Asthma Ayurvedic Treatment

Asthma is a disease characterised by narrowing and swelling of airway causing breathing difficulty, cough, wheezing (whistling sound while breath) etc. The severity of the condition may differ from person to person. What causes asthma is not well understood, but the possible reasons are environmental factors as well as genetics. Common triggering factors are dust, pollen, cold air, infections of airway, polluted air, irritant chemicals, suppressed/ strong emotions, stress, increased physical activity, some medicines (eg: NSAIDs, aspirin) etc. It cannot be cured completely, and hence only symptomatic management is available.

Asthma Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of asthma may appear only at a certain time, or long lasting. Common symptoms/ signs are chest tightness, shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, disturbed sleep due to breathing problem etc. Some people experience asthma symptoms in relation with certain condition- like physical exertion, prolonged exposure to chemicals/ gases/ dust etc (occupational asthma) and contact with allergens (allergy-induced asthma).

Asthma Ayurvedic Analysis

Tamaka swasa is a type of swasa (breathing disorders) explained in Ayurveda. It is caused by vitiation of vata and kapha and the signs and symptoms are pain and difficulty over throat, head, chest and flanks; cough, increased mucus secretion, cold, fatigue, tastelessness, increased thirst, shortness of breath, bending of upper body due to breathlessness and relief by spitting out the sputum, difficulty to lay supine/ sleep due to breathing problem and got relief by sitting straight, sweating of forehead, fondness towards heat, dry mouth, shivering etc. The symptoms aggravate on rainy days, exposure to cold water and cold air, and consumption of food items that increase kapha. It is a yapya roga (cannot be cured, but managed with medicines and lifestyle as well as dietary modification).

Asthma Causative Factors (Ayurveda)

Vata and kapha are the vitiated dosha. Prolonged cough (due to airway irritants), jwara (infections, fever), visha (toxic fumes/ chemicals), exposure to dust, fumes, cold air, cold water etc, and trauma to chest region (physical or emotional trauma) are the common causative factors of swasa (breathing problems).

Possible Complications of Asthma Disease

Major complications are workplace absence, sleep disorders, permanent narrowing of airway, frequent hospitalizations etc.

Other systemic diseases and precautions to be taken

Asthma is often seen in people who are having a family history of the disease, other allergic diseases (eg: eczema), passive or active smoking, obesity/ overweight etc. Consider other diseases like liver disorders, cardiac diseases, hypertension etc before planning treatment.

Asthma Disease Management with Ayurveda Treatment

Avoidance of triggering factors is the most prime factor in the prevention as well as treatment of asthma. Internal medications that alleviate kapha and vata, improve agni, strengthen respiratory muscles and remove the narrowing of airway are given. If these are not enough, hospitalization is needed to provide treatments like snehana (external application of suitable oil added with salt over chest region), swedana (sudation therapy- eg: local kizhi, steam bath etc), vamana (emetic therapy), virechana (purgation- if there is bloating, abdominal discomfort etc) etc as per the severity of the condition. Supportive treatments like physiotherapy, psychotherapy (in underlying emotional distress/ stress) etc are also provided.

Diet

The diet of asthma patient should contain more whole grains, green vegetables, leafy vegetables, nuts, fruits having less sugar, buttermilk etc. Reduce the consumption of cold, very sweet, dry items, heavy to digest food etc.

Exercise

Mild to moderate exercise can be done as per the guidance of physician (except those developed by over-exertion). Yoga (asthma yoga), pranayama etc are also effective for relieving asthma.

Asthma Preventive Aspects in Ayurveda

Stay away from airway allergens, pollution, chemical fumes etc. Those who are working in industries demanding exposure to these triggering factors must use protective measures like mask. Avoid emotional disturbances and stress. Practice breathing exercises, pranayama, yoga etc in order to maintain strength and health of lungs. Follow a healthy diet and maintain body weight at normal limits. Keep the surroundings dust-free. Avoid over-consumption of cold food items. Quit smoking. Ayurvedic seasonal purificatory measures are recommended to practice in order to clear out waste materials accumulated in various organs and tissues, as well as regain health. Other remedies include dhoomapana (inhaling medicated fumes), nasya (nasal administration of medicines) etc.

Importance of Diet

Certain food items can trigger the symptoms- eg: curd, ice cream etc. Follow the diet prescribed by physician during and after treatment.

Lifestyle

Those suffering from asthma should avoid the triggering factors (like dust, cold air, cold water and food, dry atmosphere, chemical fumes etc). Maintain healthy body weight, quit smoking, ensure enough humidity in room, take proper care of respiratory infections, practice breathing exercise/ yoga/ pranayama as per the guidance of physician, follow a healthy diet plan, avoid stress and emotional distress etc. Application of suitable oil (as recommended by physician) over chest and flanks, followed by steam inhalation can expel excess mucus accumulated in airway.