Bronchial Asthma

• How many Years?
• Family History
• Which medicines & inhalers?
• What is the frequency?

Inflammatory condition of respiratory airways

• It is an inflammatory condition of respiratory airways due to hyper
• sensitivity (Allergy)
• Allergy is undesirable side effect of Immunity
• Inflammation is the phenomena of tissue changes in response to heat/cold, trauma, infection, chemicals. Changes occur by this mechanism are Vaso-dilatation, Increase permeability of capillaries, clogging of fluid due to excess fibrinogen, migration of granulocytes and monocytes at the same site, swelling of tissue cells.
• Result is “Wall Off‟ i.e., isolate the affected tissue from the surrounding.
• Inflammation leads to swelling of mucous membrane, excessive mucus secretion & contraction of smooth muscle, present in the wall of airways.
• These 3 factors cause obstruction to incoming and outgoing air, during breathing, making it difficult.
• Medicines and inhalers reduce inflammation & relieve the spasm of smooth muscle.

Mode of action of Medical Yoga Therapy

• Conscious relaxation in Shavasan reduces anxiety hence minimizes autonomic arousal (Parasympathetic stimulation causes bronchoconstriction.)
• Selective Yogic postures help in rib cage expansion leading to increase in the area of alveolar bed for diffusion
• Strengthening the muscles of ventilation (Inhalation & exhalation) by practice of selective Yogic postures & conscious deep breathing. (Abdominal & Thoracic breathing) (For Abdominal breathing - Thoracic diaphragm For Thoracic breathing -Intercostal muscles , Pectoralis major, Serratus anterior, Erector spinae & Rectus abdominis.
• Practice of Kapalbhati (A shuddhukriya – which is forced exhalation by passive inhalation) improves the capacity of exhalation.

Benefits of Medical Yoga Therapy

• Reduction in number of attacks
• Reduction in severity
• Reduction in medical need
• Reduction in respiratory infections
• Weight gain
• Boost confidence