A Randomized Open Labelled Controlled Clinical Study to evaluate the Efficacy of Trijata gutika in the Management of Kasa w.s.r Bronchitis

Ayurveda is the first and foremost spiritual science that offers a scientific approach to live in harmony with nature. Ayurveda is the most ancient healing science and ideal approach for an appropriate life style. According to this science, proper choice of Ahara and Vihara helps to achieve healthy life by maintaining and / or restoring equilibrium of the body and mind.

Prana and Udana Vayu play a role in maintaining the proper functioning of the respiratory channels (Pranavaha Strotas). Kasa occurs when imbalanced Kapha obstructs the smooth flow of Prana Vayu in the throat and chest. This imbalance causes Kasa, where disturbed Prana Vayu and Udana Vayu create sounds reminiscent of striking broken pieces of bronze1. Kasa can be an independent ailment or a symptom of various other diseases.

 Acharya Charak, identified five types of Kasa: Vataja, Pittaja, Kaphaja, Kshataja, and Kshayaja.2

Acute bronchitis (AB) is an upper respiratory illness characterized by inflammation of small and largeairways and their lining (1-5). It is usually a self-limiting disease with symptoms lasting about 2 to 3 weeks (6). It

is one of the most commonly presenting illnesses among outpatients and frequent reasons of visit to primary caremphysicians (2, 3, 6)

Kasa is often triggered by factors like exposure to dust, smoke, strenuous exercise, consuming excessively dry food, inhalation of food particles, and suppressing natural urges like coughing and sneezing.3Kasa has been described under various categories in the classics of Ayurveda as an independent disease, symptom, complication and sequel. Due to the various similarities in clinical presentation, Kasa is correlated with cough (Bronchitis).4Acute bronchitis (AB) is an upper respiratory illness characterized by inflammation of small and large airways and their lining. It is usually a self-limiting disease with symptoms lasting about 2 to 3 weeks. It is one of the most commonly presenting illnesses among outpatients and frequent reasons of visit to primary care physicians

Bronchitis is an upper respiratory illness characterized by inflammation of small and large airways and their lining. It is usually a self-limiting disease with symptoms lasting about 2 to 3 weeks. It is one of the most commonly presenting illnesses among outpatients and frequent reasons of visit to primary care physicians.5

 Acute Bronchitis is most often caused by infectious agents of which most common are viruses; however, bacterial pathogens have been identified in up to 10% of cases of bronchitis.6 Some of the common viruses causing Acute Bronchitis are influenza virus A and B, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus and adenovirus, while some of the common bacterial pathogens identified are Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumonia.7 Besides known etiological factors, commonly identified triggers and risk factors for Acute Bronchitis are dust, allergens, polluted air, and irritants such as smoke. Furthermore, seasons such as winter and fall also lead to a higher incidence of bronchitis as compared to spring and summer seasons, with 82% of cases occurring in autumn and winter.8

The primary symptom of bronchitis is cough which manifests within 2 days of infection in 85% of patients, among whom coughing subsides within two weeks for most of the patients, and 26% are still coughing after 2 weeks, whereas in some coughing does not subside for up to 8 weeks.9

Chronic   bronchitis   is   characterized   by   cough associated with sputum on most days for atleast 3 consecutive months for more than 2 successive years. The initial symptoms are repeated attacks of productive cough which shows steady increase in severity during the winter months and present all the year round with recurrent respiratory infection.10 Chronic bronchitis is a pathological condition followed by chronic cough and mucous secretion.  The causes of chronic bronchitis are long term exposure to irritants that damage the lungs and kidneys. Cigarette smoking is one of the main causes. Exposure to other inhales irritants can contribute to chronic bronchitis. Air pollution and chemical fumes or dusts from the environment or workplace.