Asthma

Asthma is a lung ailment that inflames and narrows the airways and obstructs the process of breathing. The word asthma has originated from an ancient Greek word meaning panting.

Why should I be aware of this?

• Asthma can affect people of all age groups including children and infants.
• It is the most upsetting of respiratory diseases.
• An asthma patient gets recurrent attacks of breathlessness, in between which he may even be totally normal.
• It is important to know how to manage asthma.
• Those who suffer from the disease and those who have family member, friends or even colleagues suffering from asthma, both need to know emergency treatment measures.

All about asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease in which sufferers have repeated attacks of difficulty in breathing and coughing. Asthma inflames the inside walls of the airways, making them very sensitive and react strongly to things the patient is allergic to. People of all ages get asthma but 50 per cent of sufferers are children, mostly boys, under 10. Among adults, women are more likely to develop asthma than men. Asthma has a tendency to recur and get chronic. It is often observed to be a life long disease like diabetes or high blood pressure.

Causes of asthma

• Exertion
• Cold
• Smoke
• Air pollution including exposure to certain chemicals. An example is isocynates which are used in some painting and plastics industries
• Airway infection
• Allergies, eg to pollens, house dust mites, domestic animals (especially cats), aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen.

What does asthma feel like?

• Patients' experience difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath.
• Wheezing when breathing out.
• Coughing, especially at night and with a little mucus

Warning signals of worsening attacks

• Inhaled medicines appear less effective than usual.
• Symptoms of cough or wheeze on exertion.
• Night-time wakening with wheeze or cough.

When it appears that your asthma is becoming less well controlled, you should consult your doctor immediately.

Danger signals of severe attacks

These require immediate medical attention.

• Bluish skin colour and gasping breath.
• Exhaustion so severe that speech is difficult or impossible.
• Confusion and restlessness.

What can I do?

Tips to prevent asthma

• Do not eat food items that are difficult to digest or take long to digest. Milk products, pulses and animal products fall under the former category, buttermilk and curd fall under the latter category.
• Avoid perfumes, deodorants, aftershaves and air fresheners as these can exacerbate the bronchial asthma problem.
• Avoid fruits with high sugar content such as bananas, guavas, apples, etc.
• Find out if your asthma is triggered by eating marine products.
• If you are allergic to yeast, avoid fermented foods such as breads, cakes, pastries, etc.
• Include lot of fluids in your diet to facilitate easy digestion.
• Clean your bedroom thoroughly.
• Patients with severe bronchial asthmas must wash their mattresses at least once a week.
• Brooms must not be used for cleaning the house. The residue of the broomsticks can aggravate the asthma. Use a vacuum cleaner for safe results.
• Air conditioner filters and smoke absorber cartridges must be regularly cleaned.
• Avoid smoking.

Alternative treatments for asthma

• Homeopathy -- Homeopathic alternative works wonders for Asthma, according to homeopathic practitioners.
  • It reduces the frequency of asthma attacks
  • It reduces the severity of attacks
  • It enhances immunity whereby your tendency to get frequent cough, colds, throat infection, etc. reduces
  • It reduces the need for bronchodilator, cortisone, inhalers, antibiotics
  • It improves overall health
  • It is absolutely safe and can be taken with the conventional medicines
• Ayurveda --

Home Remedies for Asthma

• if a jug of honey is held beneath the nose of an asthma patient and he inhales the air that comes into contact by means of it, he starts breathing easier and deeper.

For asthma in the early stages, it is beneficial to chew some black pepper before going to bed.

• Ten garlic cloves, boiled in 30 ml of milk, create an excellent medicine for the early stages of asthma
• For temporary relief from asthmatic attacks, mix some leaves of holy basil with black pepper and eat them.
• Three or four dry figs must be cleaned thoroughly with warm water and soaked during the night.
• Mix some lemon juice with ginger and consume it once a day. It is an effective home remedy for asthma.
• A teaspoon of fresh ginger juice, mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction and honey to taste, acts as a brilliant expectorant in cases of asthma. The

CopperBytes

• Asthma attacks can be triggered by exertion at work and play, according to a scientific study. If you’re an asthma sufferer, make sure the medical history at your doctor’s office includes your employment and recreation plans.
• Asthma is the leading chronic disease in children. Eleven people die from the condition daily, and about 40,000 people miss school or work due to asthma, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
• More than half of people with asthma report that their symptoms are brought on by laughter, according to a study to be presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference.
• One-third of teenagers with a childhood history of asthma who no longer have symptoms at age 18 will have a recurrence of asthma symptoms by the time they're 26, according to a study.
• Scientists have found that chemicals called endotoxins can inflame airways and trigger asthma. Endotoxins are shed by bacteria in household dust. Experts say better home hygiene, washing bed linens in hot water at least once a week, and using allergen-prevention pillow cases and mattress covers can reduce the risk of asthma attacks.

References

What Is Asthma?

• [Homeopathic treatment:Asthma]
• Asthma awareness
• Home Remedies for Asthma
• Asthma Home remedies