BRONCHIAL ASTHMA

Due to various stimuli there is an increased responsiveness of the trachea-bronchial tree, which results in paroxysmal (sudden) contraction of the bronchial airways. (i.e. a sudden onset of difficulty in breathing ) This is known as bronchial asthma.
There are two types in it. They are Extrinsic (allergen, regain mediated) and Intrinsic (idiopathic) or precipitated by various factors. It can be explained briefly as below.
1. ATOPIC ASTHMA: This is the most common type of asthma occurring in majority of cases which is acute. This is mainly because of allergies due to environmental antigens such as dust, pollen grains, foods, etc often with a positive family history. These antigens entering the lungs create a IgE mediated hyper-sensitive reaction i.e. binding of the antigens by IgE coated mast cells. This leads to the release of certain mediators such as histamine, chemotactic factors, prostaglandin D2 cytokines, neuropeptides, etc. This mediators cause bronchospasam, edema, mucus secretion and recruitment of leukocytes (basophils, eosinophils, neutrophils, monocytes). This recruitment of leukocytes is the reason for the later phase of the reaction because of which the asthmatic attack is prolonged. It is characterized by persistant bronchospasm and edema, leukocytic infiltration and necrosis of epithelial cells.
2. NON ATOPIC ASTHMA( non reaginic): These are the other types of asthma caused by respiratory tract infection, chemical reactions and drugs. This type usually does not have a family history. There is no evidence of IgE mediated hypersensitivity. The primary cause of increased airway reactivity is unknown.
So in general for bronchial asthma in modern medicine they treat with medicines that suppress the IgE mediated hypersensitive reactions. Generally it is treated with antihistamines and steroids. Prolonged use of these cause several side effects including hormonal imbalance, which results in several complications.
In siddha system we can control the effects of asthma to a great extent. Even though the disease is not completely cured, we can control the disease to certain limits without side effects. There are several siddha medicines which effectively controls the bronchospasm in asthma without side effects.