Fever : Cause , Symptoms , Treatment In Ayurvedic Approach

Introduction

A person has a fever if their body temperature rises above the normal range of 98–100°F (36–37°C). Fever often occurs in response to infection, inflammation and trauma. As a person’s body temperature increases, they may feel cold until it levels off and stops rising. People describe this as “chills.”

Eating, exercise, sleeping, the time of day trusted source, and individual factors can also affect temperature.

When an infection occurs, the immune system will launch an attack to try to remove the cause. A high body temperature is a normal part of this reaction.

A fever will usually resolve on its own. However, if body temperature rises too high, it may be a symptom of a severe infection that needs medical treatment.

Causes

Fever occurs when an area in your brain called the hypothalamus (hi-poe-THAL-uh-muhs) — also known as your body’s “thermostat” — shifts the set point of your normal body temperature upward. When this happens, you may feel chilled and add layers of clothing or wrap up in a blanket, or you may shiver to generate more body heat, eventually resulting in an elevated body temperature.

Normal body temperature varies throughout the day — it’s lower in the morning and higher in the late afternoon and evening. Although most people consider 98.6 F (37 C) normal, your body temperature can vary by a degree or more — from about 97 F (36.1 C) to 99 F (37.2 C) — and still be considered normal.

Fever or elevated body temperature might be caused by:

• A virus
• A bacterial infection
• Heat exhaustion
• Certain inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis — inflammation of the lining of your joints (synovium)
• A malignant tumor
• Some medications, such as antibiotics and drugs used to treat high blood pressure or seizures

Symptoms

When someone has a fever, they may also:

• shiver and feel cold when nobody else does
• sweat
• have a low appetite
• show signs of dehydration
• have increased sensitivity to pain
• lack energy and feel sleepy
• have difficulty concentrating

If a baby has a fever, they may:

• feel hot to the touch
• have flushed cheeks
• be sweaty or clammy

With a high fever, there may also be irritability, confusion, delirium, and seizures.

COVID-19 symptoms

If a person has a fever with a dry cough and tiredness they may have symptoms of COVID-19( most common symptoms)

Fever in Ayurveda

According to acharya punarvasu Jwara is the most painful among the diseases. It afflicts the bosy, the senses and the mind. It is exceedingly powerful. It is told that jwara is the enemy of the human beings that is associated with dissolution of birth and death ( one gets fever during birth and death).

Types

1. Sharira (physical) and manasa (mental)
2. Saumya (caused by cold) and agneya(caused by heat)
3. Antarvega (internal) and bhirvega(external)
4. Prakruta (natural,seasonal) and vaikruta (unseasonal)
5. Sadhya(curable) and asadhya (incurable)
6. Vataja, pittaja and kaphaja jwara.

Symptoms of Ama Jwara (first stage of jwara)

• Anorexia, indigestion, heaviness in the stomach
• Feeling of heaviness and accumulation of impurities in cardiac region, drowsiness and laziness
• Continuous, fever with acute onset.
• Non-elimination of the dosha along with mala or waste products
• Excess salivation, nausea, loss of appetite, and tastelessness in the mouth
• Rigidity, numbness and heaviness of the body
• Excessive urination
• Improper formation of stool
• Absence of muscle emaciation

Symptoms of pachyamana jwara (second stage of jwara)

High grade fever and excess thirst

Delirium

Dyspnea

Giddiness

excess evacuation of wastes

Symptoms of nirama jwara (third stage of jwara)

Restoration of hunger

Debility

lightness in the body

reduced fever

elimination of the dosha along with the waste products from the body

Treatment for Fever

1. Langhana(fasting): Aam being the main factor initiating Jwara by causing Agnimandya, Langhan becomes the first step in the treatment of Jwara. Also being a Rasapradoshaj Vyadhi, Langhan is indicated in Jwara. It helps to pacify the vitiated Dosha and stimulates the Jatharagni. However, Langhan should not be prescribed in case of Vataj, Shramaj, Jeerna, Kshataj, Kshayaj and Manas Jwara in which Dhatukshay has already set in. Shaman must be given in such cases. 
2. Swedan: Guru Pravaran (heavy, warm clothing), staying in a warm atmosphere helps in Aam Pachan and helps.
3. Kala: As time passes, the body gets enough time for Aampachan. Usually, it takes 7 days for Pachan after which Niramavastha is achieved.
4. Yavagu: Yavagu helps Agnideepan, Aampachan and Anuloman.
5. Tikta Rasa: Tikta Rasa is known as the best Aampachak

Medicines that can be used –

• Sudarshan Vati- Cold and fever
• Devavati – Fever due to Indigestion or food poisoning
• Amrut 
• Tulsi – Infections
• Yastimadhu
• Jvarakeerti
• Pratisyayahara Vati

Conclusion –

 Jwara is not to be suppressed, but the disease progress can be eased out. Even during fevers ayurvedic medicines do not suppress the natural body response but help the disease to ease out and thus heal.