Respiration is the process in which air passes into and out of the lungs with the object of allowing the blood to absorb oxygen and give off carbon dioxide and water. The main parts of the respiratory tract are: the nose, the throat, larynx, the trachea or windpipe, the bronchi or bronchial tubes, and the lungs.

Bronchitis

A serious variety of Kasa roga, bronchitis is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes which carry air to the lungs. This disease is endemic to cold damp climates but may strike anywhere.

Causes and symptoms

Even though, it is caused by certain germs, the susceptibility of certain constitutions cannot be denied. Ayurveda ascribes it to impairment of the digestive processes, and the remedies selected for its cure are those which help restore the digestive balance too.

There is inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchi to which phlegm adheres, and there is difficulty in expelling it. The phlegm, when expelled is found to be viscid and may be purulent. Due to the tendency of the viscid phlegm to stick to the bronchi, there is difficulty in breathing and the lungs are starved of air. A fit of coughing may turn the face of the patient blue. Bronchitis patients are thin and emaciated. In its acute form, bronchitis may result in a rise of temperature, breathlessness and loss of appetite. If proper care is not taken and the disease becomes chronic, it may deteriorate into complete breathlessness.

Herbs for bronchitis

The simple and useful measure to treat bronchitis is administration of one teaspoon of turmeric powder with milk. It acts best when taken on an empty stomach.

A powder of equal quantities of dried ginger, black pepper and long pepper can be given thrice daily. It may be mixed with honey or infused with your daily tea. It also has anti-pyretic effect and tones up the metabolism of the patient.

Adathoda vasica is another useful herb in treating bronchitis. Honey is also a valuable remedy.

Diet and other regimen

Curds and sour substances should be avoided. Banana and guava are fruits which are contraindicated in this malady. Smoking is contraindicated and consumption of liquor should be reduced to the minimum. Excessive physical exercise and exposure to cold and damp should be avoided.

Bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma is known as Tamaka Shvasa in Ayurveda. It is on the rise today, with increasing levels of pollution and the stressful lifestyle followed by the people.

Causes and symptoms

Bronchial asthma is supposed to originate from afflictions of the stomach and the gastro-intestinal tract. That is why in the preliminary stage of the disease or just before its onset, the patient complains of indigestion, constipation or diarrhea. The attack of asthma may come without warning because of the hypersensitivity of the patient to certain substances like pollen, dust, emanations from certain animals like dogs and cat, certain foods to which the person is allergic and of course to certain bacteria.

Asthma is characterized by difficulty in breathing, a sense of tightness, constriction around the chest, and a wheezing noise as the breath is expelled. The small bronchial tubes which connect with the lungs are constricted due to swelling or accumulation of viscid phlegm in the main bronchi, hence the difficulty in inspiration and expiration.

The attack of asthma comes on in the early morning when the patient suddenly wakes up with a feeling of apprehension and alarm. He sits up as the breathing suddenly becomes impossible in a recumbent position. He may rush to open the window as it becomes difficult to breathe in a closed room. The attack may last for a few hours or a few days before it subsides, and, in the early stages of disease, the patient feels normal after the attack. It is only when it becomes chronic that he acquires a typical asthmatic look- a pale face and an emaciated body.

Herbal products for Bronchial Asthma

• Brahmi Chyawanprash – 2 teaspoons twice daily

• Amla Saar – 3 teaspoons twice daily with equal quantity of water after meals

• Praan Rakshak Churna – 1 teaspoon twice daily

Amla is the richest source of vitamin C in nature. It is an effective remedy for treating asthma. It is a rich source of antioxidants, thereby fighting against infections and also improves immunity.

In chronic cases, their effect is evident from the increasing gap between successive attacks.

Diet and other regimen

The patient is advised to avoid curd, buttermilk, bananas, guavas and fried foods. Light food should be taken at night and all sour substances should be banned.

Smoking is contraindicated and consumption of liquor should be reduced to the minimum. Excessive physical exercise and exposure to cold and damp should be avoided.

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils – the small rounded mass of mainly lymphoid tissues behind the tongue, on either side of the pharynx.

Causes and symptoms

It can be correlated with Tundikeri in Ayurveda.

Latest research has reached the conclusion that the tonsils act as barriers to infection. The mechanism whereby tend to fight infection has not yet been identified, but observations have confirmed the view that children whose tonsils have been removed are more susceptible to infections than others. A body of opinion has therefore arisen which frowns upon surgical interference in obstinate cases of tonsillitis.

The onset of tonsillitis is manifested by a pain in swallowing, a sensation of chill and fever. On visual examination, the tonsils are found to be enlarged, engorged and covered with a varying amount of whitish or grey material – the purulent discharge. Inflammation is not restricted to the tonsils, and generally the entire throat is involved. The glands under the jaws are also inflamed and tender to the touch. In severe cases there may be pain in the ear. These symptoms particularly in the children and adolescents up to the age of eighteen years might be the precursor of rheumatic fever, a serious condition.

Constipation and other disorders of the digestive system are liable to precipitate the attack. In severe cases, there may be difficulty in breathing in addition to fever and coated tongue.

Diet and other regimen

Soup of meat and lentils like moong are recommended for patients suffering from tonsillitis. Bland soft foods, gruel and lukewarm liquids are the best. Chillies and other condiments should be avoided as they tend to irritate the throat. Vegetables like bitter gourd, young radishes and fenugreek are particularly recommended. Sour substances, curds and fried foods are to be avoided.

Warm saline gargles are recommended twice a day.

Hot fomentation can be given in the front of the neck and steps should be taken to keep the region warm.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is the inflammation of one lung, whereas double pneumonia is inflammation of both the lungs. The air sacs are filled with thick secretions and become solid in the late stage of the disease.

Causes and symptoms

As in most diseases, allopathy believes that pneumonia is caused by an organism, pneumococcus, which has an incubation period of 2 to 6 days.

The attack usually begins with a fit of shivering, or in the case of children with convulsions. The temperature rises at once; breathing is shallow and painful. There is coughing and the phlegm produced is sticky and sometimes flecked with blood. The raised temperature continues for a week. After that it has a tendency to fall suddenly, and the patient experiences copious perspiration and a sinking feeling with extreme prostration. Pain which accompanies the onset of disease may cease, but sometimes travel to the pit of the stomach. This may sometimes confuse the Physician and he may think it of abdomen origin.

A pneumonia patient generally complains of sleeplessness, and the affected side of the chest may stop moving during inspiration and expiration. The whole situation is compounded if both the lungs are affected and double pneumonia develops. The disease sometimes leads to pleurisy or inflammation of the pleura, and collection of fluid in the pleural cavity, which is a serious condition.

According to Ayurveda, pneumonia is caused by the disturbance of the vata dosha in the body. The most critical period in the course of the disease is the crisis that may occur on the tenth day from the onset of the fever when the temperature suddenly falls to normal.

The patient perspires profusely and there is extreme weakness with feeble breathing.

Diet and other regimen

Diet should consist of light and easily digestible foods. Warm soups are recommended. Till the fever persists, the patient should keep himself protected against the cold. After the fever comes down, light exercise, starting with walking is recommended.