Millions of people across the world suffer from Bronchial Asthma. It is a chronic inflammatory disease that blocks the airways and causes intermittent wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. It can lead to sleepless nights, miss normal routine and causes general irritability. That’s why in this blog, I bring you Ayurvedic treatment for Bronchial Asthma.
Also Read: Asthma in children – Ayurvedic Treatment for Asthma
What is Bronchial Asthma?
Bronchial asthma is a chronic lung disorder that causes contraction of the bronchial muscles. It results in obstructed airways which leads the muscles around the airways to tighten and the lining of the passages to swell. This reduces the amount of air that can pass through the lungs.
This is why people with bronchial asthma experience shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness. Although an attack can last for only a few minutes, bronchial inhalers and medicines give much-needed relief to people.
Also Read: 9 Breathing Exercises for your lungs
What causes Bronchial Asthma?
There are several triggers that cause this inflammatory disease.
These include:
- Smoking and secondhand smoke
- Infections such as cold, flu, or pneumonia
- Allergens such as food, pollen, mould, dust mites, and pet dander
- Air pollution and toxins
- Extreme changes in temperature or weather
- Certain type of drugs (such as aspirin, NSAIDs, and beta-blockers)
- A few food additives (such as MSG)
- Emotional stress and anxiety
- Strong expressions of emotions
- Perfumes and fragrances
- Acid reflux
Also Read: Role of meditaton and mindfulness in clinical practice
What are the symptoms?
A person with Bronchial Asthma may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Tightness of chest
- Wheezing
- Excessive coughing or a cough that keeps you awake at night
- Cough with or without sputum (phlegm) production
- Pulling in of the skin between the ribs when breathing ( in few cases)
- Severe shortness of breath due to exercise or intense activity
- A few emergency symptoms that need prompt medical help:
- Bluish colour to the lips and face…rarely
- Decreased level of alertness or severe drowsiness or confusion, during an asthma attack
Did you know?
- Between 100 and 150 million people around the globe — roughly the equivalent of the population of the Russian Federation — suffer from asthma and this number is rising. Worldwide, deaths from this condition have reached over 180,000 annually.
- Body parts and droppings from cockroaches can trigger asthma attacks in some people.
Bronchial Asthma : Home remedies
- Bronchial Asthma can be controlled by avoiding the following symptoms:
- Eliminate tobacco smoke from the home.
- Avoid air pollution, industrial dust, and irritating fumes as much as possible.
- Remove carpets in the bedroom and vacuum regularly.
- Wash only with unscented detergents and cleaning materials.
- Keep humidity levels low and fix leaks to reduce the growth of mould and other organisms.
- Keep the house clean and keep food in containers and reduce the possibility of cockroaches.
- Change the filter in furnaces and air conditioners often.
- Keep animals out of the bedroom.
- Chest massages with warm sesame oil mixed with salt to loosen the phlegm deposited in the chest followed with steam inhalation.
- Drinking ginger tea mixed with 2-3 crushed garlic cloves.
- Drinking freshly grated ginger (½ teaspoon) in a glass of milk and adding ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder to it
A word of advice
Regular exercise prevents chest congestion. Yoga and Pranayama also to reduce stress and free up chest congestion and thereby reduce nighttime wheezing. Moreover, yoga makes a person more relaxed and calm.
Testimonial: Asthma treatment
Mrs Ritu – Homemaker
I am 54 years old. I had been a patient of chronic asthma for the last 15 years. Damp, humid weather was the main cause and I suffered from constant suffocation. Dr. Brahmanand Nayak has given me proper Ayurvedic medication and precautions to take care of this chronic illness. It is because of his advice and medication I am now leading a normal life. I feel rejuvenated and do not suffer from prolonged conditions of wheezing, chest congestion, cold and cough anymore.