Asthma Attack Blog


Asthma Attack Triggers

Although in asthma the underlying airway inflammation is always there, an asthma attack can be triggered or worsened by a number of factors. There are two types of asthma attack triggers;

Allergens and Irritants

* Common asthma allergens include pollen, animals and house-dust mites.
* Common asthma irritants include cold air, cigarette smoke and chemical fumes.

An allergen is a substance that causes asthma attack symptoms by bringing about an allergic reaction. An irritant is a substance that precipitates an asthma attack by aggravating the airways.

Keeping a diary of the times and circumstances that precipitates your asthma attack or causes your asthma to worsen can help you and your doctor pinpoint exactly what your asthma triggers are. Once you have identified your asthma triggers, you can take steps to deal with them.

Monday, 9 July 2012

Common Causes of Asthma and Ways to Control It

Asthma attacks may be triggered by various causes. When the body detects an irritant, the immune system immediately responds by releasing inflammatory substances to the area where the irritant is sensed. As a result swelling occurs and mucous is produced. When this occurs broncheo spasms result which cause severe breathing difficulties for asthma sufferers.


The local environment can be a big cause of asthma attacks. Bacteria and dust that exist where you live can become lung irritants. Some studies show that children who grow up spending most of their time indoors develop a weaker immune system compared to children who are encouraged by their parents to play in the open air. This makes them susceptible to bacteria and atmospheric particles found at home and elsewhere. Lower levels of resistance to outside pollutants then make them vulnerable to environmental dusts that can cause irritation and other complications.


Asthma may be developed because of an allergy. Common allergens that trigger asthma attacks include pollen, hair, animal dander, feathers, and molds. Diseases such as allergic rhinitis or hay fever may also trigger asthma. The severity of the attack largely depends on what allergen the patient has been exposed to. Food allergies may be a factor as well. Patients with asthma are highly advised to be careful with their diet because a food allergy has been known to trigger asthma attacks. Doctors recommend a diet wherein foods that usually cause allergy, like wheat, corn and dairy are omitted.


For women, there are two events in their life that can increase their body's sensitivity to asthma causes. The first of these is pregnancy. Amazingly, there have been studies that shown that mothers who are expecting baby girls have a higher tendency to exhibit asthma-type breathing problems compared to pregnant women who are expecting boys. The second is the menopause, where there is a connection between asthma and low levels of estrogen in the body. The development of asthma in this case often begins during perimenopause.


Atmospheric weather conditions can also bring on an attack due to changes to the ions in the air, but is not common.


Obviously a family history of asthma will pre-dispose individuals to asthma symptoms, but with care many of the causes can be kept to a minimum. This is due mainly to recent research studies which have helped us to be more aware of the causes that were unknown to previous generations.


Patients with asthma may suffer due to one of the above factors, or a combination of several. The best way to deal with this ailment is to consult a physician so the condition can be addressed properly. More often than not, asthma attacks are not life-threatening, but if not properly monitored and appropriate measures applied before and during onset, it can lead to a more serious condition. To avoid this, help your doctor, if you can, to identify what specific irritants might cause your attacks and ask for their advice. Doctors will most likely recommend avoiding places where allergens and irritants may be present and if asthma attacks are severe, they may prescribe medications which must be taken regularly to ease the condition.


Regular exercise plays a vital role in everyone's health, and people with asthma should be aware of the particular benefits that this has for their condition. Physical activities such as walking, running, stretching, and cycling can help you develop stronger muscles and at the same time boost the immune system. During exercise, deep breathing is encouraged and this enhances overall health. For asthma patients, regular exercise stimulates the muscles in the air passages which help in reducing asthma attacks. By doing moderate physical activity, inhalation and exhalation of air is controlled and strengthened.


One particular medical device has also been proven to be extremely effective for reducing the symptoms of asthma. It is called a Salt Pipe and when air is inhaled through the device it enters the respiratory system and delivers micron-sized salt ions to the lungs to improve respiratory health. The salt microns help by improving the health of the mucosal cells and stimulate the natural cleansing action in the lungs. This salt from the mines in Transylvania has been known to have therapeutic properties since the second century AD. This amazing device is becoming increasingly popular, and daily users speak very highly about the improvements it has brought to their health. The Salt pipe has also been proven to help allergies and pollens, snoring, colds, other infections as well as asthma.


Asthma can be controlled very effectively by various natural means. For those sufferers who think that drugs are the only treatment, please investigate all the natural options that have been studied, trialed and approved as being safe, effective and offer a real solution.


Margaret Le Monnier has over 20 years-experience as a qualified natural health professional in the UK. She is well known for giving intuitive and expert advice to people regarding natural approaches to correcting a wide range of illnesses and conditions. Margaret is now writing articles for a website solely devoted to bringing a comprehensive range of natural health advice to everyone. To find out more about natural remedies for asthma visit her website at Natural Health 4 Life. Providing quality reviews, articles and writings on asthma online.

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