CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE AND ITS AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT

Group of progressive lung disease which causes obstruction of air flow in the lungs that is not fully reversible is known as Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This condition start with mild symptoms and then tends to get worst with time if not managed properly. The most common conditions that contributes to COPD are Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis. These conditions generally occur together and severity can vary among individuals with COPD.

Emphysema : There is breakdown of the walls of tiny alveoli present at the end of bronchial tubes, in bottom of lungs and makes it hard to get full breath. The break down is due to exposure to cigarette smoke and other irritating gases etc.

Chronic Bronchitis : There is irritation of the bronchial tubes that carry air to and from lungs which cause swell and mucus build up along lining of the bronchial tube. The buildup leads to narrowing of the tube opening that makes it hard to get air into and out of the lungs.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE?

• Genetics : Having Alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency a rare genetic condition increase the risk of development of COPD in individual.
• Exposure to tobacco smoke : Long term cigarette smoking or exposure to large amount of second hand smoke can increase the risk of development of COPD.
• Occupational exposure to chemicals and dusts : Individual having long-term exposure to chemical fumes, dusts and vapors in workplace can irritate and inflame the lung thus increase risk of COPD.
• Asthma : Having asthma can increase the risk of development of the COPD. The combination of smoke and asthma increase risk factors of COPD even more.
• Age : Individuals with age over 65 years are more prone to develop symptoms of COPD.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF THE CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE ?

Some common symptoms of COPD experienced by the individuals includes :

• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath mostly during physical activities
• Chronic cough which may produce mucus that may be clear, yellow, white or greenish in color.
• Unintended weight loss
• Lack of energy
• Swelling in feet, ankles or legs
• Chest tightness
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Reduced mental alertness

WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE ?

• Stage 1 ( Mild ) : Individual feels out of breath while doing light exercise and other sign that is present in this stage is presence of cough along with sputum. Usually individual is not aware of the condition.
• Stage 2 ( Moderate ) : The symptoms are worse than stage 1 and there is increase in mucus production. The individual develops shortness of breath even during daily physical activities like walking etc.
• Stage 3 ( Severe ) : There is increase in sputum secretion, change in color of sputum. The individual experience more shortness of breath and the cough tends to worsen.
• Stage 4 ( Very Severe ) : Everything individual do results in the shortness of breath which limits the mobility of individual. The individual may have difficulty in breathing even when resting.

AYURVED APPROACH

In Ayurved it is said to be a disorder of Pranavaha srotas( channel). Due to exposure to etiological factors like dust, excessive intake of oily, sour, salty food, leads to vitiation of the kapha . The vitiated kapha moves upward and reaches respiratory system . There the kapha causes obstruction and hampers movement of  prana and udan vayu that leads to the development of the disease.

HERBS FOR CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE :

• Rasona
• Ashwagandha
• Trikatu
• Haridra
• Vasaka
• Mulethi
• Pushkarmool
• Tulsi

PANCHKARMA FOR CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE :

• Patra Pottali Pind Swedan
• Uro Vasti
• Nasya Karma
• Lepam
• Vaman

CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTRE MEDICATION FOR TREATMENT OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE :

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,  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, 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.