Asthma
A condition in which a person’s airways become inflamed, narrow and swelled up.
Characterized by-
- Episodes of Wheezing
- Coughing
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
Causes of Asthma-
- Genetics
- Allergens like- House dust mites, pets, pollens
- Aspirin sensitivity
- Excessive exercise
- Environment
Pathophysiology-
- Normally when a person breathes the air passes through nose, trachea (windpipe), and then to the airways and small passages in lungs (Bronchioles, Alveoli etc).
- Then gaseous exchange (oxygen-carbon dioxide) take place and the oxygen is delivered to bloodstream.
- But in an Asthmatic patient, the triggering factors (dust, pollens) leads to the swelling of lining if airways (Broncho-constrictor response) further leading to activation of allergic mechanisms.
- Mucus fills the airways, obstructing the air to pass smoothly.
- Hence leading to Panic attacks, coughing and chest tightness.
Diagnosis-
- Spirometry to measure FEV (Forced expiratory volume) & FVC (Forced vital capacity)
- Elevated IgE LEVELS
- Chest X-ray
- HRCT (High-resolution CT scan)
What to Avoid-
- Sour items
- Dairy products
- Beans, Cabbage
- Cold drinks
- Ice-creams
- Coldwater
- Ghee
- Dry fruits
- Pickles
- Alcohol
- Smoking
5 Yoga Poses for Asthma Patients
Yoga-
1. Bhujang asana (Cobra pose)-
Bhujangasana comes from the word bhujanga meaning cobra or snake and asana meaning pose.
Steps-
Lie down on your stomach, rest your forehead on the ground.
- Keep your legs close together.
- Place both hands in such a way that palms are touching ground under your shoulders, elbows should be parallel and close to your torso.
- Taking a deep breath in, slowly lift your head, chest and abdomen. Keep your navel on the floor.
- Pull your torso back and off the floor with the support of your hands.
- Tilt your head back and look up
- Maintain the pose.
- Now, breathe out gently bring your abdomen, chest, and head back to the floor and relax.
- Repeat 4-5 times.
2 .Setu bandhasana (Bridge pose)-
Setu – meaning Bridge
Bandha – Bind or lock
Asana – Posture
Steps-
- Lie on your back.
- Fold your knees and keep your feet hip-distance apart & ankles in a straight line.
- Keep your arms beside your body palms facing down.
- Inhaling, slowly lift your lower back off the floor.
- Gently roll in the shoulders; touch the chest to the chin without bringing the chin down, supporting your weight with your shoulders, arms and feet…
- Keep breathing.
- Hold the posture for a minute.
- Then gently release the pose.
3. Bandhakonasana (Butterfly pose)-
- Sit with your back straight and your legs straight in front of you.
- Slowly bend your knees and bring them towards your pelvis with the soles of your feet touching.
- Hold your feet with your hands for support and bring your feet as far in as possible.
- While exhaling, gently press your knees towards the floor and then release.
- Hold this pose for 1-3 minutes and then release by exhaling and straightening your legs out in front of you.
- Flap your legs up and down like the wings of a butterfly
- Gently press your knees towards the floor.
4. Ardha Matsyendrasana (Sitting half spinal twist )-
Ardha = half
Matsya = fish
Indra = ruler
Steps-
- Sit up with the legs stretched out straight in front of you, keeping the feet together and the spine erect.
- Bend the left leg and place the heal of the left foot beside the right hip .
- Take the right leg over the left knee.
- Place the left hand on the right knee and the right hand behind you.
- Twist the waist, shoulders and neck, look over the right shoulder.
- Keep the spine erect.
- Hold and continue, breaths in and out.
- Repeat to the other side.
Read Also: Steam Inhalation – Ingredients, Precautions
5. Pawanamuktasana (Wind relieving pose)-
Pawan – Air, Gas
Mukta – Free, release
Asana – Pose
Steps-
- Lie flat on your back, ensuring that your feet are together, and your arms are placed beside your body.
- Take a deep breath.
- As you exhale, bring your knees towards your chest, and press your thighs on your abdomen.
- Clasp your hands around your legs as if you are hugging your knees.
- Hold the asana while you breathe normally.
- Exhale and release the pose
Conclusion-
- The current approach to treatment of Asthma emphasizes “Prevention” with avoidance of allergens wherever possible.
- Excessive use of Anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided.
- Acute episodes should be taken seriously and managed as soon as possible.
- In acute airway obstruction and wheezing, nebulisers may be used.
- Breathing exercises should be practiced.
- Most importantly drink plenty of fluids
