Asthma Interfere With Our Respiratory Organs

The science of Yoga specialises in breath control. It offers vital information regarding respiration and techniques which can relieve health problems including asthma.

In yogic terminology the physical body is called the Annamaya Kosha or the “food sheath”. It is constructed out of the food we eat. The vital body or etheric body is called the Pranamaya Kosha and is built out of all the energies we have assimilated from food but more specifically via our breathing. Breathing is looked upon as the primary nourishment for continuance of life, over and above the need for food and water.

The vital body or etheric body holds the pattern for the natural flow of prana or energy within the individual and acts as our shield, protecting us from outside influences through a positive radiation of abundant energy. Any disturbance in these energies brings about a reaction in a physical disturbance or health problem. Correction of breathing and respiratory difficulties is therefore of paramount importance not only for the immediate relief of the sufferer, but for assurance of his future well being.

The yogic concept is that our health is determined by our psychological states and that irregularities in health can therefore be assisted by adjustments made in our thinking and our emotional life. It is by maintaining a balanced relationship between our thoughts and our emotions, that we can best preserve our good health. In addition, we apply physical corrective measures. In the case of asthma, this would include nutritional considerations, herbal medicines, physiotherapy, inhalation of essential oils, physical exercises, correction of body posture, respiratory exercises and training in breath control.

The average person breathes approximately 23-25,000 breaths per day. Each breath has 3 aspects inhalation, retention and exhalation. These three processes determine the regularity of supply and flow of life energy or prana within the body as well as the balance of oxygen and carbon di-oxide within the blood and cells. The three processes – inhalation, retention and exhalation should be balanced as they are by the action of the sympathetic nervous system in the nature of a well balanced individual. The three processes symbolize 1) the receptive process of drawing in vital nourishment 2) the power to absorb and utilise energy 3) the expression of the creative life energies.

The asthmatic has the three processes out of balance in himself. He usually draws in and is receptive but tends to suffer from an inability to exhale and express his energies and talents, his feeling or his thoughts. In some way he is choked by his own energy intake. Fear intensifies the blockage, intensifies his discomfort and the disease itself. This is of course a generalization and you will agree that there are exceptions. However this and any other imbalance in the psychological attitude of the sufferer must be adjusted before normal, natural, rhythmic respiration can occur. We all must become attuned to harmonise with the law and rhythm which is behind the power of Nature giving us life through our breath. And our breathing is a unique process which is partly orchestrated by Nature itself and partly by our own consciousness.

The process of respiration is therefore one which has a subconscious or unconscious component and one which is controlled by conscious awareness. In order to bring the two into harmony or in the case of asthma, restore the relationship, we have to consider the subconscious fears and inhibiting factors as we apply our therapy to the mechanisms of breathing. In an adult this can be addressed reasonably directly through consultation with a psychologist, counsellor or therapist. With infants and children, the task must be largely undertaken by the parents and therapists on the child’s behalf by making opportunity for the inner thoughts and feelings of the child to be expressed and by contributing positive suggestions to help them re-programme their reactions to negative situations. We have to help them to breath properly in exercises directed through our suggestion.

Nature has given us 2 nostrils instead of one big hole – not for aesthetic reasons, (because it looks better) but to enable us to tune in or plug in to the electro-magnetic energies which sustain life and which can be seen to correspond with what we call electricity. The energy which is drawn through the right nostril corresponds to the positive and the left nostril breath to the negative energies which in Indian terms are known as ‘pingala and ida’ and in Chinese philosophy as ‘yang and yin’.

You can verify the existence of these energies by a simple demonstration. Sitting in a relaxed manner and without actually touching the hands – place them an inch apart palms facing each other, at about waist height. Pay attention to the feeling between the hands. Then with an easy rhythmic series of movements draw the hands a little way apart, say 30 cm and back again to their original position. Repeating this in a light, bellows-like fashion, many times with elbows relaxed and no tension in the hands. After a short while you will begin to feel either a certain warmth, tingling sensation or magnetic pull between your hands, depending upon the type of energy flowing through you. Although invisible, your energy is very real.

Children with no preconceived ideas will register these sensations, so please allow no scepticism to affect your sensitivity. Try to register the sensations impartially. You will find that the feelings will differ at different times and under different circumstances. If you think that it may be displaced air that creates the sensation between the hands – please experiment further and you will find that it is the back of the hands which register the air displacement through your movement.

Our body temperature and functions are balanced by these energies and when they are out of balance, we have manifestation of disease of some kind. Throughout the day there is a natural fluctuation with the air flowing first through one nostril, then the other with the right side heating and the left side cooling. Together they also maintain Nature’s air conditioning system. The process occurs through the swelling of the delicate turbinal membranes in the nostrils, which direct the air through one side or the other. There is an interval of time where the change-over occurs and both nostrils are equally open. This fact can be easily checked by using a finger to close one nostril at a time.

Remember that for centuries, dedicated yogis explored all the avenues of nature by simple methods of personal observation and personal experience. They had no instrument other then that of their own body and mind. They spent time observing, waiting, watching to discover these laws behind human breath. They believed that because the human being can control his life-breath he therefore must have access to the source of Life for himself.

Asthma is a condition where the Left side has been overactive, sometimes for years and the alternating rhythm has not functioned as it should. This rhythm may have been interfered with by the thoughts, emotions and attitudes of the individual and the irregularity exacerbated by physical conditions. Too much mucous or catarrh and nasal congestion as well as allergies as a result of pollution of various kinds makes modern conditions and healing asthma more difficult as all these factors are present to a greater or lesser degree, in conjunction with the discussed psychological conditions which reflect some imbalance. In any case, no matter the causative factors, the natural polarity of positive and negative energies will not be adjusted again until the Right nostril becomes more active.

There are certain measures which can help and are used prior to breathing exercises. One is to cleanse the nostrils with cold water sniffing or with some it may be best to use warm salted water. The cold water will reduce any inflammation of the tissues in the nose. Some people prefer to splash the nose with cold water. Sneezing afterwards is considered a normal reaction. This practice called Neti is done by yogis using a special Neti pot for the purpose.

Steam inhalations and also direct inhalation of essential oils is beneficial with peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil and pine oil being popular. It is largely a matter of personal selection to find which is most beneficial. Other delightful perfumes are found in cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, lemon and lime. Development of sensitivity of olfaction directly aids respiration as the regio respiratoria and the regio olfactoria are closely associated in the brain itself.

There are also other subtle therapies proving helpful in the treatment of asthma but therapy for this condition necessarily involves more direct physical treatment upon the spine, body posture, muscular exercises and controls including certain techniques known in Yoga as ‘bandhas’. There must be immediate relief given in cases of critical and acute symptoms of asthma attack but long term reconditioning of the whole person is important also, along with the need to practise the art of relaxation and muscular exercises to reduce strain on the nervous system.

At least half the cases of asthma seem to be caused or aggravated by an allergy. The child may be sensitive to pollens or dust or to certain foods or drugs. Some asthma seem to result from infections of the organs of breathing (e.g colds), the child having become sensitive to the products of the germs causing the infection.

You know there is an asthma attack when you see your child sitting bolt upright in bed with his arms extended at his sides, pressing downward against the bed and his skin appears blue because he is not able to breathe the normal amount of air. You can hear wheezing and the large veins of his neck are conspicuous, his heart “pounds” at a rapid rate. What happens is that there is interference with the passage of air through the membrane-lined tubes which serve the lungs. These tubes become swollen and congested and there is more difficulty in expelling air from the lungs than drawing it in.

As parents, you may take some comfort in the knowledge that though such circumstances may be terrifying, children seldom die as a direct result. However when attacks are repeated time after time, the child’s general health declines, possibly with permanent damage to lung tissues.

Immediate home treatments for toddler’s mild attacks:

1) Try giving the child a hot drink of milk or plain hot water. This may relax the tissues in the air passages.

2) Steam inhalation accompanied by a hot foot bath may bring relief. If no mechanical vaporizer is available, you may conduct steam from a pan of boiling water through a paper cone. Care must be taken not to burn the face and to ensure a supply of fresh air.

3) If these remedies do not relieve the attack, call a physician or take him to the hospital.

Long range natural treatments for Infants:

From birth to 6 months, breast milk is the optimum food in order to prevent asthma. Full time breast feeding will build a strong immune system. Some of the special substances in breast milk are designed to protect your infant’s intestinal tract from infection, enhance overall defenses and help the immune system strengthen and mature.

Bronchitis is a very common respiratory disease. It can accompany flu or cold and it occurs in people of all ages. Smokers and people with weak immune system are very exposed to developing chronic bronchitis and in some cases asthmatic bronchitis. Smoking is considered to be a serious factor of risk in the development of bronchitis and it can lead to complications such as pneumonia.

Bronchitis is mostly caused by viruses, in which case the illness clears on itself within days, without medical treatment. However, if the illness is caused by bacteria, medical treatment with antibiotics is required for overcoming bronchitis completely. Bronchitis can be either acute or chronic. The acute form of the illness generates intense symptoms, but if it caused by viruses, it usually clears up quickly. Acute bronchitis is very common in people of all ages and rarely requires medical treatment. Chronic bronchitis generates milder symptoms, which can aggravate in time. This form of illness is persistent and has a recidivating character. Chronic bronchitis needs continuous treatment until the illness is completely overcome, otherwise the symptoms will quickly reoccur. This form of bronchitis involves bacterial infection and needs specific, long-term medical treatment with antibiotics. Chronic bronchitis has a very high incidence in smokers and people with weak immune system.

Bronchitis generates symptoms such as cough, excess production of mucus, shortness of breath, chest pain, soreness and discomfort, wheezing, headache and fever. The presence of fever can point to bacterial infections and possible complications. Bronchitis is difficult to diagnose, considering the fact that its symptoms are also common to many other respiratory conditions (asthma, sinusitis). However, careful physical examinations and laboratory analyses can reveal the presence of bronchitis in most patients. Bronchitis is one of the most common respiratory illnesses among chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Despite its high incidence in people with respiratory conditions, bronchitis is often misdiagnosed. A clinical examination of patients with bronchitis is sometimes insufficient in revealing the actual cause of illness. Bronchitis is often misdiagnosed and confused with asthma, sinusitis or allergies.

If bronchitis isn’t caused by bacterial infections, the aim of medical treatments is to unblock the obstructed airways of the respiratory tract. Bronchitis causes inflammation of the mucous membrane, bronchial tubes and other organs and tissues involved in the process of breathing. When these fragile respiratory organs become inflamed and irritated, they produce excess mucus, in an attempt to protect themselves from external agents (dust particles, irritants). This excess of mucus clogs the airways and obstructs the access of air to the lungs, causing difficulty breathing, wheezing and cough. Medical treatments often include inhaled medicines which help unblock the airways of the respiratory tract. Such medicines are called bronchodilators and are mostly used in chronic bronchitis and asthmatic bronchitis.

As an ex-smoker, I can tell you none of us realizes the importance of breath until we’re short of it. We can go 3 weeks without food, 3 days without water, but only about 4 minutes without air. It’s pretty clear we need to do all we can to develop healthy lungs, avoid lung damage, exercise, diet, and commit to therapy to regain healthy lungs, once they’ve been damaged. The following paragraphs can help you do all of it.

Avoiding Lung Damage: Obviously, avoiding damage is on the short list of how to develop healthy lungs. Unfortunately, if you’re like me, when you’re young, you don’t think much about that stuff. I smoked for almost 20 years, but that isn’t the only thing that damages your lungs. Smoking pot, huffing and snorting drugs can do as much damage. Don’t ask me how I know.

Some careers, like welding, steel work, painting, coal work, hair dressing, plating, etc. can damage your lungs. Take the precautions seriously. If a job you’re doing calls for a mask or breathing apparatus, use the best one you can get for the job. Even exercise isn’t enough to recover from some lung damage.

Exercises To Develop Healthy Lungs: It may seem obvious, but aerobic (with air) exercises are the best to develop healthy lungs. These types of exercise get your heart rate and breathing up to a high level and maintain that level for at least 20 minutes, 3-5 times a week. The exercise has to slowly increase in intensity as your fitness improves and it no longer taxes your breathing enough. Jogging, walking, swimming, fast dancing, rowing, stationary bikes and elliptical trainers are probably the best for aerobic exercise.

Healthy Weight For Lung Health: Many don’t exercise their lungs because of their weight. Most of us don’t realize the wear and tear we put on our lungs by being overweight. I had a friend who sounded like he had just run a race, while he was just sitting in a chair. He was about 200 pounds overweight. Even 20 pounds can make a huge difference on your lungs. If you don’t know what your healthy weight should be, or how to get to it, here’s a page with weight loss tips to help you.

Regaining Healthy Lungs: This year, it will be 19 years since I smoked. Fortunately, I only have asthma interfering with my breathing. Both my mother and my sister died while on oxygen due to emphysema (from smoking). If you have a breathing condition due to lung damage, you may think that’s a reason to take it easy, not exercise, maybe allow a few extra pounds…because you’re sick, right? My experience with asthma has taught me I must get regular aerobic exercise and keep my weight down to keep breathing. If I stop exercising for as little as 3 days, I can feel it in my breathing. By a week, I’m taking my inhaler 2-3 times a day. If I gain as little as 10 pounds, I have great difficulty doing my exercise and other daily activities.

Don’t take my word for it, listen to my mother and sister. My mother went on oxygen at age 65 and got serious about her health. She quit smoking, lost weight and walked for exercise every day. She walked a couple miles a day in the neighborhood, rolling her oxygen tank behind her. She walked in the shopping mall during the Winter and Summer, long enough to be awarded a 1,000 mile t-shirt at around age 70. She lived 15 years after starting her oxygen, learned oil painting and won awards, and did thousands of hours of volunteer community service. My sister went on oxygen at age 62, refused to exercise and gained about 30 pounds. She lived only 3 years longer. What can you do with 12 years? Don’t let a little lung damage keep you down.

As my Mom and sister can tell you, developing healthy lungs and regaining as much lung capacity as possible after damage, require discipline and hard work, but they can reap great benefits. If weight control and exercise added 12 years to my Mom’s life after she got a fatal lung condition, how much can they benefit you? The earlier you start developing healthy lungs, the longer you’ll enjoy the life you have. Don’t wait until you’re short of breath, like we did.