Rhinitis

Rhinitis, also known as coryza, is irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose. Rhinitis are mainly three types:

1. Nonallergic rhinitis involves chronic sneezing or a congested, drippy nose with no apparent cause
2. Infectious rhinitis - Due to bacterial or viral infection.
3. Allergic rhinitis - also known as hay fever, occurs when the immune system overreacts to allergens in the air.

1. Heaviness in head
2. Cough
3. Runny, stuffy nose, Itchy nose
4. Nasal congestion
5. Sneezing
6. Headache
7. Post nasal drip
8. Low grade fever
9. Watery eyes

According to Ayurveda there are three elements present in our body: vata, pitta and kapha which should be in balance. Because of the above-said causative factors it leads to impairment of digestion and aggravation of vata and kapha elements. Impaired digestion causes accumulation of toxins known as ama. Ama spreads and accumulates in the respiratory channels  along with vata - kapha and  eventually produces Rhinitis.

• Infectious causes-  caused by rhinoviruses, coronaviruses and influenza viruses, others caused by adenoviruses, human parainfluenza viruses, human respiratory syncytial virus, enteroviruses .
• Non allergic - exact cause is not known .
• Predisposing factors -
  • Excessive intake of heavy, sweet, cold and dry food items.
  • Incompatible‌ ‌food‌ ‌like‌ ‌taking‌ ‌milk‌ ‌and‌ ‌sour‌ ‌food‌ ‌together‌
  • Eating‌ ‌food‌ ‌before‌ ‌the‌ ‌previous‌ ‌meal‌ ‌is‌ ‌digested‌
  • Untimely‌ ‌food‌ ‌habits‌
  • Suppression of natural urges.
  • Exposure to cold and wind.
  • Excessive talking.
  •  Seasonal changes
  • Remain awake at night and 
  • Day time sleeping  
  • Taking a bath during indigestion.
• Allergic Rhinitis causes

Common allergens like: 

• Pet dander
• Dust mites
• Tobacco smoke
• Air pollution
• Strong odors, including scented lotions and perfumes
• Chemical fumes
• Pollen

Treatment protocol aims at:

1. Treating inflammation of the nasal mucosa.
2. Prevent recurrence by balancing the immune response.
3. Regular intake of supplements can help in long term relief and rejuvenating the body.

The first line of treatment should always be avoiding the causative factors. If the problem persists then consider the following treatment protocol.

When in contact with an allergen or virus, the body starts producing a chemical, Histamine. Histamine results in production of mucus to combat the infection/allergies resulting in an itchy, runny,stuffy nose, watery eyes and sneezing. 

The excess mucus from the nasal cavity drips down the back of the throat causing post-nasal drip, it irritates the throat causing Cough. When inflammation increases and raise the body temperature stimulating the immune response resulting in Fever

• Guduchi, Tankan bhasma will help to treat the inflammation and  Surasa is very helpful in conditions like loss of smell and it is an excellent drug for all respiratory system diseases. Yashtimadhu helps to heal and repair the tissue, also clear the nasal cavity. 
• Sitopaladi churna,Vasa, Sudarshan churna, Lakshmi Vilasa rasa Karkatashrngi are effective in cough by clearing mucus and also helps to boost immunity. It also helps relieve from fatigue and gives strength to the body

(The above mentioned Ayurvedic drugs are Herbs and Herbomineral preparations)

Other therapies like - Nasyam, Lepanam, Thalam, Vamanam, Shirodhara are commonly practiced depending on the dosha predominance and severity.

Guduchi, Tankan bhasma, Surasa, Sitopaladi churna, Vasa,  Sudarshan churna,  Lakshmi Vilasa rasa,  Karkatashrngi