Pneumonia - Symptom, Causes, Home Remedies for treating Pneumonia
What is Pneumonia ?
Pneumonia is the inflammation of one lung, whereas double pneumonia is inflammation of both the lungs. The air sacs are filled with thick secretions and become solid in the late stage of the disease.
A pneumonia patient generaIly complains of sleeplessness, and the affected side of the chest may stop moving during inspiration and expiration. The whole situation is compounded if both the lungs are affected and double pneumonia develops. The disease sometimes leads to pleurisy or inflammation of the pleura, and collection of fluid in the pleural cavity, which is a serious condition.
Ayurveda believes that pneumonia is caused by the disturbance of the vata dasha in the body. The most critical period in the course of the disease is the crisis that may occur on the tenth day from the onset of the fever when the temperature suddenly falls to normal. The patient perspires profusely and there is extreme weakness with feeble breathing.
In case there is accompanying delirium, preparations like Vata Chintamani, Chaturbhuja Rasa, Shringabhasma, Trihhuvanakirti Rasa, Kasturibhairava Rasa, Naradeeya Laxmivilasa Rasa should be given. Dashanga Lepa should be used for massaging the chest. The advice of the treating physician must be taken.
At the time of crisis (when the fever suddenly goes down), the following is the best prescription: Visheshwar Rasa and Kasturibhairava in quantities of 120 mg each, and 180 mg of Saubhagya Vati should be taken six times with cardamom powder and honey.
Symptoms & Causes of Pneumonia
As in most diseases, allopathy believes that pneumonia is caused by an organism, pneumococcus, which has an incubation period of two to six days. The attack usuaIly begins with a fit of shivering, or, in the case of children, with convulsions. The temperature rises at once from 38.3°C to 39.4°C; the pulse is rapid, and breathing shaIlow and painful. There is coughing and the phlegm produced is sticky and, sometimes, flecked with blood. The temperature continues at about 40°C for about a week. After that, it has a tendency to fall suddenly, and the patient experiences copious perspiration and a sinking feeling with extreme prostration. Pain which accompanies the onset of the disease may cease, but sometimes travels to the pit of the stomach. This may confuse the physician, who may diagnose it to be of abdominal origin.
Home Remedies for Treating Pneumonia
iet should consist of light and easily-digestible foods. Warm soups are recommended. Till the fever persists, the patient should keep himself protected against the cold. After the fever comes down, light exercise, starting with walking, is recommended.
Other Respiratory Diseases
Whooping Cough
Bronchitis
Asthma
Tuberculosis
Pneumonia
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