5 Facts about Asthma that you need to know

Asthma is a respiratory disease or Pranvaha strota vikara in the Ayurvedic language. It simply means a problem (vikara) of the respiratory canal (pranvaha strota). The nasal passage becomes swollen and narrow, making it difficult to inhale or exhale. The ama production or mucus increases in the nasal passage and it causes chest tightness. It can cause constant coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, and headaches. It makes the respiratory system weak and any environmental or mental trigger can cause an attack. Out of all the treatment plans asthma treatment in Ayurveda is the best way. Read the full article to know more and find answers to your questions.

The cases of Asthma are continuously increasing. Out of global asthma cases, almost 12.9% of the patients are from India and 43.2 asthma deaths are witnessed in India. There are various reasons responsible for a hike in asthma cases:

• Rising air pollution
• Allergy-causing bacteria in the environment 
• Extreme weather condition 
• Poor nutritional value 
• Decreased immunity 
• Lazy and inactive lifestyles 
• Smoking 

In Ayurvedic Language Asthma or Tamaka swasa results from an imbalance in Vata and Kapha doshas in the shareera(body). Modern science terms it as a chronic disorder, but Ayurveda knows the secrets of inner healing. 

So Ayurvedic treatment is the need of the hour because:

• These medicines focus on the strota or root cause of the disease. 
• Ayurvedic medicines are made up of natural herbs
• It is free from side effects
• It is a long-term solution for health problems.
• It focuses on balancing the whole body
• It cleans the body internally
• These medicines have been used for a long time in treating diseases. 

5 Facts about Asthma

Here are 5 facts about Asthma from an Ayurvedic perspective:

• UNPREDICTABLE ATTACKS: 

Asthma patients often suffer from flare-ups or attacks (coughing and breathlessness become very intense). These attacks can sometimes even lead to death. 

It is usually believed that these attacks occur at any time. However, certain triggers can cause a disturbance in the respiratory system and the symptoms can thereby intensify, hence causing an attack. These triggers are:

• Environmental allergens
• Air Pollution in India
• Chemicals in the air
• Extreme weather conditions
• Spicy and oily foods

All these factors can trigger an asthma flare-up, so using preventive measures like using a mask, staying indoors in extreme weather, and eating a healthy diet. Having known the trigger points, you can understand how to prevent asthma attacks. 

• POLLUTION AND ASTHMA

The industrial revolution and urbanization have made our lifestyles easy but breathing has become difficult. Air is filled up with dust particles, pollution, and allergens which are a great contribution to the increasing numbers of Asthma cases. For instance, the Air pollution in Delhi is touching its peak.

The air we inhale works as the fuel for our respiratory system and keeps it functioning. However, due to excessive air pollution, issues such as shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, cough, etc, are getting more common. In urban areas and cities, the problem is much worse than in rural areas as they still have comparatively more tree cover.  

• WINTER DRYNESS

Asthma patients and the winter season are a deadly combination. Due to Asthma, the airways are already swollen and it is difficult to breathe. However, in the winter season when the cold and dry breeze passes through swollen airways, the problem increases manifold. When an asthma patient breathes this air, the muscles begin to twitch and open up for more air, but they get more cool air, which irritates the whole respiratory system. An irritated respiratory system means worsening of asthma symptoms hence resulting in attacks or flare-ups. 

• HOW YOU BREATHE

Asthma patients have swollen airways which makes it hard for them to breathe. However, by making some simple changes in the way they breathe, a patient can breathe well.

As per Ayurvedic texts, there are various breathing techniques that can help asthma patients. Some of these breathing exercises are:

• Anulom Vilom or alternate nostril breathing 
• Sukhasana or Lotus position
• Uttanasana or Standing forward bend
• Bhujangasana or cobra pose
• Trikonasana or triangle pose

By doing these exercises regularly a patient can increase their lung capacity and breathe nicely. Also keeping the spine straight helps a person stay calm and also aids in effective breathing. 

• SMOKING

Smoking is a self-killing mechanism for an asthma patient. An asthma patient already has extremely weak lungs and the respiratory canal is swollen. When such a person smokes, the already swollen and damaged areas are further damaged. It causes a feeling of choking and the person can even have an asthma attack. The symptoms of asthma can become extremely worse if a person begins to smoke. 

Asthma is one of the most common childhood chronic diseases that has been affecting children at a really young age. Environmental pollution and weak immunity are the major culprits behind these increasing numbers of cases. 

Pollution levels are rapidly increasing in the present times due to various factors like industrialization and urbanization. The air pollution level in Delhi is a live example of this grave reality. 

Children are falling weak and their physical growth is suffering badly. The diet and lifestyle of kids these days are inferior which is making them fall prey to such chronic diseases at a young age.

Ayurveda is the best mode of treatment when it comes to the treatment of chronic ailments like asthma. These diseases can always be managed by making necessary changes in diet (ahara) and lifestyle (vihara). Ayurvedic treatment will focus on the root cause of the disease and strengthen the body from the inside. These medicines are free from side effects and made with natural ingredients. 

So make a wise choice and adopt Asthma treatment in Ayurveda. One of the leading hospitals in the world of Ayurveda is Dr. Sharda Ayurveda with thousands of successful healing stories. They have expanded globally and are providing both online and offline services.