ALLERGIC RHINITIS

Allergic rhinitis is inflammation of the inner layer of the nose (mucous membrane) caused by an allergens. It's a very common condition, estimated to affect around one in every five people in the India.

Allergic Rhinitis occurs when the body’s immune system over-responds to specific, non-infectious particles such as plant pollens, molds, dust mites, animal hair, industrial chemicals (including tobacco smoke), foods, medicines, and insect venom. During an allergic attack, antibodies in our body, primarily immunoglobin E (IgE), attach to mast cells (cells that release histamine) in the nasal mucous membranes. Once IgE connects with the mast cells, a number of chemicals are released. One of the chemicals, histamine, opens the blood vessels and causes redness and swollen membranes. When this occurs in the nose, sneezing and congestion are the result.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Stuffy or runny nose
• Sneezing
• Post-nasal drip
• Red, itchy, watery eyes
• Swollen eyelids
• Itchy mouth, throat, ears, and face
• Sore throat
• Dry cough
• Headaches
• Facial pain or pressure
• Partial loss of hearing, smell, and taste
• Fatigue
• Dark circles under the eyes

CAUSES

SEASONAL ALLERGIC RHINITIS IS TRIGGERED BY POLLEN AND MOLD SPORES. SOURCES INCLUDE:

• weed in autumn. The most common seasonal allergen.
• Grass pollen in late spring and summer
• Tree pollen in spring
• Fungus, mold growing, on dead leaves, common in summer and autumn

YEAR-ROUND ALLERGIC RHINITIS MAY BE TRIGGERED BY:

• Pet dander
• Dust and household mites
• Cockroaches
• Molds growing on wallpaper, house plants, carpeting, and upholstery
• Smoke
• Smog

WHO GETS ALLERGIC RHINITIS?

The risk of developing allergic rhinitis is much higher in people with asthma or eczema and in people who have a family history of asthma or rhinitis.

Allergic rhinitis can begin at any age, although most people first develop symptoms in childhood or young adulthood. The symptoms are often at their worst in children and in people in their 30s and 40s. However, the severity of symptoms tends to vary throughout life. Patients may experience periods when they have no symptoms at all.

AYURVEDIC VIEW OF ALLERGIC RHINITIS

According to Ayurveda, Allergic Rhinitis (Pratishyaya) caused by decreased level of ojus (immunity) in our body and decreased level of ojus is due to accumulation of ama (toxins) through poor digestion.

Toxins created by improperly digested food are carried through channels, directly into the respiratory tract. Accumulation of these toxins creates malfunctioning of the nasal tissues. It releases substances known as IgE into nasal passages, along with inflammatory chemicals, such as histamines, which aggravates the levels of Kapha (Water) in the respective area, giving rise to different symptoms of allergies.

Therefore, the focus of Ayurveda treatment is to maintain functions of nasal mucosa along with improving Immunity, digestion, eliminating the build up of toxins and also reducing the blockage of nasal cavity due to increased KAPHA dosha. Ayurkalp recommend you all to take Ayurvedic treatment for your “Allergic Rhinitis” because Ayurveda is the only complete medical science, which can help you to cure Rhinitis from its roots.

TIPS TO PREVENT ALLERGIES

• Stay indoors when pollen counts are high.
• Avoid exercising outdoors early in the morning.
• Remove carpeting from your bedroom if you’re concerned about dust mites.
• Take showers immediately after being outside.
• Keep your windows and doors shut as frequently as possible during allergy season.
• Try not to rake leaves or mow the lawn.
• Bathe your dog at least twice per week to minimize dander.
• Keep your mouth and nose covered while performing yard work.
• Whenever you feel congestion, take steam inhalation.
• Do regular Pranayama.
• Drink only warm water when you feel thirst.
• Use the food which is processed with Turmeric, Pepper and Ginger.
• Avoid Kapha aggravated food like icecream, curds, banana, oily, fried, Chinese, sugar, potatoes, tomatoes, oranges, grapefruits and junk foods.
• Avoid Smoking, day sleep and suppression of natural urges.
• Avoid sleeping in the open and cover yourself properly before going to sleep.

HOME REMEDIES

1. Boil ½ teaspoon of freshly grated ginger and 5-7 leaves of basil leaves in 200ml of milk. Now, add ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder. Take 2-3 times a day to get quick symptomatic relief. Turmeric is a natural Ayurvedic herb having anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and very effective and very effective to boost your immunity (Ojus).
2. Mix equal part of powdered dry ginger, Cinnamon, Cardamom, black pepper and long pepper , take ½ teaspoon of this powder thrice a day with honey.
3. Boil ½ teaspoon licorice root powder, ¼ teaspoon black pepper powder, and 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger along with 8-10 basil leaves in a 100ml of water to prepare a decoction. When it become half on boiling, add ¾ teaspoon of honey. Drink lukewarm thrice a day slowly as like tea.
4. Take steam inhalation twice daily, the water may have camphor or few drops of Eucalyptus oil.