Capsaicin and Your Asthma

Asthma appears to be increasing in numbers and severity, despite new drugs and treatments. As a result, many people are now becoming more involved in their own health care and are turning to old time, natural treatments such as capcaicin.

What is capsaicin? Well, it has been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years. How is this amazing substance helping numbers of people?

First, let's review some basics of asthma.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a disease characterized by hyper-sensitive airways, or breathing passages in the lungs. Such passages constrict, along with the muscles (through nerve transmission) around the passageways, to cause a narrowing of the openings which impede normal breathing. Mucus is also excreted during this inflammatory process which makes breathing difficult in the more severe attacks. Steroids and bronchodilators have been the hallmarks of conventional medicine. But many people are not obtaining adequate control or relief in acute attacks.

As a result, people are seeking additional help and relief from the old time remedies as capsaicin.

What is capcaicin?

Capcaicin is the fiery hot substance that gives red pepper their burning hot, flavor. It is successfully being used by large numbers of people to obtain relief from the wheezing, coughing and congestion that accompanies asthma attacks. Many factors seems to contribute to asthma: heredity, environmental and personal risk factors. Despite the outpouring of new asthma medication and steroid use, many people find that their disease is poorly managed. The result is that people are turning to natural plant substances to obtain relief. The results have been impressive.

Research has shown that capcaicin helps to reduce the symptoms of asthma in an unexpected way: initially, in smaller doses, it acts on nerve endings which then sets off a chain reaction of inflammation in the body. As the dose increases, over a period of time, capcaicin desensitizes the same nerves, thereby reducing the inflammation. It also helps in flushing inflammation causing chemicals,such as histamine, out of the body. It is also important to drink plenty of water to aid the body in this process and to thin out secretions in the lungs.

In summary

The successful treatment and management of asthma requires a dual effort of modification of modifiable risk factors: such as smoking, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, stress management and medication. Many times this combined efforts can tip the scales in the favor of successful management despite the challenges of heredity.

Sherl Wilsher is a nurse who is dedicated to writing about natural health and beauty topics. As the numbers of folks is growing who are tired of the adverse effects of chemicals, preservatives and drugs on health, these individuals are looking for sources of reliable information in educating themselves on important health topicss. Providing quality reviews, articles and writings on asthma online.