Diagnosis in Unani

Unani systems of medicine take into account, the complete personality of the person, during diagnosis. This is because every individual possesses specific basic structure, psychic makeup, self-defense mechanism, reactions to environmental factors, likes and dislikes. Thus, Unani healing mechanism is customized for each patient individually. Basically, the Unani diagnostic involves examination of the pulse, urine and stool. These are primary rudiments of Unani diagnostic process.

As breathing is the carrier of the life force within the human body, it is carefully examined to assess the efficiency. The best method to do so is by pulse diagnosis. Pulse is a movement in the heart and the arteries, which are prone to expansion and contraction. Every beat of the pulse constitute of two movements and two pauses. In case of a male patient the pulse is read from the left hand and from right hand, in case of a female patient.

While examining, the palm should be turned upwards for precision. During the diagnosis, possible anomaly in the following conditions is observed, that is, quality of expansion, quality of impact of beating of the pulse against the finger of examiner, duration of cycle of pulse, duration of pause, emptiness or fullness of vessel between beats, compressibility of artery, moisture content of perspiration of pulse, regularity, order and disorder, rhythm.

The other two elements, urine and stool are the metabolic wastes of the body and any irregularity indicates towards the diseased condition. Thus, both of these are examined for the purpose of exhaustive diagnosis. A healthy urine is light tinted, somewhat the color of the straw and has a non offensive odor. Usually, the characteristics which are observed in case of urine analysis are quantity, odor, color, foam, texture, clearness, and sediment.

The contents of the stool are known as alvine discharge and are assessed in terms of quantity and consistency. The quantity of a healthy stool is nearly equal to the amount of food eaten. If the amount is more it means the humors are in overabundance and vice versa. The stool should neither be too loose or too hard. Its consistency should match that of honey. The color of a healthy stool should be nearly yellow, without an offensive odor. Any glitch in the above mentioned conditions and it is a cause for concern.