An Integrated Approach In The Management Of Allergic Rhinitis – A Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial

—  AllergicRhinitis a disease pertaining to Nose, induced by an immunoglobin E(IgE)-mediated inflammatory reaction after allergic exposure of the membraneslining the nose and is characterized by watery Nasal discharge, Nasalcongestion, Sneezing and Itching in the nose1. Allergic rhinitis isthe most common type of chronic rhinitis, affecting 10 to 20% of thepopulation, and evidence suggests that the prevalence of the disorder isincreasing2. Severe allergic rhinitis has been associated withsignificant impairments in quality of life, sleep and work performance3

Mostcases of Allergic Rhinitis respond to pharmacotherapy. Patients withintermittent symptoms are often treated adequately with oral antihistamines,decongestants, or both as needed. Regular use of an intranasal steroid spraymay be more appropriate for patients with chronic symptoms. Daily use of anantihistamine, decongestant, or both can be considered either instead of or inaddition to nasal steroids4.

Anti-histaminesrelieve the symptoms temporarily and in addition it may lead to side effectslike drowsiness or sedation, dryness of mouth, suppressing of appetite butavoidance of allergens or desensitization against the allergens is the ideal methodsto avoid Allergic Rhinitis but these are not always possible.

Allergicrhinitis mimics lakshanas of Vataja Pratishyaya which is a Nasagataroga and oneamong five types of Pratishyaya5

Panchakarma (Shodhana - biopurificatory)  treatments will eliminate the morbod factorsresponsible for the genesis of disease6 and are proved effective inthe management of Allergic Rhinitis (Pratishyaya). Panchakarma treatments willboost the immune system and can prevent recurrent episodes of Allergic Rhinitis7.Vamana karma (Theraupetic Emesis) / Virechana (Therapeutic Purgation) / Nasya(Errhine) karma are  Shodhana proceduresthat eliminate morbid Kapha dosha and thereby removing the allergens out of thebody.

Homeopathyis safe and effective way to treat AR, which also decreases the recurrence ofsymptoms due to its influence on vital force and will trigger the body’snatural defences. Medicines are prescribed on the basis of symptom similarity. Homeopathicmedicine stimulates the body’s own defense system to cope with exposure toallergens, rather than suppressing the allergic symptoms. Often, treatmentdoesn’t have to be taken continuously – for example, a homeopathic medicinetaken at the begining of allergic rhinitis and can be repeated every month tillthe episodes and intensity of symptoms decreases8

 Withthis background here is an attempt made to find out effective treatment ofhomoeopathic formulation to treat Allergic rhinitis along with Panchakarma (purifactoryprocess) of an Ayurveda and its efficacy to prevent recurrent episodes. So theformulations which are explained in the treatment of Allergic rhinitis havebeen selected for the present study those are constitutional approach of homoeopathyand integrated approach of Ayurveda. So present study is aimed to know theefficacy and safety of these formulations in the management Allergicrhinitis.