COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ) Ayurvedic Treatment

It is a chronic progressive inflammatory lung disease with obstruction of air flow from lungs often caused by prolonged exposure to lung irritants (eg: cigarette smoke, irritant gases). People with a history of emphysema and chronic bronchitis are prone to developing COPD.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Signs and Symptoms

The person with COPD will not have any signs or symptoms until the disease progress to a chronic stage with lung damage. Common features are breathing difficulty, exertional dyspnoea (shortness of breath while doing activities), cough, wheezing, sputum production, chest congestion, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, edema over ankles etc.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Ayurvedic Analysis

Rajayakshma, is a disease characterised by fatigue, severe weight loss, swelling etc. Breathing difficulty occurs due to blockage of pranavaha srotas (channels of pranavayu).

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)Causative Factors (Ayurveda)

Rajayakshma is caused by sahasa (excessive physical activity), vegarodha (suppression of natural urges like defecation, urination, cough etc), kshaya (decline) of sukla (the last formed tissue)/ ojas (vital power)/ sneha (nourishing factor in body), and annapana tyaga (skipping of meals). Due to these, all the three dosha are vitiated and they dislodge at the sira (lumen like structures) and block the channels. As a result, rajayakshma occurs.

Pranavaha srotodushti occurs due to kshaya (emaciation), vegadharana (suppression of urges of cough), rukshata (dry conditions), vyayama (over-exertion), and kshut (hunger).

Possible Complications of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Disease

Cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, recurrent lung infections, pulmonary hypertension and depression are the most common complications.

Other systemic diseases and precautions to be taken

Consider the conditions like history of asthma, occupations demanding exposure to smoke/chemical fumes etc, genetic factors etc before planning treatment.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Disease Management with Ayurveda Treatment

Internal medications along with procedures such as snehana (local oil application), swedana (sudation therapy), vamana (emetic therapy), nasya (nasal instillation of medicine), etc are provided to get symptomatic relief. Yoga, pranayama, physiotherapy etc are also provided as supportive therapies.

Diet

Take easy to digest semi-solid or liquid food that contain green vegetables, vegetable and meat soup, fruit juices etc. Avoid heavy food, oily/ cold/ spicy food etc.

Exercise

Mild to moderate exercises are recommended to do under the supervision of physician.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Preventive Aspects in Ayurveda

Eat healthy food, exercise regularly, quit smoking, avoid over-exposure to chemical fumes, manage other respiratory diseases like asthma/ emphysema etc, practice nasya and dhoomapana, etc are effective ways to prevent COPD.