Yoga Intervention for Mental Health and Quality of Life in Bronchial Asthmatic Patients: A Review

Abstract

Asthma is a non communicable obstructive lung disease. It is a condition in which a person's airways become inflamed, narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, making breathing difficult. After being diagnosed with asthma patients not only suffer from physical symptoms but also mental disorders such as prolonged stress, anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorders), and fear and panic disorders also. Mental disorders of asthma in some cases, may lead to a life-threatening attack and damage their quality of life. In addition, people with mental disorders are often physically and emotionally drained, which may limit their ability to self-manage their asthma. Yoga act as a panacea therapy for them. Yoga is not only a group of some asana, pranayama and meditation but, it is a complete mind-body intervention and holistic approach towards life. During yoga, slow and deep breathing calms the mind, increases self awareness and gives stability. Yoga therapy may help to balance the autonomic nervous system and may decrease sympathetic activity and increases parasympathetic arousal, which relaxes the body and mind. So, in this way, yoga helps to decrease the level of stress, anxiety, depression, fear and another kind of mental and behavioural disorders and gives better quality of life. Overall yoga helps to increase mental well being and improve the quality of life among bronchial asthmatic patients in a holistic way. The present paper is a systematic review based on the role of yoga for mental health and the level of Quality of Life among Bronchial Asthmatic Patients.