ASTHMA AND ITS AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

INTRODUCTION

Asthma is a medical condition in which the airways of lungs get narrowed and swollen. They get blocked due to excessive production of mucus in the tubules. It is a chronic disease and doesn’t go away easily. Coughing, wheezing and difficulty in breathing are some of the common symptoms of asthma. In some cases, it is a minor problem but in others, it can be life-threatening. It interferes in the daily activities of life. There are some oral medications which are used for the treatment of asthma. But eating a healthy diet and regular physical exercise are very beneficial in the management of the symptoms of asthma.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF ASTHMA?

There has been not known the exact cause of asthma. But some of the factors can play a role in its occurrence. Following are some of the causes of asthma:

• Having a family history of asthma
• Presence of allergens, toxic fumes and other irritants in air
• Having allergies
• Weak immune system
• Certain respiratory infections such as common cold, respiratory syncytial virus, etc
• Hyperacidity

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF ASTHMA?

There are some factors which make a person more vulnerable to asthma. Following are some of the risk factors of asthma:

• Cold air
• Excessive or low physical activity
• Emotional stress
• Certain medicines such as beta-blockers, NSAIDS, etc
• Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
• Cigarette smoking
• Dust mites
• Drug abuse
• Alcohol consumption
• Being obese
• Consumption of tobacco

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA?

The symptoms of asthma vary from person to person. Following are some of the common signs and symptoms:

• Difficulty in breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness in chest
• Wheezing
• Coughing

WHAT IS AN ASTHMA ATTACK?

During normal breathing, muscles around airways are relaxed and air moves through them easily. But during as asthmatic attack, there occurs some following changes:

• Spasm of the bronchi: The muscles present around the airways contract, thereby constricting the airways. Air cannot flow freely through the airways.
• Inflammation of the airways: The airways of bronchi get swollen and their lumen gets narrow.
• Increased production of mucus: There occurs increased production of mucus. The thick mucus blocks the airways and the flow of air gets difficult.

HOW THE DIAGNOSIS OF ASTHMA IS MADE?

The doctor will ask about the signs and symptoms of the disease to the patient. He will do a physical examination of the patient with the help of stethoscope. He will ask about the family history of the patient. He will take his past medical history. He will suggest some of the following tests to the patient:

• Chest X-ray
• Spirometry
• Lung function tests

MANAGEMENT OF ASTHMA WITH THE MEDICATIONS OF CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTRE

Here are some of the medicines of Chandigarh Ayurved centre which are used for the treatment of asthma:

1. Kapha Sachet

The powder contains a mixture of herbal ingredients which are mainly made for the treatment of asthma. Their properties generally balance the vata and kapha dosha. The sachet contains ingredients like – Sitopladi churna,  Laxmi vilas ras, Godanti bhasma, etc. It is used mainly in chronic cough, whooping cough and trouble breathing. It also relieves congestion of chest, sore throat. The ingredients loosen the mucus accumulated in the chest thus making it easy to cough it out. Its main therapeutic effects appear on lungs, pleura, and airways.

Recommended Dosage– Take 1 Sachet twice a day with normal water.

2. Swas Kas Chintamani Ras

Swas Kas Chintamani Ras is an Ayurvedic medicine in tablet form, used in the treatment of respiratory diseases. This medicine should be used under medical supervision. This medicine is most commonly used in north Indian Ayurvedic practice. These tablets are pure Ayurvedic preparatipon  which contains pure herbal ingredients like swarna bhasma, shuddha parad, shuddha gandhak, suwaranmakshik bhasma,  loha bhasma, yashtimadhu, kantakari, etc. It is used in the treatment of cough, cold, bronchitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic bronchitis.
Recommended dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily.

3. Anu Tailam

Anu tailam is herbal and ayurvedic oil used for the nasal instillation for curing the various diseases.  It is administrated through the nasal passage to lubricate, protect and calm the mind. It includes – Sesame oil, Bael tree root, Solanum root, Cinnamon stem bark, Holostemma tuber, cardamom fruit, etc. It mainly balances the Kapha dosha and is beneficial in diseases of head, brain, face, nose, and eyes. Its use is generally recommended in chronic headache, problem of migraine, sinusitis, improves the voice, and vocal cords. Anu tailam gives effective results to asthma patients.

Recommended Dosage– Put 2-3 drops of Anu tailam in each nostril.

4. Broncho care syrup

Broncho care is ayurvedic syrup containing ingredients such as Vasa patra (Adhatoda vasica), Kantkari (Solanum surattense), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum), Chitrakmool (Plumbago zeylanica), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Pippali (Piper longum), etc. It is mainly used in chronic cough, bronchitis, whooping cough, common cold, etc.
Recommended Dosage– Take 2 teaspoonful twice a day.

5. Cough Go Tablets

These herbal tablets are beneficial in cough, cold, bronchitis, & other respiratory disorders. Cough Go Tablets are ayurvedic formulation containing Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Pippali (Piper longum), Kali mirch (Piper nigrum), etc. All these ingredients show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator, & expectorant properties.
Recommended Dosage– Take 1 tablet twice a day with normal water.

6. Kantha Sudharak Vati

The ingredients used for the preparation of the Kantha sudharak vati are Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Karpura (Cinnamomum camphora), Ela (Elettaria cardamomum), Lavang (Syzygium aromaticum), Javitri (Myristica fragrans), Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi).This is prepared from soothing and expectorant herbs thus relief all throat problems. It gives very effective results in chronic laryngitis, bronchitis and asthma.
Recommended Dosage– Take 2 tablets thrice a day.