Yoga dangers!

[Guest guest]

i recently found this on the net and found it interesting as wel as

hilarious-especialy the mouth to mouth yoga breathing technique

ananda

 

Yoga: Benefits and Dangers

The information in this monograph was prepared by the professional

staff at Natural Standard, based on thorough systematic review of

scientific evidence. The material was reviewed by the Faculty of the

Harvard Medical School with final editing approved by Natural

Standard.

 

Yoga is often practiced by healthy individuals with the aim to

achieve relaxation, fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Yoga may be

practiced alone, or with a group. Yoga classes and video tapes are

available. There are no official or well-accepted licensing

requirements for yoga practitioners.

 

Theory

It has been hypothesized that yoga may benefit health through mind-

body interactions. In yoga, poses are held for varying lengths of

time using gravity, leverage and tension. Breathing techniques are

also used. Rapid breathing (Kapalabhati) and slow breathing (Nadi

Shuddhi) may be practiced along with stretching exercises.

Yoga has been shown to reduce heart rate and blood pressure, increase

lung capacity, increase the amount of time you can hold your breath,

improve muscle relaxation and body composition, cause weight loss and

increase overall physical endurance. Yoga may affect levels of brain

or blood chemicals, including monoamines, melatonin, dopamine, stress

hormones (cortisol) and GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid). Changes in

mental functions such as attention, cognition, processing of sensory

information and visual perception have been described in some

research studies in humans.

 

 

Evidence

Scientists have studied yoga for the following health problems:

Anxiety and stress (in healthy individuals)

Several studies report that yoga may reduce anxiety and stress and

improve mood in healthy people who practice yoga several times per

week for 30 to 60 minutes. However, most studies have not been well

designed, and different yoga techniques have been used.

Anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder

Several studies in humans report benefits of yoga in the treatment of

anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Kundalini

meditation and relaxation have been used for these conditions.

Further well-designed studies are needed before a firm conclusion can

be drawn.

Asthma

Multiple studies in humans suggest benefits of yoga (such as

breathing exercises) when used in addition to other therapies for

mild-to-moderate asthma (such as prescription drugs, diet or

massage). Some research demonstrates improved lung function, overall

fitness and airway sensitivity and reduced need for asthma drugs, but

there is also research showing no significant changes. Many of these

studies are poorly designed, and because of conflicting evidence,

better research is needed before a strong recommendation can be made.

High blood pressure (hypertension)

Several studies in humans report benefits of yoga in the treatment of

high blood pressure. However, many of these studies are not well

designed. It is not clear if yoga is better than other forms of

exercise for blood pressure control. Additional research is

needed.Yoga practitioners sometimes recommend that patients with high

blood pressure avoid certain positions, such as headstands or

shoulder stands (inverted asanas), which may temporarily increase

blood pressure.

Heart disease

Several studies in humans suggest that yoga may benefit people with

heart disease. Along with positive lifestyle changes, yoga may help

decrease angina (chest pain) and improve ability to exercise. Yoga

may decrease risk factors for heart disease, including high blood

pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It is unclear if yoga

reduces the risk of heart attack or death or if yoga is better than

any other form of exercise therapy or lifestyle or dietary change.

Yoga may be a useful addition to standard therapies (such as

prescription blood pressure or cholesterol-lowering drugs) in people

at risk of heart attack. Further research is necessary before a

strong recommendation can be made.People with heart disease should

consult their health care provider before starting any new exercise

program.

Depression

Several studies in humans support the use of yoga for depression in

both children and adults. Studies have compared yoga with low-dose

antidepressants, electric shock therapy or no treatment. Although

this preliminary research is promising, better studies are needed

that examine people with clearly defined clinical depression.

Seizure disorder (epilepsy)

Several studies in humans report a reduction in the number of monthly

seizures with the use of sahaja yoga, when it is used with standard

anti seizure drugs. This research is preliminary, and better studies

are necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Yoga therapy has been studied for carpal tunnel syndrome, but it is

not clear if there are beneficial effects. Further research is needed

before a recommendation can be made.

Diabetes

Early studies in humans report that daily yoga may improve control of

blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, when added to

standard drug therapy. However, this research is not high quality. It

is not clear if yoga is better than any other forms of exercise

therapy for this purpose. More research is necessary before a

recommendation can be made. People with heart disease should consult

their health care provider before starting any new exercise program.

Headache

Preliminary research reports that yoga may reduce the intensity and

frequency of tension or migraine headaches, decreasing the need for

pain-relieving drugs. However, better studies are needed before any

recommendation can be made.

Insomnia

There is limited study in humans of yoga in the treatment of

insomnia. Further research is needed before a recommendation can be

made.

Memory

There is limited study in humans of yoga for improving memory. Most

research focuses on memory in children. Better studies are needed

before a recommendation can be made.

Posture

Preliminary studies in humans report that yoga may improve posture in

children. However, better-designed studies are needed before any

conclusion can be drawn.

Lung disease

Limited study in humans evaluates yoga as a treatment for lung

conditions such as bronchitis, fluid around the lungs (pleural

effusion) or airway obstruction. Well-designed research is necessary

before a recommendation can be made.

Mental retardation

There is limited study of yoga therapy in children with mental

retardation. Preliminary research reports improvements in IQ and

social behavior. Better studies are needed to confirm these results

and to evaluate the effects of yoga in mentally retarded adults.

Substance abuse

Preliminary research reports that yoga may be beneficial when added

to standard therapies for the treatment of heroin or alcohol abuse.

However, better studies are needed before any recommendation can be

made.

Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

One study reports that yoga therapy does not improve tinnitus.

Although relaxation may theoretically benefit this condition,

additional research is needed before a recommendation can be made.

Antioxidant

A small study in men showed that yogic breathing may have an

antioxidant effect. Larger well-designed studies are needed before

conclusions can be drawn.

Cancer

A small study in breast and prostate cancer patients reported

enhanced quality of life, decreased stress symptoms and changes in

cancer-related immune cells after patients received relaxation,

meditation and gentle yoga therapy. Yoga is not recommended as a sole

treatment for cancer but may be helpful as an adjunct therapy.

 

Unproven Uses

Yoga has been suggested for many other uses, based on tradition or on

scientific theories. However, these uses have not been thoroughly

studied in humans, and there is limited scientific evidence about

safety or effectiveness. Some of these suggested uses are for

conditions that are potentially life-threatening. Consult with a

health care provider before using yoga for any use.

AddictionAttention-deficit hyperactivity disorderBack painChildbirth

preparationChronic painFibromyalgiaHeart attack prevention, treatment

and rehabilitationHIV/AIDSJoint pain or stiffnessLow oxygen in the

blood (hypoxemia)Lung infectionsMenopauseMultiple sclerosisChronic

urologic disorders (kidney, bladder) Muscle pain and tensionNeck

painOccupational stressOsteoarthritisOsteoporosisPremenstrual

syndromeRehabilitationRheumatoid arthritisScoliosis/hyperkyphosis

(extreme curvature of the spine)Seasonal affective disorderSex

offender rehabilitationShortness of breathSlow (delayed)

ejaculationStomach upsetThyroid diseaseWell-being

 

Potential Dangers

Yoga has been well tolerated in studies, with few side effects

reported in healthy people. Yoga is believed to be safe during

pregnancy and breast-feeding when practiced under the guidance of

expert instruction (the popular Lamaze techniques are based on yogic

breathing). However, yoga poses that put pressure on the uterus, such

as abdominal twists, should be avoided during pregnancy.

 

The following have been rarely reported:

· Nerve or vertebral disc damage — Caused by prolonged

postures, sometimes involving the legs

· Eye damage and blurred vision, including worsening of

glaucoma — Caused by increased eye pressure with headstands

· Stroke or blood vessel blockage — Caused by decreased blood

flow to the brain or other body parts from postures

There is one report of a teen-age girl who died of obstructed

breathing associated with mouth-to-mouth yoga (in which one person

breathes into another person's mouth using yoga breathing

techniques). However, a long-acting barbiturate (which can cause

decreased breathing) may have been partially at fault. Chronic

cheilitis (inflammation of the lips) and persistent reflux have been

reported in yoga instructors with unclear relationship to this

modality.

People with disc disease, fragile or atherosclerotic neck arteries, a

risk of blood clots, extremely high or low blood pressure, glaucoma,

retinal detachment, ear problems, severe osteoporosis or cervical

spondylitis should avoid some yoga poses.

Certain yoga breathing techniques should be avoided in people with

heart or lung disease.

Some experts advise caution in people with a history of psychotic

disorders (such as schizophrenia), because there is a risk of

worsening symptoms, although this has not been clearly shown in

studies.

You should speak with your health care provider before starting yoga

or any new exercise regimen.

 

Summary

Yoga has been suggested for many conditions. There is preliminary

evidence that yoga may be beneficial when it is added to standard

treatments for several conditions, including anxiety disorders or

stress, asthma, high blood pressure, heart disease and depression. It

is not clear if yoga is any more or less effective than other forms

of exercise. Damage to nerves or discs in the back have been

reported, and caution is warranted in some individuals. Speak with

your health care provider if you are considering starting yoga, or

any new exercise program.

 

Resources

1. Natural Standard: An organization that produces

scientifically based reviews of complementary and alternative

medicine (CAM) topics

2. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

(NCCAM): A division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

dedicated to research

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected Scientific Studies: Yoga

Natural Standard reviewed more than 350 articles to prepare the

professional monograph from which this version was created.

Some of the more recent studies are listed below:

Behera D. Yoga therapy in chronic bronchitis. J Assoc Physicians

India 1998;46(2):207-208.

Bhattacharya S, Pandey US, Verma NS. Improvement in oxidative status

with yogic breathing in young healthy males. Indian J Physiol

Pharmacol 2002;Jul, 46(3):349-354.

Biswas R, Dalal M. A yoga teacher with persistent cheilitis. Int J

Clin Pract 2003;May, 57(4):340-342.

Biswas R, Paul A, Shetty KJ. A yoga teacher with persistent reflux

symptoms. Int J Clin Pract 2002;Nov, 56(9):723.

Carlson LE, Speca M, Patel KD, Goodey E. Mindfulness-based stress

reduction in relation to quality of life, mood, symptoms of stress,

and immune parameters in breast and prostate cancer outpatients.

Psychosom Med 2003;Jul-Aug, 65(4):571-581.

Chaudhary AK, Bhatnagar HN, Bhatnagar LK, et al. Comparative study of

the effect of drugs and relaxation exercise (yoga shavasan) in

hypertension. J Assoc Physicians India 1988;36(12):721-723.

Chusid J. Yoga foot drop. JAMA 1971;217(6):827-828.

Cooper S, Oborne J, Newton S, et al. Effect of two breathing

exercises (Buteyko and pranayama) in asthma: a randomized controlled

trial. Thorax 2003;Aug, 58(8):674-679. Comment in: Thorax 2003;Aug, 58

(8):649-650.

Corrigan GE. Fatal air embolism after yoga breathing exercises. JAMA

1969;210(10):1923.

Damodaran A, Malathi A, Patil N, et al. Therapeutic potential of yoga

practices in modifying cardiovascular risk profile in middle aged men

and women. J Assoc Physicians India 2002;May, 50(5):633-640. Comment

in: J Assoc Physicians India 200;May, 50(5):631-632.

Delmonte MM. Case reports on the use of meditative relaxation as an

intervention strategy with retarded ejaculation. Biofeedback Self

Regul 1984;9(2):209-214.

Fahmy JA, Fledelius H. Yoga-induced attacks of acute glaucoma: a case

report. Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh) 1973;51(1):80-84.

Fluge T, Richter J, Fabel H, et al. [Long-term effects of breathing

exercises and yoga in patients with bronchial asthma]. Pneumologie

1994;48(7):484-490.

Fong KY, Cheung RT, Yu YL, et al. Basilar artery occlusion following

yoga exercise: a case report. Clin Exp Neurol 1993;30:104-109.

Garfinkel MS, Schumacher HR, Husain A, et al. Evaluation of a yoga

based regimen for treatment of osteoarthritis of the hands. J

Rheumatol 1994;21(12):2341-2343.

Garfinkel MS, Singhal A, Katz WA, et al. Yoga-based intervention for

carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized trial. JAMA 1998;280(18):1601-

1603.

Gerritsen AA, de Krom MC, Struijs MA, et al. Conservative treatment

options for carpal tunnel syndrome: a systematic review of randomised

controlled trials. J Neurol 2002;Mar, 249(3):272-280.

Greendale GA, McDivit A, Carpenter A, et al. Yoga for women with

hyperkyphosis: results of a pilot study. Am J Public Health 2002;Oct,

92(10):1611-1614.

Gura ST. Yoga for stress reduction and injury prevention at work.

Work 2002;19(1):3-7.

Hanus SH, Homer TD, Harter DH. Vertebral artery occlusion

complicating yoga exercises. Arch Neurol 1977;34(9):574-575.

Janakiramaiah N, Gangadhar BN, Murthy PJ, et al. Antidepressant

efficacy of sudarshan kriya yoga (SKY) in melancholia: a randomized

comparison with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and imipramine. J

Affect Disorders 2000;57:255-259.

Khumar SS, Kaur P, Kaur MS. Effectiveness of Shavasana on depression

among university students. Indian J Clin Psych 1993;20(2):82-87.

Klatz RM, Goldman RM, Pinchuk BG, et al. The effects of gravity

inversion procedures on systemic blood pressure, intraocular

pressure, and central retinal arterial pressure. J Am Osteopath Assoc

1983;82(11):853-857.

Konar D, Latha R, Bhuvaneswaran JS. Cardiovascular responses to head-

down-body-up postural exercise (Sarvangasana). Indian J Physiol

Pharmacol 2000;44(4):392-400.

Madanmohan, Udupa K, Bhavanani AB, et al. Modulation of cold pressor-

induced stress by shavasan in normal adult volunteers. Indian J

Physiol Pharmacol 2002;Jul, 46(3):307-312.

Malathi A, Damodaran A. Stress due to exams in medical students: role

of yoga. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 1999;43(2):218-224.

Malhotra V, Singh S, Singh KP, et al. Study of yoga asanas in

assessment of pulmonary function in NIDDM patients. Indian J Physiol

Pharmacol 2002;Jul, 46(3):313-320.

Manocha R, Marks GB, Kenchington P, et al. Sahaja yoga in the

management of moderate to severe asthma: a randomized controlled

trial. Thorax 2002;Feb, 57(2):110-115. Comment in: Thorax 2003;Sep, 58

(9):825-826.

Malathi A, Damodaran A. Stress due to exams in medical students: role

of yoga. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 1999;43(2):218-224.

Mohan M, Saravanane C, Surange SG, et al. Effect of yoga type

breathing on heart rate and cardiac axis of normal subjects. Indian J

Physiol Pharmacol 1986;30(4):334-340.

Monro R, Power J, Coumar A, et al. Yoga therapy for NIDDM: a

controlled trial. Complement Med Res 1992;6(2):66-68.

Murugesan R, Govindarajulu N, Bera TK. Effect of selected yogic

practices on the management of hypertension. Indian J Physiol

Pharmacol 2000;44(2):207-210.

Nagarathna R, Nagendra HR. Yoga for bronchial asthma: a controlled

study. Br Med J 1985;291(6502):1077-1079.

Panjwani U, Gupta HL, Singh SH, et al. Effect of sahaja yoga practice

on stress management in patients of epilepsy. Indian J Physiol

Pharmacol 1995;39(2):111-116.

Panjwani U, Selvamurthy W, Singh SH, et al. Effect of sahaja yoga

practice on seizure control and EEG changes in patients of epilepsy.

Indian J Med Res 1996;103:165-172.

Patel C, North WS. Randomised controlled trial of yoga and bio-

feedback in management of hypertension. Lancet 1975;2:93-95.

Patel C. 12-Month follow-up of yoga and bio-feedback in the

management of hypertension. Lancet 1975;1(7898):62-64.

Prakasamma M, Bhaduri A. A study of yoga as a nursing intervention in

the care of patients with pleural effusion. J Adv Nurs 1984;9(2):127-

133.

Ripoll E, Mahowald D. Hatha Yoga therapy management of urologic

disorders. World J Urol 2002;Nov, 20(5):306-309. Epub 2002 Oct 24.

Russell WR. Yoga and vertebral arteries. Br Med J 1972;1(801):685.

Schmidt T, Wijga A, et al. Changes in cardiovascular risk factors and

hormones during a comprehensive residential three month kriya yoga

training and vegetarian nutrition. Acta Physiol Scan Suppl

1997;640:158-162.

Shaffer HJ, LaSalvia TA, Stein JP. Comparing Hatha yoga with dynamic

group psychotherapy for enhancing methadone maintenance treatment: a

randomized clinical trial. Altern Ther Health Med 1997;3(4):57-66.

Shannahoff-Khalsa DS, Ray LE, Levine S, et al. Randomized controlled

trial of yogic meditation techniques for patients with obsessive-

compulsive disorder. CNS Spectrums 1999;4(12):34-47.

Singh V, Wisniewski A, Britton J, et al. Effect of yoga breathing

exercises (pranayama) on airway reactivity in subjects with asthma.

Lancet 1990;335:1381-1383.

Sundar S, Agrawal SK, Singh VP, et al. Role of yoga in management of

essential hypertension. Acta Cardiol 1984;39(3):203-208.

Uma K, Nagendra HR, Nagarathna R, et al. The integrated approach of

yoga: a therapeutic tool for mentally retarded children. A one-year

controlled study. J Ment Defic Res 1989;33 ( Pt 5):415-421.

Vedanthan PK, Kesavalu LN, Murthy KC, et al. Clinical study of yoga

techniques in university students with asthma: a controlled study.

Allergy Asthma Proc 1998;19(1):3-9.

Vempati RP, Telles S. Yoga-based guided relaxation reduces

sympathetic activity judged from baseline levels. Psychol Rep

2002;Apr, 90(2):487-494.

Vyas R, Dikshit N. Effect of meditation on respiratory system,

cardiovascular system and lipid profile. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol

2002;Oct, 46(4):487-491.

[Guest guest]

That's it! I'm giving up mukhabhastrika dhauti pranayama right now....I don't want to end up with fat lips.