Bronchitis is the inflammation of the air passages between the nose and the lungs. It may also include the trachea and the windpipe and also the larger air tubes of the lungs that bring in air from the trachea. In bronchitis the interior linings of the bronchial tubes swell thereby reducing their effective diameter. Due to this the amount of air passing through the trachea into the lungs is reduced and so does the amount of waste gas coming from the lungs. This triggers the production of thicker mucous which further blocks the air passages.

Bronchitis can be acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis is of short duration and is cured within two weeks while chronic bronchitis persists for much longer duration. Acute bronchitis is caused either by a bacterial or viral infection while chronic bronchitis is a serious lung disease and is mainly caused by inhaling respiratory tract irritants. Acute bronchitis mainly occurs during winter and is followed by viral infection like cold or flu. A secondary bacterial infection may also accompany this disease. Chronic bronchitis develops only slowly. Cilia, the hairy outgrowths from the cells that line the respiratory system slowly become paralyzed and their movement is stopped due to the inhalation of the lung irritants. So, the cilia are no loner able to move the mucus and the airways become clogged.

When chronic bronchitis proceeds breathing may become more difficult and you may feel tightness in your chest. Due to breathing difficulties less oxygen is inhaled into your body. This may cause your lips and body to turn blue and cause overall tiredness. In the advanced stages you will get chest pains and your feet and ankles may become swollen. Many tend to lose weight and have trouble sleeping. The damaged lungs may force the heart to work harder leading to its failure.

Bronchitis can be treated with medication. But it may reappear if favorable conditions prevail. So the ultimate aim of any bronchial patient should be to prevent the episode of infections. The main problem associated with any bronchitis patient is the unavailability of adequate amount of oxygen. Maintaining a healthy respiratory system is the most crucial step in preventing bronchitis. The exercises for bronchial patients must not be too hard but at the same must aerate the lungs and increase the oxygen levels in the blood.

Yoga, one of the six orthodox systems of Indian philosophy can be of great help in achieving this aim. The continuous practices of asanas bring lightness and an exhilarating feeling in the body and mind and a feeling of oneness of body, mind and soul. A yogi must maintain discipline in diet and lifestyle thereby enhancing the effects of the asanas. There are many asanas that prevents the recurrence of bronchitis. Relaxation technique of pranayamas improves the mucociliary clearance. Asanas like supta virasana, sarvangasana, sirsasana, bhujangasana, viparita dandasana, salabhasana, ustrasana etc can be done to improve lung capacity. Pranayamas can be practiced once the severity of the infection has lessened.

Asanas increases the vasculartiry of the lungs while retaining its softness. The exchange capacity for gases increases and the excess mucus is drained off. Poses having forward bends improves blood flow and massages the posterior lobes of the lungs. Poses having backward bends help remove excess mucus from the bronchial tree. Twisting poses squeezes the lateral parts of the lungs thereby improving their function. Pranayamas on the other hand allows more oxygen to enter the lungs through the practice of kumbhaka. The retention process facilitates deeper penetration of oxygen thereby increasing its chances of being absorbed by the hemoglobin in the blood. Ujjayi pranayama is practiced in the beginning as it causes less strain and then one may proceed towards nadi sodhana and surya bhedana pranayamas for more benefits.