Chronic Cold

In ayurveda, 50% medicine is correct diagnosis itself. It is not difficult to treat any disease, once correctly diagnosed. Many a time, a patient faces difficulties due to incorrect diagnosis. Cough and cold are considered very ordinary illnesses encountered frequently. But this ordinary looking cold sometimes assumes serious proportion. It is always easier to control and cure a disease when it is in starting state. Ignoring the common symptoms can give rise to a chronic disease later. The cough and cold commonly occurs during monsoon and winter seasons. Viral infection or allergy is the `diagnosis' of modern science, and knowing it in advance, patients try to take anti-biotic or NSAIDs (non steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs) based on previous experience! They are causing serious damage to their gastro intestinal track this way. Elimination of dark yellow or green mucous through nose for about 10 days with fatigue is the symptom of Viral infection; while allergic cold gives clear watery discharge through nose, swelling/inflammation in nose, eyes and throat. Allergic cold prolongs for full season.

CAUSES OF Chronic Cold

Itching and inflammation of nose during early morning, sneezes, watery reddish eyes, reddish nose, hoarse voice, itching/swelling/reddishness in throat are common cold symptoms. The symptoms reduce after taking suppressive medicines offered by modern medical science, but repeat after few days. Again a fresh dose of medicines control the symptoms but cause fatigue, inflammation. The strength weakens, weight drops, mood less state develops, so pending activities increase. Even slight dust entering nose, or cold wind hitting head, or moving in strong sun for a long time can cause another attack of cold. Such changes are also observed when season changes. Kapha and pitta unbalance causes itching and inflammation respectively. The mucous membrane inside the nose swells, becomes reddish and causes itching. In all such cases, care must be taken to take preventive actions since beginning. The cold attacks then reduce in intensity or stop.