In his book, Essential Allergy, Niels Mygind defines asthma as,
"A lung disease characterised by: 1, variable and reversible airway obstruction; 2, airway inflammation; and 3, bronchial hyper-responsiveness."
Asthma is a disease where bronchial tubes are sensitive to irritants, which cause them to inflame and produce difficult breathing. The inflammation can cause,
* contraction of muscles around the air passages,
* swelling of the airway lining due to airway inflammation, and,
* excessive mucus in the airways.
Asthma occurs in most western countries and is the leading chronic illness of children.
Asthma, in some cases, cannot be cured, but for most patients it can be controlled so that they have only minimal and infrequent symptoms and they can live an active life.
If you have asthma, managing it is an important part of your life. Controlling your asthma means staying away from things that bother your airways and taking medicines or natural remedies as directed by your doctor.
When a person experiences a worsening of their asthma symptoms, it is called an asthma episode or, in severe cases, an asthma attack. During an asthma attack, smooth muscles around the bronchial tubes contract, making the airway openings narrower so less air can flow through. Inflammation increases and the airways become more swollen and narrow. Cells in the airways also make more mucus than usual, which narrows the airways further. The changes to the airways cause the symptoms of asthma.
Asthma attacks are not all the same-some are worse than others. In a severe asthma attack, the airways can close so much that not enough oxygen gets to vital organs. This condition is a medical emergency. People can die from severe asthma attacks. A person suffering from an asthma attack has a sensation similar to drowning.
Learning the warning signs or asthma symptoms can often alert a sufferer in time to take preventive action, such as medication or natural remedies.
Asthma attacks can occur over a long period of time. Although there are times when acute episodes strike asthmatics, most asthma sufferers say that there are long periods during which they suffer few, if any, asthma symptoms.
Here are some asthma symptoms:
* Coughing. Coughing in people with asthma is often worse at night or early in the morning, making it hard for them to sleep. This may be the only symptom a child with asthma has.
* Wheezing. Wheezing is a whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe.
* A tight feeling in the chest. This can feel like someone is squeezing or sitting on your chest.
* Shortness of breath. Asthma sufferers often say they can't catch their breath, or they feel breathless or out of breath.
* Narrowing of the air passages in the lungs and hence increased resistance to airflow.
* Significant reversibility with steroid drugs
* Symptom-free periods
* Frequent occurrence of allergy
* Inflammation of the air passages
* Bronchial hyper-responsiveness to non-specific stimuli such as cold air, air pollution, pollen, dust, or other irritants
* Asthma symptoms brought on by exercises
* Coughing or wheezing brought on by prolonged crying or laughing
Not all people have these symptoms, and symptoms may vary from one asthma attack to another. Some symptoms are mild and some are life threatening.
Symptoms also differ in how often they occur. Some people with asthma only have symptoms once every few months, others have symptoms every week, and still other people have symptoms every day.
Learn how to use natural remedies to reduce asthma attacks and to eliminate many of the asthma symptoms
About the Author
Rudy Silva is a Natural Nutritionist. To discover more about using natural remedies for asthma go to: http://www.asthmatreatments.info
Showing posts with label Types Of Asthma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Types Of Asthma. Show all posts
Monday, December 1, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Know the Symptoms of Childhood Asthma
It is one of the most common illnesses in children. Childhood asthma is the leading reason children miss school, and experts are telling us that close to 4 million kids under the ages of 17 have had some sort of asthma episode in the past year.
It is one of the most common illnesses in children. Childhood asthma is the leading reason children miss school, and experts are telling us that close to 4 million kids under the ages of 17 have had some sort of asthma episode in the past year. Don't you think it's important that you can recognize the symptoms of childhood asthma to help your child if an attach hits? The trouble with childhood asthma is that not all of the symptoms are easy to spot, some quite obvious but others hide under the radar.
Wheezing
High pitched breathing that's very noticeable when a child breaths out. This has to be the most common of all childhood asthma symptoms. It can be severe or mild. It occurs when mucus builds up in the airway, that is already somewhat restricted, making it difficult to breath.
Coughing
Of course not all children will wheeze, often a small percentage will only ever have a persistent cough. Usually most noticeable late in the evenings. This can be a hidden symptom also, as in about 5% of cases in childhood asthma coughing is the only symptom they have. If your child appears to have coughing fits after running, crying or high activity there's a chance they might have asthma.
Frequent Respiratory Infections
Children suffering from frequent and difficult to treat respiratory infections, such as bronchitis, and even pneumonia may have childhood asthma. Of course it doesn't have to be as severe as pneumonia they could just continue to battle chronic cold like symptoms. It's easy for these illnesses to attack a child's lungs that are of course already weakened by asthma.
Inactivity or Being Lethargic
If you notice a child that used to be very active, loved the outdoors running, sports, biking but now shows signs of not wanting to be outdoors anymore along with shortness of breath and check tightening this could be the reason for lack of exertion. Children fighting asthma find it painful when they exert them selves therefore find it easier to avoid the tightness in the chest and shortness of breath,
The real difficulty with diagnosing childhood asthma is that while some kids might display all symptoms other will report very in frequent battles with them. It's important that parents are familiar with the symptoms and can recognize patterns occurring after activity or at night. Knowing more information and recognizing a potential asthma attack will help you know what to do to reduce the intensity as well as help your family doctor diagnose the issues.
To learn more about how asthma can affect children, adults and for rememdies visit our website about medical issues.
It is one of the most common illnesses in children. Childhood asthma is the leading reason children miss school, and experts are telling us that close to 4 million kids under the ages of 17 have had some sort of asthma episode in the past year. Don't you think it's important that you can recognize the symptoms of childhood asthma to help your child if an attach hits? The trouble with childhood asthma is that not all of the symptoms are easy to spot, some quite obvious but others hide under the radar.
Wheezing
High pitched breathing that's very noticeable when a child breaths out. This has to be the most common of all childhood asthma symptoms. It can be severe or mild. It occurs when mucus builds up in the airway, that is already somewhat restricted, making it difficult to breath.
Coughing
Of course not all children will wheeze, often a small percentage will only ever have a persistent cough. Usually most noticeable late in the evenings. This can be a hidden symptom also, as in about 5% of cases in childhood asthma coughing is the only symptom they have. If your child appears to have coughing fits after running, crying or high activity there's a chance they might have asthma.
Frequent Respiratory Infections
Children suffering from frequent and difficult to treat respiratory infections, such as bronchitis, and even pneumonia may have childhood asthma. Of course it doesn't have to be as severe as pneumonia they could just continue to battle chronic cold like symptoms. It's easy for these illnesses to attack a child's lungs that are of course already weakened by asthma.
Inactivity or Being Lethargic
If you notice a child that used to be very active, loved the outdoors running, sports, biking but now shows signs of not wanting to be outdoors anymore along with shortness of breath and check tightening this could be the reason for lack of exertion. Children fighting asthma find it painful when they exert them selves therefore find it easier to avoid the tightness in the chest and shortness of breath,
The real difficulty with diagnosing childhood asthma is that while some kids might display all symptoms other will report very in frequent battles with them. It's important that parents are familiar with the symptoms and can recognize patterns occurring after activity or at night. Knowing more information and recognizing a potential asthma attack will help you know what to do to reduce the intensity as well as help your family doctor diagnose the issues.
To learn more about how asthma can affect children, adults and for rememdies visit our website about medical issues.
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.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
How Asthma-Friendly Is Your School?
Children with asthma need proper support at school to keep their asthma under control and be fully active. Use the questions below to find out how well your school assists children with asthma:
Is your school free of tobacco smoke all of the time, including during school-sponsored events?
Does the school maintain good indoor air quality? Does it reduce or eliminate allergens and irritants that can make asthma worse? Allergens and irritants include pets with fur or feathers, mold, dust mites (for example, in carpets and upholstery), cockroaches, and strong odors or fumes from such products as pesticides, paint, perfumes, and cleaning chemicals.
Is there a school nurse in your school all day, every day? If not, is a nurse regularly available to the school to help write plans and give guidance for students with asthma about medicines, physical education, and field trips?
Can children take medicines at school as recommended by their doctor and parents? May children carry their own asthma medicines?
Does your school have an emergency plan for taking care of a child with a severe asthma episode (attack)? Is it made clear what to do? Who to call? When to call?
Does someone teach school staff about asthma, asthma management plans, and asthma medicines? Does someone teach all students about asthma and how to help a classmate who has it?
Do students have good options for fully and safely participating in physical education class and recess? (For example, do students have access to their medicine before exercise? Can they choose modified or alternative activities when medically necessary?)
If the answer to any question is no, students may be facing obstacles to asthma control. Asthma out of control can hinder a student's attendance, participation, and progress in school. School staff, health professionals, and parents can work together to remove obstacles and to promote students' health and education.
Contact the organizations listed below for information about asthma and helpful ideas for making school policies and practices more asthma-friendly. Federal and State laws are there to help children with asthma.
Asthma can be controlled; expect nothing less.
Resource Organizations for Parents and School Staff
National Asthma Education and Prevention Program
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
(301) 592-8573
Internet: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/naepp
NAEPP materials include:
Managing Asthma: A Guide for Schools
Asthma Awareness Curriculum for the Elementary Classroom
Asthma and Physical Activity in the School
Making a Difference: Asthma Management in the School (video)
Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics, Inc.
2751 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 150
Fairfax, VA 22031
(800) 878-4403 or (703) 641-9595
Internet: http://www.aanma.org
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
611 East Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(800) 822-ASMA or (414) 272-6071
Internet: http://www.aaaai.org
American Academy of Pediatrics
141 Northwest Point Boulevard
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(800) 433-9016 or (847) 228-5005
Internet: http://www.aap.org
American Association for Respiratory Care
11030 Ables Lane
Dallas, TX 75229-4593
(972) 243-2272
Internet: http://www.aarc.org
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
85 West Algonquin Road, Suite 550
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(800) 842-7777 or (847) 427-1200
Internet: http://allergy.mcg.edu
American Lung Association
For the affiliate nearest you, call
(800) LUNG USA
Internet: http://www.lungusa.org
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
1125 15th Street, N.W., Suite 502
Washington, DC 20005
(800) 7-ASTHMA or (202) 466-7643
Internet: http://www.aafa.org
Healthy Kids: The Key to Basics
Educational Planning for Students With Asthma and Other Chronic Health Conditions
79 Elmore Street
Newton, MA 02159-1137
(617) 965-9637
National Association of School Nurses
111 Cantril street
Castle Rock, CO 80104
Telephone: (303) 663-0403
Internet: http://www.nasn.org
National Education Association
Health Information Network
1201 16th street, NW, Suite 521
Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: (202) 822-7570
Internet: http://www.asthmaandschools.org
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights, Customer Service Team
Mary E. Switzer Building
330 C Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202-1328
(800) 421-3481 or (202) 205-5413
Internet: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OCR
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Indoor Environments Division
401 M Street, S.W. (6604J)
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 233-9370
Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse
(800) 438-4318
Internet: http://www.epa.gov/iaq
Article by Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Is your school free of tobacco smoke all of the time, including during school-sponsored events?
Does the school maintain good indoor air quality? Does it reduce or eliminate allergens and irritants that can make asthma worse? Allergens and irritants include pets with fur or feathers, mold, dust mites (for example, in carpets and upholstery), cockroaches, and strong odors or fumes from such products as pesticides, paint, perfumes, and cleaning chemicals.
Is there a school nurse in your school all day, every day? If not, is a nurse regularly available to the school to help write plans and give guidance for students with asthma about medicines, physical education, and field trips?
Can children take medicines at school as recommended by their doctor and parents? May children carry their own asthma medicines?
Does your school have an emergency plan for taking care of a child with a severe asthma episode (attack)? Is it made clear what to do? Who to call? When to call?
Does someone teach school staff about asthma, asthma management plans, and asthma medicines? Does someone teach all students about asthma and how to help a classmate who has it?
Do students have good options for fully and safely participating in physical education class and recess? (For example, do students have access to their medicine before exercise? Can they choose modified or alternative activities when medically necessary?)
If the answer to any question is no, students may be facing obstacles to asthma control. Asthma out of control can hinder a student's attendance, participation, and progress in school. School staff, health professionals, and parents can work together to remove obstacles and to promote students' health and education.
Contact the organizations listed below for information about asthma and helpful ideas for making school policies and practices more asthma-friendly. Federal and State laws are there to help children with asthma.
Asthma can be controlled; expect nothing less.
Resource Organizations for Parents and School Staff
National Asthma Education and Prevention Program
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
(301) 592-8573
Internet: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/naepp
NAEPP materials include:
Managing Asthma: A Guide for Schools
Asthma Awareness Curriculum for the Elementary Classroom
Asthma and Physical Activity in the School
Making a Difference: Asthma Management in the School (video)
Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics, Inc.
2751 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 150
Fairfax, VA 22031
(800) 878-4403 or (703) 641-9595
Internet: http://www.aanma.org
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
611 East Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(800) 822-ASMA or (414) 272-6071
Internet: http://www.aaaai.org
American Academy of Pediatrics
141 Northwest Point Boulevard
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(800) 433-9016 or (847) 228-5005
Internet: http://www.aap.org
American Association for Respiratory Care
11030 Ables Lane
Dallas, TX 75229-4593
(972) 243-2272
Internet: http://www.aarc.org
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
85 West Algonquin Road, Suite 550
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(800) 842-7777 or (847) 427-1200
Internet: http://allergy.mcg.edu
American Lung Association
For the affiliate nearest you, call
(800) LUNG USA
Internet: http://www.lungusa.org
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
1125 15th Street, N.W., Suite 502
Washington, DC 20005
(800) 7-ASTHMA or (202) 466-7643
Internet: http://www.aafa.org
Healthy Kids: The Key to Basics
Educational Planning for Students With Asthma and Other Chronic Health Conditions
79 Elmore Street
Newton, MA 02159-1137
(617) 965-9637
National Association of School Nurses
111 Cantril street
Castle Rock, CO 80104
Telephone: (303) 663-0403
Internet: http://www.nasn.org
National Education Association
Health Information Network
1201 16th street, NW, Suite 521
Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: (202) 822-7570
Internet: http://www.asthmaandschools.org
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights, Customer Service Team
Mary E. Switzer Building
330 C Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202-1328
(800) 421-3481 or (202) 205-5413
Internet: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OCR
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Indoor Environments Division
401 M Street, S.W. (6604J)
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 233-9370
Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse
(800) 438-4318
Internet: http://www.epa.gov/iaq
Article by Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Monday, May 5, 2008
Asthma Types and Its Symptoms
Asthma can happen to anybody. Asthma starts at all ages. If Asthma is detected in childhood, that is between the ages of two to six, it is mainly due to the exposure to allergens, pollens, smoke and dust particles or mites.
It is very difficult to diagnose whether the child has asthma or not. In many cases, the child shows symptoms which resemble the onset of asthma, but when observed carefully, the child does not get asthma. Adults may also get asthma. The main reason behind getting asthma in adults is respiratory tract infection.
There are two types of asthma.
1. Extrinsic 2. Intrinsic
Extrinsic asthma is the most common type of asthma seen in asthma patients. Extrinsic asthma develops due to allergies and allergens. Extrinsic asthma develops during childhood, since children are most susceptible to allergies. Most allergies in children are due to hay fever, eczema or family history of allergies.
These allergies disappear as the child grows up and so does asthma, but they may reappear in later stages of life. Intrinsic type of asthma occurs mostly in women who are in their 30s. It is not associated with allergies and intrinsic type of asthma is more chronic and perennial.
The cause of intrinsic asthma can be traced to respiratory tract infections. Asthma also has categorizations based on the intensity of the disease Asthma can be mild, moderate and severe Mild asthma is found in 30% of the patients.
Patients with mild asthma do not have frequent attacks and can be cured or minimized with some precautions in dietary habits and lifestyle and a periodic checkup. These sorts of people do not need attention at all times and are self-supporting in case of an attack.
There is almost an equal percentage of people who have moderate asthma. These patients have moderately mild attacks and have the attacks more frequently. Proper medication and precautions must be taken to help the patient remain healthy.
Severe asthma patients require urgent medical attention, as the attacks are frequent and severe. The symptoms of Asthma are almost the same in all cases.
The intensity and the frequency of such attacks increase. Asthma is definitely curable and the frequency of attacks can be minimized with proper support and precautions.
Visit Bjorn Gutter's website at http://asthma--treatment.blogspot.com
It is very difficult to diagnose whether the child has asthma or not. In many cases, the child shows symptoms which resemble the onset of asthma, but when observed carefully, the child does not get asthma. Adults may also get asthma. The main reason behind getting asthma in adults is respiratory tract infection.
There are two types of asthma.
1. Extrinsic 2. Intrinsic
Extrinsic asthma is the most common type of asthma seen in asthma patients. Extrinsic asthma develops due to allergies and allergens. Extrinsic asthma develops during childhood, since children are most susceptible to allergies. Most allergies in children are due to hay fever, eczema or family history of allergies.
These allergies disappear as the child grows up and so does asthma, but they may reappear in later stages of life. Intrinsic type of asthma occurs mostly in women who are in their 30s. It is not associated with allergies and intrinsic type of asthma is more chronic and perennial.
The cause of intrinsic asthma can be traced to respiratory tract infections. Asthma also has categorizations based on the intensity of the disease Asthma can be mild, moderate and severe Mild asthma is found in 30% of the patients.
Patients with mild asthma do not have frequent attacks and can be cured or minimized with some precautions in dietary habits and lifestyle and a periodic checkup. These sorts of people do not need attention at all times and are self-supporting in case of an attack.
There is almost an equal percentage of people who have moderate asthma. These patients have moderately mild attacks and have the attacks more frequently. Proper medication and precautions must be taken to help the patient remain healthy.
Severe asthma patients require urgent medical attention, as the attacks are frequent and severe. The symptoms of Asthma are almost the same in all cases.
The intensity and the frequency of such attacks increase. Asthma is definitely curable and the frequency of attacks can be minimized with proper support and precautions.
Visit Bjorn Gutter's website at http://asthma--treatment.blogspot.com
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.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Get Information About Asthma Types
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.
Asthma is a growing worldwide problem. Asthma is classified in various ways. Traditionally, doctors have categorised asthma into two general groups, Extrinsic (allergic) asthma and Intrinsic (non-allergic) asthma, depending upon the types of stimuli that flare up these attacks.
Extrinsic (allergic) Asthma:
More prevalent in the younger age group, extrinsic asthma is caused by the immune systems response to inhaled allergens such as pollen, animal dander or dust mite particles. People with allergic asthma frequently have other allergy-related problems such as hay fever, rhinitis, skin rashes, eczema.
Intrinsic Asthma:
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.
Nocturnal Asthma
This term is often used to describe people who have asthma symptoms at night. Disturbed sleep from asthma symptoms is very common. In fact, people can suffer very severe symptoms in the night and have no apparent symptoms in the day. This is one of the hallmarks of asthma. Symptoms at night should never be ignored and are usually a sign that asthma is not well controlled.
Cardiac Asthma
This term is now rarely used and is completely different to the asthma we are concerned with here. Cardiac asthma has the same symptoms but these are caused by heart failure and not change in the lungs which is the bronchial asthma we are concerned with here. The treatments for this cardiac asthma are completely different.
Here are a few types of asthma triggers and ways to manage them, as recommended by the Consumer Federation of America:
1)Secondhand smoke. Tobacco smoke, whether exhaled by a smoker or emitted from the end of a burning tobacco product, irritates air passageways.
To keep secondhand smoke from triggering an asthma attack, asthmatics should politely ask friends and guests in their home to refrain from smoking.
Parents with asthmatic children should prohibit smoking in their homes and automobiles.
2)Dust mites. These microscopic animals are in every home. They survive on skin flakes and usually live in mattresses, pillows, carpets, upholstered furniture, bedcovers, clothes, stuffed toys and other fabric-covered items.
To keep dust mites at bay, wash sheets, bedcovers and blankets at least once a week in hot water; cover mattresses and pillows in dust-proof covers and maintain low indoor humidity.
3)Pets. To keep pets around and avoid asthma problems, pets should be kept out of bedrooms and any other areas where people sleep. They should also be kept away from fabric-covered surfaces, which can collect hair.
Read about Acne Cure Treatments and Hair Loss Treatments. Also read about Beauty and Makeup Tips
Asthma is a growing worldwide problem. Asthma is classified in various ways. Traditionally, doctors have categorised asthma into two general groups, Extrinsic (allergic) asthma and Intrinsic (non-allergic) asthma, depending upon the types of stimuli that flare up these attacks.
Extrinsic (allergic) Asthma:
More prevalent in the younger age group, extrinsic asthma is caused by the immune systems response to inhaled allergens such as pollen, animal dander or dust mite particles. People with allergic asthma frequently have other allergy-related problems such as hay fever, rhinitis, skin rashes, eczema.
Intrinsic Asthma:
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.
Nocturnal Asthma
This term is often used to describe people who have asthma symptoms at night. Disturbed sleep from asthma symptoms is very common. In fact, people can suffer very severe symptoms in the night and have no apparent symptoms in the day. This is one of the hallmarks of asthma. Symptoms at night should never be ignored and are usually a sign that asthma is not well controlled.
Cardiac Asthma
This term is now rarely used and is completely different to the asthma we are concerned with here. Cardiac asthma has the same symptoms but these are caused by heart failure and not change in the lungs which is the bronchial asthma we are concerned with here. The treatments for this cardiac asthma are completely different.
Here are a few types of asthma triggers and ways to manage them, as recommended by the Consumer Federation of America:
1)Secondhand smoke. Tobacco smoke, whether exhaled by a smoker or emitted from the end of a burning tobacco product, irritates air passageways.
To keep secondhand smoke from triggering an asthma attack, asthmatics should politely ask friends and guests in their home to refrain from smoking.
Parents with asthmatic children should prohibit smoking in their homes and automobiles.
2)Dust mites. These microscopic animals are in every home. They survive on skin flakes and usually live in mattresses, pillows, carpets, upholstered furniture, bedcovers, clothes, stuffed toys and other fabric-covered items.
To keep dust mites at bay, wash sheets, bedcovers and blankets at least once a week in hot water; cover mattresses and pillows in dust-proof covers and maintain low indoor humidity.
3)Pets. To keep pets around and avoid asthma problems, pets should be kept out of bedrooms and any other areas where people sleep. They should also be kept away from fabric-covered surfaces, which can collect hair.
Read about Acne Cure Treatments and Hair Loss Treatments. Also read about Beauty and Makeup Tips
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/
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Why Early Diagnosis of Pediatric Asthma Is Important
Asthma has received a very high attention in the past 2 decades, for a number of reasons.
It is one of the most common chronic diseases in children and adults.
As data accumulated, asthma was recognized as a complex genetic disease, with numerous contributing genes.
It causes children to miss time from school and adults to miss time from work.
In latest 20 years asthma hospitalization and mortality rates increased in the United States and remain alarmingly high given the current state of knowledge. Asthma contributes to more than 500,000 hospitalizations and 5000 deaths annually resulting in costs exceeding $12 billion.
Asthma is a disease marked by variable airway obstruction. This variable obstruction may result in variable symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and chest tightness. From the patient's perspective, these symptoms are the most obvious signs of worsening asthma.
Because the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of asthma have increased in children over the past several decades, the early and accurate diagnosis of pediatric asthma is important from at least two points of view:
The airway inflammation is not a static, reversible event. It may result in permanent changes; furthermore, progressive pathogenesis can occur even among infants or children with mild disease.
Environmental exposure to allergen, tobacco smoke, pollutants, low birth weight, and infections all play a contributing role in worsening the condition.
The most common asthma therapy in children is inhaled bronchodilator medications. They are highly effective in opening airways narrowed by asthma. In fact, they are the most effective. In addition, they have few severe side effects when used in the recommended dose and frequency. They are available by both metered dose inhaler and nebulizer. In very severe conditions doctor may prescribe other medications.
A last notice. Your child may take the medicine for about a week after the asthma symptoms end. If your child has more severe asthma and many episodes, he/she may need to take medicines every day, including one or more anti-inflammatory medicines.
Valerian D is a freelance writer specialized in health issues such as allergic asthma
It is one of the most common chronic diseases in children and adults.
As data accumulated, asthma was recognized as a complex genetic disease, with numerous contributing genes.
It causes children to miss time from school and adults to miss time from work.
In latest 20 years asthma hospitalization and mortality rates increased in the United States and remain alarmingly high given the current state of knowledge. Asthma contributes to more than 500,000 hospitalizations and 5000 deaths annually resulting in costs exceeding $12 billion.
Asthma is a disease marked by variable airway obstruction. This variable obstruction may result in variable symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and chest tightness. From the patient's perspective, these symptoms are the most obvious signs of worsening asthma.
Because the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of asthma have increased in children over the past several decades, the early and accurate diagnosis of pediatric asthma is important from at least two points of view:
The airway inflammation is not a static, reversible event. It may result in permanent changes; furthermore, progressive pathogenesis can occur even among infants or children with mild disease.
Environmental exposure to allergen, tobacco smoke, pollutants, low birth weight, and infections all play a contributing role in worsening the condition.
The most common asthma therapy in children is inhaled bronchodilator medications. They are highly effective in opening airways narrowed by asthma. In fact, they are the most effective. In addition, they have few severe side effects when used in the recommended dose and frequency. They are available by both metered dose inhaler and nebulizer. In very severe conditions doctor may prescribe other medications.
A last notice. Your child may take the medicine for about a week after the asthma symptoms end. If your child has more severe asthma and many episodes, he/she may need to take medicines every day, including one or more anti-inflammatory medicines.
Valerian D is a freelance writer specialized in health issues such as allergic asthma
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Asthma Cures - Eliminate the Causes First
Anyone who suffers form asthma just wants to find something that will cure the asthma. Asthmatics just want to find anything that will help free them from the chains of it. It can be very frustrating trying the many different medicines that the doctors prescribe and still not getting any relief.
Fortunately, there are many possible remedies out there. It's just up to each of the many asthma sufferers to find the cure that works for them.
A Variety of Asthma Cures
There are a variety of possible and promising asthma cures out there and not all of them involve taking drugs. In fact, there are many that don't involve taking medicine or seeing a doctor. Besides finding a drug that works, some of the other natural cures for this include: breathing techniques, adjusting living conditions, adjusting eating habits, and performing mental exercises.
Some people find that their asthma is much better or cured all together by doing just one of the above, while others find it works to do a variety of the above. What exactly works is different for each person.
For example, with adjusting diet, some people may find that if they eat a certain food then it helps to relieve their asthma symptoms. However, some other people may find that the exact same food causes an allergic reaction and makes it worse.
Everything depends on the individual person.
The Importance of Looking to Treat Asthma
There are so many causes of asthma that it's often tough for each asthmatic to know what causes his/her asthma. However, it's important to find out that cause. If the cause can be determined than a cure can be found much easier.
So all asthmatics should begin looking for what might be causing it. To begin everyone should look at their living conditions and eating habits. Often this is caused by allergies and the most common allergens are found in the home (or workplace) and in foods.
Again, one person may have mold in his basement causing his asthma while another person may be eating food with MSG that is causing it to get worse. Each person has to take the initiative to find what's causing this and then take the proper steps to eliminate the causes.
Asthma cures can be found just by eliminating the causes.
There is No Silver Bullet
Many people mistakenly believe that one magic pill, technique, or exercise will cure everyone's asthma. But this isn't true.
Everyone needs to find the cause of their asthma and then try the different strategies that have worked for others until they find the cure that works right for them.
Discover the asthma remedies that many asthma sufferers including Olympic athletes have used to cure their asthma and now live a fulfilling life at http://www.AsthmaCureGuide.com These little secrets compiled by Jonathan Hatton have helped hundreds of people to take full control of their asthma naturally without taking expansive drugs or medications. For more information, visit Asthma Cure Guide today.
Fortunately, there are many possible remedies out there. It's just up to each of the many asthma sufferers to find the cure that works for them.
A Variety of Asthma Cures
There are a variety of possible and promising asthma cures out there and not all of them involve taking drugs. In fact, there are many that don't involve taking medicine or seeing a doctor. Besides finding a drug that works, some of the other natural cures for this include: breathing techniques, adjusting living conditions, adjusting eating habits, and performing mental exercises.
Some people find that their asthma is much better or cured all together by doing just one of the above, while others find it works to do a variety of the above. What exactly works is different for each person.
For example, with adjusting diet, some people may find that if they eat a certain food then it helps to relieve their asthma symptoms. However, some other people may find that the exact same food causes an allergic reaction and makes it worse.
Everything depends on the individual person.
The Importance of Looking to Treat Asthma
There are so many causes of asthma that it's often tough for each asthmatic to know what causes his/her asthma. However, it's important to find out that cause. If the cause can be determined than a cure can be found much easier.
So all asthmatics should begin looking for what might be causing it. To begin everyone should look at their living conditions and eating habits. Often this is caused by allergies and the most common allergens are found in the home (or workplace) and in foods.
Again, one person may have mold in his basement causing his asthma while another person may be eating food with MSG that is causing it to get worse. Each person has to take the initiative to find what's causing this and then take the proper steps to eliminate the causes.
Asthma cures can be found just by eliminating the causes.
There is No Silver Bullet
Many people mistakenly believe that one magic pill, technique, or exercise will cure everyone's asthma. But this isn't true.
Everyone needs to find the cause of their asthma and then try the different strategies that have worked for others until they find the cure that works right for them.
Discover the asthma remedies that many asthma sufferers including Olympic athletes have used to cure their asthma and now live a fulfilling life at http://www.AsthmaCureGuide.com These little secrets compiled by Jonathan Hatton have helped hundreds of people to take full control of their asthma naturally without taking expansive drugs or medications. For more information, visit Asthma Cure Guide today.
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
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
Fight Asthma with Fruit, Fish, and Fresh Air
According to the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Association, as many as twenty million Americans suffer from asthma. While medications have proven effective in treating the resulting symptoms, such as coughing and wheezing, studies have shown that many asthmatics do not need to suffer at all - that this chronic lung condition is actually reversible. With an improved diet and purified air, the inflammation and constricting of the airways that occurs during an asthma attack can be completely avoided, preventing symptoms and avoiding possible long-term damage to the lungs.
While it is normal for a person's airways to constrict in response to an adverse substance in the air or a frigid temperature, an asthmatic's lungs will over-respond, shrinking to a point that can be life-threatening and often not returning to normal even when removed from the initial trigger. Doctors have found that this hyper-responsiveness is mainly caused by imbalances in a person's immune system. And because important segments of the immune system lie within the linings of the airways as well as in the digestive tract, an improved diet can strengthen the immune system, ultimately protecting the body from harmful substances.
In fact, nutrients such as vitamin C in fruits and omega-3 fatty acids in fish are actually known to improve the function of the heart and lungs. As a result, an onset of respiratory symptoms is less likely to occur, even upon the airways being subjected to a harmful trigger. Doctors further assert that a diet of mainly simple sugars, unhealthy fats, and nutrient-deficient foods weakens the lungs' anti-inflammatory response, favoring the production of chemicals that cause inflammation; therefore, by addressing nutrient deficiencies, one can greatly reduce the threat of over-inflammation.
In addition to preventing asthma through an improved diet, it is important to avoid triggers in the air that may bring on attacks. While outdoor air cannot be controlled, indoor air can be effectively purified with the help of air ionizers. And because indoor air is actually two to ten times more polluted than that outdoors, the benefits of negative ion purification are especially important. A negative ion generator is able to eliminate many triggers of asthma, including viruses, smoke, pet dander, molds, dust mites, fumes, and fragrances. Once these contaminants are eliminated, a person who once suffered from asthma can often breathe with no fear of attack.
As an ordinary part of the earth's atmosphere, negative ions work naturally indoors just as they do outdoors to freshen and purify the air. Most often created in nature by moving air or water, these ions are found in abundance around waterfalls, at beaches, and after thunderstorms where neutral particles can easily lose electrons upon sudden impact, such as by waves hitting the surf. Once an electron escapes, it then attaches itself to another nearby particle. If the resulting atom or molecule contains more electrons than protons, a negative charge is created and thus, a negative ion.
These negative ions, as generated by air ionizers, are extremely effective in cleansing the air of irritants known to trigger asthma. Once the ions are emitted by a negative ion generator, they disperse throughout a room, attracting contaminants such as dust, pollen, and mold spores, which possess a positive charge. As the negatively charged ions and positively charged particulates stick together, they begin to form clusters, ultimately becoming heavy enough to fall out of the air to surfaces where they can be vacuumed or dusted away rather than inhaled. To a person who suffers from asthma, the benefits of negative ions are essential.
Another benefit of negative ions, especially for asthmatics, is that air ionizers do not require the use of a fan, which often stirs up irritants, in order to purify the air. Instead, the ions float from the negative ion generator along natural air currents, allowing indoor air to become remarkably free of pollutants as the opposite charges attract. In fact, negative ions are able to purify air even better than a HEPA filter, which cannot prevent the tiniest particles from passing through. In contrast, negative ions are able to remove these minute particulates, even down to a tenth of a micron in size. In this way, contaminants such as allergens, bacteria, viruses, and smoke are effectively eliminated.
While air ionizers are not a cure-all in themselves, utilizing a negative ion generator to purify the air while consuming a healthful diet including fruit and fish can actually reverse the symptoms of asthma. As inflammation of the airways is reduced and constriction is prevented through consuming omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C, along with utilizing the benefits of negative ions, Americans will find this chronic lung condition becoming a problem of the past. Most importantly, those who once suffered from the illness will discover that they truly can breathe freely, without fear of an attack and without the assistance of medication.
Clean Air with Ultraviolet offers a variety of easy-to-use, low-maintenance, energy efficient products that will get you just the results you are seeking. For more information on indoor air purifiers or the benefits of air purification, please visit Clean Air with Ultraviolet.
While it is normal for a person's airways to constrict in response to an adverse substance in the air or a frigid temperature, an asthmatic's lungs will over-respond, shrinking to a point that can be life-threatening and often not returning to normal even when removed from the initial trigger. Doctors have found that this hyper-responsiveness is mainly caused by imbalances in a person's immune system. And because important segments of the immune system lie within the linings of the airways as well as in the digestive tract, an improved diet can strengthen the immune system, ultimately protecting the body from harmful substances.
In fact, nutrients such as vitamin C in fruits and omega-3 fatty acids in fish are actually known to improve the function of the heart and lungs. As a result, an onset of respiratory symptoms is less likely to occur, even upon the airways being subjected to a harmful trigger. Doctors further assert that a diet of mainly simple sugars, unhealthy fats, and nutrient-deficient foods weakens the lungs' anti-inflammatory response, favoring the production of chemicals that cause inflammation; therefore, by addressing nutrient deficiencies, one can greatly reduce the threat of over-inflammation.
In addition to preventing asthma through an improved diet, it is important to avoid triggers in the air that may bring on attacks. While outdoor air cannot be controlled, indoor air can be effectively purified with the help of air ionizers. And because indoor air is actually two to ten times more polluted than that outdoors, the benefits of negative ion purification are especially important. A negative ion generator is able to eliminate many triggers of asthma, including viruses, smoke, pet dander, molds, dust mites, fumes, and fragrances. Once these contaminants are eliminated, a person who once suffered from asthma can often breathe with no fear of attack.
As an ordinary part of the earth's atmosphere, negative ions work naturally indoors just as they do outdoors to freshen and purify the air. Most often created in nature by moving air or water, these ions are found in abundance around waterfalls, at beaches, and after thunderstorms where neutral particles can easily lose electrons upon sudden impact, such as by waves hitting the surf. Once an electron escapes, it then attaches itself to another nearby particle. If the resulting atom or molecule contains more electrons than protons, a negative charge is created and thus, a negative ion.
These negative ions, as generated by air ionizers, are extremely effective in cleansing the air of irritants known to trigger asthma. Once the ions are emitted by a negative ion generator, they disperse throughout a room, attracting contaminants such as dust, pollen, and mold spores, which possess a positive charge. As the negatively charged ions and positively charged particulates stick together, they begin to form clusters, ultimately becoming heavy enough to fall out of the air to surfaces where they can be vacuumed or dusted away rather than inhaled. To a person who suffers from asthma, the benefits of negative ions are essential.
Another benefit of negative ions, especially for asthmatics, is that air ionizers do not require the use of a fan, which often stirs up irritants, in order to purify the air. Instead, the ions float from the negative ion generator along natural air currents, allowing indoor air to become remarkably free of pollutants as the opposite charges attract. In fact, negative ions are able to purify air even better than a HEPA filter, which cannot prevent the tiniest particles from passing through. In contrast, negative ions are able to remove these minute particulates, even down to a tenth of a micron in size. In this way, contaminants such as allergens, bacteria, viruses, and smoke are effectively eliminated.
While air ionizers are not a cure-all in themselves, utilizing a negative ion generator to purify the air while consuming a healthful diet including fruit and fish can actually reverse the symptoms of asthma. As inflammation of the airways is reduced and constriction is prevented through consuming omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C, along with utilizing the benefits of negative ions, Americans will find this chronic lung condition becoming a problem of the past. Most importantly, those who once suffered from the illness will discover that they truly can breathe freely, without fear of an attack and without the assistance of medication.
Clean Air with Ultraviolet offers a variety of easy-to-use, low-maintenance, energy efficient products that will get you just the results you are seeking. For more information on indoor air purifiers or the benefits of air purification, please visit Clean Air with Ultraviolet.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Who Else Wants To Know About Asthma Food Allergy?
There are findings that many asthmatics don't consider food an asthma trigger, particularly in adults. Most of the studies connecting food and asthma are done with children, who it is understood may be food allergic.
So recently, food allergy is yet another factor that asthma patients should not miss from their endless list of allergens.
In the United States 3% of children and 1% of adults suffer from food allergy each year; out of these approximately 30,000 cases of food-induced anaphylaxis and about 150 people die.
How sensitve are you to food?
Food sensitization is mostly prevalent in city inhabitants who have asthma. Researchers found approximately 45% of the children who suffered of asthma and were in the study were sensitive to at least one food allergen and had a higher rate of hospitalization. These cases require more steroid medication to control the allergy attack.
Many food studies have found that certain foods do trigger allergy and subsequently an attack.
Food allergy is referred to adverse immunologic reaction to food. The primary target organs of food allergic reaction are the skin, gastrointestinal tract and the respiratory system.
Both acute reactions and chronic disease such as food allergy may occur due to food allergens. To diagnose food allergy requires a careful in depth search for possible causes. Once sure of the cause one can proceed to treatment or elimination of the foods.
Allergy and the respiratory tract.
Food induced asthma is an IgE-medicated diseases that may be caused by indigestion or from inhalation of vapors released during cooking or otherwise.
The prevalence of asthma allergy in the general population is insignificant however; research shows that approximately 5% of children with asthma who have been under study have shown signs of asthma allergy.
While food may not be a major allergen for asthma patients it is possible to trigger asthma attacks.
Asthma allergy is not something asthma patients should worry about at every step but at the same time do not strike it altogether of your list.
If you encounter discomfort with some foods that lead to an asthma attack, take immediate action of treating and/or removing those foods from your diet.
Some foods products to watch
There are eight food products that causes a major portion, over 90% of food allergies and they are, milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy and tree nuts i.e. almonds, walnuts and pecans.
Keeping these products in mind it will help you observe any reaction occurred when or after consuming them.
As mentioned above food is not one of the main causes in an asthma attack however, prevention is better then a cure therefore, being careful will only help prevent an asthma attack in the future.
Although food allergies had been connected with respiratory symptoms in the past, this was first study to link them with changes in the air-passage ways through the lung-function.
There are more free articles relating to asthma at my site. Therefore, I strongly urged you to start your journey and start taking a look at my site and to get your asthma treated as soon as possible, if you are serious of getting back your asthma free life again.
Author of this article is Eddy Kong. He is the owner of website of Asthma Food Allergy. Go to his website for a free report and updates on asthma treatment.
So recently, food allergy is yet another factor that asthma patients should not miss from their endless list of allergens.
In the United States 3% of children and 1% of adults suffer from food allergy each year; out of these approximately 30,000 cases of food-induced anaphylaxis and about 150 people die.
How sensitve are you to food?
Food sensitization is mostly prevalent in city inhabitants who have asthma. Researchers found approximately 45% of the children who suffered of asthma and were in the study were sensitive to at least one food allergen and had a higher rate of hospitalization. These cases require more steroid medication to control the allergy attack.
Many food studies have found that certain foods do trigger allergy and subsequently an attack.
Food allergy is referred to adverse immunologic reaction to food. The primary target organs of food allergic reaction are the skin, gastrointestinal tract and the respiratory system.
Both acute reactions and chronic disease such as food allergy may occur due to food allergens. To diagnose food allergy requires a careful in depth search for possible causes. Once sure of the cause one can proceed to treatment or elimination of the foods.
Allergy and the respiratory tract.
Food induced asthma is an IgE-medicated diseases that may be caused by indigestion or from inhalation of vapors released during cooking or otherwise.
The prevalence of asthma allergy in the general population is insignificant however; research shows that approximately 5% of children with asthma who have been under study have shown signs of asthma allergy.
While food may not be a major allergen for asthma patients it is possible to trigger asthma attacks.
Asthma allergy is not something asthma patients should worry about at every step but at the same time do not strike it altogether of your list.
If you encounter discomfort with some foods that lead to an asthma attack, take immediate action of treating and/or removing those foods from your diet.
Some foods products to watch
There are eight food products that causes a major portion, over 90% of food allergies and they are, milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy and tree nuts i.e. almonds, walnuts and pecans.
Keeping these products in mind it will help you observe any reaction occurred when or after consuming them.
As mentioned above food is not one of the main causes in an asthma attack however, prevention is better then a cure therefore, being careful will only help prevent an asthma attack in the future.
Although food allergies had been connected with respiratory symptoms in the past, this was first study to link them with changes in the air-passage ways through the lung-function.
There are more free articles relating to asthma at my site. Therefore, I strongly urged you to start your journey and start taking a look at my site and to get your asthma treated as soon as possible, if you are serious of getting back your asthma free life again.
Author of this article is Eddy Kong. He is the owner of website of Asthma Food Allergy. Go to his website for a free report and updates on asthma treatment.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
How to Stop Your Child's Asthma Attacks
Don't underestimate childhood asthma. Although it's very common, it's not something to take lightly. It's not a minor disease that can be treated casually like a cold. It doesn't go away by itself and its effects can include permanent lung damage. Unfortunately, the damage isn't always obvious, because it's silent and happens gradually over time.
By the time a parent realizes that their child is having trouble breathing, it can be too late. The damage is done and even if the child never has another major attack, her airways may be scarred, which can lead to emphysema and other lung problems in adulthood.
One of the best ways to prevent this damage is to know what triggers your child's asthma attacks. Is it dogs? Cats? Cold air? Certain foods or drinks? Wood smoke? Cigarette smoke? Or is there no clearcut trigger that you can see?
If so, you may have to be do some hard work to discover what's causing the attacks. This can involve keeping a diary of exactly where your child was in the hours before the latest asthma flare. What was he doing? What possible allergens were in the environment? Was it cold or hot where she was? Did he eat something different, highly flavored or with artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors? These can be significant triggers for asthma, especially in children. My son reacts strongly to yellow and red dye and avoids it by reading labels.
If your child is old enough, get them to help you track down their triggers. Perhaps with the help of their doctor, explain that finding their triggers can help them avoid the discomfort and treatments that they have to have when their asthma flares up. Most children hate having asthma attacks and sometimes try to avoid treatment by not telling their parent that they're having trouble breathing.
Over 4,000 people die from asthma attacks every year in this country, so getting your child to be honest about their symptoms is very important. Along with regular doctor's visits and having their rescue inhalers on them at all times, telling school personnel and friends' parents about their asthma is also very important.
If they were to have an attack at a friend's house or at school, it's crucial that someone is able to make sure that they use their inhalers and then get emergency medical aid for them. Many people who don't have asthma in their families don't understand how quickly asthmatics can go from "a little trouble breathing" to needing oxygen and injected epinephrine. A medic alert bracelet or necklace is a very good idea for asthma sufferers.
No one wants their child to suffer and watching your child struggle for breath is one of the worst experiences a parent can have. If your child has asthma, be sure that he or she has a good doctor. A pediatric pulmonologist, a children's lung specialist, is an excellent choice. Along with a good doctor, there are things you can do to help your child reduce or even eliminate asthma flares. Good nutrition, enough sleep, eliminating triggers and reducing stress are all important too.
Free report tells you how to stop asthma attacks naturally. Here's the stop free asthma report that reveals how my son went from daily nebulizer treatments with steroids and albuterol to one maintenance medication and natural supplements available everywhere.
By the time a parent realizes that their child is having trouble breathing, it can be too late. The damage is done and even if the child never has another major attack, her airways may be scarred, which can lead to emphysema and other lung problems in adulthood.
One of the best ways to prevent this damage is to know what triggers your child's asthma attacks. Is it dogs? Cats? Cold air? Certain foods or drinks? Wood smoke? Cigarette smoke? Or is there no clearcut trigger that you can see?
If so, you may have to be do some hard work to discover what's causing the attacks. This can involve keeping a diary of exactly where your child was in the hours before the latest asthma flare. What was he doing? What possible allergens were in the environment? Was it cold or hot where she was? Did he eat something different, highly flavored or with artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors? These can be significant triggers for asthma, especially in children. My son reacts strongly to yellow and red dye and avoids it by reading labels.
If your child is old enough, get them to help you track down their triggers. Perhaps with the help of their doctor, explain that finding their triggers can help them avoid the discomfort and treatments that they have to have when their asthma flares up. Most children hate having asthma attacks and sometimes try to avoid treatment by not telling their parent that they're having trouble breathing.
Over 4,000 people die from asthma attacks every year in this country, so getting your child to be honest about their symptoms is very important. Along with regular doctor's visits and having their rescue inhalers on them at all times, telling school personnel and friends' parents about their asthma is also very important.
If they were to have an attack at a friend's house or at school, it's crucial that someone is able to make sure that they use their inhalers and then get emergency medical aid for them. Many people who don't have asthma in their families don't understand how quickly asthmatics can go from "a little trouble breathing" to needing oxygen and injected epinephrine. A medic alert bracelet or necklace is a very good idea for asthma sufferers.
No one wants their child to suffer and watching your child struggle for breath is one of the worst experiences a parent can have. If your child has asthma, be sure that he or she has a good doctor. A pediatric pulmonologist, a children's lung specialist, is an excellent choice. Along with a good doctor, there are things you can do to help your child reduce or even eliminate asthma flares. Good nutrition, enough sleep, eliminating triggers and reducing stress are all important too.
Free report tells you how to stop asthma attacks naturally. Here's the stop free asthma report that reveals how my son went from daily nebulizer treatments with steroids and albuterol to one maintenance medication and natural supplements available everywhere.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Detailed Information on Asthma
Asthma is a serious, sometimes fatal respiratory disease. Asthma is a disease that affects the respiratory tract - small tubes that carry air in and out of lungs. Respiratory problems can be caused by different conditions. Signs of an episode asthma include wheezing, rapid breathing (tachypnea), chronic diseases, expiration, a fast heart rate (tachycardia), rhonchous lung sounds (audible through a stethoscope), and on inflation of the chest. During very serious attacks, an asthmatic can turn blue from lack of oxygen, and to experience chest pain or even a loss of consciousness. Asthma affects people differently. Each individual is unique in their degree of responsiveness to environmental triggers. The causes asthma is sevral. Smoking during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of developing asthma and a child.
Asthma has a neurogenic changes. Environmental pollution can worsen asthma symptoms, and may play a role in the etiology of certain asthma. In children, are the most common viral diseases like those stimuli that cause the common cold. Irritants found in the workplace can lead a person to develop asthma. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which stomach acids back up into your esophagus. Asthma can not be cured, but can be controlled with proper management of asthma. The first step in managing asthma is environmental control. Wash bedding (sheets, pillow cases, mattress pads) weekly in hot water. Replace bedding made of socks, kapok or foam rubber from synthetic materials. Use the air conditioner.
Asthma Treatment and Prevention Tips
1. Use the air conditioner.
2. Keep the humidity in the house low.
3. Avoid pets with fur or feathers.
4. Clean the house at least once a week and wear a mask while doing it.
5. Wash the bedding (sheets, pillow cases, mattress pads) weekly in hot water.
6. Encase the mattress, pillows and box springs in dust-proof covers.
7. Replace bedding made of down, kapok or foam rubber with synthetic materials.
8. Consider replacing carpeting with hardwood floors or tile.
Juliet Cohen writes articles for Diseases. She also writes articles for Makeup and Hairstyles.
Asthma has a neurogenic changes. Environmental pollution can worsen asthma symptoms, and may play a role in the etiology of certain asthma. In children, are the most common viral diseases like those stimuli that cause the common cold. Irritants found in the workplace can lead a person to develop asthma. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which stomach acids back up into your esophagus. Asthma can not be cured, but can be controlled with proper management of asthma. The first step in managing asthma is environmental control. Wash bedding (sheets, pillow cases, mattress pads) weekly in hot water. Replace bedding made of socks, kapok or foam rubber from synthetic materials. Use the air conditioner.
Asthma Treatment and Prevention Tips
1. Use the air conditioner.
2. Keep the humidity in the house low.
3. Avoid pets with fur or feathers.
4. Clean the house at least once a week and wear a mask while doing it.
5. Wash the bedding (sheets, pillow cases, mattress pads) weekly in hot water.
6. Encase the mattress, pillows and box springs in dust-proof covers.
7. Replace bedding made of down, kapok or foam rubber with synthetic materials.
8. Consider replacing carpeting with hardwood floors or tile.
Juliet Cohen writes articles for Diseases. She also writes articles for Makeup and Hairstyles.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Recognize Asthma Symptoms
Asthma is a continuing inflammatory disorder that makes airways especially tender to irritants, and this is characterized by problems in breathing. The symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, wheezing, and/or coughing. The most common trigger of asthma is a respiratory tract infection. In adults, it is the common cold virus. In children, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is the common culprit. Other common triggers include allergens and irritants. The most common allergens include environmental allergens such as pollens, animal dander, dust mite and molds. Food allergies may also trigger asthma symptoms, and may lead to anaphylaxis. Irritants, such as smoke and strong odors, can also trigger asthma symptoms. The most common symptoms of asthma include wheezing , a sensation of chest tightness or heaviness, a sense of not getting enough air, and coughing. There are no symptoms between attacks. With moderate asthma, symptoms occur almost every day and require an inhaler almost every time an attack occurs for symptom relief.
Asthma can be a life-threatening disease, and there are typically a few thousand deaths in the United States every year as a result of this disease. Someone having an asthma attack may feel as though he or she is breathing through a narrow straw or, in the case of a severe attack, may even have the feeling of near suffocation. Children born to families with a history of allergies or asthma are more likely to have asthma. Children who live in urban areas, where there is a higher incidence of air pollution, or live in a home that has high levels of dust mites or cigarette smoke, are also at a higher risk for asthma. Infants born prematurely or who suffer lung damage shortly after birth are also more likely to have asthma. It may also help distinguish asthma symptoms from symptoms of coexisting heart and lung diseases. Peak expiratory flow (PEF) monitoring can contribute significantly to management. Non-allergic asthma is triggered by irritants in the air that you breathe such as tobacco smoke, wood smoke, room deodorizers, fresh paint, perfume, etc.
It may also help distinguish asthma symptoms from symptoms of coexisting heart and lung diseases. Treatment options today are sort of categorized into two general categories: reliever medications and controller medications. Reliever medications, which we generally call bronchodilators, relieve symptoms such as wheezing. This anti-inflammatory treatment has the effect of easing the swelling, usually chronic, around the bronchial area thus making their job of forcing out any irritants a lot easier. Oral steroid use is sometimes associated with confusion in the elderly. Methylxanthines (aminophylline, theophylline) are potent bronchodilators, but with equally powerful side effects including nausea, rapid heart rate, headache and seizures. Steroids (inhaled and oral) are available as an inhaled medication and usually recommended when asthma is persistent. Some breath-actuated MDIs are available (Maxaire). There are also special devices for inhalers for people with severe arthritis.
Common Asthma Symptoms
1. Coughing.
2. Wheezing.
3. Shortness of breath.
4. Episodes of wheezy problems in breathing.
5. Faster breathing or loud breathing.
6. Narrowing of the air passages in the lungs and thus increased obstruction to airflow.
7. Frequent happening of allergy
8. Inflammation of the air passages, characterised by eosinophils in the airway wall
9. Bronchial hyper-responsiveness to non-specific stimuli such as chill air or histamine.
10. Wheezing when they have a cold or other disorder
11. Frequent coughing, specially at night.
12. Coughing or wheezing brought on by prolonged crying or laughing
Juliet Cohen writes articles for online medical clinic and skin disorders. For more information visit our site at www.diseasestreatment.com.
Asthma can be a life-threatening disease, and there are typically a few thousand deaths in the United States every year as a result of this disease. Someone having an asthma attack may feel as though he or she is breathing through a narrow straw or, in the case of a severe attack, may even have the feeling of near suffocation. Children born to families with a history of allergies or asthma are more likely to have asthma. Children who live in urban areas, where there is a higher incidence of air pollution, or live in a home that has high levels of dust mites or cigarette smoke, are also at a higher risk for asthma. Infants born prematurely or who suffer lung damage shortly after birth are also more likely to have asthma. It may also help distinguish asthma symptoms from symptoms of coexisting heart and lung diseases. Peak expiratory flow (PEF) monitoring can contribute significantly to management. Non-allergic asthma is triggered by irritants in the air that you breathe such as tobacco smoke, wood smoke, room deodorizers, fresh paint, perfume, etc.
It may also help distinguish asthma symptoms from symptoms of coexisting heart and lung diseases. Treatment options today are sort of categorized into two general categories: reliever medications and controller medications. Reliever medications, which we generally call bronchodilators, relieve symptoms such as wheezing. This anti-inflammatory treatment has the effect of easing the swelling, usually chronic, around the bronchial area thus making their job of forcing out any irritants a lot easier. Oral steroid use is sometimes associated with confusion in the elderly. Methylxanthines (aminophylline, theophylline) are potent bronchodilators, but with equally powerful side effects including nausea, rapid heart rate, headache and seizures. Steroids (inhaled and oral) are available as an inhaled medication and usually recommended when asthma is persistent. Some breath-actuated MDIs are available (Maxaire). There are also special devices for inhalers for people with severe arthritis.
Common Asthma Symptoms
1. Coughing.
2. Wheezing.
3. Shortness of breath.
4. Episodes of wheezy problems in breathing.
5. Faster breathing or loud breathing.
6. Narrowing of the air passages in the lungs and thus increased obstruction to airflow.
7. Frequent happening of allergy
8. Inflammation of the air passages, characterised by eosinophils in the airway wall
9. Bronchial hyper-responsiveness to non-specific stimuli such as chill air or histamine.
10. Wheezing when they have a cold or other disorder
11. Frequent coughing, specially at night.
12. Coughing or wheezing brought on by prolonged crying or laughing
Juliet Cohen writes articles for online medical clinic and skin disorders. For more information visit our site at www.diseasestreatment.com.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Does My Infant Have Asthma?
Infant asthma can be very dangerous. It is very different from an adult that suffers with the condition, or even a child. 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.
This is scary for any parent. But remember, the more you know about this condition, the better you'll be able to determine whether or not your infant has asthma. And, you'll know what to do.
In some cases, infants suffering from asthma will wheeze as they breathe. When your infant gets excited, pay close attention to how he or she breathes. 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 your baby coughs a lot, and it sounds 'tight' or like he or she is unable to catch his or her breath, asthma could be to blame.
You need to find a good doctor who can tell you if your baby is suffering from infant asthma; this is very important. There are many risks associated with asthma, and babies are more at risk than anyone else. If you suspect that your infant has asthma, it's important to have him or her checked by the doctor.
This condition is treatable, and you can stop something more tragic from happening by getting your baby diagnosed and on some sort of treatment plan. A pediatrician can tell you all about the treatments and plans available.
Is your baby suffering from any of the signs above? Get your baby 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.
The more you can educate yourself about this condition, the better you will be able to treat a baby with asthma. Take care of your baby and learn all you can about infant 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.
This is scary for any parent. But remember, the more you know about this condition, the better you'll be able to determine whether or not your infant has asthma. And, you'll know what to do.
In some cases, infants suffering from asthma will wheeze as they breathe. When your infant gets excited, pay close attention to how he or she breathes. 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 your baby coughs a lot, and it sounds 'tight' or like he or she is unable to catch his or her breath, asthma could be to blame.
You need to find a good doctor who can tell you if your baby is suffering from infant asthma; this is very important. There are many risks associated with asthma, and babies are more at risk than anyone else. If you suspect that your infant has asthma, it's important to have him or her checked by the doctor.
This condition is treatable, and you can stop something more tragic from happening by getting your baby diagnosed and on some sort of treatment plan. A pediatrician can tell you all about the treatments and plans available.
Is your baby suffering from any of the signs above? Get your baby 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.
The more you can educate yourself about this condition, the better you will be able to treat a baby with asthma. Take care of your baby and learn all you can about infant 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.
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