Influenza
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°F and
lasts for two or three days. In severe cases, it may go up to 104°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 another 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 liter of water 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.
Source: www.healthlibrary.com through www.scribd.com
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