The Link Between Asthma And Cough

One of the common symptoms of asthma is coughing, particularly during the night. It generally doesn't have the typical wheeziness most coughs product, however. This night cough has a particularly negative effect because it can affect the sleep of both the asthma sufferer and anyone else in the house.

This cough is often the first sign of asthma in children, so if their cough continues for any length of time it's best to let their doctor know. It's also often a warning sign that asthma is either getting worse or is not being controlled properly.

If someone who is asthmatic develops a persistent cough it is paramount that they follow their prescribed asthma treatment. These treatments - usually inhalers - contain medication that will usually relieve their cough.

It's important to understand that coughing is a symptom of asthma - not the condition itself. The underlying cause of the coughing needs to be addressed in order to eliminate the problem.

If any of the following symptoms accompany your cough, it's important that you consult with your doctor as soon as possible:

- Fever and/or sweating
- Whooping cough or croup
- Coughing up discolored phlegm
- Sudden weight loss
- Chest pain
- Swelling and pain in the calves
- Recurring night-time cough
- Shortness of breath and/or wheezing

Treating asthma that is characterized by coughing spells is no different than any other asthma characterized by other symptoms. Inhaled corticosteroids are generally the most helpful, with inhaled beta2-agonists also helping.

If the symptoms of asthma are particularly severe, oral corticosteroids are often used as an initial treatment, followed by the inhaled version.

Your doctor will be able to properly diagnose the condition and prescribe the treatment that is best suited for your particular case and situation. If you have any symptoms that could be related to asthma, it's best to consult with your doctor as quickly as possible.


Jackson Sperry writes about childhood asthma symptoms and treatments as well as other related topics for the Asthma Explained website. For more helpful information, visit http://www.asthmaexplained.net

Alternative Treatment for Asthma

Asthma is one type of chronic condition of lung which can only be controlled or treated but not cured completely. There are many conventional and alternative ways of controlling the symptoms of asthma effectively. But most prefer the alternative medication which has least side effects and a low cost affair as compared to the conventional way. Alternative treatment has different names such as Homeopathy, Herbal remedies, Breathing technique, Physiotherapy and Supplementing treatments and each one has different ways of addressing Asthma effectively.

o Breathing techniques emphasizes on regulating and improving through exercises by yoga breathing exercises, Buteyko breathing exercises or others. These exercises act as bronchodilators to prevent symptoms of Asthma.

o Chiropractic and acupuncture techniques come under Physiotherapy, which has been recommended for many years to control Asthma. These techniques improve lung function by manipulating spine and rib cage which increases the oxygen supplies to the lung.

o Acupuncture involves the stimulation of internal chemical reaction by the help of needles at particular nerve points to improve breathing condition as well as controlling symptoms. Same results could also be drawn by using acupressure which uses pressure instead of needles.

o Homeopathy takes the help of specially prepared medications to stimulate the curative powers of the body and helps to overcome the symptoms during illness. This is considered as one of the reliable treatment for an enhanced immunity with healthy breathing. It uses natural herbs in treatment of Asthma and used largely by patients to control symptoms.

Environmental factors, diet and lifestyle affects inflammatory elements in some of disease which causes asthma. Marine foods high in fish oil i.e. n-3 fatty acids help improve asthma. According to studies, use of magnesium sulfate in people suffering from acute asthma results in improving the lung function as well as condition in turn decreasing the hospitalization in severe cases. The studies provide some evidence of benefits in patients with severe acute asthma especially if the initial treatment with beta2-agonists failed to improve in condition. Asthma patients could use alternative treatment as complementary to the current asthma medication prescribed by the specialists. The treatment prescribed by specialists might have some side effects but that is not in the case of alternative treatment which also controls asthma effectively.


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Natural Asthma Remedies For Alternative Asthma Treatment

Natural asthma treatment versus conventional medical science:

The medicines for asthma often involves the use of an inhaler and/or a nebulizer, which can bring instant relief of asthma symptoms. What if the medicine causes unwanted side effects? Those who are allergic to asthma medicines find themselves in a bad predicament.

There are a number of reportedly effective natural asthma remedies. Of course, since the FDA does not endorse these, it may take more time to be accepted by the general public. The point is, that you do have choices if you are willing to try them.

As a overall statement, Mother Nature has provided a cure for every disease known to mankind. Sometimes, humans underestimate the force of mother nature and proportionately overestimate their capacity to intervene. It is true that modern science has achieved the capacity for miraculous results. However, it is still far behind the breathtaking power of nature.

One of the most popular natural remedies is homeopathy. This can be given over many years without any fear of having any harmful reactions. There are also a number of herbs that can be used as an alternative asthma treatment. However, their ability will be proportionate to the capability of the person who specializes in herbal medicines.

Hypnosis and acupuncture are also viable natural treatments. Though they cannot be labelled strictly as natural asthma remedies, they can provide natural long-term relief to both children and adults. The only thing that one must consider in this case of trying out a hypnotherapy session is the certification of the hypnotist. You will find hypnosis listed under natural cure for asthma and many find it a good alternative. The success of this method of treatment depends upon the therapist and the patient’s state of mind.

Some find acupuncture a very effective method to treat asthma. This medical care involves stimulating of internal chemical reaction with the application of needles at particular nerve points. There is acupuncture, which involves needles to stimulate chemical reactions within the body to correct the existing imbalances. Many people reported that acupuncture is extremely helpful. One should be very careful however regarding the sterilization of the needles. A possible option is to to carry your own set with you, which can be thrown away after each session. For those who are squeamish about the use of needles, one can choose the use of acupressure, which acts on the same concept; however, instead of needles (puncturing of the skin) it uses pressure. This form of treatment is considered much safer than acupuncture.

Another supposedly effective alternative remedy for asthma is yoga. Yoga is an ancient science originating from India, whereby one does some particular exercises (the positions of which are called asanas) by which the problems inside the body and mind can be cured. Some people find it highly effective, while the strange body positions that the yoga involves horrify some people. It depends upon you if you would like to choose this type of any other natural cure for asthma.

How do you choose the right alternative asthma treatment for you? Before making up your mind, it would be good if you do your own research and judge for yourself. The best method to find out what could be the best choice for you is by asking friends and relatives. Another good manner of gathering accurate information is the utilization of the internet. Do some research and find out the merits and demerits of all the alternative remedies for asthma that you are interested in.

One vital thing is to ensure is that none of the methods of treatment have any adverse effects that could act detrimentally against your asthma instead of alleviating symptoms. It would be better if you consult a doctor before you embark on any ‘unconventional course of action’ with the proposed natural asthma remedy. Most family doctors have a good and up-to-date knowledge of the best available options.


The author, Gregory De Villiers, writes on a variety of health and wellness topics. Visit www.free-asthma-remedies.com for more information on natural as well as conventional asthma treatments.

Be Ready For Cold-Induced Asthma Symptoms

Anyone suffering from asthma quickly learns that cold air often brings on an attack. The problem with cold-induced asthma symptoms is that they can be easily mistaken for other, much less serious problems (like being extremely tired). Because exercise- and cold-induced asthma can, in some cases, result in death, it is very important to correctly name the symptoms. Even if you're not an asthmatic, this knowledge may save the life of one of your friends.

How could it happen?

Cold-induced asthma is caused by a narrowing of airways irritated by inflowing cold air. The symptoms are as the following:

1. Difficulty in breathing
Difficulty in breathing is the easiest signal to notice, but it is also the easiest of all cold-induced asthma symptoms to misinterpret. When coming into contact with cold air, or after exercising, some breathing problems are perfectly natural. But if someone says that he/she feels tightness in the chest, or if you notice certain irregularity in breathing (exhalation takes twice as long as inhalation) - remember that all these are genuine cold-induced asthma symptoms. At this point it is possible that the attack in already on the way.

2. Bluish color of face and/or lips
The facial discoloration is caused by the lack of oxygen. The problem is that it is also a natural color of the human face in cold weather. Fortunately, this cold-induced asthma symptom is visible along with other, more straightforward symptoms. The face color usually changes at the same moment an asthmatic starts loosing his/her consciousness.

3. Decreased level of consciousness
Losing consciousness is potentially the most dangerous of all cold-induced asthma symptoms. The confusions unconsciousness creates often prolongs the time between the attack and the sufferer receiving some help. Keep that in mind when someone shows signs of breathing problems. The danger of indulging violent outdoor exercises in winter is the possibility of losing consciousness? and that is a classic example of cold-induced asthma symptoms.

4. Severe apprehension
Another important cold-induced asthma symptom is fear. When an asthmatic feels he/she can't breathe, he or she will show fear bordering on panic, even if it is impossible for him or her to speak. This is probably the most important symptom of asthma for non-asthmatics. Exhaustion alone does not generate such fear. Consider this situation: you notice that your friend on a hiking trip stops suddenly and tries to take a deep breath. You think he or she is probably tired, but you come closer. If you see a trace of panic in his or her eyes, you can be sure that it's not about being exhausted: the cold-induced asthma attack in on its way. Symptoms don't lie.

Don't overlook them!

The worst thing you can do is to ignore or misinterpret cold-induced asthma symptoms. If it is a severe case of asthma, the very life of an asthmatic may rest entirely in your hands. It is not an exaggeration to say that your reaction may decide whether someone lives or dies! This is especially important outdoors or in wilderness.

If you spend regular time with an asthmatic you should discuss the situation with your friend. First agree on a gesture that will alert you to start of a server asthma attack. Next be sure you know what medications should be administered and where those medications are kept.

With some simple planning asthma can be controlled in a calm, rational manner. That planning leads to a very normal life for the sufferer.

Mark Walters explains asthma symptoms and remedies through his web pages at http://www.AsthmaRoom.com

How Dust Mites Make Asthma Sufferers' Lives Miserable

Ah, the almighty dust mite. It used to be thought that although dust mites, indeed, do look creepy crawly and pretty scary when you look at them up close (you must magnify them to look at them, as they are microscopic insects), that they were relatively harmless. Now, however, we know that this is not the case. Unfortunately, there's little you can do about dust mites. They're here, and they're here to stay. However, you can do things that will help you manage them, if not completely eradicate them.
In a normal mattress, there are literally thousands and perhaps hundreds of thousands of dust mites in it. The same holds true for your pillows. Now, you can't see them, because as stated above, they are microscopic. There are hundreds of them in a speck of dust. Nonetheless, although they are tiny, they can cause havoc for you, especially if you have asthma or other allergies.

Simply put, dust mites have a protein in their waste that can trigger an asthma attack. And, guess what? They can produce 200 times their body weight in waste. That's a lot of dust mite waste to be breathing in, and it can help your asthma symptoms a lot to minimize it.

Although dust mites are in every room in your house, they are particularly popular in the bedroom. They seem to like mattresses and pillows especially, for example. Dust mites live off the dust in your house (which is how they got their name "dust mite"), and by and large, they like the dust in your house. And dust is composed of, what? Dead skin cells. Yes, you guessed it, dead skin cells that we shed every day just going through the course of our daily lives. Perhaps you didn't know that not only do you shed skin cells when you're in the shower trying to exfoliate, but you also shed skin cells simply by brushing your hand against your shirt, for example, or pulling on a pair of slacks. The simple act of touching skin sloughs off tiny microscopic particles of skin, and this is the kind of thing dust mites like.

Unfortunately, it's not possible to eliminate dust mites completely. It simply can't be done. However, you can do your part to greatly minimize them in your house. Certainly, you can cut them down enough so that you can live with your allergy and/or asthma symptoms and so that dust mites don't bother you.

First of all, you can go a long way toward eliminating allergy and/or asthma symptoms, especially at night, by buying yourself an anti-mite dust cover for both your mattress and pillows. Most department stores now carry these, and you can also find them online. Not only do they protect the mattress and/or pillows from being infested by dust mites, but they will protect you from any dust mites that are already there.

Second of all, do the best you can to keep your house very clean. This is not to say sterile, however. It is greatly touted, now, that antibacterial cleaners and our rabid need to have our homes "sterile" are among the main reasons that we are developing asthma at greater and greater rates. We simply don't develop our immunities to the point that we used to, because we don't live around enough dirt, simply put. In addition, children don't play outside the way they used to, and so, they aren't exposed to dirt, as they were then, to build up the proper immunities. Therefore, although you must keep your house clean, you should not keep it sterile. A big factor in allergies, though, is dust in the house, and this you can do your best to keep to a minimum without having to do the antibacterial scourge. To do this, simply use a damp cloth to dust, making sure that you pick up dust instead of simply scattering it around, as a feather duster would.

Third of all, make sure you wash your bedding weekly. Use hot water when you do so. If a great deal of the clothes your closet tend to hang for long periods of time without being worn, you might want to consider using dust mite covers for them as well, including your bedding and pillows. Finally, you should either have no carpeting in your house or a very good vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. You can also wear a facemask when you vacuum if vacuuming causes allergies or an asthma attack for you.

Although dust mites are bother, they can be a nuisance instead of a hazard with these simple steps. You may even find once you've taken steps to control them that dust mites are a major cause of your asthma attacks and that controlling them will greatly ease your symptoms.

Gaetane Ross is a Certified Natural Health Consultant who has spent over 4 years focusing on Nutrition and Health. She also specializes in Alternative Medicine, Spiritual Healing and Healthy Lifestyle. Gaetane's mission is to positively transform the lives of everyone she meets by providing advice on Healthy Living.

Please visit Gaetane's website for Professional Health Advice or Nutritional

Top 7 Tune-Up Tips For Asthma And Hay Fever

Asthma is an allergic disorder characterized by spasm of the bronchi, which is branched air passageways that connect the trachea to the lungs, swelling of the mucous lining of the lungs, and excessive production of a thick, viscous mucus. The major concern with asthma is that it can lead to respiratory failure – the inability to breathe. Hay fever, seasonal allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction of the nasal passages characterized by a watery nasal discharge, sneezing, itchy eyes and nose. It shares many common features with asthma. Here are some tune-up tips for asthma and hay fever.
1. Increase The Intake Of Flavonoids

Flavonoids appear to be key antioxidants in the treatment of asthma. To increase flavonoid consumption, take quercetin or flavoured-rich extracts such as grape seed, pine bark, green tea, or Ginkgo biloba.

2. Take extra Vitamin C

The major antioxidant for the lungs is vitamin C. The rate of asthma is high if vitamin C intake is low. It is recommended to supplement your diet with 1,000 to 2,000 mg of vitamin C per day and you would able to see significant improvements in respiratory measures and asthma symptoms.

3. Take Multiple Vitamin And Mineral

Take a high-potency multiple vitamin and mineral formula. Higher intakes of vitamin B6, selenium, magnesium, and possibly other nutrients are associated with improvements in asthma and allergies.

4. Reduce Exposure To Airborne Allergens

Airborne allergens that can trigger asthma, such as pollen, dander, and dust mites, are often difficult to avoid entirely, but measures can be taken to reduce exposure. A great first step is keeping pets outside and removing carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, and other surfaces where allergens can collect. If this can’t be done entirely, make sure at least the bedroom is as allergy-proof as possible. Encase the mattress in an allergen-proof plastic; wash sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and mattress pads every week in hot water with additive- and fragrance-free detergent.

5. Eat More Fish If It Is Not An Allergen

Children who eat fish more than once a week have one-third the risk of getting asthma as children who do not eat fish regularly. Increasing the intake of omega-3 fatty acids offers significant benefits in treating asthma. In particular, improvements in airway responsiveness to allergens as well as improvements in respiratory function.

6. Identify And Eliminate Food Allergies And Synthetic Food Additives

Food allergies and food additives play an important role in asthma. Adverse reactions to food or food additives may be immediate or delayed. Double-blind food challenges in children have shown that immediate-onset allergies are usually due to eggs, fish, shellfish, nuts, and peanuts. Foods most commonly associated with delayed-onset sensitivities include milk, chocolate, wheat, citrus, and food colorings. Elimination diets have been successful in identifying allergens and treating asthma and are a particularly valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tool in infants. Elimination of common allergens during infancy has been shown to reduce allergic tendencies in children with a strong familial history of asthma.

7. Eliminate Or Reduce The Intake Of Animal Products

A long-term trial of a vegan diet provided significant improvement in 92 percent of subjects in one study. Improvement was noted in lung capacity, the maximum amount of air expired in one second, physical working capacity, and laboratory assessments. People with asthma conditions was significantly improved or entirely relieved within four months.

Raymond Lee is one of the foremost experts in the health and fitness industry and is the Founder of Bodyfixes Group specializing in body health, muscle development and dieting. He is currently the author of the latest edition of "Neck Exercises and Workouts." Visit http://www.bodyfixes.com for more information.

Asthma Cough Symptoms

Asthma a condition where overly sensitive airways swell, tighten, and produce excess mucus—tends to run in families. Asthma is inflammation of the tubes of the lungs which causes them to be obstructed, and therefore air passes though them less easily. These episodes may be triggered by such things as exposure to an environmental stimulant (or allergen), cold air, warm air, moist air, exercise or exertion, or emotional stress. Asthma is an allergic disease that affects the bronchi or air passages. When the allergic reaction takes place, the bronchi constrict and get clogged with mucous, making breathing very difficult. 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. Asthma is a disease that affects your lungs. It causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing. Asthma can be controlled by taking medicine and avoiding the triggers that can cause an attack. Asthma and eosinophilic bronchitis can be treated with inhaled corticosteroids, which combat inflammation in the airways to reduce asthma symptoms.

Asthma is a chronic disease of the respiratory system in which the airway occasionally constricts, becomes inflamed, and is lined with excessive amounts of mucus, often in response to one or more triggers. 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. The airway constriction responds to bronchodilators. Between episodes, most patients feel well but can have mild symptoms and they may remain short of breath after exercise for longer periods of time than the unaffected individual. The symptoms of asthma, which can range from mild to life threatening, can usually be controlled with a combination of drugs and environmental changes. Asthma affects the airways, the small tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, your airways are sensitive and easily become swollen. A total of 47 patients had high levels of exhaled nitric oxide. Of those patients, 41 started using inhaled corticosteroids, and 36 noted improvement in their cough.

Asthma may be very mild, or it can be very severe. An asthma attack can become very serious. Asthma is one of the leading causes of children missing school. Approximately 14 million adults and 6 million children in the U.S. have asthma. In fact, asthma is the most common chronic illness of childhood and a common reason for missed school days. Asthma is more common in boys than in girls. But after puberty asthma is more common in females. Sometimes certain triggers can bring on symptoms. It's sensible to try to avoid these triggers as much as possible, as they will make your asthma worse. Common triggers include house dust mite, animal fur, pollen, tobacco smoke, cold air, viral and bacterial chest infections. Asthma coughs, on the other hand, are most often dry coughs caused by bronchial spasms. Since there's nothing to bring up, there's no way for an asthma cough to be 'productive', though you may hear rattling or 'crinkling' sounds if you listen to the chest of a child when they cough. There are two basic types of coughs, chest coughs and dry coughs. The effectiveness of natural cough remedies.


Juliet Cohen writes articles for home remedies and homemade recipes.