For your mother-in-law’s symptoms of chest tightness and difficulty breathing, particularly triggered by cold weather and stress, it sounds like an imbalance involving vata and possibly kapha doshas, with stress contributing a pitta increase. Although her PFT results are normal, the symptoms align with a vata and kapha aggravation leading to constricted airways and muscle tension.
First, focusing on warming and soothing her body can be beneficial. Encourage her to keep warm especially in cold weather, and consider using warm, calming oils like sesame oil for daily abhyanga (self-massage). Apply the oil warmed to a comfortable temperature, and this can help reduce vata dosha and improve circulation.
Introduce a diet that stabilizes vata and kapha. This means warm, cooked, and easily digestible foods. Soups, stews and herbal teas (like ginger and tulsi) can be supportive. Avoid cold, raw foods which can exacerbate the symptoms. Honey mixed with warm water can help in clearing kapha but only use small quantities.
An ayurvedic formulation like Agastya rasayanam can be beneficial for respiratory issues. However, it’s important to consult an Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage.
For stress, simple breathing exercises like pranayama can help; specifically, nadi shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) can be calming. Encourage her to practice it daily, preferably morning time and again in the evening.
If she experiences any acute or severe symptoms, seek immediate medical attention as respiratory distress can escalate quickly. Continue using foracort as per the prescription until her symptoms stabilize.
