timely to avoid any ill effects on health.