Are you getting scared of taking prescription meds with all of the serious side effects becoming known? Try a natural asthma remedy/relief instead. They have no side effects except maybe to get rid of your asthma.
There are a wide variety of natural asthma remedies available to treat your condition. It is estimated that over 20 million Americans have some degree of asthma and that number grows year after year. The medical community will tell you that there is no cure for asthma so they prescribe medications that treat the symptoms but do not even pretend that they are actual asthma cures.
You probably couldn't find a handful of people who had previously been taking prescription medications who suddenly found themselves cured of their insomnia. Since there is no cure for asthma in the prescription drug world, these people usually have to keep taking their drugs forever which can lead to some very nasty complications. A perfect example would be the use of an inhaler. Some of the side effects from the long term use of corticosteroids can be blood glucose problems, acne, hairiness, stunted growth increased appetite, weight gain and particularly high doses of steroids may even cause osteoporosis!
Here is another example. A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2006, found that long-acting beta-agonists increased the risk for asthma hospitalizations and asthma deaths 2- to 4-fold, compared with placebo. Other potential side effects of beta-agonists are jitters, tremors, flushing, headaches, rapid and/or irregular heart rate. These are just a couple examples, there are many, many more. It's no wonder that as people become aware of these unwanted side effects, more and more of them are seeking out a non-prescription all natural asthma relief.
The official medical opinion on asthma is that there is no cure for asthma. That is probably true regarding prescription drugs. However, many people have found a natural cure for their asthma using processes such as:
Acupuncture - Uses needles for the stimulation of chemical reactions in the body to correct existing imbalances.
Yoga - Using particular exercises and body positioning to cure problems inside the mind and body.
Hypnosis - Listed as a natural cure for insomnia.
The use of herbal and homeopathic treatments can eliminate the need for prescription drugs and inhalers.
If you would like to find out even more information about asthma including specific natural asthma remedies and reliefs, visit my website at: http://www.greatasthmainfo.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Hughes
Sunday, 17 August 2008
What Causes Asthma? Are You Prone to Asthma Attacks?
Asthma is caused by spasmodic contraction of the muscular walls of the bronchial tubes. It is an inflammatory disorder of the airways, which causes attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. Asthma attacks can last minutes to days and can become dangerous if the airflow becomes severely restricted. Asthma symptoms can also be triggered by respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, tobacco smoke and other pollutants, stress, food, or drug allergies. This disease is a significant health problem in the United States affecting more than 20 million individuals, including five million children.
Asthma is a condition that makes the bronchial tubes of the lung overly sensitive and easily inflamed. Apart from medications used to treat the ailment, there is a little known approach to asthma treatment. Asthma symptoms can be substantially reduced by avoiding known allergens and respiratory irritants. When an asthma attack occurs, the muscles surrounding the airways become tight and the lining of the air passages swell. Most people with this ailment have wheezing attacks separated by symptom-free periods. In sensitive individuals, the symptoms can be triggered by breathing in allergy-causing substances (called allergens or triggers).
Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications provoke asthma in some patients. Many people with asthma have an individual or family history of allergies, such as hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or eczema. A person with asthma may experience varying symptoms that can include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or difficulty breathing. The changes in hormonal levels that accompany puberty or pregnancy can also play a role in this ailment. Exposure to certain substances in the work place can also cause asthma symptoms. The tendency to develop this disease is hereditary and can often be traced to other family members. A few of the risk factors for developing asthma have been identified; they include having parents with this disease, having a personal history of nasal allergy, having eczema or food allergy, exposure to dust mites in the house, or growing up with parents who smoke.
The number of people developing asthma has been increasing. The treatment of this disease begins with proper evaluation, to determine its severity and possible causes. Medications for asthma are used in a stepped manner, according to its severity. Most importantly, this disease has to be closely monitored. Individuals who have asthma should not ignore their symptoms, as it can flare up unexpectedly and can lead to long-term loss of lung function due to lung injury.
Asthma Natural Treatment
http://www.healasthma.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Kahn
Asthma is a condition that makes the bronchial tubes of the lung overly sensitive and easily inflamed. Apart from medications used to treat the ailment, there is a little known approach to asthma treatment. Asthma symptoms can be substantially reduced by avoiding known allergens and respiratory irritants. When an asthma attack occurs, the muscles surrounding the airways become tight and the lining of the air passages swell. Most people with this ailment have wheezing attacks separated by symptom-free periods. In sensitive individuals, the symptoms can be triggered by breathing in allergy-causing substances (called allergens or triggers).
Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications provoke asthma in some patients. Many people with asthma have an individual or family history of allergies, such as hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or eczema. A person with asthma may experience varying symptoms that can include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or difficulty breathing. The changes in hormonal levels that accompany puberty or pregnancy can also play a role in this ailment. Exposure to certain substances in the work place can also cause asthma symptoms. The tendency to develop this disease is hereditary and can often be traced to other family members. A few of the risk factors for developing asthma have been identified; they include having parents with this disease, having a personal history of nasal allergy, having eczema or food allergy, exposure to dust mites in the house, or growing up with parents who smoke.
The number of people developing asthma has been increasing. The treatment of this disease begins with proper evaluation, to determine its severity and possible causes. Medications for asthma are used in a stepped manner, according to its severity. Most importantly, this disease has to be closely monitored. Individuals who have asthma should not ignore their symptoms, as it can flare up unexpectedly and can lead to long-term loss of lung function due to lung injury.
Asthma Natural Treatment
http://www.healasthma.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Kahn
Asthma Signs and Symptoms of Asthma - When to Consult Asthma Doctor?
Some persons may have asthma only when they exercise or have a viral infection. The doctor can help you identify which things affect your disease and ways to avoid them. Different people have different signs and symptoms of asthma People with this ailment often have one or more the symptoms like wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, feeling short of breath etc. If you have these signs and symptoms of asthma consult with your doctor immediately.
A person who is middle-aged or older can sometimes develop asthma In some cases, the ailment continues into adulthood. In others, the childhood ailment clears up, only to reappear later in life as adult onset asthma If you weren't diagnosed with this disease in your childhood, perhaps your symptoms were misdiagnosed as bronchitis or some other illness. It is often hard to tell whether someone has adult onset asthma or some other kind of smoking-related illness because the symptoms can be similar. People with adult onset asthma are sensitive to the same kinds of triggers that bring on symptoms in younger people. Managing adult onset asthma means limiting the amount of exposure to your particular triggers.
Adult onset asthma in a person of middle-age or older can speed up the deterioration of lung functioning. Once lung functioning has deteriorated, it never recovers, so it is important that adult onset asthma be properly managed. People with adult onset asthma often need to take preventive medication to protect their lung function.When you have asthma you always have inflammation or swelling in the airways of your lungs. Uncontrolled inflammation makes your airways more sensitive to triggers like pollen, dust, and smoke. If you use asthma rescue medication more than twice a week, then you may not be in control of your asthma. The treatment does not aim to curea the disease but it is about managing the disease so you have few or no symptoms and signs of asthma in the first place.
Natural Remedy For Asthma
http://www.healasthma.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Kahn
A person who is middle-aged or older can sometimes develop asthma In some cases, the ailment continues into adulthood. In others, the childhood ailment clears up, only to reappear later in life as adult onset asthma If you weren't diagnosed with this disease in your childhood, perhaps your symptoms were misdiagnosed as bronchitis or some other illness. It is often hard to tell whether someone has adult onset asthma or some other kind of smoking-related illness because the symptoms can be similar. People with adult onset asthma are sensitive to the same kinds of triggers that bring on symptoms in younger people. Managing adult onset asthma means limiting the amount of exposure to your particular triggers.
Adult onset asthma in a person of middle-age or older can speed up the deterioration of lung functioning. Once lung functioning has deteriorated, it never recovers, so it is important that adult onset asthma be properly managed. People with adult onset asthma often need to take preventive medication to protect their lung function.When you have asthma you always have inflammation or swelling in the airways of your lungs. Uncontrolled inflammation makes your airways more sensitive to triggers like pollen, dust, and smoke. If you use asthma rescue medication more than twice a week, then you may not be in control of your asthma. The treatment does not aim to curea the disease but it is about managing the disease so you have few or no symptoms and signs of asthma in the first place.
Natural Remedy For Asthma
http://www.healasthma.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Kahn
Asthma Kids - Does Your Child Have Asthma?
The main airways of the lungs, commonly referred to as the bronchial tubes, become swollen in asthma kids just as they do in adults. Unfortunately, it's often more difficult to diagnose with asthma kids. Why? Because the symptoms are often found in numerous other childhood illnesses, such as a cough or chest congestion resulting from a common cold.
So what should you look for if you're concerned that your child might have asthma?
In the case of infants (and yes, infants can have asthma), you'll want to take notice any time you encounter a rattling cough, rapid breathing, frequent chest colds, grunting when nursing, and/or a weak cry. Of course, these may be perfectly innocent symptoms of nothing more than a cold. That's why it's important to involve your pediatrician if you become concerned. He can work with you to determine if there's a problem or not.
In small children, you'll not only want to look for symptoms, you'll want to listen to what your child tells you. For instance, if your kid mentions that his or her "chest feels funny" or asks "why am I always coughing," these are clues that you need to note. Asthma kids can be especially challenging because no two children suffer asthma in exactly the same way or exhibit the exact same symptoms.
Other symptoms you should look for in your child include violent coughing after strenuous activity, rapid breathing, chest tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath, or consistent coughing at night. A lingering cough after a recent cold can also be a sign of asthma. If symptoms appear to be aggravated by changes in the weather, laughing or crying, or strong perfumes or odors ... these can all be indicators that should prompt a visit to your family physician.
In addition, there are some mild indicators that can be easy to overlook. For instance, waking up tired in the morning may be the result of coughing or having trouble breathing during the night. These occurrences can easily disturb your child's sleep and result in exhaustion. Or if your youngster is experiencing nightmares that involve asthmatic clowns or bears, this can often be a sign that his or her sleep is being disturbed by various asthma symptoms.
Some children may exhibit all of these symptoms, while other children may exhibit as few as one or two. That's why it can sometimes be challenging to diagnose asthma kids. However, by taking note of the little events in your child's health life (the lingering cough, the difficult nights, the shortness of breath), and sharing this information with your child's doctor, he can help you determine whether or not there's a problem.
If there is a problem, if it turns out that your child does have asthma, don't panic. Your doctor can help you develop a plan that can help minimize the occurrences of attacks and allow your youngster to live an active, rambunctious childhood. As he or she grows older, you may find that the symptoms become more pronounced or even less pronounced. So, you'll want to keep an eye on the situation. If the symptoms change, your doctor can adjust his treatments accordingly.
While the symptoms in asthma kids can be especially unsettling for a parent, there's no need to feel overwhelmed. Great advances have been made in recent years in the treatment of asthma. There's absolutely no reason your child can't still enjoy every moment of his or her childhood.
Receive a free, comprehensive guide asthma guide by visiting Understanding Asthma
And if you'd like to learn more about asthma kids, please visit: Pediatric Asthma
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Silva
So what should you look for if you're concerned that your child might have asthma?
In the case of infants (and yes, infants can have asthma), you'll want to take notice any time you encounter a rattling cough, rapid breathing, frequent chest colds, grunting when nursing, and/or a weak cry. Of course, these may be perfectly innocent symptoms of nothing more than a cold. That's why it's important to involve your pediatrician if you become concerned. He can work with you to determine if there's a problem or not.
In small children, you'll not only want to look for symptoms, you'll want to listen to what your child tells you. For instance, if your kid mentions that his or her "chest feels funny" or asks "why am I always coughing," these are clues that you need to note. Asthma kids can be especially challenging because no two children suffer asthma in exactly the same way or exhibit the exact same symptoms.
Other symptoms you should look for in your child include violent coughing after strenuous activity, rapid breathing, chest tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath, or consistent coughing at night. A lingering cough after a recent cold can also be a sign of asthma. If symptoms appear to be aggravated by changes in the weather, laughing or crying, or strong perfumes or odors ... these can all be indicators that should prompt a visit to your family physician.
In addition, there are some mild indicators that can be easy to overlook. For instance, waking up tired in the morning may be the result of coughing or having trouble breathing during the night. These occurrences can easily disturb your child's sleep and result in exhaustion. Or if your youngster is experiencing nightmares that involve asthmatic clowns or bears, this can often be a sign that his or her sleep is being disturbed by various asthma symptoms.
Some children may exhibit all of these symptoms, while other children may exhibit as few as one or two. That's why it can sometimes be challenging to diagnose asthma kids. However, by taking note of the little events in your child's health life (the lingering cough, the difficult nights, the shortness of breath), and sharing this information with your child's doctor, he can help you determine whether or not there's a problem.
If there is a problem, if it turns out that your child does have asthma, don't panic. Your doctor can help you develop a plan that can help minimize the occurrences of attacks and allow your youngster to live an active, rambunctious childhood. As he or she grows older, you may find that the symptoms become more pronounced or even less pronounced. So, you'll want to keep an eye on the situation. If the symptoms change, your doctor can adjust his treatments accordingly.
While the symptoms in asthma kids can be especially unsettling for a parent, there's no need to feel overwhelmed. Great advances have been made in recent years in the treatment of asthma. There's absolutely no reason your child can't still enjoy every moment of his or her childhood.
Receive a free, comprehensive guide asthma guide by visiting Understanding Asthma
And if you'd like to learn more about asthma kids, please visit: Pediatric Asthma
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Silva
Lungs With Asthma
Asthma is a serious condition effecting millions of Americans, particularly children. The airways of people who suffer from asthma are overly sensitive which leads to an occasional overreaction to substances or air quality that has little or no effect on the lungs of a person who does not suffer from asthma. When sensitive asthmatic lungs are exposed to an irritating substance or event, a serious of reactions begin to occur leading to an asthma attack.
First, the bronchial muscles begin to tighten. This is referred to by medical health professionals as a bronchospasm. A bronchospasm is similar to the pinching of a straw; as the pinch get tighter, less liquid moves through the straw and reaches your mouth. Like your fingers on the straw, the tiny bronchial muscles tighten around the outside of your bronchial tubes, and the space on the inside of the tubes becomes very narrow. Suddenly, less air is getting through the bronchial tubes to your lungs. This leads to the feeling that many asthmatics describe as not being able to catch their breath. During the spell of shortness of breath, asthmatics may also hear a wheezing sound as they force the air in and out or their obstructed airways.
The airways of people with normal lungs often constrict as a response to allergens or other irritants, but lungs with asthma have airways that are far more likely to constrict due to increased response to allergens. This also makes the bronchial tubes of an asthmatic more prone to infection, which can lead to inflammation and swelling, in turn causing further constriction of the airways. Infection then often leads to increased mucus production, further clogging the already tight and inflamed airways. Irritation of the mucus in lungs with asthma may lead to coughing which can contribute to the feeling of being short of breath. Once the airways become obstructed by any combination of these reactions, it takes significantly more effort to force air through them and breathing starts to feel difficult.
When the bronchial tubes swell, exhaling becomes just as difficult as inhaling. The stale air unable to move through the obstructed airways gets stuck in the lungs and builds with every breath. The stale air leaves little room for the fresh air taken in with each new breath, so the body begins to suffer from both insufficient oxygen and excessive carbon dioxide, causing the blood supply to become acidic. If the symptoms of asthma and severe asthma attacks are not sufficiently treated, the acidity of the blood has the potential to rise to toxic levels.
A combination of these reactions in an asthma lung is referred to as an asthma attack. During an asthma attack, the person has trouble breathing and often becomes distraught. Most people suffering from an asthma attack have trouble performing normal activities until the attack ends or they are able to treat it with a fast acting inhaler. In a healthy lung, none of the reactions above would occur. Some asthmatics have lungs with airways that remain perpetually inflamed due to ineffective treatment or continuous exposure to allergens or irritants.
Katie Appleby is an accomplished niche website developer and author.
To learn more about lungs with asthma, please visit Easy Asthma Help for current articles and discussions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katie_Appleby
First, the bronchial muscles begin to tighten. This is referred to by medical health professionals as a bronchospasm. A bronchospasm is similar to the pinching of a straw; as the pinch get tighter, less liquid moves through the straw and reaches your mouth. Like your fingers on the straw, the tiny bronchial muscles tighten around the outside of your bronchial tubes, and the space on the inside of the tubes becomes very narrow. Suddenly, less air is getting through the bronchial tubes to your lungs. This leads to the feeling that many asthmatics describe as not being able to catch their breath. During the spell of shortness of breath, asthmatics may also hear a wheezing sound as they force the air in and out or their obstructed airways.
The airways of people with normal lungs often constrict as a response to allergens or other irritants, but lungs with asthma have airways that are far more likely to constrict due to increased response to allergens. This also makes the bronchial tubes of an asthmatic more prone to infection, which can lead to inflammation and swelling, in turn causing further constriction of the airways. Infection then often leads to increased mucus production, further clogging the already tight and inflamed airways. Irritation of the mucus in lungs with asthma may lead to coughing which can contribute to the feeling of being short of breath. Once the airways become obstructed by any combination of these reactions, it takes significantly more effort to force air through them and breathing starts to feel difficult.
When the bronchial tubes swell, exhaling becomes just as difficult as inhaling. The stale air unable to move through the obstructed airways gets stuck in the lungs and builds with every breath. The stale air leaves little room for the fresh air taken in with each new breath, so the body begins to suffer from both insufficient oxygen and excessive carbon dioxide, causing the blood supply to become acidic. If the symptoms of asthma and severe asthma attacks are not sufficiently treated, the acidity of the blood has the potential to rise to toxic levels.
A combination of these reactions in an asthma lung is referred to as an asthma attack. During an asthma attack, the person has trouble breathing and often becomes distraught. Most people suffering from an asthma attack have trouble performing normal activities until the attack ends or they are able to treat it with a fast acting inhaler. In a healthy lung, none of the reactions above would occur. Some asthmatics have lungs with airways that remain perpetually inflamed due to ineffective treatment or continuous exposure to allergens or irritants.
Katie Appleby is an accomplished niche website developer and author.
To learn more about lungs with asthma, please visit Easy Asthma Help for current articles and discussions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katie_Appleby
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