Early signs of toxins (ama) accumulating in the mind and body
Often, we hear of someone who is ‘suddenly’ diagnosed with a major health issue, or who overnight develops pain or immobility seemingly out of nowhere. These shocks can be scary and shake our foundations, but illness rarely arrives without precedent. The mind and body always began with subtle hints about imbalances; it is up to us to recognise them as the early stages of disease. If they go unheard, these gentle nudges become louder and more persistent - and eventually, more uncomfortable. The further along the imbalance is, the longer and more difficult it is to treat.
In Ayurveda, two common paths that lead our system out of balance are:
Excess in one or more of the doshas; Vata (air and ether elements), pitta (fire and water elements) and Kapha (earth and water elements). Vata is often the easiest to go out of balance due to it light and mobile properties, but any of the doshas can go out of balance, and this will be reflected in the symptoms that we experience.
Build up of Ama (toxins) in the body, which occurs when the body is unable to process and eliminate waste materials. The body needs to efficiently release chemicals, stress and inorganic matter such as plastics and preservatives, or they accumulate and become toxins that lead to pain and disease.
These paths can intersect, and often do. Typically, an elevation in the doshas will cause disruption to the natural process of digestion and elimination of waste, which in turn will cause the accumulation of toxins. Over time, this localised accumulation will overflow into other parts of the body, and this is often when symptoms become more visible and uncomfortable. Good medicine traces the symptoms back to their source rather than simply treating the superficial issues. This is how we become empowered to heal ourselves.
The most effective medicine is preventive; recognise the early signs of imbalance and toxin accumulation and attend to it before it progresses. What are some of the early signs of toxins? Here are some common indicators that go unnoticed:
Tension in the head, neck and shoulders - Anyone with a desk job will be familiar with this experience of stiffness or tightness in the upper body after long hours of work. But if there is ongoing stiffness, headaches or strain, or you are visiting the chiropractor or masseuse every few weeks, one or more of the doshas is out of balance and there may be toxins accumulating in the joint spaces, causing pain.
Sleep issues - Most people go through periods of poor sleep, often after travel, during stressful periods or after drinking alcohol. But if you experience more than one week of poor sleep, there is a significant imbalance the doshas at the root of the problem. While sleep seems inactive, it is one of the most productive times of day for our health as the body and mind go through significant detoxification, repair and regeneration overnight. Sleep issues include taking more than 10-15 minute to fall asleep, waking up overnight and being unable to quickly fall back to sleep, waking up to use the toilet or waking up feeling tired and sluggish.
Dry, irritated throat - If you have a chronically dry mouth or throat, often have to clear your throat, feel thirsty despite drinking water, or feel like your throat is constricted, there is ama accumulated in the upper digestive or respiratory systems. This is especially common in the change of season. The accumulation of mucus and phlegm in the throat hints at the state of the digestive tract and lungs, which are key systems for immune health. Dryness and irritation reduce the body defence mechanism, making us more prone to infections.
Digestive issues - Gas, burping, bloating, constipation, heartburn, reflux, brain fog, food sensitivities… there is a long list of early signs that we just accept as part of life, or ‘treat’ with over the counter medication or elimination diets. But the gut is the only way your mind and body can receive nutrients and energy, and if it is impaired it any way, then there is the opportunity for a whole host of health issues to arise. From skin conditions to hormonal imbalances, many systems in the body rely on energy from the digestive tract to function, and no amount of supplements and topical products can truly heal the inner imbalance. Indigestion creates a perfect storm of doshic imbalance and toxin accumulation. Physical and emotional indigestion are often at the root of diagnosis such as depression, cancer, autoimmune conditions and arthritis.
Prevention is better than cure. Get to know the subtle cues coming from your mind and body, and be mindful of the messages you send yourself through thoughts, words and actions. We live in a two lane highway when it comes to our health, and the easier communication flows with good signaling and minimal congestion, the better you will look and feel.
“Any problem, big or small, always seems to start with bad communication. Someone isn’t listening.”
— Emma Thompson
