| Description |
| In Ayurveda, Bronchial
Asthma – an allergic condition resulting
from the reaction of the body to one or
more allergens and is one of the most fatal
respiratory diseases – is named `tamaka
shvasa’ and its seat of manifestation is
the lungs. |
| Root Causes |
- Lack of exercise: Many are in the
habit of easy life that means without
any exercise and such people when sometimes
get exposed to some irritants develop
allergies leading to the blockage of
the airways.
- Genetic factors: Many of the families
are suffering from this chronic disease.
The people suffering from the asthma
or bronchitis also have their allergic
conditions such as rhinitis i.e., inflammation
of nose lining.
- Dietary changes: A high intake of
processed food, salt intake, a lower
intake antioxidant and omega-3 fatty
acids highly contribute in the development
of asthma and bronchitis.
- Occupational Exposure: The people
working in the industries of the baking,
woodworking, spray painting of cars,
farming and chemical production are
prone to asthma and bronchitis due to
various irritants such as dust, gases
present there.
- Environmental factors: Infection
s such as cold and flu, irritants such
as dust, cigarette smoke, fumes, house
dust mites, pollen medicines or certain
other allergic foods.
|
| Symptoms |
- Shortness of breath: Especially with exertion or at night.
- Wheezing: A whistling
or hissing sound when breathing out.
- Coughing: May be
chronic, usually worse at night and
early morning. May occur after exercise
or when exposed to cold, dry air.
- Chest tightness: May occur with or without the above
symptoms.
|
| Home Remedies |
- Steaming ginger tea with minced garlic
cloves should be given twice a day (morning
and evening).
- A teaspoonful of turmeric powder with
a glass of milk 2-3 times a day is recommended.
It is highly beneficial when taken empty
stomach.
- During the attack mustard oil mixed
with little camphor should be massaged
over the back of the chest.
- The patient should also be made to
inhale the steam from boiling water
mixed with ajwain (caraway seeds).
- Air, sun and water are also great
healing agents. The patient should sit
in fresh air for sometime daily. Try
to avoid dusty places, exposure to cold,
mental worries and tensions.
- Boil 4-5 cloves in 125 ml of water.
Add one teaspoonful of honey and drink
the mixture twice or thrice a day.
- Soak dry grapes in water at night
and keep in cold milk for half an hour
and chew them.
Mix one gram of dry ginger powder and
one gram of black pepper in one teaspoon
of molasses of honey.
- Turmeric can be taken with honey in
the morning on empty stomach to reduce
the intensity of attack.
- Regular chewing of fennel helps expel
infected mucous from the chest, thus
helps in preventing asthma attacks.
|
| Precautions |
- Avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand
smoke. Tobacco smoke increases your
risk of chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
- Use a humidifier in your room. Warm,
moist air helps relieve coughs and loosens
mucus in your airways. But be sure to
clean the humidifier according to the
manufacturer's recommendations to avoid
the growth of bacteria and fungi in
the water container.
- Avoid or reduce exposure to air pollution
and chemical irritants, and cold, wet
weather.
- Although dust mites are too small
to be seen, they are found in every
home. They live in mattresses, pillows,
bedcovers, carpets, fabric-covered furniture,
clothes, and stuffed toys. To help prevent
asthma attacks: Eliminate dust mites.
Use impermeable mattress and pillow
covers; Wash bedding each week in hot
water; Dust and vacuum frequently; Wash
stuffed animals; Wash plastic toys.
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