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.

Showing posts with label What Causes Asthma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label What Causes Asthma. Show all posts

Monday, 30 July 2012

The Best Breathing Exercises For Asthmatics

The Buteyko breathing technique was created by the Russian respiratory physiologist Professor Konstantin Buteyko to treat those suffering from asthma and other respiratory disease's. The principle behind this breathing methodology is that most people suffering from respiratory illness over-breath and inhale to much air this will lower the amount of carbon dioxide inside of the human body.


Why is carbon dioxide important?


If your Co2 level is not at the required level then oxygen is just going to be carried around the bloodstream and is not made available to tissues and organs in the human body. These minimal quantities induce an increase in breathing and an even further decrease of Co2, a classic vicious circle.


Secondly carbon dioxide dilates the smooth muscle around the airways, arteries and capillaries, decreased amounts of Co2 induce these muscles to tighten. If these arterial blood vessels narrow this has the potential to trigger greater heart rate, higher blood pressure and a increased breathing level.


It in addition helps to sustain the body's PH balance which is very important in retaining a healthy immune system.


Carbon dioxide aids in the body's production of cortisol, the body's natural steroid which is needed to control inflammation.


Co2 is used in the body to reduce the production of mucus resulting in less restricted airways.


The Buteyko methodology is an exercise regime for a person's breathing, it is designed to lessen the quantity of air inhaled to assist you to retrain your own body in order to receive an increased level of carbon dioxide. The sequence is composed of a check of your pulse ahead of and following the actual exercise process, a check of what is known as the control pause and the actual breathing exercises


The control pause is actually a measurement of carbon dioxide in the alveoli dependent on a comfortable breath hold, but its not recorded right after taking a large breath of air, its taken when the air is expelled via the lungs during an ordinary breath. The lower the time you can wait after breathing out the lower the level of Co2 in the body. The desired percentage of co2 is 5.5 which in turn represents a control pause of approximately 40 seconds, a control pause of 10 seconds shows a co2 level of 4.0 percent. According to Buteyko teachers, with regular Buteyko reduced-breathing exercises, asthmatics are predicted to find that their CP over time will increase and in parallel suffer lessened asthma symptoms.


The intention of the Buteyko breathing method is to increase the levels of carbon dioxide to at least five-and-a-half per cent giving a control pause of forty seconds.


With the continuous practice of the Buteyko breathing exercises the respiratory centre should end up being able to accept a larger concentration of carbon dioxide. Remember, it is the level of carbon dioxide that decides the need to inhale.


My name is Trevor Chapman and i have been an asthma sufferer all my life. As i get older and more sedentary my asthma symptoms have worsened and my use of preventor and reliever drugs have increased.


I have been looking for a natural cure or treatment which will help me control these symptoms and have started to practice the Buteyko Breathing method. Providing quality reviews, articles and writings on asthma online.

Sunday, 29 July 2012

Cold Weather And Asthma Review

With the onset of winter and cold weather conditions, asthma sufferers should ensure that they are well prepared and take extra care throughout the colder winter months. This is because cold weather can be a trigger for a large percentage of the 5.4 million asthma sufferers in the UK according to health charity, Asthma UK.


Asthma symptoms are often made worse if you catch a cold or flu and we also see a marked increase in hospital admissions for asthma sufferers when the temperature goes down. However, if you take extra care and manage your asthma condition properly you should be able to withstand the rigours of the winter weather and the associated asthma symptoms and thus avoid a full-blown asthma attack.


Make sure you visit your doctor or designated asthma nurse in your GP surgery and they will review your medication and make any necessary changes. This is known as a personal asthma action plan and contains important information to help you take control of your asthma, including details of your asthma medicines, key warning signs to tell you when your condition is getting worse, what to do about it and emergency procedure should you have an asthma attack. If you have not had a review in the last year, it is advisable to contact your doctor surgery and book an appointment as soon as possible.


The following are 5 tips to help you avoid asthma attacks in colder weather.


· Always use your regular prevention medicines as prescribed by your doctor, even if you do not feel you need it. Prevention medicines are designed to be used daily to prevent an attack.
· If you are already aware that the cold weather triggers your asthma it is a good idea to take 1 or 2 puffs of your reliever inhaler before going outside.
· Always make sure you have your reliever inhaler with you at all times.
· Wear a scarf over your nose and mouth when you go outside as it will help to warm up the cold air before you breathe it in.
· Be sure to warm up for at least 10 minutes before doing exercise outdoors in cold weather and it is a good idea to take 1 or 2 puffs of your reliever inhaler before you start exercising.


Having an asthma attack


If you notice that you are experiencing shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, feeling tightness in the chest and finding it difficult to speak, then you may be having an asthma attack. It is important to stay calm, sit down and try to take slow, steady breaths. Take 1 or 2 puffs from your reliever inhaler immediately.


When should you dial the emergency services?


If there is no improvement, continue taking 2 puffs of your reliever inhaler every 2 minutes. You should take up to 10 puffs. If your symptoms have not improved after 5 or 10 minutes and you have become too breathless to talk, you should call for emergency assistance. If you are worried about your attack at any time you should contact the emergency services. If an ambulance has not arrived after 15 minutes then take 1 or 2 puffs from your reliever inhaler while you are waiting.


Asthma signs and symptoms inhalerforasthma.org/the-basics-of-asthma/ Providing quality reviews, articles and writings on asthma online.

Saturday, 28 July 2012

Asthma Diet: Is It A Hoax Or Not?

Did you know that an asthma diet can eliminate the risk of having asthma attacks? If you are asthmatic, you must be wondering if it is even possible. But if you study your condition closely, you will realize that asthma attacks only happen when it is triggered. Therefore, it can be avoided if you prevent yourself from the triggers. Asthma is a disease that can't be truly taken out of our body but it can definitely be controlled when you follow the proper methods. Avoiding the triggering factors of asthma may be the most effective means to control it. An asthma diet includes all the systematic means to avoid asthma attacks. A walk through this article will shed light on these methods.


What To Consider In Preparing A Diet?


Having an asthma diet requires a thorough preparation. In needs you to consider all the factors that may trigger asthma attacks and all the remedies that may be used in trying to counter the attack. In the following list are the steps in making a better diet plan:


* Maintain a healthy food and physical diet. One of the things that cause asthma is food. You see, asthma is a respiratory disease that affects the passage ways of air that you breathe. This means that if you are fond of eating fatty foods that lets you gain weight, you will be affecting the space that your respiratory system need. When an asthma attack happens, an obese person may have a hard time retrieving his breaths because his lungs are pressed with excess fats. Exercise and avoiding too much work also help.


* Allergy-causing food must be avoided. Foods often trigger allergies which are one of the most commonly known causes of asthma. Make list of these allergy-causing foods and try to avoid them every time you eat. This is also a good way of reminding you what to eat and what not to eat. Make the list handy so you can remind yourself.


* Visit your Doctor. Make a professional diagnosis about what type of asthma are you having. This is helpful in pointing out the proper actions and things that you must avoid. This also gives you a clear idea as to what kind of asthma diet that you should follow.


* Make your medications handy. One of the things why asthma diet is important is you get to make a list of the medications that you need. An asthma attack can happen anytime. So, making your medications handy is necessary. You don't want to be caught off-guard when having an attack. Asthma inhalers, for instance, should always be available whether in your pocket or in your bag. These medications prevent the damage that asthma posses.


* Observe your asthma. Asthma often develops as time goes. A mild asthma may evolve to a more serious one and vice versa. A change can affect even the type of asthma inhaler that you are using. It is important to keep track of its development so that you can adjust your asthma diet and medications.


It Is Your Best Defense


Your asthma diet is your best defense to the risk of asthma-caused damages. They are truly possible if prepared well. If you are asthmatic, there is no better way of trying to counter the ill effects of asthma to you than having a diet that both counters and prevents asthma. Start by knowing yourself well and by visiting your doctor today!


Asthma Diet can be achieved if you have the proper Asthma Inhaler that your doctor have prescribed. You can visit the author's website for more information about asthma. Providing quality reviews, articles and writings on asthma online.

Thursday, 26 July 2012

Fish Oil Supplements for Asthma Sufferers - How It Can Help

Worldwide, there are over 300 million persons who suffer from asthma. As we age, asthma symptoms may very likely increase and people become more susceptible to asthma triggers. Once you have asthma, it never goes away but it can still be controlled with the proper treatment. Recently, research has established that fish oil supplements could improve the symptoms of asthma in many individuals.


In respiration, airways in our bodies carry oxygen to and from our lungs. When you have asthma, it affects these airways and the airways become swollen or inflamed. With asthmatic individuals a swollen or inflamed airway become very sensitive to irritations and makes them more prone to allergic reactions and difficulty breathing.


As inflammation and swelling becomes more pronounced, less air is carried from or to the lungs. There are various symptoms that come with the swelling and inflammation which include such things as chest tightness, trouble breathing, coughing, and wheezing. The symptoms usually occur more often late at night.


There are various causes of the above symptoms including allergies, stress, exercise, smoking, and colds. While having an asthma attack, the airways become blocked to the point that oxygen cannot enter the lungs. When oxygen cannot enter the lungs, it cannot enter the blood stream either. When oxygen is prevented from entering the blood stream, it cannot feed the body's vital organs. This also causes carbon dioxide to stay within the body instead of being exhaled. Keep in mind that carbon dioxide is a poison and if it cannot be exhaled it could cause death. These asthma attacks can be anywhere from mild to very severe but may require immediate medical attention and can even become fatal if untreated.


There are various ways to treat asthma. There are medications, some of which work by relaxing the bronchial tubes or by reducing the inflammation caused by asthma. They can be injected, inhaled or oral medication. There are some serious side effects like rapid heart rate, headache, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, panic attacks and/or dizziness.


Does diet have any impact on asthma? Yes, it does because there are certain foods that can improve or prevent asthma attacks. Research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids in oily fish, such as salmon or sardines can improve or prevent asthma attacks. Some Eskimo tribes consume a diet high in fat, particularly omega-3 fatty acids through fish in their diets. They also have an amazingly low rate of asthma in their population. This is because omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory action. This fish diet helps keep the Eskimos healthier.


A study in France showed that oral fish oil supplementation generally improved lung function. Combined with diet the fish oil supplements reduced inflammation and reduced the need for medication. This supplement also produced fewer side effects than the medications.


There are also studies involving exercise induced asthma that have shown by supplementing the athlete's diet with fish oil supplements improved their symptoms and curtailed their use of emergency inhalers by at least 64%.


There is enough research information gathered to date to show that supplementing fish oil or fish meals may be a whole new therapy for asthma sufferers.


If you have asthma please check with your primary care provider before adding this wonderful supplement to your diet.


I am sure you are concerned about your health; therefore, I suggest you visit Dietary Supplement to obtain additional information on the best fish oil supplement on the market. Providing quality reviews, articles and writings on asthma online.

Tuesday, 24 July 2012

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.

Saturday, 14 July 2012

Childhood Asthma: How To Use Air Humidifiers To Soothe Your Child's Wheezing

During the last 15 years, there has been an alarming 160% increase in the rate of asthma in children under the age of five. Sadly many of these children could have been prevented from ever developing asthma. If asthma is confirmed for your young one, you need to educate yourself on treating and managing this chronic disease. According to the experts knowledge is the best prescription.


Asthma occurs when the bronchial tubes become inflamed, creating extra mucus and causing airways to narrow. The end result could range from a frequent tendency to cough to minor wheezing to severe difficulty breathing.


It's a well-known fact that asthma symptoms are set off or triggered by certain environmental substances. For unknown reasons, your child's body "sees" these triggers as threats, even though most kids are not bothered by them. The lungs typically overreact by triggering an asthma attack.


Air humidifiers are an excellent way to add humidity to your home and hopefully relax the stressed-out bronchial tubes of the lungs. Sometimes it is the cold, dry air that agitates the lungs and causes them to constrict and narrow. You can improve this condition by making small changes to your home environment.


If you add warm, humidified air, this may relax the lungs and allow more air in. These easy steps can add humidity to your home without adding more stress to your life:


Step 1: Determine the humidity in your home. Prior to choosing any humidifier, try to select one that will suit your home. If you are not sure that you really need a humidifier, you may want to measure the humidity level in your home with a hygrometer. It is inexpensive and easy to operate. Once you have a humidity level that you are comfortable with, the humidistat feature in the humidifier can help you to keep a constant level of humidity at home.


Step 2: You should measure the area. Whether you choose a warm mist humidifier or cool mist humidifier, look for a model that fits the room. A humidifier that is too large will produce too much moisture and one that is too small will not do the right job. Too much humidity will cause more bacteria to grow and this will lead to additional problems.


Step 3: Find a model that is resistant to bacterial growth. Bacteria are nasty little creatures that like to live where there is moisture. You can make sure that they won't grow in your humidifier by choosing one that is resistant to the growth of mold and bacteria. Your other choice is to clean it on a regular basis.


Step 4: Look for a quiet model. Humidifiers can be quite noisy when they are in use. Cool mist humidifiers have a fan that is constantly going and warm mist humidifiers tend to make a bubbling noise. When it comes to noise level, your best option is to look for a model that has a 'silent' feature.


Step 5: Check for ease of use. When shopping for an air humidifier, you should check each model to see if it is easy to use and easy to refill. The better air humidifiers operate longer on one filling and won't interrupt your daily activities. Models with the reservoir capacity of one litres to five gallons are easier to use and keep the humidity for a longer time.


The first and most important step is to take charge of your child's asthma. Parents of asthmatic children suffer a range of contradictory feelings. It is natural for them to be concerned about medications and look for alternative treatments. While an air humidifier cannot medically treat asthma attacks, it can provide a warm, moist environment so that your little one can sleep at night.


Lynn Versailles is a registered nurse and a life-long sufferer of asthma. She has personally been affected with this chronic respiratory problem and wishes to help others. Through years of research and life experiences, she shares her knowledge on how to properly manage asthma on http://www.safetreatmentsforasthma.com. To learn more, download The Ultimate Asthma Management Guide. It is a free online guide on medical treatments and natural remedies to properly manage this illness. Providing quality reviews, articles and writings on asthma online.

Thursday, 12 July 2012

Learn the Symptoms of Asthma and How to Control It

Asthma can be treated with the proper medication. Millions of people each year are affected by this disease and when treated properly it can be controlled. Asthma is a condition that restricts the airways and can make it difficult for you to breath. What can happen is your chest get tight and it makes it hard to breath normally. It can be best to avoid areas where people are smoking because this can bring on the symptoms of asthma quickly.


You will find that there are many thing that can cause asthma symptoms. You have to be careful during the spring time when so many flowers are in bloom. The pollen gets into the air and if you spend time outdoors it can cause you some issues as well. It is best to try to avoid being around garden areas where the symptoms may get worse. You will eventually learn what your body can tolerate as far as exposure to flowers and other elements that may cause your asthma to flare up.


When you experience an attack and do not have medicine or an inhaler you need to go to your doctor. They can help you by using a breathing machine so that you can reduce the attack. It is so important to make sure that you always are aware of your asthma so when it strikes you know what to do. In some extreme cases you may have to go to the hospital if you have a severe case and the medicine that you take is not working properly.


There is no real cure for asthma so make sure you know how to treat it when it comes on. There have been many advancements when it comes to asthma treatments so make sure that you visit your doctor regularly and see what new medicines are available for you. Asthma may not be a curable disease but you can make the symptoms a lot less when using treatments such as inhalers. It is smart to always bring your inhalers when you are exercising and it can be as simple as being out for a walk. The relief you can get from a few shots can help you breathe and get through a potential attack.


Remember that asthma is no fun at all but using the current medicines and inhalers that are available you can reduce the attacks that you get. Make sure that you and your doctor have a good relationship so that when you need to ask a question about something related to your asthma you feel comfortable calling them. Your health is important and when you learn the symptoms of asthma and how to control them you will be able to live a more normal life.


Get: Free Asthma Remedies. Find: Best Asthma Treatments. Bryan Burbank is an expert in the field of Health and Well Being. Providing quality reviews, articles and writings on asthma online.

Tuesday, 3 July 2012

The Real Cause of Asthma and How to Cure It

Background


The disease of asthma is caused by an infestation of the lungs by the larval stage of a common parasite. The name of the parasite is Ascaris. It is classified as a roundworm and it is very common in dogs and cats. It is also found in other types of animals, including the domestic animals from which we get our meat and dairy products. Because Ascaris parasites are so prevalent, they are also commonly found in human beings as well.


Human beings can become infested by at least two (2) different varieties of Ascaris worms-Ascaris lumbricoides and Ascaris megalocephala. I do not yet know which variety is responsible for causing asthma in humans. It may be both of them. It does not matter. They both can be eliminated very quickly and easily and your asthma can be cured.


The following is an explanation of how Ascaris worms are able to invade the human body and how this invasion leads to asthma. Microscopic Ascaris eggs are virtually everywhere in our environment. This is because adult Ascaris live in the small intestines of many animals, most commonly dogs and cats. These adults produce many eggs which exit these animals in their excrement. When the animal excrement dries, the Ascaris eggs get mixed in with the soil. From the soil, the eggs can get disbursed anywhere.


If we get dirt on our hands and then inadvertently touch our mouths, the eggs may get into our bodies. There Ascaris can go through their development stages. Ascaris eggs can also get onto our pets' fur. If we pet our dogs and cats and then touch our mouths, Ascaris eggs can get into us. Ascaris eggs are also in fertilizer. From the fertilizer, the eggs can get onto our vegetables and other produce. There are also Ascaris eggs in our domestic animals, such as meat and dairy cattle. From there they can get into our meat and dairy products. Humans ingest Ascaris eggs quite often, especially if they have pets and virtually whenever they eat produce, meat, or dairy products.


After we swallow the Ascaris eggs, they hatch in our digestive systems, releasing their larval stage. The microscopic larvae then travel through our bloodstreams to our lungs. Here they molt (shed their skins) a few times as they grow. In our lungs, they produce chemicals which have the ability to neutralize other chemicals produced by our immune systems which would ordinarily exterminate them. Thus, they are able to flourish.


From the lungs, the larvae travel up or get coughed up the trachea or windpipe. From there, some of them enter the esophagus and get back into our digestive systems. (Because phlegm from our lungs often contains Ascaris larvae, it should never be swallowed. It should be spit into a tissue and properly disposed of or spit into the toilet.) The larvae then travel to either the stomach or the small intestine where they stay and become adults. The adults shed eggs into our digestive tracts, which are then eliminated from our bodies in our feces.


All Ascaris worms go through a lung stage as part of their development, whether it is in humans, in our pets, or in other animals. It is this larval stage in the lungs which causes asthma. Not everyone who has Ascaris larvae in their lungs develops asthma. However, Ascaris worms always go through a lung stage as part of their development.


Eliminating Ascaris by Starving Them


One of the ways that we can easily eliminate approximately half of the Ascaris worms and their larvae residing in our bodies is to deprive them of the substances they require in order to survive. We can accomplish this by avoiding certain foods ourselves.


Ascaris lumbricoides requires a substance called quercitin. Quercitin is found in undercooked pumpkin and squash, oats (raw or cooked), melons, cantaloupe, kiwi fruit, cottage cheese, cucumbers, maple syrup, ripe papaya, pomegranate, sweet potatoes, yams, and wormwood.


Ascaris megalocephala requires a substance called d-carnitine in order to survive. D-carnitine is found in chicken and turkey, however it is not found in the free-range, organic varieties of chicken and turkey.


By not eating any of these foods, you can eliminate approximately half of the Ascaris parasites and their stages residing in your body. Once their essential foods are gone, many of the Ascaris parasites simply leave. However, it will take a few days for their essential nutrients to be depleted from your body once you stop eating them. The reason that they all do not disappear is because you will probably be ingesting small amounts of quercitin or d-carnitine which are hidden in other foods. These small amounts of quercitin or d-carnitine are enough to allow some of the Ascaris to survive.


Eliminating Ascaris by Exterminating Them


Fortunately, there is another, more effective method for eliminating the Ascaris larvae residing in your lungs and causing your asthma. It is by exterminating them. This method will also allow your lungs to begin producing their parasite-exterminating chemicals again. For maximum effectiveness, you should combine this new method with the starvation method just described.


Our immune systems produce a number of very powerful parasite-killing chemicals. Ordinarily, these chemicals would be able to exterminate any invaders before they would be able to gain a foothold in our bodies. However, the Ascaris larvae produce some strong chemicals of their own which are able to neutralize our defensive chemicals. So the Ascaris larvae are able to invade our lungs and begin growing there.


One of the body's parasite-killing chemicals is called benzoquinone, or BQ, for short. BQ can usually exterminate the lumbricoides variety of Ascaris and all of its stages. Another one of our defensive chemicals is called rhodizonic acid, or RZ, for short. RZ can usually exterminate the megalocephala variety of Ascaris and all of its stages. Unfortunately, the overwhelming number of Ascaris that have invaded our lungs and the chemicals that they make have rendered both the BQ and the RZ made in our lungs by our immune systems ineffective.


However, there is a method for reintroducing both BQ and RZ back into our lungs. The method consists of ingesting facsimiles of both BQ and RZ. By taking these facsimiles a few drops at a time, a number of times a day, in a short amount of time all of the Ascaris larvae residing in your lungs will be exterminated. Your lungs' immune system will also begin producing its own BQ and RZ again and begin warding off any future Ascaris larvae invasions. (You would never want to ingest the actual chemicals BQ and RZ themselves because our bodies only make very minute quantities of them and you would surely ingest too much. However, the equivalent amount of the chemicals in the facsimiles is very small and taking them is perfectly safe. It is similar to taking homeopathic remedies in which minute amounts of substances are ingested.)


For more information on how to quickly, easily, safely, and inexpensively cure your asthma, go to Asthma Curer.com. Providing quality reviews, articles and writings on asthma online.

Wednesday, 27 June 2012

Information About Asthma and How to Treat It

Budesonide and Asthma Treatment


How does conventional Western medicine treat asthma? Well, typically, it focuses on dilating the bronchial airways that are in spasm by using an assortment of medications. The pharmacological arsenal usually includes anti-inflammatory drugs such as certain steroids, mucolytics and bronchodilators. In contrast, homeopathic treatments for asthma include a wide range of natural remedies and substances. Although it is less effective as a single asthma treatment than an inhaled steroid, Cromolyn acts by reducing the activity of certain allergy cells that cause inflamed, constricted bronchial airways.


Why Asthma Attacks Occur


Research has shown there is a very strong relationship between asthma and panic attacks. The two often occur simultaneously, and people with asthma are much more likely to experience panic attacks. In addition to this, while many asthma attacks are brought on by exercise, there is also an emotional component. Furthermore, changes in atmospheric conditions, including the temperature and quality of the air (specifically, its humidity, irritant and allergen content), along with changes in the barometric pressure, may all be associated with asthma attacks.


Medications Used to Treat Asthma


Medications such as hydrocortisone and its relatives can be used to gradually regulate the size of the bronchial airways of patients with asthma. While many of these medications are taken orally as pills, others are mists or powders which are sprayed into the mouth using a device called an inhaler. In certain cases, drugs that block testosterone's effect on the body might be recommended. A wide variety of injectable and oral medications are available.


Budesonide as an Asthma Medication


Budesonide Formoterol is a preparation that combines two medications. Together, they can reduce inflammation and help open up the bronchial airways. Budesonide (which is sold as Entocort) is used to address various conditions, including asthma. Nasal budesonide can reduce the number of white blood cells that can help your body stave off infections.


The symptoms of asthma can be different from one person to the next, but they can also vary in the same person from attack to attack. You might see your asthma symptoms beginning to improve as soon as ten hours after you start using a budesonide spray, but in any event your symptoms should decrease within a few days. The dosage and number of medications needed to manage your asthma will vary with the severity of your symptoms. Providing quality reviews, articles and writings on asthma online.

Saturday, 23 June 2012

Indoor Asthma Irritants: 5 Indoor Pollutants To Eliminate

Managing asthma effectively means reducing the triggers that cause flare ups. You can raise air quality and your quality of life by reducing these top 5 irritants in your indoor air.


Dust Mites - The presence of these little bugs can lead to the onset of asthma as well as exacerbate an existing condition. No one escapes these little bugs in their home regardless of how good a housekeeper you are.


They thrive in warm, moist, and dark places which makes the bedroom ideal, and more specifically every bed in your home, a perfect target.


Dust - This collection of particles is distinct to each home but generally includes dirt, minute pieces of paper from mail, magazines and other paper products, outdoor particles that get blown in such as pollen and mold and mildew spores, pet dander, and on it goes.


Airborne Chemicals - Unfortunately, these are becoming more prevalent in the products we use for everyday living. Scents from cleaning and personal products, formaldehyde used in building materials, chemicals that off gas from pressed wood furniture, and those used to fire-proof draperies and clothing can really pollute indoor air.


Being vigilant about the products you select to bring into your home can improve your air quality. But often it's difficult to figure out which fumes or combinations are causing the problem.


Smoke - The banning of smoking in public places has resulted in major improvement of air quality in restaurants. But if you live with a smoker who can't stop smoking, or your apartment situation makes you vulnerable to second-hand smoke, you're in a tough spot.


The chemicals, smoke and particles that burning of any kind naturally produce can really cause havoc with asthma. Wood burning stoves and fireplaces can also prove to be irritants and can often push irritant levels to the point of a flare up.


Spores - A natural part of nature, mold and mildew spores as well as seasonal pollens are constantly hitching a ride into your home as doors open and clothes, on packages, in hair, and on pets.


Regardless of how many precautions you take, there is no way to stop some outside air, and all that it contains, from coming indoors.


In fact, the only way to keep all of these airborne triggers continually under control is to filter the air continually with an air purifier that contains filters capable of eliminating both gaseous and particulate irritants.


24 hour filtration is an effective yet non-invasive way to maintain clean air 24 hours every day. And just knowing that the air in your home is not going to sabotage your health provides a physical and emotional haven that you can look forward to enjoying. Providing quality reviews, articles and writings on asthma online.