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Background: Asthma, known as “Tamaka Shwasa” in Ayurveda, as a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways associated with increased airway hyper-responsiveness, recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing, particularly at night/early morning. The key component to improving control and preventing attacks is the avoidance of triggers. Swasawin Asthaloc tablet, a polyherbal proprietary medication, is claimed to be effective in asthma. The Objective of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Swasawin Asthaloc tablets when given as add-on therapy to patients suffering from mild to moderate persistent bronchial asthma.Methods: The study was initiated after receiving Institutional Ethics Committee approval. Patients suffering from mild-to-moderate persistent bronchial asthma were randomized to 2 study groups after written informed consent process for 6 months. Group I received the study medication Swasawin Asthaloc tablet (1 tablet twice daily) in addition to regular anti-asthmatic medications (inhaler ± oral medications). Group II received Placebo tablets in a similar dose as add-on therapy. The study efficacy parameters included spirometry, breath holding time (BHT), Asthma symptom score and Ayurvedic Asthma symptom score.Results: 60 patients were enrolled in the study, of which 50 patients completed the study. In case of spirometry, both FEV1 and PEFR values showed statistically significant improvement at the end of 6 months therapy. Significant improvement in the Breath Holding Time (BHT), Ayurvedic Asthma symptom score and Asthma symptom score was observed in the active group as compared to the baseline (p <0.001).Conclusions: Add-on therapy with Swasawin Asthaloc tablets helped in reducing bronchial inflammation and improving asthmatic symptoms by virtue of its anti-inflammatory, bronchodilatory and antihistaminic properties. Hence it can be used as add-on therapy in patients with mild-to-moderate persistent bronchial asthma and may decrease the need for rescue medications especially steroids.

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Background: Occupational lung diseases in sewage workers have not received sufficient attention, despite chronic exposure to noxious material. We aimed to describe the pulmonary function testing pattern of sewage workers with special emphasis on estimated lung age.Methods: We included sewage workers who came for health check-up. We excluded patients who had respiratory infection/any other respiratory ailments. Socio-demographic profile, history and examination were noted. Routine haematological investigations, chest radiograph, PFT were done. Basal and predicted measurements FVC, FEV1, PEFR, FE F25-75%, MVV and estimated lung age were noted.Results: Average age was 43.48±7.96 years on presentation and no one was symptomatic, everyone had normal X-ray chest findings. Of these 82 participants,36 had normal pattern on PFT. Out of 46 abnormal patterns, 28 had obstructive,5 restrictive and 13 had mixed patterns. In Obstructive pattern, mean FEV1/FVC ratio was 78.15 + 4.42 %, FEV1% was 89.26+10.27 %. In restrictive pattern, mean FVC % was 71%±5.72. In mixed pattern mean FVC % was 71.83+10.7%, FEV1 % was 70.98+6.43%.FEF (25-75%) was 62±10.85% in the obstructive pattern and 93±11.49% in the restrictive pattern. Estimated lung age was found to be 45±10.71 years, 55±11.36 years and 67±7.54 years in normal, obstructive and restrictive pattern which was high.Conclusions: There is a considerable burden of occupation lung diseases in the form of reduced lung functions among sewage workers, which often goes undiagnosed. Periodic assessment and appropriate measures in reducing the exposure should be considered.