Evaluation of the Effect of Ritucharya on Spirometric Parameters in Patients of Bronchial Asthma

Human beings and environment are the two faces of a same coin, which are much complex, dynamic, inter-dependent, mutually reactive and inter-related. Annual change of seasons leads to disturbance in the equilibrium of Tridosha in the body. Non-observance of Ritucharya (specific regimen of six different seasons) leads to further imbalance of doshas and various diseases, Bronchial asthma (Tamaka Shvasa) is an important one of them. Asthma is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It is estimated to cause between 3,500 and 5,000 deaths annually in the United States. Global burden of Asthma could be reduced by combined efforts of patients and their health care providers in terms of awareness and observance of Ritucharya along with standard drug therapy. This clinical study was done to evaluate the effect of observance of Ritucharya on Spirometric parameters of Bronchial Asthma (Tamaka Shvasa) patients, especially Forced Expiratory Volume in one second and Forced Vital Capacity. Out of total 140 patients, group A cases were advised to take modern standard drug therapy and group B cases were advised to follow particular Ritucharya in different seasons along with standard drug therapy. Changes in different parameters were recorded at three follow-ups. There was statistically significant increase in FEV1 and FVC values of group B cases as compared to cases of group A. These findings show the additive effect of the observance of Ritucharya for improvement of lung functions and better management of Bronchial Asthma.