India=the Land of the Cough?

Malkers

After leaving a very polluted and stinky Varanasi on November 2nd to a very cold Darjeeling, I instantly picked up a rotten cold (my first in 18 months in India) and a sore throat that hung around for 3 weeks and gave me my first stint in hospital with heavily infected lungs and right lobal pneumonia (whatever that is), I suffered the worst pain I have ever experienced with that. Now I just need to take 1 trip in to Bangalore City and I'm coughing up and feeling sick from the fumes. Bandana wrapped around the face is now the order of the day!

Shambhavi

Does anyone have any advice?

I was in North India last year about this time and got a lower respiratory infection that lasted for six months This was the first such lung problem I've ever had. Although I am no longer coughing, my lungs are still not totally recovered.

I'm going back in 2 weeks for a month in Varanasi. Any advice for protecting the lungs?

Also, if anyone here does a lot of puja or burns a lot of incense and camphor, have you had any lung problems from this? I'm wondering if this is compounding my problem.

Thanks
Shambhavi

lotus blossom

maybe it's because i haven't spent a lot of time in the big cities, but i never experienced this lung problem that so many seem to get. and it sounds like there are a lot of serious cases too.

i am wondering if some of it may begin during the descent into the airport with the spraying that happens on the planes. it has been known to cause respiratory failure in elderly people or in those with compromised immune systems. this would surely weaken the lungs and make the respiratory system more susceptible to the pollution.

i do however, generally have a chronic cough in the winter that can last for weeks. the remedy that seems to work for me is turmeric. for the past month i've been taking a daily dose of it, that i just upped from once to twice daily. so far, no cough and when i have had one in the past using turmeric for a week or so wipes it out. so i am pretty sold on this simple, inexpensive remedy that works on both the lungs and the liver.

Read more about it here:

http://www.omorganics.com/tumeric_article.htm

try and find it organically grown.

__________________
Not all who wander are lost

freenote

Clicked onto the Delhi airport site ,and then onto the weather at the airport, the report was 70 f and smoky ,never seen "smoky " in a weather report before.

Nick-H

Actually, I have heard it in the weather conditions in the UK Shipping/Inshore waters forecasts!

__________________
.


Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

PeakXV

a little heavy on the eau de kerosene cum cooked cow patty cum sandalwood cum auto exhaust today folks! maybe ...................... but how dare they call it plan ol' smokey.

__________________
What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us.
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Sama

that's a good website, lotus blossum. I use turmeric for my arthritis, tho I did not bring it with me to India.

I also suggest posters here check out the traditional chinese herbal website that I suggested earlier, as my sinuses are feeling awesome after only a week.

funny how the rotten Indian air affects us all, yet we can't wait to go back!

__________________
My India, 2005-2008
sama: Pali/Sanskrit: that state of consciousness which reflects neither attachment nor aversion

lotus blossom

indeed it is. i stumbled upon it awhile back and am quite impressed with their ethics with re to organics, as well as their knowledge base. i actually got there by way of http://www.organicindia.com/, which is what i am mostly impressed with. Check out their articles: http://www.organicindia.com/AO_articles.htm

Aussie 5

Well, I'm now back 4 weeks and I've just finished my second course of antibiotics and am still coughing . I'll be off to the doctor again....

unclelach

The west coast of South India ie from Mumbai down to Trivandrum seemed quite healthy when I was travelling through one November.

Both times I visited North India in December I caught the rotten bug everybody has mentioned.

India is not alone with air pollution. A visitor's air passages are hit hard in many Chinese cities even in autumn.

Nick-H

Hoping that this is not tempting fate, but I get only the occasional pulminary twinge here in Chennai. Not much more than in London.

For me a dry and dusty day out in the traffic is harder on the eyes than the lungs.

xirokx

turmeric in bolied milk works a treat for me.....

Infact I normally fill less than a quarter cup of milk and put a teaspoon of turmeric inside. Pop in it in the microwave for 1 -2 mins and then stirr it as soon as I take it out and then take it down in one. Its better than covonia and benyl cough syrup does the trick after a short period of time and unlike the other two medicines does not make you feel drowsy. I usually take it 3 - 4 times a day when I have a cough.

Turmeric I believe is an antibiotic so I have been informed.

I really enjoyed reading this thread and liked the idea about putting lavender or eucalptyus on a hankerchief whilst out and about in certain places.

I love this site......

Lakshmi Bhabi

Aveda sells a small vile of "Blue Oil", a mix of essential oils which I used in India when the air quality got bad You can use this on a handkerchief or dot it under your nose/on your temples - it won't cure anything but is definitely soothing, it even helps you to sleep

I've been coughing since I got back, too, and am off to try the turmeric!

PeakXV

No matter if it is a 5 star deluxe or lower, I find the carpets extremely damp and musty in India. Whether that is a contribution to the respiratory troubles rests to be seen but to cut the smell in the evening - It's easy to get fresh cut flowers - Jasmine or glads etc. to cut the hum. In the five stars you get them fresh and free everyday for a little baksheesh to the flower wallah but they cost peanuts anywhere in India.

lotus blossom

i hate carpets. they harbor so much stuff. i try and find hotels (especially if i am staying long term) that are carpet-free. My room in Bhagsu had wonderful marble tiles.