Digest Number 911

[Guest guest]

Well said however with some correction---

 

"due to its anatomical arrangement (i.e. long preganglionic fibers), the

effects of the parasympathetic system tend to be highly specific,

affecting a small part of the body such as a portion of the digestive

tract - in contrast, the sympathetic nervous system is arranged so its

response is diffuse (with short preganglionic fibers), affecting almost

the entire body"

 

You are referring to vagus the Xth Cranial nerve in its GI distribution.

However, there are more Parasympathetic nerves in the body. Cranial nerves III,

IV and VI have both sympathetic as well as Parasympathetic fibers to the Eye, so

does Cranial nerve V to much of the face, and eyelids. While the Xth nerve--the

Vagus also supplies Parasymapthetic fibers to the neck organs, Heart and Lungs,

and Stomach and Intestines, the Lumbar 4, 5 and 6 and Sacral nerves supply

Parasymapthetic supply to the Uterus, Ovaries and lower GI and Genito-urinary

system.

 

The Symapthetic Nerves come from Thoracic nerves 4 through 12, and form several

Ganglia, supplying the inside of the Cranium as well as the Thoracic and Lumbar

areas ( including the Heart ), as well as the Limbs ( along the blood vessels ).

 

So both the systems are extensive in their distribution as well as in their

effects on the body organs.

 

I wonder, since nose is the door to the cranium, and since there are so many

nerves that originate in the cranium ( that have both Sympathetic and

Parasymapthetic effect ), if the entire process of Pranayama ( with partial,

alternate nasal closing and deep breathing ) does not in reality effect these

cranial nerves ? Either by soothing them or by pacifying them, or supplying them

extra Oxygen, while by meditating and concentrating, we diminish the brain's

unnecessary activity in all different directions, giving the Ida and Pingala,

the Yin and Yang or the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic systems rest as well as

the much needed rejuvination.

Durgesh Mankikar,MD

[Guest guest]

This is a most welcome change.-----

 

"Three prominent Indian scientific agencies, The Indian Council of

Medical Research, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and the

Department of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy), under

the direct aegis of the Ministry of Health, have been shortlisted to

conduct more research into alternate therapies. An initial corpus of Rs.

120 crores has been sanctioned for this research. He was emphatic that

the outcome of this effort would effectively prove to the world that

alternative therapies were complete in themselves."

 

Let us hope that true research will be conducted and that the money will not be

misused or disappear without the much needed research. That will drain precious

funds and not accomplish the goal.

 

A few years ago, when Shrimati Sushma Swaraj and Shri Sinha ( Union Health

Minister) addresed the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, in

New Delhi, we had told them to start to incorporate Ayurvedic studies along with

Medical School studies, in India. The course would have been much longer, but

the basic health of the people would have been scientifically and properly been

taken care of. I believe that to maintain daily health, Ayurveda is very

important along with Yogic asanas, Pranayama and exercise. When that fails, and

acute care is needed, Modern Medicines would "kick in" for the short duration,

and give one sufficient time to get back into the Ayurvedic daily routine. Here,

by Ayurveda, Homeopathy may also be included.

Durgesh Mankikar,MD