Effect of Exercise on Asthma from Iranian Traditional Medicine Perspective

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. In the conventional medicine, in addition drug therapy, exercise can also improve the respiratory parameters in asthma. In this article the view of Iranian Traditional Medicine (Persian Medicine) scholars on the effect of exercise in asthma is discussed. In this review article subjects related to exercise and asthma by two words ‘‘Riyazat’’ and ‘‘Rabv balghami’’ are collected from the major references of Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) such as Al- Havi, Cannon of medicine, Zakhireh kharazmshahi, Tibbe Akbari, Kholasat al-hekmat, Mojarabat, Al-mokhtarat fi al-tib and Exire Aazam. Many relevant abstracts and articles in the above mentioned areas were selected from Pub Med and Google Scholar which were published during 2003 to 2015. Articles selected for detailed review included review articles and clinical trial studies in humans. In ITM, Asthma is caused due to accumulation of thick secretions (Balghame ghaliz) in the airways. Exercise is recommended as an adjuvant therapy for asthma. In ITM’s view, exercise followed in proper manner, increases the body heat which by diluting the secretions helps the process of expulsion. In ITM, Exercise has an assisting role in the management of asthma, in other words following recommended exercises in their proper conditions can result in improved respiratory functions in patients. Ultimately, ITM recommendations along with modern medical management can improve the quality of life in asthma patients, an interesting subject that demands further research in the future.