From pollution Save yoga, pranayam for early afternoons in winter season, advise doctors
NEW DELHI: Sixty-three-year-old Sterre Sharma, who has lived in Delhi all her life, has been suffering from multiple respiratory disorders for more than 25 years. She had chronic sinusitis, a condition in which the nasal passage gets inflamed, and bronchitis, a condition in which the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes become inflamed.
“It was very bad for me. I used to keep sneezing and coughing the entire day. My eyes would turn red and itchy. This city is very polluted and I was able to control my symptoms through jal neeti and yogasanas,” she said.
She does anulom vilom, a breathing exercise using alternate nostrils; kapalbhati, strong forceful inhalation and exhalation; sun salutations and head stand every morning. “I step out to my garden around nine in the morning without fail and do my asanas,” said Sharma.
She trains with the Universal Yoga Centre in Karkardooma. Around 30% of the people who come there have some kind of respiratory disorder, said founder Vijay Yoga.
However, yogasanas mainly help in relaxation, says Dr Neeraj Jain, chair of the department of chest medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. “In healthy people, the asanas have a relaxing effect. But in people who recovered from long illnesses, such exercise can help in strengthening their respiratory muscles,” he said.
Regular exercise — brisk walking, cycling and swimming — along with good nutrition can help in maintaining a healthy respiratory system, say experts.
“The health of the respiratory system depends on the overall well being of the body. Pranayam can help, but, it does not change the kind of air a person breathes,” said Dr (Brig) Ashok Rajput, director of pulmonology department at Fortis Shalimar. But exercising outdoors should be avoided during winter when the concentration of particulate matter is higher in the lower atmosphere, he added.
“In winters, there is a lot of smog and particulate matter in the atmosphere, so, exercising in the open must be avoided early morning. One should step out only after the sun comes out, in the early afternoon. People who have respiratory tract and lung disorders should exercise only inside their house, preferably with an air-purifier,” said Dr Jain.
He advised people with such disorders to avoid sudden temperature changes and cover their heads, neck and chest while stepping out of the house.
Dr Vikas Maurya, senior consultant of respiratory medicine at BL Kapoor Hospital, suggests deep breathing exercises. “Deep breathing exercises help in improving lung function. It is best early morning and in the open. But in winters it is not advisable,” he said.