Ayurvedic Treatment for ASTHMA - AyurvedaForAll UK

Ayurvedic Treatment for Asthma differs from all other systems in its’ unique understanding of the disease. Ayurveda believes Swasam ( Breathing difficulties ) has roots in Amashayam ( Digestive system). So the treatment is mainly to address the digestive disorders causing toxin accumulation in the body. Asthma is a condition in which the airways become inflamed, narrow, and swell and produce extra mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe. Asthma may be minor or can become severe to interfere in daily activities. In rare cases, it can even become life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms of Asthma
Causes of Asthma
Pathophysiology of Asthma
Diagnosis of Asthma
Treatments of Asthma
Prognosis of Asthma
Complications of Asthma
Tamaka swasa in Ayurveda
Nidana- Causes of Tamaka swasa
Purvaroopam (Premonitory Symptoms) of Tamaka swasa
Samprapthi (Maturation) of Tamaka swasa
Lakshana of Tamaka swasa
Prognosis of Tamaka swasa
Chikitsa (Treatment) of Tamaka swasa
Commonly used medicines for Tamaka swasa
Diet desirable to prevent Tamaka swasa
Yoga
Research articles link

Signs and Symptoms

The person affected with Asthma feels the tightness of the chest, wheezing, breathlessness, coughing with increased mucous production. Since there is a lack of adequate oxygen available to the lungs, the oxygen saturation in the blood lowers and there can develop hypoxia. So an emergency medical intervention becomes necessary. Trouble sleeping is caused by shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing

Types

Childhood asthma

A most common chronic condition in children
Common factors that trigger childhood asthma are respiratory infections, cigarette smoke, allergens, air pollutants, etc.
Usually, the condition gradually improves as the child reaches adulthood. But in some cases, it remains a lifelong problem
Wheezing when exhaling, is a common sign of asthma in children

Other types include,

Adult-onset asthma
Allergic asthma is triggered by airborne substances like pollen or other allergens
Non-allergic asthma
Asthma-COPD overlap
Occupational asthma is triggered by workplace irritants like chemical fumes, gases
Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB)

Causes

A combination of environmental and genetic (or inherited) factors triggers the onset of asthma.

Asthma triggering factors include,

Allergens like pollens, dust mites, mold spores, etc.
Respiratory infections
Cold air or physical activity
Certain medications, including beta-blockers, aspirin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen
Stress and emotions
Preservatives added to some types of foods and beverages
Some diseases like Gastro-oesophageal diseases

Pathophysiology

The airways get reacted to environmental triggering factors like allergens, they get inflamed and excess mucous is producing leading to the narrowing of airways. In short, we can say that asthma is the result of an immune response in the bronchial airways.

With the increasing severity and chronicity, the airways get remoulded leading to fibrosis and narrowing of them. There is a relationship between atopy and asthma.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of asthma is primarily done by clinical assessment and characteristic history. Supportive evidence by

Spirometry to demonstrate airway obstruction or narrowing
Measurement of vital capacity to identify obstructive nature of the ventilatory defect
Measurement of allergic tests like total and allergen-specific IgE
Radiological examination like Chest X-ray
Assessment of eosinophilic airway inflammation

Treatments

The goal of treatment is to obtain and sustain complete control over the symptoms. The primary thing is the avoidance of aggravating factors. The stepwise approach to the management of Asthma includes,

Occasional use of inhaled short-acting β₂– adrenoreceptor agonist bronchodilators
Introduction of regular preventive therapy like the use of anti-inflammatory drugs like corticosteroids
Long-acting β agonists like Salmeterol
Nasal corticosteroid preparation should be used in patients with prominent upper airway obstruction
On controlling the symptoms dose of corticosteroid should be titrated to the lowest dose at which effective control of asthma is manifested

Prognosis

In the case of asthma complete remission is possible, but the remission rates are low and limited to milder cases. Permanent lung function impairment develops in some asthmatic patients. There is an increased risk in smokers.

Complications

The potential complications include,

Disruption in daily activities
Disturbed sleep
Airway remodelling leading to fibrosis and narrowing
In severe cases can lead to respiratory failure and even death.

Disease and Ayurveda

Asthma can be included under the heading Tamaka swasa explained by Ayurveda Acharyas.

Nidana- Causes

Exposure to Raja (dust), dhooma (smoke), to a breeze and cold climate
Consumption of cold water and chilled foods
Excessive physical activities, sexual acts, walking, etc.
Consumption of dry or incompatible food
Due to flatulence, debility or excessive fasting
Injury to marma (vital points)
In diseases like jwara (fever), chardi (vomiting), pratisyaya (rhinitis), chest injury, rakthapitta (bleeding disorders), visha (poisoning)
Meat of aquatic animals, marshy animals
Foods which are abishyandi (having a sticky nature which is capable of obstructing channels)

Purvaroopam- Premonitory Symptoms

Anaha (flatulence)
Parswa soola (pain in flanks)
Hridaya peeda (pain in chest)
Pranasya vilomatwam (a retrograde or abnormal movement of vayu(air)

Samprapthi Maturation

On exposure to the etiological factors, kapha gets vitiated along with vata and obstructs Pranavaha srotas which causes movement of vayu in all directions in pranavaha srotas and body resulting in swasa roga. The kapha which blocks the channels produce sounds and in due course of time, it causes serious dyspnoea-like symptoms.

Lakshana Signs and Symptoms

Severe dyspnoea leading to unconsciousness or feeling of darkness in front of the eyes
Severe cough
Severe distress
On expectoration of kapha or blocked kapha
Soreness of throat or loss of voice
Unable to sleep
Catch in the flanks due to the vitiated vata
Feeling comfortable in sitting position
Elevation of eyes, sweating of the forehead
Breathlessness increases in the cloudy environment, on exposure to water, cold breeze, wind from the east

Prognosis

Tamaka swasa is said to be yaapya that is maintainable and if new it can be cured by treatment.

Chikitsa- Treatment

As per the Ayurveda Bronchial Asthma (Tamaka swasa) is a Vata Kaphaja disease, it begins in the stomach (koshta), progresses to the lungs and bronchi. Hence treatment aims to move the excess Kapha back to the stomach and then eliminate it. For this purpose following methods are adopted.