Lower Respiratory Tract Infection: Types, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

What is Lower Respiratory Tract Infection?

Lower Respiratory Tract is a broad term that covers the infections occurring in the lower respiratory tract which includes acute bronchitis, pneumonia, acute attack of COPD which is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease, and acute attack of bronchiectasis.

These infections can reduce the quality of life and can add to mental stress and anxiety. Pneumonia particularly can become fatal if not treated at the right time. The infections are caused by all types of pathogens, such as mycoplasma, fungi, and rickettsiae, but the leading causative factor is the bacterial agent.

So the question is, can lower respiratory tract infections be cured with the natural and alternative treatment methods provided by Ayurveda? Yes, Ayurveda can help restore the equilibrium of the doshas and can effectively treat lower respiratory tract infections.

Causes of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections

These infections can be bacterial or viral, and viruses are mostly responsible for producing diseases such as bronchitis and bronchiolitis. Community-acquired pneumonia is caused by the bacterial agent Streptococcus pneumonia. The common pathology of these infections can be understood by the fact that when these harmful microorganisms enter the respiratory routes through inhalation, the organisms multiply within or on the epithelium and give rise to inflammation, excessive mucus secretion, and deterioration of mucociliary functions. Furthermore, the airways get obstructed, and the patient has difficulty breathing.

Symptoms of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections

The common symptoms of these infections are as follows:-

Excessive sputum formation
Cough
Fever
Chest pain
Tiredness
Tachypnea

Also Read:- Upper Respiratory Tract Infection: Types, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Types of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections

The common diseases that manifest due to lower respiratory tract infections are:

Bronchitis
Bronchiolitis
Pneumonia

What is Bronchitis?

Bronchitis has an initial presentation of mucopurulent sputum in large quantities, mainly during early morning, constant cough, and moderate elevation in temperature.

In Ayurveda, bronchitis can be correlated with swasa roga in which the aggravated prana vayu gets combined with deranged kapha dosha in the lungs and causes obstruction in pranavaha strotas and give rise to symptoms like difficulty in breathing, gasping, and respiratory distress. According to Acharya Vagbhata, the place of origin of the disease is aamashaya. The strotas involved are prana, udak, and anna, and vyakta sthan of the illness is uras or thorax. The disease manifests as there is an obstruction in the normal movement of vayu with kapha.

Also Read:- Allergic Bronchitis – Causes, Symptoms & Ayurvedic Treatment

What is Bronchiolitis?

It begins with coryza, and cough and fever are common. Slowly, the cough deepens, and the respiratory rate increases. The patient becomes restless, and there is wheezing or actual loss of breath sounds. It may result in respiratory failure and can become fatal.

According to Ayurveda, swasa roga can be correlated with bronchiolitis, where the vitiated prana vayu gets mixed with deranged kapha dosha in the lungs and causes obstruction in pranavaha strotas.

Also Read:- Natural Treatment for Bronchiolitis – Causes, Symptoms and More

What is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes inflammation in the lungs’ air sacs or alveoli, and the air sacs may get filled with fluid or pus and give rise to symptoms like cough, fever, chills, and difficulty in breathing.

Lower Respiratory Tract Infections Treatment

According to Ayurveda, the principle to treat lower respiratory tract infections is to maintain the harmony between doshas, particularly vata and kapha, and therefore, the treatment would be vata kapha shaman, anuloman, and ushana. This principle helps break the disease’s pathogenesis and helps treat the condition effectively without any relapse.

Based on these principles, Dr. Sahil Gupta and his team at IAFA have thoroughly researched and meticulously crafted an herbal blend that is highly beneficial for patients suffering from lower respiratory tract infections. The following medicines have proven to be a ray of hope for the patients suffering from these infections and enhanced their quality of life:

1. IAFA Chhoti Dudhi Swaras

This medicine is purely an extract of a herb named Dudhi or Euphorbia thymifolia. The medicine aids the healthy digestive system and is a potent supplement to maintain the well-being of the gastrointestinal tract. The product is 100% natural and does not contain wheat, gluten, dairy, corn, soy, eggs, tree nuts, pea nuts, fish, or shellfish.

2. Respiro Detox Formula

The main ingredient of this product is talispatradi choornam which has been used since time immemorial to maintain the respiratory system wellness. The unique formula helps not only to promote the well-being of the respiratory tract but also cures diseases like bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. The product is 100% natural and safe to use.

3. Res Chai-7

If you are looking for a herbal decoction that supports respiratory system well-being then IAFA’s Res Chai 7 is your go-to product. This tea has a unique blend of herbs that prevent respiratory tract infections and also act as supportive treatment in case the disease has already manifested. Include this tea in your daily regime and experience respiratory wellness within a few weeks.

4. Nasal All Clear X Drops

This nasal drop helps to alleviate any obstruction due to excessive mucus production in the nose, ears, and throat. The Nasal All Clear X drops are meticulously crafted using potent herbs like jyotishmati, yashtimadhu, marich, and others to ensure the health of the respiratory system.

Conclusion

Lower respiratory tract infections are common due to loss of equilibrium between the three doshas and overexposure to harmful allergens such as dust and pollutants.

Ayurveda-one of the oldest healing systems in the world has emphasized using herbal supplements and following a healthy diet and lifestyle to get rid of these infections and lead a healthy and peaceful life.