Asthma is a chronic inflammatory reversible lung disease that inflames,
produces extra mucous, cause’s spasm and narrows the airways. This can make
breathing difficult causing coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
The airways are the tubes that carry air into and out of the
lungs. People with asthma, have inflamed airways, which make them swollen and
sensitive, and also make them react strongly and become more susceptible to
inhaled substances. Thus, when these airways react, the muscles around them
become tighten, and this narrows the airways, thereby causing less air to flow
into the lungs.
Some factors include:
Internally
The airways are the tubes that carry air into and out of the
lungs. People with asthma, have inflamed airways, which make them swollen and
sensitive, and also make them react strongly and become more susceptible to
inhaled substances. Thus, when these airways react, the muscles around them
become tighten, and this narrows the airways, thereby causing less air to flow
into the lungs.
Causes:
In modern science, the exact cause of asthma isn't known, but
research points towards interaction of genes and environmental factors early in
life, to cause asthma.
Some factors include:- Parents with asthma condition
- Inherited tendency to develop allergies or contact with airborne allergies
- Exposure to viral infections at the infant stage.
Symptoms:
· Running nose
· Coughing, Phlegm
· Wheezing
· Shortness of breath
· Chest tightness, pain, or pressure
· Dryness in mouth
Ayurveda treatment for asthma:
In ayurveda, asthma can be correlated to Tamaka Swasa. Ayurveda
attributes the root cause of tamaka Swasa as stomach / gastro-intestinal tract
disturbance, with the imbalance of Vata and Kapha, where Vata takes a
wrong coarse in moving in upward direction and causes the increase in Kapha in
the region of throat and head. Asthma is regarded as an irksome respiratory
ailment that is easily aggravated by seasonal variations, emotions and
lifestyles.
“Tamaketu Virechanam” – Virechana is
the specific treatment considering the site of origin.
Treatments:
Panchakarma – Vamana, Virechana
Externally – Lavanakta Thaila(oil with has Rock salt in it) Abhyanga
and Sweda for chest and back, Lepa, Shiro dhara
Internally
Agni Deepana (Improve appetite)
Ama Pachana (Digestives)
Vatanulomana (Herbs to balance the flow of Vata)
Pitta and Kapha balancing herbs
Activities:
Specific Asanas, Pranayama, Chest Physiotherapy
Food and lifestyle changes: specific to the individual’s
constitution, nature of work and geographical conditions.