Cold, Cough & Sinusitis

Common  Respiratory  Ailments

Any sort of changes within or outside the body, the respiratory system is the first one to get affected because it has got a direct relation to the environment and internal organs through a process called respiration where exchanges of gases take place to survive. Hence there are more chances to get easily affected. The most common respiratory ailments we are discussing here are common cold, cough, and sinusitis.

Respiratory system :

The Respiratory system extends from the nostrils to the lung’s alveoli (air sacs). It is divided into the upper respiratory tract from the nostrils to the upper part of the vocal cord and the lower respiratory tract from below vocal cords to air sacs in the lungs.

Cold

Every individual many times might have suffered from a cold. That is the reason it is also referred to as Common cold / Coryza / Rhinitis.

It is a viral infestation caused by a variety of viruses, most commonly by Coronavirus present in the environment. Cold can spread from person to person. Allergens, dust, and extremely cold temperature climates can also cause and it can be named Allergic Rhinitis. The most common symptoms of cold include sneezing, running nose, headache, a mild increase in body temperature, nasal blockage body aches, etc. In Allergic rhinitis, the allergens trigger the production of histamines, causing the symptoms of a cold.

Ayurvedic Management :

Ayurveda discussed the common cold under the name ‘PRATISHYAYA.’ The vitiated humors Kapha (mucous element ) and Vata ( air element ) can cause pratishyaya. Conventional medicine will only temporarily relieve symptoms and cannot stop further attacks of viral infections. Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic can provide you with excellent tips and remedies for curing a cold and preventing its frequent attacks by improving immunity under the guidance of Ayurvedic practitioners, through herbs like Maricha (peppercorn), Shunthi (dry ginger ), Menthol, Tulasi (basil leaf), etc. Intake of warm water and steam inhalation during cold attacks can also relieve symptoms.

Cough

Cough is one of the most serious respiratory ailments. it can either be a precipitating factor for other respiratory diseases too like tuberculosis, COPD, lung cancers, etc. In general, cough is a reflex produced in the throat region to clear out any irritation or obstruction in that region thereby aiding in the protection of the lungs. Any bacterial and viral infections of the respiratory tract, pollution, allergens, chemicals, strong odours, common cold, flu, and few medications for chronic diseases can lead to cough. It can be of 2 kinds wet cough which is associated with more production of phlegm and dry cough which only has irritation in the throat or to keep clearing any obstruction, other common conditions to cause cough include GERD ( reflux of stomach contents into the throat ), heart failure.

On coughing, the colour of the phlegm indicates various other diseases along with chronicity too.

Ayurvedic management through Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic :

Ayurveda explained cough under a separate chapter in its classical texts which shows its importance since then. It is referred to under the name ‘KASA’. Which gives the meaning ‘unpleasant sound’. The humour Kapha (mucous element of the body), obstructs the free movement of humour Vata (air element) in the throat and chest regions causing Kasa. Early intervention is necessary for Kasa as it may tend to secondary respiratory tract infection.

Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic can provide you with an excellent remedy for cough through Ayurvedic experts by advising herbs like Kantakari,  Shunthi, Tulasi, Shrungi, Bharangi, etc. have antitussive, antihistamine properties. Herbs are given in the form of powders or decoctions.

Sinusitis

The word Sinus gives the meaning of opening or a channel. Sinuses in the skull are called Para nasal sinuses which are hollow spaces present in the skull of humans for voice resonance and to add moisture to the air inhaled through nostrils. Infection of these sinuses is referred to as Sinusitis. There are 4 pairs of sinus cavities in the skull.

1. Maxillary sinuses on the cheek region on either side of the nose.
2. Frontal sinuses in the brow region
3. Sphenoid sinus present deep inside the skull
4. Ethmoid sinus is inside the skull between the eyes

Causative factors:

Allergens, pollution, extreme cool temperatures, chronic allergies, bacterial infections, etc. can cause pooling up of the cavities with mucous, making their lining infected with bacterial growth causing inflammation of cavities leading to sinusitis.

Features of sinusitis include thick discolored nasal and postnasal discharge, headache, toothache, nasal blockage, loss of sensation to taste and smell, the heaviness of the head, pain behind the eyes when bent forward, etc. It can be in two stages acute sinusitis which lasts up to 4 weeks and chronic sinusitis which is more than that period.

Ayurvedic management of sinusitis :

Ayurveda explains sinusitis under the nomenclature ‘DUSTA PRATISHYAYA’. It is considered to be the complication of different types of prathishyaya. The vitiated humors Vata (air element) and Kapha (mucous element) cause data pratishyaya. With therapies Nasya ( installation of nasal drop in both nostrils ), Abhyanga (hot oil massage) followed by steam, and Udwarthana (powder massage) pacifies the morbid doshas and clears the channels effectively. Herbs like Pathya, Shunthi, Maricha, Pippali, and Haridra reduce the signs of inflammation, improve the immune system against allergens, and keep in check with frequent attacks. Herbs can be given in the form of powders and decoctions by our renowned Ayurvedic practitioners at Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic.