Chronic Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi in the lungs .It is caused by viruses or bacteria and the disease may last for several days or weeks. It can also be a result of inhaling smoke and fumes or polluted air. A cold or fever could be followed by the onset of chronic bronchitis, that arrives with a dry cough initially though it would transform itself to a wet cough at a later stage. It has been found that in some patients the duration of the cough could extend up to a few months.
Symptoms: It's symptoms are manifest in the form of acute cough and phlegum production, fever, chest pain, fatigue and the obstruction of the airways leading to shortness of breath and wheezing. Ayurveda considers chronic bronchitis to be the result of an imbalance in the functioning of the tridoshas. This imbalance is a direct result of various causes and could include accumulation of toxins in the human body, poor nutrition, poor digestion and elimination, an imbalance in the nervous system due to physical and mental stress, a lowering of resistance of the human immune system, and a malfunctioning of the human metabolism.
All treatments in Ayurveda are prescribed only after a careful diagnosis of the patient's body constitution, family history, sex, age, stage of the disease etc. This will enable the patient to receive treatments that are specifically suited to his very needs. Ayurveda treatments will therefore vary from patient to patient The first consultation with an Ayurveda doctor, including the diagnosis will last for more than an hour. The basic step in the diagnosis will be to find the person's body humor (Dosha) - Vata, Pita or Kapha, because it is the imbalance of these body humors that creates this chronic bronchitis. The dominance of dosha in a person is found by asking several questions on his behavior, food habits, sleeping patterns, age, height & weight, place of life, profession, health problems and medical reports etc. Ayurveda diagnosis comprises of clinical and laboratory tests also. Pulse, tongue, nail, and eye examinations are important diagnosis methods used to reveal a person's body humor and its imbalance. This will help the doctor in treating the disease .
Pulse diagnosis in Ayurveda is not just counting the beats. It also reveals the health status of the entire body constitution, including the dosha imbalance and the health of the various body organs.
In tongue diagnosis, the doctor checks the general appearance, colour and coating of the tongue. In Ayurveda, as different areas of the tongue correspond to different organs of the body, the Ayurvedic practitioner can determine which organs of the body are out of balance by having a detailed tongue examination.
Nail examination is done to check the type, colour and shape of the person's nail. Imbalances of doshas are easily detected on close examination.
In the eye diagnosis, the colour, size and even the shape of the eyes are important in determining the dosha dominance of a person. His mental status nervousness, anxiety, confidence level etc can also be learned through eye diagnosis. A preliminary consultation with Ayurveda doctors online is also possible nowadays for guests worldwide
After the diagnosis, the doctor sets out to treat the patient in a very systematic manner. This would include a set of appropriate Panchakarma treatments and Rasayana therapies .
The Panchakarma Treatments are meant to flush out the toxins, They are classified as pre-purification, main purification and post purification phases and include various types of therapies like oil massages, fermented liquid massages, medicinal enemas, herbal purification methods.
The Rasayana Therapies are meant to nourish the body, to bring the doshas back to balance and to regenerate the body.These comprise diet regulations, daily regimens, intake of oral medicines and ayurveda tonics, yoga and a stress free life. After the treatment the ayurveda doctors will advise you how to lead a healthy life. The beneifts and results of the treatment are shown only after the Rasyana Treatment is over and docotrs advise is strictly followed. The results will manifest itself normally after 3 to 4 weeks as the body takes time to regenerate itself.
Pre-purification therapies are the first ones applied to loosen the toxins, open up the circulation channels and get the body ready for discarding these wastes. These methods are highly relaxing for the body and mind. Dhoomapanam and Sirovasthi are the two pre-purification therapies usually adopted in curing chronic bronchitis.
DhoomapanamThis method of treatment involves inhaling and exhaling of medicinal smoke. It is a fine treatment for chronic bronchitis and other respiratory diseases. The removal of mucous toxins also rejuvenates the person's mental status and provides him with ample freshness. The smoke helps to dry the excessive mucous, and also lowers pain-causing inflammations of the sinus cavities and respiratory tract. The herbs and spices used here have special properties to act against these mucous wastes. Spices and herbs such as horsegram, long pepper, guggul, Aconite,Albizzia tree, Cardamom , turmeric, lac stick, garlic, liquorice, etc. are finely ground and mixed with oil and ghee. It is then made into a pencil form, dried in shade, and further used for the smoking.
Sirovasthi is the retention of warm medicated oil over the head for a certain amount of time. This oil is a prepared mixture of gingelly oil, castor oil, ghee, common milk, and medicated herbs like bala, winter cherry, black gram, bacopa etc. Sirovasthi treatment is highly effective in the treatment of chronic bronchitis .There are special ways and methods in which the herbs and oils are boiled in order to extract their full medicinal properties. The first step of Sirovasthi starts with the application of warm herbal oil all over the body.
This nourishes the nerve endings and prepares the body for the main treatment. The next step is to carefully fix an elongated leather cap around the person's head into which medicated oil of tolerable warmth is poured. The oil has to be retained on the head for about 30 to 45 minutes based on the person's tolerance level. During this process, the therapeutic properties of the medicated oil acts on the person's brain and tunes up his central and autonomous nervous system. The brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and the sympathetic nerves receives the medicinal effects of the oil. As a result, various nerve disorders get mended and the mind gets relieved from conflicts and stress. The timing and periodicity of the treatment varies according to the condition of the patient and type of disease. Usually, the the treatment lasts for 7 or 14 days depending on the condition of the patient and the intensity of the disease for which the treatment is being meted out.
Main Purification Therapies for Chronic Bronchitis
This is the phase of elimination of toxins that were loosened at the pre purification treatment stage. These therapies are highly potential methods and are usually overseen by doctors. The two commonly adopted Panchakarma treatments for chronic bronchitis are Nasyam and Virechanam .
Nasyam is the pouring of herbal oil in drops in to the nostrils and inhaling the contents. This opens up the head channels and enables the herb extracts to act directly on the central nervous system. Nasyam treatment lasts for twenty to thirty minutes. The herbal oil is a blend of sesame oil mixed with herbs such as sida plant,bael, vitex etc. Nasyam is highly effective in treating chronic bronchitis.
Virechanam consists of oral intake of safe herbal medicines leading to the elimination of the poisonous wastes through the anal route. This cleansing of the mid zone benefits the entire body system. The appetite and body strength increases making you a more active and energetic person.
These are body nourishing therapies to rejuvenate the body and mind after the Panchakarma treatments. They keep the enzymes in the tissue cells in their normal functioning condition, restore and balance the body functions and maintain the overall health and well being of an individual for much longer periods after the Panchakarma course. Rasayana includes oral medicines and diet regulation.
Oral medicines used for treating chronic bronchitis will be extracts of pure medicinal herbs, leaves, spices etc. These are prepared specifically to restore the lost balance and to provide the needed inputs to cure chronic bronchitis. Kashayam and Arishtam - herbal decoctions and fermentations Lehyams - semi solid formulation are commonly prescribed. Some of the herbs and spices used in the preparation of Kashayams and lehyams for treating chronic bronchitis patients include fenugreek, cinnamon, ginseng, turmeric, stevia etc.
Diet regulation will be suggested for patients suffering from chronic bronchitis during and after the treatment. They should consume fruits and green leafy vegetables in large quantities apart from consuming large quantities of orange juice. The patient should see to it that the digestive system is not given much exertion which would suggest that he should consume foods that help fast digestion. Fruits such as apple, pears , grapes, grape fruits, oranges, pineapples, peaches, melons etc are highly beneficial.
Vegetable juices including juices of carrot, beetroot and cucumber mixed together are also beneficial. It is advisable not to consume an excess of dairy products including milk. The patient should avoid meats, sugar, tea, coffee, condiments, pickles, refined and processed foods, soft drinks, candies, ice cream and products made from sugar and white flour. You can find out your type of prakruthi and decide a diet for yourself.
Yoga & Meditation:Yoga and meditation are always beneficial and have always played a vital part in curing every type of disease. Yoga exercises done every day replenish and re balance the physical and emotional systems that are depleted by the everyday stresses that lie so heavy on our lives. Yoga makes it possible to rest on a strong base of confidence and strength within oneself. Light yoga postures, meditations and breathing exercises are advised.
Life Style for Chronic Bronchitis:Patients suffering from chronic bronchitis are advised to take at least one or two weeks of rest after the Panchakarma experience. At this time the body is weak after the purification process and needs time to get back to normalcy. Fresh air and outdoor exercises are also essential to the treatment of chronic bronchitis and the patient should take a long walk every day. They should quit smoking altogether as smoking is one of the major causes that hasten the incidence of chronic bronchitis .
