Abstract

Dr. Ankita Sajwan* and Dr. (Prof.) Basant Kumar Thakur

ABSTRACT

Respiratory disease is responsible for a major burden of morbidity and early death. The increasing prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) contributes to the overall burden of chronic disease in the community. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not a single disease but it is a group of disorder in which complete, partial obstruction of trachea bronchial tree occurs which functionally disturbed the lungs. According to WHO, COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide. It is persistent and progressive respiratory symptoms like difficulty in breathing, cough and phlegm production are present. From Ayurveda point of view respiratory diseases occur due to involvement of Pranavaha Srotas. Hence we can say that COPD is one of the disorder of Pranavaha Srotas in which cough, breathing problems, disturbed pattern of respiration occurs. The etiological factors and clinical features of Pranavaha Srotodushti are somewhat similar to COPD. There are so many diseases which are studied under Pranavaha Srotas Vikara in which Kasa and Shwasa are two diseases which can be co-related with COPD. Identification, reduction, and control of risk factors to prevent the onset of COPD are important steps towards developing strategies for prevention of COPD. Lifestyle modification along with treatment principle & formulations mentioned in Ayurveda can be adopted for the prevention and management of COPD.