Anaphylaxis (Virudham)

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Anaphylaxis - Causes, Symptoms and Ayurvedic Treatment

Anaphylaxis is the sudden and sometimes lethal, hypersensitivity reaction of our body to some specific allergen. Common allergens that cause anaphylaxis are some venom, bee sting, food items like peanut, prawns, milk, some medications etc. Ayurveda explains about a similar condition under the concept of Virudha (Incompatibility). Acharyaslke Vagbhata, Charaka and Susruta have detailed about Virudha, its pathogenesis, symptoms, complications and treatment. This ensures the clinical application of Ayurvedic medicines and regimens in the prevention and management of various illnesses caused by Virudhaahara and vihara. Dr. Gupta’s IAFA has managed plenty of Anaphylaxis cases with a high success rate.

Symptoms of Anaphylaxis

Symptoms usually develop immediately after exposure to allergen. They are

Skin reactions like rashes and itching
Lowered blood pressure
Constriction of airways
Swollen tongue
Weak and rapid pulse
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Dizziness
Abdominal pain
Shock

Shock is the life-threatening stage in Anaphylaxis. When the body produces a large number of chemicals as an overresponse to allergens, the blood pressure lowers, causing narrowing of airways and difficulty in breathing. This is a very dangerous situation and should be managed under emergency care.

Ayurvedic Reference of Anaphylaxis

Symptoms of Anaphylaxis

Acute symptoms caused by Virudha include visphota (Skin eruptions), murcha (Fainting), kushta (Skin diseases), mada (intoxication), grahani (Dysentery) and even death.

Ayurveda also explains some chronic symptoms or complications caused by the practice of incompatibility. They are impotency, vision problems, ascites, fistula, anemia, fetal abnormalities, etc. When a person is exposed to any unusual environment or food item and if he/she experiences the following symptoms, the chance of Anaphylaxis can be suspected.

Mental confusion
Weakness
Swelling of throat
Abnormal heart rate
Facial swelling
Low blood pressure and
Troubled breathing

“Ayurveda has proven solutions for managing Anaphylaxis through natural and side-effect free measures. Dr. Gupta’s Institute of Applied Food Allergy® is the perfect destination for Ayurvedic management of Anaphylaxis as well as any sort of allergies”.

Visit us now and feel the difference!!!

– Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist
CEO & Founder of IAFA®

Diet in Anaphylaxis

Avoiding processed food items, fermented milk products, and packed food are suggestive in case of Anaphylaxis.

Do’s (Pathya)

Boiled and cooled water
Vegetable soup
Adequate sleep (Average 7 hours)

Don’ts (Apathya)

Exposure to wind, dust, smoke and other allergens etc.
Sleep during day
Packed and processed food
Sea food

Yoga in Anaphylaxis

Pranayama and other yogic postures like shavasana as well as pavanamuktasana can help a lot in maintaining mental and physical wellbeing.

Ayurvedic Management of Anaphylaxis

The prime aim is to avoid exposure to the known allergens that may cause Anaphylaxis. Ayurvedic medicines play a vital role in preventing the recurrence of Anaphylaxis and reducing the intensity of symptoms. Ayurveda advocates both shodana (purification therapy) and shamana (pacifying medicines) therapy along with rasayan chikitsa (rejuvenating therapy) in the management of anaphylactic conditions.

Following internal medicines can be taken according to the condition of the patient.

Guduchyadi kashaya
Patoladi kashaya
Amritarajanyadi kashaya
Vilwadi gulika etc.

Chyavanaprasha
Dasamoola haritaki lehya
Patoladi ghrita
Tiktaka ghrita etc. also helps in strengthening the immune system.

Purification therapies like virechana (purgation) and vamana (emesis) with appropriate medicines will give remarkable effects in preventing its recurrence.

Along with medicines, Ayurveda advises practice of exercise, light and compatible food, enough mental and physical strength etc. to build up our immunity.

References

Shloka No. 45-46, Annarakshavidhi Adhyayam, Ashtanga Hrudyam, Indian Materia Medica of Vagbhata, Sutrasthana.
Prasad Mamidi, Kshama Gupta (2016). Ayurvedic management of Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria: A case report. J Pharm Sci Innov 5 (4): 141-143.
Sharma PV, Ashtang Samgraha of Vagbhata Uttara Sthana Vol. III, 2013, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, Chapter 2, Sloka 17, p. 20.
Sahil Gupta, Ayurvedic Aspects of Allergies and Fungal Infections, Edition 2021, Allergic Bronchitis Chapter No. 1, Page No. 13-16.

Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question - What is anaphylaxis?

Answer – Anaphylaxis is the sudden hypersensitivity reaction of our body to some specific allergen. Sometimes it becomes lethal and leads to Anaphylactic shock.

Question - What are the causative factors of anaphylaxis?

Answer – Common allergens that cause anaphylaxis are some venom, bee sting, food items like peanut, prawns, milk, some medications etc.

Question - Can Ayurveda prevent occurrence of anaphylaxis?

Answer – Yes, Ayurveda can prevent anaphylaxis to a great extent by regular use of internal medicines and purification therapies.

Question - What is the cause of Anaphylaxis?

Answer – In people who are prone to anaphylaxis, there is ama build up in the patient’s body. This increased dosha and ama keep on circulating in the body and when these get a stimulus, the doshas get aggravated and suddenly get lodged in the skin, respiratory system, digestive system etc. and cause the symptoms.

Question - What is the Ayurvedic treatment of Anaphylaxis?

Answer – The Ayurvedic treatment of Anaphylaxis involves building a strong immunity and helps the person to reduce the frequency and intensity of future anaphylactic reactions.

Question - What should be the daily health regimen for anaphylaxis?

Answer – Some simple rules such as waking up early in the morning, oil pulling, nasya, oil massage, exercise etc. on daily basis are helpful in nipping dosha aggravation in the bud.