In the Ayurveda, various upchar or remedies are defined for the management of dengue fever, says Dr Zankhana Buch, MD(Ay) Medical Superintendent, Sr Physician at AyurVAID, Domlur, Bangalore Karnataka
*Can one seek Ayurveda medicines to prevent Dengue and its complications?
Ayurveda has a clear-cut understanding of preventing and managing Dengue fever. Dandaka Jwara is found in Ayurveda textbook named Madhava Nidana It has been described that a particular species of mosquito is the basic cause of the spread of fever called Dandaka jvara.
*What can we expect from Ayurveda Approach to the Management of Dengue?
Ayurveda has an elaborate description of JWARA (Fever)- with its natural history, clinical manifestation, types, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, management with ahara (diet), vihara (lifestyle measures), Aushadha (medicines), and kriyas (Panchakarma therapies). Various types of Jwara that are caused by external agents like dengue with insect/repellent bites are called AgantukaJwara
An effective vector control method- Dhoopana (fumigation) with Rakshoghnaganadravyas (antimicrobial drugs) is very effective to control mosquito infestation.
Although infection with the dengue virus (DENV) causes severe dengue, it causes a mild self-limiting illness in the majority of individuals. There is emerging evidence that an aberrant immune response in the initial stages of infection leads to severe disease. Many inflammatory biomarkers are significantly higher in patients with severe dengue compared to those who develop a mild infection, during the febrile phase of illness.
Ayurveda system of medicine helps to identify the level of inflammation and the risk of developing dengue complications.
The larger objective is to alter the extra-cellular or host environment so that the rate of multiplication of the viral load, i.e., increase in # of copies of the virus in one's body, is reduced and eventually made sub-viable. i.e., there will not be enough viral growth to sustain the infection, and in turn, the disease progression itself is slowed down/arrested/reversed.
Ayurveda first determines which key sub-systems (Srotas) of the body have deviated from its normal constitutional functional state, the status of your metabolism, and the presence of mild or severe inflammation in the body. The change in the host environment is achieved through a multi-mode approach of diet-lifestyle-medicine-
*Scope of Ayurveda Management
Early management: Prevention/ Prophylaxis- Vector Control Methods,
Institutional management: This means that patient diagnosed with Dengue fever is admitted in Ayurveda inpatient facility and monitored closely on clinical signs and observation of platelet counts and other necessary blood parameters. These patients are then provided whole-person care with a comprehensive prescription that entails Ayurveda diet, medicines, and panchakarma therapies as appropriate. Recovery- follow-up with privileged physicians at accredited Ayurveda institutions
Diet:
nIt is advised to have freshly prepared easily digestible vegetarian food like rice gruel(Kanji)/Khichdi, moong water, etc to keep digestion easy. In the case of non-vegetarian food, ensure that it is well cooked, and not too spicy.
Dinner should be the lightest meal.
l Avoid curds, oily and deep-fried items, maida, leftover meals, processed and packaged food items, oats and millets, cheese, and cold and aerated drinks as far as possible. Avoid Bengal Gram/Beans and difficult-to-digest Vata/gas-causing food items.
l Include: warm water, broken wheat, green and yellow moong/green gram, ghee, rice
l Eat vegetables like all gourd vegetable bottle/bitter/ridge/ash/snake gourd that reduces pitta.
l Minimize use of gas-causing items like cabbage and cauliflower while including fruits like amla, pomegranate, dry raisins, and cardamom
l Include bitter and pungent and astringent taste while choosing your food items as these items are light and easy and pacify pitta
l Maintain Adequate Hydration with around 6 to 8 glasses of water daily and avoid coffee, cocoa, tea, caffeinated, alcoholic and carbonated beverages.
Lifestyle
Avoid day sleep to prevent Kapha accumulation/to reduce further impairment of metabolism
Having sips of hot water to aid minimize the signs of bloating, belching, and flatulence. Avoid cold water baths. Ensure good hygiene with good air and sunlight.
What does Ayurveda not cover?
Dengue patients who are younger than 5 years or older and frail, pregnant women, patients with serious comorbidities (cardiac, renal, for e.g.) and patients in or near hemorrhagic emergencies, with deviated vital parameters should be advised to seek conventional Dengue managemen