By: Lifestyle Desk
May 7, 2019

Growing industrialisation has polluted the environment to such an extent that many people have developed breathing problems in the recent years. Trees, which are an important source of oxygen, are being rapidly cut down for man’s increasing greed leading to an infinite number of health hazards.

Owing to these factors, asthma, a respiratory ailment has also registered as increase in the recent years. The degree of attack varies from person to person, but it has been noted that children are getting more prone to asthma attacks.

On the occasion of World Asthma Day, an annual event which aims to create awareness about the ailment, Dr Ashwini Konnur, in-house ayurvedic consultant, AyurUniverse shares the symptoms of asthma and lists out the ways Ayurveda can help treat the same.

Some symptoms of asthma are:

*Chest tightness and pain due to increased coughing

*Breathlessness

*Anxiety

*Distended abdomen

*Uneasiness in the body

*Palpitation

*Weakness and tiredness

*Fainting

*Delusion

*Unconsciousness during repeated coughing; and restlessness

*Hoarseness of voice

*Sleeplessness, dark circle around the eye, and dyspnoea specially during lying posture

This happens due to the inflammation of respiratory passages which reduces the space for movement of air in and out of the lungs.

Asthma is considered as Swasa Roga (Dyspnoea – difficulty in breathing) in Ayurveda. There are 5 types of Swasa Roga listed in Ayurveda classics:

Maha Swasa: It is characterised by prolonged expiration during which the affected person sounds like a provoked bull. The respiration of the person can be heard from distance.
Urdhva Swasa: Expiration is prolonged with a pause and inspiration is impeded. Usually there is white mucosal coating on the upper and lower respiratory tract.
Chinna Swasa: Interrupted breathing which is accompanied with pain as though the vital organs are being injured.
Tamaka Swasa: Also known as Bronchial Asthma.
Kshudra Swasa: Dyspnoea due to aspiration of any article such as dust into the trachea.

Some of the aggravating factors of asthma are:

*Tobacco smoke – active or passive

*Food allergy

*Infections in airways and chest

*Airborne allergens

*Some medications

*Psychological factors like fear, anxiety, stress

*Weather changes

Some of the most commonly prescribed Ayurveda drugs are Agastya Rasayana, Chyavanaprash, Kanakaasava, Sithopaladi Churna, Swasakasachintamani rasa, Shringyadi Kwatha, Pushkaramulasava, Swasakuthara rasa, Vasanthakusumakara rasa.