ABSTRACT
There is no specific definition of ARI given in Ayurveda, but these disorders fall under the broad category of
kaphaja
diseases. In the conventional system of medicine, ARIs are characterized as disorders of the immune system. Clinical signs and symptoms of ARI differ according to organs involved. For example, an allergic reaction occurring in the upper respiratory tract would show an inflammation of the tract and congestion (allergic rhinitis). An allergic reaction occurring in the lungs would show the symptoms of an asthma attack. If it occurs in the skin, it may show the signs and symptoms of urticaria, eczema, psoriasis, or contact dermatitis. One common ARI is allergic rhinitis, which
accounts for at least 2.5% of all physician’s office visits and costs about $2.4 billion on prescriptions and on counter medication and $1.1 billion physician billings per year in the U.S.
