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Narrative Review of Suddah (Obstruction) in Unani Medicine
Sadique Ali1, Ishrat Rasool2, Khaleequr Rahman3
1Associate Professor, Department of Mahiyat-ul-Amraz; National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore, India.
Background:
Obstructive conditions represent a major challenge in global healthcare, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality. These include a spectrum of diseases such as vascular thrombosis, embolism, respiratory tract obstructions, hepatobiliary blockages, lymphatic stasis, and intestinal obstructions. While modern medicine classifies and treats these conditions based on anatomical and physiological disruptions, historical records indicate that traditional medical systems, like Unani Medicine, had already developed detailed theoretical frameworks to understand such pathologies. In Unani literature, these conditions are referred to as "Suddah," a term meaning "blockage" or "closure of a passage." Ancient Unani scholars, such as Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Razi, and others, addressed the concept of Suddah in considerable depth, linking it with deranged humoral balance, altered temperament (Mizaj), and disruptions in the normal flow of humors (Akhlat) and vital spirit (Ruh). Their observations underscore the systemic importance of maintaining unobstructed pathways for optimal health.
Objectives:
This study aims to gather, interpret, and present a comprehensive overview of the concept of Suddah as documented in classical Unani texts. It seeks to unify scattered references and explanations from key Unani physicians and scholars into a coherent academic resource. Additionally, it provides a brief outline of traditional treatment strategies for such conditions based on Unani principles.
Results:
The narrative review of classical texts revealed a nuanced and integrative understanding of the causes, types, and therapeutic approaches related to obstructive disorders under the term Suddah, reflecting both philosophical and clinical insight.
Conclusion:
This study consolidates classical Unani views on obstruction, providing a foundational platform for further clinical exploration and integrative healthcare approaches involving traditional wisdom and modern practice.
Keywords:
obstructive diseases, Suddah, Unani medicine, narrative review.
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