What is Asthma?

Asthma is an inflammatory disease in the airways to the lungs. It makes breathing and various physical exercises difficult.

An Asthma attack is characterized by swelling in the lining of airways and tightness of the muscles around them. The mucus then fills the airways, hence reducing the amount of air that can pass through.

Symptoms of Asthma

  • Coughing at night
  • Wheezing sound
  • Tightness of the chest
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath

What are the Causes of Asthma?

According to Ayurveda, vitiation of Vata and Kapha doshas are responsible for Asthma. Kapha chokes the airway passage, and the flow of Vata is disturbed, resulting in asthma symptoms.

Bronchial Asthma and Allergic Asthma are the two major types of Asthma. Bronchial is due to the weakness of the lungs, and allergic is due to some allergen.

Other leading causes of Asthma include:

  • Environmental pollutants
  • Allergens
  • Viral infections
  • Overweight
  • Stressed lifestyle
  • Genetic factors

Diagnosis and Ayurvedic Treatment for Asthma

1. A doctor makes the diagnosis of Asthma by stethoscope examination, blood tests for allergy, and spirometry tests to measure the lungs' strength.

2. The Ayurvedic cure for Asthma focuses on removing the root cause of the airway obstruction and strengthening the airway muscles. It also works on balancing the three doshas (Vata, pitta, and Kapha) that are present in every human body. An imbalance in Kapha leads to excessive production of mucous that obstructs the respiratory channels during an Asthma attack.

3. Ayurvedic asthma medicines, diet recommendations, and lifestyle changes constitute the plan of treatment for this disease.

4. Use of Garlic, Turmeric (Haldi), Basil (Tulasi), Dried Ginger (Saunth), Black Pepper (Kali Mirch), and drinking warm water will help to relieve the symptoms.

Prevention in Asthma

Along with Asthma Treatment in Ayurveda, Breathing exercises (Pranayam) will help strengthen the airway muscles and prevent the attacks of Asthma. Also, if possible, you must refrain from going out in cold air, freezing temperatures, and dusty places as a thumb rule. Such places are known to trigger asthma symptoms and attacks.

Lifestyle and Diet in Asthma

The use of tobacco, curd, refrigerated food items, fried and processed food, cold drinks, overeating, bakery products, and perfumes can increase the problem. Hence, the patient should avoid them.

Regular yoga and deep breathing exercises strengthen the respiratory system and make it immune to allergies, infections, weaknesses and diseases. It is not a one or two-month process but needs constant practice for a year or two. However, a few years should not seem much against a disease that may affect your well-being for a lifetime. Also, regular yoga and exercises keep you fit and prevent several other diseases which may otherwise come knocking on your door.

Regular yoga and a healthy diet are definitive in a permanent cure for Asthma in Ayurveda.