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Respiratory Ailments

A respiratory disease or ailment relates to any disease and disorders that affect the airways and the lungs of a human. The respiratory system includes all organs that help us to breathe which includes airway, the lungs, and other respiratory muscles.

The airway includes the:

• nose
• pharynx
• mouth
• larynx
• trachea
• bronchioles
• bronchi
• alveoli

The medical field that centres specifically on diagnosing and treating respiratory diseases is known as Pulmonology.

Asthma

Asthma is a respiratory health condition in which the airways narrow down and swells up to produce extra mucus. This results in breathing difficulty and prompts coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. The symptoms of Asthma vary from person to person and sometimes it could be occasional whereas sometimes it could last for long hours.

Asthma signs and symptoms include:

• Chest tightness or pain
• Shortness of breathe
• Sound when exhaling
• Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
• Sudden increase of wheezing due to infections or allergies

Bronchitis

When the lining of the bronchial tubes gets inflamed it causes bronchitis. These tubes are responsible for the inflow and outflow of air from lungs. People who suffer from this condition usually cough up thickened mucus that is discoloured. Bronchitis can turn acute or chronic depending on the symptoms that include:

• Shortness of breathe
• Chest discomfort
• Cough
• Production of mucus
• Fatigue
• Slight fever and chills

Nasal Polyps

A nasal polyp is a respiratory condition that produces soft and painless, noncancerous growth on the lining of your sinuses and nasal passages. They are in the shape of teardrops or grapes and hang downwards. This is the result of acute inflammation due to asthma, frequent infections, allergies and some immune disorders. The symptoms include:

• Runny nose
• Continual stuffiness
• Postnasal drip
• Compromised sense of smell
• Loss of sense of taste
• Pain and headache
• Snoring

Sleep Apnea Syndrome

This is a very serious sleep disorder where the breathing pattern repeatedly stops and starts again. You know you have this disorder when you feel drained out and tired even after a good night’s sleep. The most common symptoms are:

• Snoring loudly
• Breathing stops during sleep
• Desperate for air in your sleep
• Waking up with a headache
• Insomnia
• Hypersomnia
• Difficulty in paying attention
• Mood changes

Repetitive Cold and Coughs

There are many viruses and infections that can cause recurring colds and flu. One of the causes is exposure of respiratory systems to many types of virus and allergies. Whereas a cough is a reflex action that helps to clear the airways from mucus and other irritants such as dust and smoke.

Symptoms:

• Runny nose
• Feeling of a liquid flow at the back of your throat
• Constant Sore throat
• Sensation of Wheezing and shortness of breath
• Heartburn feeling
• Spitting out blood while coughing

Epistaxis

Epistaxis also known as acute haemorrhage or a condition of nosebleeds where bleeding occurs from the nasal cavity of the nostril. The reasons could be an occurrence of trauma to the nose or any kind of injury to the interior of the nose. The common symptoms are:

• Dizziness, fainting, confusion, loss of alertness and light-headedness
• Bleeding from teeth, gums and nostrils

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is a health condition where inflammation occurs to the tonsils which are 2 oval-shaped pads of tissue located at the back of the throat on each side of the throat. Common signs and symptoms include:

• Red and swollen tonsils
• Patches on the tonsils
• Sore throat
• Swallowing becomes painful and difficult
• Fever and headache
• A very scratchy, muffled or throaty voice
• Bad breathe and odour
• Stiff neck

Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis also called as hay fever when the immune system responses to specific allergens, pollen being one of the most common allergens. These are allergy symptoms that happen due to change of seasons. Common symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis include:

• sneezing
• itchy nose
• itchy and watery eyes
• runny nose
• stuffy nose
• dark circles around the eyes
• coughing
• a sore or scratchy throat
• frequent headaches
• dry and rough skin
• hives
• excessive fatigue

Treatment

Homeopathic treatment for respiratory ailments totally depends on a detailed case study and knowing the history of the patient. This helps in identifying and recognizing the root cause of the problem. Homeopathic treatments for respiratory illness are decided completely understanding the causes and finding that lead to this situation. Medicines are prescribed depending upon the severity and acuteness of the issue. As homeopathy refines to natural ingredients, the fear of side effects is nil and also ensures that the problem is treated from the roots. Some of the medicines to ease or treat respiratory ailments are:

Arsenicum album is one of the top grade homeopathic medicines used for asthma and bronchitis

Lemna minor and Teucrium marum are one of the top-rated Homeopathic medicines that help in treating nasal polyps.

Authored By Dr. Sanjay Panicker