AYURVEDIC TREATMENT OF PLEURISY
ABOUT PLEURISY
Pleurisy is also known as Pleuritis. It is a respiratory disease in which inflammation of pleura is there. Pleura is a double layered membrane around the lungs and rib cage. In this condition breathing is painful. In some cases it is associated with another diseased condition called pleural effusion in which accumulation of fluid between two pleural layers. It causes sharp chest pain which makes breathing difficult.
TYPES OF PLEURISY
PLEURISY IS OF THREE TYPES:
- Dry Pleurisy – It occurs when the pleura is embedded with fibrous tissue.
- Effusive Pleurisy – It occurs when the space of pleural layers filled with extra fluid, this condition is called pleural effusion.
- Purulent Pleurisy –It is most dangerous type of pleurisy. In this space between layers is filled with dead cells commonly known as Pus.
SYMPTOMS OF PLEURISY
Depending upon cause of disease the symptoms may vary.
COMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Shoulder pain
- Muscle ache
CAUSES OF PLEURISY
A variety of conditions are responsible for pleurisy.
THE COMMON CAUSES OF PLEURISY ARE GIVEN BELOW:
- Viral infections like flu or influenza
- Bacterial infections like tuberculosis, pneumonia.
- Sickle cell anemia and pancreatitis
- Cancers like Lung cancer
- Heart surgery
- Certain medications
HOW PLEURISY CAN BE DIAGNOSED?
- Medical History – It helps to diagnose the disease. The patient’s history including any diseased condition or any medication which may be responsible for pleurisy.
- Physical examination –It includes the physical checkup with the help of stethoscope.
Diagnostic tests:-
- Blood test
- ECG
- Chest X-Ray
- CT scan
- MRI
COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PLEURISY
In some cases the symptoms of pleurisy and their complication is not clear. Pleurisy complications are considered as secondary conditions.
SOME COMMON CONDITIONS ARE:
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Shortness of breath
- Pericarditis
- Pus in the pleural cavity.
AYURVEDIC OUTLOOK OF PLEURISY
In Ayurveda it is known as Paarshava Shoola or Parshwashool. According to ayurveda all of three doshas (vata, pitta and kapha) are responsible for parshwashool. When vata doshas is imbalanced then vayu gets aggravated and it accumulates in lungs. Pitta is hot in nature it liquefies kapha and convert it into watery fluid. As a result of this water accumulates into lungs. Aggravated kapha causes impaired digestion by diminishing gastric fire.
PREVENTION AND CARE OF PLEURISY
It is an internal problem which is difficult to prevent but some things which can be done to prevent symptoms of pleurisy which are:
- Avoid excess use of pain killers
- Avoid exercise which you feel tired
SUGGESTIONS
THERE ARE SOME DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR PLEURISY PATIENTS:
- Avoid fried foods.
- Cold food must be avoided because it leads to accumulation of phlegm in chest.
- Bitter vegetables like bitter gourd, fenugreek is good for pleurisy conditions.
