ASTHMA AND ITS AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT

MODERN DISEASE EXPLANATION

Asthma is a common long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
Asthma is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.Environmental factors include exposure to air pollution and allergens
Signs and symptoms
Asthma is characterized by recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. Sputum may be produced from the lung by coughing but is often hard to bring up.During recovery from an attack, it may appear pus-like due to high levels of white blood cells called eosinophils.Symptoms are usually worse at night and in the early morning or in response to exercise or cold air.

DISEASE- AYURVEDA CONCEPT
Ayurveda theory says the cause of asthma is in the stomach. It describes how toxins created by improperly digested food are carried through channels directly into the chest and lung area. The resulting toxin accumulation imbalances the lung and airway tissues through several mechanisms.

According to Ayurveda causes of Swasa rog are.
1. Vata propak(vitiating) aahar (diet) vihar(activities)

Ruksha(dry),guru(heavy) diet,excessive intake of cold water and cold drinks,intake of meals much more than the digesting capacity, exposure to dust,smoke and cold air ,living in cold areas,excess of sex,having bath with cold water.

2. Kapha prakopak(vitiating) Aahar(diet) Vihar(activities)
Diet including urad (black grams),til,guru(heavy),abhishandi(kapha producing) food,living in cold areas, exposure to cold air,bathing with cold water.

TYPES OF SWASA ROGA

In Ayurveda five types of Swasa Roga have been described:

1]Maha-shwasa

2]Urdhava-shwasa

3]Chinna-shwasa

4]Tamak-shwasa

5]Kshudra-shwasa

TREATMENT PROTOCOL

TREATABLE OR NOT

According to Ayurveda out of five types first three are not curable. ‘Tamak-swasa is yapya’(Controllable) and is difficult to cure. The last one(KSHUDRA SWASA) is curable. More than 75% of the cases of swasa roga belong to last two catagories.

TREATMENT OF SWASA ROGA

All types of swasa roga are not described according to doshas infact they have been differentiated according to symptoms.All types of swasa roga are vatakaphaj so all of them are treated in same manner.

1. Find reasons and eliminate them

2. Diet, liquids and medicines should have properties of reducing vataj and kaphaj doshas.

3. If patient is healthy then sodhan chikitsa should be done with vaman, virechan and then sham chikitsa should be done with advised diet and medicines.

4. In weak and lean patients vata nashak Ayurvedic preprations should be given with suitable anupan.

5. In healthy patients sanehan and swedan(oleation and sudation)should be done.



Other strategies of treatment –

Shwasa can be treated on the lines of treatment of –
Pranavah sroto dushti chikitsa – Shwasa or dyspnoea is a symptom of vitiation of Pranavaha Srotas

Pandu Roga Chikitsa (Anaemia and liver disorders) – Since shortness of breath is an essential part of anaemia most of the times, prompt treatment of anaemia would address the issue.

Shotha Chikitsa (swelling and inflammation) – Swelling and inflammation or airways is one of the chief causes of dyspnoea. Treatment and medicines advised in Shota chikitsa would reduce the swelling (inflammation or oedema) in the airways and relieve dyspnoea.

CLASSICAL MEDICINES
• VYAKRADHI KASHAYAM
• DASAMOLAKADUTHRAYAM KASHAYAM
• VASARISHTAM
• KANAKASAVAM
• TALEESAPATHRADI CHOORNAM
• VILWADI LEHYAM
• DASAMOOLARASAYANAAM
• AGASTHYA RASAYANAM
• TWAGELADI LEHYAM

AHARA VIHARAM:-

• Avoid cold and damp places.
• Go for morning or evening walk, do yoga mainly 'Pranayama'
• Avoid over eating . Take light dinner one hour before going to bed
• Avoid Tobacco, wine and smoking
• Keep rooms well ventilated . Avoid air conditioners, coolers and direct air of fan
• Avoid perfumes , Agarbatti. Mosquito repellents
• Drink boiled water in plenty
• Avoid over exercise and over indulgence in sex

FACTORS RELATED TO DIET:-

Excessive indulgence in lablab beans ,black grams, raw milk, soar curd, excess salt, flesh of aquatic and wet land animals.
Excessive use of 'Ruksha'(dry) and 'Guru'(heavy) diet, excessive use of cold water and cold drinks.
Excessive use of 'Abhishandi'(Kapha producing) diet, Excessive use of not easily digestible and irritant food.

FACTORS RELATED TO WORK :-

Excessive exposure to dust and smoke.
Excessive wind, cold, cold bath or excessive heat, sun bath.
Exhaustive exercise, walking, excessive sexual activities.
Supression of natural urges
Psychological factors