It is a catarrhal and inflammatory condition of upper respiratory tract due to viral, allergic or mixed infection. In Ayurveda it is known as PRATISHYAYA mainly due to vitiation of Kapha.

Symptoms & Causes

Due to vitiation of Kapha upper Respiratory tract is inflamed and congested. Sneezing, coughing, running nose, heaviness of head followed by inflammation of mucus membrane of nose, body aches, chill and loss of appetite. Allergens, Virus. Bacteria are the common causative factors of this disease. A cough may be caused by the inflammation of the larynx or the pharynx. and develop in the chest due to change in weather. The real cause of this disorder is clogging of the bronchial tubes with waste matters.. The reason for higher incident of cough during winter than other seasons due to intake of catarrh - forming foods such as white bread, meat, sugar, porridge, puddings, and pies .Hay fever, flu, sinusitis etc are the associated causes of this disease. According to Ayurveda Pratishyaya is classified in to VATAJ, PITTAJ, KAPHAJ and TRIDOSHAJ types. In Vataj type there is pain in sinus cavity with sneezing, pittaj type is with fever and in kaphaj type there are whitish secretion and dull headache.

Diet

In case of severe cold and cough and when fever is present the patient should abstain from all solid foods and only drink food and vegetable juices diluted with water. After this the patient should adopt an all fruit diet for two to three days. Taking three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits such as apple, pears, grapes, oranges, pinepples, peaches and melons. For drinks unsweetened lemon water, or cold or hot plain water may be given. After the all fruit diet, the patient can gradually embark upon a well balanced diet, with emphasis on whole grain cereals, raw or lightly cooked vegetables and fresh fruits. The patient should avoid soft drink , candies, ice-creams, and all products made from sugar and white flour.