UNDERSTANDING CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE THROUGH AYURVEDIC PRINCIPLES: A CONCEPTUAL REVIEW

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic, progressive respiratory disorder characterized by irreversible airflow limitation and significant systemic involvement. Although COPD is not described as a single disease entity in the Ayurvedic classics, its clinical features, disease progression, and complications show close resemblance to several conditions elaborated in Ayurveda, including Kāsa, Tāmaka Śvāsa, Urahkṣata, Hṛdroga, Śopha, and Rājayakṣmā. Understanding COPD through Ayurvedic principles allows a comprehensive interpretation of its multifactorial pathogenesis and supports a holistic, stage-wise management approach. From an Ayurvedic perspective, COPD can be conceptualized as a Prāṇavaha-srotodusṭi vikāra with progressive multi-srotas involvement. Long-standing exposure to nidānas such as dhūma sevana, environmental pollutants, faulty dietary habits, improper lifestyle practices, agnimāndya, and suppression of natural urges (vegarodha) leads to Kapha-Vāta doṣa vitiation, srotorodha, dhātu-kṣaya, and oja-kṣaya. Chronic exposure to smoke and pollutants may be understood as dūṣīviṣa, producing slow-acting yet irreversible pathological changes affecting the respiratory, circulatory, and metabolic systems. The disease progression correlates with Kāsa in early stages, Tāmaka Śvāsa during chronic obstruction, and Rājayakṣmā-, Hṛdroga-, and Śopha-like manifestations in advanced stages. Concepts such as agni dysfunction, srotodusṭi, vegarodha, upaśaya-anupaśaya, and samprāpti provide a coherent framework to explain the chronicity, systemic involvement, and complications of COPD. COPD is considered an asādhyā condition due to irreversible structural damage; however, it can be effectively managed as a yāpya vyādhi. Ayurvedic management emphasizes stage-wise chikitsā incorporating śodhana, śamana, bṛṃhaṇa, rasāyana, adravyā chikitsā, nidāna parivarjana, and pathya-apathya. Early intervention and sustained Ayurvedic care can significantly reduce symptom burden, slow disease progression, and improve quality of life in patients with COPD.