Breathing Difficulties in COPD Patient - #46057

Thank you for reaching out and trusting this platform with your father’s health journey

From what you have mentioned, your father has COPD with lung bullseye and oxygen levels between 85 to 92%, which is quite low This explains his breathing difficulty, especially during activity along with coughing In Ayurveda, this is due to aggravated vata and kapha leading to weak lung function

Home care can support him, but it cannot replace medical supervision, especially with low oxygen levels It is very important that is evaluated by a pulmonologist as soon as possible because oxygen support or other interventions may be needed to prevent serious complications

He can start on Sithophaladi churna half teaspoon with honey, twice daily after meals Laxmivilasa ras Sanjeevini vati One tablet twice daily after food with turmeric milk Ashwagandha churna half teaspoon with warm water at night Tulsi juice - 5ML once daily with water at morning

Keep him sitting upright, avoid dust, smoke, cold hair, and your warm meals and maintain adequate hydration If he can tolerate, then Pranama, he can start for five minutes, then gradually increasing in time

If oxygen drops below 85 or E experiences, severe breathlessness, confusion or blueish lips or fingers, then consult Physician as soon as possible

Consistent Ayurvedic support can improve comfort and strength, but must be combined with careful medical monitoring

Hello, I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ can totally understand your worry. Chronic breathing problems in a case of COPD, particularly when there are lung bullae and the oxygen level is low, can be quite scary. However, do not frighten yourself unnecessarily, a careful supportive approach can definitely make the patient more comfortable and enhance his quality of life 😊

Your father has:

COPD with lung bullae Shortness of breath for the last 3 months; The oxygen saturation that varies between 85 and 92%; Physical activity makes the symptoms worse; Cough that keeps coming back.

The above information shows that the imbalance between Vata and Kapha doshas in Pranavaha Srotas (respiratory channels) with Mala (mucus) accumulation and weak lung tissue.

According to Ayurveda, respiratory diseases resembling COPD are mostly classified as Shwas Roga with Vata-Kapha dominance, manifesting as airway obstruction, dyspnea, and asthenia.

INTERNAL MEDICATION (For improving breathing, reducing mucus, and supporting lung tissue)

1. Sitopaladi Churna – ½ tsp with warm milk or water twice daily (Ejects mucus, eases breathing, and stabilizes the respiratory tract)

2. Talisadi Churna – ½ tsp with warm water twice daily (Helps bronchial suction and relieves cough)

3. Vasaristha – 10 ml twice daily (Dilates the bronchi, lessens the swelling, and makes the congestion easy)

4. Chyawanprash – 1 tsp in the morning (Enhances the body’s defense mechanism and strengthens lung tissues)

EXTERNAL / HOME THERAPIES

1. Steam inhalation 2 times daily Put a pinch of ajwain or few drops of eucalyptus oil< → Facilitates the loosening of nasal blockage and makes breathing easier.

2. Gentle chest massage with warm sesame or medicated oil → Works through the warmth and circulation to break up the mucus and loosen it for productive coughing.

HOME REMEDIES

1. Tulsi + ginger + black pepper tea – 1–2 cups daily for diminishing inflammatory processes;

2. Honey (assuming sugar intake is not restricted) – ½ tsp twice a day for throat irritation relief

3. Stay away from cold and dusty places and avoid strong-smelling things that will only make your symptoms worse.

DIET PLAN

INCLUDE

Warm, easily digestible foods; Vegetables that are steamed, soups, and khichdi Porridge, dal, and ghee for strength Warm liquids to hydrate and keep mucus thin.

AVOID

Cold drinks, ice, and raw salads; Oily, fried, and heavy foods; Smoking or being in places with polluted air Do not exhaust yourself by overdoing during physical activity.

LIFESTYLE TIPS

Make sure you get your rest throughout the day and keep away from hard work or any other physically demanding activities; While sleeping, don’t lie flat on your back but rather in an incline position that will facilitate breathing;

The use of a pulse oximeter is highly recommended to keep track of oxygen saturation;

Do pranayama but be very gentle and only Anulom-Vilom or Bhramari and under the guidance of your teacher or doctor.

INVESTIGATIONS

Continuous SpO₂ checking; Pulmonary function test (PFT) Chest X-ray / CT scan for assessment of bullae If SpO₂ < 85%, severe breathlessness, or confusion then immediate hospital care is advised.

Breathing can be made easier step by step with proper internal medicine, home therapies that keep the patient comfortable, a warm diet, and rest, but because of lung bullae, ongoing medical supervision is very important.

Kind Regards, Dr Snehal ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌Vidhate

Ayurveda is supportive therapy. He likely requires Supplemental Oxygen (Oxygen Concentrator) at home to prevent heart strain.

Since he has air pockets (bullae), he must NOT do Kapalbhati or forceful breathing exercises. It can burst the bullae and cause a lung collapse (Pneumothorax).

Medicines (To Improve Saturation & Dilate Airways) 1 Swas Kas Chintamani Ras (Gold): 1 tablet twice daily. Mix with a little Honey or warm water. 2 Kanakasava: 15ml mixed with 15ml warm water, twice daily (after food). 3 Sitopaladi Mix: Mix Sitopaladi Churna (1 tsp) + Abhrak Bhasma (1 pinch / 125mg) + Tankan Bhasma (1 pinch). Take this powder mix with Honey twice daily.

External Therapy Chest Application: Apply warm Karpooradi Oil or Mustard Oil (mixed with garlic) on the chest and back. Fomentation: Follow with a hot water bag or steam. This loosens the chest tightness.

Lifestyle Management (Crucial for Oxygen) Prone Positioning (Makarasana): If he is breathless, ask him to lie on his stomach (chest down) with a pillow under his chest/hips for 30 minutes.

Pursed Lip Breathing: Inhale through the nose, then exhale slowly through the mouth with lips pursed (like whistling). This keeps airways open longer.

Dietary Advice Avoid: Dairy (Milk/Curd/Cheese) and Bananas completely. They produce mucus which clogs the already damaged lungs.

Diet: Give warm soups (Garlic soup, Chicken soup, or Moong Dal soup). Heavy solid food requires more oxygen to digest; keep the diet light.

Regards Dr Gursimran Jeet Singh MD Panchakarma

Thank you for contacting Ask Ayurveda

Yours father having COPD with lung bullae and oxygen levels between 85 to 92 percent means his lungs are already under significant strain and the breathing difficulty which is worsening over the last three months and getting triggered by physical activity is suggesting reduced lung reserve and air trapping which is a serious chronic stage

Ayurvedic medicine cannot cure COPD or remove bullae, because these are structural changes in the lungs.it will support breathing, reduce cough and mucus, improve lung efficiency to some extent, reduce flare ups and improve quality of life when used regular medical care.

The most important point is If oxygen saturation falls below 88 percent at rest, long-term oxygen therapy is usually required. Please do not delay or avoid pulmonologist follow-up. Herbs should be used only as supportive care, not as a replacement. What ayurvedic medicines can do ? Reducing airway inflammation Reducing excessive mucus and cough Improving stamina slightly Supporting digestion so breathing effort reduces Preventing frequent infections

What it cannot do It cannot heal lung bullae It cannot reverse COPD damage It cannot replace inhalers or oxygen if needed

Herbal medicines are chosen to open airways, reduce inflammation, and mucus thickness. These are usually taken in low doses and monitored carefully, especially in elderly patients.

No smoking or passive smoke exposure at all Avoid dust, cold air, incense smoke, mosquito coils Keep activity very gentle, slow walking only if oxygen stays above safe limits Small frequent meals, not heavy meals Avoid very cold drinks, curd at night, fried foods, excess sweets

MAKE him practice pranayama or slow breathing exercises if he tolerates but do not force him Make him sleep with head elevated steam inhalation with plain water can be given once daily

Keep monitoring the following and if you notice like Oxygen falling below 85 percent Sudden worsening of breathlessness,Bluish lips or fingers,Confusion or extreme fatigue,Chest pain or fever take ER ASAP

Ayurveda can be used as a supportive therapy to make breathing easier and reduce symptoms…

Regards Dr prasad

Considering your father’s current condition with COPD and the presence of bullae on his lung, it is very important he gets medical supervision. A drop in oxygen saturation to the levels you’re reporting - between 85-92% - can be serious, indicating potential respiratory distress. Immediate evaluation by healthcare professionals is essential to prevent further complications. It’s always best for acute breathing difficulties to consult with a pulmonologist for potential interventions such as supplemental oxygen therapy which might be needed along with other treatments.

Complementary to conventional medical treatment, Ayurveda can offer supportive management, especially in chronic conditions. A customized approach that focuses on balancing the doshas, improving lung function, and enhancing overall vitality might be beneficial. Here are some ways Ayurveda can help:

1. Dietary Adjustments: Avoid foods that increase Kapha dosha, such as dairy, oily, and fried foods. Include warming and easy-to-digest foods in the diet, like ginger tea, turmeric milk, or soups made with spices like cumin and coriander to help ayurvedic digestion (agni).

2. Herbal Support: Herbs like Tulsi (Holy Basil), Pippali (Long Pepper), and Vasa (Adhatoda vasica) can be supportive for respiratory health. These should be taken after consulting with an Ayurvedic practitioner to ensure they are suitable for his specific constitution (prakriti) and current health status.

3. Breathing Exercises (Pranayama): Techniques such as Anulom Vilom (alternate nostril breathing) can help improve lung function over time. Encourage gentle practices under guidance to prevent strain.

4. Lifestyle Modifications: Ensure a smoke-free environment, maintain humidity levels with the help of a humidifier if necessary, and encourage regular gentle walking in fresh air, avoiding cold and damp conditions which may aggravate symptoms.

These suggestions should be seen as adjuncts to, not replacements for, professional medical care. Always discuss new interventions with healthcare providers to ensure safety and appropriateness given his current medical needs.

Some regime you should follow

✔️Do’s:✔️ Eat freshly cooked food. Chew an inch of fresh ginger half an before meal. Eat only fruit vegetables. Daily sleeping on the tummy and chest for 15-20 mins twice a day with neck turned to the left side.

🧘‍♀️Yoga🧘‍♀️ Virabhadrasana Trikonasana Vrukshasan Prasavkonasan Bhujangasan Balasan Shavana

🧘‍♀️Pranayam🧘‍♀️ Anulom Vilom Bhastrika Kapalbhati

❌Dont’s:❌ Sitting directly under a fan or right in front of the A.C Dairy Sugar and Rice Oily, spicy, processed food. Packed food products. Sour and fermented items. Bakery items. Fried food products. Potatoes.

💊Medication💊

Cap.Nelsin 2 caps twice a day before food Tab. Sanjivani Vati 2 tabs twice a day before food

Sitopaladi churna 1 tsp thrice a day with honey. Avoid honey if he is diabetic.

Syp. Vasakasav 2 tsp thrice a day

Chitrak haritaki Avleham 2 tsp early in the morning with a cup of hot water.

If he is having too much difficulty in breating please use support of inhalers till the ayurvedic medicines start working.

HELLO,

Your father is suffering from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) along with lung bullae

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HIS LUNGS? -over many years, the air tubes of the lungs have become narrow, weak, and inflamed -Air gets trapped inside the lungs -Bullae are abnormal air filled sacs formed because the lung tissue has lost strength -Due to this -oxygen does not enter the blood properly -breathing becomes difficult, especially on walking or activity -oxygen saturation stays between 85-92% which is below normal

WHY IS BREATHING WORSE DURING ACTIVITY? -Diseased lungs cannot increases oxygen supply when the body demands more -Trapped air prevents fresh oxygen from entering -Muscles get tired faster-> breathlessness increases

In Ayurveda, this condition resembles

TAMAKA SHWASA (chronic breathlessness) Main problems involved -Vata dosha-> causes dryness, weakness, air trapping, bullae -Kapha dosha-> causes mucus, cough, airway blockage -Pranavaha srotas dushti-> damage to breathing channels -Dhatukshaya-> weakening reminded lung tissue -Ojas kshaya-> reduced immunity and stamina

This is considered a Yapya vyadhi MEANING= cannot be cured completely but can be well controlled

TREATMENT GOALS -reduce breathlessness -improve oxygen utilization -reduce cough and mucus -strengthen lung tissue -slow further damage -reduce dependency o emergency care -improve daily comfort and sleep -prevent infection and flare ups

INTERNAL MEDICATIONS

A) MEDICINES FOR BREATHLESSNESS AND AIRWA OPENING

1) SHWASA KUTHAR RASA= 1 tab once daily with honey for 8 weeks =reduces airway obstruction, improves airflow, acts fast in breathlessness

2) TALISADI CHURNA + SITOPALADI CHURNA= 1 tsp twice daily with honey after meals =clears mucus, improves breathing, strengthens lungs, soothes airway, reduces cough, helps oxygen exchange

B) MEDICINES TO STRENGTHEN LUNGS AND IMMUNITY

3) VASAVALEHA= 1 tsp twice daily after meals =lung tonic, reduces inflammation, improves oxygen absorption

4) KANTAKARI AVALEHA= 1 tsp at bedtime =relieves chronic cough, reduces breathlessness at night

5) YASHTIMADHU CHURA= 1/2 tsp twice daily with honey =heals damaged lung lining, soothing, anti-inflammatory, helpful in bullae pateints

6) CHAWANPRASHA= 1 tsp daily in mroning = rasayana, improves stamina and immunity, reduces frequent ifections

EXTERNAL THERAPIES

1) PARTIMARSHA NASYA= anu atila 2 drops in each nostril daily morning = lubricates airways, reduces dryness, improves breathing comfort

2) OIL MASSAGE= WARM SESAME OIL chest, back 3-4 times/week = reduces vata, improves circulation, relaxes breathing muscles

YOGA AND PRANAYAM (only gentle) Done slowly, never to exhaustion

-Anulom vilom= 5 min -Bhramari= 5 rounds -Deep relaxed breathing

AVOID -kapalbhati -bhastrika -breath holding -fast yoga

DIET -warm, freshly cooked meals -rice, wheat, moong dal -garlic, ginger -turmeric milk if tolerated -warm water sips

AVOID COMPLETELY -cold drinks -ice creams -curd at night -fried and heavy foods -smoking/passive smoke

HOME REMEDIES -Ginger juice 1/2 tsp + honey once daily -Turmeric milk at bedtime -Steam inhaltion= plain water steam 5 min only

INVESTGATION ADVISED -pulse oximetry daily -pulmonary function test -chest CT to assess bullae -CBC, CRP infection monitoring

WARNING SIGNS -oxygen saturation <88% persistently -sudden severe breathlessness -fever with sputum -chest pain -confusion or extreme fatigue

This condition is manageable but not curable Ayurveda helps by -slowing progression -improving comfort -strengthening lungs -reducing exacerbations -Never stop inhalers or oxgen -Regular follow up is essential

DO FOLLOW

HOPE THIS MIGHT BE HELPFUL

THANK YOU

DR. MAITRI ACHARYA