Alternative Treatment of klebsiella pneumonia in Ayurveda

Abstract

In the present time of community infections, we are making ourselves more prone to bacterial infections. People with weaker immunity power catch these infections very easily, one such very rarely occurring infection is known as ‘klebsiella pneumonia’. As this ailment occurs in an individual with a weak body defense system with ayurveda we can surely provide good strength to the patient body, as medicinal herbs work on the root cause of the ailment by removing causative factors. So let's start discussing how ayurveda deals with such kinds of disorders.

Introduction

Pneumonia is defined as the presence of an inflammatory process within the lung cavity associated with lower respiratory tract infection. Generally pneumonia is of two types- primary pneumonia and secondary pneumonia according to the etiological agent. Pneumonia due to the presence of bacteria klebsiella pneumoniae is an uncommon disease with the presence of high mortality rate. In this, severe consolidation of one or more lobes in the lung cavity is present, generally the upper lobes are involved in most of the cases.

According to Ayurveda

According to ayurveda we can correlate this with "shwasnak javar". It is a type of 'heen pitta- madhya vata- kapha ulavan sannipataj javar' that means there is a presence of very less pitta dosha, medium amount of vata dosha and predominance of kapha dosha in this.

Firstly let's discuss about klebsiella pneumoniae

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a gram negative rod shaped bacterium that normally present in the intestines of our body, there it doesn't cause any pathology but once it gets transmitted to other parts of the body and in majority of the cases it affects lungs. The disease produced by this bacterium is known as “klebsiella pneumonia”.

Etiological Factors

These are the main causes (nidan as per ayurveda) that results in formation of an ailment.

• Generally this is seen as nosocomial infection means acquired in the hospitals.
• Person with weak immunity power.
• Presence of certain autoimmune disease such as- Multiple sclerosis
• Through the use of contaminated medical equipment.
• Overuse of antibacterial drugs.

Acharya madhva had explained following below listed causes

• Over alcoholism
• Presence of inflammatory process in the liver and kidneys.
• Consumption of unhealthy diet.
• By coming in close contact with a person suffering from pneumonia, by touching contaminated hands.

Purvarupa (Prodromal Symptoms)

It is defined as early symptoms that are present in a person before more diagnostically specific symptoms are seen in the body.

Aa per Ayurveda

• Parshav Shula (pain in ribs)
• Swash (dyspnoea)
• Kaas (cough)
• Kampa (tremors)

Clinical Features

A symptom means the general complaints along with patients present in front of the physician. Signs: It means what a physician notices himself by observing the patient's condition. In klebsiella pneumonia following below listed symptoms is seen:

• Expectoration of  purulent sputum
• Sometime sputum contains chocolate color
• Increased cough
• Breathlessness
• Rise in body temperature
• Vomiting
• Dysphasia (Difficulty in swallowing food)
• Skin is hot and dry
• Flushed face
• Body ache
• Chest pain
• Body ache

According to Ayurveda

• Fever with chills
• Ati trisha (excessive thirst)
• Aruchi (anorexia)
• Swash (dyspnoea)
• Rakta shatheevan (hemoptysis)
• Increased rate of respiration
• Sweating over fore head region
• Generalized body weakness
• Wheezing
• Small boils seen over different parts of the body.
• Coated tongue
• Increased pulse rate
• Delirium

Types of pneumonia

1. Primary pneumonia- They are usually community acquired that is caused by various microorganisms such as mycoplasma, streptococcus etc. klebsiella pneumonia also falls in this category.
2. Secondary pneumonia- this type of pneumonia occurs when the host organism is already diseased or weakened due to the presence of certain pathology in the body.
   
   

In this category various types are present, such as

• Acute bronchopneumonia
• Nosocomial pneumonia (hospital acquired)
• Aspiration pneumonia
• Pneumonia in immunocompromised patients.

Complications

It is defined as the presence of certain unfavorable conditions due to the presence of underlying disease.

Aa per Ayurveda

• Nidra nash (Loss of sleep)
• Pralap (delirium)
• Kampa (tremors)
• Tivra taap (hyperpyrexia)
• Sangya naash (loss of sensation)
• Hridya karya avrodh (heart attack)

Diagnosis

It includes the common diagnostic approaches used by a physician to identify the disease.

1. By doing detailed physical examination of the patient by using 4 below listed techniques

• Inspection- Patients appear weak and lethargic in appearance.
• Palpation- Abdomen will be warm/ hot in texture, Pulse will be rapid
• Auscultation- Breath sounds of high pitched voice, Coarse crepitation is present
• Percussion- Stony dullness 
  
  

2. Thorough and detailed history taking.

3.Sputum examination- Direct examination of sputum by Ziehl- Neelsen stains indicates presence of klebsiella pneumoniae.

4. Blood culture

5. Serological examination- Presence of pneumococcal antigen by serum is done in this test, and it shows fourfold rise of antibody titre.

6. Differential white blood cell count- There seems high neutrophil polymorph leukocytosis in klebsiella pneumoniae.

7. Radiological examination- It reveals presence of pulmonary suppuration along the hypertrophy of affected lobe. In radiological examination we can use following below listed investigations

• X-ray
• CT scan (Computed tomography)
• MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging)

Management

Preventive measures

• Adequate rest should be advice to the patient.
• Hygienic environment should be there around the patient where proper ventilation is present.
• The sides of the body having pain do not sleep on that side, avoid that side from external pressure.

Mainline of treatment in Klebsiella pneumonia as per the ayurveda

1. Nidan parivarjan chikitsa

It means avoiding the root cause of disease.

2. Langhan therapy (Therapeutic fasting)

• Many people misguided this word with complete fasting, but according to our ancient classical test it means eating food in less proportion or consuming only liquid diet/ water during the whole day.
• This therapeutic procedure is considered as the best way to remove harmful toxins (ama dosha according to ayurveda) accumulated in the body.
  
  

3. Sanshodhan chikitsa (detoxification techniques)

• Deepan- Power of digestive fire (Agni) is increased by using deepan herbs such as saunf (Foeniculum vulgare)
• Paachan- Digestive medicine is given by oral route to assimilate undigested food particles within the body.
• Sanehan- Smoothing the body dosha’s by using herbal ghrit/oil.
• Svedan- Semi-hot medicated kwath is sprayed on the patient's body by a specially made swedan yantra (instrument).
• Vaman (emesis) - emetic medicines are given to the patient to take out the vitiated dosha of the body.
• Virechana (purgation) is the best technique to release out the pitta dosha from the body by anal route.
  
  

When bodily toxins are treated with sanshodhan chikitsa, start using medicine by oral route (mouth) as it helps in attaining good immunity power and strength. It also helps in raising your disease fighting capacity.

4. Sanshaman chikitsa (oral medication)

Classical ayurvedic herbs mentioned in our ancient texts are listed below

(i). Rasa/bhasma

• Tribhuvan kirti rasa
• Lakshmi vilas rasa
  
  

Dosage: 125-250 mg with lukewarm water after meals.

(ii) Vati

• Vyoshadi vati
  
  

Dosage: 250- 500 mg with plain water after meals.

(iii) Kwath

• Dashmool kwath- 10- 20 ml plain water after meals.
  
  

(iv) Avaleha

• Vasa avaleha- 10- 20 mg with lukewarm water after meals

List of Planet Ayurveda Herbal Formulations

Planet ayurveda has been serving people worldwide for the past 20 years with their holistic approach to healing. Their herbal products are made under the guidance of ayurveda experts and are very effective in maintaining a healthy and sound body as they are completely pure and organic in nature. They offer various herbal formulations that works really well in klebsiella pneumonia, some of them are as follow:

1. Immune booster
2. Curcumin capsule
3. Praanrakshak churna
4. Vasaka capsule
5. Indian Echinacea

Product Description

1. Immune booster

This herbal capsule contains grape seed (Vitis vinifera), Cow colostrums (Bovine colostrums), Bhumi amla (Phyllanthus niruri), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) etc. It is enriched with a good amount of antioxidants that helps in removing harmful toxins from the body. All these herbs help in strengthening the immune system of our body as they support healthy digestion that maintains inner health of the body. 

Dosage:  1-2 capsules twice daily with plain water.

2. Curcumin capsule

This herbal capsule contains pure and standardized extract of Haridra (Curcuma longa). Haridra is a natural herb that assists in healthy wound healing profoundly as it possesses great anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains anticancer properties that will help in preventing free radicals formation. It has been used since ages for its antibacterial, antifungal and analgesic property, due to that it will work very efficiently in patients suffering from klebsiella pneumonia.

Dosage: 1-2 capsules two times a day with plain water

3. Praanrakshak churna

This herbal churna formulation of planet ayurveda contains various medicinal herbs such as

• Shirish (Albizia lebbeck)
• Vaasa (Adhatoda vasica)
• Anantmool (Tylophora asthmatica)
• Dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanica)
• Kantkari (Solanum xanthocarpum) etc.
  
  

Herbs present in this formulation have 'sheet virya' (cold potency), filled up with various essential micro and macro nutrients with good properties of antioxidant that will help in extracting out harmful impurities, so it assist in saving 'praan'(breath) of the patient suffering from Klebsiella pneumonia.

Dosage: 1/2 spoon twice daily mixed with plain water after meal.

4. Vasaka capsule

This herbal formulation contains pure extract of vasaka (Adhatoda vasica)
Vasaka is a wonderful herb known for its major action on the respiratory and circulatory system of our body as it contains natural properties like that.

Dosage: 1- 2 capsules two times a day with plain water after meals.

5. Indian Echinacea

This herbal capsule contains pure extract of kalmegh, also known as bhunimba (Andrographis paniculata). This herb is mentioned as the best natural herb in enhancing the liver functions. It also contains other properties such as pitta sarak (excrete out pitta dosha from the body). It also possesses natural krimighnaproperty (destroy internal worms) so help in reducing inflammatory conditions present in klebsiella pneumonia.

Dosage: 1-2 capsules twice daily with lukewarm water after meals.

Contact Planet Ayurveda to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or call at +91-172-5214030 Or Check Website – www.PlanetAyurveda.com

Conclusion

Now we can conclude that ayurvedic herbs have very good results in managing bacterial infections like klebsiella pneumonia. Life expectancy of a patient with such ailment depends upon the level of disease has progressed and on the immunity power of the patient. With herbal medicines we can surely manage this. If you are opting for herbal treatment, consider planet ayurveda as your prime priority. Our expert doctors have great experience in managing such ailments. You can visit us at our clinic in Mohali,Punjab or can send your queries on our official email id:-herbalremedies123@yahoo.com