Study Of Chalk Dust As Etiological Factor Of Tamak Shwas In Teaching Profession

Background - In 21th century, where life & industrialization is growing high, many types of pollutant are released into environment affecting health of people in various ways. In Ayurveda, these pollutants are included as “raja”. Acharya Charaka had mentioned that ‘a single etiological factor may produce single disease or group of diseases or many factors together produces single disease or group of diseases. Acharya Charaka has mentioned that ‘Raja’ (dust particles including pollen grains) is responsible for the development of respiratory system disorders like Shwasa (dyspnea), Kasa (cough) and Hikka (hiccups) and Pratikshyaya (Rhinitis) Aims – To study chalk dust as an etiological factor of Tamak Shwasa in the teaching profession Material & Method - 100 diagonsed teacher patients of “Tamak Shwas” are evaluated for considering chalk dust as causative factor. This study is done on the parameters like age, sex, time for exposure to chalk, duration of teaching, measurement of absolute eoisinophil count. Study results were statistically analysed using chi square test. Observation - Significant correlation was found between chalk dust and the development of Tamak Shwasa in teachers (P-value 0.0024 < 0.05). Conclusion – Chalk dust serves as the aetiological factor for the development of Tamak Shawas (Atopic Asthma) Keywords: Tamak Shwas, Raj