Asthma is a respiratory problem where airways (the breathing tubes that carry air into lungs) become inflamed, narrow and swell, produce extra mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe. This happens when the body responses to a trigger such as exposure to cold air, allergens in the air, emotional stress or heavy exercise. When the airways narrow, person show’s symptoms such as tightness of the chest, wheezing noise while breathing, coughing and shortness of breath.

Contrary to popular belief, an asthmatic’s main problem is not inhalation but exhalation. Carbon Dioxide entrapped in the lungs and leads to asthmatic’s inability to breathe. During an asthmatic attack, bronchial tube muscles begin to constrict mainly due to emotional upset or exposure to allergenic substances in the blood or in the air. This tightening process constricts the neck of the air sacs and prevents air from escaping fully. When this happens, the natural reaction is fear and panic which causes further spasms and tightening of the bronchial muscles.

Factors triggering Asthma

Environmental as well as lifestyle factors also play a role in asthma including –

• Allergens: Pollen from trees, grass, indoor or outdoor mould, dander from the skin, hairs or feathers of animals, dust mites
• Irritants: Cold air and change in weather, air pollutants, cigarette smoke, chemical fumes, odours from cooking and scented products.
• Diet: Dietary habits that include junk food, processed food includes sulphites, preservatives and additives, a diet with insufficient fruits, vegetables, fibres, minerals and other nutrients. Gastro oesophageal reflux disease may also worsen asthma symptoms, especially at night

Others –

• Emotions like crying, stress, hard exercise, hereditary factors
• Consuming too much cold or stale foods are not easy to digest and lead to the formation of ama (mucus) thereby causing blockage in the respiratory channel and difficulty in breathing.

Ayurvedic Perspective

The cause of Asthma according to Ayurveda is accumulation of Kapha in the airways. The airways become narrow because of the blockage caused by Kapha. As a result, the flow of air to the lungs is interrupted, which makes trouble in breathing. Asthma is caused because of excessive intake of vata (cold), consuming kapha aggravating food items, weakening of the lung tissues, and problems caused by lung diseases

In Ayurveda, no two people are cured in the same way, so it is vital to realize the characters, which may evident according to vata type, Pitta type and Kapha type symptoms.

Vata type Asthma shows with dryness and wheezing. It also shows thirst, dry mouth, dry skin, constipation, anxiety and craving warm drinks. Vata type attacks occurs mainly during dawn and dusk.

Pitta type Asthma shows with coughing, wheezing but with yellow phlegm. It may be follows with fever, sweating, irritability and need for cold air. Attacks occurs mainly during noon and midnight.

Kapha type Asthma shows with coughing and wheezing with plentiful white or clear phlegm or mucous. Instead of wheezing, there will be a barrier sound produced by fluid in the lungs. Attacks occurs mainly during morning or evening.

Ayurveda sees Asthma as a disease affecting several bodily systems described by the blockage of prana (life force) where it is difficult and in extreme cases impossible to get air flow into the lungs. The Ayurvedic theory holds it to be life threatening. If prana cannot flow in the body, the lungs cannot function, will provoke great fear, anxiety, may cause death. The main causative factors listed reflect a poor diet causing weakened digestion and the creation of ama (mucous) in the body.

Asthma in Ayurveda involves determining the doshic imbalance. Patient needs to go through lifestyle and dietary changes, eliminating the causative, emotional and mental factors, increasing immunity and harmonious leaving.  Ayurvedic Asthma treatment considers poor digestion as a major cause. When the digestive system is weak, it imbalance the Immunity and body becomes oversensitive to dust, pollen and other substances which trigger an asthma attack. Deposits of ama (mucus) in the lungs and respiratory tract create obstruction in breathing and cause wheezing or coughing. Panchakarma (Detox)is the main line of treatment of Asthma to eliminate the ama (impurities or mucous) and cleanse the body. In addition, specific herbal combinations are also supplemented to boost the body immunity. Yoga and meditation improve strength, flexibility, capacity of the lungs as well as relaxes the physical, mental and emotional. It has been shown in clinical trials with asthmatic patients, that yoga and meditation improve lungs function, reduce stress and anxiety and reduce asthmatic flare. Pranayama is the elixir for asthmatic person which emphasizes conscious breathing and includes relaxation to strengthen the diaphragm, increasing the lung air capacity, flexibility of lung tissue, pleura and trachea.

Ayurvedic Management for Asthma at Ayurveda Bliss Ayurveda Sydney- Let’s talk to know more

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At Ayurveda Bliss our expert Ayurvedic practitioner help you So you can breathe in, breath out and Breath Easy. With awareness and proper care, it is possible to get relief from asthma.