Symptoms, Causes & Ayurvedic treatment for Asthma
Asthma is chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes(air ways) that causes swelling and narrowing(constriction) of the airways. The result is difficulty in breathing. By taking Ayurvedic treatment for Asthma, this bronchial narrowing usually either totally or at least partially reversible.
The first and most important factor causing narrowing of the bronchial tube is inflammation. The bronchial tubes become red, irritated and swollen . This inflammation increases the thickness of the wall of the bronchial tubes and thus results in a smaller passage way for air to flow through. The inflammation occur in response to an allergen or irritant or emotional disturbances. The inflamed tissue produce excess amount of sticky mucus into the tube. the mucus can clump together and form plugs that can clog the smaller airways.
Thus the 3 characteristics of asthma are –
– Spasm in the bronchial muscle
– Swelling of the inner tissue
– Sputum formation
Sign and symptoms of Asthma
Following are the 4 major recognize asthma symptoms –
- Shortness of breath, especially with exertion or at night.
- Wheezing is the whistling or hissing sound when breathing out.
- Coughing may be chronic, is usually worse at night and early morning, and may occur after exercise or when expose to cold, dry air.
- Chest tightness may occur with or without the above symptoms.
Asthma affects physically, psychologically and socially. It is very stressful not only the patient but also to the family member of the patient.
Causes of Asthma
- Heredity – Constitutional defects
- Allergy – Hypersensitivity to certain substances may be seasonal pollens, dust, mites, food, etc.
- Conditional reflexes- smell of flower, sight of flower, fumes – mental power.
- Gastric trouble
- Psychological disturbance – anxiety, nervous and mental strain, emotional imbalance.
Ayurvedic aspect for Asthma
Asthma or allergic bronchitis is describe as Tamakshwas in Ayurveda. In practical language, Asthma is called as “दमा”. Imbalancing of kapha dosh and vata dosh responsible for asthma. Pranvaha srotaodushti is also responsible. Chronic allergic rhinitis or sinusitis and chronic cough leads to formation of asthma.
“आसिनो लभते सौख्यं , शयानो श्वास पिडीत:”
In Ayurvedic granthas, asthma symptoms is described as the above line that means if the patient lie down the symptoms of the asthma aggravated and in seating position the patient feels better. 2 types of asthma describe in Ayurveda.
1. Kapha bhuyista tamakswas – In this type kapha dosh dushti is more. Mucus secretion is abundant. wet cough is more common.
2. Vata bhuyista tamakswas – In this type vata dosh dushti is more and hence bronchial spasm occurs frequently. Dry cough is more common.
Ayurvedic treatment for Asthma
Ayurvedic treatment for asthma includes Ayurvedic medicines and panchkarma therapy which gives complete cure for asthma. Lifestyle changes, some diet restriction, emotional balancing, increase of immunity, associated with yoga and pranayam gives excellent result. Herbs like yashtimadhu, vasa, kantakari, pimpli, vacha, haridra use to expel out the phlegm. Ayurvedic medicine like swaskuthar ras, swasanandanam vati, karpuradi vati, bresol tablet, kanakasav, draksharishta, vasavaleha, kantakari avaleha, chavanprash avaleha, gandharva haritaki use according to prakruti.
Panchkarma chikitsa is very useful during asthma treatment to irradiate the disease completely.
Vaman panchkarma (medicated emesis) is use in kapha bhuyista tamakswas. Sarvang abhyanga and swedan with Vasa, kantakari, jesthamadh siddha ghrutpan for 5 days is given before main vaman panchkarma procedure.
“तमके तु विरेचनम्”
Virechan panchkarma is also use for treating asthma. Generally mrudu virechan is recommend.
Basti panchkarma chikitsa for 8 days proves very helpful in vat bhuyishta tamakswas. Niruha and anuvasan vyatyasat basti prayog done.
Asthma is non curable disease according to modern science, but if vaman panchkarma done in starting of May month kapha eradicate by root. This is apunarbhav chikitsa describe in ayurveda.
In Ayurvedic treatment for asthma which includes all panchakarma and ayurvedic medicine are use as per dosh pradhanya and prakruti. Nadipariksha helps to detect dosh pradhanya and prakruti of that asthmatic patient.
