"Asthma is a common inflammatory lung disease". That's the textbook asthma definition. Common, yes? Trivial? No. Reports have shown that over 300 million people suffer from asthma worldwide, out of which 6% of children and 2% of adult sufferers are from India. This means, roughly 18 million children and 6 million adults in India suffer from this lung disease. And the worst part? There's no telling if the numbers would go down in the future. 

Most patients rely on asthma inhalers to control symptoms. But, when it comes to daily living, is asthma medication always the right way to go? Sure, medicines provide temporary relief to your painful chest, but they can also give you side effects like diarrhea and jittering. Isn't it only right to seek help beyond medicines to avoid such ill effects? Ayurveda products can improve lung health. This blog will walk you through:

• The meaning of good lung health
• The impact of asthma on lung health
• Ayurveda to improve your lung health

Take a deep breath & get on with the reading!

What do we mean by good lung health?

Breathing. It is a permanent and continuous action in life that often goes unnoticed. And as most human tendencies go, we don't think much about our lungs or lung health…..unless we face discomfort. It's almost tragic when you realize how unobserved the efforts of your lungs go. For instance, did you know that a healthy human takes more than 6 million breaths a year? That's 6 million times your lungs have saved your life. Yes! The only way you can reward your lungs for such a phenomenal task is by maintaining good lung health.  

But what is good lung health?

In a very simplified manner:

Good lung health indicates easy breathing without any pain or discomfort. It means that your lungs are able to inhale oxygen and supply it to your bloodstream without any difficulties. 

But, as simple as it sounds, it's not always the easiest task to know how your lungs are performing. Even asthmatic patients, wouldn't know how worse their lung health can become until an asthma attack shakes them awake. 

How to check your lung health?

Instead of letting your lungs in a devastated manner tell you that they are failing, it's better to be an early detective. 

Of course, there are certain apps and medical tools that can measure your lung strength through your breathing. But not everyone can afford those. 

Dr. Michael Roizen, Sharecare Editorial Advisory member and the author of the bestseller 'RealAge, Are You As Young As You Can Be' suggests a free lung test.

The test: Run two flights of stairs (up) or walk a kilometer. 

The result: If you can do any of these exercises without a pause, your lungs are healthy. But, if you have symptoms like shortness of breath or need to stop in the middle out of exhaustion, your lungs need more care. 

How often should you take this test?

Run this test once in two months to keep a track of your lung health. 

Why does this test work?

Because it shows the serious changes. Meaning, your lungs impact your ability to run or walk. For healthy lungs, two flights of stairs is a no-biggie. But the same can be a mountainous task for someone with lung-related issues.  

Now that you know what good lung health is, you need to understand how asthma can be a villain in this story. This is what we will discuss in our next section. 

How does asthma impact your lung health and daily life?

Let's first understand: what is asthma?

It's a lung disease in which your body produces extra mucus. Your inflamed bronchioles lead to swelling and narrowed airways. A detailed explanation of how asthma works are in the short video below. 

For some, asthma can be a temporary discomfort. But, for most people, asthma is a constant interference in their daily activities. Like, did you know some asthmatic patients have difficulty laughing too hard?  

Tiredness, sleeplessness, restlessness, cranky moods, sweating, and slouchy posture are some of the daily symptoms of asthma (apart from the obvious ones mentioned in the video). 

How severe can asthma become?

Status asthmaticus is the most serious form of asthma. How serious? The patient's airways narrow down intensely and reject treatment. The passage of air becomes next to impossible. The lungs refuse to function AT ALL. This means the lungs stop providing oxygen to the rest of the body. Hence, the organs start malfunctioning. Additionally, the lungs fail at exhaling carbon dioxide which turns the blood acidic. Even the blood pressure falls dangerously low. That's why asthma is not a disease a person should take lightly. 

Asthma symptoms may become worse at night or while performing vigorous activities. Because asthma attacks are unpredictable, asthma treatment must be a lifelong process. This is where Ayurveda treatment comes in.  

Ayurveda to improve asthma and overall lung health 

Can Ayurveda cure asthma? Nope. Asthma cure is a myth.

But, the symptoms can be managed to the point that they don't impact your daily life extensively. The saying 'time heals everything' could be the best way to describe this. With Ayurveda, asthma patients can give themselves a higher quality of life. Here are some life-saving ayurvedic tips for an asthma patient. Consider these to be an ayurvedic asthma care kit. 

Omega-3 fatty acids

Ayurveda strictly encourages every person, asthmatic or not, to include Omega-3 fatty acid sources in their diets. They can improve heart health, reduce inflammation, enhance brain functions, and more. Studies have shown that higher Omega-3 content in your diet can provide ample relief to asthma symptoms. Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the production of IgE, the antibodies known to trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks. You can find Omega-3 fatty acids in edibles like walnuts, chia seeds, avocados, eggs, kidney beans, tofu, flax seed, soybean oil, and more. 

Herbal tea

If you have asthma, we would suggest adding herbal tea rather than regular milk tea to your asthma ayurveda diet. Studies have found that herbal teas like Echinacea tea can be beneficial for respiratory health. The antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties control congestion and swelling in the respiratory tract. Dairy products can worsen the effects of asthma. This is why you should try herbal tea with ingredients like ajwain and tulsi. 

Yoga

Some vigorous activities like Zumba can give asthma patients a tough time. Yoga, on the other hand, is effective yet easy on the lungs. Practicing breathing techniques with yoga can help you work on strengthening your lungs. Take pranayama for instance. Practicing this yoga improves posture. A good posture helps in opening the chest muscles which encourages the better passage of air. Moreover, as you breathe deeper, your chest muscles strengthen and build lung capacity. Practice pranayama for 30 minutes a day daily and you will see a huge change in your lung health in a few months. 

Laughter is the best medicine

Laughing increases lung capacity and works the abdominal muscles. In addition to clearing out your lungs, it allows fresh air to enter more areas by forcing stale air out.

The Balance Cough Powder

It's not always possible to avoid triggers like dust and allergens in asthma. But what you can avoid is the dependency on medicines to resolve such issues. The Balance Cough Powder has ingredients like shwas kuthar ras and dalchini that clear the airways. This cough powder can alleviate irritants without any side effects. 

Conclusion

Asthma and ayurvedic treatment can work together quite well. It's all about dedicating yourself to an elevated lifestyle. At Balance Ayurveda, we firmly believe in the power of nature on health. Hence, we offer natural remedies to live a tasteful life. In the end, it's not just about living.  It's about experiencing each moment as you live healthily and ayurveda can help achieve that.