YOGA FOR BRONCHIAL ASTHMA

Bronchial Asthma is a common disease of both children and adults. The word “Asthma” is a Greek derivation and it means panting or gasping. Bronchial Asthma is characterized by recurrent attacks of difficulty in exhalation due to wide - spread reversible narrowing of airways in the lungs, which varies in severity over a short period of time either spontaneously or as a result of treatment. The characteristic feature of asthma is that it is only a temporary functional narrowing which is completely reversible.

The most important feature in bronchial asthma is the hyper reactivity of bronchial tree. The air passages show excessive response by spasm and inflammation to all sorts of stimuli, not only to antigen or chemical like histamine but also to cold air, atmospheric irritants like dust, kitchen fumes, sprays, gases, extreme exercise etc.

Hay fever and allergic rhinitis are the other names for nasal allergies. The three cardinal symptoms of this condition are sneezing, running nose and blocked or stuffy nose. This may occur seasonally as in Hay fever or personality almost all year round. You may also have itching of nose, ears, eyes, throat and post nasal discharge. At times, the inner lining (mucous membrane) of the Para nasal sinuses may get involved in this allergic inflammation leading to pain and discomfort in the forehead and cheeks. Although not a fatal condition, it could lead to much discomfort, loss of interest at work and psychological depression.

Exposure to cold wind, sunlight, dust and fumes, etc., may precipitate the onset of the symptoms. Exactly like in bronchial asthma the inner lining of the nose has turned hyper - reactive.