Chronic cough is a condition that lasts for eight weeks or more and can be more than just an annoyance. The cough may interrupt you while sleeping and leave you feeling exhausted. In severe cases, it may cause vomiting, lightheadedness, and even rib fractures. The symptoms can be noted as runny nose, postnasal drip, sore throat, hoarseness, wheeziness, heartburn, etc. The chronic cough is caused due to post-nasal drip, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), infections, drugs for blood pressure, etc.
‘Vata-Kaphaja Pratishaya’ is the term for chronic cough in ayurveda. According to ayurveda, chronic cough is caused due to virudha aahara (incorrect food), ama (toxins) and asatmya (change in environment); that may lead to allergic reactions like running nose and cough. This is when the ama gets accumulated in the body as a result of impaired metabolism and digestion. Cough is the result of vitiation of doshas- Kapha and Vata.
Thus, the treatment of chronic cough in ayurveda focuses on balancing the vitiated doshas and eliminating toxins from the body. This is done by Vamana panchakarma, followed by virechana therapy. In some people, nasya treatment is preferred because it helps to clear congestion. This treatment is done by pouring herbal oils like shadbindu or anu taila in nostrils. The medications are also administered to strengthen the immune system and respiratory tract that help in relieving from chronic cough. The ayurvedic formulations for chronic cough include ginger, turmeric, saunth, black pepper, cloves, black raisins, etc. This line of treatment helps in complete reversal of the condition in a holistic way.
Ayurveda defines chronic cough as Kasa. There are five types of kasa according to ayurveda:
Thus, the treatment of chronic cough in ayurveda focuses on balancing the vitiated doshas and eliminating toxins from the body. This is done by Vamana panchakarma, followed by virechana therapy. In some people, nasya treatment is preferred because it helps to clear congestion. This treatment is done by pouring herbal oils like shadbindu or anu taila in nostrils. The medications are also administered to strengthen the immune system and respiratory tract that help in relieving from chronic cough. The ayurvedic formulations for chronic cough include ginger, turmeric, saunth, black pepper, cloves, black raisins, etc. This line of treatment helps in complete reversal of the condition in a holistic way.
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