Emphysema - Ayurveda

An individual can have Emphysema for many years without any sign and symptoms.  However, some most common signs and symptoms of Emphysema include:

• Breathing with a whistling or rattling sound in the chest 
• Breathing problem, especially while doing any physical activity
• coughing with a lot of mucus
• Feeling tightness in the chest
• Fatigue and low energy
• Blue lips due to lack of oxygen in the body
• In severe cases, emphysema can cause weight loss.
• Irritation and itching in nostrils
• Sleeplessness
• Body pain, weakness in the lower muscles, and swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs. 

Ayurveda directly treats the person, not the diseases. In Ayurveda, COPD is explained as, a disorder of Pranavaha Srotas”. Ayurveda is the biggest contributor to mankind for human longevity and wellbeing in the most natural possible way. Ayurveda can help to heal from Emphysema in the best possible organic way with the help of authentic medication, dedicated therapies. 

First, the holistic assessment of the health is done in which the Vaidya looks at the whole picture of the health and try to achieve a full understanding of the body. During the assessment, Vaidya determines what treatment plan will best suit the patient. Then, the treatment course starts followed by treatment therapies depending on the conditions of the patient along with herbal medicines, wholesome and well-balanced cuisines, Yoga & meditation session, fitness sessions to heal the body, and provide tranquility.

In Ayurveda, the diagnosis procedures are two-pronged. One aims to determine the state and sort of pathology and second decides the mode of treatment. It’s done through a holistic assessment of health. The Vaidya will look at the whole picture of the patient's health and try to achieve a full understanding. They observe, palpate, and interrogate with the patients. The Vaidya determines the doshas or body constitution, the health of Dhatus (tissues), the strength of digestive fire, immunity, and as well as mental harmony. This involves asking extensive questions on topics like lifestyle, diet, personal and professional life, medical history, and any current problems. After knowing the constitution of the body, The Vaidya will get insight that which of the doshas are most likely to be in excess and which therapies and treatment plans will best suit the patient.

Risk factors are factors that do not seem to be a direct cause of any diseases but seem to be associated in any way. A risk factor makes the chance of getting a condition higher to suffer from it but does not always lead towards Emphysema. Factors that increase the risk of Emphysema include:

• Smoking:  Smoking increases the risk to develop Emphysema.
• Age: As the age passes, due to exposure to pollutants irritants, smoking, etc, the lungs get damaged, and in-between age 40 to 60, chances to develop Emphysema increases.
• Exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of Emphysema
• Exposures to fumes or dust increases the risk of Emphysema
• Exposure to indoor and outdoor pollution

Different factors cause Emphysema. Some preventive measures need to be taken in a day- to- day life which reduces the chance of getting suffered from Emphysema. These are: 

• Avoid Cigarette smoking, alcohol, and tobacco. Because, smoking is the main cause of this COPD.
• Maintain a proper healthy weight.
• Cut out junk foods as well as chew food properly to digest effectively.
• Stay away from stress, anxiety and, panic attacks by practicing Yoga, Massages, and Meditation.
• Include Chyavanprash – a rich source of Vitamin C, Godhuma (wheat), Old rice, Mudga (green gram), Yava (barley), and Patola (snake gourd) within the diet.
• Avoid exposure to Smoke, Dust, fumes, Pollutants especially from industrial areas
• Wear a mask if working with chemical fumes or dust

It is most important to find the root cause of any diseases. Ayurveda has been proved very beneficial to combat these diseases in a natural and non-invasive approach. While addressing the root cause with a holistic and non-invasive approach comprised of proper lifestyle, diet modifications, herbal medications, yoga asanas, pranayama & meditation & therapies such as Abhyangam, Nasyam, etc depending on condition & severity can heal the ailments from the roots.  The treatment aims to move the excess Kapha from the system, regularizing the flow of vata, strengthening the lungs, and correction in diet according to dosha involved.  

The treatment is decided by an expert Vaidya after assessing the body constitution and extensive examination of the imbalance of the doshas of the patient.

Panchakarma therapy is also recommended to treat Emphysema. However, Panchakarma therapy is only prescribed to those patients who are fit for that particular Panchakarma procedure as per the guidelines dictated by classical Ayurvedic textbooks (Ashtangasangraha, Charaka Samhita, and Susrutha Samhita).

Note: Internal medications and therapy are prescribed by an expert Ayurveda physician after complete assessment

• Abhyangam: Abhyangam is a Sanskrit word that means the application of warm oil on the body. It is an old ayurvedic oil massage. In this massage, the oil is applied on the entire body from the scalp to the sole of feet using soft and gentle strokes followed by a steam bath. This massage reduces the aggravated Vata in our body, gives relaxation, revitalize the tissue, and remove toxic wastes from our body.
• Nasyam: In this Ayurveda treatment, medicated oil or powder is instilled through the nasal route and the upper portion of the body from the neck upwards is massaged. The area around the neck, nose, shoulder, palm, and feet are rubbed for the easy assimilation of the medicine and for cleansing the minute channels above the neck.
• Enema to remove toxins and open circulation to loosen impurities embedded in tissues.
• Specific herbal oil massages to relax the body and energize the physiological condition
• Consultations with Vaidya
• Yoga, pranayama & meditation session, relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, etc
• Guiding Proper routine of lifestyle
• Evaluation of personal lifestyle and fitness daily
• Fresh herbal medicines
• Body composition Analysis
• Wholesome and well balanced ayurvedic diet