Bronchiectasis

Introduction

Bronchiectasis is a disease in which the bronchial tubes that supply air to the lungs becomes permanently damage, widened, or their lining becomes thickened. Bacteria from these damaged air tubes easily enter the lungs and produce mucus. This results in frequent infections and problems like airway obstruction.

Cause of bronchiectasis

• Cystic fibrosis
• Weak immune system
• Whooping cough
• Pneumonia
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Autoimmune disease
• Acid reflux
• COPD
• Exposure to dust and smoke
• Injury to vital organs
• Tuberculosis
• Allergic aspergillosis

Symptoms of bronchiectasis

• Chronic cough
• Chest pain & stiffness
• Shortness of breath
• Weight loss
• Daily production of large amounts of phlegm
• Fatigue
• Thickening of the skin under the nails
• Upper respiratory tract infections
• Blood in sputum
• Wheezing or any abnormal sound in the chest while breathing
• Breath odor
• Lack of oxygen in blood

Diagnosis

• Sputum test
• X-ray
• CT scan
• Bronchoscopy

Complications

• Empyema
• Lung abscess
• Recurrent pleurisy
• Progressive respiratory failure
• Chronic bronchial infection
• Pneumothorax
• Recurrent pneumonia
• Life –threatening hemoptysis

Ayurvedic Management of Bronchiectasis

In Ayurveda, Bronchiectasis is considered a disease that occur s in pranavaha srothas. In charak samhita chikitsa sathana acharya mentioned 5 types of swasa roga, along them bronchiectasis can be correlated to thamaka shwasa along with kaphaja kasaPanchakarma treatment for bronchiectasis

• Snehapan – medicated ghee/ oils are advised for ingestion.
  Usually recommended ghee for snehapan are kantkari ghrita, vasa ghrita, yashtimadhu ghrita etc
• Swedan: mahanarayan tailam mixed with saindhav lavan is used for gentle chest massage
  then fomentation by vapors of dashmoola decoction.
  Very effective remedy for reliving bronchospasm.
  Dry valuka pottali and hot water bag is also useful in acute cases.
• Vaman – It reduces the recurrence rates of asthmatic attacks
• Virechan – useful mode of purification
  increasing the immunity of an individual towards allergies.
• Basti -various preparations like mahanarayan taila, yashtimadhu taila etc are administered through anal route

Ayurvedic herbs used in Bronchiectasis

• Vasa
• Kantakari
• Shunthi
• Chitrak
• Haritaki
• Twak
• Talisapatra
• Pushkaramula
• Pippli
• Eucalyptus

Diet & lifestyle management

• Avoid heavy diet at bedtime
• Avoid heavy exercises
• Consume healthy easy to digest food
• Avoid drinking water immediately after food
• Avoid cold drinks
• Steam inhalation
• Avoid smoking
• Always stay hydrated

Home remedies for Bronchiectasis

Ginger

To reduce the swelling in the respiratory tract, grate ginger and mix in water and boil it for 3-4 minute. Take this twice a day. You can consume it regularly for a week, then the problem of swelling and pain in the respiratory tract will start reducing on its own. Make it a rule to take this mixture every day at a fixed time.

Vasa

It has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, anti-tubercular properties. It may also acts as a bronchodilator and as an expectorant (remove cough). Prepare a decoction of vasaka leaves by boiling it in water. Add a spoon of honey and drink this concoction daily to prevent respiratory infections

Pippli

Pippali is an effective herb in managing cough and cold. It controls cough, releases mucus, clears air passages, thus allowing the patient to breathe freely. Mix 1 teaspoon of pippali, turmeric and dry ginger powder and 1 tsp of honey into a cup of lukewarm water.

Honey

Honey has natural antimicrobial properties and can soothe a sore throat and clear cough. Mix honey into lukewarm herbal tea or consume it directly.

Tulsi

Tulsi has many medicinal properties and one of them is antibacterial properties. It can also be helpful in the discomfort of bronchitis, demulcent, and expectorant. Even a healthy person can consume one or two basil leaves every day

Turmeric

It has anti-inflammatory properties which relieve the problem of phlegm and the main cause of bronchitis is phlegm. In such a situation, boil one-fourth teaspoon turmeric in a glass of milk and take it twice a day in the morning and at night before sleeping

BRONCHIETASIS MANAGEMENT ACCORDING TO CHANDIGARH AYURVEDA CENTRE

1. Broncho care syrup

Broncho care syrup is used to eliminate chronic cough, bronchitis, common cold, whooping cough, etc. This ayurvedic syrup contains Vasa patra (Adhatoda vasica), Kantkari (Solanum surattense), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum), Chitrakmool (Plumbago zeylanica), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Pippali(Piper longum), Lasoda (Cordia dichotoma), Pudina (Mentha spicata), etc. These ingredients show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, bronchodilator properties.
Recommended Dosage – Take 2 teaspoonful twice a day.

2. Cough Go Tablets – Cough Go tablets are ayurvedic formulation containing ingredients like Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Pippali (Piper longum), Kali mirch (Piper nigrum), etc. These tablets are very effective in bronchitis, cough, cold, nasal problems, and other respiratory problems.
Recommended Dosage – Take 1 tablets twice a day with normal water.

3. Kapha Sachet – The powder contains a mixture of herbal ingredients which are mainly made for the treatment of asthma. Their properties generally balance the vata and kapha dosha. The sachet contains ingredients like – Sitopladi churna, Abhrak bhasma, Laxmi vilas ras, Godanti bhasma, etc. It is used mainly in chronic cough, whooping cough and trouble breathing. It also relieves congestion of chest, sore throat. The ingredients loosen the mucus accumulated in the chest thus making it easy to cough it out. Its main therapeutic effects appear on lungs, pleura, and airways.
Recommended Dosage – Take 1 Sachet twice a day with normal water.

4. Giloy capsule – Giloy capsules are formed with the standardized extract of herb giloy (Tinospora cordifolia). The Giloy herb improves immunity, removes toxins from body, and purifies blood, beneficial in cough, cold, fever, & bronchitis.
Recommended Dosage: Take 2 capsules twice a day with normal water.

5. Trikatu Syrup – Trikatu combines the goodness of Black pepper, Ginger and, Long pepper to create an herbal remedy for digestive ailments, sluggish metabolism, obesity, and high cholesterol. This syrup has best results in anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and expectorant. It also help to tackle the weight problems or obesity. It can modulate your body’s immune response while cutting the characteristic inflammation associated with the back pain.
Recommended Dosage –Take 2 teaspoonful twice a day before meal with normal water.