Management of Respiratory Problems

Did you know we take about 20,000 breaths every single day? It just happens so automatically that we don’t even realize. Along with oxygen, there are other gases, such as smoke, dust, pollutants, toxins, microbes and harmful materials which also goes inside. Though our respiratory system has feature of air filters which naturally filters good and bad things, and keeps our tract and respiratory system clean, sometime gets overloaded, and harmful and toxic material gets in and cause problems.

Respiratory disease is a medical term that encompasses pathological conditions affecting the organs and tissues that make gas exchange possible in higher organisms, and includes conditions of the upper respiratory tract, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, pleura and pleural cavity, and the nerves and muscles of breathing. Respiratory diseases range from mild and self-limiting, such as the common cold, to life-threatening entities like bacterial pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and lung cancer.

In humans the anatomical features of the respiratory system include airways, lungs, and the respiratory muscles. Molecules of oxygen and carbon dioxide are passively exchanged, by diffusion, between the gaseous external environment and the blood. This exchange process occurs in the alveolar region of the lungs. The respiratory system can be subdivided into an upper respiratory tract and a lower respiratory tract based on anatomical features. The upper respiratory tract includes the nasal passages, pharynx and the larynx, while the lower respiratory tract is comprised of the trachea, the primary bronchi and lungs.

The primary function of the respiratory system is to supply the blood with oxygen in order for the blood to deliver oxygen to all parts of the body. The respiratory system does this through breathing. When we breathe, we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. This exchange of gases is the respiratory system's means of getting oxygen to the blood.

The respiratory system lies dormant in the human fetus during pregnancy. At birth, the respiratory system becomes fully functional upon exposure to air, although some lung development and growth continues throughout childhood. Pre-term birth can lead to infants with under-developed lungs. Smoking and air Disorders of the respiratory system can be classified into four general areas:

• Obstructive conditions (e.g., emphysema, bronchitis, asthma attacks)
• Restrictive conditions (e.g., fibrosis, sarcoidosis, alveolar damage, pleural effusion)
• Vascular diseases (e.g., pulmonary edema, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension)
• Infectious, environmental and other "diseases" (e.g., pneumonia, tuberculosis, asbestosis, particulate pollutants).
• Coughing is of major importance, as it is the body's main method to remove dust, mucus, saliva, and other debris from the lungs. Inability to cough can lead to infection. Deep breathing exercises may help keep finer structures of the lungs clear from particulate matter, etc.

The respiratory tract is constantly exposed to microbes due to the extensive surface area, which is why the respiratory system includes many mechanisms to defend itself and prevent pathogens from entering the body.

Our respiratory system (Pranavahastrotas) is an intricate and subtle network that carries the oxygen and lets out carbon-dioxide. Ayurveda considers respiratory disorders as the imbalance of humor (kapha) and movement (vata) in body. Aggravated kapha-vata stores in respiratory tract, lungs and sinuses. The accumulation of mucus lowers the agni or digestive fire. An imbalance in these fundamental doshas lead to respiratory problems such as Asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), Bronchitis, Pneumonia, as well as seasonal allergies.

In Ayurveda, Prana is the vital life force. Prana can be in a way co-related to the energy of oxygen that we breathe and is responsible for life. Prana, the energy from breathing, is preeminent in Ayurvedic and Yogic thinking. The breath, along with food, supplies almost all of the energy to run the body, and without prana, nothing happens. Prana, a sub-dosha of vata (air element), flows inward, but, of course, that inward breath must be balanced with exhalation. Our body wisdom takes care of this pretty well, and we pay it no mind—until something goes wrong. Then it’s a crisis.

There are many reasons why respiratory diseases are on a rapid rise, especially, in urban areas – toxic levels of air pollution, the low population of plants/trees, humidity, dust, pollen, inhaling of cigarette smoke, etc. These factors combined with high-stress levels and poor nutrition lead to the destruction of lung tissues, constriction of airways and fluid retention in the lungs.

Ayurveda diagnoses respiratory diseases not according to the infection caused by micro-organisms, but rather in terms of the nature of systemic imbalance caused due to respiratory distress. It considers that the respiratory system to some extent is influenced by the state of mind, metabolism and excretory function in our body. There are a number of references to respiratory disorder and their management mentioned in Ayurveda classics. Diseases like upper respiratory tract infection, bronchial asthma, cough, dyspnoea, bronchitis, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum have been very effectively managed by Ayurveda.

Keeping all the causative factors, symptoms, prognosis in mind, we can effectively manage these symptoms. The programs include administration of simple herbs and internal detoxification therapy using Panchakarma techniques which helps reducing inflammations and to boost the natural immunity of the patient’s body. Kapha plays the prime role in pathogenesis of respiratory diseases along with Vata. Classical management of this disturbed kapha along with vata in respiratory diseases involves improving the digestive fire/agni, adopting purification therapies like vamana (vomiting) , virechana (purgation), basti (enema), nasyam (instilling nasal drop) to pacify the aggravated doshas.

Proper management includes not only direct care of respiratory system but also the digestive system which is said to be the physical root of disorder. As many cases of asthma can be triggered by emotions, mental equilibrium is equally important for which treatment like sirodhara etc. can be highly beneficial. In case of weak patients palliative therapies combined with oral medications can go a long way to relieve them of their distress. Other treatments like sirodhara, siropichu, sirovasthi can be used in the treatments of respiratory disorders depending upon the condition of the afflicted. Nasyam is an important therapy having widespread effect in ENT diseases. Not only does it enhance and fortify the immune system, but in the long term effectively fights and keeps diseases at bay.

Benefits of Ayurveda in treating common respiratory diseases:

• Manages sinusitis
• Lowering allergens in the system
• Relieves cough
• Relieves wheezing
• Helps manage chronic sneezing
• Managing allergic asthma
• Strengthen the respiratory system
• Remove toxins via breathing techniques
• Decongestion of blocked nose

Our Ayurveda specialists after examining the history and series of screening, will decide on the treatment protocols which will be supervised very closely.

Respiratory diseases are so common that they have become the third leading cause of death worldwide. It is estimated that nearly 3 million people die each year because of respiratory problems. Asthma and allergic rhinitis own most of those numbers. Respiratory problem is as serious as it can get and you should seek help as soon as you notice something unusual. Let us discuss a few of the most common respiratory ailments first.

Respiratory diseases are heavily influenced by some other medical disorders. These include diabetes, kidney problems, blood pressure or any other problem where the body's immunity has gone down. Patients suffering from those diseases are more susceptible and vulnerable to respiratory conditions. Lifestyle plays a pivotal role here, especially in children and young adults. The consumption of junk foods and the habit of relying on preservatives makes them more prone to these medical conditions.  

Homeopathy believes that addressing the root cause can completely cure the disease. A couple of precautions will go a long way and blend perfectly with this treatment approach, like in the case of allergic rhinitis for example. Keep yourself well hydrated and well insulated with warm clothes in winters. Doing gargles and steam inhalation may also be helpful. In conjunction with these, if we use the proper homeopathic treatment, it will definitely build up the immunity of an individual. After taking a detailed medical, genetic and family history our Homeopathy doctor will recommend appropriate medicine in order to be precise in the distribution of homeopathic remedies

Breathing problems are really painful and should be tackled with the utmost care and patience. A homeopathic medicine for asthma and other respiratory problems are generally has a better outcome than any other conventional medication.