SHORT TERM EFFECT OF PRANAYAMA AND POSTURAL DRAINAGE ON OXYGEN SATURATION AND PULMONARY FUNCTION IN BRONCHIAL ASTHMA PATIENTS

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways that affects both the small and large airways. It involves various cells and cellular components such as mast cells, eosinophils, T lymphocytes, phagocytes, neutrophils, and epithelial cells. The condition is characterized by an increase in the airway reflex and a persistent inflammatory process, which leads to wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and respiratory failure, especially at night or in the early morning.Lung airways are impacted by chronic illness. The airways are the passageways that enable air to flow into and out of the lungs, allowing for the process of respiration. Swelling and increased mucus (inflammation) in the airways and constricted muscles surrounding the airways are the two main issues with asthma (bronchospasm). All ages’ respiratory and pulmonary physiology depend on airway shape and function. The initial embryonic creation and differentiation of cell types in conducting airways, as well as their function or malfunction throughout life, are in fact influenced by a range of normal and pathological processes.Pranayama is a scientific technique because it is a component of the "yoga" that Maharshi Patanjali codified In relation to yoga,  Only "asana" (postures) won’t help to improve chronic conditions; pranayama, a technique of breath regulation, must also be done in addition to the asana. Even young children, persons with medical conditions, and the elderly can practise pranayama without suffering any negative effects. Chest physical therapy (CPT) is a frequent approach utilised in the management of airway issues . Enhancing mucus clearance, lowering the risk of lung infection, and stopping pulmonary function decline are the main goals. Conventional CPT is utilised in some critically ill patients as well as stable COPD patients to prevent issues during the perioperative phase.There is very little evidence which proves that postural drainage and pranayama together have hand in hand effect on pulmonary function, so the current study focuses on assessing the efficacy of the lungs ability to ventilate by using all of their capacity, peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2%) and preventing exhaustion on practice of pranayama and postural drainage. Hence, Complementary and alternative medicine, such as yoga and chest physiotherapy can be explored as supportive therapies for bronchial asthma.