Despite the fact that asthma treatment has progressed significantly over the last few decades, according to the resources online more than half a million people are year and about 4000 others die because of asthma. In fact asthma can be quite debilitating for people who are not properly managed medically, and especially for children.
Asthma treatment is strictly individual for every patient and depends on the age and the severity of the symptoms.
Usually asthma is either hereditary or due to the environment and all the allergens and chemical triggers that enter our respiratory system from there and cause constrictions of the bronchiole airways along with excessive production of mucous.
Other triggers of asthma attacks can be stress, anxiety, strong excitement, excessive laughing. In addition symptoms are becoming much worse during physical exercise or respiratory infections. The cardinal symptoms that alarm for an imminent asthma attack are such as being out of breath, wheezing, coughing and waking up from coughing during the night and chest tightness. If those symptoms appear they should be treated immediately or the asthma attack will progress.
Prescription and non-prescription medication is available for asthma treatment. With the milder and the intermittent cases of asthma over-the-counter bronchodilators are usually more than enough efficient. Moderate to severe cases on their hand do require more profound asthma treatment consisting of inhaled corticosteroids for a long-term treatment and for prevention of the symptoms as well. With the help of those medications both lung inflammation and sensitivity to irritants are being decreased.
For immediate relief of the symptoms in case asthma attack occurs, physicians usually prescribe a short or a long acting bronchodilator. Many of the asthma treatments include a combination of therapies. Immunotherapy for example is a very effective asthma treatment that consists of exposing the patient to increasing amounts of different specific allergens over a certain period of time, usually a few years, and thus reducing and/or eliminating asthma symptoms. The same immunotherapy can be a good option for the patients whose asthma is primarily caused by allergens.
In case the medication does not control the symptoms of asthma sufferers, they should consult a physician. An easy to spot sign for that is the frequent use of rescue inhalers no matter if they are of the prescription or non-prescription type. In such cases a change in the asthma treatment is in order. People with asthma should also be encouraged to exercise on a regular basis in order to strengthen their heart and lungs, instead of having to limit their activity. With asthma well under control the symptoms dont appear even during a physical exercise and rescue inhalers are not needed at all. Information regarding the variety of asthma treatments is available online, as well as from your physician and from all the asthma and allergy centers across the country. Breathe easily!
Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning health. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting Asthma Treatments
Showing posts with label Asthma Remedies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Asthma Remedies. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Home Remedies for Asthma
Modern medical system has not been able to find a cure for this crippling disease. Drugs and vaccines have only limited value in alleviating the symptoms. Most of these are habit forming and the dose has to be increased from time to time to give the same amount of relief. The frequent introduction of drugs in the system, while giving only temporary relief, tends to make asthma chronic and incurable. Allergy, which is the immediate cause of asthma, itself is an indication of lowered resistance and internal disharmony caused by faulty eating and bad habits. This is the root cause and the real cure lies in a return to nature.
The natural way to treat asthma consists of stimulating the functioning of slack excretory organs, adopting appropriate diet patterns to eliminate morbid matter and reconstruct the body, and practising yogasanas, yogic kriyas and pranayamas to permit proper assimilation of food and to strengthen the lungs, digestive system and circulatory organs.
The patient should be given an enema to clean the colon and prevent auto-intoxication. Mud-packs applied to the abdomen will relieve the fermentation caused by undigested food and will promote intestinal peristalsis. Wet packs should be applied to the chest to relieve the congestion of the lungs and strengthen them. The patient should be made to perspire through steam bath, hot foot bath, hot hip bath and sun bath. This will stimulate the skin and relieve congested lungs.
The patient should fast for a few days on lemon juice with honey and thereafter resort to a fruit juice diet to nourish the system and eliminate the toxins. Solid foods can be included gradually. The patient should, however, avoid the common die tic errors. Ideally, his diet should contain a limited quantity of carbohydrates, fats and proteins which are acid-forming foods, and a liberal quantity of alkaline foods consisting of fresh fruits, green vegetables and germinated gram. Foods which tend to produce phlegm such as rice, sugar, lentils and curds as also fried and other difficult-to-digest foods should be avoided.
Asthmatics should always eat less than their capacity. They should eat slowly, chewing their food properly. They should drink eight to 10 glasses of water a day, but should avoid taking water or any liquid with meals. Spices, chillies and pickles, too much tea and coffee should also be avoided.
Asthma, particularly when the attack is severe, tends to destroy the appetite. In such cases, do not force the patient to eat. He should be kept on fast till the attack is over. He should, however, take a cup of warm water every two hours. An enema taken at that time will be very beneficial.
Eating the right foods may alleviate or prevent asthmatic attack by helping control underlying inflammation of air passages, dilating air passages, thinning down mucus in the lungs and preventing food allergy reactions that trigger asthma attacks.
Eating onion regularly is one of the most effective remedies for asthma. A prominent researcher in the field, Dr. Walter Dorsch of Johannes-Guttenberg University in Mainz, Germany, has discovered strong anti-inflammatory activity in both onion juice and specific onion compounds. In one such test, an onion chemical diphenylthiosulphinate displayed higher anti-inflammatory activity than the popular anti inflammatory drug prednisolone. Dr. Dorsch has found that onions do have direct anti-asthmatic effects. He credits thiosulphinates in onions as the major active anti-inflammatory agents. However, onions are the richest of all foods in another powerful anti-inflammatory compound, quercetin, which also can relieve allergies.
Eating hot pungent foods can give immediate relief from asthma. According to Dr. Irwin Ziment, a pulmonary disease expert, hot chilli pepper, spicy mustard, garlic and onions can all make breathing easier for asthmatics by opening up air passage. He explains that such foods have mucus moving activity that thins out the viscous mucus which otherwise would plug up the small airways, making breathing difficult for asthmatics. Dr. Ziment believes that fiery foods stimulate nerve endings in the digestive tract which releases waterly fluids in the mouth, throat and lungs. These secretions help thin down the mucus, so it does not clog airways and can be expelled, allowing normal breathing.
Honey is considered beneficial in the treatment of asthma. It is said that if a jug of honey is held under the nose of an asthma patient and he inhales the air that comes into contact with the honey, he starts breathing easier and deeper. The effect lasts for about an hour or so. This is because honey contains a mixture of 'higher' alcohols and ethereal oils and the vapours given off by them are soothing and beneficial to the asthma patients. Honey usually brings relief whether the air flowing over it is inhaled or whether it is eaten or taken either in milk or water. It thins out accumulated mucus and helps its elimination from the respiratory passages. It also tones up the pulmonary parenchyma and thereby prevents the production of mucus in future.
Another effective remedy for asthma is garlic. The patient should be given daily garlic cloves boiled in 30 gms. milk as a cure for early stages of asthma. Steaming ginger tea with minced garlic cloves in it can also help to keep the problem under control and should be taken both in the morning and evening. Turmeric is also regarded as an effective remedy for bronchial asthma. The patient should be given a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a glass of milk two or three times daily. It acts best when taken on an empty stomach.
During the attack, mustard oil mixed with little camphor should be massaged over the back of the chest. This will loosen up phelgm and ease breathing. The patient should also inhale steam from the boiling water mixed with caraway seeds. It will dilate the bronchial passage. The patient should also follow the other laws of Nature. Air, sun and water are great healing agents. Regular fasting once a week, an occasional enema, breathing exercises, fresh air, dry climate, light exercises and correct posture go a long way in treating the disease.
Author of this article is Krishan Bakhru. He is the editor of http://www.easyhomeremedy.com.
The natural way to treat asthma consists of stimulating the functioning of slack excretory organs, adopting appropriate diet patterns to eliminate morbid matter and reconstruct the body, and practising yogasanas, yogic kriyas and pranayamas to permit proper assimilation of food and to strengthen the lungs, digestive system and circulatory organs.
The patient should be given an enema to clean the colon and prevent auto-intoxication. Mud-packs applied to the abdomen will relieve the fermentation caused by undigested food and will promote intestinal peristalsis. Wet packs should be applied to the chest to relieve the congestion of the lungs and strengthen them. The patient should be made to perspire through steam bath, hot foot bath, hot hip bath and sun bath. This will stimulate the skin and relieve congested lungs.
The patient should fast for a few days on lemon juice with honey and thereafter resort to a fruit juice diet to nourish the system and eliminate the toxins. Solid foods can be included gradually. The patient should, however, avoid the common die tic errors. Ideally, his diet should contain a limited quantity of carbohydrates, fats and proteins which are acid-forming foods, and a liberal quantity of alkaline foods consisting of fresh fruits, green vegetables and germinated gram. Foods which tend to produce phlegm such as rice, sugar, lentils and curds as also fried and other difficult-to-digest foods should be avoided.
Asthmatics should always eat less than their capacity. They should eat slowly, chewing their food properly. They should drink eight to 10 glasses of water a day, but should avoid taking water or any liquid with meals. Spices, chillies and pickles, too much tea and coffee should also be avoided.
Asthma, particularly when the attack is severe, tends to destroy the appetite. In such cases, do not force the patient to eat. He should be kept on fast till the attack is over. He should, however, take a cup of warm water every two hours. An enema taken at that time will be very beneficial.
Eating the right foods may alleviate or prevent asthmatic attack by helping control underlying inflammation of air passages, dilating air passages, thinning down mucus in the lungs and preventing food allergy reactions that trigger asthma attacks.
Eating onion regularly is one of the most effective remedies for asthma. A prominent researcher in the field, Dr. Walter Dorsch of Johannes-Guttenberg University in Mainz, Germany, has discovered strong anti-inflammatory activity in both onion juice and specific onion compounds. In one such test, an onion chemical diphenylthiosulphinate displayed higher anti-inflammatory activity than the popular anti inflammatory drug prednisolone. Dr. Dorsch has found that onions do have direct anti-asthmatic effects. He credits thiosulphinates in onions as the major active anti-inflammatory agents. However, onions are the richest of all foods in another powerful anti-inflammatory compound, quercetin, which also can relieve allergies.
Eating hot pungent foods can give immediate relief from asthma. According to Dr. Irwin Ziment, a pulmonary disease expert, hot chilli pepper, spicy mustard, garlic and onions can all make breathing easier for asthmatics by opening up air passage. He explains that such foods have mucus moving activity that thins out the viscous mucus which otherwise would plug up the small airways, making breathing difficult for asthmatics. Dr. Ziment believes that fiery foods stimulate nerve endings in the digestive tract which releases waterly fluids in the mouth, throat and lungs. These secretions help thin down the mucus, so it does not clog airways and can be expelled, allowing normal breathing.
Honey is considered beneficial in the treatment of asthma. It is said that if a jug of honey is held under the nose of an asthma patient and he inhales the air that comes into contact with the honey, he starts breathing easier and deeper. The effect lasts for about an hour or so. This is because honey contains a mixture of 'higher' alcohols and ethereal oils and the vapours given off by them are soothing and beneficial to the asthma patients. Honey usually brings relief whether the air flowing over it is inhaled or whether it is eaten or taken either in milk or water. It thins out accumulated mucus and helps its elimination from the respiratory passages. It also tones up the pulmonary parenchyma and thereby prevents the production of mucus in future.
Another effective remedy for asthma is garlic. The patient should be given daily garlic cloves boiled in 30 gms. milk as a cure for early stages of asthma. Steaming ginger tea with minced garlic cloves in it can also help to keep the problem under control and should be taken both in the morning and evening. Turmeric is also regarded as an effective remedy for bronchial asthma. The patient should be given a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a glass of milk two or three times daily. It acts best when taken on an empty stomach.
During the attack, mustard oil mixed with little camphor should be massaged over the back of the chest. This will loosen up phelgm and ease breathing. The patient should also inhale steam from the boiling water mixed with caraway seeds. It will dilate the bronchial passage. The patient should also follow the other laws of Nature. Air, sun and water are great healing agents. Regular fasting once a week, an occasional enema, breathing exercises, fresh air, dry climate, light exercises and correct posture go a long way in treating the disease.
Author of this article is Krishan Bakhru. He is the editor of http://www.easyhomeremedy.com.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Understanding Asthma Medicine
Asthma medicine helps prevent the symptoms of asthma that inhibit the possibility of doing activities that you want to when you want to do them. Symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing can be prevented completely or to some degree by using the correct asthma medication. There are generally two types of asthma medicine - controllers and relievers.
Controllers are typically used every day, sometimes twice a day. Controllers prevent asthma symptoms, asthma attacks, and lung damage by relaxing and widening the airways in the body. Some also reduce swelling of the airways. Controllers should not be used to relieve asthma symptoms. Controller medication is most often inhaled and side effects may include fast heartbeat, nervousness, headaches, and hoarseness or coughing.
Relievers are not taken on a daily basis like controllers and are used as needed typically during asthma attacks or as preventative to them. Relievers work to quickly open the narrowed airways of a person suffering from an asthma attack. A majority of relievers are a type of medicine called bronchodilators. Bronchodilators are inhaled and quickly relax and open airways. Side effects of relievers may include fast heartbeat, nervousness or restlessness, dry mouth, or shaky hands.
Since reliever medicine quickly reduces asthma symptoms, people with asthma sometimes tend to use them too often. Often overuse is from using the relievers as preventatives before activities that may not necessarily cause asthma symptoms. However, this overuse of relievers can cause problems. Using a reliever too much can actually make your asthma symptoms worse or cause your heart to beat too fast or in an odd rhythm.
If you suffer from asthma, it is always a good idea to have at least a 30-day supply of both your controller medicine and your reliever medicine. It is important to understand how your asthma medicine works and what the possible side effects are. If you are unsure, talk to your doctor to get all the information you need on asthma medication and do your own research to learn all you can about asthma and asthma medication.
About the Author
Daniel Lanicek is an life long sufferer of asthma on a mission to heighten world awareness of asthma. Over 14 million people in the United States alone suffer from asthma and there are ways you can help. Learn more about asthma at http://www.asthmaexplained.com
Controllers are typically used every day, sometimes twice a day. Controllers prevent asthma symptoms, asthma attacks, and lung damage by relaxing and widening the airways in the body. Some also reduce swelling of the airways. Controllers should not be used to relieve asthma symptoms. Controller medication is most often inhaled and side effects may include fast heartbeat, nervousness, headaches, and hoarseness or coughing.
Relievers are not taken on a daily basis like controllers and are used as needed typically during asthma attacks or as preventative to them. Relievers work to quickly open the narrowed airways of a person suffering from an asthma attack. A majority of relievers are a type of medicine called bronchodilators. Bronchodilators are inhaled and quickly relax and open airways. Side effects of relievers may include fast heartbeat, nervousness or restlessness, dry mouth, or shaky hands.
Since reliever medicine quickly reduces asthma symptoms, people with asthma sometimes tend to use them too often. Often overuse is from using the relievers as preventatives before activities that may not necessarily cause asthma symptoms. However, this overuse of relievers can cause problems. Using a reliever too much can actually make your asthma symptoms worse or cause your heart to beat too fast or in an odd rhythm.
If you suffer from asthma, it is always a good idea to have at least a 30-day supply of both your controller medicine and your reliever medicine. It is important to understand how your asthma medicine works and what the possible side effects are. If you are unsure, talk to your doctor to get all the information you need on asthma medication and do your own research to learn all you can about asthma and asthma medication.
About the Author
Daniel Lanicek is an life long sufferer of asthma on a mission to heighten world awareness of asthma. Over 14 million people in the United States alone suffer from asthma and there are ways you can help. Learn more about asthma at http://www.asthmaexplained.com
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Why Do You Have Asthma?
Asthma is an inflammatory condition where your bronchiales constrict causing breathing difficulties. Your bronchioles become inflamed for a variety of physical, emotional and environmental reasons. It is not contagious so, you cannot catch it from another person.
But what is the real cause asthma? Why do some people develop asthma and why is asthma more common in the western world?
Inheriting Asthma
However, you can inherit the asthma tendency from your parents, although people with asthma should not worry about their future children on this score.
Studies show that children whose parents smoke are twice as likely to develop asthma as children of non-smoking parents. Also, children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy tend to be born with smaller airways, which greatly increases their chances of developing the disease.
The "westernised" environment and lifestyle in developed countries has a lot to do with the chances of whether a person will develop asthma or not.
Many people believe air pollution has something to do with asthma, although the evidence, at this stage, is surprisingly very weak.
Allergies
Causes of asthma include allergies to house dust mites, cats, dogs, and moulds.
Childhood infections and exposure to substances from bacteria in a dirty environment seem to protect against allergies, and this seems to be the main reason why richer populations have more allergic disease.
So the causes of asthma are complicated. They include genetics, exposure to chemical irritants and pollution, a low immune system, emotional or mental problems, allergies to certain foods.
Almost all asthma in young people is cause by allergies. This means that if you have asthma you probably have inherited genes which make it possible for you to get asthma. Add to this, allergy-producing things in your environment, such as house dust mites, cats, or dog and your asthma get worse.. The allergies and the genes are the causes for developing asthma, because if either of them were not present you would not developed asthma.
But, what about colds, exercise, laughter, or tobacco smoke, which are asthma triggers?
You can't cure your asthma by not doing exercise, or by not laughing. Quite simply, these are not causes of asthma, though they can be causes of an attack.
The type of interior house paint can apparently make asthma worse. Glossy oil paints used for home decorating can bring on asthma attacks. The good news is that emulsion paints don't seem to do this.
Polyurethane paints, usually recognisable because they come in two packs which need to be mixed together before use, can cause occupational asthma in people who use them regularly. However, they probably cause no great risk in people with asthma who use them infrequently. As always, when using chemicals and paints, it is surely a good idea to ventilate the area well during and after use.
Emotional issues
Now, deep seated emotionally issue can be the cause of asthma. When emotion is embedded into the body, it has to express itself in a way that its electrical charge can be released. This release happens over and over as outside situations trigger the memory.
The way an embedded emotion issue choses to express itself is by the path of least resistance. If your heart is weak, the emotional issue will pound your heart. If your joints are weak, it will pound your joints. If your bronchia or lungs are weak, it will pound them and eventually weaken those more, leading you to asthma or other respiratory diseases.
Early on everyone should be aware of their family illness history. This is something that is seldom considered. If it were, you could take preventative measures if you knew you were prone to asthma. Choosing the right foods and keeping specific body organs or systems strong, with the right nutrients early on, would definitely prevent you from having to suffer with asthma as you became older.
Author of this article is Rudy Silva. Rudy is a Natural Nutritionist. To discover more about using natural remedies for asthma go to: http://www.asthmatreatments.info
But what is the real cause asthma? Why do some people develop asthma and why is asthma more common in the western world?
Inheriting Asthma
However, you can inherit the asthma tendency from your parents, although people with asthma should not worry about their future children on this score.
Studies show that children whose parents smoke are twice as likely to develop asthma as children of non-smoking parents. Also, children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy tend to be born with smaller airways, which greatly increases their chances of developing the disease.
The "westernised" environment and lifestyle in developed countries has a lot to do with the chances of whether a person will develop asthma or not.
Many people believe air pollution has something to do with asthma, although the evidence, at this stage, is surprisingly very weak.
Allergies
Causes of asthma include allergies to house dust mites, cats, dogs, and moulds.
Childhood infections and exposure to substances from bacteria in a dirty environment seem to protect against allergies, and this seems to be the main reason why richer populations have more allergic disease.
So the causes of asthma are complicated. They include genetics, exposure to chemical irritants and pollution, a low immune system, emotional or mental problems, allergies to certain foods.
Almost all asthma in young people is cause by allergies. This means that if you have asthma you probably have inherited genes which make it possible for you to get asthma. Add to this, allergy-producing things in your environment, such as house dust mites, cats, or dog and your asthma get worse.. The allergies and the genes are the causes for developing asthma, because if either of them were not present you would not developed asthma.
But, what about colds, exercise, laughter, or tobacco smoke, which are asthma triggers?
You can't cure your asthma by not doing exercise, or by not laughing. Quite simply, these are not causes of asthma, though they can be causes of an attack.
The type of interior house paint can apparently make asthma worse. Glossy oil paints used for home decorating can bring on asthma attacks. The good news is that emulsion paints don't seem to do this.
Polyurethane paints, usually recognisable because they come in two packs which need to be mixed together before use, can cause occupational asthma in people who use them regularly. However, they probably cause no great risk in people with asthma who use them infrequently. As always, when using chemicals and paints, it is surely a good idea to ventilate the area well during and after use.
Emotional issues
Now, deep seated emotionally issue can be the cause of asthma. When emotion is embedded into the body, it has to express itself in a way that its electrical charge can be released. This release happens over and over as outside situations trigger the memory.
The way an embedded emotion issue choses to express itself is by the path of least resistance. If your heart is weak, the emotional issue will pound your heart. If your joints are weak, it will pound your joints. If your bronchia or lungs are weak, it will pound them and eventually weaken those more, leading you to asthma or other respiratory diseases.
Early on everyone should be aware of their family illness history. This is something that is seldom considered. If it were, you could take preventative measures if you knew you were prone to asthma. Choosing the right foods and keeping specific body organs or systems strong, with the right nutrients early on, would definitely prevent you from having to suffer with asthma as you became older.
Author of this article is Rudy Silva. Rudy is a Natural Nutritionist. To discover more about using natural remedies for asthma go to: http://www.asthmatreatments.info
Monday, November 24, 2008
Understanding Asthma
ASTHMA is a worldwide affliction. It is estimated that 1 in 10 suffers from it. Young and old alike, townsfolk and countryfolk, manual workers and office workers, are among the sufferers.
Yet, The illness is little understood, especially by nonsufferers. Even asthmatics often do not understand what is happening to them, and this can create anxiety that only aggravates the condition.
In a typical attack, the sufferer feels a tightness in the chest. Wheezing and coughing, he struggles to breathe. The experience is frightening! An attack may be severe or quite mild. Symptoms may vary, as may the frequency of attacks. Some persons always have the symptoms, although they differ in severity.
What causes these unpleasant sensations? As you probably know, air is channeled into our lungs through the bronchial tubes. In many asthmatic patients, allergic reactions cause oversensitivity in these tubes. The muscles in the bronchial wall may contract, the membrane lining the tubes may swell, and the glands in the bronchial wall may produce excess mucus. The result? The tubes get narrower. No wonder the patient has difficulty breathing!
What Causes Asthma?
What triggers an attack? Perhaps an infection, an emotional upset, or a severe allergic reaction to something. However, once the disease has been triggered in a person, there may be several antigens, or specific substances, that will produce an oversensitivity in the bronchial tubes. And once the bronchial tubes are sensitized to these, other factors, such as temperature changes, varying humidity, emotional upsets, or exercise, may also cause attacks.
Doctors may be able to identify some of the antigens that bring on an asthma attack, but it is not often possible to find all of them. And even when they are found, it is not always possible to avoid them. Thorough investigation to find the causes of asthma and the best way to manage it may take time. It may involve much patience on the part of the sufferer and the doctor. But such time spent will likely result in greater ability to control the symptoms.
How to Prevent Attacks
Many things irritate the lungs and can provoke an attack in an asthma sufferer. Try to avoid contact with the following.
Tobacco Smoke: Do not smoke, and avoid smoke-filled rooms. Doctors quickly lose sympathy for asthmatics who insist on smoking. And friends of someone who suffers from the illness should not smoke in the person's presence. Although the person may not suffer an attack immediately, hours later the individual may be in dire straits because of the effects of the smoke.
Dust: Try to avoid dusty, enclosed areas as well as activities that stir up dust. If your job brings you into contact with a lot of dust, give serious consideration to changing it. Some asthmatics find that their symptoms occur only at night or in the bedroom. Could this be due to house dust or those tiny house-dust mites? In many cases it is; hence, the asthmatic's bedroom should be as free of dust as possible. Following are some housekeeping suggestions especially designed for asthmatics.
Clean the bedroom daily.
Each week, thoroughly clean and vacuum mattress, bed base, blankets, and floor. Hardwood floors are better than rugs or carpets, and venetian blinds than drapes.
Dust furniture, tops of doors, window frames, and windowsills with a damp or oily cloth.
The room should be aired thoroughly and the doors and windows closed after the airing, at least three to four hours before the person retires.
Mattress, blankets, and pillows should not be of allergy-causing materials, and they should regularly be aired in the sun if at all possible.
One more thing. Do not allow pets into the bedroom. And if there is any evidence that you are allergic to your pet, find another home for it-or, at least, always keep it out of the house.
Temperature and Humidity: Sudden temperature changes and extremes of heat and cold may provoke an attack. The ideal is air that is slightly warm and moist. Hence, if you suffer from asthma, go out as little as possible in foggy or crisp, cold weather. Avoid hot, dry central heating. If temperature changes cause attacks during the night, try having a thermostatically controlled heater in your room during the winter months. If humidity brings on your symptoms, try using a humidity controller.
Emotional Stress and Fatigue: Either of these may cause an attack. True, we cannot always control emotional stress. Also, wise sufferers of asthma try to be aware of their physical limitations, avoiding fatigue, which can also trigger an attack.
Food: Food allergies may be causes of an attacks, especially in children or in adults whose asthma started in childhood. Even common foods, such as milk, eggs, and cereals, may be suspect. But it may take a lot of detective work to determine the culprit, especially if it is a widely used substance, such as sugar. And, of course, it could be that more than one food is involved. Adult patients would be well-advised to consider alcoholic drinks, especially beer and wine, to be possible aggravating factors.
Exercise: Sometimes an attack is triggered by overexertion, usually striking after the exercise is completed. If this is your experience, avoid exercises, such as squash, that involve sudden bursts of energy and try a more gradual form of exercise, such as swimming and bicycling. Perhaps it may help to use a bronchodilator (a medicine that relieves congestion in the bronchial tubes) prior to any strenuous activity. A physiotherapist may be able to help you with a program that will increase your tolerance of exercise. This will enable you to take part in more activities without becoming short of breath.
Infection: Often, minor respiratory infections, such as a cold or influenza, will provoke an attacks or make the symptoms worse. The usual medication for relief of asthma is not always effective when an infection is present.
Living With Pollens: While the winter months cause many problems to those with respiratory disease, many suffer from what is called seasonal asthma. Microscopically small particles of pollen floating in the summer air can cause untold misery and discomfort to asthma sufferers. It is impossible to eradicate the sources of this pollen, but some commonsense measures may help. For instance, try to avoid freshly mowed lawns, as well as wilderness or country areas during pollen seasons, and use effective air-conditioning if possible.
Living With Molds: Thousands of molds, or fungi, inhabit our environment. Molds and fungal spores (reproductive bodies) grow on vegetable or animal matter. They are also abundant on wheat, oats, corn, grasses, and leaves. While only a small number have been shown to cause problems for sufferers, a study suggested that spores may be a major allergy factor. Hence, while it is impossible to eradicate airborne spores, the following measures may help:
Avoid damp, musty basements and buildings.
Do not rake or burn leaves or dry grass.
Disinfect or destroy any moldy articles.
Do not keep plants indoors or establish a compost pile in the garden.
Decontaminate household areas infected with mold.
Is Your Child Asthmatic?
If so, he will need your support. You, as well as his teachers, will need to understand his problem and help him to cope with it. The child must not be pushed to do more than he can manage, but neither should he be allowed to hide behind his asthma and avoid doing things that would be good for him.
His physical activities should preferably be noncompetitive, although many children with asthma can play most games when they are free of symptoms. However, the child with chronic asthma may be able to enjoy only limited activity, and adults should be careful not to push him to try too hard. The intelligent use of medication may help him to enjoy regular activities such as physical education, and the instructor should know when and how to use a bronchodilator aerosol.
A few children are so severely affected by asthma that they persistently have difficulty in breathing and are frequently wheezy. Such children are often anxious and tense, and their parents and teachers worry a lot about them. The children frequently miss school and may be unable to join in games.
A parent may be overprotective of such a child. If the child comes from a home where there is constant tension and argument, he may lack the support, love, understanding, and encouragement he so desperately needs. Parents who adopt a healthy, optimistic approach to asthma help reduce anxiety in the child, minimizing the severity of the disorder.
If Someone Has an Attack...
Move him to a quiet place and reassure him. He may stand or sit leaning forward, often the most comfortable position during an attack, and he should use his bronchodilator immediately. If the bronchodilator is an inhalant, it may work faster and therefore be more effective than a medicine taken orally. If the attack is severe-especially if the sufferer cannot speak properly-he should be taken to a doctor as soon as possible. By the way, the patient loses a lot of moisture during an attack because of the gasping and panting. Therefore, give him plenty to drink.
Treatment of the Asthmatic
Physiotherapy is an important aid in helping the asthmatic, especially in showing him how to breathe properly (using the diaphragm) and how to ease shortness of breath. The therapist can also teach him relaxation, good posture, and exercises that help to keep asthma under control. Treatments vary. A doctor is usually the most qualified to suggest what is best in each individual case.
Treatments include the use of drugs, such as sodium cromolyn and steroids, as well as several types of bronchodilators. Of course, with the use of drugs, there may be possible side effects. A doctor may be able to recommend other treatments.
Asthma is complex. Relatives and friends must understand this if they are going to be of any help. Avoid saying things like, 'Just get your mind off it' or, 'You look quite well to me.' We can be better prepared for asthma attacks, better equipped to avoid things that trigger them, and have their stress, anxiety, and discomfort greatly lessened.
Frankie Goh is a full-time family counsellor and researcher.
He manage a website : Earn Money Online http://www.ezy-cash.com
He is also the Internet Marketing Co-ordinator of Ultra-Herbal Products & HerbalBiz Affiliate Program.
Yet, The illness is little understood, especially by nonsufferers. Even asthmatics often do not understand what is happening to them, and this can create anxiety that only aggravates the condition.
In a typical attack, the sufferer feels a tightness in the chest. Wheezing and coughing, he struggles to breathe. The experience is frightening! An attack may be severe or quite mild. Symptoms may vary, as may the frequency of attacks. Some persons always have the symptoms, although they differ in severity.
What causes these unpleasant sensations? As you probably know, air is channeled into our lungs through the bronchial tubes. In many asthmatic patients, allergic reactions cause oversensitivity in these tubes. The muscles in the bronchial wall may contract, the membrane lining the tubes may swell, and the glands in the bronchial wall may produce excess mucus. The result? The tubes get narrower. No wonder the patient has difficulty breathing!
What Causes Asthma?
What triggers an attack? Perhaps an infection, an emotional upset, or a severe allergic reaction to something. However, once the disease has been triggered in a person, there may be several antigens, or specific substances, that will produce an oversensitivity in the bronchial tubes. And once the bronchial tubes are sensitized to these, other factors, such as temperature changes, varying humidity, emotional upsets, or exercise, may also cause attacks.
Doctors may be able to identify some of the antigens that bring on an asthma attack, but it is not often possible to find all of them. And even when they are found, it is not always possible to avoid them. Thorough investigation to find the causes of asthma and the best way to manage it may take time. It may involve much patience on the part of the sufferer and the doctor. But such time spent will likely result in greater ability to control the symptoms.
How to Prevent Attacks
Many things irritate the lungs and can provoke an attack in an asthma sufferer. Try to avoid contact with the following.
Tobacco Smoke: Do not smoke, and avoid smoke-filled rooms. Doctors quickly lose sympathy for asthmatics who insist on smoking. And friends of someone who suffers from the illness should not smoke in the person's presence. Although the person may not suffer an attack immediately, hours later the individual may be in dire straits because of the effects of the smoke.
Dust: Try to avoid dusty, enclosed areas as well as activities that stir up dust. If your job brings you into contact with a lot of dust, give serious consideration to changing it. Some asthmatics find that their symptoms occur only at night or in the bedroom. Could this be due to house dust or those tiny house-dust mites? In many cases it is; hence, the asthmatic's bedroom should be as free of dust as possible. Following are some housekeeping suggestions especially designed for asthmatics.
Clean the bedroom daily.
Each week, thoroughly clean and vacuum mattress, bed base, blankets, and floor. Hardwood floors are better than rugs or carpets, and venetian blinds than drapes.
Dust furniture, tops of doors, window frames, and windowsills with a damp or oily cloth.
The room should be aired thoroughly and the doors and windows closed after the airing, at least three to four hours before the person retires.
Mattress, blankets, and pillows should not be of allergy-causing materials, and they should regularly be aired in the sun if at all possible.
One more thing. Do not allow pets into the bedroom. And if there is any evidence that you are allergic to your pet, find another home for it-or, at least, always keep it out of the house.
Temperature and Humidity: Sudden temperature changes and extremes of heat and cold may provoke an attack. The ideal is air that is slightly warm and moist. Hence, if you suffer from asthma, go out as little as possible in foggy or crisp, cold weather. Avoid hot, dry central heating. If temperature changes cause attacks during the night, try having a thermostatically controlled heater in your room during the winter months. If humidity brings on your symptoms, try using a humidity controller.
Emotional Stress and Fatigue: Either of these may cause an attack. True, we cannot always control emotional stress. Also, wise sufferers of asthma try to be aware of their physical limitations, avoiding fatigue, which can also trigger an attack.
Food: Food allergies may be causes of an attacks, especially in children or in adults whose asthma started in childhood. Even common foods, such as milk, eggs, and cereals, may be suspect. But it may take a lot of detective work to determine the culprit, especially if it is a widely used substance, such as sugar. And, of course, it could be that more than one food is involved. Adult patients would be well-advised to consider alcoholic drinks, especially beer and wine, to be possible aggravating factors.
Exercise: Sometimes an attack is triggered by overexertion, usually striking after the exercise is completed. If this is your experience, avoid exercises, such as squash, that involve sudden bursts of energy and try a more gradual form of exercise, such as swimming and bicycling. Perhaps it may help to use a bronchodilator (a medicine that relieves congestion in the bronchial tubes) prior to any strenuous activity. A physiotherapist may be able to help you with a program that will increase your tolerance of exercise. This will enable you to take part in more activities without becoming short of breath.
Infection: Often, minor respiratory infections, such as a cold or influenza, will provoke an attacks or make the symptoms worse. The usual medication for relief of asthma is not always effective when an infection is present.
Living With Pollens: While the winter months cause many problems to those with respiratory disease, many suffer from what is called seasonal asthma. Microscopically small particles of pollen floating in the summer air can cause untold misery and discomfort to asthma sufferers. It is impossible to eradicate the sources of this pollen, but some commonsense measures may help. For instance, try to avoid freshly mowed lawns, as well as wilderness or country areas during pollen seasons, and use effective air-conditioning if possible.
Living With Molds: Thousands of molds, or fungi, inhabit our environment. Molds and fungal spores (reproductive bodies) grow on vegetable or animal matter. They are also abundant on wheat, oats, corn, grasses, and leaves. While only a small number have been shown to cause problems for sufferers, a study suggested that spores may be a major allergy factor. Hence, while it is impossible to eradicate airborne spores, the following measures may help:
Avoid damp, musty basements and buildings.
Do not rake or burn leaves or dry grass.
Disinfect or destroy any moldy articles.
Do not keep plants indoors or establish a compost pile in the garden.
Decontaminate household areas infected with mold.
Is Your Child Asthmatic?
If so, he will need your support. You, as well as his teachers, will need to understand his problem and help him to cope with it. The child must not be pushed to do more than he can manage, but neither should he be allowed to hide behind his asthma and avoid doing things that would be good for him.
His physical activities should preferably be noncompetitive, although many children with asthma can play most games when they are free of symptoms. However, the child with chronic asthma may be able to enjoy only limited activity, and adults should be careful not to push him to try too hard. The intelligent use of medication may help him to enjoy regular activities such as physical education, and the instructor should know when and how to use a bronchodilator aerosol.
A few children are so severely affected by asthma that they persistently have difficulty in breathing and are frequently wheezy. Such children are often anxious and tense, and their parents and teachers worry a lot about them. The children frequently miss school and may be unable to join in games.
A parent may be overprotective of such a child. If the child comes from a home where there is constant tension and argument, he may lack the support, love, understanding, and encouragement he so desperately needs. Parents who adopt a healthy, optimistic approach to asthma help reduce anxiety in the child, minimizing the severity of the disorder.
If Someone Has an Attack...
Move him to a quiet place and reassure him. He may stand or sit leaning forward, often the most comfortable position during an attack, and he should use his bronchodilator immediately. If the bronchodilator is an inhalant, it may work faster and therefore be more effective than a medicine taken orally. If the attack is severe-especially if the sufferer cannot speak properly-he should be taken to a doctor as soon as possible. By the way, the patient loses a lot of moisture during an attack because of the gasping and panting. Therefore, give him plenty to drink.
Treatment of the Asthmatic
Physiotherapy is an important aid in helping the asthmatic, especially in showing him how to breathe properly (using the diaphragm) and how to ease shortness of breath. The therapist can also teach him relaxation, good posture, and exercises that help to keep asthma under control. Treatments vary. A doctor is usually the most qualified to suggest what is best in each individual case.
Treatments include the use of drugs, such as sodium cromolyn and steroids, as well as several types of bronchodilators. Of course, with the use of drugs, there may be possible side effects. A doctor may be able to recommend other treatments.
Asthma is complex. Relatives and friends must understand this if they are going to be of any help. Avoid saying things like, 'Just get your mind off it' or, 'You look quite well to me.' We can be better prepared for asthma attacks, better equipped to avoid things that trigger them, and have their stress, anxiety, and discomfort greatly lessened.
Frankie Goh is a full-time family counsellor and researcher.
He manage a website : Earn Money Online http://www.ezy-cash.com
He is also the Internet Marketing Co-ordinator of Ultra-Herbal Products & HerbalBiz Affiliate Program.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Different Types Of Asthma, The Causes And Remedies
Asthma is an illness where irritants cause inflammation of the bronchial tubes, as they become very sensitive, and thus making it difficult to breath. Contraction of the muscles around the wind pipe can be a result of this inflammation. The inflammation can also cause excessive mucus in the air passage as well as swelling of the lining may occur if its an airway inflammation.
Age is not a factor as far as asthma is concerned though it's notable that around 50 percent of the cases initiate in children below the age of 10. And among these children around 65 percent are boys compared to only 35 percent girls. It is one of the chief culprits as far as respiratory illness among teenagers and children are concerned. Though its observed that the condition may improve with age. 17 million American citizens are asthma patients according to estimation.
Asthma is a lung disease which can be reversed either with treatment or it may heal spontaneously. Obstruction or constriction of the airway is the characteristics of Asthma. Lack of breathe called dyspnea and mild wheezing constitute the moderate symptoms of asthma while fatal respiratory failures are the grave symptom. The mild symptoms may occur before a serious attack.
People suffering from asthma face difficulty breathing out but can breathe in without any problem. During inhalation the diaphragm lowers pushing the ribs out and thus enlarging the lungs to let air around any blockage. But during exhalation when the rib cage closes in, the diaphragm moves up obstructing the air from moving around the blockage.
Two types of asthma
Intrinsic asthma and extrinsic asthma are the two types of asthma. When allergy to some kind of external material causes asthma its called extrinsic. And when an obvious external agent is not identifiable it is called intrinsic asthma.
Substances like dust, pollens, dander, food, molds, feather pillows, some types of food additives etc may cause spontaneous allergic reaction in some children which may be a beginning of extrinsic asthma. It is a hereditary disorder called atopy where the body has an inclination for allergic reactions.
An intrinsic asthma usually follows a serious respiratory infection to which no external allergen can be associated. An intrinsic asthma condition may worsen due to emotional stress, changes in temperature or humidity, fatigue, irritants, exposure to fumes and gases etc. some people may be patients of intrinsic as well as extrinsic asthma.
All asthma attacks are not of the same degree. The oxygen supply to the critical organs may get severely affected due to closing of the airways in a serious asthma attack. This may lead to a medical emergency condition. Severe asthma attacks are known to be the reason for many deaths. An asthma attack gives a person a sensation similar to drowning. Actions like medication or other remedies can be used to prevent an asthma attack if the asthma symptoms and its warning signs are learnt.
There may be long phases of time when an asthma patient either shows very few and feeble symptoms of asthma or doesn't show any at all. But asthma attacks can also be seen to last for prolonged periods.
The cough may sound dry and stretched during a severe attack. A a thick mucus is expectorated as the attack abates. Small children don't produce the mucus after an attack. The breathing is normal between severe attacks.
In symptomatic asthma it is typical for the breathing sound to get reduced. Also forced exhalation for long periods is typical of air passage blockage. Lung hyperinflation is usually very common in children. Tachypnea, tachycardia and diaphoresis may coincide with severe attack. The patient may not be able to speak without pausing to catch a breath after every few words. Initial signs of respiratory failure are lethargy, confusion and darkening (purple or blue) of the skin due to lack of oxygen called as Cyanosis.
Possible asthma remedies
Various drugs like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin may initiate an asthma attack. Even chemicals like Tartazine (yellow food dye) can cause an asthma attack. Heavy work and exercise may cause huge loss of moisture and heat in the upper airways. This may be followed by bronchospasm leading to exercise induced attack. Even exercise can be an attack initiator.
When treating severe asthma patients the target is to address the symptoms like coughing, wheezing, inflammation, airway swelling, lack of breath and lower them while an attempt is made to increase the pulmonary ventilation. Following a severe attack the treatment usually is focused on addressing the initiating factors like the irritants or the allergens in the environment.
In a process similar to vaccination, asthma may be treated by injecting the patient with limited amount of the antigen causing the attack when the cause of the asthma is identified as a particular toxin, bacterium, virus or other substance foreign to the body. This way the response of the immune system to the antigen is brought under control.
Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit Asthma Symptom Cure to learn more about asthma condition symptom and other natural asthma treatment solution.
Age is not a factor as far as asthma is concerned though it's notable that around 50 percent of the cases initiate in children below the age of 10. And among these children around 65 percent are boys compared to only 35 percent girls. It is one of the chief culprits as far as respiratory illness among teenagers and children are concerned. Though its observed that the condition may improve with age. 17 million American citizens are asthma patients according to estimation.
Asthma is a lung disease which can be reversed either with treatment or it may heal spontaneously. Obstruction or constriction of the airway is the characteristics of Asthma. Lack of breathe called dyspnea and mild wheezing constitute the moderate symptoms of asthma while fatal respiratory failures are the grave symptom. The mild symptoms may occur before a serious attack.
People suffering from asthma face difficulty breathing out but can breathe in without any problem. During inhalation the diaphragm lowers pushing the ribs out and thus enlarging the lungs to let air around any blockage. But during exhalation when the rib cage closes in, the diaphragm moves up obstructing the air from moving around the blockage.
Two types of asthma
Intrinsic asthma and extrinsic asthma are the two types of asthma. When allergy to some kind of external material causes asthma its called extrinsic. And when an obvious external agent is not identifiable it is called intrinsic asthma.
Substances like dust, pollens, dander, food, molds, feather pillows, some types of food additives etc may cause spontaneous allergic reaction in some children which may be a beginning of extrinsic asthma. It is a hereditary disorder called atopy where the body has an inclination for allergic reactions.
An intrinsic asthma usually follows a serious respiratory infection to which no external allergen can be associated. An intrinsic asthma condition may worsen due to emotional stress, changes in temperature or humidity, fatigue, irritants, exposure to fumes and gases etc. some people may be patients of intrinsic as well as extrinsic asthma.
All asthma attacks are not of the same degree. The oxygen supply to the critical organs may get severely affected due to closing of the airways in a serious asthma attack. This may lead to a medical emergency condition. Severe asthma attacks are known to be the reason for many deaths. An asthma attack gives a person a sensation similar to drowning. Actions like medication or other remedies can be used to prevent an asthma attack if the asthma symptoms and its warning signs are learnt.
There may be long phases of time when an asthma patient either shows very few and feeble symptoms of asthma or doesn't show any at all. But asthma attacks can also be seen to last for prolonged periods.
The cough may sound dry and stretched during a severe attack. A a thick mucus is expectorated as the attack abates. Small children don't produce the mucus after an attack. The breathing is normal between severe attacks.
In symptomatic asthma it is typical for the breathing sound to get reduced. Also forced exhalation for long periods is typical of air passage blockage. Lung hyperinflation is usually very common in children. Tachypnea, tachycardia and diaphoresis may coincide with severe attack. The patient may not be able to speak without pausing to catch a breath after every few words. Initial signs of respiratory failure are lethargy, confusion and darkening (purple or blue) of the skin due to lack of oxygen called as Cyanosis.
Possible asthma remedies
Various drugs like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin may initiate an asthma attack. Even chemicals like Tartazine (yellow food dye) can cause an asthma attack. Heavy work and exercise may cause huge loss of moisture and heat in the upper airways. This may be followed by bronchospasm leading to exercise induced attack. Even exercise can be an attack initiator.
When treating severe asthma patients the target is to address the symptoms like coughing, wheezing, inflammation, airway swelling, lack of breath and lower them while an attempt is made to increase the pulmonary ventilation. Following a severe attack the treatment usually is focused on addressing the initiating factors like the irritants or the allergens in the environment.
In a process similar to vaccination, asthma may be treated by injecting the patient with limited amount of the antigen causing the attack when the cause of the asthma is identified as a particular toxin, bacterium, virus or other substance foreign to the body. This way the response of the immune system to the antigen is brought under control.
Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit Asthma Symptom Cure to learn more about asthma condition symptom and other natural asthma treatment solution.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Asthma Natural Remedies With No Side Effects
There are many causes of asthma and each person can have different asthma attack triggers. So, each person may need to use a different medical approach and different asthma natural remedies.
Using drugs to control your asthma makes sense when you first discover that you have asthma provided your asthma is well established or life threatening. Once you have your prescriptions and your doctor's instructions, you should consider looking at or experimenting with natural remedies to control or even eliminate your asthma, since drugs are not a cure.
No matter what type of drug or inhaler you are using, they all have their side effects. The longer you use drugs or an inhaler, the less effective they become and most likely you will see side effects.
You should use asthma natural remedies when you are having an asthma attack or when asthma is under control. There are four areas you need to concentrate on when examining asthma natural remedies.
Reduce mucus
Reduce inflammation
Reduce emotional and stressful situation
Improve immune system
Reduce Mucus
By using various herbs you can control and remove mucus from your bronchioles. Test various herbs or herbal combinations to determine which work best for you.
Drink carrot and celery juice and drink plenty of water daily to help dilute and move mucus out of your body.
Reduce Inflammation
There are quite a few different nutrients that can help you reduce inflammation. You should consider using more than one at a time. Start with these and then experiment with the others.
Add omega-3 to your diet by using flax seed oil or fish oil
Use MSM supplements
Take vitamin C supplement
Systemic enzymes, try Vitalzyme
Digestive enzymes
Reduce Emotional and Stressful Situation
Reducing stress in your life is a difficult area to deal with since some situations in your life are strongly anchored, like your job, your family, your friends, or marital situation. But if these areas are causing your stress and you frequently have asthma attacks, then you have to decide which is more important for you, your job or your health.
If your job is deteriorating your health, then start looking for a way out. This may require you to look for another job or to go back to school to get training for something you might like to do. Just take action and start changing your life.
Improve Immune System
Improving your immune system is accomplished through diet, through taking nutritional supplements, by reducing stress, and eliminating those conditions that overwork you body.
The fewer things your immune system has to react to and get under control, the stronger it is to take care of an asthma attack when it occurs. When your immune system has to deal with toxins in your colon and throughout your body, then it is weakened and not able to neutralize pollen or pollution you inhale from the air which can trigger an asthma attack.
Use drugs when you first discover you have asthma can make sense. But, if your asthma is light, then finding asthma natural remedies to control it, instead of using drugs, also makes a lot of sense.
Article Source: Health Guidance
Rudy Silva
Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. He writes a newsletter call .
http://www.natural-remedies-thatwork.com
Technorati Profile
Using drugs to control your asthma makes sense when you first discover that you have asthma provided your asthma is well established or life threatening. Once you have your prescriptions and your doctor's instructions, you should consider looking at or experimenting with natural remedies to control or even eliminate your asthma, since drugs are not a cure.
No matter what type of drug or inhaler you are using, they all have their side effects. The longer you use drugs or an inhaler, the less effective they become and most likely you will see side effects.
You should use asthma natural remedies when you are having an asthma attack or when asthma is under control. There are four areas you need to concentrate on when examining asthma natural remedies.
Reduce mucus
Reduce inflammation
Reduce emotional and stressful situation
Improve immune system
Reduce Mucus
By using various herbs you can control and remove mucus from your bronchioles. Test various herbs or herbal combinations to determine which work best for you.
Drink carrot and celery juice and drink plenty of water daily to help dilute and move mucus out of your body.
Reduce Inflammation
There are quite a few different nutrients that can help you reduce inflammation. You should consider using more than one at a time. Start with these and then experiment with the others.
Add omega-3 to your diet by using flax seed oil or fish oil
Use MSM supplements
Take vitamin C supplement
Systemic enzymes, try Vitalzyme
Digestive enzymes
Reduce Emotional and Stressful Situation
Reducing stress in your life is a difficult area to deal with since some situations in your life are strongly anchored, like your job, your family, your friends, or marital situation. But if these areas are causing your stress and you frequently have asthma attacks, then you have to decide which is more important for you, your job or your health.
If your job is deteriorating your health, then start looking for a way out. This may require you to look for another job or to go back to school to get training for something you might like to do. Just take action and start changing your life.
Improve Immune System
Improving your immune system is accomplished through diet, through taking nutritional supplements, by reducing stress, and eliminating those conditions that overwork you body.
The fewer things your immune system has to react to and get under control, the stronger it is to take care of an asthma attack when it occurs. When your immune system has to deal with toxins in your colon and throughout your body, then it is weakened and not able to neutralize pollen or pollution you inhale from the air which can trigger an asthma attack.
Use drugs when you first discover you have asthma can make sense. But, if your asthma is light, then finding asthma natural remedies to control it, instead of using drugs, also makes a lot of sense.
Article Source: Health Guidance
Rudy Silva
Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. He writes a newsletter call .
http://www.natural-remedies-thatwork.com
Technorati Profile
Saturday, April 19, 2008
The Deep World of Asthma
The asthma is caused by airway hyper responsiveness to various stimuli such as a virus, allergen and exercise. The asthma affected 17.3 million individuals in the United States and 150 million worldwide. It is more seen in the children's.
This is not curable but the symptoms of the asthma can be reduces. So this is life long disease. Asthma occurs in persons of all races worldwide. The asthma appearance ratio is from male to female is 1:1. The asthma is appeared in the age of 18 years but the effect of asthma is seen in the adult age. The cause of asthma is usually due to the airway wall inflammation and airway wall constriction which arises due to the release inflammatory response chemical signals.
Causes of asthma
Dust
Exercise
Viral upper respiratory infection
Pollen
Genetic
Stress
Environmental changes
Symptoms of asthma
Wheezing
Sputum production
Allergens
Breathlessness
Decreased endurance
Chest tightness
Treatment of asthma
The immunoglobulin E may be decreases the bronchial airflow.
The T-lymphocytes may be used to release of an inflammatory mediators from eosinophils, mast cells, and lymphocytes.
Maintain pulmonary function as close to normal levels.
The T-helper 2 subset produces cytokines which stimulate the growth and the allergic response.
The inhaled corticosteroids are used for the management of asthma.
By using allergy skin test we can reduce the asthma.
Rachel Broune writes articles for Asthma home remedies. He also writes for Asthma causes and cure and Asthma complete information.
This is not curable but the symptoms of the asthma can be reduces. So this is life long disease. Asthma occurs in persons of all races worldwide. The asthma appearance ratio is from male to female is 1:1. The asthma is appeared in the age of 18 years but the effect of asthma is seen in the adult age. The cause of asthma is usually due to the airway wall inflammation and airway wall constriction which arises due to the release inflammatory response chemical signals.
Causes of asthma
Dust
Exercise
Viral upper respiratory infection
Pollen
Genetic
Stress
Environmental changes
Symptoms of asthma
Wheezing
Sputum production
Allergens
Breathlessness
Decreased endurance
Chest tightness
Treatment of asthma
The immunoglobulin E may be decreases the bronchial airflow.
The T-lymphocytes may be used to release of an inflammatory mediators from eosinophils, mast cells, and lymphocytes.
Maintain pulmonary function as close to normal levels.
The T-helper 2 subset produces cytokines which stimulate the growth and the allergic response.
The inhaled corticosteroids are used for the management of asthma.
By using allergy skin test we can reduce the asthma.
Rachel Broune writes articles for Asthma home remedies. He also writes for Asthma causes and cure and Asthma complete information.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Asthma – Ways To Prevent Asthma
The key to preventing asthma attacks and better asthma control is to avoid your known asthma triggers. We have some basic tips on how to avoid your triggers. Keep your asthma symptoms at bay with these helpful asthma prevention techniques.
Mold Spores
Molds grow both indoors and outdoors and love damp, dark places. To control mold indoors, keep basements, kitchens, and bathrooms as clean and dry as possible. Avoid the use of humidifiers and vaporizers, which can become breeding grounds for mold. To avoid outdoor molds, stay inside in air conditioning on damp, windy days. Avoid playing or walking in fallen leaves and you may also have to avoid gardening.
Nuts also contain high levels of magnesium, which other research has suggested may protect against asthma and boost lung power.
Irritating fumes such as cigarette smoke should also be avoided. In some people with asthma, aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs trigger attacks. Tartrazine, a yellow coloring used in some drug tablets and food, may also bring on an attack. Sulfites—commonly added to foods as a preservative—may trigger attacks after a susceptible person eats a certain food or drinks beer or red wine.
A daily diet of oranges, apples and tomatoes protected against wheezing and allergic rhinitis, as well as grapes.
If you feel even the slightest symptom, take the medication. Some asthmatics tend to do that. They cough more than once and they think they are having an attack and then they take the medicines and they prevent an attack. We are not saying you have to take the inhaler the second you cough but don’t dismiss the symptoms. Always keep your prescriptions filled at all times. The best thing you can do to prevent an attack when you are away or shopping or in a restaurant is to tell the people you are with, where you keep the inhaler in case they need to use it.
The group of children involved in the asthma intervention program avoided pets, secondhand smoke and dust mites, and were delayed the introduction to solid foods; the mothers were encouraged to breastfeed. The other group of children did not partake in the asthma intervention program.
Short-acting bronchodilator inhalers are used to quickly relieve the cough, wheeze, chest tightness, and shortness of breath caused by asthma (they dilate or widen the bronchial tubes). The most commonly prescribed short-acting bronchodilator is albuterol. However, albuterol only lasts for a few hours. If you need to use an asthma reliever more than twice a week, then your asthma is not optimally controlled. Ask your doctor about improving your asthma controller medication.
Early allergy injection treatment - Two studies in young children who became allergic to a single allergen such as house dust mites showed that allergy shots against that allergen prevented the development of allergy to other allergens. This suggests that allergy testing and injection treatment in children may be important to consider before the time when this is usually first done - i.e., under age 5 years. The cost-effectiveness of doing this is unknown at present.
Read about Natural Herbal Home Remedies and Pregnancy Information Guide. Also read about Dental and Tooth Care Guide
Mold Spores
Molds grow both indoors and outdoors and love damp, dark places. To control mold indoors, keep basements, kitchens, and bathrooms as clean and dry as possible. Avoid the use of humidifiers and vaporizers, which can become breeding grounds for mold. To avoid outdoor molds, stay inside in air conditioning on damp, windy days. Avoid playing or walking in fallen leaves and you may also have to avoid gardening.
Nuts also contain high levels of magnesium, which other research has suggested may protect against asthma and boost lung power.
Irritating fumes such as cigarette smoke should also be avoided. In some people with asthma, aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs trigger attacks. Tartrazine, a yellow coloring used in some drug tablets and food, may also bring on an attack. Sulfites—commonly added to foods as a preservative—may trigger attacks after a susceptible person eats a certain food or drinks beer or red wine.
A daily diet of oranges, apples and tomatoes protected against wheezing and allergic rhinitis, as well as grapes.
If you feel even the slightest symptom, take the medication. Some asthmatics tend to do that. They cough more than once and they think they are having an attack and then they take the medicines and they prevent an attack. We are not saying you have to take the inhaler the second you cough but don’t dismiss the symptoms. Always keep your prescriptions filled at all times. The best thing you can do to prevent an attack when you are away or shopping or in a restaurant is to tell the people you are with, where you keep the inhaler in case they need to use it.
The group of children involved in the asthma intervention program avoided pets, secondhand smoke and dust mites, and were delayed the introduction to solid foods; the mothers were encouraged to breastfeed. The other group of children did not partake in the asthma intervention program.
Short-acting bronchodilator inhalers are used to quickly relieve the cough, wheeze, chest tightness, and shortness of breath caused by asthma (they dilate or widen the bronchial tubes). The most commonly prescribed short-acting bronchodilator is albuterol. However, albuterol only lasts for a few hours. If you need to use an asthma reliever more than twice a week, then your asthma is not optimally controlled. Ask your doctor about improving your asthma controller medication.
Early allergy injection treatment - Two studies in young children who became allergic to a single allergen such as house dust mites showed that allergy shots against that allergen prevented the development of allergy to other allergens. This suggests that allergy testing and injection treatment in children may be important to consider before the time when this is usually first done - i.e., under age 5 years. The cost-effectiveness of doing this is unknown at present.
Read about Natural Herbal Home Remedies and Pregnancy Information Guide. Also read about Dental and Tooth Care Guide
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Effective Ways to Deal With Asthma Permanently
Having a bout with asthma can be a very difficult experience. This health condition is characterized by having inflamed and tightened airways, add to that the increased amounts of mucus in the respiratory passages. You can always tell a person who is having an asthma attack because he or she will most definitely have a hard time breathing.
If you have this medical condition, you have to endure wheezing and chest pains. In worse cases, you will have trouble doing the most basic activities like walking and even sleeping. Most patients need to take strong medication to help them open up their air passageways and eliminate mucus or phlegm.
But just like any other medical condition, prevention and awareness can be your best bet against asthma. If you know how to avoid the factors or elements that trigger your asthma attack, then you have a greater chance of sparing yourself from the harshness brought by this sickness.
Early Detection Spells The Difference
You may think of asthma as having two phases which you can label as the pre-attack and the onslaught. During the pre-attack phase, you will notice that there are subtle changes going on with your respiratory functions. These changes or symptoms may start way before the onslaught of your bout against the disease. These early symptoms are not as worse as when the attack is in full swing, so you can still perform your usual activities and prepare necessary safeguards for when your sickness worsens.
Being aware of the early signs of an asthma attack will allow you to lessen the chances of it becoming exacerbated or you can even stop it altogether from becoming a full-blast attack. Frequent coughing at night, having intermittent shortness of breath, and feeling tired easily are common indicators that you may be having an attack soon. Knowing these early signs, you will be able to put your anti-asthma plan in motion well in advance.
Nip Asthma In The Bud
Most people with asthma rely heavily on potent medication to put an end to the suffering caused by such affliction. But more often than not, medications can only give temporary relief. Asthma can become a lifetime burden if you do not eliminate the root cause of its occurrence.
Basically, asthma is an allergic reaction manifested in your respiratory passageways. But sometimes, it is also caused by infection in your bronchial tubes. All in all, when you have an attack, your airways become constricted that's why you find it difficult to breath. If you have chronic asthma attacks, then maybe it is time to nip the disease in the bud.
Many people believe that the leading cause of asthma and other serious diseases is the accumulation of toxic waste products in the body. Therefore, one way of preventing asthma attacks for the long term, or permanently, is to do internal cleansing. Undergoing detoxification, which is completely a natural process, will allow you to improve your immune system. Doing so, your body will have a better chance to fight off asthma triggers such as allergic reactions and infections like common colds.
By detoxification, you clear away toxins in the body. This will help you free up clogged cells and tissues, which in turn will enable all your organs to perform at their peak. When all your body parts are functioning efficiently, your body will be better equipped at healing itself and keeping harmful objects and microorganisms at bay.
Doing detoxification on your own may be difficult. Fortunately there are products like Colpurin that can help you in your internal cleansing. For more details about how you can stop allergens and other environmental irritants from causing asthma, you can click on http://www.colpurin.com/.
Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine. http://www.thearticleinsiders.com.
If you have this medical condition, you have to endure wheezing and chest pains. In worse cases, you will have trouble doing the most basic activities like walking and even sleeping. Most patients need to take strong medication to help them open up their air passageways and eliminate mucus or phlegm.
But just like any other medical condition, prevention and awareness can be your best bet against asthma. If you know how to avoid the factors or elements that trigger your asthma attack, then you have a greater chance of sparing yourself from the harshness brought by this sickness.
Early Detection Spells The Difference
You may think of asthma as having two phases which you can label as the pre-attack and the onslaught. During the pre-attack phase, you will notice that there are subtle changes going on with your respiratory functions. These changes or symptoms may start way before the onslaught of your bout against the disease. These early symptoms are not as worse as when the attack is in full swing, so you can still perform your usual activities and prepare necessary safeguards for when your sickness worsens.
Being aware of the early signs of an asthma attack will allow you to lessen the chances of it becoming exacerbated or you can even stop it altogether from becoming a full-blast attack. Frequent coughing at night, having intermittent shortness of breath, and feeling tired easily are common indicators that you may be having an attack soon. Knowing these early signs, you will be able to put your anti-asthma plan in motion well in advance.
Nip Asthma In The Bud
Most people with asthma rely heavily on potent medication to put an end to the suffering caused by such affliction. But more often than not, medications can only give temporary relief. Asthma can become a lifetime burden if you do not eliminate the root cause of its occurrence.
Basically, asthma is an allergic reaction manifested in your respiratory passageways. But sometimes, it is also caused by infection in your bronchial tubes. All in all, when you have an attack, your airways become constricted that's why you find it difficult to breath. If you have chronic asthma attacks, then maybe it is time to nip the disease in the bud.
Many people believe that the leading cause of asthma and other serious diseases is the accumulation of toxic waste products in the body. Therefore, one way of preventing asthma attacks for the long term, or permanently, is to do internal cleansing. Undergoing detoxification, which is completely a natural process, will allow you to improve your immune system. Doing so, your body will have a better chance to fight off asthma triggers such as allergic reactions and infections like common colds.
By detoxification, you clear away toxins in the body. This will help you free up clogged cells and tissues, which in turn will enable all your organs to perform at their peak. When all your body parts are functioning efficiently, your body will be better equipped at healing itself and keeping harmful objects and microorganisms at bay.
Doing detoxification on your own may be difficult. Fortunately there are products like Colpurin that can help you in your internal cleansing. For more details about how you can stop allergens and other environmental irritants from causing asthma, you can click on http://www.colpurin.com/.
Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine. http://www.thearticleinsiders.com.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
What Asthma Relief Drugs Are Actually Doing To You!
One of the things that you should recognize is that the closing of your airpipes is basically your bodys defense against the lowering CO2 levels caused by you breathing more than is appropriate for the amount of physical work you are doing. It is your defense against your releasing more CO2 than you produce.
So when you suck the Asthma Relief chemicals into your airpipes, their powerful effect over-rides your defense, and allows you to breathe as deeply as your breathostat wants you to. It is a great feeling of relief when the airpipes are pushed open again, and you are able to go back to breathing many times more air than you need. Aaaahhhhhhhh.
If you use a drug with a long action, you can breathe as much as you want all day. Almost no restriction at all. The only problem is that after a while, it may be days, weeks or years, your defenses will start to get a bit more serious about stopping the CO2 loss [which it knows is fatal].
An Example of the Development of Severe Asthma
Let us follow the development of a typical asthmatic. Let us say the young boy had a cough [bronchitis] during childhood, and probably some hay fever. As a teenager, the cough reduced, but was replaced by a restriction in his breathing, usually very early in the morning, or when he exercised.
A worried parent took him to the doctor, who did various measurenotments, and the doctor diagnosed, "Asthma!" The shame of this was hidden, and the teenager instructed on the use of a puffer [let us say "relief-puffer"]. At the start, all it took was two puffs, every now and then, say twice a week, and the wheeze disappeared like magic. Not too bad.
Later in the same year, the winter was quite nasty. He found he needed to use the puffer more and more. His mother, having read about the increased death rate associated with high use of puffers returned him to the doctor. "Ahh" said the doctor wisely, "we will need to introduce a .preventative puffer", as this has been shown to reduce the death rate that had apparently risen because of the increased use of the relief-type puffer.
He had to take the preventative puffer every morning and night. "Is this for the rest of his life?" asked his mother. "Very likely, but we will see," said the doctor.
Despite the new puffer, he began to get more and more tighter, more and more often. The two puffs of relief puffer no longer worked well enough, so they bought a machine that sprayed the chemical out of a mask he wore on his face. This gave pretty good relief, but on some days he needed it 3 or 4 times. He was a large teenager, so he received the full adult dose, and made sure he used all of it. [Note: .1 puff of relief puffer is 1/ 10,000th of a gram. A full nebule of relief puffer is 50/10,000th of a gram. So one nebule is equal to 50 puffs, but a lot gets out of the sides so let us say it is equal to 25 puffs from the relief puffer.]
Mother is getting very worried now, has been back to the doctor, who has doubled the dose of preventative puffer and referred them to a "pulmonologist." This doctor sees mostly asthma, and is considered the best in the area. He immediately does more tests involving mostly huffing and puffing, and puts our lad onto 50mg of oral steroids per day, for 6 days, then on a reducing amount. This reduces the asthma, and two weeks later, only puffers are needed. A few weeks later, it all starts again.
The family learn to live with it, and have some periods of good health. Their pulmonologist sees them every month, and gets hold of new drugs earlier for them to try. Which work for a while, but then seem to fail, a trip to the emergency ward is made about twice a year.
Then, after 8 years, the family moves to a different area near the beach. The lad takes up surfing, and within 1 week the asthma has stopped. A call to their pulmonologist gets the reply that this happens quite often, .they seem to just grow out of it.
This story illustrates how the amount of relief medication needed usually increases with time in many people. Others never need much more that a couple of puffs a day.
What is really happening? Your overbreathing pattern is causing you to lose more and more CO2 from your lungs. When it gets low enough, your body acts to trap more in. When you feel this restriction, it feels unpleasant and you feel you are not getting enough air. The bronchodilator you take tells the air pipes to open up. [Turns off your defense, and stops it for about 4 hours.] This means that you can return to the breathing that caused your need for the defense in the first place. If your breathing has not improved when the drug wears off, your defense will start again. You will want more drugs, to improve your airflow again.
Over a period of time, this will cause you to need more and more of the drug, as your body becomes more resistant to it. Where one puff per day was enough before, you may start to need many more puffs, plus the addition of other drugs. If this loop continues without an improvement [decrease] in your breathing, your body will work harder and harder to stop the CO2 loss, until the point where hospitalization is needed because your airpipes no longer respond at all to your drugs.
One technique that has been shown to help people with this issue is the Buteyko Breathing Method. The Buteyko Breathing Method teaches you to use your breathing to trap in more CO2 at the first sign of asthma, and after a short time use your fast acting, short acting drugs then only if needed.
For more information on Asthma Signs and Symptoms (Butekyo Breathing Method) or for information on an Asthma Test. If you are looking for music to help you meditate and control your asthma Meditation Music (Baroque Music)
So when you suck the Asthma Relief chemicals into your airpipes, their powerful effect over-rides your defense, and allows you to breathe as deeply as your breathostat wants you to. It is a great feeling of relief when the airpipes are pushed open again, and you are able to go back to breathing many times more air than you need. Aaaahhhhhhhh.
If you use a drug with a long action, you can breathe as much as you want all day. Almost no restriction at all. The only problem is that after a while, it may be days, weeks or years, your defenses will start to get a bit more serious about stopping the CO2 loss [which it knows is fatal].
An Example of the Development of Severe Asthma
Let us follow the development of a typical asthmatic. Let us say the young boy had a cough [bronchitis] during childhood, and probably some hay fever. As a teenager, the cough reduced, but was replaced by a restriction in his breathing, usually very early in the morning, or when he exercised.
A worried parent took him to the doctor, who did various measurenotments, and the doctor diagnosed, "Asthma!" The shame of this was hidden, and the teenager instructed on the use of a puffer [let us say "relief-puffer"]. At the start, all it took was two puffs, every now and then, say twice a week, and the wheeze disappeared like magic. Not too bad.
Later in the same year, the winter was quite nasty. He found he needed to use the puffer more and more. His mother, having read about the increased death rate associated with high use of puffers returned him to the doctor. "Ahh" said the doctor wisely, "we will need to introduce a .preventative puffer", as this has been shown to reduce the death rate that had apparently risen because of the increased use of the relief-type puffer.
He had to take the preventative puffer every morning and night. "Is this for the rest of his life?" asked his mother. "Very likely, but we will see," said the doctor.
Despite the new puffer, he began to get more and more tighter, more and more often. The two puffs of relief puffer no longer worked well enough, so they bought a machine that sprayed the chemical out of a mask he wore on his face. This gave pretty good relief, but on some days he needed it 3 or 4 times. He was a large teenager, so he received the full adult dose, and made sure he used all of it. [Note: .1 puff of relief puffer is 1/ 10,000th of a gram. A full nebule of relief puffer is 50/10,000th of a gram. So one nebule is equal to 50 puffs, but a lot gets out of the sides so let us say it is equal to 25 puffs from the relief puffer.]
Mother is getting very worried now, has been back to the doctor, who has doubled the dose of preventative puffer and referred them to a "pulmonologist." This doctor sees mostly asthma, and is considered the best in the area. He immediately does more tests involving mostly huffing and puffing, and puts our lad onto 50mg of oral steroids per day, for 6 days, then on a reducing amount. This reduces the asthma, and two weeks later, only puffers are needed. A few weeks later, it all starts again.
The family learn to live with it, and have some periods of good health. Their pulmonologist sees them every month, and gets hold of new drugs earlier for them to try. Which work for a while, but then seem to fail, a trip to the emergency ward is made about twice a year.
Then, after 8 years, the family moves to a different area near the beach. The lad takes up surfing, and within 1 week the asthma has stopped. A call to their pulmonologist gets the reply that this happens quite often, .they seem to just grow out of it.
This story illustrates how the amount of relief medication needed usually increases with time in many people. Others never need much more that a couple of puffs a day.
What is really happening? Your overbreathing pattern is causing you to lose more and more CO2 from your lungs. When it gets low enough, your body acts to trap more in. When you feel this restriction, it feels unpleasant and you feel you are not getting enough air. The bronchodilator you take tells the air pipes to open up. [Turns off your defense, and stops it for about 4 hours.] This means that you can return to the breathing that caused your need for the defense in the first place. If your breathing has not improved when the drug wears off, your defense will start again. You will want more drugs, to improve your airflow again.
Over a period of time, this will cause you to need more and more of the drug, as your body becomes more resistant to it. Where one puff per day was enough before, you may start to need many more puffs, plus the addition of other drugs. If this loop continues without an improvement [decrease] in your breathing, your body will work harder and harder to stop the CO2 loss, until the point where hospitalization is needed because your airpipes no longer respond at all to your drugs.
One technique that has been shown to help people with this issue is the Buteyko Breathing Method. The Buteyko Breathing Method teaches you to use your breathing to trap in more CO2 at the first sign of asthma, and after a short time use your fast acting, short acting drugs then only if needed.
For more information on Asthma Signs and Symptoms (Butekyo Breathing Method) or for information on an Asthma Test. If you are looking for music to help you meditate and control your asthma Meditation Music (Baroque Music)
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
How To Cure Asthma Naturally
Many people suffer from asthma and are taking medication for their symptoms.
Are you one of them?
There are natural cures for asthma sufferers that you need to know about.
Most drugs have side effects with long term use which also has long term side effects, which is even more worrying.
You probably think that this is the only way to control asthma and asthma attacks. You are WRONG!
One of the things that you could do to naturally treat asthma will be through what you eat. There are certain foods that you MUST avoid that trigger an asthma attack.
Exercise is a very natural way to treat asthma. If you haven't tried yoga, maybe that should be one of things that you could think about. Yoga helps to strengthen your lung muscles which in turn helps you to breathe more easily.
There are also many herbal remedies that can be used in addition to your medication, if you are taking any, that will help your asthma.
Acupuncture can be used as another addition to your medication to help you control your asthma attacks. You have to have a course of treatments to allow the process to work over time. Many asthmatics have found this worked very well with them.
Finding natural methods and adding that to your normal medication could make you healthier and help you feel that you are in control of your asthma.
Popular for asthma sufferers is aromatherapy. When you have chosen the right oils and scents, aromatherapy will give you the effect of total relaxation and is very popular to asthma sufferers.
Certain vitamins seems to have a depleting effect on asthma sufferers that take medication. For e.g. vitamin B6 defiency is common in asthmatics. Depending on your medication, vitamin B6 tends to get depleted with an anti-asthma drug such as theophylline and aminophylline.
Evening primrose oil, researchers have found that it has a beneficial effect on bronchial asthma.
These a just a few of the remedies that can be used with asthma sufferers.
In my next article I will go into the different foods that need to be eaten to help asthmatics and also different foods to avoid.
If you are interested in finding natural ways to cure your ailments that will give you control over your physical well-being, check out this website at www.myfreehomeremedies.com
Are you one of them?
There are natural cures for asthma sufferers that you need to know about.
Most drugs have side effects with long term use which also has long term side effects, which is even more worrying.
You probably think that this is the only way to control asthma and asthma attacks. You are WRONG!
One of the things that you could do to naturally treat asthma will be through what you eat. There are certain foods that you MUST avoid that trigger an asthma attack.
Exercise is a very natural way to treat asthma. If you haven't tried yoga, maybe that should be one of things that you could think about. Yoga helps to strengthen your lung muscles which in turn helps you to breathe more easily.
There are also many herbal remedies that can be used in addition to your medication, if you are taking any, that will help your asthma.
Acupuncture can be used as another addition to your medication to help you control your asthma attacks. You have to have a course of treatments to allow the process to work over time. Many asthmatics have found this worked very well with them.
Finding natural methods and adding that to your normal medication could make you healthier and help you feel that you are in control of your asthma.
Popular for asthma sufferers is aromatherapy. When you have chosen the right oils and scents, aromatherapy will give you the effect of total relaxation and is very popular to asthma sufferers.
Certain vitamins seems to have a depleting effect on asthma sufferers that take medication. For e.g. vitamin B6 defiency is common in asthmatics. Depending on your medication, vitamin B6 tends to get depleted with an anti-asthma drug such as theophylline and aminophylline.
Evening primrose oil, researchers have found that it has a beneficial effect on bronchial asthma.
These a just a few of the remedies that can be used with asthma sufferers.
In my next article I will go into the different foods that need to be eaten to help asthmatics and also different foods to avoid.
If you are interested in finding natural ways to cure your ailments that will give you control over your physical well-being, check out this website at www.myfreehomeremedies.com
Monday, February 11, 2008
Asthma - Home Remedies to Cure Asthma
Asthma is a disease that affects the breathing passages of the lungs (bronchioles). The muscles of the bronchial walls tighten, and cells in the lungs produce extra mucus further narrowing your airways. This can cause minor wheezing to severe difficulty in breathing. Periodic attacks are caused by an oversensitivity of the lungs and airways, which overreact to certain "triggers" and become inflamed and clogged. Asthma is Greek for "panting". Asthmatics pant during an asthma attack because their air passages, which start in the throat and end in the lungs, become narrowed and sometimes almost completely obstructed. Asthma is very common. These episodes may be triggered by such things as exposure to an environmental stimulant (or allergen ), cold air, exercise or exertion, or emotional stress . In children, the most common triggers are viral illnesses such as those that cause the common cold. This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing , shortness of breath , chest tightness, and coughing , which respond to bronchodilators . Between episodes, most patients feel mostly all right but can have a slight problem feeling out of breath for longer periods of time. The symptoms of asthma, which can range from mild to life threatening, can usually be controlled with a combination of drugs and environmental changes. Public attention in the developed world has recently focused on asthma because of its rapidly increasing prevalence , affecting up to one in four urban children.
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your airways. The airways are the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways are inflamed (swollen). For most kids, breathing is simple: They breathe in through their noses or mouths and the air goes into the windpipe. From there, it travels through the airways and into the lungs. But for kids with asthma, breathing can be a lot more difficult because their airways are very sensitive. In most people with asthma, the difficulty breathing happens periodically. When it does happen, it is known as an asthma flare-up also known as an asthma attack, flare, episode, or exacerbation. Many people with asthma compare a flare-up to the sensation of trying to breathe through a straw - it feels extremely hard to get air in and out of their lungs. An asthma flare-up can last for several hours or longer if a person doesn't use asthma medication. When an asthma flare-up is over, the person usually feels better. Between flare-ups, a person's breathing can seem completely normal, or a person may continue to have some symptoms, such as coughing. Some people with asthma feel as if they are always short of breath.
Home Remedies to Cure Asthma
1. Take 1 tsp honey and 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder and mix them well before consuming.
2. Take 2 tablespoonful of fresh lemon juice and 1 tablespoonful of water. Repeat day and night.
3. In 1 cup of water soak 1 tsp of Fenugreek seeds overnight. Strain. Add 1 tsp of Ginger juice and 1 tsp of honey to this. It has to be consumed twice during morning as well as evening.
4. For people who are in their early stages of asthma, a perfect home remedy is to boil 8-10 cloves of garlic in 1/2 cup of milk and consume it during nighttime.
5. Drink one glass of milk to help with the asthma .
6. Cook fresh cranberries in water then mash. Take 2-3 teaspoons a day.
7. Boil water in a pot. Cool, Lean towards the pot with a big towel over your head and inhale the steam for 20 minutes.
8. Air, sun and water are also great healing agents. The patient should sit in fresh air for sometime daily. Try to avoid dusty places, exposure to cold, mental worries and tensions.
9. Regular chewing of fennel helps expel infected mucous from the chest. Thus, helps in preventing asthma attacks.
10. Take fresh dry grapes with seeds and soak them in 150 grams of water at night. Remove the seeds in the morning and chew them slowly, one by one. In the remaining water add a little sugar and drink it. In a month the lungs will be strengthened and poisonous wastes will be removed from the body.
Juliet Cohen writes articles for http://www.makeup-care.info/ and http://www.healthatoz.info/
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your airways. The airways are the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways are inflamed (swollen). For most kids, breathing is simple: They breathe in through their noses or mouths and the air goes into the windpipe. From there, it travels through the airways and into the lungs. But for kids with asthma, breathing can be a lot more difficult because their airways are very sensitive. In most people with asthma, the difficulty breathing happens periodically. When it does happen, it is known as an asthma flare-up also known as an asthma attack, flare, episode, or exacerbation. Many people with asthma compare a flare-up to the sensation of trying to breathe through a straw - it feels extremely hard to get air in and out of their lungs. An asthma flare-up can last for several hours or longer if a person doesn't use asthma medication. When an asthma flare-up is over, the person usually feels better. Between flare-ups, a person's breathing can seem completely normal, or a person may continue to have some symptoms, such as coughing. Some people with asthma feel as if they are always short of breath.
Home Remedies to Cure Asthma
1. Take 1 tsp honey and 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder and mix them well before consuming.
2. Take 2 tablespoonful of fresh lemon juice and 1 tablespoonful of water. Repeat day and night.
3. In 1 cup of water soak 1 tsp of Fenugreek seeds overnight. Strain. Add 1 tsp of Ginger juice and 1 tsp of honey to this. It has to be consumed twice during morning as well as evening.
4. For people who are in their early stages of asthma, a perfect home remedy is to boil 8-10 cloves of garlic in 1/2 cup of milk and consume it during nighttime.
5. Drink one glass of milk to help with the asthma .
6. Cook fresh cranberries in water then mash. Take 2-3 teaspoons a day.
7. Boil water in a pot. Cool, Lean towards the pot with a big towel over your head and inhale the steam for 20 minutes.
8. Air, sun and water are also great healing agents. The patient should sit in fresh air for sometime daily. Try to avoid dusty places, exposure to cold, mental worries and tensions.
9. Regular chewing of fennel helps expel infected mucous from the chest. Thus, helps in preventing asthma attacks.
10. Take fresh dry grapes with seeds and soak them in 150 grams of water at night. Remove the seeds in the morning and chew them slowly, one by one. In the remaining water add a little sugar and drink it. In a month the lungs will be strengthened and poisonous wastes will be removed from the body.
Juliet Cohen writes articles for http://www.makeup-care.info/ and http://www.healthatoz.info/
Saturday, February 9, 2008
An Acute Case Of Asthma Treated With Homeopathy
Dr. Shah presents here a case study to explain how a case of Acute Asthma was managed with Homeopathic medicines. The article also give us an insight into how careful observation and evaluation of patient history and study of materia medica will help us to use uncommon Homeopathic medicines for good clinical results.
Case Study
Mrs. D.R., a 22 year old patient reported with Allergic colds since last 3 to 4 months. She gets continuous running nose and greenish watery discharge. As soon as she gets up she has continuous running nose. Immediately after washing her face, all the symptoms begin. She has feverish feeling, burning in eyes with headache. When she is suffering she has to be in bed for at least 6 to 8 hours and feels tired, lethargic and run down. She also complains of irritation in the upper part of mouth, nose and throat. She is better by rubbing the nose and ear vigorously. Face becomes hot.
Aggravations:
Cold climate
Cold drinks, Ice creams, Juice
In A/C
Fast Fan
Touching nose
Cooking
Summer starting
Morning early bath
Change of temperature Nose block ++
Mental Tension +++
Ameliorations:
Evening
By brushing teeth at night
Avoiding washing of face till afternoon
Warmth
Love, affection and consolation
Concomitants
Headache She feels floor is not even and is bumpy. > By going to sleep. Graying of hair at age of 21 years. She has giddiness < standing, > Lying down Irritation with nose blocked Acidity.
Physical Generals
Appetite: Normal, avoids food if has any work Bowel: Constipation < tea
Craving: Spicy ++, egg Thirstless
Perspiration: Summer, stains yellowish more on underarms and legs
Urine: Burning sometimes
Stool: Semi solid
Sleep: Sleepy. Must sleep in afternoon. If doesn't sleep then gets cold and unrefreshing feeling
Dreams: Day to day life, does not remember
Menses: Dysmenorrhea. First menses at the age 15 years. Cycle: 3/25 days. Occasional Leucorrhoea. Desire winter Likes fan but aggravated++ Bath: Hot water or Tepid water Covers only legs.
Family History
Father: High B.P. Grand Father: Heart attack Paternal Gr. Mo.: Died of Cancer Mother: Obesity & Hair fall
O/E: Weight: 52 Kg. Throat++ Chest NAD Nails breaking, cracking. Face few eruptions; dark ring around eyes Nose congested.
Life Space
She always craves to go to mother's home. If her ego is hurt, she thinks about it a lot, but cannot tell her mother-in-law anything. The fact that she is incapable of having a child is known by relatives. This hurts her a lot. She likes to spend money and likes to have her own cash, which she cannot have at her in-law's place. There is a limited amount available for spending. She used to buy 1 new dress every day, she may be buying 1 dress every day even now. And she never repeats a dress. I have seen her atleast 30 times as she comes with her friends or relatives and she has never worn the same dress again. Her friend told me that in 2 years she does not wear the same dress again and she changes clothes morning and evening both times. She is tall, slim, beautiful and fair. She comes basically from a very rich family. She has 2 sisters and a brother. Her parents have given her lot of money, many dresses and lots of jewellery. As a child she has been pampered and brought up in a very luxurious and protected environment and always got whatever she wanted. She was very fat till the age of 8 years. Studying Ok. Reserved by nature. Only after entering University started making friends. Takes lot of time to mix with people. Completed her graduation in Commerce. Forgetful ++, forgets names ++, forgets the relatives. She is very emotional, moody, talks a lot without reason. Sensitive +++ Hot tempered and out spoken. Husband is good. She prefers his company. She takes tension of numerous things without reason. She has tired to please everybody after marriage. She has been repeatedly hurt by her in-laws. Repeatedly mother-in-law insulted her, as she did not know much about cooking or house keeping. She is better by consolation. Wants to sleep, sleepy +++ Feeling depressed and cries easily ++ Even to go anywhere nearby needs some company. Now she is jealous as her sister-in-law is pregnant. Upset +5 as her sister-in-law is pregnant for the second time. Very much scared of lizards, cockroaches or insects. After some time of marriage they were planning for a child she consulted a gynecologist. She has no problems but husband has oligozoospermia. She started having negative thoughts soon after and was depressed ++. She used to cry again and again. As a routine she fights with her husband but she loves him also.
Treatment History
29/11/95 Gratiola 6 pinch powder every 15 minutes. SL 2 Pills 4 hrly SL 1-1-1 x 7 days
As Gratiola 200, which is the desired potency, was not available, I had to give Gratiola 6. As the potency was not desired, I had to repeat the dose frequently.
2/12/95 Better with medication Stool improvement Better after passing flatulence Gratiola 6 Pinch powder every 15 minutes
SL. 2 pills 4 hrly S.L. 1-0-1x 7days
23/12/95 All complains better Ct All x 7days
15/1/96 Better+ Ct All x 7days
12/2/96 Better+ Ct All x 7days
18/4/96 Better+ Ct All x 7days
25/4/96 Better+ Ct All x 7days Only few symptoms remain. Troubles are better on the whole
20/5/96 All symptoms Better. No complaints.
Conclusion
Homoeopathic Materia Medica is a treasure house of symptoms which comes in the aid of the Physician in the treatment of various conditions and constitutions. As a general expression, the word Pride often reminds one to think of remedies like Platina, Palladium, Veratrum, etc. A careful reading and analysis of some small remedies can often bring out excellent cures in the clinical practice. Gratiola is one such remedy which is indicated "for the mental effects of overweening pride." Nux Vomica Symptoms in females often require Gratiola. This remedy is especially indicated for the present day Daughters-in-law and for the intelligent subordinates working under stupid superiors. For any queries you may write to drshah@specialityclinic.com
Website: Speciality Clinic
About the Author
Dr. Jawahar Shah is a teacher, author and a leading practitioner of Classical Homoeopathy since last 30 years. He has organized more than 500 seminars in 32 countries across the globe. Dr. Shah has been an active contributor to various National and International Scientific Journals in the form of various articles and is the guiding force behind development of leading Homoeopathic software, HOMPATH.
Case Study
Mrs. D.R., a 22 year old patient reported with Allergic colds since last 3 to 4 months. She gets continuous running nose and greenish watery discharge. As soon as she gets up she has continuous running nose. Immediately after washing her face, all the symptoms begin. She has feverish feeling, burning in eyes with headache. When she is suffering she has to be in bed for at least 6 to 8 hours and feels tired, lethargic and run down. She also complains of irritation in the upper part of mouth, nose and throat. She is better by rubbing the nose and ear vigorously. Face becomes hot.
Aggravations:
Cold climate
Cold drinks, Ice creams, Juice
In A/C
Fast Fan
Touching nose
Cooking
Summer starting
Morning early bath
Change of temperature Nose block ++
Mental Tension +++
Ameliorations:
Evening
By brushing teeth at night
Avoiding washing of face till afternoon
Warmth
Love, affection and consolation
Concomitants
Headache She feels floor is not even and is bumpy. > By going to sleep. Graying of hair at age of 21 years. She has giddiness < standing, > Lying down Irritation with nose blocked Acidity.
Physical Generals
Appetite: Normal, avoids food if has any work Bowel: Constipation < tea
Craving: Spicy ++, egg Thirstless
Perspiration: Summer, stains yellowish more on underarms and legs
Urine: Burning sometimes
Stool: Semi solid
Sleep: Sleepy. Must sleep in afternoon. If doesn't sleep then gets cold and unrefreshing feeling
Dreams: Day to day life, does not remember
Menses: Dysmenorrhea. First menses at the age 15 years. Cycle: 3/25 days. Occasional Leucorrhoea. Desire winter Likes fan but aggravated++ Bath: Hot water or Tepid water Covers only legs.
Family History
Father: High B.P. Grand Father: Heart attack Paternal Gr. Mo.: Died of Cancer Mother: Obesity & Hair fall
O/E: Weight: 52 Kg. Throat++ Chest NAD Nails breaking, cracking. Face few eruptions; dark ring around eyes Nose congested.
Life Space
She always craves to go to mother's home. If her ego is hurt, she thinks about it a lot, but cannot tell her mother-in-law anything. The fact that she is incapable of having a child is known by relatives. This hurts her a lot. She likes to spend money and likes to have her own cash, which she cannot have at her in-law's place. There is a limited amount available for spending. She used to buy 1 new dress every day, she may be buying 1 dress every day even now. And she never repeats a dress. I have seen her atleast 30 times as she comes with her friends or relatives and she has never worn the same dress again. Her friend told me that in 2 years she does not wear the same dress again and she changes clothes morning and evening both times. She is tall, slim, beautiful and fair. She comes basically from a very rich family. She has 2 sisters and a brother. Her parents have given her lot of money, many dresses and lots of jewellery. As a child she has been pampered and brought up in a very luxurious and protected environment and always got whatever she wanted. She was very fat till the age of 8 years. Studying Ok. Reserved by nature. Only after entering University started making friends. Takes lot of time to mix with people. Completed her graduation in Commerce. Forgetful ++, forgets names ++, forgets the relatives. She is very emotional, moody, talks a lot without reason. Sensitive +++ Hot tempered and out spoken. Husband is good. She prefers his company. She takes tension of numerous things without reason. She has tired to please everybody after marriage. She has been repeatedly hurt by her in-laws. Repeatedly mother-in-law insulted her, as she did not know much about cooking or house keeping. She is better by consolation. Wants to sleep, sleepy +++ Feeling depressed and cries easily ++ Even to go anywhere nearby needs some company. Now she is jealous as her sister-in-law is pregnant. Upset +5 as her sister-in-law is pregnant for the second time. Very much scared of lizards, cockroaches or insects. After some time of marriage they were planning for a child she consulted a gynecologist. She has no problems but husband has oligozoospermia. She started having negative thoughts soon after and was depressed ++. She used to cry again and again. As a routine she fights with her husband but she loves him also.
Treatment History
29/11/95 Gratiola 6 pinch powder every 15 minutes. SL 2 Pills 4 hrly SL 1-1-1 x 7 days
As Gratiola 200, which is the desired potency, was not available, I had to give Gratiola 6. As the potency was not desired, I had to repeat the dose frequently.
2/12/95 Better with medication Stool improvement Better after passing flatulence Gratiola 6 Pinch powder every 15 minutes
SL. 2 pills 4 hrly S.L. 1-0-1x 7days
23/12/95 All complains better Ct All x 7days
15/1/96 Better+ Ct All x 7days
12/2/96 Better+ Ct All x 7days
18/4/96 Better+ Ct All x 7days
25/4/96 Better+ Ct All x 7days Only few symptoms remain. Troubles are better on the whole
20/5/96 All symptoms Better. No complaints.
Conclusion
Homoeopathic Materia Medica is a treasure house of symptoms which comes in the aid of the Physician in the treatment of various conditions and constitutions. As a general expression, the word Pride often reminds one to think of remedies like Platina, Palladium, Veratrum, etc. A careful reading and analysis of some small remedies can often bring out excellent cures in the clinical practice. Gratiola is one such remedy which is indicated "for the mental effects of overweening pride." Nux Vomica Symptoms in females often require Gratiola. This remedy is especially indicated for the present day Daughters-in-law and for the intelligent subordinates working under stupid superiors. For any queries you may write to drshah@specialityclinic.com
Website: Speciality Clinic
About the Author
Dr. Jawahar Shah is a teacher, author and a leading practitioner of Classical Homoeopathy since last 30 years. He has organized more than 500 seminars in 32 countries across the globe. Dr. Shah has been an active contributor to various National and International Scientific Journals in the form of various articles and is the guiding force behind development of leading Homoeopathic software, HOMPATH.
Monday, February 4, 2008
How to Cure and Control Asthma
Asthma is defined as a chronic respiratory disease, often arising from allergies, that is characterized by sudden recurring attacks of labored breathing, chest constriction, and coughing. Asthma can be fatal if not treated. With the proper treatment and medication asthmatics can live a longer healthier life.
Asthma can come from more than just running out of air. It can be triggered by numerous allergies that you may have. A major step in controlling asthma is knowing your allergies.
But with the proper treatment and medication you can live a longer life.
Treatment Through Medication
Dont get confused and think there is a cure for asthma. You have to take medication to control it. Most asthmatics take anti-inflammatory medications through an inhaler. This medication is a steriod that strengthens the air ways and reduces mucus and swelling.
Bronchodilators is another form of medication that strengthens the airways. There three types of bronchodilators. There are (anticholinergics) short acting, (theophylline) long acting bronchodilaters, and (agonists) short and long acting. The short actings is for immediate rescue of an asthma attack. Long acting is to control and prevent asthma symptoms.
Treatment Through Lifestyle Changes
Knowing what your allergies are and staying away from them are good ways of treating your asthma. That doesn't mean avoiding them all together. If you know you're going to be in an environment that you're allergic to, you may be able to take your medicine before you come in contact with the allergen.
For those asthmatics that exercise. Just monitor your activities and limit the strenous workouts so that you dont have the risk of an attack. For example, instead of running a mile in 3 minutes, run your mile in 6 minutes.
Not Asthma Cures, Asthma Control
Remember, there is no cure for asthma, but that doesn't mean you have to suffer. Just control your lifestyle and take the proper medications and you'll live a long life. Take control of your asthma. Figure out your allergies, exercise smart, and be happy!
For more information on Asthma visit http://asthma-cure-tips.com, a website that specializes in providing health tips, advice, and asthma care information to include Asthma Attacks, Asthma Symptoms, and more. There are many links to great information about controling asthma and living a long life.
Asthma can come from more than just running out of air. It can be triggered by numerous allergies that you may have. A major step in controlling asthma is knowing your allergies.
But with the proper treatment and medication you can live a longer life.
Treatment Through Medication
Dont get confused and think there is a cure for asthma. You have to take medication to control it. Most asthmatics take anti-inflammatory medications through an inhaler. This medication is a steriod that strengthens the air ways and reduces mucus and swelling.
Bronchodilators is another form of medication that strengthens the airways. There three types of bronchodilators. There are (anticholinergics) short acting, (theophylline) long acting bronchodilaters, and (agonists) short and long acting. The short actings is for immediate rescue of an asthma attack. Long acting is to control and prevent asthma symptoms.
Treatment Through Lifestyle Changes
Knowing what your allergies are and staying away from them are good ways of treating your asthma. That doesn't mean avoiding them all together. If you know you're going to be in an environment that you're allergic to, you may be able to take your medicine before you come in contact with the allergen.
For those asthmatics that exercise. Just monitor your activities and limit the strenous workouts so that you dont have the risk of an attack. For example, instead of running a mile in 3 minutes, run your mile in 6 minutes.
Not Asthma Cures, Asthma Control
Remember, there is no cure for asthma, but that doesn't mean you have to suffer. Just control your lifestyle and take the proper medications and you'll live a long life. Take control of your asthma. Figure out your allergies, exercise smart, and be happy!
For more information on Asthma visit http://asthma-cure-tips.com, a website that specializes in providing health tips, advice, and asthma care information to include Asthma Attacks, Asthma Symptoms, and more. There are many links to great information about controling asthma and living a long life.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Warning Signals And Diagnosis Of Asthma
Asthma is said to be more loyal than a wife. She may divorce you, but asthma usually does not. Such is the lingering characteristic of the disease.
Allergy and bronchial asthma are closely related. In an attack of asthma, as a result of allergy, there occurs an inflammation of the airways. Thus a swelling/narrowing of the airways manifests itself as a result of this inflammation.
The three notable early warning signs/symptoms are: cough, tightness in the chest / breathlessness and wheezing (whistling sound caused by difficult breathing through narrowed airways as a result of their inflammation / swelling). But these early warning signals are usually ignored by the patient. Since an early attack of asthma may pass off rapidly, and the patient feels normal in between the attacks, the physician is usually not consulted until the disease is at an advanced stage, when the patient feels marked breathlessness frequently. When the attack persists for hours, it is called status asthmaticus, which is a dangerous stage, and may prove fatal for want of emergency medical aid.
We cannot blame the patient either, because in early cases, after a little discomfort, i.e. cough and tightness in the chest for a while, the patient seems to get well even without medication and he/she hardly feels the need for consultation or treatment. This mild discomfort may not occur for several days/months. In children, these symptoms may appear only after exercise, and the disease is not suspected by the parents, because following some rest, the child usually becomes free of the symptoms.
Hence the disease is highly unpredictable. However, those who have a family history of asthma, those who are heavy smokers, and those working in dusty places or in flour / saw-mills, bakeries, wheat/ plastic / paint / cotton/ glue industries, etc., must be alert, and keep in mind the early warning symptoms of asthma, for immediate medical attention. In some cases, there may be only a seasonal allergy, i.e. the patient gets attacks of asthma during a particular season only, as for instance, during the months of harvesting, threshing, etc.
Once the disease is suspected and the patient reports in time; there is no difficulty in establishing a diagnosis of asthma. But another difficulty can arise. It is invariably seen that the underlying root-cause (allergen) responsible for the recurrent allergy of the airways, causing an inflammatory response in the airways, cannot be easily detected. Various skin tests for the detection of allergy have proved to be of limited value. Therefore, one has to be on drugs which give only temporary relief, and the patient is often dependent on drugs for his or her entire life. Such cases are usually perennial, i.e., they get attacks of asthma throughout the year. As soon as the drug is stopped, the patient gets an attack of asthma. This is agonizing for any person, irrespective of age.
A good deal of research work is being carried out all over the world to overcome this chronic disease of the respiratory tract, so as to give a permanent relief / cure to sufferers.
Author sites: Home Remedies , Health Articles and Self Help
Allergy and bronchial asthma are closely related. In an attack of asthma, as a result of allergy, there occurs an inflammation of the airways. Thus a swelling/narrowing of the airways manifests itself as a result of this inflammation.
The three notable early warning signs/symptoms are: cough, tightness in the chest / breathlessness and wheezing (whistling sound caused by difficult breathing through narrowed airways as a result of their inflammation / swelling). But these early warning signals are usually ignored by the patient. Since an early attack of asthma may pass off rapidly, and the patient feels normal in between the attacks, the physician is usually not consulted until the disease is at an advanced stage, when the patient feels marked breathlessness frequently. When the attack persists for hours, it is called status asthmaticus, which is a dangerous stage, and may prove fatal for want of emergency medical aid.
We cannot blame the patient either, because in early cases, after a little discomfort, i.e. cough and tightness in the chest for a while, the patient seems to get well even without medication and he/she hardly feels the need for consultation or treatment. This mild discomfort may not occur for several days/months. In children, these symptoms may appear only after exercise, and the disease is not suspected by the parents, because following some rest, the child usually becomes free of the symptoms.
Hence the disease is highly unpredictable. However, those who have a family history of asthma, those who are heavy smokers, and those working in dusty places or in flour / saw-mills, bakeries, wheat/ plastic / paint / cotton/ glue industries, etc., must be alert, and keep in mind the early warning symptoms of asthma, for immediate medical attention. In some cases, there may be only a seasonal allergy, i.e. the patient gets attacks of asthma during a particular season only, as for instance, during the months of harvesting, threshing, etc.
Once the disease is suspected and the patient reports in time; there is no difficulty in establishing a diagnosis of asthma. But another difficulty can arise. It is invariably seen that the underlying root-cause (allergen) responsible for the recurrent allergy of the airways, causing an inflammatory response in the airways, cannot be easily detected. Various skin tests for the detection of allergy have proved to be of limited value. Therefore, one has to be on drugs which give only temporary relief, and the patient is often dependent on drugs for his or her entire life. Such cases are usually perennial, i.e., they get attacks of asthma throughout the year. As soon as the drug is stopped, the patient gets an attack of asthma. This is agonizing for any person, irrespective of age.
A good deal of research work is being carried out all over the world to overcome this chronic disease of the respiratory tract, so as to give a permanent relief / cure to sufferers.
Author sites: Home Remedies , Health Articles and Self Help
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Coffee and Asthma?
Here are some facts about the relationship between coffee and asthma. Regular coffee drinkers have about 1/3 less asthma symptoms than those of non-coffee drinkers according to a Harvard researcher who studied 20,000 people.
For the past several years, many experts have touted how horrible coffee was for our health and that the drinking of caffeinated coffee should be immediately ceased. Recently, however, several studies have shown that caffeinated coffee can actually be extremely good for people. One of the groups of people who can reap health benefits from drinking caffeinated coffee is those people who suffer from asthma.
In particular, drinking caffeinated coffee in the situation of an emergency onset of asthma can allow the patient to breathe easily. Doctors have recommended coffee as an emergency way of treating asthma patients who find themselves with a sudden onset and no medication for many, many years.
In Scotland, as evidenced by the Edinburgh Medical Journal, asthma and coffee are good for each other. While not recommended for exclusive treatment, one to two cups of strong coffee may help open airways.
This coffee and asthma treatment can help a patient who is suffering from an onset of asthma symptoms and finds himself without an inhaler breathe more easily until the inhaler can be obtained. This emergency treatment has proven extremely effective due to the similarities between caffeine and a tried-and-true asthma medication known as theophylline.
The similarities between these two chemicals lead doctors to routinely advise patients who are about to undergo tests for lung function to avoid coffee and other caffeinated beverages for one to two days prior to the time of the test.
Several large coffee and asthma studies conducted in the past few years have examined the relationship between drinking coffee and the prevalence of asthma. A study of over seventy thousand Italians showed that there was a significant reduction in the appearance of asthma amongst patients who would regularly drink coffee.
The risk of asthma symptoms fell by 28% when patients drank three or more cups of coffee every day.
In 1992, the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II) examined over twenty thousand Americans. The study found that the risk of symptoms from patients with asthma going into the study fell dramatically (over 29%) when patients who regularly drank coffee were compared with patients who did not drink coffee on a regular basis.
In addition, the risk of patients suffering from wheeze fell almost 13%. A relationship was also found between the amount of
coffee consumed and the effects gained by the asthma patients. Those who drank more coffee had fewer symptoms; those who drank less coffee had more symptoms.
Another smaller coffee and asthma study was performed on nine adult asthmatics using four daily doses of caffeine similar to the doses contained in coffee. This study showed a dose response effect of caffeine on forced expiratory volume (FEV), forced expiratory flow (FEF) and specific airway conductance (Gaw/VL). This data also suggests that caffeine is an effective tool to use in opening airways during an onset of asthma.
While doctors will never advise drinking coffee as the sole treatment for asthma as they did hundreds of years ago, they do agree that the caffeine found in coffee is particularly beneficial in an emergency situation. Anecdotal evidence shows that people have used coffee in situations where inhalers were completely unavailable, such as when on vacations and on an airplane. Coffee is particularly useful in these situations, as the patients might otherwise suffer serious consequences due to their inability to breathe properly.
Randy has more articles on coffee such as Colombian Coffee, Coffee and Alzheimers, and Coffee Breaks.
For the past several years, many experts have touted how horrible coffee was for our health and that the drinking of caffeinated coffee should be immediately ceased. Recently, however, several studies have shown that caffeinated coffee can actually be extremely good for people. One of the groups of people who can reap health benefits from drinking caffeinated coffee is those people who suffer from asthma.
In particular, drinking caffeinated coffee in the situation of an emergency onset of asthma can allow the patient to breathe easily. Doctors have recommended coffee as an emergency way of treating asthma patients who find themselves with a sudden onset and no medication for many, many years.
In Scotland, as evidenced by the Edinburgh Medical Journal, asthma and coffee are good for each other. While not recommended for exclusive treatment, one to two cups of strong coffee may help open airways.
This coffee and asthma treatment can help a patient who is suffering from an onset of asthma symptoms and finds himself without an inhaler breathe more easily until the inhaler can be obtained. This emergency treatment has proven extremely effective due to the similarities between caffeine and a tried-and-true asthma medication known as theophylline.
The similarities between these two chemicals lead doctors to routinely advise patients who are about to undergo tests for lung function to avoid coffee and other caffeinated beverages for one to two days prior to the time of the test.
Several large coffee and asthma studies conducted in the past few years have examined the relationship between drinking coffee and the prevalence of asthma. A study of over seventy thousand Italians showed that there was a significant reduction in the appearance of asthma amongst patients who would regularly drink coffee.
The risk of asthma symptoms fell by 28% when patients drank three or more cups of coffee every day.
In 1992, the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II) examined over twenty thousand Americans. The study found that the risk of symptoms from patients with asthma going into the study fell dramatically (over 29%) when patients who regularly drank coffee were compared with patients who did not drink coffee on a regular basis.
In addition, the risk of patients suffering from wheeze fell almost 13%. A relationship was also found between the amount of
coffee consumed and the effects gained by the asthma patients. Those who drank more coffee had fewer symptoms; those who drank less coffee had more symptoms.
Another smaller coffee and asthma study was performed on nine adult asthmatics using four daily doses of caffeine similar to the doses contained in coffee. This study showed a dose response effect of caffeine on forced expiratory volume (FEV), forced expiratory flow (FEF) and specific airway conductance (Gaw/VL). This data also suggests that caffeine is an effective tool to use in opening airways during an onset of asthma.
While doctors will never advise drinking coffee as the sole treatment for asthma as they did hundreds of years ago, they do agree that the caffeine found in coffee is particularly beneficial in an emergency situation. Anecdotal evidence shows that people have used coffee in situations where inhalers were completely unavailable, such as when on vacations and on an airplane. Coffee is particularly useful in these situations, as the patients might otherwise suffer serious consequences due to their inability to breathe properly.
Randy has more articles on coffee such as Colombian Coffee, Coffee and Alzheimers, and Coffee Breaks.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
How To Tell If Your Infant Has Asthma
Asthma can be dangerous for adults and children alike. It's very different when we're talking about infants, however. Infant asthma is extremely dangerous. The lungs of an infant are not as strong or developed as the lungs of an older child. When an infant has an asthma attack, he or she has a higher likelihood of lung failure.
As terrifying as this knowledge is, it's important to learn as much as you can. When you do, you will be in a better position to determine if your infant has asthma, and you'll know what to do about it.
Some infants with asthma will experience wheezing when they breathe. Pay special attention to how your infant breathes when he or she gets excited. So if you notice quite a bit of wheezing or what appears to be shortness of breathe, you could be looking at signs of infant asthma.
If you notice that your baby does a lot of coughing, and if the coughs sound 'tight' or as if he or she can't catch his or her breath, you could be looking at asthma.
It is very important to find a good doctor that can determine whether or not your baby has infant asthma. Babies are more vulnerable to the risks associated with asthma than anyone else. If you think your baby has asthma, make sure you get him or her to their doctor.
You can prevent a tragedy this way. Asthma is treatable, and you can help your baby when you get him or her diagnosed and on a treatment plan. You can learn about these plans and treatments through your baby's doctor.
If your infant is experiencing any of those symptoms described above, it's time to get him or her to the doctor. There are other things you can do as well: Don't smoke inside, and don't use overpowering perfumes that could aggravate your baby's condition.
Learn as much as you can about infant asthma, and take care of your baby. The better educated you are about this condition, the better you will be able to care for a baby with asthma.
Sick and tired of dealing with your asthma day in and day out? Come on over to Natural Asthma Cures and find out what you can do today to help prevent asthma attacks and treat your asthma naturally.
As terrifying as this knowledge is, it's important to learn as much as you can. When you do, you will be in a better position to determine if your infant has asthma, and you'll know what to do about it.
Some infants with asthma will experience wheezing when they breathe. Pay special attention to how your infant breathes when he or she gets excited. So if you notice quite a bit of wheezing or what appears to be shortness of breathe, you could be looking at signs of infant asthma.
If you notice that your baby does a lot of coughing, and if the coughs sound 'tight' or as if he or she can't catch his or her breath, you could be looking at asthma.
It is very important to find a good doctor that can determine whether or not your baby has infant asthma. Babies are more vulnerable to the risks associated with asthma than anyone else. If you think your baby has asthma, make sure you get him or her to their doctor.
You can prevent a tragedy this way. Asthma is treatable, and you can help your baby when you get him or her diagnosed and on a treatment plan. You can learn about these plans and treatments through your baby's doctor.
If your infant is experiencing any of those symptoms described above, it's time to get him or her to the doctor. There are other things you can do as well: Don't smoke inside, and don't use overpowering perfumes that could aggravate your baby's condition.
Learn as much as you can about infant asthma, and take care of your baby. The better educated you are about this condition, the better you will be able to care for a baby with asthma.
Sick and tired of dealing with your asthma day in and day out? Come on over to Natural Asthma Cures and find out what you can do today to help prevent asthma attacks and treat your asthma naturally.
Asthma Information
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your airways. The muscles of the bronchial walls tighten, and cells in the lungs produce extra mucus further narrowing your airways. This can cause minor wheezing to severe difficulty in breathing. Asthma affects more than 22 million Americans and causes nearly 2 million emergency room visits ever year.Signs of an asthmatic episode include wheezing (tachypnea), prolonged expiration, a rapid heart rate (tachycardia), rhonchous lung sounds (audible through a stethoscope), and over-inflation of the chest. There are many causes of asthma. Family history combined with certain environmental factors influences whether or not someone develops asthma. Smoking during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of a child developing asthma.
Environmental pollution can make asthma symptoms worse and may play a part in causing some asthma. Adult onset asthma may develop after a viral infection. Irritants found in the workplace may lead to a person developing asthma. Signs of an asthmatic episode include wheezing (tachypnea), prolonged expiration, a rapid heart rate (tachycardia), rhonchous lung sounds (audible through a stethoscope), and over-inflation of the chest. Children often have an audible whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling and frequent coughing spasms. Asthma is treated with two kinds of medicines: quick-relief medicines to stop asthma symptoms and long-term control medicines to prevent symptoms. The most effective treatment for asthma is aspirin. Avoiding precipitating factors is important in the management of asthma.
Anticholinergic medications, such as ipratropium bromide may be used instead. Oral medications include aminophylline, leukotriene antagonists, and corticosteroid tablets. Cromolyn sodium prevents the release of certain chemicals in the lungs, such as histamine, which can cause asthma. Anticholinergic medications, such as ipratropium bromide may be used instead. Oral medications include aminophylline, leukotriene antagonists, and corticosteroid tablets. Theophylline relaxes the muscles surrounding the air passages and prevents certain cells lining the bronchi from releasing chemicals, such as histamine, which can cause asthma. Expectorants help thin airway mucus, making it easier to clear the mucus by coughing. The best way to prevent asthma attacks is avoid indoor and outdoor allergens and irritants.
Asthma Treatment and Prevention Tips
1. Corticosteroids is alsp helpful against asthma.
2. Using a peak flow meter can be very helpful ( in children).
3. Theophylline, which is used either alone to treat mild persistent asthma.
4. Allergy-desensitization shots (immunotherapy) may help if you have allergic asthma.
5. Long-term-control medications are used regularly to control chronic symptoms.
6. Cromolyn and nedocromil, which are used to treat mild persistent asthma.
Juliet Cohen writes articles for Women Health. She also writes articles for Early Pregnancy and Pregnancy Calendar.
Environmental pollution can make asthma symptoms worse and may play a part in causing some asthma. Adult onset asthma may develop after a viral infection. Irritants found in the workplace may lead to a person developing asthma. Signs of an asthmatic episode include wheezing (tachypnea), prolonged expiration, a rapid heart rate (tachycardia), rhonchous lung sounds (audible through a stethoscope), and over-inflation of the chest. Children often have an audible whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling and frequent coughing spasms. Asthma is treated with two kinds of medicines: quick-relief medicines to stop asthma symptoms and long-term control medicines to prevent symptoms. The most effective treatment for asthma is aspirin. Avoiding precipitating factors is important in the management of asthma.
Anticholinergic medications, such as ipratropium bromide may be used instead. Oral medications include aminophylline, leukotriene antagonists, and corticosteroid tablets. Cromolyn sodium prevents the release of certain chemicals in the lungs, such as histamine, which can cause asthma. Anticholinergic medications, such as ipratropium bromide may be used instead. Oral medications include aminophylline, leukotriene antagonists, and corticosteroid tablets. Theophylline relaxes the muscles surrounding the air passages and prevents certain cells lining the bronchi from releasing chemicals, such as histamine, which can cause asthma. Expectorants help thin airway mucus, making it easier to clear the mucus by coughing. The best way to prevent asthma attacks is avoid indoor and outdoor allergens and irritants.
Asthma Treatment and Prevention Tips
1. Corticosteroids is alsp helpful against asthma.
2. Using a peak flow meter can be very helpful ( in children).
3. Theophylline, which is used either alone to treat mild persistent asthma.
4. Allergy-desensitization shots (immunotherapy) may help if you have allergic asthma.
5. Long-term-control medications are used regularly to control chronic symptoms.
6. Cromolyn and nedocromil, which are used to treat mild persistent asthma.
Juliet Cohen writes articles for Women Health. She also writes articles for Early Pregnancy and Pregnancy Calendar.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Asthma Cure - Breathe Deeply and Naturally
Many of us try to be free of asthma symptoms and reduced side effects. Been able to breathe deeply and naturally filling the lungs with pure, fresh air. Be free of asthma drugs and strengthen your entire respiratory system helping to enhance natural immunity and to support proper functioning. When you can enjoy an active healthy lifestyle is very important for the maintenance of health.
Some people get severe asthma attacks requiring admission to an intensive care unit. Looking for asthma treatment information is the key to eliminating asthma and allergy symptoms effectively and safely. To truly have a significant, lasting change in your health and quality of your life is bought about by the quality of your thinking. So what are the facts and information you need to help you take the right steps to reduce your asthma attacks and improve your quality of life.
To become healed of your asthma and asthma illness, to breathe well, calmly and in a natural and relaxed way.
Become as free of the dependency on your asthma medication and its side effects.
Sleep all night and wake up feeling great and zest for living.
Have the power to make these positive changes in your health and body.
Not having to watch your child struggling for breath , which has escalated 72 percent in the last 12 years .
This is you aim go and locate the data you need and get moving. There are many website out there that may give advice and information on asthma, go get you research done and help yourself or loved one.
Mary Jane Holmes gets results. Find out how thousands of people have been helped with the advice and information. Visit this link for details: Asthma Information
Some people get severe asthma attacks requiring admission to an intensive care unit. Looking for asthma treatment information is the key to eliminating asthma and allergy symptoms effectively and safely. To truly have a significant, lasting change in your health and quality of your life is bought about by the quality of your thinking. So what are the facts and information you need to help you take the right steps to reduce your asthma attacks and improve your quality of life.
To become healed of your asthma and asthma illness, to breathe well, calmly and in a natural and relaxed way.
Become as free of the dependency on your asthma medication and its side effects.
Sleep all night and wake up feeling great and zest for living.
Have the power to make these positive changes in your health and body.
Not having to watch your child struggling for breath , which has escalated 72 percent in the last 12 years .
This is you aim go and locate the data you need and get moving. There are many website out there that may give advice and information on asthma, go get you research done and help yourself or loved one.
Mary Jane Holmes gets results. Find out how thousands of people have been helped with the advice and information. Visit this link for details: Asthma Information
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