Definition

There is no specific term in Ayurevda for Bronchiectasis. In the modern world’s understanding- the disease is considered as the disease of the ‘Prana-vaha strotas’ under the category of ‘Kshay’ i.e., complete degenerative disease. This disease is considered very close to ‘Ksayaja Kasa’ and ‘Rajyashshama’ i.e. Tuberculosis, that is why some stages of disease are very hard to diagnose- if it is Bronchiectasis or tuberculosis. Therefore, sometimes, patients end up being treated for tuberculosis. It is a chronic, progressive illness of incurable nature. In Bronchiectasis, the lungs become the battlefield for various infections and our immunity. In most of the cases, Bronchiectasis is a complication of recurrent infections of other chronic lung disease.

According to the western system of medication, Bronchiectasis is the Persistent and progressive(Advancing, going forward, going from bad to worse, increasing in scope or severity) dialation of bronchi or bronchioles as a consequence of inflammatory disease(lungs infections),Obstruction(tumour) or congenital abnormality (for example cystic fibrosis).
Symptoms include fetid breath and paroxysmal (Recurring in paroxysms, spasms or seizures coughing), with expectoration of mucopurulent matter.
It may affect the bronchioles uniformly or occur in irregular pockets or the dilated bronchi may have terminal bulbous enlargements.

Aetiology

According to Ayurveda, intake of visama or irregular type of meals and unwholesome food, abhisyandi food i.e., ingredients which cause obstruction to the channels, excessive sleep, excessive exercise, excessive mental and physical stress. Increased intake of very cold and astringent food, suppression of natural urges and excessive worry, all are considered to initiate the disease process.
All above factors lead to imbalance of all three doshas in the body and adversely affect the digestive fire- jatharagni of the body, which the main channel to generate immunity in the body. Ultimately, the immunity of the body diminishes and the susceptibility to infection increases. This leads to inflammation, obstruction (by excessive mucus) and destruction of the normal lung tissue- bronchi and bronchioles and also overall emaciation of the body.

Clinical Presentation of the disease includes recurrent respiratory infections, productive cough, shortness of breath, and occasional haemoptysis.
The disease presents in two forms - Diffuse or Focal. Diffuse bronchiectasis is more often found in association with underlying disorders such as cystic fibrosis (CF), immune deficiencies (including human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]), primary ciliary dyskinesia, and recurrent aspiration syndromes. Focal bronchiectasis is usually associated with bronchial obstruction (ie, foreign body) that leads to infection. In developing countries, bronchiectasis is still frequently encountered as one of the complication of acute infection.