| |
Influenza,
also known as flu, is the clinical condition that results
from infection with influenza viruses. The main effects
of the influenza viruses are on the upper respiratory
tract, the nose and throat, with possible spread and
involvement of the lungs and bronchi.
The disease is highly contagious and it has potential to
cause wide spread epidemics affecting sizeable portion of
a population at any time. Although it is more common
during winter it may strike at any time. It affects
people of all ages. Symptoms
Influenza
strikes suddenly. It usually begins with a chill, fever,
headache and severe muscular pains. The patient feels
miserable and weak. There is an inflammation in the nose
and throat, which may spread down the windpipe to the
lungs, resulting in a sore throat, cough, running of the
nose and eyes. In milder case of influenza the
temperature rises to 102 o F and lasts for two
or three days. In severe cases, it may go upto 104 o
F and last for four or five days. The consequent weakness
and fatigue may continue for several weeks. This may be
followed by a deep chest cough due to irritation in the
windpipe.
Causes
Influenza is
what is known as germ disease. It is, however, not caused
primarily by the action of the germs as is generally
believed, but develops due to a toxic and run-down
condition of the system of the affected person. This
condition is brought about by dietetic errors and a
faulty style of living such as worry, over work, lack of
proper exercise , living in stuffy rooms and keeping late
hours. No disease germs can find lodgment and become
active in the system of a person who is perfectly healthy
in the true sense of the term. Influenza is passed on
with ease from one affected person to an other especially
to those who are also in an equally low vital stage. That
is how an epidemic starts.
Treatment
Influenza ,
like all other acute diseases, is a natural attempt at
self-cleansing and if rightly treated in a natural way,
immense good can ensue so far as the future health of the
patient is concerned. In the acute stage of influenza, a
patient should abstain from all solid foods and only
drink fruit and vegetable juices diluted with water, 50 -
50 for first three to five days, depending on the
severity of the disease. The juice fast should be
continued till the temperature comes down to normal. The
warm water enema should be taken daily during this period
to cleanse the bowels.
After fever subsides the patient may adopt an all-fruit
diet for two or three days. In this regimen, the patient
should take three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits such
as apples, pears, grapes, oranges, pineapple, peaches and
melons at five-hourly intervals. Bananas or dried, stewed
or tinned fruits however, should not be taken. No other
food stuff should be added to the fruit meals, otherwise
the value of the treatment will be lost. This may be
followed by a further two or three days on fruits and
milk diet. Thereafter, the patient may adopt a
well-balanced diet of three basic food groups namely, (i)
seeds, nuts and grains, (ii) vegetables, and (iii)
fruits.
Spices and condiments , and pickles, which make food more
palatal and lead to overeating, must be avoided. Lemon
juice may be used in salad dressing. Alcohol, tobacco,
strong tea and coffee, highly seasoned meats, over-boiled
milk, pulses, potato, rice, cheese, refined, processed,
stale and tinned foods should all be avoided.
Certain remedies have been found highly beneficial in the
treatment of influenza. The most important of these is
the use of long pepper. Half a teaspoonful of the powder
of the long pepper with two teaspoonfuls of honey and
half a teaspoonful of juice of ginger should be taken
thrice a day. This will help greatly if taken in initial
stages of the disease. It is especially useful in
avoiding complications which follow the onset of the
disease, namely, the involvement of the larynx and
bronchial tube.
Another excellent remedy for influenza is the green
leaves of basil or tulsi plant. About one gram of these
leaves should be boiled along with some ginger n half a
litre ofwater till about half the water is left. This
decoction should be taken as tea. It gives immediate
relief.
Garlic and turmeric are other effective food medicines
for influenza. Garlic is useful as a general antiseptic
and should be given as much as the patient can bear.
Garlic juice may also be sucked up the nose. A
teaspoonful of turmeric powder should be mixed in a cup
of warm milk and taken three times in the day. It will
prevent complications arising from influenza and also
activate the liver which becomes sluggish during the
attack.
[index]
|
