Amoebiasis, or amoebic dysentery, is an infection caused by the microscopic parasite Entamoeba  histolytica. Amoebiasis can be present with no, mild, or severe symptoms. Symptoms may include lethargy, loss of weight, colonic ulceration, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, or bloody diarrhoea. complication can include inflammation and ulceration of the colon with tissue death or perforation, which may result in peritonitis.

According to Ayurveda, it can be correlated to the disease “Pravahika”.

Signs and Symptoms

Among the infected persons, nearly 90% are asymptomatic. But in some cases, it becomes very serious to a level that endangers life. Symptoms usually manifest within a few days to weeks after infection. The infection can persist for years if no treatment is taken. The symptoms include,

• Diarrhoea with    blood,    mucus,    flatulence,    abdominal cramps   and    Passage of 3 to 8 semi formed stools per day or passage of soft stools with mucus and occasional blood.

• Excessive gas.

• Rectal pain while having a bowel movement (tenesmus)

• Unintentional weight loss.

• In some cases, there may be an infection in the colon, liver.

Cause(According to Ayurved):

   According   to   Ayurveda excessive intake   of   Katu,   Amla,   Lavana   rasa,   Guru   (not   easily digested),Snigdha (fatty),Ruksha (very   dry), Ushna, Sheeta, excessively  liquid, Teekshana foods promote pravahika disease. Virudhashana, Adhyasana, Vishamashana,   Alpashana,   Pramitashana are   hetus   of Pravahika.   Fear,   anger,   jealousy   are Manasika (mental hetu)   of the said  disease.

Complications:

The complications of Amoebiasis includes,

• Bowel perforation and gastrointestinal bleeding.

• Stricture formation.

• Empyema

• Peritonitis

• Inflammation and ulceration of the colon

• Anaemia due to loss of blood.