Bronchitis

Bronchitis means an inflammation or swelling in the internal linings of the airways also called as the bronchial tubes. These tubes carry air to and from the lungs during the process of breathing. People with bronchitis, often have a thick mucus secretion that comes out with difficult coughing and is discolored.

Bronchitis can be acute (sudden) or chronic (long standing). Acute bronchitisis caused by a common cold or any other respiratory tract infection, and is quite common. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, is a serious condition probably caused due to regular irritation such as by smoking.

As per Ayurvedic texts, bronchitis has a greater resemblance with Kaphaja Kasa (Cough due to kapha) with respect to nidanas (causative factors) like raja and dhuma sevana (dust and smoke), vatakapha prakopaka ahara vihara (diet and regimen that aggravates vata and kapha), and lakshanas (symptoms) like kasa (cough) with kapha shteevana (coughing out material from lungs), shwasakrichrata (difficulty breathing), shukapurnagalasyata (dry throat) etc

The main causative factors of bronchitis are viruses. Apart from viruses, the other commonest cause is cigarette smoke. Additionally, pollution in air and also contributes to the condition.

For either acute bronchitis or chronic bronchitis, signs and symptoms may include:

• Continuous coughing
• Larger production of mucus (sputum), which can either be clear, white, yellowish-gray or green in color — rarely, it may show some blood
• Fatigue
• Breathlessness
• Fever
• Discomfort in chest

Management of kaphaja kasa requires samprapti vighatana (stopping the disease from progressing). This can be achieved by drugs that act by agnideepana (enhance the digestive fire), amapachana (Detoxify) and provide kaphanissarana (removal of excess mucus)

• A light but nutritious diet is recommended.
• Cold foods and foods that vitiate the kaphaare to be avoided.
• This includes curds, fat fried food, foods with oily and creamy texture.

Eating the right diet may also increase and help retain your memory’s capacity. Leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, spinach and Swiss chard are recommended by some researchers, as are berries, plums, and cherry tomatoes. The Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish like salmon, herring, and anchovies are also thought to help memory retention.

• Adequate rest is advised.
• Avoid smoking and contact with air pollutants.

Ayurvedic Treatment:
Internal medicine:
The ancient ayurvedic Samhita have well documented respiratory disorders viz Kapha (cough), Shwasa (Breathing Difficulty). The main aim of natural treatment of Bronchitis is to improve the elasticity of alveol which reduces severity and frequency of Bronchitis increases the threshold of various allergies . Treatment of Bronchitis aims at balancing the aggravate to vata & kapha doshas.
Sanshodhan chikitsa
Shaman chikitsa