What is the Nature of My Digestion?

Ayurveda explains how the qualities of the food we eat affect the balance of our Doshas, and the quality of our tissues and consciousness. Yet, it is not enough to eat wholesome foods in proper quantity and combination at appropriate times. If the digestive fire known as Agni is not strong and balanced, we may not properly process that food. The result can be that, instead of producing healthy tissues and Ojas (the essence of the tissues which promotes strength, vitality, immunity from disease, and the growth of consciousness), the digestive system produces Ama (toxic products that clog the channels of the body) and, thereby, sows the seeds of disease.

Avoid the danger that has not yet come. Correct problems with digestion without delay. Often this can be accomplished by shifting to a diet that is lighter in quality and quantity while attending to the basic Ayurvedic guidelines. If the problem is severe or longstanding, herbs become an important adjunct to treatment.

This brief questionnaire will characterize the quality of your digestion and highlight any imbalances. I ask all new clients to complete it as an adjunct to their consultation. It supplements the pulse reading and responses to the other questionnaires.

I did a major revision to this questionnaire on June 28, 2022, based on the data from my Ayurveda Outcomes study. You can find the old version here.

Instructions for Completing the Digestion Questionnaire

  • Respond to every item.
  • Please enter your email. That way you will receive a copy of the report.
  • I welcome your comments and suggestions for improvement.
  • All information entered here will be kept confidential according to my Privacy Policy.
Qualities of Digestion

Choose the response to each of the following items that best describes what has been most generally true in your life over the long term.

Please indicate the degree to which the following statements apply to you Strongly
Disagree
Disagree Somewhat
Disagree
Neutral Somewhat
Agree
Agree Strongly
Agree
My hunger is mild. I can easily skip meals 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
After eating, my digestion is slow. I am often not hungry again for a long time 1
2
3
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5
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7
My energy level is variable or low compared to others 1
2
3
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5
6
7
I find that my body weight is relatively constant. I can maintain normal weight even if I eat a lot 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
My stool is well-formed and soft 1
2
3
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5
6
7
My food capacity is small compared to most other people 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
After eating, my digestion is good. I typically feel hungry again within 3-4 hours of a main meal 1
2
3
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5
6
7
My hunger is irregular. It varies from meal to meal 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
After eating, my digestion is unpredictable. When I feel hungry again varies from meal to meal and day to day 1
2
3
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6
7
My energy level is abundant compared to others 1
2
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7
My stool is loose 1
2
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6
7
My energy level is generally good, but I can easily be a couch potato and tend toward laziness 1
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3
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6
7
My bowel movements are regular, generally once or twice a day 1
2
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6
7
I find that my body weight is easy to gain and hard to loose, even if I closely watch what I eat 1
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3
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7
My food capacity is large compared to most other people 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
My bowel movements are irregular. I tend toward constipation 1
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3
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6
7
My food capacity is variable from meal to meal and day to day 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I find that my body weight is easy to loose and difficult to gain. I tend to be underweight 1
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3
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5
6
7
My hunger is generally strong. I cannot comfortably skip meals 1
2
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5
6
7
My bowel movements are frequent, often more than 1-2 times a day 1
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7
My stool is hard and dry 1
2
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5
6
7
Digestion-Related Symptoms

When responding to the following items, think about what has been most recently true.

Please indicate the degree to which the following statements apply to you Strongly
Disagree
Disagree Somewhat
Disagree
Neutral Somewhat
Agree
Agree Strongly
Agree
I have trouble with acid indigestion 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I frequently feel bloated after eating 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
My digestion has become sluggish. More often than not, whatever I eat seems to just sit there for a long time 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I belch or burp too much 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I have the urge to spit 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I've become excessively thirsty 1
2
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5
6
7
I frequently experience heartburn after meals 1
2
3
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5
6
7
I'm troubled by abdominal cramps or other discomforts 1
2
3
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5
6
7
My bowel movements are sticky or passed with mucous 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I have a sweet taste in my mouth 1
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3
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5
6
7
I have trouble with esophageal reflux 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I feel heavy or sleepy after meals 1
2
3
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5
6
7
I'm troubled by a dry mouth even when I'm not thirsty 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I'm troubled by excessive gas 1
2
3
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5
6
7
I'm troubled by constipation 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I often have diarrhea 1
2
3
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5
6
7
It's like I am always hungry. I need to eat every few hours 1
2
3
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5
6
7
I often feel nauseated 1
2
3
4
5
6
7

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Digestive Tendencies section adapted with permission © 2009 Maharishi AyurVeda Association of America

Digestive Imbalanaces section © 2020-22 Marc T. Edwards

Major Revisions: November 28, 2020 and June 28, 2022