STUDY OF
HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY
Shriniwas Kashalikar
Our study of human physiology begins right from the time of conception, though unconsciously. Consciously the study begins with learning of the interactions amongst family members and the living and non living surroundings. But this study is informal or non-formal. Formal and conscious learning of human physiology begins when one starts going to school. Here a variety of interactions in the nature; are taught with respect to their effects on human life. This knowledge is sometimes categorized as human physiology and sometimes not.
The professional or academic study of human physiology begins when one enters a graduation or professional course. The foundation of the study of human physiology is studying everything in nature with respect to its interactions with human life and vice versa! Thus we study physiology in way.
following
1. We observe signs and symptoms in patients and correlate them with the structural and functional abnormalities. 2. We use observations in day to day life and correlate their cause and effect e.g. the effect of day and night on sleep and wakefulness cycle.
3. We use the knowledge of physics, chemistry etc and apply the principles involved to the human body to explain the interactions in human body. 4. We use technology such as microscope to study smaller structures such as cells, their membranes etc. 5. The actual events (phenomena) in the body are compared with other observed events (phenomena) such as electricity in the nature and thus the nature of the body activities is defined. 6. The various control mechanisms in the machines are correlated with body and the
nature of regulatory and control mechanisms in the body are identified or hypothesized and verified. 7. Experimentation such as ablation (removal) of an organ and its effects are observed and corresponding function is assigned to that organ. 8. Stimulation or lesion experiments with brain elicit functions of organs related to that part of brain. 9. Observations of effects of practice of pranayama, different exercises and other alterations in the environment or diet add to our knowledge of human physiology.
10. Various measurements such as hemoglobin, pulmonary ventilation, blood pressure add to our understanding 11. Techniques such as electrocardiography, electroencephalography, electroretinography and magnetic resonance studies give quantitative perspective of corresponding structures and their functions. 12. Based on these and other studies and observations, one learns to make hypotheses and to verify them and make the understanding of human physiology deeper and more accurate.
13. Learning human physiology can not grow without asking questions at every point. 14. Learning human physiology requires (like any other field) unprejudiced and realistic mind. It is said that
NAMASMARAN
can be practiced to develop crystal clear and unbiased mind, which facilitates effective and more complete learning of human physiology.
Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar