BRONCHITIS AND ITS AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

OVERVIEW

Bronchitis is a respiratory disease in which there occurs inflammation of the airways present in lungs. There occurs increased formation of mucus which leads to blockage of the respiratory tubules. If a person is having cough for a couple of weeks, then it is the main symptom of bronchitis.

Bronchitis is of two types – acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis is caused by infection from viruses. It goes away on its own and in a short period of time. However, chronic bronchitis is caused in a long period of time and occurs because of cigarette smoking. It comes under the condition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF BRONCHITIS?

Bronchitis is mostly caused by viruses but there are several non-infectious reasons for bronchitis. Following are some of the common causes of bronchitis:

• Viruses such as adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, etc
• Bacteria like bordetella pertussis, mycoplasma pneumonia, etc
• Cigarette smoking
• Air pollution
• Presence of toxic fumes in air
• Intake of marijuana

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF BRONCHITIS?

There are some factors which make a person more prone to bronchitis. Following are the risk factors of bronchitis:

• Weakened immune system
• Cigarette smoking
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Severe heartburn
• Exposure to lung irritants such as grains, textiles, etc
• Suffering from asthma or any other breathing problem, etc
• GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux)
• Any autoimmune disease

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF BRONCHITIS?

Following are the common signs and symptoms of bronchitis:

• Cough lasting for more than 2-3 weeks
• Difficulty in breathing
• Fever
• Running nose
• Wheezing sound
• Feeling tired
• Tightness in chest
• Production of mucus which can be yellowish-grey or green in color
• Presence of blood in mucus
• Lack of sleep

HOW BRONCHITIS CAN BE PREVENTED?

By taking some of the measures, bronchitis can be kept at bay. Following are the preventive measures of bronchitis:

• Say no to cigarette smoking
• Eating a healthy diet
• Washing hands regularly
• Maintaining personal hygiene
• Wearing surgical mask
• Getting vaccinated

HOW THE DIAGNOSIS OF BRONCHITIS CAN BE DONE?

The doctor will do a thorough physical examination of the patient with the help of stethoscope. He will ask about the signs and symptoms of the disease to the patient. He will ask about the family history or past medical history of the patient. He will recommend some of the following tests to the patients:

• Chest X-ray
• Blood tests
• Sputum tests
• Nasal swab test
• Pulmonary function tests

WHAT IS THE AYURVEDIC VIEWPOINT OF BRONCHITIS?

In Ayurveda, bronchitis is known as Shwas roga. It occurs because of the vitiation of kapha dosha. The increased kapha dosha decreases digestive fire and thus leads to production of toxins called ama in body. Both ama and disturbed kapha dosha blocks the pranavaha strotas and makes the individual develop shwas roga.

In Ayurveda, there are various ayurvedic medicines which help in balancing kapha dosha and help in reducing inflammation in the bronchioles.

MANAGEMENT OF BRONCHITIS WITH THE MEDICINES OF CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTRE

Here are some of the medicines of Chandigarh Ayurved centre which are used for the treatment for bronchitis:

1. Broncho care syrup

Broncho care syrup is used to eliminate chronic cough, bronchitis, common cold, whooping cough, etc. This ayurvedic syrup contains Vasa patra (Adhatoda vasica), Kantkari (Solanum surattense), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum), Chitrakmool (Plumbago zeylanica), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Pippali(Piper longum), Lasoda (Cordia dichotoma), Pudina (Mentha spicata), etc. These ingredients show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, bronchodilator properties.

Recommended Dosage –Take 2 teaspoonful twice a day.

2. Cough Go Tablets

Cough Go tablets are ayurvedic formulation containing ingredients like Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Pippali (Piper longum), Kali mirch (Piper nigrum), etc. These tablets are very effective in bronchitis, cough, cold, nasal problems, and other respiratory problems.

Recommended Dosage –Take 1 tablets twice a day with normal water.

3. Kapha Sachet

The powder contains a mixture of herbal ingredients which are mainly made for the treatment of asthma. Their properties generally balance the vata and kapha dosha. The sachet contains ingredients like – Sitopladi churna,  Laxmi vilas ras, Godanti bhasma, etc. It is used mainly in chronic cough, whooping cough and trouble breathing. It also relieves congestion of chest, sore throat. The ingredients loosen the mucus accumulated in the chest thus making it easy to cough it out. Its main therapeutic effects appear on lungs, pleura, and airways.

Recommended Dosage– Take 1 Sachet twice a day with normal water.

4. Giloy capsule

Giloy capsules are formed with the standardized extract of herb giloy (Tinospora cordifolia). The Giloy herb improves immunity, removes toxins from body, purifies blood, beneficial in cough, cold, fever, & bronchitis.

Recommended Dosage:Take 2 capsules twice a day with normal water.

5. Trikatu Syrup

Trikatu combines the goodness of Black pepper, Ginger and, Long pepper to create an herbal remedy for digestive ailments, sluggish metabolism, obesity, and high cholesterol. This syrup has best results in anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and expectorant. It also help to tackle the weight problems or obesity. It can modulate your body’s immune response while cutting the characteristic inflammation associated with the back pain.

Recommended Dosage–Take 2 teaspoonful twice a day before meal with normal water.