Asthma

Cough, Cough, Cough

You know it is not just a bad cough when you keep on coughing to the extent that you are wheezing for air. You might have asthma.

Now, asthma is a disorder that affects the airways or the bronchial tubes in your lungs. The name itself hails from the Greek "to breathe hard". And indeed, for people who have asthma, they know how difficult they have to breathe just to get enough air into them.

To pinpoint asthma causes, one has to look at the different types of asthma: allergic asthma, intrinsic asthma, asthma caused by exercise, nocturnal asthma, work-induced/occupational asthma and steroid-resistant asthma. Let's focus at the more common asthma causes: allergies, exercise and stress.

It's Not Just Itch!

One of the most common asthma causes is triggered by allergies. Allergies frequently affect children and it causes asthma that causes parents to worry (and send their young children immediately to the doctor's or the pediatrician). Allergens are the frequent asthma causes for childhood asthma.

Dust mites, pollen, cat fur and smoke are some allergens that would trigger asthma in sufferers. Normally, the only prevention for asthma sufferer is to avoid these allergens at all causes.

Cat fur is the most common allergen, as it is very fine and extremely potent for people with allergies or sensitivities. It is bad news for people who love cats and might already have one or two felines at home. It is either you give the cat away to another family who are not allergic or that you have to keep the house very clean with constant cleaning.

Dust mites are microscope creatures that feed on dead skin flakes and they thrive on areas like your bed, your bed-sheets, pillows and fabrics. Often as such, asthma sufferers end up wheezing, because of the dust mites present in the very clothes they are wearing or the beds they are sleeping on. To prevent further asthma attacks, change the pillows and fabrics to anti-dust mite ones.

Pollen is given forth by flowers and it is most prevalent during springtime. For some, it might be hay fever. For others, it might just trigger a bout of allergic asthma.

Because these allergens are so minute, it is often difficult to stop these tiny asthma causes, other than removing the sources all together.

Puffing, Puffing

For some, exerciseor even stress can trigger off an asthma attack. Exercise, though positive and even invigorating, can contribute to a loss of heat and loss of moisture in the lungs, causing the individual to cough. Stress also has similar effects on the lungs.

Interestingly enough, a lot of the people suffering from asthma caused by exercise have family histories of allergies and are allergic themselves. You might say that they are already predisposed or more susceptible to asthma causes.

Stress or emotional upheaval can cause an individual to end up having asthma as well. We cannot stop stress and emotional upheavals from happening - the best thing for the sufferer is to be able to remain calm and breathe normally. Breathing quickly would just worsen the symptoms and turn the asthma into a full-blown attack. It is also likely that people who are prone to allergies might also be triggered off by stress or emotional upheaval.

These asthma causes can be maintained by medication and a fair bit of common sense. Know your body well and if your asthma is made worse by cold and dry conditions (when you exercise), it is wise therefore to make the decision not to exercise in such conditions. For stress, remain calm and remember to breathe normally.

Know Your Body

It is important to understand your body and how it works, especially if you are an asthma sufferer or are prone to allergens. If you are unsure about seeking treatment, go and talk to your family doctor. Or, if you are more inclined towards natural or herbal remedies, talk to your herbalist or natural medicine practitioners for helpful tips and pointers.

It is also crucial to do more research and reading-up on asthma. Most importantly, look for asthma support groups who might have just the right blend of help and cures for you.

By: Dr John Anne

Labels: allergy and asthma, asthma, asthma allergy, asthma attack, asthma children, asthma cough, asthma inhaler, asthma news, asthma symptoms, asthma treatment, inhalers asthma

Women suffering with asthma always have doubts that "will asthma medicine harm my child?" As five percent of pregnant women are asthmatic, this is a common problem. The important news is that asthma medicine is known to be very safe during pregnancy. So, pregnant women can enjoy asthma free pregnancy with asthma medicine.

Your asthma symptoms may get worse or may be better or does not change at all during pregnancy. If your asthma is severe, chances are it can become worse during pregnancy.

If you want a healthy baby, you should be healthy. It is very important to treat asthma in pregnancy because the risks of uncontrolled asthma in pregnancy are greater than the risks of asthma medicine.

There is no information about the safety of new asthma drugs in pregnancy because a woman who is pregnant and who might become pregnant does not take part in the safety tests during the testing of drugs, because of the fear of harming the baby.

Even the drug manufacturers do not take risk with unborn babies. New asthma drug should be avoided during pregnancy if possible.

But the old asthma medicine has been used from years. These old asthma medicines have been used for years during pregnancy and are known to be safe in pregnancy and the drugs which are not safe are not used as long before they are declared as unsafe.

Pregnant women have doubt about the use of inhalers. The doctors believe that the amount of medicine you get from an inhaler is small and goes directly to the lungs and it is not likely to harm your baby.

Effects of asthma in pregnancy:

Especially in the third trimester, asthma improves with pregnancy. Due to the increasing size of uterus, sensation of breathlessness occurs and this is mistaken as worsening of asthma.

Many women experience worsening asthma symptoms as they stop using asthma medicine due to the fear of side effects on the unborn child. Women who stop their asthma medicine have worsened asthma symptoms and are more at risk of early labor and poor growth of baby.
Asthma medicine and pregnancy:

Visit your doctor soon after realizing that you are pregnant to discuss about the best way to manage the symptoms of asthma with asthma medicine. The doctor will prescribe effective asthma medicine during pregnancy and continue to workout throughout your pregnancy to ensure the treatment is effective without side effects.

Taking asthma medicine during pregnancy:

• Follow the directions according to your doctor about when to take asthma medicine and how much dosage to take.

• Talk to your doctor before taking any new asthma medicine.

• Don't stop taking asthma medicine unless and until your doctor tells you to.

Controlling your asthma in pregnancy:

• You have to take the asthma medicine as prescribed during pregnancy.

• Monitor your asthma using a peak flow meter and observe your breathing symptoms.

• Call your doctor if your asthma medicine is not working well.

• Avoid things that trigger your asthma attack.

• You can take a flu shot if you are pregnant during flu season.

By: Neelima Reddy

Labels: allergy relief, asthma, asthma attack, asthma symptoms, asthma treatment, beta blockers, for asthma, herbal remedies, home remedy, natural remedies

Asthma happens when the main air passages of your lungs, the bronchial tubes, become inflamed. Asthma is a chronic but treatable situation. It is a very common long-term condition that affects your airways and breathing. It affects the airways, the small tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. It may be very mild, or it can be very severe. Asthma can be deadly if it's not controlled. More than 20 million Americans are expected to have asthma, an immune disorder that affects the muscles around the bronchial tubes leading to the lungs.

Asthma goes by a number of names like wheezy bronchitis, bronchial asthma, asthmatic bronchitis and reactive airway disease (RAD). Most asthma attacks are caused by allergies to inhaled substances such as pollen, dust, and animal dander. There is no cure for asthma and proper management is essential. The main symptoms of asthma comprise cough, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, and wheezing. When people with asthma are bare to triggers, the airways in their lungs become inflamed and swollen.

During some asthma attacks, the muscles around the airways can also tighten and the airways can produce mucus. Allergic asthma engages the body's immune system. There is no fixed period of time in which asthma can enlarge.

Asthma Causes

Most asthma attacks are caused by allergies to inhaled substances such as pollen, dust, and animal dander. They include: Allergens (substances to which some people are allergic) such as pollens, foods, dust, mould, feathers, or animal dander (small scales from animal hair or feathers);Irritants in the air such as dirt, cigarette smoke, gases, and odors; Respiratory infections such as colds, flu, sore throats, and bronchitis; Too much effort such as running upstairs too fast or carrying heavy loads (although people with asthma can benefit from a reasonable amount of exercise);Emotional stress such as excessive fear or excitement; Weather such as very cold air, windy weather, or sudden changes in weather; Medication such as aspirin or related drugs and some drugs used to treat glaucoma and high blood pressure.

Asthma Symptoms

Symptoms are: daytime coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness; night-time coughing and wheezing. Symptoms may occur a number of times in a day or week in affected persons, and for some people become worse during physical activity or at night.

Asthma Control

Asthma can be controlled by taking medicine and avoiding the triggers that can cause an attack. Uncontrolled asthma can be a danger to maternal well-being and fetal growth and survival.

Here is a list of some best Home Remedies for Asthma:

Home Remedies for Asthma

1) One may mix a tablespoon of honey with a half a tablespoon of cinnamon powder and consume prior to sleeping or one can boil eight to ten cloves of garlic in half a cup of milk and consume it at night and this is a wonderful natural asthma remedy for those who are in the early stages of asthma. This is a useful Home Remedy for Asthma

2) Another helpful natural asthma remedy is figs, which help in draining the phlegm and washing three to four dry figs with water and drenched them in a cup of water would help when eaten on an empty stomach along with drinking the fig-soaked water.

3) There is one more natural asthma remedy in the form of taking a cup of water and soaking one teaspoon of Fenugeek seeds during the night. Fenugeek seeds, which taken with a cup of water overnight is a further natural asthma remedy.

4) Steaming ginger tea with minced garlic cloves must be given two times in a day for asthma cure.

5) For asthma cure the patient should also be made to breathe in steam from boiling water mixed with ajwain. Add one teaspoonful of honey and drink the mixture two times or thrice a day for asthma cure. This is an effective Home Remedy for Asthma

6) Soak dry grapes in water at night and keep in cold milk for half an hour and chew them to treat asthma.

7) For asthma treatments mix one gram of dry ginger powder and one gram of black pepper in one teaspoon of molasses of honey.

8) For asthma cure turmeric can be taken along with honey in the morning on empty stomach to decrease the intensity of attack.

9) For people who are in their premature stages of asthma, a great Home Remedy for Asthma is to boil 8-10 cloves of garlic in ½ cup of milk and consume it during nighttime.

10) Take very hot water and put in a tsp of honey in it. Take it just before sleeping and take small sips.

11) In 1 cup of water soak 1 tsp of Fenugreek seeds overnight. Insert 1 tsp of Ginger juice and 1 tsp of honey to this. It has to be consumed two times during morning as well as evening. This is another effective Home Remedy for Asthma

12) The roots of the bitter gourd plant have been used as medicine for asthma cure. A teaspoon of the root paste, mixed with an identical amount of honey or juice of the tulsi leaves, given once every night for a month, acts as an outstanding medicine for this disease.

13) A soup prepared from drumstick leaves, and taken once daily, has been found helpful in the treatment of asthma. This soup is prepared by adding up a handful of leaves to 180ml of water and boiling it for five minutes. After being permitted to cool, a little salt, pepper, and lime juice may be added to this soup.

By: Tom alter

Labels: allergy and asthma, asthma, asthma allergy, asthma attack, asthma children, asthma cough, asthma inhaler, asthma news, asthma symptoms, asthma treatment, inhalers asthma

Asthma is a condition that affects the respiratory system of a person. When one has an attack, the airways swell and make air passage through them difficult. As a result, asthma symptoms are felt and they include; wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest. Asthma disease has no cure and thus prevention is the only sure way of controlling it.

Asthma is a condition that affects the ways of an individual. The air waves swell and make air passage a problem. This is as a result of a trigger to asthma condition. Symptoms for asthma varies from one individual to another. The most common symptoms of asthma are coughing, wheezing and running out of breath. Some people complain of chest pains too.

Types of Asthma:

There are two types of asthma.

1. Extrinsic - Extrinsic asthma is the most common type of asthma seen in asthma patients. Extrinsic asthma develops due to allergies and allergens.

2. Intrinsic - The cause of intrinsic asthma can be traced to respiratory tract infections. Asthma also has categorizations based on the intensity of the disease.

Causes Of Asthma:

1] Family inheritance is one of the causes of asthma.

2] Environmental pollution too is a cause.

3] Cold weather also causes asthma.

4] Smoking is yet another factor for causes of asthma.

5] Pollen too is another rare factor that causes this condition.

6] Sex can also be a cause of asthma. This is because it involves vigorous exercise at the time.

7] Viral infections, fungi, molds, cause asthma to some people but not all.

8] Vigorous exercise such as running, swimming, can cause asthma.

Symptoms Of Asthma:

The most common symptoms of asthma are coughing, wheezing and running out of breath. Some people complain of chest pains too.

Among these signs and symptoms include the faster or noisy breathing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing and coughing.

Treatment Of Asthma:

In general, asthma treatment can be divided into two categories: systematic long-term control and quick-relief symptom medications. Long-term control medications must be taken each day as part of asthma treatment. This kind of asthma treatment regimen is primarily designed to control the inflammation of the airways. Quick-relief medications can provide effective asthma treatment by relaxing the bronchial smooth muscles, and combating acute asthma attacks.

One natural asthma cure is the natural therapy that aids in managing the asthma condition. A negative response to emotional stress may cause asthma attacks. To relieve stress, some natural relaxation remedies can help such as biofeedback, guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation and deep abdominal breathing.

Asthma treatment involving medication can be taken orally or through inhalation. The most common asthma treatment method involves metered-dose inhalers, or MDIs.

One asthma treatment strategy involves anti-inflammatories which prevent blood vessels from leaking fluid into the airway tissues.

Other effective asthma treatment involves using the air conditioner, replacing carpeting with hardwood or tile, using leather or vinyl furniture rather than upholstered chairs and sofas, and replacing down bedding with bedding made with synthetic materials. Keeping the humidity low can be another asthma treatment strategy.

Asthma homeopathy is an alternative asthma treatment method. It aim to use natural and non-invasive methods to cure asthma. That means no use of drugs such as aspirin for asthma attacks.

By naturalremedies

Labels: allergy and asthma, asthma, asthma allergies, asthma allergy, asthma attack, asthma child, asthma children, asthma cough, asthma inhaler, asthma news, asthma symptoms, asthma treatment, inhalers asthma

Asthma, What's that?

Asthma is a disease of the lungs that causes trouble breathing and other serious symptoms. Many people struggle with asthma all over the world which is why asthma information is so important. People want to know more about this chronic disease that causes so many problems for adults and children alike. Asthma is a very common disease affecting numerous amounts of people across the globe, but luckily for those people scientists have found ways to decrease the amount of asthma attacks a person has each year, and in some cases obliterating it entirely.

Asthma is something that should never be taken for granted, getting the right asthma information can be the difference between suffering with a chronic disease and catching it early, which can dramatically decrease the risk of serious asthma attacks. But asthma information is not the only information that can help you, seeing a doctor if you feel that something like asthma could be affecting you is always a good idea no matter what.

Asthma Causes and Symptoms

It is good to get asthma information on the symptoms involved with asthma, this can help you to catch it early by recognizing any symptoms you may have. Some symptoms of asthma can include; violent coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and rapid breathing. Asthma is caused by inflammation of the lungs, which makes the air ways shrink and in some cases close completely, this is why it is so important to caring an inhaler, they are carefully designed to help prevent an attack if you feel one coming on, and if you are experiencing an asthma attack this handy little gadget may very well save your life.

Doctors can provide you with a lot of asthma information, which can also help you if you have already been diagnosed so never forget to talk to your doctor about asthma and the effects it has on your body, knowing the right asthma information can save your life as well so arm yourself with knowledge, but do not be afraid, asthma is a manageable disease that should not be feared as long as you have followed the proper asthma information.

Asthma can be triggered by allergies to things such as pollen, dust, pet dander, all of these play a key role in asthma, some doctors even recommend certain allergy medicines that can help prevent an attack, after all eliminating the cause of the attack, eliminates the attack itself.

Other Information on Asthma and its Effect on You

Asthma can be a serious problem for some people, especially children who always want to run and play, it can be a problem for adults or teens who enjoy physical activities such as sports, but most asthma information will tell you that asthma can be a painful and scary experience when not dealt with correctly, for instance, an asthma attack can cause you to feel panicked, you cannot breathe, it can even be painful to breathe. But do not lose hope, by studying the right asthma information, or talking to your doctor you will likely never experience these symptoms.

Just remember to take care of your lungs, a lot of people, when prescribed to a medication, generally do tend to slack off a little on tacking the medicine, this can be a major problem because it is that medicine that keeps you breathing properly.

And by trying to avoid those things that trigger your asthma attacks, you are surely to decrease your chances of an attack. But this is not always the case, some simply cannot avoid attacks which is why it is so important to carry an inhaler at all times.

Try not to worry about it, by speaking to your doctor regularly and keeping up with the latest asthma information and news can keep you safe and healthy, today there are many treatment options to choose from and in some cases it is possible to cure asthma, just remember to be safe and follow all directions suggested by your doctor and you will have no trouble dealing with asthma in your everyday life.

By: Dr John Anne

Labels: allergy and asthma, asthma, asthma allergy, asthma attack, asthma children, asthma cough, asthma inhaler, asthma news, asthma symptoms, asthma treatment, inhalers asthma

Welcome to Asthma blog...

Labels: allergy and asthma, asthma, asthma allergy, asthma attack, asthma children, asthma cure, asthma inhaler, asthma symptoms, asthma treatment, asthma treatments, bronchial asthma