The sprays such as window cleaners, furniture sprays and air fresheners spread small particles in the air. These are inhaled very easily. Some of the ingredients in the sprays cause irritation. These ingredients are responsible for infections inside the lungs and the respiratory pipe can constricts due to this.

This leaves the patient short of breath. Some patients may feel chest pain, throat irritation, coughing and wheezing.

If the patient is suffering from asthma, then a household spray can easily trigger the asthma attack. The small particles enter ones lungs and respiratory system which cause basic symptoms of asthma. The patient starts feeling short of breath, as his respiratory system start contracting. Coughing may start due to irritation in the throat and lungs.

Substitutes to the household cleaning sprays: The household sprays comprise of a wide range of materials. These are inclusive of hair sprays, air fresheners, spray cleaners and plant sprays. These sprays may contain chemicals that are harmful to the asthma patient. One can avoid these harmful sprays by using substitutes instead of these sprays. Some of the hardwood cleaners such as Easy Off can trigger an asthma attack instantly as it contains higher levels of ammonia. Instead of spray hardwood cleaners, use liquid cleaners. Studies have shown that liquid cleaners have no effect on the respiratory system.

Using eco friendly domestic cleaners is another option. There are several manufacturers which produce organic cleaners. These do not contain harmful and strong chemicals. These are available in the form of fluids or dry powders. The powders are added in water to make think pastes or solutions. Such solutions are safer than spray cleaners.

Make use of bleaches as much possible. However the bleach should be chosen according to the furniture type. Some of the strong bleaches can harm the wooden furniture when used for cleaning. For cleaning the floor and other things, solutions such as Bacterial Wipes can be used. This solution is a good disinfectant and less harmful.

The best cleaning solution for any kind of stain is water and vinegar. The solution is mild and does not contain any fragrance. This solution can be used on any kind of surface, except the tops of quartz counters. For cleaning a wooden shelf, one can use a damp cloth and static dusters for dusting. Both these things avoid the spread of dust in the air. Dry baking soda can remove stains very effectively.

The easiest way to clean a glass surface is to spray water. Wipe the wet surface with paper instead of cloth. This procedure cleans the surface effectively.

Substitutes for air fresheners: This is a little tricky. However one can use cinnamon oil for scenting. It can be heated to spread the fragrance in the room. Similarly use different types of oils and heat them for fragrance. These work better rather than room fresheners which can trigger respiratory problems.

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A word of caution for some: before using any of these remedies, make sure that you have no allergy for them.

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Take small garlic and cut into pieces. Mix it with 10 g of honey. Wait for an hour. Use this daily twice after meals.
Take some honey in a container and smell it when you find it difficult to breathe. It helps you to breathe properly.
Mix 5ml of honey to 5ml of gooseberry extract and take daily in the morning.
Mix 5ml of lemon juice in a cup of water and take at meals time. But make sure that you have no allergy for lemon.
The roots of bitter gourd work wonderfully. Make the paste of roots and to a teaspoon of paste add a teaspoon honey. Take this daily at night time regularly for a month. You can see the difference yourself.
Take a handful of drumstick leaves and boil them in 200 ml water for 5 minutes. Add salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste. This works like a tonic.
Take a teaspoon of ginger juice and mix to a teaspoon of decoction (a table spoon of fenugreek seed can be boiled in a cup of water) of fenugreek seeds. Add 2 teaspoons of honey and take daily.
Take a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a glass of milk, two or three times daily. It acts best early in the morning when taken on an empty stomach.
Use ginger and garlic in an herbal tea to control asthma. Boil a small piece of garlic in a cup of milk and take daily to control asthma in its preliminary stages.
During the attack, massage mustard oil mixed with little camphor over the chest. This will loosen up phlegm and help in breathing.
Vitamin B6 also prevents asthma. Daily intake of 50 mg of B6 helps prevent it. But take this under the advice of your doctor.
Soak some dry figs in water at night and drink the water with figs in the morning in an empty stomach to clear mucus from bronchial tubes. You can observe the difference within two months.
Mix mashed garlic and horseradish (100 g of each), 150 g of butter and 600 g of honey. Heat this mixture till honey dissolves. Keep it in an air tight container. Take 1 tbsp 1 hour before meal for 2 months.
Boil 5 g of dry crushed quince leaves in a cup of water and steep for 1 hour. Strain and take 2 tbsp 3-4 times a day before meal. The remedy can reduce asthma attack.
Boil 2 tbsp of mashed turnip put in a cup of water for 15 min. Filter and drink ¼ cup 4 times a day or 1 cup before bed.

Addendum: Reishi is a mushroom that has the ability to reduce allergies and stops chemicals that cause inflammation including histamine. It is also can be used as an immune tonic.

Asthma patients should take some precautions in food.

They should use fresh vegetables and fruits, sprouts and cereals.
Should take foods that are low in fats and carbohydrates.
Should avoid deep fries, processed foods, pickles, strong tea, coffee and alcohol.
Light exercise and breathing exercises are very helpful.
Fasting once a week is good for their health.

Even so, a good portion of people with asthma only have milder types of attacks. A mild attack can take place, and then all is back to normal breathing in a very short time. A mild form of asthma is still something to be taken significantly and treated. These less severe circumstances still must be dealt with so they do not become worse. Severe attacks are much more serious and need to be resolved right away.

It is possible to identify a set of typical symptoms with all asthma situations. The airways end up less open, and naturally that means there is a decrease in available air to breath. When this occurs, there is unwanted mucus that will develop in the passages. That is when the very common symptoms show up with having problems breathing in addition to the common wheezing that is encountered. Very frequent coughing usually takes place, and that is just a response to clear air pathways. For others, there may be extra symptoms such as a constriction sensation in the chest.

Another complication involves the warning signs, and they can change a lot from one person to another. What exact problems that can result will never be the same for everybody, though. For instance, an asthmatic may exhibit only one or two symptoms or far more. The genuine asthma attacks are not typically of equal severity which is another part of the condition. The entire range can be from barely anything at all to the most severe type of attack. It is maybe impossible to predict how bad the condition can be.

In many cases there are signals that indicate an asthma attack is possible. Once again, these precursors can vary, and they usually are not the same kinds of symptoms. For instance, some of these extra signs are regular coughing primarily during the night. A person might have variable moods with becoming easily irritated or even a little bit of a hard time with breathing. As is very clear, there is a lot to look into with this situation. It is always a smart move to make an appointment with your medical practitioner if you are wondering if you may have it.
 

All asthmatic patients should carry a pulse oximeter with them at all time. What is a pulse oximeter? A pulse oximeter responds only to pulsations. It is a medical device that is specially designed to monitor the oxygen levels within the blood. The patient’s heart rate can also be registered with the oximeter. A healthy person will normally have a reading of at least 95% saturation, though many will manage be quite content if the oximeter reveals 90%.

Many asthmatic persons who are hospitalized will have their oxygen levels checked by a pulse oximeter. The oximeter will indicate any problem rapidly. An oximeter should be used not only in the hospitals but also in your home or at work.

The PC -60E is a family oximeter that measures the percentage of oxygen saturation in the blood. It also measures the pulse rate with the accuracy and ease. A dual capable product, PC 60E allows for standard adult use and optional child or neonatal use through a pediatric probe attachment. If you, your spouse and/or your children have asthma this is the oximeter for you and your family.

The PC-60E is very easy to use for you and your family since it is portable. The oximeter has multiple features including on spot measurement of blood oxygen saturation, pulse rate and plethysmorograph capabilities. A FDA approved, lightweight and easy to carry is what the PC-60E oximeter is. It is widely used in all health care facilities but made to be used right at home.

Asthma affects seven percent of the population, and 300 million people worldwide. During the attacks of asthma, the smooth muscle cells in the bronchi constrict, and the airways become inflamed and swollen. In the U.S. asthma causes nearly four thousand deaths when breathing becomes difficult.

Asthma attacks can be prevented by avoiding triggering factors and by drug treatment. Asthma drugs are used for acute attacks and are commonly inhaled.

In more serious asthma cases, drugs are used for long-term prevention, starting with inhaled corticosteroids. The prognosis of asthma is good with treatment.

The public has taken attention in the world and has recently focused on asthma because of its rapidly increasing prevalence, affecting up to one in four urban children.

Some people with asthma only rarely experience symptoms, it’s usually in response to triggers, where as other more severe cases may have marked airflow obstruction at all times.

Asthmatic symptoms exist in two states which are the steady state of chronic asthma, and the acute state of an acute asthma exacerbation.

Common symptoms of asthma steadily include night time coughing, shortness of breath, a chronic ‘throat-clearing’ type cough, and complaints of a tight feeling in the chest.

These symptoms can worsen gradually and rather insidiously, up to the point of an acute exacerbation of asthma. It commonly misconstrued that all people with asthma or a wheeze; their disease may be confused with another chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis. 

New Homeopathic Product

There’s a new merchandise called AsthmaMist which is not a cure for asthma, but can help maintain your asthma indicators at bay. Of course, with any homeopathic medicine, you should use caution. Some prescription drugs will not mix properly with herbal remedies and can trigger allergic reactions.

Make sure you consult your health practitioner before utilizing AsthmaMist.

How It Helps

AsthmaMist claims to aid relieve numerous asthma symptoms, including shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. Though it may perhaps not be a treat for asthma, it could be worth discussing with your physician. When sprayed on the tongue, its all natural components go directly to the bloodstream. Unlike other asthma drugs, you usually do not have the poor unwanted effects.

Elements

The elements in AsthmaMist are all natural and contains a lot of with the same components found in other homeopathic cures, but it has a unique blend that targets most asthma signs and symptoms.

The Bottom Line

When trying to find an alternative asthma medicine, you may well want to try AsthmaMist. Just be certain to talk to your physician first. Even though it is not a cure for asthma, it may supply you with the relief you require without the harmful negative effects.

The Future

Every day far more people today are diagnosed with asthma. This item looks like it could provide relief to a lot of asthma sufferers. As far more homeopathic medicines reach the marketplace and health care price soar, people are in search of great alternatives, and this incredibly properly might be one of them.

Before exercising inhale a fast acting bronchodilator  medication 15-20 minutes before exercising.  To help open your airways before any vigorous activity warm up for 5 to 10 minutes with light stretching. Choose activities that are less likely to trigger asthma symptoms. Swimming is a recommended activity because it helps strengthen the lungs. Avoid activities that are usually done in cold weather, such as skiing in which causes wheezing. If you do insist on exercising in this type of weather wear a face mask because it will actually warm the air before you breathe it in.

Although it can be frustrating to have limitations on exercising , it is important to follow certain rules so that you can receive the benfits you get from exercising as well as staying healthy. Exercising strengthens your lungs but it can also trigger an asthma attack if you over do it. Don’t allow the limitations to discourage you from getting the proper exercise you need.

Many hospitals are seeing more overnight hospital stays were more common in inactive asthmatic patients regardless of body mass index (BMI), where as both BMI and physical activity were important determinants of physician consultations.

                                                           Here are three reasons why:

(A) Patients with asthma were 2.25 times more likely to have an overnight hospital stay, 1.48 times more likely to have  four or more overnight hospital stays and 2.43 times more likely to have three or more physician consultations compared with patients without asthma.

(B) Inactive patients with asthma were 1.68 times more likely to have an overnight hospital stay and 1.23 times more likely to have three or more physician consultations than active patients with asthma.

(C) Inactive/obese patients with asthma were 2.35 times more likely to have an overnight hospital stay and 2.76 times more likely to have three or more physician consultations than active/normal weight with asthma.

Asthmatics whether obese or normal weight can benefit greatly from adopting and maintaining an active lifestyle. Doctors and nurses working with asthmatics should inform their patients of the benefits of an active lifestyle, and the various ways in which they can overcome asthma specific barriers  to physical activity, such as exercise induced asthma. Higher activity levels not only help the individual with asthma, but also have a potential to relieve some of the burden being placed on the health-care system.

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All text, descriptions, and pictures used here by Lee Ness are owned and copywrited by Lee Ness  and my not be used without the express written permission of Lee Ness!Thank you for reading my article.

Thank you for reading this article.

Have a wonderful day.

Lee Ness

     The exact cause of asthma is unknown. It is most likely caused by a combination of genetic/inherited factors and environmental triggers such as infections or allergens. An asthma attack can also be aggravated by direct irritants to the lungs that includes cigarette smoke, indoor chemicals and air pollution.

     Adult asthma usually manifests itself through certain symptoms that are commonly observed in others who have developed asthma earlier in life. Coughing, usually accompanied by a wheezing sound that becomes recurrent, production of secretions, rapid heart rate, chest pain or even tightening, difficulty in breathing and in some cases tightening of the neck muscles are some signs of adult-onset asthma. If you suspect that you are feeling or suffering from any of these symptoms, consult with a pulmonologist to prevent exacerbation.

    The effectiveness and timeliness of treatment is critical in managing asthma. Get a good clinical history to be able to differentiate asthma from otherr conditions related to other respiratory ailments such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis since they all have the same clinical manifestations. In most cases, the condition dramtically improves, leaving you symptom-free and guarded from discomfort so long as you take the prescribed medications religiously and avoid deviating from the instructions given by your physician.

     Take your stand against asthma. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating right and taking everything in moderation. Take a break from strenous activities and reward your body with the right amount of rest. A much priority treatment of the disease is the avoidance or control of factors that triggers the attack .

Exercise
Some kids will have exercise induced asthma. This is a tough one. Your child needs exercise to keep down their weight, build lung capacity, and to have fun with other kids. For this type of trigger, kids need to be taught to use an inhaler before they run or do any kind of exercise that requires a lot of exertion. For younger kids, you’ll need to be more involved in this process; older kids will learn from experience that using their inhaler before exercising will be essential if they want to stay in the game. Some forms of exercise are less likely to induce asthma such as swimming, but some kids are also allergic to chlorine used in pools, so as a parent you’ll need to assess that possibility.

Irritants and Weather
Cigarette smoke (included smoke on clothing), pollution, perfume, and other strong odors can be triggers as well as cold weather. My parents smoked when I was a kid and I’m sure it contributed to my asthma attacks. If you smoke, get help to stop by asking your doctors about programs in the area. Also see resources below. If you are in the process of quitting, smoke outside and wear different clothes when you smoke. I know this is a pain but the smoke from clothing can also trigger an attack. Avoid wearing perfume if you notice that this is triggering your kid’s attacks. Keep your kid indoors on days when there are pollution alerts or bring them to an indoor play area. For kids who are sensitive to the cold, teach them to wear a scarf around their face so that they aren’t breathing in the cold air directly.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” ~ Benjamin Franklin

Every year, allergies cause untold suffering, incredible medical expense, and uncounted lost days from both work and school. Accurate statistics on the financial and social impact are impossible to gather, because that type of information is only compiled for “life-threatening” diseases. For that reason, major medical websites and journals contain conflicting statistics.

Allergic Disorders attack the respiratory and digestive systems, and occasionally the skin. The best-known allergies are asthma, hay fever, and eczema. Symptoms are triggered by exposure to harmless substances, such as pollen or various foods. Skin sensitivities may develop from repeated contact with a growing list of chemicals and fragrances.

What are Allergies?

Allergies are the result of inappropriate immune responses to normally harmless substances. The key insight from this statement is that allergic reactions typically represent malfunction of the immune system.

Allergic responses vary widely, from the mild, sneezing, watery eyes and nasal congestion of “hay fever” to more severe rashes and swelling, to the most extreme and terrifying reaction: anaphylactic shock.

Background Info on Allergies

The Immune System – which includes antibodies, white blood cells, mast cells, complement proteins and other substances – defends the body against foreign invaders (referred to as antigens). However, in susceptible individuals, the immune system can overreact to certain types of antigens (called allergens), which are usually harmless to most people. The result is an allergic reaction. Some people are allergic to only one substance; others are allergic to many. It is estimated that one third of the people in United States have some form of allergy.

It’s estimated that more than 20 million Americans suffer from Asthma. Asthma is also very closely linked to allergies. Allergy induced asthma is the most common form of asthma in the United States; in fact, 60% of people with asthma have the allergic type.

Even more disturbing, the incidence of asthma in children has nearly quadrupled in the last 30 years. Adult an childhood asthma have increased from approximately 6.7 million cases in 1980, to 17.3 million cases in 1998, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Nearly one in 13 children in the United States has asthma, and this percentage is growing faster in preschool-age children than in any other category.

Hay fever is the most common form of allergy, affecting about 30% of the population. Starting with the pollen season, tens of millions of Americans suffer between April and late Fall, while they consume more than BILLION dollars of antihistamine and corticosteroid nasal sprays.

The FDA recall of children’s decongestant is a potent reminder that the pharmaceutical management of colds and allergies involves risk and unpredictable results.

Medscape.com is the medical reporting arm of the highly esteemed WebMD website. Medscape’s recent review of the FDA warning stated that these children’s products have “not been shown to be safe or effective”. They go on to say that: OTC cough and cold preparations commonly include nasal decongestants, antihistamines, cough suppressants and expectorants. These drugs can cause serious and potentially life-threatening adverse events in young children, according to an alert sent from MedWatch, the FDA’s safety information and adverse event reporting program. Death, convulsion, rapid heart rates and decreased levels of consciousness have been reported.

Our Immune System

Before reviewing a natural and safe approach to allergy prevention and management, let’s discuss the immune cells that are involved with allergic reactions, and ponder why they over-react to harmless particles in our environment. The humoral (or blood-based) immune system contains numerous specialized cell lines, and they choreograph an amazing array of chemical reactions. Five-credit college classes in immunology barely scratch the surface of that complexity. To make this process more accessible, let’s use the simple analogy of the judicial system to outline the activities of each immune cell agent.

The first cells called to the scene of any allergic response are the Macrophages. They are like our neighborhood Policeman, roaming the “streets” of your body, investigating everything they come in contact with. When they detect an invader, like a virus or bacteria (antigen), they signal the T-cells for assistance.

T-Cells are the Detectives of the body. They determine if the antigen should be “arrested”. When and if they do, they signal the B-Cells, who play the part of the Prosecuting Attorney.

The B-Cell “prepares their case,” by producing specialized proteins called immunoglobins (Ig), which then attach to the antigens like handcuffs.

Once the antigen has been “found guilty” of the crime of infection, they are surrendered to the Mast Cells, who represent the Executioners of the body. They produce histamine, which destroys the “criminal” antigens by disrupting their cell membrane.

Once released, histamine causes airway constriction in the lung, over-production of mucous, and system-wide symptoms of pain, swelling and itching. Histamine also stimulates the increased release of stomach acid, and overproduction of the neurotransmitters that cause muscle spasm. That’s a lot of havoc in the body!

Tune in for our next article where we’ll define what causes Immune System dysfunction and specific steps you can take to build and support YOUR Immune System so it always performs at its best.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease, which is marked with features such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Asthma tends to occur in people who are genetically or environmentally presdisposed is okay.

Some triggers that may initiate or make an attack worse include exposure to allergens, viral respiratory infections, airway irritants, exercise and exposure to things like dust mites or cockroaches.

You can prevent asthma attacks as follows:

1. Rinse your pet on a weekly basis.

2. Do not smoke or smoking in your home.

3. When I print or Pollentia is great, you should stay indoors with air conditioning.

4. Wash bedding and stuffed toys weekly in hot water.

5. Wash your hands every time you get.

6. Get a flu shot.

7. Use a scarf over his mouth and nose in the winter months.

8. Be proactive and know your triggers and how you should avoid.

Now that you know what you know about asthma, you may wonder if the exercise is like most doctors will tell you, do not give up in sport or exercise at all. Just be smart about how to play and take special precautions to prevent attacks before.

Almost all doctors agree that the best way to prevent attacks during exercise is to keep your inhaler and medication close by. You should never use the inhaler more than 3 times during a game session or practice. If you are up the previous night with coughing and wheezing, it is always best to go light your exercise the next day.

Something known as IEA (exercise induced asthma), symptoms are slightly different, which look like after 6-10 minutes of physical activity and is often worse in cold air or dry.

If you have IEA, there are several activities you can enjoy such as swimming, walking, cycling, skiing and team sports based. There are many activities for you to choose to ensure you get the exercise you need as well.

Remember that the condition of asthma is not “all in your head, is a real physiological medical treatment that requires treatment for the prevention and treatment. Even if a doctor is your best friend for the treatment of asthma, six the only one who can avoid the symptoms.

There is always a leg, take drugs and be proactive. Do not let that make living in poverty – how can you enjoy exercising like everyone else

And schools have been trained to deal with asthma attacks. The world is walking around expecting the worst. This shift in culture has been engineered by the pharmaceutical industry. It has convinced everyone that the sufferers can only survive by using these magic products. This is not completely dishonest. There are times when the attack is severe and the drugs relieve what could have become a serious threat to health. But that does not justify using these drugs routinely. That said, since no one now learns relaxation techniques to control breathing, the young are dependent on drugs to do it for them. For the more serious cases, it’s become customary to rely on steroids as an anti-inflammatory. Because inflammation of the airways and lungs is not limited to asthma, these drugs are actually used for almost all diseases of the lungs. Indeed, the practice is to pump large amounts of steroids into you through an intravenous line if you present at an emergency room. The most common of the oral drugs is Prednisone. Because of the risk of side effects, this is not used unless the asthma is serious or has been difficult to control over a long period of time. This can avoid the need to go to hospital. There are two approaches. One is a so-called steroid burst where you take a high dose for a short period of time. The other is a very low dose taken for a relatively long period of time. Prednisone is safe and effective so long as it’s used properly. If you find the asthma continues in seriousness or recurs, this may suggest a different problem. Prednisone will almost always reduce inflammation and ease breathing, if not on the first use, then definitely on the second. If the asthma continues or recurs it suggests a continuous source of infection which should be identified, or that you have an allergy. If you do opt for the long-term, low-dose strategy, monitor your body carefully. If you find you are putting on weight or weight is being redistributed, or that there are swelling around the joints suggesting fluid retention, this is the time to slowly stop taking the drugs. No matter how bad the asthma, the side effects of steroids are worse. So, as with everything connected with drugs, you balance costs against benefits.

Asthma And Management – Tips To Help With Asthma

If you have asthma, knowing helpful tips in the way of asthma and management can benefit you greatly. You may find that involving yourself in self help groups and internet forums can enable you to come across ways in which other people cope with their condition which you can use to help your own situation.

There are some tips which you could bear in mind if you have asthma, and the first one I wish to mention is that you should give up smoking. It has been proven that those that smoke have more frequent and serious asthma attacks, so it may be worth you going to your Doctor or other healthcare professional to find information on how to give up if you do smoke. You could also think about avoiding places in which smoking is allowed, or other pollution is present, where possible.

An asthma sufferer may find that exercise proves to be a difficult task, especially in cold weather, but it is still an important factor in everyday life and you should aim to partake in short, brief periods of exercise to enable your lungs to get used to it, which they will after a while. You should also aim to drink at least six large glasses of water a day.

Plant derived Vitamin C supplements could also be taken as it has been proven to be an effective asthma management vitamin. Herbal teas, chest and back massages and also increased Omega 3 have also been used to try and control the condition, with some good feedback.

Obivously, there are some treatments and remedies that may not be advisable for asthma sufferers to use, and advise should be sought from a healthcare professional before any sort of treatment is started. Asthma and management is about being helpful to those that suffer, and if something was used or induced that could potentially harm a person, it would not be effective asthma management!

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder in which a person experiences difficulty in breathing.

Asthma attacks are caused by a narrowing of the small bronchial tubes in the lungs. The most common kind of asthma is caused by an allergic reaction. Many pollens, molds, dust (especially dust containing the house mite) and animal hair. An asthma attack may last for a few minutes, but most go on for several hours.The symptoms of asthma are wheezing, feeling of tightness in the chest, coughing and experiencing shortness in breath. When a person suffers a asthma attack, make sure that the patient sit upright in a chair or in bed, propped up by pillows. A patient is rarely hungry, but should be encouraged to drink large amount of liquids. Use Bronchial dilator for inhalants from aerosol cans to help relax the muscles of the bronchioles.

Ways on how to prevent an asthma attack

1. Taking the appropriate drugs before excercise.

2. A person with asthma should sleep in a room without carpet or rugs.

3. Avoid giving children with asthma soft toys as it contain millions of house mites.

4. Get blankets and pillows of synthetic fiber to reduce the risk house dust and mites.

5. In dry climates, a humidifier can be used to increase the moisture content of the air in the room.

Many individuals with asthma derive great benefits from drinking hot chamomile tea.  Fresh chamomile can be placed in a tea ball and steeped for a few minutes in hot water.  You can sweeten the tea to your desired preference.  Chamomile is cited as a natural herb which offers anti-inflammatory properties, as well as antispasmodic benefits.  In addition, chamomile serves as an antihistamine and clearly illustrates benefits associated with one’s respiratory system.  Further, chamomile offers relaxation benefits and makes for a superb de-stressing beverage.  If chamomile is not your type of preferred tea, you may want to consider sipping at a cup of all natural Green Tea as this type of tea serves to open up one’s bronchial pathways.  Finally, Hyssop tea is excellent when consumed for the relief of congestion too.

Elderberry is another asthma remedy alternative that you might want to try.  Fantastic for treating issues with sinuses, the lungs, and in treating respiratory illnesses, Elderberries are enriched with Vitamin C, which aids in natural healing too.  Since the common cold and other respiratory illnesses can seriously agitate and aggravate issues with asthma, elderberries added to one’s diet can help in minimizing potential asthmatic irritations.

If interested in consuming an herb that has immune boosting features, you might want to give consideration to trying licorice root.  Licorice Root is superb for the treatment of colds and asthma, and it is also cited as being helpful with the management of Lupus, Lyme disease, and certain forms of cancer as well.  The primary ingredient in licorice root is saponin glycosides which lend to the root’s healing properties.  Licorice Root is ideal for dealing with allergies, arthritis, and inflammation as well.  Finally, licorice root has been successfully used in the past to treat stomach ailments and indigestion, too.

You can also successfully fend off issues with asthmatic attacks with the use of mullein oil.  Mullein Oil is also known under alternative names like Flannel Leaf, Jacob’s Staff, and Verbascum Thapsus.  The latter oil has proven effective in relieving congestion, bronchial irritation, and for clearing up issues with coughing that is otherwise unproductive.  Mullein Oil serves to alleviate those issues that might otherwise bring on an asthma attack like colds and bronchitis.  The added benefits one derives from using mullein oil is that it contains many beneficial vitamins, like vitamin B, D, and Magnesium, too.

Symptoms:

It is a respiratory disease caused from allergies; it can be identified or its presence can be felt by symptoms like chest constriction, labored breathing and continuous coughing.

Asthma is a chronic disease, which cannot be cured permanently but can be controlled. One can control his asthma if it is early and properly diagnosed and then patient goes for early treatment. If treatment is not done earlier or a patient becomes careless about his health then there will be frequent and severe attack of asthma, which may lead to fatal consequences.

Homeopathy uses a set of specially prepared medications that act as remedy by stimulating the body’s curative powers to overcome symptoms during illness. Herbal treatments use natural herbs to treat asthma and are still used by a large number of asthmatics to help alleviate their symptoms.

In parallel asthma treatment, environmental components and surrounding analysis is done to minimize the factors that lead to Asthma attacks. In this type of treatment environment components such as pollen grains, allergens etc are minimized from the patients surroundings to minimize the chances of an asthma attack.

Asthma researchers are also focusing on controlling asthma at its source. Meaning they strive to find ways to block the immune system’s response that causes airway constriction and asthma symptoms. They are studying the immune system functions at a cellular level to figure out how to stop the asthma process dead in its tracks.

Treatment for Asthma can save your life, but what happens if you are stuck without treatment when a sudden attack occurs, here are some simple steps you can remember when forced into this situation; make sure that a phone is on hand, sit down and try to relax, if your symptoms persist call an ambulance and do not forget to give the proper medical information about your asthma. Following these simple steps can help to keep you save in an emergency such as this one.

New asthma treatments go beyond medicine to a whole new way of looking at this disease and its management. Rather than focusing on crisis management of acute asthma attacks, new asthma treatments emphasize managing the disease by controlling the environment and daily medication to reduce the risk of acute attacks.

Treating asthma is no easy task, and because of that everyone is looking for natural asthma treatments. There are various different ways to treat asthma, it can be done naturally, by using medications, or even by using herbal treatments can be used to treat asthma.

In order to allay symptoms of asthma, many people undergo long-standing asthma treatment, which is the second type of asthma medication. The objective of this approach of dealing with the problem is not only to ease the tightening of muscles around the air passageways, but also to reduce inflammation in the area. However, it is important to note that this type of asthma treatment does not provide fast relief to asthma symptoms.

Furthermore, in the asthma treatment guidelines complementary and alternative medicines are also tackled. Here, doctors are told to warn patients about the lack of sufficient medical data to establish the safety and effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicines. Doctors are also tasked to ask their patients if they are using any form of alternative treatment.

I was living my life in fear. Fear of when the next attack might happen. I could not participate in many of the activities that I wanted to do, because that “what if” factor was always lingering in the back of my head. I wanted to avoid another trip to the Emergency Room at ALL costs. I had enough, and told myself to find an alternative asthma treatment plan immediately.

There are also anti-inflammatories which are often used, and which work by reducing the number of inflammatory cells in the airways and by preventing blood vessels from leaking any fluid into the airway tissues. However, the unfortunate part of this is that there are some people who cannot control the symptoms of asthma even when avoiding the triggers and using the proper medication, and for these people, there is the option of immunotherapy.

For those with moderate to severe asthma, more intense and long-term treatment is needed. Daily medications combined with managing the environment and keeping data on attacks and frequencies is very important in developing an asthma treatment. Long-term medications may include anti-inflammatories and inhaled corticosteroids taken every day. In addition there are some capsule-type medications that are used for those with severe asthma.

It’s important to keep your doctor updated on the effects of living with asthma and how effective the current asthma treatment program is working. Issues such as the severity of the attacks is important to determine if the treatment plan needs adjusted.

One of the most exciting areas emerging with Bowen Therapy is how extremely effective it is in treating asthma, particularly childhood asthma. The treatment for asthma in young children and babies is simple and consists of a few gentle ‘moves’ on the child’s back and abdomen.

Tom Bowen’s wife suffered from asthma and was hospitalized many times before he developed a respiratory procedure, using his technique of gentle “moves” in specific places on the body, to help her. She was never hospitalized again.

Whatever the level of asthma, or similar respiratory problems, Bowen often seems to reduce the level of attack very quickly, and effectively.

As Bowen is both very gentle and non-invasive, there is no danger in using it with asthma and other respiratory conditions. Treatment usually does not need to be continuous, and often just a very few sessions will change the situation for the sufferer.

As with any allergy, the avoidance of contact with the allergen is an essential part of the treatment. However, what Bowen does achieve very often is the release of tightness in the chest which aids both asthmatics and other respiratory sufferers. The Bowen Asthma Release Move helps relieve attacks by releasing the diaphragm and easing tight chests and wheezing.

Research undertaken at the European College of Bowen Studies (ECBS) is showing asthmatics treated with Bowen therapy have mush fewer asthma attacks and in many cases none at all.

The self help Bowen Technique for asthma is proving to be a welcome healing modality in the ever saturated world of steroids and asthma.

Eat more cold water fish with high content of fish oils. Fish like salmon, halibut, sardines cooked in mustard or tomato sauce, along with herbal and nutritional methods can reduce asthma symptoms

Make mullein oil in the form of tea and drink; it fights against respiratory congestion
For instant asthma relief drink a warm glass of milk.
 Drink a hot black coffee very hot as you can.
 Boil garlic clove with a glass of milk, drink it when it cools off.
 Drink a glass of 2/3 carrot juice, 1/3 spinach juice, 2 times a day.
 For instant relief: take a teaspoon of ginger juice mixed with honey and drink it.
 Holly Basil supplements can help; it maintains the health of the throat and lungs.

Remedies and herbs that help cure asthma attacks:

Steaming hot ginger tea with minced garlic, honey and lemon helps asthmatic patients.
Ginkgo Balboa, this powerful herb contains Gingolides. that helps to reduce the frequency of asthma attacks. It increases circulation in a person’s body, more oxygen to the entire body,  especially to the lungs. Gingolides are known to help reduce the symptoms of Allergic Asthma.
 The bark of  Anrjun a  tree has benefits in the treatment of Asthma. It is taken in a powder form sprinkled on the preparation of rice cooked with condensed milk.
 Powdered Bay berry bark is also effective in the treatment of asthma.
 Regular use of garlic and ginger can reduce the severity of asthmatic attacks
Dry grapes are beneficial in asthmatic patients.

God Bless Amen! By Cathy B Kaur

But they are beneficial and will help an asthma sufferer reduce symptoms and increase strength.

The two most often practiced techniques are Buteyko (named after the Russian doctor who developed them) and a yoga training technique known as pranayama. In very simple terms, Buteyko exercises involve breathing through the nose (not mouth), exhaling for as long as possible and then holding the breath as long as possible at the end of the exhale. During the inhale, a series of short, but shallow breaths are practiced. Pranayama is about correct posture, relaxation and controlled, slow inhalation and exhalation, with a focus on using the diaphragm muscles to assist with breathing.

While breathing techniques have long been supported by naturopathic physicians, it is only in the last several years that the allopathic medical community (traditional doctors) has moved to try and quantify any potential benefit from these exercises. One study, published in the March 2004 edition of “Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine” concluded there might be some benefit, although more study was required.

In several patient groups (some using buteyko training and others using pranayana), there did appear to be reduced asthma symptoms although lung function did not appreciably change (as measured by PEFR). Nevertheless, patients felt better and did experience a reduction in need for relief medications.

How do breathing exercises help asthmatics

Since asthma is related to inflammation of the lungs and constriction of the smooth involuntary bronchiole muscles, how can doing breathing exercises help alleviate symptoms?

For starters, it is estimated that some 30% of asthmatics suffer some degree of breathing dysfunction. Bad habits are easily learned when suffering from asthma symptoms and it is not uncommon for those habits to continue in between attacks – breathing through the mouth and short, shallow breaths for example.

This type of breathing deprives the lungs of their full potential to effectively exchange oxygen with carbon dioxide. Breathing exercises enforce good habits where the full range of lung function is used. Consequently, the body gets the oxygen it needs and the chronic asthmatic feels better, with more energy.

And not only will it make the breathing process more efficient, there is evidence that breathing muscles (diaphragm and lung muscles) are strengthened. So even if breath training doesn’t directly improve lung function, eliminating bad habits will improve overall health and quality of life. And this new energy level is important in getting stronger and finding the motivation to attack asthma with a total management plan that results in symptoms being completely controlled – with very little, if any need for medications.

In addition to increased energy levels and stronger lung muscles, there is another benefit to breathing exercises –even if it doesn’t directly result in increased lung function. And that is when actually enduring an asthma attack.

Anyone who has asthma knows what it is like to struggle for breath. You can’t get enough air into your lungs and just as agonizing, you can’t seem to get any air out. Asthmatics who practice correct breathing exercises are much more likely to be able to endure, in a controlled manner, an asthma attack than those that don’t.

Of course that is not to say that controlled breathing replaces relief medication – it most certainly doesn’t. But it does contribute, in a real way, to stabilizing the attack because the asthmatic can fight the temptation to start breathing in an uncontrolled manner. Indeed, biofeedback, a technique in which patients are trained to basically will themselves to breath more efficiently, seems to be getting more and more traction.

Controlling asthma cannot be achieved by only using one tool. Multiple tools should be used – in addition to the control and relief medications prescribed by your physician. Diet, exercise, trigger controls are all essential components; and so is a good and consistent program of breathing exercises. Using all of these tools will allow an asthmatic to completely control her disease and enjoy a symptom free lifestyle.

Triggers of Asthma

Asthma is triggered by several factors. An asthmatic person must determine what these triggers are and avoid them to prevent an attack. The following are known triggers of asthma and therefore must be avoided:

Smoke

Dust

Pollution

Eating Bananas

Cold drinks and refrigerated foods

Cold weather

Stress and strains

Constipation

Staying awake late at night

All the abovementioned asthma triggers are known to aid in the constriction of bronchial tubes thus limiting the airflow in the respiratory tract.

Natural Home Remedies for Asthma

Lukewarm water is proven to prevent bronchial tube constriction. Drinking plenty of lukewarm water is highly recommended for asthma patients. Immersing the feet of the patient in a basin of lukewarm water may also help relieve symptoms and discomforts brought about by an asthma attack.

Eat plenty of food rich in fiber to prevent constipation which is also a known trigger of asthma.

Inhaling hot steam helps counter bronchial tube constriction. A patient can boil water, put in a bowl and inhale the hot steam. A patient can use a towel to catch the steam from the bowl. Another way of inhaling hot steam is by turning on the hot shower until the bathroom is filled with steam.

Licorice root tea is also an effective home remedy for asthma. In a cup of hot water put half a teaspoon of the licorice root. Let it cool, strain and drink.

Look for a place where the air is cold. Take slow deep breaths to clear the air passage.

Boil cranberries in a pot of water. Using a clay pot is recommended. Mash the cooked cranberries. Take three teaspoons daily to prevent an attack.

Home remedies for asthma are highly recommended. These cures are simple and easy to prepare. Moreover, these home remedies are cheaper yet effective.

Researchers at the Imperial College London and colleagues from France, Germany, the USA, the UK, and Austria discovered a DNA sequence that alters the level of a newly described gene called ORMDL3 located on chromosome 17. This gene is strongly associated with the development of asthma. The researchers emphasized that asthma is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. They hope that by discovering this particular DNA sequence, new treatments may be developed to target childhood asthma at the genetic level. Professor Cookson from National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College stated that this is the strongest genetic correlation with asthma so far discovered.

The coauthor of the study, Dr. Miriam Mottatt stated, “These novel findings do not explain completely how asthma is caused, but they provide a further part of the gene-environment jigsaw that makes up the disease”. The researchers hope to devise additional studies to find similar genes that may play a role in the development of asthma as well as how these genes may interact with environmental factors. It’s hoped further study may lead to more effective methods to prevent the development of childhood asthma.

According to the researchers, the newly discovered gene, ORMDL3, codes for a specific protein which they believe is responsible for the inappropriate immune response that causes the symptoms of asthma. .This aberrant response on the part of the immune system causes inflammation in the airways to occur which can lead to them closing down in response to relatively benign environmental contaminants such as dust. They hope further research and characterization of this protein will allow them to design specific therapies directed against this protein, leading to reduction in the symptoms of asthma.

Dr. Goncalo Abecasis of the University of Michigan added, “I think eventually it will lead to new therapies because it points to a specific bioloigcal molecular pathway. Once we understand the biology and we know the players, it’s possible to target with specific drugs”.

Could a cure for childhood asthma be on the horizon? Only further research will tell whether this small genetic sequence could hold the key to eliminating childhood asthma symptoms.

Current treatments for asthma are largely focused on symptomatic control. However, because asthma is generally associated with depression, anxiety disorders and panic attacks, some researchers are attempting to discover whether the treatment of the mental and emotional spectrum associated with asthma will result in less dependence on medication and improved quality of life.

The results have been encouraging. One study suggests that treatment of depression in asthmatic patients may be a valuable contribution to the management of asthma. Another study found that almost half of adults with asthma who participated in mental imagery exercises were able to reduce or discontinue their medication. Asthmatic symptoms in children were also shown to remit or greatly improve when hypnosis was used to heal maternal-infant bonds.

As medical researchers continue their search for answers, holistic healthcare practitioners are turning to healing modalities that have extensive histories in the treatment of mental and emotional imbalances. Reference books for homeopathic remedies contain detailed descriptions of the mental/emotional symptoms each remedy treats as well as the physical conditions they are associated with.

If you are suffering from asthma, take this opportunity to examine your own mind-body connection. By focusing on healing your mental/emotional self you will likely experience an improvement in your asthma and possibly your overall health. Consider the following “mindsets” that have been associated with asthma in homeopathy:
Mindset 1: hyperactivity, excitability, impulsiveness, restlessness
Mindset 2: insecurity, depression, feelings of inadequacy, apprehension
Mindset 3: depression, timidity, shyness, passivity, tendency to embarrass
Mindset 4: sexual guilt & depression or denial

If you identify with any of these mindsets you may try turning to homeopathy to help you heal. Importantly, homeopathy is safe for children and there are no drug interactions with homeopathic medicines so you can safely continue to take any of your present medications for as long as they are needed. Find a homeopathic practitioner in your area, or for a more economical approach, purchase homeopathic medicines which are pre-formulated to address these mindsets. Homeopathic medicines for the mind & body are available in many healthfood stores and online sites.

References:

Brown ES. A randomized trial of citalopram versus placebo in outpatients with asthma and major depressive disorder: A proof of concept study. Biol Psychiatry. 2005 58:865870.

Epstein GN. A pilot study of mind-body changes in adults with asthma who practice mental imagery. Altern Ther Health Med. 2004 Jul-Aug;10(4):66-71

King, F. SafeCareRx: Homeopathic Mind & Body Reference Manual. 2006

Madrid A. Helping children with asthma by repairing maternal-infant bonding problems. Am J Clin Hypn. 2005 Oct-2006 Jan;48(2-3):199-211