Treatment Of Asthma in Ayurveda

1
Asthma

• Over the previous few decades, extreme changes in
  the lifestyle of human beings lead to advancement
  and increased number of sufferers of various
  diseases. Poor health conditions, improper diet,
  mental stress, lack of hygiene, heightened
  pollution and unhealthy lifestyle are some of
  root causes for various diseases in this era.
  Diseases related to our breathing or respiratory
  system are outcome of such activities or changes.
  Appropriate breathing is essential for good
  health. Breathing transfers both oxygen and the
  vitality to each and every cell in the body. Air
  is inhaled through nostrils and mouth which goes
  down through trachea, principle bronchus and then
  to lungs. Lungs are the important organ of our
  respiratory system. Our body uses this oxygen to
  burn or oxidize waste products and other toxins.
  These gaseous toxins are also expelled out from
  body through the lungs. 70 of all
  elimination from the body occurs through the
  lungs in the form of gases and particles.
• Bronchial asthma is a serious disorder of our
  respiratory system. Shortness of breath, cough is
  very common health problem seen in children and
  old persons. The percentage of asthma sufferers
  has been increased world-wide. As per WHO
  estimation, 15-20 million are asthmatics.
•  

2
.

• AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE
• In Ayurveda, any abnormality in normal breathing
  is considered as Shwasa Roga. There are five
  types of Shwasa roga. The vitiated vata dosha
  enters pranavaha srotas (respiratory system) and
  escalates the level of Kapha dosha present in
  chest region. It leads to obstruction
  of pranavaha srotas and results in shwasa roga.
• Tamaka shwasa is one among the types of Shwasa
  roga. Vata and Kapha are the main doshas involved
  in the development of Tamaka Shwasa. It is
  a yapya disorder that can be well manageable with
  the treatment. It is very annoying disease as it
  disturbs routine activity by episodic acute
  attacks. On the basis of causes, sign
  symptoms, Tamaka Shwasa resembles with bronchial
  asthma.
• MODERN PERSPECTIVE
• Bronchial asthma is a disease related our lungs
  and respiratory system. Complains like Cough,
  chest tightness, wheezing during breathing and
  difficulty in breathing are experienced by
  asthmatic patients.  It is an episodic disease.
  Most of the asthmatic patients have some type
  allergy towards any allergen like dust, smoke,
  pollens etc. Asthma also worsens with change of
  season or weather. This is extrinsic or allergic
  type of bronchial asthma.Asthma attacks all age
  groups but often starts in childhood. A minority
  of asthmatic patients (approximately 10) have
  intrinsic type of asthma.
•  

3
CAUSES-

• ???? ??? ????????  Exposure to dust, smoke and
  cold wind.
• ??? ?????????????????   Going to a cold/ wintry
  place and Intake of cold food items.
•  ??????????  Excessive exercise.
• ????????? ????????? - Intake of unctuous food
  items and irregular dietary pattern.
• ???????????   Bad dietary habits leads
  to agnimandya and formation of Ama dosha in the
  body. Thus ama dosha is produced due to poor
  digestion of food and this responsible for the
  development of various disorders.
• ???????????  Due to infirmity or reediness.
• ??????????? - Direct injury over important body
  parts /lungs or respiratory system.

4
SIGN SYMPTOMS

• ??? -  Coughing.
• ?????? ???? -  Wheezing or whistling sound during
  breathing.
• ?????????- Difficulty in breathing.
• ??????? ???  Gripping pain in chest or chest
  tightness.
• ???? -    Stuffy or running nose.
• ??????????  -  Itching in throat or sore throat.
• ??????-????? ??????  -  Stiffness in neck and
  head region.
• ??????? ????? ?????? -  Difficulty in speaking.
• ????????????????????????????  Aggravation of
  disease symptoms on climatic changes, due to
  intake of cold drinks other cold food items and
  on exposure to cold wind.
• ????????? ?????????? ????  Relief in symptoms on
  expulsion of mucus or sticky sputum.
• ????? ???? ??????  Relief in symptoms in sitting
  position.
• ????????  Loss of sleep.
• ??????  - Fainting and shock.

5
Line of treatment

• Ayurveda states that any drug or dietary regime
  etc. which alleviates Kapha and Vata,
  have ushna (hot or warm)property and promotes
  downward movement of vata, should be used in the
  patient of shwasa roga. Deepana- Pachana-
  Agnivardhaka (improvement of digestion), Chedana
  Shleshmahara (expulsion of sticky
  mucus),Vatashamana, Vata-anulomana Chikitsa are
  the line of treatment for shwasa roga in
  Ayurveda.Shodhana chikitsa or Panchakarma is one
  of the main treatment modality in Ayurveda. It is
  described for the diseases where dosha are
  vitiated in high levels.  Swedana (fomentation), 
  Vamana (therapeutic emesis) andVirechana (therapeu
  tic purgation) are the prime pachakarma procedures
  indidcated in shwasa roga.

6
Lifestyle

•   Take healthy and nourishing diet.
•   Regular breathing exercises or pranayama.
•   Take proper care during rainy and winter
  season.
•   Green leafy vegetable and fiber rich diet.
•   Be cautious during change of season or weather.
•    Direct exposure to cold wind.
•    Exposure to allergen like dust and smoke.
•    Psychological problems like stress, anxiety
  and depression.
•    Alcohol intake and smoking.
•    Oily and spicy food.
•   Fast food items like burger, pizza etc.

7
YOGA/ ASANA/ PRANAYAMA

•  Bakasana
•  Dandasana
•  Suta vajrasana
•  Pawanmuktasana
•  Sarvangasana
•  Tadasana
•  Vipreet karni Mudra
•   Anuloma-Viloma pranayama
•   Nadi shodhana pranayama
•  Ujjayi pranayama