Principles and Practices of Geriatric in the Unani System of Medicine

Abstract

As the population ages, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and complex medical conditions will have profound implications for the future healthcare system. Soon the world will have more population of older people than children and more people at extremely old age than ever. Therefore, the importance of maintenance of health and well-being in older age is increased many folds to reduce dependency and disability. In today’s world research on health issues related to aging is being done and the need for Geriatric i.e., care of the aged is being addressed at national and global levels. In this scenario, the Unani system of medicine (USM) can do wonders if its regimes and lifestyle modifications that are explained under Tadābīr-i-mashāyikh (geriatric) are adopted. Geriatric is explained based on the concept of aging in USM. Aging is described based on the amount of rutūbat gharīziyya (innate moisture) and its ability to protect ḥarārat gharīziyya (innate heat). Literature related to this topic is collected from classical books of Unani medicines and their translations as well as modern medicine, journals, reports, etc. The aim of this paper is to highlight the approach of Unani physicians to geriatric. Keywords: Tadābīr-i-mashāyikh; Geriatric; Aging; Unani Medicine