Measles - Symptom, Causes, Home Remedies for Measles
What is Measles ?
Measles is an acute, infectious disease which strikes mostly children. The more tender the age, the better is the ability to bear the troubles that measles brings. It is generally believed that one attack of the disease provides immunity against a second attack. But that is the general rule to which many exceptions have been noticed. The second attack generally comes if the first one has been of a very mild nature. Like chickenpox, measles is contagious, and the sufferer should be segregated at the first onset of the symptoms.
Causes and Symptoms of Measles
Ayurveda believes that measles is the result of vitiation of both kapha and pitta. In the beginning, there is acute catarrh, followed by sneezing, a watery discharge, and, sometimes, bleeding from the nose. There is a dry cough and hoarseness of voice. The temperature goes up to 40°C and the pulse is rapid. Headache, thirst, and restlessness are also present. The temperature recedes on the third day, and on the fourth day, the characteristic rash of measles appears. The rash is first noticed on the brow, cheeks, chin, behind the ears, and on the neck. It consists of small spots of a dusky red Ofcrimson colour, slightly elevated above the surface of the skin. The face acquires a swollen and bloated appearance. Sometimes the rash also appears' in the mouth and the throat. It continues for two or three days and then subsides. A slight peeling of the skin may take place during convalescence. The appearance of the rash should be taken as a sign of the start of the recovery.
In certain rare cases, measles may occur in a very severe or malignant form, giving rise to complications. If the bronchial tubes or the lungs are involved, the re~ult may be fatal. Almost all fatal cases are the result of involvement of the lungs or the bronchi.
Home Remedies for Measles
The first thing to be done when the disease is suspected to be measles, is to clothe the patient in warm garments. Hot water and other liquids should be given to encourage the rash to appear. One of the grandmother's nostrums is to give the child raisins to eat. Powdered liquorice root may be given with honey. A powder of equal parts of tamarind seeds and turmeric may be given in doses of 350 to 425 mg thrice daily.
Diet and Other Regimen
The patient may be given a normal diet depending upon his appetite, but-hard-to digest foods, fatty substances, and those which are likely to lead to constipation should be avoided.
The patient should not be exposed to draughts, and should be advised to lie down in a soft bed in a slightly darkened room. He should be segregated.
Medicines & Prescriptions for Measles
Before the rash appears, the following medicines should be administered: 120 mg each of Swarnamakshika Bhasma, Kasturi Bhairava, Shringa Bhasma; dnd 240 mg of Saubhagya Vati-all to be taken four times daily with juice of bitter gourd and honey.
Unless accompanied by morbid complications, measles will cure automatically. But the most important precaution to be taken is not to suppress the fever of measles as that is likely to lead to a more virulent attack.
Other Fevers Types
Typoid Fever
Meningitis
Chicken Pox
Measles
Malaria
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