Abstract

AN OPEN LABEL SINGLE ARM STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF PALASHA KSHARA PRATISARANA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF INFERIOR TURBINATE HYPERTROPHY-AN OBSERVATIONAL CLINICAL STUDY

Dr. Vigneshwaran K. S.* and Dr. Deeraj B. C.

ABSTRACT

The inferior turbinate is an elongated, scroll like paired structure of the lateral nasal wall which consists of a central layer of bone and a mucosal layer of either side. Chronic nasal obstruction owed to hypertrophied inferior turbinate is one of the most common problems encountered in Rhinology and significantly affecting the daily activities of the patients. Nasal examination in chronic hypertrophic rhinitis patient shows hypertrophy of turbinates and maximum changes are seen in the inferior turbinates. Up to 20% of the population had chronic nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy. There are variable aetiologies for inferior turbinate hypertrophy which would be allergic rhinitis, chronic hypertrophic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, chronic infective rhinitis and rhinitis medicamentosa. The medical management in contemporary science includes a variety of antihistamines, decongestants and topical systemic corticosteroids. These drugs provide symptomatic improvement, doesn’t provide apermanent relief and recurrency is seen in most of the patients. They also may cause symptoms such as drowsiness, drying and crusting. The mostly preferred treatment modality in modern system of medicine is surgery. As per Ayurveda this increase in turbinate size as well as submucosal and mucosal hypertrophy can be taken as Adhimamsa. Kshara karma is a popular treatment modality which has been advocated in disorders like Adhimamsa, arsas and arbuda. The main aim of the study is to reduce the size of the hypertrophied inferior turbinates which causes nasal obstruction, breathing problems, frequent infection. Hence Kshara karma Pratisarana is selected in the management of inferior turbinate hypertrophy.

Keywords: Palasha Kshara, inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH), nasal obstruction, Friedmans grading of ITH.