What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. Asthma makes breathing difficult for the affected person.

In asthma, the lining of the airways swell and the surrounding muscles get tighten. The mucus in the nose fills the airways reducing the amount of air. These conditions result in coughing, wheezing, difficulty in breathing and tightness in the chest which is known as an asthma attack.

In asthma the inside airways become swollen and inflamed, this results in irritation and makes them more vulnerable to an allergic reaction.

An asthma patient needs to get diagnosed as soon as possible to know the stage and severity. Asthma can’t be cured completely but measures to control it and improve the quality of life can be taken.

Asthma is the most common chronic medical condition present in children worldwide.

Causes of Asthma

There is no single cause for asthma, a number of factors are responsible for asthma. Some common factors responsible for asthma are:

Genetics- it runs in families so if your parents had a history of asthma then it increases the chances for you. Viral infections- people affected by any viral infections in the past are more likely to develop asthma. Allergens exposure - exposure to certain allergens can increase the chances of acquiring asthma. Hygiene hypothesis- people who are not exposed to bacterias when they were young don’t develop immunity to fight certain medical conditions like asthma. Tobacco Pregnancy Stress Obesity Menstrual cycle

There are some conditions in the environment that can trigger asthma in a person, some common triggers of asthma are:

Illness- respiratory infections like the common cold, flu, and pneumonia could trigger asthma. Weather conditions- cold air, very high humidity, and low temperature can trigger asthma. Irritants- some irritants like chemical fumes, strong odors, and smoke can cause asthma. Exercise- an increase in the movement of the body also increases the chances of asthma. Allergens- Airborne substances, such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander or particles of cockroach waste, Emotions- some strong emotions like shouting, laughing and crying may trigger asthma. Certain medications can also trigger asthma. Gastroesophageal reflux disease ( a condition in which stomach acids back up into your throat) can also trigger asthma. Preservatives added to some food products can also trigger asthma in some people.

Some major risk factors of asthma disease are passive smoking, obesity, genetics, smoking, pollution, chemical exposure, and other allergies.

Symptoms of Asthma

Symptoms in asthma vary in every case, some people could experience symptoms when exposed to certain conditions while others could experience them all the time.

Some common signs and symptoms of asthma are:

Shortness of breath Coughing Wheezing and whistling sounds while exhaling. Tightness in the chest Fatigue Sleeping problems

Any person who is experiencing the symptoms regularly and at a more severe level needs to take action to control the condition immediately. One should start practicing asanas or yoga for asthma. A person who needs to use a quick-relief inhaler more frequently also needs to be very careful an follow the strict guidelines to avoid asthma attacks.

Therapeutic Iyengar Yoga for Asthma

Some common asanas or yoga for Asthma which can be performed by Asthmatic patients are:

1. Purvottanasana This yoga for asthma reduces the shrinkage in the trachea. As asthmatic patients get sensible to air. This asanas for asthma decreases the sensibility from the air or air allergy. This asana provides relief in bronchitis. 2. Supta Baddha Konasana This asana also reduces the shrinkage in the trachea. This asana decreases the sensibility from the air. This asana provides relief in bronchitis too. 3. Supta Sukhasana As asthmatic patients get sensible to air. This asanas for asthma decreases the sensibility of the air allergy. 4. Supta Virasana This yoga for asthma allows the Kapha to come out of the throat. This asana decreases the sensibility from the air or air allergy. 5. Uttanasana Asthmatic Patient has an allergy to the change in weather. This asana decreases the sensitivity to weather and also reopen the choked nose. 6. Sirsasana This yoga for asthma being an anti-gravity asana and a hanging asana reduces the swelling from the trachea and increases the blood circulation in the lungs. 7. Viparita Dandasana This asana expands the chest to the fullest and in turn, opens the small holes in the 5 lopes of lungs. This asana also increases the level of oxygen in the body. 8. Chakrasana This asanas for asthma also expands the chest. This asana increases the level of oxygen in the body. 9. Sarvangasana This asana expands the chest and provides relief in Asthma and any other respiratory disease. Because it improves blood circulation and also increases the oxygen level in the body. 10. Setu Bandha Sarvangasana This yoga for asthma also expands the chest and provides relief in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Asthma and any other respiratory disease. Also, it improves blood circulation and increases the oxygen level in the body. 11. Ujjayi Pranayama This pranayama increases the oxygen level in the body and makes the breath deep and long which in result strengthens the body and breathing process. This also provides any kind of pain relief in the body. 12. Viloma Pranayama This pranayama also increases the oxygen level in the body and strengthens the body and breathing process. 13. Shavasana This yoga for asthma increases the oxygen level in the body and makes the breath deep and long which in result strengthens the body and breathing process. These also provide any kind of pain relief in the body. Previous Next