Charaka considered several factors that lead to the onset of disease, the most significant of which is the “error of intellect” or Pragyaparadh (from Sanskrit). An individual who adopts a disorderly lifestyle with excessive or indigestible, polluted, or even toxic food—such as alcohol, smoking, or drugs—and who does not adhere to their body’s natural rhythms, sleeping little, skipping meals, overworking, or engaging in efforts beyond their capacity, and living in stressful emotional situations dominated by fear, anger, and low self-esteem, loses self-control and falls victim to Pragyaparadh. The consequences of this are an imbalance in the three doshas, which leads to disease.

According to Ayurvedic medicine, disease follows the following pattern, which is consistent with modern preventive science:

1. Sanchaya (Accumulation): The doshas accumulate in their respective sites.
2. Prakopa (Aggravation): The doshas become aggravated.
3. Prasara (Spread): The doshas overflow from their sites and spread throughout the body.
   • By intervening at these three levels, particularly in preventing risk factors, human physiology can return to a state of balance and full well-being.
4. Sthana-Samsraya (Localization): The doshas localize in the most receptive parts, where they develop disease, characterized by the appearance of specific symptoms related to the affected area. In this phase, early diagnosis and consequent treatment can contain and resolve the disease.
5. Vyakty (Manifestation): The disease is fully developed and manifests with all its symptoms.
6. Bheda (Complication): In the absence of treatment, the disease, depending on its severity, can become chronic or, if complications arise, these may lead to the patient’s death. In these last two stages, it is still possible to act to prevent complications and relapses.

It is clear from this schema that no chronic disease appears suddenly; rather, it is the sum of small, repeated imbalances that gradually establish themselves over time. By intervening in the early stages, the disease cannot establish itself in the physiology. Conversely, as imbalances go deeper, the path to healing will require more time, and the disease will be more challenging to eradicate.