Shwas (Bronchial Asthma)



Introduction


The word Shwas means “difficulty in breathing”. Normally shwas word represents to Tamak shwas described in Ayurvedic texts. The feature of this disease is very similar to the disease ‘Bronchial Asthma’ mentioned in allopathic books. It is characterized by difficulty in breathing, increased breathing rate, cough with thick sputum.

Hetu (causes) – the common causes includes


Kulaj-: family history of Tamak shwas.

Food-: excess of food items like curd, milk products, and uncooked food; drinking very cold water, cold beverages etc.

Exposure to dust, smokes, breeze, air condition.
Injury to vital organs.

Anemia, respiratory tract infections.


Classification / Types

It is divided into five types; these are Mahan, Urdhva, Chinna, Tamaka & Kshudra.

Purvaroopa (prodormal symptoms)

Cough (with or without expectoration), flatulence, constipation, discomfort in chest, are some common prodromal symtoms.



Rupa (clinical Features):

Dysnoea (aggravated in lying position and relived in sitting position), momentary comfort after expectoration


Cough with cracking sound /with or without expectoration; running nose,
Loss of taste, appetite
Perspiration on forehead, dry mouth, desire for hot comforts, darkness in front of eyes.
Fever, generalised fatigue, delusion
The condition gets worsened in rainy season, windy and cloudy atmosphere. On the contrary the patients feel fresh on bright sunny day.


Sadhya - Asadhyatva (Prognosis)

Acute attacks of tamak swasa need urgent management. Otherwise it can prove life threatening also. It is considered as Yapya (incurable but manageable, persists for a long time). The chronic disease in a thin and weak person carries a bad prognosis. The disease with latest onset and no family history can show excellent prognosis by Ayurvedic medications.



Chikitsa - treatment

Shodhan-:


Snehapan-: in this mode certain medicated ghee/ oils are advised for ingestion. Usually ghee like vasa ghrita, kantkari ghrita, bharngyadi ghrita, yashtimadhu ghrita etc are used for shodhan purpose. These are administered in an increasing dosage schedule for not more than 7 days.



Swedan-: in acute stage, lukewarm mahanarayan taila mixed with saindhav salt is used for gentle chest massage, which is followed by fomentation by vapours of dashmoola decoction. It is a very effective remedy for reliving bronchospasm. Swedan by means of dry valuka pottali, hot water bag is also useful in acute cases.



Vaman-: vaman reduces the recurrence rates of asthmatic attacks



Virechan-: it is also useful mode of purification for increasing the immunity of an individual towards allergies.



Basti-: various preparations like mahanarayan taila, yashtimadhu taila etc are administered through anal route. This helps in reducing the severity of attacks.



Shaman Chikitsa -: commonly used drugs



Churna-:

Yashtimadhu + tankan
Pushkarmoola churna
Shringyadi churna
Shatayadi Churna




Aasav-:

Kanakasav Somasav
Dashmoolarishta


Bhasma -:

Abhrak bhasma
Raupya bhasma
Shrung bhasma
Suvarna bhasma
Moti Bhasma


Raskalpa-:

Brihat Vata Chintamani Rasa
Shwas-kasa chintamani rasa
Suvarna malini vasant
Shwas kuthar rasa
Nag guti


Avaleha-:


Chyavanprashavleha
Kantkari avaleha
Vasa Avaleha
Agastiprasha
Chitrak haritaki avaleha


Miscellaneous-:


Vardhaman Pimpali
Chaushati pimpli