Herbal Asthma Treatment

Four Herbal Remedies For Asthma

2009-05-08T01:44:00.000-07:00

In the 21st century we smugly dismiss herbal remedies for asthma as "old wives tales" but this is a foolish attitude. For 5,000 years of recorded history, and undoubtedly many centuries before, humans have been using plants and nature as cures for many diseases and ailments. "Modern" medicine has only existed for a mere instant of time and it's arrogant to assume that thousands of years of herbal medicine is of no value to us whatsoever. Here are four herbal remedies that are far older than our current medical practices.

The Old Fashioned 'Mustard Plaster':

The famous mustard plaster is indeed used on the chest, but it doesn't involve opening a jar of Grey Poupon and smearing it around. Instead, you must locate the leaves of the mustard plant which grow wild and can also be cultivated in your garden. Once you have the leaves and stems, mash them into a green pulp.

Next, coat your chest with a protective barrier like petroleum jelly or any oil that is solid at room temperature, in order to prevent any blistering. Cover your chest with the mustard pulp and keep it in place with some gauze or a bandage. Lie down for a couple of hours, or even overnight, and your chest should be much relieved.

John Wesley's Fondness For Carrots:

Yes, carrots are a great asthma reliever. We commonly think of carrots as long, orange vegetables, but in truth they grow all over the world and there are carrots that are red, purple, pale gold, pure white and a canary yellow. The reverend John Wesley, (1703 ? 1791), founder of the Methodist church, habitually ate boiled carrots and drank warm carrot broth to relieve his chronic asthma. Wesley claimed that carrots enabled him to keep a regular preaching schedule that would have been impossible without the aid of his beloved vegetable.

Fragrant Chamomile For Drinking And Breathing:

Chamomile refers to several different species of plant but the one westerners are most familiar with is the German chamomile. This especially fragrant plant is an annual, with lovely flowers, that is frequently used to induce sleep. But the fact that it provides great relief for allergies and asthma is less well known.

To make chamomile tea, boil a pint of water, remove it from the heat and add two teaspoons of dried flowers. Allow it to steep for 5-10 minutes. For asthma relief, drink 3-4 cups of warm tea each day. Children can safely drink 1-2 cups.

For even more asthma relief, fill a pan with approximately four inches of boiling water and sprinkle in a handful of chamomile. When the water has cooled so that it is still slightly steaming, but not boiling hot, place your face over the pan and over your head with a heavy towel so that it acts as a tent. Breathe in these wonderfully aromatic fumes until the water cools. You can safely repeat this treatment as often as you like.

Garlic Salve Halts Chest Congestion:

Garlic is truly a wonderful plant. It kills infection, acts as a blood thinner, seasons food - and acts as a wonderful chest congestant. To make a salve to relieve an asthmatically-constricted chest, peel and mince 6-8 garlic cloves and drop them into a jar that can withstand high temperatures, such as a canning jar.

Next, cover the garlic with melted Crisco or other shortening that will harden at room temperature. If desired, you can also add a small amount of eucalyptus oil to make the mixture more fragrant.

Put the oil and garlic into boiling water and let it sit, without a top, for about three hours. At the end of this time, stir it and pour it into smaller jars for storage. When needed, simply rub into your chest until the oil is absorbed, cover for a time with a towel, and wait for the relief that is soon to come.

The beautiful thing about these natural four remedies is that they cannot possibly harm you in any way. Can you say the same thing about any asthma drugs you are currently ingesting?
For natural asthma cures find helpful information at AsthmaAnswersOnline.com, a site that specializes in asthma facts and truths.

Symptoms Of Asthma Controlled By Herbs?

2009-04-30T02:59:00.000-07:00

It's tempting to think that our modern day medicine is somehow superior to all the 'primitve' medicine of our ancestors. But that theory doesn't hold up under scrutiny. For thousands of years humans used plants and herbs right out of the fields and forests and avoided the horrible side effects of today's medicine, as well as the creation of "super bacteria" that have grown imperious to our drugs. Here are four asthmatic remedies that have stood the test of time.

Ginger Root Reduces Or Eliminates Phlegm

The common ginger root can be found in almost every grocery store but its knobby brown appearance is strange to many who are more familiar with the delicious smell of ginger in cookies and gingerbread. It is known to be effective for digestion and motion sickness but it also is quite effective at eliminating the phlegm involved in asthma.

To get rid of mucus buildup in the chest and lungs, grate enough fresh ginger root to equal approximately two tablespoons and add to two cups of boiling water. Allow the ginger to steep for 30 minutes and drink a cup of warm tea every two hours or so. It's important to note that ginger from a bottle or can won't have the same effects. It's the fresh ginger essence in the root that helps asthmatics and cold sufferers. The ginger from the shelf is too aged to be of much use as an herbal remedy.

Add Walnuts To Your Ginger And Sleep For Clear Lungs

For centuries, the Chinese have used a combination of walnuts and ginger root to clear the lungs of excessive phlegm and to eliminate persistent couging in the throat. The recipe is simple: remove the meat from three walnuts and grind it finely. Mix with three slices of ginger that have been grated. Just before bedtime, eat your walnut/ginger mixture with warm liquid or tea and go to sleep. According to the Chinese, in the morning your symptoms will be gone.

Insects And Asthmatics Love Mullein

Mullein is an exceedingly abundant plant that grows all over North America and Europe. It loves sunshine and dry soil and is easily cultivated. Our ancestors used Mullein as a medicine for centuries and it has been studied in scientific research projects, which affirm its value. It contains Hesperidin (the predominant flavonoid in lemons and oranges) and Coumarin (smells like vanilla and found in lavender, clover, strawberries, apricots, cherries, and cinnamon) and is a sedative, safe pesticide, antioxidant and even has been used in the treatment of cancer.

It's of interest to asthmatics because it is anti-inflammatory and is an antihistamine. Simply grab a handful of coarsely cut flowers and leaves and drop them intp one quart of boiling water. Drink two cups each day and sweeten with honey, since it smells much better than it tastes.

A Delicious Almond Milk For Better Breathing

The Chinese love almond milk for relief of lung congestion and inflammation. Simply soak some almonds in water for 8-12 hours, or overnight, until they have swelled and are much softer. The Chinese add a small amount of white rice to the mixture although most western herbalists do not. Once the almonds are soft, pour off the water (but save it, since it's loaded with vitamins) and grind what's left into a paste. Add the water back to the mixture, mix with honey and cook on low heat until it's somewhat 'syrupy'. Drink one or two cups per day.

There are two special notes about this delicious homemade remedy:

1. Most recipes recommend removing the ground pulp and drinking the liquid only. However, the pulp is delicious and, depending on your taste, you might wish to leave it in the recipe. If you remove it, don't throw in away but use it in salads, desserts or fruit dishes.

2. It's wise to use organic almonds since you will be getting a very concentrated dose of this excellent nut. The chemical-laden variety definitely isn't as healthy.
It's amazing to think that food and drink are asthma supplies but at AsthmaAnswersOnline.com we reveal many such cool asthma facts.

Know the Signs of Childhood Asthma

2009-04-21T03:59:00.000-07:00

According to the Mayo Clinic, a well respected medical resource, and the American Family Physician, a newsletter from the American Academy of Family Physicians, childhood asthma has risen significantly in over the past few decades. The American Lung Association states that in 2004, an estimated 4 million children under 18 years old have had an asthma attack in the past 12 months, and many others have "hidden" or undiagnosed asthma.

Asthma is the most common cause of school absenteeism due to chronic disease and accounted for an estimated 14 million lost school days. They claim that childhood asthma has become more widespread and is now the most common chronic illness in children.

If you have children, it's important that you can recognize the symptoms and signs of an asthmatic condition. Understand that the symptoms below "may" indicate asthma, but could be symptomatic of a wide range of bronchial or pulmonary illnesses.

The most common signs and symptoms of childhood asthma are very similar to bronchitis and other respiratory infections. The symptoms include:

1. Coughing. The need to cough is created by mucus, which builds up and needs to be cleared. The mucus is usually caused by some type of infection or irritation. Coughing is symptomatic of many childhood and adult illnesses. Notice that although coughing is a symptom, the type of cough plays a role in understanding the cause. Simply put, a rattling or lose type cough is very different than a tight or hacking cough and both types can indicate certain illnesses

2. Wheezing. Wheezing is most commonly associated with asthma, however, all children with asthma do not necessarily wheeze. You can identify wheezing as a whistling type sound when your child breathes.

3. Chest congestion and tightness.

4. Shortness of breath

While these signs and symptoms may indicate childhood asthma, they may also point to various illnesses common to kids. As a parent, you cannot be expected to understand how various symptoms may interact or be able to accurately diagnose an illness such as asthma.

Another factor to consider is frequency. The child who frequently coughs or suffers ongoing or recurrent bouts of respiratory infection illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis may have childhood asthma.

As you can see, the diagnosis of this disease can only accurately be done by a medical doctor. Childhood asthma is a disease that has been strongly associated with genetic factors and usually involves some aspect of allergies. In the American Family Physician newsletter of April 2001 it was suggested that almost 80% of children with asthma can be expected to have allergies. This suggests that one strategy to control childhood asthma attacks is to control the environmental factors that may trigger an event. Those triggers may include dust, dirt, pollen and other factors. Visit the link below and get a free report on how to control on how to control and eliminate common allergy and asthma triggers in your home

Abigail Franks writes on a variety of subjects for more info on children and asthma go to http://www.asthma-treatment-resources.com/ and visit http://www.asthma-treatment-resources.com/childhood-asthma/childhood-asthma-index.html#BREAK#

Treatments of Asthma

2009-04-13T22:41:00.000-07:00

Asthma is a disease of the lungs that affects your breathing. It is a disease in which a person's airways become inflamed, swollen, and narrowed, making it difficult for air to flow into and out of the lungs. The condition marked by chronic inflammation and irritation of the airways.

Asthma is diagnosed based on a physical examination, personal history, and lung function tests. The first step in diagnosing asthma is a good evaluation. Your child may have asthma is he or she wheezes, coughs and has trouble breathing. You should check to your doctor if you see all of these symptoms.

Studies have indicated that asthma is both a genetic and environmental disease. Allergic asthma is the most common form of asthma. The real culprit in causing allergic asthma is the IgE antibody. It is always triggered by coming in contact with allergens, weather changes, viral or sinus infections.

The medical definition of asthma is simple, but the condition itself is quite complex. Asthma is a chronic disease that requires ongoing medical care to monitor and manage symptoms to prevent severe asthma attacks. People with asthma should also be aware that nocturnal asthma is associated with more severe disease and increased mortality. Asthma is a controllable but not curable disease and NOT a contagious disease. Taking care of your asthma is an important part of your life.

What can you do to treatments your Asthma? An important part of learning to control asthma is keeping a daily asthma diary. You should have an asthma management plan, because asthma is a chronic disease that requiring continual management and proper treatments. Consult to your doctor to make an asthma management plan. If you follow your asthma management plan, you can lead an active and normal lifestyle.

Today some excellent treatments are available to help you to control your asthma and maintain a symptom free life, so you can lead an active lifestyle. Some people like to supplement the medicine they take with more "natural" methods of asthma control. These natural asthma treatments are a help not only to the occasional infection, but also to longer term asthma and allergy sufferers, Treatments will aim to reduce the frequency, severity and length of your asthma attacks. The body has a natural hormone that will help to alleviate the symptoms of an asthma attack. Alternative treatments for asthma include yoga to control breathing and relieve stress and acupuncture to reduce asthma attacks and improve lung function. Natural asthma treatment will probably become very popular in the next few years.

Asthma is NOT curable disease, NOT a contagious disease, but a controllable, so taking care of your asthma is an important part of your life. Children with asthma can stay well and lead normal lives if asthma is controlled. For more information about Natural treatments of Asthma, Click here: Treatments of Asthma

Don't believe THERE ISN'T a cure for asthma. Discover how you or your children can stay healthy and Be Naturally Free from Asthma FOREVER. Click here: Natural Treatments of Asthma.

The Symptoms Of Asthma

2009-04-09T05:34:00.000-07:00

For most people, asthma will usually start off with a cough, more often at night. This cough may or may not be accompanied by a wheezing sound. This wheezing sound is produced as width of the airways decrease in size, making it difficult for air to enter. When asthma occurs at night, the person is left extremely tired because of lack of sleep.

Usually a cough is the first sign for many who suffer from asthma in their childhood. It is important as a parent to monitor a child who is coughing for signs of difficulty breathing. The cough associated with asthma should progress to a serious stage quicker than a cough associated with a regular cold. As the cough worsens, this can signal that the physical condition is worsening as well.

Therefore, it is necessary for anyone develops a persistent cough, and who has suffered from asthma in the past, to consult their doctor. If you are someone who has never been diagnosed with asthma, but are experiencing coughing for a long time, it is also imperative to seek medical health.

It is important to remember that coughing is a common symptom for many diseases, and it is important to seek treatment for it, as quick as possible. The reason for this is because a cough usually signifies that there is a problem with the lungs and the tissue that lines the respiratory tube. This is nature's way of saying something is wrong inside our very important breathing system. So even if the problem might not be asthma, seeking medical help can determine with the real problem is.

C Dietzig is co owner of asthmatreatment.first-results.com where they discuss asthma treatment and how to live a normal productive life with asthma

Yoga A Cure For Asthma?

2009-04-05T04:14:00.000-07:00

If you are suffering from mild asthma, yoga breathing exercises can help you reduce the use of low-dose inhalers in case of wheezing attacks.

More studies are required in ways of improving breathing control, say researchers at the Respiratory Medicine Unit, City University, Nottingham. Western medicine, they say, has largely ignored Breathing control methods.

Practitioners of yoga have believed for the longest time in the benefits of ?pranayama?, a breathing exercises for asthmatics. But, this has been difficult to study in a formal, scientific manner. A Pink City Lung is a device that imposes slow breathing on the user, mimicking pranayama breathing exercises. This device made it possible to measure, in a hospital trial, the effects of controlled breathing.

Tests were done on two simulated pranayama breathing exercises. The first was slow, deep breathing and the second involved breathing out for twice as long you breathe in.

The airways of asthma patients become restricted, making it difficult for them to breathe. It is well documented that asthma is on the rise around the world, and especially in the UK, having affected more than three million adults and children. It is responsible for nearly 2,000 deaths in the UK every year.

Standard clinical tests carried out by doctors to measure the volume of air blown out per second by the patients and to test their airways for irritability. Subsequent to yoga breathing exercises, the patients? airways were found to be less irritable by about two times. This is a dramatic improvement, which resulted from the yoga breathing exercises.

So, to conclude, asthma patients can certainly benefit by experimenting with breathing exercises, although they should not stop their medication. Simply by using some of the controlled breathing principles taught in yoga, they can instantly see a noticeable difference in their reliance on inhalers. If you do know someone who is suffering from asthma, make sure to inform them about some of the studies related to yoga and its affects on breathing.
Shumam Fasi is involved with an online yoga project that informs and educates the yoga enthusiast through well-written articles. Discover the timeless wisdom of Yoga meditation, breathing, & positions, as well as reviews on Yoga videos,& much more...

Asthma -- Triggers

2009-04-01T23:20:00.000-07:00

What triggers asthma attacks? If you have asthma, then shouldn't you know the answer?

Asthma is a chronic lung condition characterized by difficulty in breathing. People with asthma have extra sensitive and/or hyper-responsive airways. During an asthma attack, the airways become irritated and react by narrowing and constricting, causing increased resistance, and obstructing the flow of the air passages to and from the lungs.

The words "trigger factors,? and "triggers" of asthma are used to describe the things that can cause an attack in someone who already has asthma.

Many things can bring on, or trigger, an asthma attack, and the causes and triggers vary greatly from person to person. Dogs and cats cause attacks in some people. While for others, cold air, tobacco smoke, exercise, and even laughing can trigger attacks. Some people with asthma report that the asthma attacks are worse when they are upset, under stress, or anxious. Some people get asthma if they take aspirin or other painkillers, and some get asthma from fumes or dust at work.

Bad asthma attacks, which force people to go into hospital, often happen after a virus infection of your nose or chest.

The most common triggers for asthma include:

Allergens

* Dander from the skin, hair, or feathers of animals, such as cats, dogs, etc.
* Dust mites (contained in house dust)
* Pollen from grass and trees
* Mold (indoor and outdoor)
* Cockroaches

Irritants

* Cigarette smoke
* Air pollution
* Cold air (for example, if you move from warm indoor air to cold outdoor air.
* Strong odors from cooking or painting
* Scented products
* Allergens or irritants that you may be exposed to at your work such as special chemicals or dusts.

Others

* Breathing tests. Just as the fast breathing in exercise can bring on attacks, the faster and deeper breathing you have to do for most breathing tests can bring on quite a noticeable narrowing of air passages, and can bring on an asthma attack.

* Histamine or methacholine aerosols. Doctors use an inhaled mist of these substances to measure how irritable your air passages are. In asthma they are more irritable than normal. During allergic or asthmatic reactions, the cells in the lungs release histamine. Methacholine mimics the effect of a substance (acetylcholine) released by the nerves in the lung during asthma. Both substances cause an attack in anyone who breathes enough of them, but people who have asthma will get an attack from a much smaller amount. In the test, the amount of asthma produced is small and bearable, and it wears off quickly. The result gives a very useful measurement of the irritation in a persons airways.

* Irritants in asthma inhalers. Some powder inhalers can cause a small amount of chest tightness. Aerosol inhalers need to have a lubricant and this can cause irritation of air passages, and can bring on an asthma attack.

* Some drugs, especially beta-blockers (used for high blood pressure or heart disease).

* Medications such as aspirin and other painkillers.

* Sulfur dioxide, previously used as a preservative in soft drinks and wine. Drinking, or even breathing the air above such a drink, can cause chest tightening within seconds.

* Sulfites in dried fruit or in wine. For example, sodium metabisulphite (E220?227) may trigger asthma, but not via an allergic reaction. It can be found in wine, home-brewed beer, carbonated drinks, prepared meats and prepared salads.

* Indigestion, with stomach acid rising into your gullet. This is called gastro-esophageal reflux, or acid reflux. This causes heartburn and worsens asthma symptoms, especially at night.

* Infections of the lining of the breathing passages, such as colds and flu.

* Crying or laughing

* Exercise.

* Strong emotional response. People with asthma often say that their asthma gets worse if they are crying, upset, or under stress.

This is not a complete list of the things that can trigger asthma.

In addition, people differ in which of these things causes the most asthma, and some people may have trouble with one or more of the triggers. It is important that you identify what triggers your asthma, so that you can avoid or minimize your exposure to it. Your doctor can help you with this.

John Brown is an author for several Internet magazines, on wellness and health and wellness tips topics.

Bronchial Asthma Is Scary

2009-03-18T23:44:00.000-07:00

If you have ever experienced symptoms that caused your airways to become enflamed and tight, making it difficult for you to breathe, then you may suffer from a form of bronchial asthma. Most people who suffer from bronchial asthma find that they are constantly coughing, wheezing, and coughing up mucus. An asthma attack, for someone who experiences bronchial asthma, knows all too well how scary and frustrating it can be.

A Personal Story

When I was in grade school I suffered greatly from bronchial asthma. I could not participate in any of the normal sports activities. The least little bit of physical activity would set off my bronchial asthma symptoms. I would usually cough and wheeze all day long, spitting up mucus; feeling as if I were going to pass out at times. The good news, as I aged, my bronchial asthma got much better and easier to deal with.

Bronchial asthma is very closely related to regular asthma. The symptoms are much the same with coughing and wheezing for hours; although many bronchial asthma suffers are not actually having an asthma attack.

Every Day Life Can Set Off Bronchial Asthma

Much like regular asthma, bronchial asthma can be triggered when someone is exposed to molds, pet dander, and dust. If you notice that you have difficulty breathing when you come into contact with one of these types of situations you should avoid them. There are mask that you can buy to put over your face if you know you will be in a room that has had a cat or dog present.

The Struggle with Physical Activities

People who struggle with bronchial asthma have severe problems when trying to run or even when they are under great amounts of stress. It is not uncommon for someone to start experiencing symptoms from a walk or light workout. If you are experience these types of symptoms you may need to carry an inhaler if you plan to do any type of exercise.

Avoid Certain Food Products

If you notice that you have trouble with mucus build up or other bronchial asthma symptoms when you are consuming food, or certain dairy type products you should avoid them. The most common aggravating products are bananas, cold milk, ice creams, and other cold or refrigerated food. If you are unsure what sets off your bronchial asthma you should rule out food products one at time until you identify the culprits.

Bronchial Asthma Can Be Beat

You should not live in fear of this disease. There are many steps you can take to overcome your bronchial asthma. It is not uncommon for your body to change, in time you may see a substantial positive change in your bronchial asthma.

For more information on Asthma visit www.asthma-cure-tips.com, a website that specializes in providing helpful tips, advice, and asthma care information to include Asthma Attacks, Asthma Symptoms, and Bronchial Asthma.

Avoiding Allergic Asthma Causes

2009-03-18T06:03:00.000-07:00

Asthma affects over 18 million people every year. Of the millions affected, nearly 55% of those asthma suffers experience problems due to an allergic asthma attack. People who are educated as to the cause of their allergic asthma can gain better control over their lives. This article will discuss some of the common triggers for allergic asthma and how to avoid them.

What Is Allergic Asthma?

For those who do not have allergic asthma, an asthma attack can be set off by strenuous exercise, stress, worry and many other triggers. However, allergic asthma is inevitably triggered by coming in touch with allergens that set-off your asthma. This is important information to note, because the better educated you are on what causes allergic asthma the better your chances of preventing future instances.

What to Avoid

You should stay away from any area that is damp. Basements tend to be a common place for molds and other bacteria to grow and cause allergic asthma. Animals, such as dogs and cats are also a leading culprit to people suffering from allergic asthma. If you have a problem with mice in your home this could also be causing you trouble.

Pollen can cause real problems at certain times of the year. If you notice an increase in your allergic asthma symptoms at certain times of the year, especially during the spring and summer times, this may be the reason. You may want to speak with your doctor about proven treatments for your allergic asthma. There are many good medications for these types of allergic asthma attacks. With extreme situations, your doctor may suggest a treatment such as immunotherapy.

Take Control

Allergic asthma can be very intimidating, but with proper care and avoiding known causes you can regain control of your life. Take the time to study the many symptoms, causes, and effects of allergic asthma. The more you know about allergic asthma the further ahead of the battle you will be.

For more information on Asthma visit http://asthma-cure-tips.com, a website that specializes in providing helpful tips, advice, and asthma care information to include Asthma Attacks, Asthma Symptoms, and Allergic Asthma.

Childhood Asthma - 4 Symptoms To Look For

2009-03-16T04:42:00.000-07:00

With more than 15 million in the USA suffering from asthma, it is rather important to know what causes asthma. Many asthmatics till now still does not know what actually cause asthma.

One of the most common chronic illness of kids is asthma. This disease is the most common reason for missing school, and experts say 4 million children under the age of 18 have had an asthma attack in the past 12 months. It is important to know the symptoms of childhood asthma, so you can get your child to a doctor as soon as possible.

Your child might have asthma which is a condition in which the main airways to your child?s lungs (bronchial tubes) become swollen and you won?t even know it. The signs to child asthma are subtle so as a parent you need to be aware and on alert for mild clues.

Some symptoms can be obvious while others are more subtle and here are some items to consider, let's take a look:

The first symptom to look out for is wheezing. What is actually wheezing?

This high-pitched breathing noise is most noticeable when the child breaths in and out. One of the most common symptoms of childhood asthma, the wheezing can be mild to severe. Mucus builds up in the already restricted airways, making the effort to breathe a struggle.

The next symptom is about coughing and some kids afflicted with this disease will never wheeze. A small percentage will just have a persistent cough, especially late at night. The only symptom of about 5 percent of asthmatic kids will be a cough. Also, if a child coughs a lot after running or crying, he might have asthma. So, it is rather important to look out this symptom, the next time your child may have a prolong cough.

The third symptom is when your child are having frequent respiratory infections. He or she who suffered from frequent and hard-to-treat respiratory infections, like pneumonia and bronchitis, might have this chronic disease. Sometimes your child just might be afflicted with cold-like symptoms that are persistent. These illnesses attack already vulnerable lungs and may cause even more damage.

When you observed that your child are restless, inactive or simply being lethargic, he might be suffering from child asthma problem. He may show no interest in running or playing sports may be showing signs of asthma. Shortness of breath and tightness in the chest may be the reason the child no longer wants to exert himself. In young children, tightness in the chest may cause irritability as well.

Some children may have all these symptoms or just one. Some childhood asthma symptoms may repeat themselves quite frequently or just every now and then. It's up to the parents to recognize the pattern of symptoms. By doing so you will be able to recognize an attack as it's just starting to happen and help lessen the severity.

More importantly, knowing and keeping track of your child asthma symptoms and telling your child doctor, that you can help him develop a plan for battling childhood asthma.

The doctor has a better idea of what kinds of medicines and treatments your child will need. Remember though, as the child gets older, his symptoms might change or become more or less severe. Different treatment might be needed at different ages.

Kids asthma is very different because no two children suffer it in the same way or exhibit the same symptoms. It is also common that the asthmatic symptoms are the same but the fashion in which they are suffered is completely different to the individual child.

Even though you may know 4 little known symptoms for a child asthma. However, with all these information will of no use to no action is being taken. Having the knowledge is not power, applying the knowledge is true power to free yourself the agony of having asthma again. You should never add to, or alter any component of your current asthma treatment without first consulting your physician.

However, many asthmatics sometimes tend to forget that even though they may know the facts and symptoms to a child asthma is not adequate, they should be be conscious and aware that in order to have an asthma-free lifestyle, a proper and yet effective asthma recovery system is necessary. Even without a proper child asthma management system, there will not be much asthma free lifestyle to hope for.

Applying the knowledge of child asthma together with an effective system even a child or adult can use - enjoy your life once again.

Eddy K Elton is the author of 17 Minutes Asthma and Allergy Secrets ebook. Drop by at Symptoms For Child Asthma for more details. Also, he has a free asthma information website about How To Cure Asthma At Home for more details.

Top Alternative Asthma Relieving Techniques That You Can Trust

2009-03-08T23:10:00.000-07:00

In this 21st century, asthma condition has changed our lifestyle completely. People who are suffering from asthma is obviously no fun and can have quite a negative affect on the daily lives of sufferers, especially to children. Many conventional treatments and remedies almost always help to a certain degree, but one must ask, are there any other effective methods to supplement my existing treatment?

According to many new medical sources, around 100 million people in the world have asthma, roughly 6 percent of adults and 10 percent of children, and asthma is on the increase. At least, 40,000 people die from the disease each year. Australia is at the top of the asthma league, with the UK and New Zealand coming close behind.

Therefore, many people are constantly looking for ways to asthma relieving techniques to that dreadful disease. They are seeking out mainstream and conventional treatments.

Conventional treatments and remedies almost always help to a certain degree, but one must ask, are there any other effective methods to supplement my existing treatment?

Asthma Relieving Technique #1

Some asthma relieving techniques for asthma treatment reliefs include chiropractic manipulation of the spine and rib cage which is thought to improve lung function. Are these treatments really alternative or just another spin-off treatment for many medical professionals.

Is there really alternative asthma treatment?

Asthma Relieving Technique #2

Another asthma relieving techniques involve acupuncture which is thought to somehow improve breathing process, however there is no conclusive evidence on this method.

Asthma Relieving Technique #3

Though not right for everyone, many sufferers of asthma have found relief through the use of alternative herbal medicines in addition to their current asthma treatment.

Herbal medicines can help treat a wide spectrum of conditions and can act as anything from a natural weight loss, to the treatment of insomnia.

Natural asthma relieving techniques or formulas usually contain a range of ingredients including blood root, St. John's Wort, mullein, saw palmetto, wild cherry bark, amongst others.

These natural ingredients work together to effectively aid the process of breathing. Besides the above, using traditional chinese medicine magnolia flower bud (essential oil) can really relieve asthma attacks on adults and children.

Ask your doctor about other "alternative" asthma relieving techniques and become educated on all possible avenues of asthma treatment relief.

So by applying these three alternative asthma relieving techniques, you save yourself the agony of having asthma again. You should never add to, or alter any component of your current asthma treatment without first consulting your physician.

However, many asthmatics sometimes tend to forget that even though there may be many alternative methods around in order to have an asthma free life. Without a proper asthma management system, there will not be much asthma free lifestyle to hope for.

Apply this alternative asthma relieving techniques together with a system can allow you to enjoy your life once again. So, please don't wait any longer before your next attack comes along.

Eddy K. Elton is the author of the 17 Minutes Asthma and Allergy Secrets. Drop by at Asthma Relieving Techniques for more details.

Also, he is offering up to 75% commission at his Asthma Relieving Techniques Affiliate Program.

Alternative Asthma Relieving Techniques That You Can Trust

2009-03-04T21:54:00.000-08:00

Therefore, many people are constantly looking for ways to asthma relieving techniques to that dreadful disease. They are seeking out mainstream and conventional treatments.

Conventional treatments and remedies almost always help to a certain degree, but one must ask, are there any other effective methods to supplement my existing treatment?

Asthma Relieving Technique #1

Is there really alternative asthma treatment?

Asthma Relieving Technique #2

Another asthma relieving techniques involve acupuncture which is thought to somehow improve breathing process, however there is no conclusive evidence on this method.

Asthma Relieving Technique #3

Though not right for everyone, many sufferers of asthma have found relief through the use of alternative herbal medicines in addition to their current asthma treatment.

Herbal medicines can help treat a wide spectrum of conditions and can act as anything from a natural weight loss, to the treatment of insomnia.

Natural asthma relieving techniques or formulas usually contain a range of ingredients including blood root, St. John's Wort, mullein, saw palmetto, wild cherry bark, amongst others.

Ask your doctor about other "alternative" asthma relieving techniques and become educated on all possible avenues of asthma treatment relief.

So by applying these top 3 alternative asthma relieving techniques yourself the agony of having asthma again. You should never add to, or alter any component of your current asthma treatment without first consulting your physician.

Apply this alternatives method together with a system - enjoy your life once again.

Eddy Kong WW is the author of the 17 Minutes Asthma and Allergy Secrets. Drop by at Asthma Relieving Techniques for more details.

Attacking Adult Asthma

2009-02-27T23:15:00.000-08:00

If you have been dealing with asthma for many years you are not alone. Many people gradually develop asthma symptoms in their adult years, but often times, they never seek the proper care they so desperately need. If you are one of those unfortunate adult asthma suffers, there are some necessary factors to consider that just might help your condition from becoming worse.

What Triggers Your Asthma Attacks

There are many different types of settings and conditions that can and will set off an asthma attack. Many people have severe problems around animals, while others cannot be in a room that is dusty. If you have adult asthma and have never been tested to see what sets off your asthma attacks you may want to seek some professional advice.

Choosing the Right Doctor

If your adult asthma is to a point that you must seek professional help to maintain any type of quality lifestyle, then you should make sure you have the proper medical care. Not all doctors are created equal, and when it comes to medical professionals who deal with adult asthma you need to shop around. One of the best ways to choose a doctor is by asking the advice of people who have adult asthma and have been successful in dealing with a certain doctor.

Stay Away From Trouble

If you know what causes your asthma attacks you can avoid troubled areas. If dust is your problem you can find quality in home air filter systems to help alleviate the problem. You can find many good articles and web sites on the internet about the different types of filtration systems available to you. Just a few simple changes to your home and lifestyle could make all the difference.

Animals are Not So Cute for Asthma Suffers

Unfortunately, those cute and cuddly little puppies and kittens can really trigger adult asthma in many individuals. Animals seem to be one of the number one culprits in causing asthma attacks. If you know that animals are the cause of your adult asthma you will simply need to avoid them. For some adult asthma suffers there are certain medicines that can be taken if you know that you will be coming in contact with animals.

Adult asthma is no laughing matter and should be taken seriously. Millions of people suffer on a daily basis, yet, they never seek the proper care for their symptoms. If you are suffering from asthma, seek some answers and take control.

For more information about Asthma Treatments please visit http://asthma-cure-tips.com, a website that specializes in providing information, tips, and resources on Adult Asthma.

Coping With An Asthma Allergy

2009-02-20T04:15:00.000-08:00

The number of people being diagnosed with asthma is steadily increasing. This condition is quite bad because there is no idea when a trigger can cause an attack to happen. When you experience your first asthma attack, you might start to panic, or be considerably frightened thinking you were going to die. This is especially scary when whatever you do you cannot catch your breath.

As a result of this asthma allergy, the person suffering from it must be placed on certain types of medication in order to improve the level of airflow and air exchange coming into and out of the lungs. The simplest medication for coping with an asthma allergy is bronchodilators, which expand the airways to exchange more air.

It is important for you as an individual suffering for an asthma allergy to find the best ways to cope with this condition. What everyone experiences will not be the same for everyone, as the symptoms for each person will have its own variation.

Therefore, coping mechanisms need to be established early on to deal with the various allergies that will be encountered. One way of trying to positively cope with asthma is to make an appointment to have allergy tests taken, as a way of discovering what your possible allergens might be. If knowing beforehand that you have an asthma allergy to pollen, then you can safely prepare for the pollen during the season when it appears. In this way you will be better able to cope with your asthma allergy.

C Dietzig is co owner of asthmatreatment.first-results.com where they discuss asthma treatment and how to live a normal productive life with asthma.

The Genetics Of Asthma

2009-02-16T03:27:00.000-08:00

With the decrease in air quality, asthma has become a very prevalent condition, especially in Western societies. An asthma allergy is often seen in children and adolescents, with it being less common in adults. Even though it is less common in adults, it is still possible for many adults to be diagnosed and suffer from asthma.

An asthma allergy is a condition in which targets the respiratory system. An irritant is breathed into the lungs, and this goes on to cause inflammation of the tubes of the lungs called the bronchi and bronchioles. This inflammation initiates release of chemicals that causes the entrances to the lung tissue to constrict. The result of this is the coughing sound produced along with any wheezing.

Even though there has not been a gene located that shows if someone will be diagnosed with asthma or not, asthma allergy does have a tendency to run in families. Therefore, scientist believe that if you have a parent with asthma, and depending on you genetic makeup, you run the risk of being predisposed to a diagnosis of asthma. Your risk of been diagnosed with an asthma allergy increases if you also have a sibling who has also been diagnosed with asthma.

However, even though asthma allergy might have a genetic tendency, the environment still plays a factor in the flare up of an attack. For example, being around pets, cigarette smoke, and dust mites can lead to an asthma attack for some people. Anyone with should try to avoid conditions that might triggers there asthma.

C Dietzig is co owner of asthmatreatment.first-results.com where they discuss asthma treatment and how to live a normal productive life with asthma.

Childhoon Asthma - What Are The 4 Symptoms To Look For

2009-02-13T22:27:00.000-08:00

With more than 15 million in the USA suffering from asthma, it is rather important to know what causes asthma. Many asthmatics till now still does not know what actually cause asthma.

Your child might have asthma which is a condition in which the main airways to your child's lungs (bronchial tubes) become swollen and you won't even know it. The signs to child asthma are subtle so as a parent you need to be aware and on alert for mild clues.

Some symptoms can be obvious while others are more subtle and here are some items to consider, let's take a look:

The first symptom to look out for is wheezing. What is actually wheezing?

More importantly, knowing and keeping track of your child asthma symptoms and telling your child doctor, that you can help him develop a plan for battling childhood asthma.

Applying the knowledge of child asthma together with an effective system even a child or adult can use - enjoy your life once again.

Eddy K Elton is the author of 17 Minutes Asthma and Allergy Secrets ebook. Drop by at Asthma Relieving Techniques for more details.

Asthma Cures - Treatments And Tips For Coping With Asthma

2009-02-04T22:56:00.000-08:00

Many millions of people are affected by Asthma, from the very young to the senior citizen. It shapes every aspect of the afflicted individual's life. Sometimes, this disease can lead to death if not properly treated and managed.

Naturally, both the person affected by Asthma and the loved-ones trying to help the Asthma-sufferer, are interested in finding cures or ways to cope with this disease. With the recent advances in medications and non-traditional approaches, new hope has been given to the Asthma sufferer.

Is there an Asthma cure at present? This is the number one question that those newly-diagnosed will ask. While there is no known cure, there are ways to minimize and control the symptoms.

One of the most important pieces of managing Asthma is the formation of an effective overall Asthma action plan. You have to develop an organized and effective method of dealing with this very serious lung disease. This starts with your physician as the head of the treatment team and includes you as the compliant patient. Treatments are only as effective as the patients adherence to the treatment plan as prescribed by the MD.

Asthma medications continue to be the front-line choice of treatment by physicians. These are divided into two major categories, long-term-control and short-acting medications. Long-term meds are used to control and maintain control of asthma that is persistent in nature. Short-acting medications are used to symptoms that are acute.

Medications such as Albuterol and Ipratropium are such examples of short-acting agents, and have been proven to be quite effective in controlling the symptoms of Asthma. They are considered to be in the class of Bronchodilators. Each of these medications has their own benefit as well as side effects. In some cases, the use of nebulizer treatments in the home, become necessary, depending on the severity of the disease.

Corticosteroid medications are thought of as examples of Long-term Asthma medications. These are used in between the short-acting medications. Flovent and Pulmicort are two very commonly-used Corticosteroids that doctors use to treat Asthma-related symptoms. These are also inhaled, and given in a variety of delivery devices.

Is it possible to actually live a "normal life" despite having this terrible lung disease? The answer is yes! Again, this depends on all of the elements of the treatment plan outlined by your doctor, being followed. Non-compliance with treatment, is considered a huge obstacle blocking one's ability to lead the active and fulfilling life-style that each of us deserve.

As always, nothing substitutes for the guidance of your doctor. Working together, you can formulate a plan of attack that will keep Asthma from controlling your life.

For more information about Asthma Treatments please visit http://asthma-cure-tips.com, a website that specializes in providing information, tips, and resources on Asthma Cures.

Finding A Natural Cure For Asthma

2009-02-01T22:27:00.000-08:00

Asthma ? a disease of the respiratory system whereby a patient?s airway becomes inflamed and constricted limiting breathing ? can be enormously frightening. The lack of control that comes from having your own breath leave you is something only an asthma sufferer can understand.

The treatments sought for asthma include a number of highly successful and reliable medical interventions. Asthma patients often rely on respiratory inhalers and prescription medications to easy asthma symptoms and prevent attacks. Further, for those asthma patients whose condition is exacerbated by environmental stimuli, avoidance of allergens becomes a main focus of daily life.

Today ? as the emphasis on healthy living becomes more prominent ? more and more people are looking for a natural cure for asthma. And they?re finding them; ways to alleviate symptoms and prevent attacks. The natural cure for asthma derives from a holistic approach to treating the whole body, thus correcting specific symptoms.

One approach to a natural cure for asthma that has been embraced is chiropractic work. Patients report a greater overall feeling of well-being after visiting with a chiropractor. Chiropractic manipulation works to align the spinal column thus removing pressure from the nervous system. Because our central nervous system is all connected along the spine, we can be enormously benefited by having adjustments.

Another approach to a natural cure for asthma is acupuncture whereby sterilized needles are placed ? painlessly ? in strategic areas of the body to correct internal imbalances.

Additionally, many in search of a natural cure for asthma have found that certain types of exercise ? most specifically yoga ? have relieved their asthma symptoms. Again, overall health in the body addresses many symptoms.

Others have found non-traditional techniques such as hypnosis and laser treatments to clear airways very successful in their search for a natural cure for asthma.

To research a natural cure for asthma, go online; there are many resources available for those who suffer from asthma including a multitude of chat forums wherein other people share their experiences and what has worked to ease their asthma symptoms. Having support from people who understand can be more than half the battle.

No matter what you choose in your journey to alleviate your asthma, always check with a medical professional prior to experimentation. It may be that you can use any of the methods mentioned above in conjunction with traditional medical treatment. Either way, staying proactive and positive will one day find you enjoying a much healthier life.

For easy to understand, in depth information about asthma visit our ezGuide 2 Asthma.

Asthma and Chronic Bronchitis - Causes and Cures

2009-01-29T22:21:00.000-08:00

Anything chronic is considered to be a persistent, recurrent and lasting condition. While chronic bronchitis has often been associated with allergies and/or asthma, there are many other causes that can trigger a bronchial infection. Asthma as we know is a lung disease that is characterized by asthmatic events triggered by a variety of factors which cause a constriction of the bronchial tubes and air passages.

A chronic cough, wheezing, breathing difficulties and a tight chest have also been associated with the common smoker's cough. This is unfortunate as there are many environmental factors that can contribute to an infection and caused these types of symptoms.

One such environmental factor is dust. While dust is a common substance found everywhere, it's especially problematic for those of us who may have a compromised respiratory system. A less than ideal breathing tract is found in people suffering with asthma, many allergies and yes even smokers. What's been ignored in many cases however, is that exposure to chemicals can cause a sensitivity to environmental factors such as dust.

As it's recognized that dust is almost everywhere, it's important to try to limit exposure as much as possible. This sensitivity of the person with chronic bronchitis will determine the level of action that's needed to limit dust exposure. Someone who is extremely sensitive may need special air cleaning equipment installed in their home. While another who's sensitivity is not as pronounced may be able to live comfortably in a home simply on a regular cleaning schedule. Check out the link below for free report on tips to eliminate asthmatic and bronchial cough triggers in your home.

Exposure to chemical fumes and odors may compromise an otherwise healthy respiratory system. This in turn can lead to sensitivity to other environmental factors like dust, but also both primary and secondary tobacco smoke. While the validity of the effects of secondhand smoke are continue to be debated, it has been shown to be an important breathing factor for those with a compromised respiratory system. All of these factors can contribute to the chronic cough experienced by many asthma, allergy and bronchitis sufferers.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a well regarded medical facility, bronchitis and the resulting cough can also be caused from stomach acid irritating for food pipe or esophagus. This is better known as acid reflux disease.

Acid reflux can now be successfully treated with many medications.

If you think that someone you know may be suffering from a chronic cough caused by bronchitis or possibly asthma, it's important to understand the lifestyle implications this may involve. The primary focus however, should be to get an accurate diagnosis from a qualified respiratory or pulmonary medical professional.

Abigail Franks has done extensive research into Asthma,Allergies, and their triggers. You can find out more about Bronchitis causes and cures and Asthma Triggers and Treatments on her Asthma website.

Asthma Triggers vs Causes

2009-01-24T02:43:00.000-08:00

If you have asthma, do you know the difference between its triggers and causes? You should -- your breathing may depend on it.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that makes airways (bronchial tubes) particularly sensitive to irritants, and this is characterized by difficulty in breathing. Asthma cannot be cured, but for most patients it can be controlled so that they have only minimal and infrequent symptoms and they can live an active life.

If you have asthma, managing it should be an important part of your life. Controlling your asthma means staying away from things that bother your airways and taking your medicines as directed by your doctor.

When discussing diseases, it is important to distinguish between causes and triggers. A trigger is something which sets off an attack, but which did not make you asthmatic in the first place.

"Trigger factors", or "triggers", of asthma are used to describe the things which can cause an attack in someone who already has asthma..

But you hear these words used for the dog to which you are allergic, or the cat, or the pollen that cause your asthma, or the mold on the wallpaper which causes your asthma, and even about house dust mites. Instead of calling these causes, which is what they are, people call them "triggers". They say that their cat is triggering their asthma.

This is a bit like calling an on-coming car the trigger of an accident.

Demoting causes, by calling them triggers, makes people think that the causes are not so important, and that maybe they should just keep using their inhalers instead of making efforts to root out the cause of their asthma and remove these from their environment.

A cause is something, without which, an effect (such as asthma) will not occur. Thus, a cause is something without which you would not be asthmatic. There may be more than one cause for an asthma attack.

We normally think of a trigger as something small that causes something big to happen suddenly. A trigger is one type of cause. But the implication is that the important causes have to be there already if the trigger is to work, and that the trigger is not important. It is the cause which is important.

For example, if you don't have asthmatic lungs, or your asthma is under control, a cold won't give you any symptoms of asthma.

In this sense, it is fair to call the cold a "trigger factor". In addition, if you stopped catching colds, this would not stop you having asthma, so in that sense it cannot be called the true cause of the disease.

But if you have an attack whenever you go near dogs, then dogs in the past have been the cause, and a dog now can trigger an attack. In other words, a dog can be a cause of asthma and also the trigger of an attack.

Concentrating only on the triggers of the attacks misses the really important point that contact with dogs was a cause of the asthma in the first place.

Obviously, an asthma sufferer will want to avoid both the causes and triggers of asthma, but the causes are more serious. Without the causes, the triggers could do absolutely no harm.

Barbara Jones enjoys writing for several online magazines, on healthy living and health and wellness themes.

Asthma - An Allergy

2009-01-12T21:54:00.000-08:00

Undoubtedly, allergies often cause asthma. The terms asthma and allergy are often used as synonyms by laymen and in medical terminology. Unfortunately, only a few cases of asthma are really caused by allergies.

The term allergy is difficult to define. Allergy basically means "to react differently". As a matter of fact, many asthmatic patients react differently to various kinds of inhaled substances than do healthy people. Antibodies, which are usually significant in the protection from pathogenic agents, initiate a fateful chain of reactions in the case of asthma.

Allergic asthma due to pollen is a good example. Whereas about 90 percent of the population can inhale large amounts of pollen from grasses and ragweed, which bloom during spring and autumn, the remaining 10 percent of the population suffer from hay fever or pollen asthma. The link between the nose and the airways is obvious. Anyone who suffers from hay fever, called pollinosis in medical terminology, will complain about the discomfort it causes. While everyone else enjoys the first signs of summer, the sunshine, the warmth and the blooming of the meadows, the person suffering from hay fever hides behind the drawn blinds because otherwise, his eyes run and the itching of the eye becomes intolerable. A person suffering from hay fever may also experience a constantly running nose, difficulty of breathing through the nose and may feel generally ill although the illness seems to be so harmless.

Nonetheless, the person with hay fever suffers far less than the one with pollen asthma. Pollen asthma affects a part of the bronchial system, which is far more important for breathing than is the nose. It is not known why the disease affects the nose in one person and the bronchial system in another. Unfortunately, children who suffer from hay fever while still in school develop asthma as adults. Causes for this development are unknown.

How does the seemingly innocuous pollen cause asthma?

Pollen is usually too large to infiltrate the bronchial wall as a whole. Rather, the bronchial mucosa dissolves the pollen into protein particles small enough to pass through the epithelium (a membranous tissue composed of cell layers forming the covering of most internal and external surfaces of the body and its organs). These pollen particles then encounter cells in the bronchial mucosa, which develop antibodies against it. It would appear that this formation of antibodies to trap the pollen particles is normal. Unfortunately, the antibody struggles with the intruding pollen particle without success. The formation of allergy antibodies initiates a reaction, which is more harmful to the body than if nothing had happened. The struggle between the intruding allergens and the antibodies formed by the body takes place on the membrane of so-called mast cells, which are composed of dangerous substances. Mast cells take part in the body's allergic response. They can be found in most body tissues, but are predominantly abundant in connective tissue, such as the bronchial mucosa. In an allergic response, an allergen stimulates the release of antibodies, which attach themselves to mast cells. Following subsequent allergen exposure, the mast cells release substances such as histamine (a chemical which causes allergic symptoms) into the tissue. These substances lead to a spasm of the bronchial muscles, make the small vessels in the bronchial mucosa permeable, allow blood plasma to escape into the tissue and lead to the production of extremely viscid bronchial mucus.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Allergies

Dealing With An Asthma Allergy

2008-11-07T21:53:00.000-08:00

For someone suffering from asthma allergy, it is beneficial to have an idea of what exactly this condition entails, and ways you can prevent it from having a negative effect on your life. Depending on the person and what has caused the asthma, an asthma allergy can vary from a mild attack of asthma to a more severe attack of asthma. A severe attack of asthma is characterized by a difficulty breathing, with lack of oxygen in the lips and extremities.

Often the best way to treat an asthma allergy is to have a checkup by a trained medical professional such as a doctor. A doctor can run a series of tests to confirm if you have an allergy that causes asthma. Then the doctor can choose the best course for treatment.

The best type of medication for the treatment of an asthma allergy involves a substance, which is able to decrease the inflammation of the lining of the respiratory system. Some of these medications function by decreasing the production of other chemicals, which cause inflammation and narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi and bronchioles. It is important to seek help quickly so this type of medication can be administered quickly in the event of an acute asthma attack.

Even with medications for treating an asthma allergy, it is still a good idea to remember that prevention is always better than cure. Therefore, it is a good idea to stay away from any of the chemicals and substances, which cause you to have an asthma attack.

C Dietzig is co owner of asthmatreatment.first-results.com where they discuss asthma treatment and how to live a normal productive life with asthma.

Alternative Asthma Management

2008-10-30T05:51:00.000-07:00

If you suffer from asthma, many people will offer advice beyond that of your doctor' s advice on ways to treat your asthma. It might not be a good idea to accept every piece of advice given, because the advice might not work, leading to you experiencing an asthma attack. Some people even turn to alternative asthma as a way to help them decrease their asthma attacks. These alternative medications and practices are used in conjunction with the regular medication prescribed by your doctor. Even though these alternative asthma medication and practices are available, they should be approached with caution.

When trying new alternative ways to treat your asthma, it is suggested that you properly look into what reviews there might be about the product. If you are not looking for alternative medication, consider using an alternative practice to treat your asthma. Alternative practices for asthma include unorthodox treatments such as chiropody or acupuncture. Some people have found that regular chiropractic appointments have been one of the ways to help reduce their reduce the number of asthma attacks that have been occurring. You can venture online to see reviews and opinions from other people who have been helped by chiropractic treatments.

Another alternative practice for asthma involves the use of acupuncture. According to those who have used it, acupuncture was able to reduce the number of asthmatic attacks. This has not been fully approved by the local medical body in any city for treatment of asthma. So it is important to mainly continue with doctor prescribed medication, and add on other alternatives along with it.

C Dietzig is co owner of asthmatreatment.first-results.com where they discuss asthma treatment and how to live a normal productive life with asthma

Ways To Proactively Manage Asthma

2008-10-24T02:52:00.000-07:00

Many people who suffer from asthma, look for proactive ways in which they can manage this disease, and stop it from ruining their lives - literally. There are numerous ways in which you can be proactive about ensuring that an asthma attack does not happen to them. To proactively control your asthma, is to ways to reduce an attack from ever occurring.

Therefore, it is important to practice a proactive approach, to be certain your asthma does not flare up again. This will help in leading a normal or close to normal life as possible.

Being proactive about dealing with asthma can literally save your life. There are many tips that can be used to prevent an attack, and it is beneficial to follow these suggestions.

First of all, if you doctor has prescribed medication for you, it is in your best interest to take this medication on a regular basis, as guided by your doctor. No one likes to take medication, especially if it has to be done on a continuous basis, but forgetting to take your medication, or deliberately not taking it, puts you are risk of an asthma attack.

Another tip to proactively prevent an asthma attack is to try to avoid the allergens that trigger it. For many people, dust is a big trigger for an asthma attack. As a result, to be proactive in preventing asthma, it is required that your home be dust free as possible, by regular cleaning. If you are not able to clean, consider hiring someone to do the job for you.

C Dietzig is co owner of asthmatreatment.first-results.com where they discuss asthma treatment and how to live a normal productive life with asthma

Four Herbal Remedies For Asthma

2008-10-16T22:48:00.000-07:00

Symptoms Of Asthma Controlled By Herbs?

2008-10-12T23:50:00.001-07:00

It's tempting to think that our modern day medicine is somehow superior to all the 'primitve' medicine of our ancestors. But that theory doesn't hold up under scrutiny. For thousands of years humans used plants and herbs right out of the fields and forests and avoided the horrible side effects of today's medicine, as well as the creation of "super bacteria" that have grown imperious to our drugs. Here are four asthmatic remedies that have stood the test of time.

Ginger Root Reduces Or Eliminates Phlegm

The common ginger root can be found in almost every grocery store but its knobby brown appearance is strange to many who are more familiar with the delicious smell of ginger in cookies and gingerbread. It is known to be effective for digestion and motion sickness but it also is quite effective at eliminating the phlegm involved in asthma.

To get rid of mucus buildup in the chest and lungs, grate enough fresh ginger root to equal approximately two tablespoons and add to two cups of boiling water. Allow the ginger to steep for 30 minutes and drink a cup of warm tea every two hours or so. It's important to note that ginger from a bottle or can won't have the same effects. It's the fresh ginger essence in the root that helps asthmatics and cold sufferers. The ginger from the shelf is too aged to be of much use as an herbal remedy.

Add Walnuts To Your Ginger And Sleep For Clear Lungs

For centuries, the Chinese have used a combination of walnuts and ginger root to clear the lungs of excessive phlegm and to eliminate persistent couging in the throat. The recipe is simple: remove the meat from three walnuts and grind it finely. Mix with three slices of ginger that have been grated. Just before bedtime, eat your walnut/ginger mixture with warm liquid or tea and go to sleep. According to the Chinese, in the morning your symptoms will be gone.

Insects And Asthmatics Love Mullein

Mullein is an exceedingly abundant plant that grows all over North America and Europe. It loves sunshine and dry soil and is easily cultivated. Our ancestors used Mullein as a medicine for centuries and it has been studied in scientific research projects, which affirm its value. It contains Hesperidin (the predominant flavonoid in lemons and oranges) and Coumarin (smells like vanilla and found in lavender, clover, strawberries, apricots, cherries, and cinnamon) and is a sedative, safe pesticide, antioxidant and even has been used in the treatment of cancer.

It's of interest to asthmatics because it is anti-inflammatory and is an antihistamine. Simply grab a handful of coarsely cut flowers and leaves and drop them intp one quart of boiling water. Drink two cups each day and sweeten with honey, since it smells much better than it tastes.

A Delicious Almond Milk For Better Breathing

The Chinese love almond milk for relief of lung congestion and inflammation. Simply soak some almonds in water for 8-12 hours, or overnight, until they have swelled and are much softer. The Chinese add a small amount of white rice to the mixture although most western herbalists do not. Once the almonds are soft, pour off the water (but save it, since it's loaded with vitamins) and grind what's left into a paste. Add the water back to the mixture, mix with honey and cook on low heat until it's somewhat 'syrupy'. Drink one or two cups per day.

There are two special notes about this delicious homemade remedy:

1. Most recipes recommend removing the ground pulp and drinking the liquid only. However, the pulp is delicious and, depending on your taste, you might wish to leave it in the recipe. If you remove it, don't throw in away but use it in salads, desserts or fruit dishes.

2. It's wise to use organic almonds since you will be getting a very concentrated dose of this excellent nut. The chemical-laden variety definitely isn't as healthy.

It's amazing to think that food and drink are asthma supplies but at AsthmaAnswersOnline.com we reveal many such cool asthma facts.

Know the Signs of Childhood Asthma

2008-08-18T22:39:00.000-07:00

Treatments of Asthma

2008-07-21T22:51:00.000-07:00

Don't believe THERE ISN'T a cure for asthma. Discover how you or your children can stay healthy and Be Naturally Free from Asthma FOREVER. Click here: Natural Treatments of Asthma

The Symptoms Of Asthma

2008-07-11T22:38:00.000-07:00

C Dietzig is co owner of asthmatreatment.first-results.com where they discuss asthma treatment and how to live a normal productive life with asthma

How to Live With Your Asthma

2008-07-02T22:37:00.000-07:00

If you have asthma, managing it is an important part of your life. Controlling your asthma symptoms means staying away from things that bother your airways and taking medicines as directed by your doctor. If you have asthma, it is important to learn how to take care of yourself and learn what natural remedies can help you and what diet will reduce your asthma symptoms.

It is important that you work with your doctor to make an action plan that you are both happy with. As part of this, you will need to:

* Tell your doctor about all other medications, drugs, and natural remedies you are taking, in case one of them affects your asthma. * Follow your asthma action plan and have regular checkups. * Learn to use your medication correctly. Ask your doctor to teach you how to use your inhaler. This is very important. If inhalers are not used correctly, less medication gets into the airways.

You also need to learn to identify and avoid the things that can worsen or trigger your asthma symptoms. These include:

* If animal dander is a problem for you, keep your pet out of the house and/or at least out of your bedroom and wash your pet often, or find it a new home. * Do not smoke or allow smoking in your home. * If pollen is a problem for you, stay indoors with the air conditioner on when the pollen count is high. * To control dust mites, wash your sheets, blankets, pillows, and stuffed toys once a week in hot water. You can get special dust proof covers for your mattress and pillows. * To prevent colds and flu keep your immune system up and strong by taking natural remedies. * If you get asthma when you exercise or do routine physical activities like climbing stairs, work with your doctor to find ways to be active without having asthma symptoms. Physical activity is important. * Try to keep humidity levels in the home between 30 and 50 percent. High humidity can promote growth of biological agents that may trigger asthma episodes. Use exhaust fans or open windows in the kitchen or bathroom areas when cooking, using the dishwasher, or taking showers. Make sure clothes dryers are vented to the outdoors, and use a dehumidifier in the basement if necessary. * Avoid using humidifiers * Minimize exposure to combustion particles and gases that can cause breathing difficulties for people with asthma. Have combustion-powered furnaces, stoves, or heaters checked yearly to make sure they are operating properly. Change furnace filters according to the manufacturer's instructions, or every month or two during periods of use. * Avoid sprays like deodorants, perfumes, or air fresheners, odours from paint * Keep the house clean to reduce allergens like microscopic dust mites, pollen, and animal dander. Use an allergen-proof comforter and encase mattresses and box springs in vinyl covers. Wash bedding frequently in hot (130?F) water. Try to eliminate cockroaches. Try to keep pets out of the bedrooms of family members with asthma. Use a high-efficiency vacuum system that is vented to the outside to clean the house. If possible, remove the carpeting, drapes, and all upholstered furniture from the bedrooms of those suffering from asthma.

Finally, you should adopt a healthy lifestyle. Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in fats and sugars, get enough rest, exercise regularly, try to find ways to manage stress in your life. And, find out what natural remedies will help you reduce your asthma attacks and symptoms.

If your asthma seems to be getting worse, see your doctor. You may need to change your medication or do other things to get your asthma under control.

About the Author

Rudy Silva is a Natural Nutritionist. To discover more about using natural remedies for asthma go to: http://www.asthmatreatments.info#BREAK#

Asthma: The Triggers and Its Prevention

2008-06-26T00:14:00.000-07:00

Generally as a society we are moving towards wanting to prevent things before they happen. This trend can be applied to illnesses as well; especially those illnesses in which if someone is able to prevent it from happening, they can save either their life or the life of someone else.

One such illness is Asthma. It is necessary for asthmatics to have an idea of the things that might trigger their symptoms, and even better for them to have knowledge of what their initial symptoms are. Knowing the initial symptoms of asthma and the ways to avoid any triggers can help prevent a full-blown attack.

There are numerous substances, which can trigger an asthma attack. One very common trigger for people who suffer from asthma is cigarette smoke. If this is a trigger for you, being around people who smoke can trigger difficulty breathing. This is because the chemicals in the smoke act as an irritant cause the lining of the tubes of the lung to close. This is a common trigger that should be avoided.

Another common trigger are dust mites. Dust mites are little bugs that live in mattresses, pillows, curtains and bed linen such as sheets and blankets. Dust mites are particularly harmful as triggers of asthma because they feed on dead skin shed by humans. Then the feces excreted by them is left behind. This feces can cause an attack, but this trigger will not go away as long as the dust mites are still present.

C Dietzig is co owner of asthmatreatment.first-results.com where they discuss asthma treatment and how to live a normal productive life with asthma

Adult Asthma - Life's Not Over!

2008-06-25T22:45:00.000-07:00

As we all know, asthma can be very serious if it is not closely monitored and certain precautions aren?t taken. When a person is diagnosed as suffering from asthma as a child, they get more used to following precautions early on in their life. These precautions become almost second nature and so are easily followed later in adulthood. However, when adult asthma occurs as something completely new, it can take a lot of getting used to.

Causes of Adult Asthma

There can be a variety of reasons why adult asthma may appear. One of the most common types of adult asthma is allergic asthma, brought on by a reaction to one, or several different allergens. But whatever type of adult asthma is diagnosed, the person affected must take certain precautions they never had to deal with while growing up. And they certainly can?t give in to the old saying that you can?t teach old dogs new tricks: they must follow these precautions or else their adult asthma can seriously harm them or take their life. The precautions they need to take depend on what kind of adult asthma they suffer from.

Consult Your Doctor

The first step in taking back control of your life is to determine what kind of adult asthma you suffer from, and for that you?ll need to make an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to tell you, after performing a series of tests, what kind of asthma you have as well, as what activities or things to avoid. For instance, if your adult asthma is caused by an allergy to animal (e.g. dog) dander, you?ll want to avoid being in enclosed areas with any dog. Your doctor will also prescribe you medicine, usually in the form of an inhaler.

Fortunately, adult asthma doesn?t mean your life is over. Adult asthma can be serious and it can, in fact, be life threatening if certain precautions aren?t taken. It may take some getting used to but by making a small, conscious effort, you can do what you need to do in order to prevent asthma from controlling your life.

Precautions You need to Take

Many persons are frightened of the words ?adult asthma?, but as long as you can make some small changes to your everyday life, there?s no reason why you can?t live as long and as normal a life as anyone without asthma. Obviously, you?ll have to stay away from any activities or things that trigger your asthma and, above all, take notice of your doctor. If your doctor prescribes medicine, take your medicine. If your doctor gives you an inhaler, make sure you have your inhaler with you at all times. These small things are not difficult to get used to, but they can make a huge difference to the quality of your life, from both a physical and psychological point of view ? you?ll find that you can soon start paying much more attention to enjoying your life and much less attention to your adult asthma.

Terry Roberts is a professional translator and linguist, with a wide range of interests. To read more about asthma, visit his website http://www.asthmaforthelayman.com

Cures For Asthma - Let's Fight Together Against It

2008-06-19T22:25:00.000-07:00

Cures for asthma have been of interest for everybody, from doctors to patients? families who try to find a way to treat this condition and help anyone who suffer this illness to live a better life.

In the last years the frequency of asthma in children seems to keep rising. According to the National Institute of Health, asthma in all races and age groups almost doubled between 1980 and 1986. The increment in cases of asthma is so alarming that this condition is considered in the U.S. Governments Healthy People 2010 initiative. And that's not all. Asthma care is considered in eight different objectives in the initiative mentioned before.

The rise in cases of asthma has also incremented greatly the research committed to find cures for asthma and treatments. A big part of this research is focused in conventional treatments, however, this conventional medicine is moving very fast to a nutrition approach and other unconventional types of medicine in the intent of finding cures for asthma with less use of drugs.

These new alternatives for cures for asthma might begin by studying intensively both patients and their families diet regimen and program a new one which may lower the severity and frequency of asthma attacks. The doctor then could prescribe some health supplements that can help to provide some nutrients that the patients might be lacking.

You might be wondering: why are these new treatment alternatives being considered when there have been many advances in all areas of medicine? Well, the reason is that in the past 20 years, modern science has discovered that many of the traditional treatments have always been very effective and they still are.

Doctors have slowly come to hold as true that diet and nutrition are key components in healthy bodies and minds, and to think that patients who take a proactive position in their own treatment are far more probable to follow medical advice and recuperate. When it amounts to treating asthma, this has meant that more and more physicians are stressing environmental factors and diet as a method to reduce the frequency and severity of acute asthma attacks and help maintain chronic asthma.

This is so true that many doctors give extra weight to alternative treatments and some times they even prescribe these instead of the normally prescribed drugs. The combination of both conventional and traditional (alternative) medicine allow patients to live a better life since they can be confident that both worlds of medicine are working together in order to find cures for asthma more effective and less dangerous.

Victor C. is an Engineer in Computer Systems who loves to read and write about any subject, as long as it's interesting and useful for the reader.

He discovered he's asthmatic when he was about 27 years old and since then he has been reading everything that has to do with asthma and allergies.

Discover one of the best methods he's found to fight against this condition. Please, go to: http://www.noasthmaatack.com/cure/cure-asthma.html

Cures For Asthma

The Two Kinds Of Asthma Supplies And When To Use Them

2008-06-15T22:39:00.000-07:00

Every asthmatic wants to control or eliminate the miserable bouts of labored breathing that are the hallmark of asthma. To do this, patients rely on asthma supplies and keep them close at hand. Asthma supplies are of two types:

1. 'Preventers' do just as their name implies - they prevent attacks
2. 'Relievers', on the other hand, are emergency supplies to control or stop an attack once it has begun

Preventers: Long Term Solutions

As asthma attack is a frightening and painful affair. The victim struggles for breath and the more frightened or distressed he is, the more he will suffer. Naturally, all asthma sufferers want to avoid these debilitating bouts and they rely on preventers to reduce or eliminate this misery.

Preventers are taken over long periods of time, solely for the purpose of forestalling (preventing) attacks, or at least shortening them when they occur. They aren't instant remedies, but instead must be taken over a period of months, or even years, if they are to be effective. Many asthma patients use them daily.

The steroid Hydrocortisone, is an example of a popular preventer. This powerful medicine is naturally produced by the adrenal glands and is highly effective at reducing inflammation, the cause of choked breathing. Specifically, asthma is a narrowing of the air passages in the lungs, caused by inflammation, and hence increased resistance to airflow. Hydrocortison, over a period of time, reduces the inflammation, thus allowing for an easier passage of air.

It is well known that steroids cause serious side effects but Hydrocortisone is a "cortisteroid", rather than an "anabolis" steroid, made famous by certain athletes. It is usually a spray and supposedly less is needed if ingested in this way, thus reducing any negative effects.

Hydrocortisone does have side effects, such as insomnia, nausea, a lack of interest in eating or a sore throat.

Preventers that are in liquid or pill form have more opportunity to build up in the body and so are more dangerous. Anyone using this kind of preventer needs to be in frequent contact with some kind of medical monitoring system.

Medocromil and Cromolyn are preventers that are not steroids, and therefore not as strong. They are very popular with asthma patients whose illness isn't as severe. Kids are often successfully treated with these milder medicines.

Asthma preventers have no residual effects, meaning that once the patient ceases to take them, the inflammation regains a foothold and the asthma attacks once again become severe.

Relievers: Emergency Supplies

The most common reliever is the bronchodilator. It offers fast-acting relief, usually in about 20 minutes, and the effects last for up to six hours. Like all relievers, it is taken when an attack is ongoing and it helps expand the airways and improve the breathing of asthma patients. It can also be used before vigorous exercise or when outdoors in cold air, strictly for preventative purposes.

It's important for asthma patients to have both preventers and relievers on hand, depending upon the severity of their symptoms. Always remember, though, that medication should not be taken casually, but only when the need it great. The fewer drugs, the better in asthma and all other medical conditions.

To learn more about asthma supplies, drop by AsthmaAnswersOnline.com for asthma facts that will help manage your disease.

Critical Information On Surviving Asthma Attacks

2008-06-11T00:08:00.000-07:00

Asthma is such a horrifying disease because the "attacks" that accompany it are so devastating and frightening to the sufferer. Naturally, everything that can be done medically to stop these is of primary importance, but when you're gasping desperately for oxygen, the #1 priority is to relieve the temporary medical stress and breathe freely once again.

So, what is the best way to shorten the attack and lessen its severity?

1. Nothing makes symptoms worst than panic! So, as best he can, the asthma patient needs to remain peaceful and not get overly upset about his situation. Education, of course, is key to this because knowing that the attack isn't life-threatening makes it easier to bear. Planning a medical response for when this does occur is not only physically wise, but mentally reassuring, so talk with your health practitioner and keep your medication handy.

2. Most asthmatics rely on "preventers" to avoid or lessen the number and severity of attacks. However, once one begins the patient must rely on a "reliever" like Hydrocortisone, Medocromil or Cromolyn. These are fast-acting relievers and the patient should begin to feel relief from his symptoms in 10-20 minutes. These episodes can be brought on my such triggers as vigorous exercise or cold weather, and in those instances, in might be best to use the preventer before involvement in these situations. Naturally, this decision should depend upon a collaboration between the patient and his doctor or healer.

3. Since fear only exacerbates symptoms, it's important to know when or if the patient needs more medical assistance than provided by the reliever. A generally valid guideline is this:

* Use your reliever and wait for 30 minutes * If necessary, use it for a second time and wait a similar length of time * If your symptoms are still extreme, get help from a medical professional

Naturally, your situation might be more severe and need more prompt attention. Be sure to work out a plan before an attack, rather than trying to second guess yourself when you can't breathe.

4. Asthmatics sometimes suffer from "second wave" attacks. The symptoms ease or even disappear - and then hours or even a couple of days later they reappear, often in a more intense form. These are usually more serious than the initial attacks and when we consider the symptoms of an asthma attack, we can understand why this is so:

* The muscles in your throat can become extremely tight and rigid - and this is made even worse by panic or stress

* Your air tubes will enlarge and inflame, meaning that the passageways through which the air must pass become even smaller

* The body's normal mucus becomes much more 'sticky' and thick, thereby clogging the breathing tubes

In a second wave attack, these symptoms can be decidedly more severe, critically narrowing the passages through which our life-giving oxygen must pass. When this occurs, often the only viable treatment is quick admission to a hospital or treatment center. In a really severe case, the only answer may be a tracheotomy, where doctors make an incisive in the trachea so the patient can bypass the constricted areas and receive necessary oxygen directly.

Possessing the correct information about asthma can't always stop an attack once it's begun, but knowing that the distress absolutely will pass helps to reassure any panicked patient.

You need information about asthma to cope with asthma attacks and AsthmaAnswersOnline.com specializes in asthma supplies and knowledge.

Allergic Asthma A Growing Health Concern

2008-06-08T22:24:00.000-07:00

It is estimated that perhaps as many as 20 million Americans are now affected by asthma. Perhaps half of those cases are triggered by allergies. This is commonly referred to as allergic asthma although the symptoms are the same as other types of asthma and include coughing, huffing and shortness of breath. However if a person is exposed to something they are allergic to their attacks may be quite severe. Therefore people who suffer from allergic asthma need to seek help in identifying their specific allergies and how they affect one's asthma symptoms as it may be prudent to work hard to avoid those allergens causing severe symptoms.

The number of allergens and potential allergens in existence today is quite large and ever increasing. Many are found outdoors while others tend to be concentrated in our homes. Animal dander is a common allergen that often triggers allergic asthma. This allergy may not be obvious since the allergy to an animal may develop slowly over a couple of years and even after the animal is removed the allergens may remain in your home for up to 6 months. The other big trigger found in the home is dust mites. Normally if this is the problem your allergic asthma symptoms will occur after making a bed, vacuuming or some other activity that will stir up carpet, bedding and other things where dust settles.

Another problem area for many people is pollen. By keeping track of your symptoms over time you may be able to notice that they are seasonal and related to high pollen counts outside. Indoor molds particularly in basements and damp rooms can cause severe allergic asthma symptoms. These types of triggers are difficult to treat through avoidance and therefore may require the assistance of your doctor to treat these problems with medications. In some severe cases immunotherapy may be prescribed as an allergy treatment.

There are cases where the cure for asthma and it's symptoms maybe to forgo a particular item you are allergic to or avoiding items. By avoiding pets or other known triggers you may almost completely eliminate all your symptoms. Unfortunately there are airborne problems such as dust mites and mold that may be very difficult for you to avoid. These situations are best handled by seeking medical treatments.

Severe symptoms can make asthma a bit frightening. Those who suffer are best served by trying to identify what is causing or triggering their symptoms. Once those are identified you are on the path to better controlling your allergic asthma. Peace of mind and better health results from your effective control and maintenance of your symptoms.

Jerry Cahill is an author of articles related to personal health. He publishes interesting websites on health related topics. A new site can be found at Asthma Treatment

Adult Asthma ? Life?s Not Over!

2008-05-30T22:30:00.000-07:00

While some people develop asthma as children, and continue to suffer after they have grown up, there is another group of individuals that are not diagnosed, or do not appear to have asthma symptoms, until they are adults. There is also a third group of adults that may be diagnosed with adult asthma, and those are individuals that had asthma as a child, then seemed to have no asthma over their teens and early adult years, and then start experiencing the symptoms again when they reach their late forties or early fifties.

As we all know, asthma can be very serious if it is not closely monitored and certain precautions aren?t taken. When a person is diagnosed as suffering from asthma as a child, they get more used to following precautions early on in their life. These precautions become almost second nature and so are easily followed later in adulthood. However, when adult asthma occurs as something completely new, it can take a lot of getting used to.

Causes of Adult Asthma

There can be a variety of reasons why adult asthma may appear. One of the most common types of adult asthma is allergic asthma, brought on by a reaction to one, or several different allergens. But whatever type of adult asthma is diagnosed, the person affected must take certain precautions they never had to deal with while growing up. And they certainly can?t give in to the old saying that you can?t teach old dogs new tricks: they must follow these precautions or else their adult asthma can seriously harm them or take their life. The precautions they need to take depend on what kind of adult asthma they suffer from.

Consult Your Doctor

The first step in taking back control of your life is to determine what kind of adult asthma you suffer from, and for that you?ll need to make an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to tell you, after performing a series of tests, what kind of asthma you have as well, as what activities or things to avoid. For instance, if your adult asthma is caused by an allergy to animal (e.g. dog) dander, you?ll want to avoid being in enclosed areas with any dog. Your doctor will also prescribe you medicine, usually in the form of an inhaler.

Fortunately, adult asthma doesn?t mean your life is over. Adult asthma can be serious and it can, in fact, be life threatening if certain precautions aren?t taken. It may take some getting used to but by making a small, conscious effort, you can do what you need to do in order to prevent asthma from controlling your life.

Precautions You need to Take

Many persons are frightened of the words ?adult asthma?, but as long as you can make some small changes to your everyday life, there?s no reason why you can?t live as long and as normal a life as anyone without asthma. Obviously, you?ll have to stay away from any activities or things that trigger your asthma and, above all, take notice of your doctor. If your doctor prescribes medicine, take your medicine. If your doctor gives you an inhaler, make sure you have your inhaler with you at all times. These small things are not difficult to get used to, but they can make a huge difference to the quality of your life, from both a physical and psychological point of view ? you?ll find that you can soon start paying much more attention to enjoying your life and much less attention to your adult asthma.
Terry Roberts is a professional translator and linguist, with a wide range of interests. To read more about asthma, visit his website http://www.asthmaforthelayman.com

Inhalers - Are They The Guardian Angels Of Asthma Sufferers?

2008-05-28T22:28:00.000-07:00

Asthma inhalers have been genuine life savers. They are to asthmatics what anti-venom is to snake bites. An asthma inhaler is part of the management process and sufferers always have them at the ready if an attack is imminent.

The best known inhaler is a canister that delivers a metered dose. This is used by millions worldwide, from young to old and provides a welcome safety net for sufferers. Other types include a device which emits a powder when inhaled while asthma medication via a nebulizer is distributed as a mist.

How Do Inhalers Work?

The history of the asthma inhaler dates back to well over one hundred years. It has undergone a lot of improvements during that time but the basic principle has remained the same. It's only been recently that the compound used in these inhalers, CFC, is being switched over to halo carbons which in some variety of inhalers, is said to deliver a greater rate of absorption and potency.

During an asthma attack, the constriction of the muscles in the bronchial tubes makes it difficult to breathe. The action of a bronchodilator helps relax the muscles, opening up the airways thus enabling the sufferer to breathe a lot easier. In many cases, athletes who suffer from asthma will use their inhalers before and during sport. It was only recently during an Aussie Rules play-off game that one of the games star players was seen using his inhaler. The fact that he was playing sport at the elite level again emphasised the fact that asthma doesn't have to control your quality of life.

Doctors will also encourage sufferers to use their inhalers before going to bed at night and first thing in the morning, preferably when they wake up.

While broncodilators are appropriate for short term relief, corticosteroids provide relief long term. They act by preventing the bronchial tubes from re-constricting and is generally metered out in a powder form. For best results, the use of both is usually recommended by medical practitioners.

Using Inhalers Correctly Is Critical

Asthma inhalers require a little getting used to when first introduced to an asthmatic. While they look simple to use, timing is very important. During an attack, a sufferer doesn't have a lot of time to think about the situation and will react instinctively when reaching for his/her inhaler. The mouthpiece is simply placed in the mouth but as the button or tube is being pressed, the user is required to breathe in strongly in unison with the press down motion. This enables the medicine to reach the lungs and following it's release from the inhaler, the user will usually exhale just as strongly. Again, timing is critical during the exhale motion because if it happens too early, then valuable medicine is lost in the process.

Remember, while describing how to use an inhaler properly may seem a little trivial to some, to an asthma sufferer it's critical. The aim of the inhaler is to get them breathing normally again as quickly as possible. People sometimes forget that asthma is a killer and the trusty inhaler has been responsible for saving more than one life during it's inception.

Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster. Have you ever considered just how important asthma inhalers are to sufferers? Read latest asthma related news and views at http://www.asthmainfoline.com

#BREAK#

Asthma In Infants On The Increase According To The CDC

2008-05-27T22:27:00.000-07:00

Sadly, asthma in infants, and children in general, is on the increase. The Communicable Disease Center in Atlanta, GA, studied asthma between 1980 and 1998 and arrived at two alarming conclusions:

* The first is that asthma increased in infants by a whopping 138%

* In the early 1980s, the average age for the first recognition of asthma was the age of three to five years but by 1998, this age had decreased to only one year.

No one is certain why this trend is increasing, although there are numerous ideas that center around such factors as

1. Air quality
2. Exposure to second hand smoke
3. Nutritional deficiencies

But what is undeniable is that infant asthma is on the rise - perhaps a very steep rise.

Diagnosis of Infant Asthma

Obviously, diagnosis is more difficult in an infant asthma patient than any other. The sufferer cannot tell anyone that he is having difficulty breathing and cannot rest at night. Plus, a normal asthma test cannot be administered to a baby, obviously.

In infants and adults, asthma is the same - that is, the lungs are abnormally sensitive to stimuli that cause breathing difficulty. In infants, these "triggers" can be:

* Any kind of cold or respiratory inflammation
* Cold, wintry, freezing air
* Excessive excitement or over-stimulation
* Rapid temperature changes, such as those that occur in spring or autumn
* Classic allergens like pet fur and dander, dust, mold, insects
* Stress, which can be present in any life - even an infant's
* And, especially, exposure to cigarette smoke
* Lack of enough rest

It is the duty of parents to be alert to any sign of infant asthma, although most often this condition is discovered by accident. The concerned parent may take her child to the pediatrician believing that her baby has bronchitis, only to discovered that the true culprit is asthma.

There is good news, though, in the war against asthma in infants and the first positive note is that the child's life doesn't have to change much. Mom & Dad are the ones who will be responsible for regular doctor visits, schedules and any necessary medication.

Another positive note is that asthma deaths are extremely rare among babies. In fact, the older that patient is, the more the death rate increases. However, the death rate from asthma is low at any age. According to the American Lung Association, 154 children below the age of 15 dies in 2003, while 671 adults over the age of 85 died.

Asthma need not be a problem, even for an infant. With proper care and attention, it is a manageable annoyance rather than a crisis.

To learn more about asthma in kids and how you can best protect your tiny loved ones, check out AsthmaAnswersOnline.com which offers asthma facts to understand and control asthma symptoms.

Is Asthma Merchandise A Profitable eBay Niche

2008-05-26T22:26:00.000-07:00

Due to the possibility that I might be developing asthma, I istarted investigating asthma-related merchandise as a possible eBay niche.

The starting place for assessing profitability is always demand and supply. The classic thumbs up for a niche - the holy grail that all marketers seek - is:

* High demand
* Low competition

Beginning with demand, we find that in the last month on Google, there were 1,308 searches per day, or 477,420 per year, for the keyword "asthma".

Secondary keywords also displayed large numbers of searches - and thus high demand:

* asthma symptoms: 201 per day or 73,365 per year
* asthma treatment: 153 per day or 55,845 per year
* ashma attack: 85 per day or 31,025 per year
* asthma signs and symptoms: 71 per day or 25,915 per year

Clearly, there is strong demand for information and products about asthma. eBay parallels the Internet in general, therefore, we can be quite certain that demand is strong on the famous auction site for asthma-related keywords.

However, the competition on the Net is quite dismaying. The main keyword "asthma" shows a horrifying 44,900,000 competitors and our other keyword phrases aren't much better:

asthma treatment: 12,900,000 competitors
asthma symptoms: 3,770,000 competitors
ashma attack: 1,460,000 competitors
asthma signs and symptoms: 1,360,000 competitors

Demand on eBay, though, is an entirely different story. We find that there are only a paltry 214 items on eBay today! The range of products includes items such as:

1. Asthma nebulizers: there were 1,590,000 searches on the Net last month for "nebulizers" oand only 437 items for sale on eBay that match this keyword term. But those numbers are deceiving because there are alternate uses for nebulizers besides as an aid to asthma control. So by investigating the keyword phrase "asthma nebulizer" we find 19 searches per day, or 6,935 per year - yet only seven such products currently for sale on eBay. This is an exciting find!

2. Amazon shows large numbers of asthma books in their database, yet there are only a total of 14 asthma books currently for sale on eBay.

3. A "peak flow meter" is a very common asthma tool. On Google, there are 30 searches per day or 10,950 searches per year, with 1,200,000 competitors. Yet on eBay, we find only one meter listed today.

So what do these numbers mean? They mean that asthma is a very under-exploited, non-competitive niche on eBay, exactly the kind that all marketers are seeking.

Does this mean that if you begin selling asthma-related items on eBay you are certain to succeed? Of course not. But it does indicate that based on preliminary research, this has the potential to be a very lucrative niche. There are no guarantees in Internet marketing, but this one is green lights all the way.

You need information about asthma to make a professional judgment about whether asthma supplies might be a profitable niche on eBay.

What is Asthma & What Are Some Natural Remedies For This Problem

2008-05-23T22:27:00.000-07:00

Asthma is a lung condition affecting the bronchial tubes. This is a very common disease, affecting 1 out of 40 people. The symptoms are usually intermittent, meaning that they recur without any definite pattern. The symptoms of asthma occur sporadically but this disease is considered a chronic disease. This means that asthma may develop anytime in any stage of one's life.

The symptoms of asthma include difficulty in breathing, wheezing and coughing. Individuals who suffer from asthma are usually very sensitive to dust, smoke, pollen grains and other minute particles found in the air. Asthmatic people have sensitive lungs making them react to the slightest stimuli that can trigger the attack of the disease. Other causes of asthma include respiratory infections, hormone imbalances and stress. Food that may cause allergic reactions may also trigger asthma attacks, but in these cases the allergic reaction only affects the lungs. One should thus know the trigger foods that cause allergic reactions.

Asthmatic persons experience a narrowing of the small passageways of air in the lungs. This causes breathing difficulty or gasping. Once the airways become swollen, they become narrower, hence impeding the passage of air. The inflamed airways elicit mucous production that creates an obstacle to the flow of air.

There are generally two types of medication that may help to widen the lungs' airways. These medications are categorized as anti-inflammatory medicines and bronchodilator medicines. The former reduce inflammation while the latter dilates or widens the airways by relaxing the muscles surrounding these airways.

Modern understanding of asthma and substantial development on research on new medications now make it easier to control asthma. The quality of the air we breathe is very important for everyone but especially to individuals who have asthma and allergies. Polluted air always contains particles that may be ingested and may trigger asthma attacks. It is thus advisable for individuals prone to asthma to avoid environments that have poor air quality.

It is advisable to take medication for asthma treatment. However, additional nutritional supplements have been found to assist in helping individuals with asthma. One nutritional supplement suggested to help people with asthma is magnesium. A study has shown that people who got about 480 milligrams of magnesium a day from foods could expel more air from their lungs than people getting only about 200 milligrams of magnesium a day. The volume of air that can be expelled is considered an important indicator of healthy lungs.

Supplements containing fish oil also helps fight asthma. Oil in fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon and swordfish has anti-inflammatory that minimize breathing problems.

Vitamin C is also very important and can do more than ease sneezing. Vitamin C helps maintain healthy lungs. Vitamin C also seems to act as a natural antihistamine, which means that it helps reduce the lungs' sensitivity to histamine, a biochemical released by cells during allergic reactions.

For individuals with asthma, it is best to discuss with your doctor the nutritional supplements you plan to take. It is not advisable, though, to replace medication with dietary supplements.

Peter Salazar's source for quality supplements is www.utopiasilver.com.

To view more information on this topic go here: utopiasilver.com/testimonials/asthma.htm

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How Altitude Affect Asthma

2008-05-22T22:30:00.000-07:00

Asthma is a chronic condition where people have trouble breathing. These breathing problems are brought on by hyper-responsive airways, which become irritated during an asthma attack and constrict in response. This increases the resistance to airflow and allows less air to reach the lungs.

Some people who suffer from asthma will be affected by altitude, whether in an airplane or simply at a higher elevation. If you are in relatively good health and your asthma is under control, however, you shouldn't have any serious problems with altitude, provided the ascent is not too fast. In some cases, asthma medication may need to be adjusted to cope with the altitude change.

If the conditions are very cold, inhalers may not work properly because the pressurization can be affected. If this is the case, warm them somehow prior to using them.

One of the reasons that higher altitudes can aggravate asthma is because the air is quite often drier and colder. If your asthma is often triggered by cold, higher altitudes could contribute to that.

If the higher altitude is reached by climbing - say hiking up a mountain - the exercise may also trigger asthma for some people. This is not exactly due to altitude, but this can add to the problem when combined with the changes in air and temperature at higher altitudes.

Some people may find that higher altitudes can actually improve their asthma. If a person's asthma is triggered by dust mites, altitude may help because dust mites are not able to survive in the colder temperatures.

If you are flying somewhere that is at a higher elevation, keep in mind that you won't have a chance to acclimatize yourself for the change. If this is the case, you should discuss it with your doctor to be sure you are prepared.

Jackson Sperry writes about adult asthma and childhood asthma problems on the Asthma Explained website. For more helpful information about dealing with asthma, visit http://www.asthmaexplained.net

Spotlight on Asthma

2008-05-21T22:38:00.000-07:00

Asthma ? What is it and how can it be treated?

Asthma is characterised by episodic attacks of wheezing and breathlessness, whereby the airways of the lungs are constricted by muscular spasm surrounding the bronchi (small airways in the lungs). There is tightness in the chest which develops before the wheezing. The difficulty with respiration and wheezing is generally worse on expiration, but an individual assessment would need to determine between the effects of both inspiration and expiration on the patient. As the wheezing develops there is breathlessness.Often sticky mucus or phlegm is produced. The severity of attacks are variable with some being mild with only wheezing whilst others develop with severe breathlessness.

According to Dr Stephen Gascoigne there is a rapid pulse which can be quite high. At a level of 120 beats per minute it indicates a severe attack and at 140 per minute a life threatening situation. On average 1,500 people die from asthma each year in the UK alone and at least a third of those are under the age of 65.

Asthma is divided conventionally into extrinsic and intrinsic types. Extrinsic asthma is usually first seen in childhood and there is often a family history of allergies. Worryingly the UK has the highest prevalence of severe wheeze in children aged 13-14 years worldwide. The spasms that characterize an acute attack are not the cause of the disorder, but a result of chronic inflammation and hypersensitivity of the airways to certain stimuli. An attack may be triggered if a susceptible individual is exposed to an allergen or irritants. Common asthma provoking allergens include animal dander, chemicals, drugs, dust mites, environmental pollutants, feathers, food additives such as sulphites, fumes, mould, and tobacco smoke, but any kind of allergen can precipitate an asthma attack in a susceptible individual. This ?atopic? group may also have other conditions such as eczema, hay fever or migraine

The intrinsic asthma, a less common form of the disease, generally appears during adulthood and is often associated with other respiratory diseases such as bronchitis or sinusitis, and tends to appear during upper respiratory viral infections. This group are usually vulnerable to changes in weather, exercise, emotional stress, and other factors relating to inner feelings.

Asthma specialists speculate that rising levels of environmental pollution lead to a higher incidence of asthma. Within a generation in the industrialised West we have gone from dealing with up to 300 chemicals daily, absorbed through the skin, the air we breathe and ingested, to some 30,000 on a daily basis, (asthma is uncommon in developing countries). In the last decade, the number of Americans with asthma has increased by one third.

With increased deterioration in the immune system is it any wonder that here in the UK alone 8 million people have been diagnosed with asthma. Respiratory disease is the most common illness responsible for an emergency admission to hospital. Asthma epidemics related to atmospheric contamination, in which dust and chemical particulate matter are abundant, and on the increase, especially within enclosed environments.

The main aim in conventional medicine is to prevent wheezing to minimise long-term lung damage. Therefore, medical practitioners are keen to use treatments regularly and long-term in an attempt to achieve this result. Dr Gascoigne states that corticosteroids are increasingly likely to be used as a first choice. The estimated cost of treatment to the NHS is a staggering ?850 million per year.

Conventional treatments in order of severity include:

Bronchodilators as inhalers or oral
Sodium cromoglycate
Corticosteroids inhaled, or oral
Bronchodilator as nebulised or injected
Corticosteroid as injected.

According to the National Asthma Campaign many people are turning to complementary medicine and various therapies to seek relief. A good example of a complementary therapy is Buteyko a breathing technique developed by the Russian scientist Konstantin Buteyko. His theory that asthma is caused by hyperventilation led him to devise a system of breathing exercises designed to reduce breathing rate and depth. Similarly, pranayama yoga has been used to treat asthma in eastern societies for centuries. Preliminary research suggests that Buteyko improved asthma symptoms, and the respondents on the program were able to cut their use of their reliever inhalers by up to two puffs a day.

Acupuncture may also prove helpful in addition to homoeopathy, and nutritional counseling. On a nutritional note, many asthmatics find it beneficial to avoid mucus and phlegm forming foods either on a temporary or permanent basis. Also eliminate any yeast and fungal infections, as Candida, (a type of yeast which can mutate to the fungal version called Candida Albicans), loves warm moist places such as the lungs.

An exciting new discovery in the field of Natural Medicine comes from the bark of the rare African Gum tree, Funtumia Elastica. It was used by a local healer to help many of the tribe?s people who came to her with chest and allergy problems. The secret has been passed on to her grandson Jerry Yamoa- hence its name ?Yamoa?.

Dr Nyjon Eccles of the Chiron Clinic in London suggests that Yamoa has some kind of immune modulatory action. That is, it readjusts the immune system, like turning up a thermostat, so that it is not so sensitive and no longer over-reacts to the usual triggers. Dr Eccles has successfully treated both asthma and hayfever with this remarkable natural product. The extrinsic asthma group are more likely to respond as this typical testimonial shows.

Ms K.B, London, Age 28

KB suffered mild asthma and hayfever symptoms with swollen red eyes and also difficulty in breathing. Her asthma limited her ability to walk long distances. She had mild attacks of asthma 3 times a day necessitating the use of inhaled ventolin each time. Dust would trigger both her hayfever and her asthma. She took her first month?s course of Yamoa 4 years ago and has taken it each season since as a preventative. She no longer has hayfever or asthma symptoms, and is able to walk long distances without shortness of breath.

No side effects have been observed over many years on hundreds of patients using Yamoa. It is now available as vegicaps taken twice a day for adults and children aged 10 and older, and half a capsule twice a day emptied into a little juice for children less than 10. Two months treatment is recommended, it is important to stress however, with no change to prescribed medication unless under medical supervision. Continued small-scale trials will seek to determine the exact mechanism of action but already it appears to offer some degree of relief for many asthma sufferers.

As we can see, asthma appears to be a disease which is growing year on year in the modern industrialised West, so we face a continued challenge to come up with safe effective treatments. After all it was the late Comedian George Burns who said, ?The secret to a long life is to keep breathing???

Stephen Guy-Clarke has been a passionate practitioner of natural medicine for twelve years. He graduated in Acupuncture at the Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian in 1994 and has a special interest in nutrition. Stephen has lectured and written on a number of health related topics including Asthma, ?Light, the future of Medicine? and ?You are what you absorb ? The case for proper nutrition.

For anyone interested in learning more about Yamoa please go to http://www.herbal-factory.com/product.php?id=88 and http://www.beatingcholesterol.com

Asthma In Kids: An Increasing Epidemic

2008-05-21T00:30:00.000-07:00

Many believe that the majority of asthma cases are confined to adults, but this is definitely an incorrect assumption. because asthma in kids has become increasingly common in the last 20 years. We are uncertain as to why this is so, but it is an undoubted fact that in the United States alone there are 5,000,000+ children beneath the age of 18 who suffer from asthmic symptoms.

In a recent study (2004) it was discovered that the #1 cause of absenteeism in school is asthma, accounting for a whopping 14,000,000 lost days in school. According to the American Lung Association, four million kids below the age of 18 had an asthma attack during this year.

Anyone, at any age, can manifest asthmatic symptoms - even infants - but most often symptoms manifest themselves around the young age of five.

Who Is Most Vulnerable To An Asthma Attack?

1. Boys are more likely than girls to be sick in earlier childhood

2. Children of African American descent are more vulnerable than Caucasians, Hispanics or Asians

3. And, not surprisingly, children in our increasingly polluted cities are more vulnerable than kids in the less-crowded suburbs and rural areas

Symptoms Of Childhood Asthma

Childhood asthma is like adult asthma in that the symptoms are generally the same:

* Inflammation in the airways
* Coughing
* Difficulty in breathing
* Wheezing
* Rapid breathing
* Shortness of breath
* Symptoms that worsen at night
* Tightness in the chest

There is a special problem with childhood asthma that doesn't apply to adults and that is that children are much less inclined to take care of themselves and thus the parental role is critical. Some kids are simply too young to assume this responsibility while those who are older may have various reasons for neglecting the necessary treatment. For instance, they may dislike being seen as "different" from their classmates or they may be too busy with sports and other activities to monitor their breathing. Thus, an asthma attack that could have been avoided, or at least reduced in severity, is allowed to emerge.

Parents must ensure that:

1. Their child understands and is educated about their asthmatic condition

2. Medications are ingested on a medical schedule

3. And mom and dad can do much to reassure the child so that he doesn't become panicked and afraid, thus worsening his condition.

Without monitoring, childhood asthma may seriously affect a child's general health in a very negative way, possibly even resulting in hospitalization. Asthma in kids must be taken seriously!

To learn more about asthma in kids and how you can best protect your little ones, check out AsthmaAnswersOnline.com which offers helpful asthma facts.

An Asthma Diet ? Taking Control Of Your Asthma

2008-05-19T22:21:00.000-07:00

Asthma ? a respiratory disease that renders its victims breathless during an attack ? can be a terrifying affliction. In response to a specific allergen or other trigger, an asthmatic person?s airways will become inflamed and constricted so that normal breathing is significantly hindered.

Consequently, asthmatics are dependent on a number of medications to ease their symptoms and prevent attacks. But nothing does more for preventing asthma related symptoms then significantly limiting exposure to those allergens known to trigger symptoms.

For some these can be environmental triggers, seasonal components, or everyday exposures ? such as pet dander or dust ? that must be limited as much as possible. But some asthmatics are just as seriously affected by the foods that they eat. So in order to decrease their symptoms and chance of attacks they must adopt a strict asthma diet so that they can increase their chance at health.

An asthma diet is different for every asthma sufferer. While some people are highly aware of the foods to which they are allergic, others must keep careful and specific records of their eating so as to notice which foods seem to correlate to increased symptoms.

Some preservatives in food also trigger asthma. So as part of an asthma diet, ingredients of food products must be scrutinized. Once it is determined what specific foods ? or the preservatives included in them ? are the culprits then they can be avoided through the use of an asthma diet.

For those who wish to experiment with an asthma diet, a food journal can be quite helpful in determining your specific triggers. Keep it with you at all times so that you can keep careful track of what you are eating and how you are feeling. If a food allergy is your culprit, you should be able to notice a pattern very quickly. Then you can make lifestyle changes accordingly.

If you are unsure if food is the cause of your asthma, then you may want to consult your medical professional. Your doctor will be able to test for specific allergies so that you know for sure what to avoid. This combination of medical care and proactive self-advocacy in the form of an asthma diet can put you back in control of your asthma.

Asthma does not have to rule your life. An asthma diet is just one way in which you can put yourself in control of your day so that you can enjoy a healthy and symptom-free life.

For easy to understand, in depth information about asthma visit our ezGuide 2 asthma.

Asthma: Your Lungs Are Like The Carburetor On A Car

2008-05-18T22:08:00.000-07:00

Learning to calculate how much your lungs are over breathing is not that difficult. In fact, it is a simple calculation to work out by what factor you are overbreathing. Divide 60 by your pause and multiply by 100%.

For example a pause of 30 gives 200%. This means you breathing enough for two people. If your pause is 60, your factor is 100%, which is just right. If your pause is 5 seconds, your factor is 60/5 x 100% equals 1200% or deeply enough for 12 people. [Note that as the time gets really smaller 'this estimation gets less accurate. Just be aware that whether it is 5 or 10 times too much' it is far too much!]

If your pause is that low then you are very unwell, and if you are not suffering symptoms of asthma, then you need to look into other Effects Of Chronic Low CO2.

As a general comparison, if you were to eat two or four or twelve times as much as you physically need, what would happen to you? Would you be healthy? The truth is that if you ate that much, then it would not take long for you to be morbidly obese.

Yet another way to look at this is using the analogy that compares your breathing to a carburetor on a motor. A carburetor is the device which controls the mixture of gases for a motor. You will know that when the mixture is wrong, the motor will run poorly or not at all. If it does run with a non-ideal mixture, the power will be reduced, the economy reduced, backfiring will occur, and the life of the engine will be reduced. The only thing that can improve this is to correct the mixtures by adjusting the carburetor.

It is the same with your lungs. If you have the wrong mixture of gases in your lungs, your body will have low power, use too much fuel, will backfire, and will wear out much sooner. All you have to do is tune your carburetor. That is what Buteyko is going to teach you to do. Your respiratory centre or breathostat is the carburetor for your lungs.

If you would like more information on Asthma then access our Buteyko Breathing Method training manual. To help you with your asthma then check out our Meditation Music for your meditation sessions.

Natural Asthma Remedies For Alternative Asthma Treatment

2008-05-16T22:17:00.000-07:00

Natural asthma treatment versus conventional medical science:

The medicines for asthma often involves the use of an inhaler and/or a nebulizer, which can bring instant relief of asthma symptoms. What if the medicine causes unwanted side effects? Those who are allergic to asthma medicines find themselves in a predicament. There are a number of reportedly effective natural asthma remedies. Of course, since the FDA does not endorse these, it may take more time to be accepted by the general public. The point is, that you do have choices if you are willing to try them.

As a overall statement, Mother Nature has provided a cure for every disease known to mankind. Sometimes, humans underestimate the force of Mother Nature and proportionately overestimate their capacity to intervene. It is true that modern science has achieved the capacity for miraculous results. However, it is still far behind the breathtaking power of nature. One of the most popular natural remedies is homeopathy. This can be given over many years without any fear of having any harmful reactions. There are also a number of herbs that can be used as an alternative asthma treatment. However, their ability will be proportionate to the capability of the person who specializes in herbal medicines.

Hypnosis and acupuncture are also viable natural treatments. Though they cannot be labelled strictly as natural asthma remedies, they can provide natural long-term relief to both children and adults. The only thing that one must consider in this case of trying out a hypnotherapy session is the certification of the hypnotist. You will find hypnosis listed under natural cure for asthma and many find it a good alternative. The success of this method of treatment depends upon the therapist and the patient?s state of mind.

Some find acupuncture a very effective method to treat asthma. This medical care involves stimulating of internal chemical reaction with the application of needles at particular nerve points. There is acupuncture, which involves needles to stimulate chemical reactions within the body to correct the existing imbalances. Many people reported that acupuncture is extremely helpful. One should be very careful however regarding the sterilization of the needles. A possible option is to to carry your own set with you, which can be thrown away after each session. For those who are squeamish about the use of needles, one can choose the use of acupressure, which acts on the same concept; however, instead of needles (puncturing of the skin) it uses pressure. This form of treatment is considered much safer than acupuncture.

Another supposedly effective alternative remedy for asthma is yoga. Yoga is an ancient science originating from India, whereby one does some particular exercises (the positions of which are called asanas) by which the problems inside the body and mind can be cured. Some people find it highly effective, while the strange body positions that the yoga involves horrify some people. It depends upon you if you would like to choose this type of any other natural cure for asthma.

How do you choose the right alternative asthma treatment for you? Before making up your mind, it would be good if you do your own research and judge for yourself. The best method to find out what could be the best choice for you is by asking friends and relatives. Another good manner of gathering accurate information is the utilization of the internet. Do some research and find out the merits and demerits of all the alternative remedies for asthma that you are interested in. One vital thing is to ensure is that none of the methods of treatment have any adverse effects that could act detrimentally against your asthma instead of alleviating symptoms. It would be better if you consult a doctor before you embark on any ?unconventional course of action? with the proposed natural asthma remedy. Most family doctors have a good and up-to-date knowledge of the best available options.

Note to Publishers: You may freely republish this article as is, without editing or modification, and all links must be kept live. The author, Gregory De Villiers, writes on a variety of health and wellness topics. Visit http://www.free-asthma-remedies.com for more information on asthma treatment and alternative asthma remedies.

The Link Between Asthma And Acid Reflux

2008-05-15T22:28:00.000-07:00

Asthma is a chronic lung disorder that causes difficulty breathing. Those suffering from it have higher sensitivity - or even hyper-sensitivity - in their airways. When having an asthma attack, this sensitivity causes the airway to become irritated. It reacts by constricting itself, leading to less air being able to get through and difficult breathing.

There has been some research that indicates that asthma symptoms can be worsened by a condition known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which is more commonly known as acid reflux. This condition causes stomach acid to rise up into the throat which can lead to further irritation, and more pronounced asthma symptoms.

There have also been studies that have shown evidence that asthma sufferers are more prone to developing GERD. This may be due partly to the additional pressure in the chest during an asthma attack, which may force stomach acid up in the wrong direction.

It has not been shown that acid reflux is a contributing factor in developing asthma, however. If that were the case, treating the GERD should also show positive results on asthma but the two are not linked this way. It would appear that one can make the other more pronounced but is not the direct cause.

If you do suffer from both conditions, however, treating one can often ease the effects of the other. If you think you might be dealing with a combination of asthma and acid reflux, the best thing is to consult with your doctor. They can run some tests to give you a thorough diagnosis, and prescribe the best treatment method for your particular situation.

Jackson Sperry covers topics such as asthma symptoms, asthma treatments and causes of asthma for the Asthma Explained website. For more helpful information, visit http://www.asthmaexplained.net

Seeking An Alternative Asthma Medicine

2008-05-15T02:06:00.000-07:00

Asthma affects millions of people worldwide. A disease of the respiratory system, asthma causes airways to constrict so that breathing is hindered. Sufferers of asthma know how terrifying the disease can be and how dependent they are on medicines such as respiratory inhalers to protect their health and often their lives.

But there is a movement of asthma sufferers who are now turning to alternative asthma medicine to alleviate their symptoms and prevent attacks. While not focused on traditional remedies, alternative asthma medicine can be just as effective in ensuring long lasting health for its patients.

However, bear in mind that no alternative asthma medicine should be used independently. Asthma is a disease and should be treated as such; proper medical supervision by a licensed doctor who specializes in asthma is always recommended. Rather, alternative asthma medicine can be used in conjunction with traditional medicine so that patients can receive the best of both worlds in asthma treatment.

In seeking alternative asthma medicine, asthma sufferers have reported success with a number of different strategies including consistent and dedicated chiropractic treatments, acupuncture, laser treatments, and even yoga.

Each of these alternative asthma medicine treatments requires consistency. They are not quick fixes or one time only procedures. Many asthma patients report a weekly regimen of alternative asthma medicine, along with the care and guidance of a professional medical doctor has gone a long way to increased health.

Logic follows that if you treat the whole body in a preventative way, in many cases symptoms of specific illness are vastly improved. Further, asthma sufferers report an increased feeling of control; they are taking control of their asthma, taking ongoing preventative measures to alleviate symptoms and ward off asthma attacks in the future.

Do your research before you begin experimenting with alternative asthma medicine. Many online forums will offer you a chance to talk to other asthma sufferers; learning what has worked for other people can help you narrow down the options as well as educate you on the experience before you give it a try.

No matter which route you choose in search of alternative asthma medicine, you are likely to find that a combination of several treatments works best for you. No one remedy is likely to completely eradicate asthma. But with research, patience, and ongoing experimentation, you can find your own path to treatment through alternative asthma medicine.

For easy to understand, in depth information about asthma visit our ezGuide 2 Asthma.

Asthma: Buteyko's Theory

2008-05-12T22:26:00.000-07:00

Buteyko's Theory basically says that due to deep respiration an excessive amount of CO2 is removed from the body, resulting in a change in chemical balance which is only partially neutralized by compensatory mechanisms.

Over a period of time the loss of CO2 becomes increasingly disruptive to the functioning of the body. All physical and chemical processes are affected.

The loss of CO2, because of release from the lungs at a rate faster than its creation in the tissues leads to an increase in pH. Generally a state of oxygen deficiency also occurs due to reduction of the Bohr effect.[Less oxygen is taken from the RBC ferry.]

This oxygen shortage will cause an increase in the amount of incompletely oxidized 'products of metabolism' which act chemically to lower the pH. [Metabolic acidosis] This effect will not quite cancel out the increased pH from the CO2 loss, and the efficiency of all normal systems will be reduced.

One category of 'disease' caused by this problem may be classified as 'defense mechanisms', where the action is to reduce further CO2 loss [Asthma, emphysema, etc].

The other category are the 'diseases' which occur as a result of the changed pH and compensatory mechanisms. These include disruption of formation of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins; Disruption of the energy production efficiency [decreased ATP formation]; and a disruption in the efficiency of the processes of formation of CO2.

According to Buteyko, normalization of the breathing will not only avoid the existence of diseases of defense , but will also result in removal of the diseases occurring due to the change of function of the body caused by the excess removal of CO2. Treating the symptoms of these diseases without addressing the cause will result in eventual worsening of the problem.

For more information on Asthma and how the Butekyo Breathing Method can help improve your asthma visit our website. If you are looking for music to help you meditate and control your asthma Meditation Music.

Asthma Symptom: Can You Really Recognize The Signs?

2008-05-11T22:12:00.000-07:00

The best way to deal with asthma is by actually trying to prevent the asthma attack. You can do that only by first of all recognizing the asthma symptoms. If you are able to recognize the signs from the early stages of the asthma attack, it will be easier for you to re-arrange your life and to begin immediate treatment. You do not want to have a sudden asthma attack and not know why it happens and not know what to do to stop it.

Prevention and early intervention are the best treatment for asthma. Therefore, knowing what are the main characteristics of asthma might clearly indicate to you that you are on the way to having an asthma attack. Those signs may be different from one individual to another, but the main signs are common. They should be easily recognized and taken care of immediately through the right medication.

There are a number of lighter asthma symptoms that you can experience in early stages of asthma. You can notice a change in the breathing or you can experience a disturbing cough, a strong headache or sudden sneezing. The overall condition of your body seems to fail you and you might turn from an active and happy person into a moody and ever tired person. You can have trouble sleeping well at night and you will find it impossible to do any kind of physical exercise, all because of the asthma symptom.

The lighter forms of the asthma don't last long and they can happen once or twice a week. The medium level of the asthma symptoms includes also nocturne symptoms, several times a month, and the severe form of the asthma symptoms requires hospitalization. This is the worst level of asthma: the suffering person will have to endure severe coughing and dispnaea while doing light activities such as walking, the lack of oxygen causes tightness and a pain in the chest, and the posture seems hunched.

Many toxins that affect the airways by overwhelming the other neutralizers of the body cause asthma. Extremely irritating, those toxins damage the delicate structure of the airway tissues, and therefore, causing the abundant secretion, the edema and the spasms ? the main parts of the asthma attacks. The negative influence of the common factors that produce asthma (like pollen, the Acadians, animal dandruff, cockroaches and their remains, the cigarette smoke, the domestic sprays, the gas, the perfume, the physical exercises).

Each year, thousands of new asthmatic people are diagnosed, especially children. Their best option is to take care of their disease, to control it in the most efficient way in order to minimize the asthma symptoms and the effects that could change their lives.

Have you heard the latest about Alternative Asthma Medicine? Visit the Asthma Symptom Site today for comprehensive and up to date help and advice on all Asthma issues. Clive thoroughly recommends this site so make sure you check it out today here: - http://www.asthmasymptomonline.com

Aloe - It Is Used Internally To Combat Poor Appetite, Asthma

2008-05-11T22:10:00.000-07:00

Aloe Vera information and how it is used as a herb in alternative herbal treatments to treat ailments and problems such as healing wounds, for skin rejuvenation, acting as a laxative and reducing skin irritation and relieving sun burn.

Although we believe in the therapeutic and healing properties of herbs, care must be taken in the use thereof, as they are powerful compounds.

Botanical Classification: Family Aloeceae

Genus and specie: Aloe vera - Aloe barbadensis

Other names:

Barbados, Cape, Curaiao, Socotrine, and Zanzibar aloe

Description of the herb aloe vera:

Aloe vera is a clump forming perennial with rosettes of thick, fleshy, spiky, gray-green leaves, young specimens being red spotted and the plant bears yellow tubular flowers in summer.

Parts used:

The slimy inside of the leave is used (also referred to as gel) as well as a juice extracted from the pulpy inside and a yellow bitter laxative principle which is an exudate from the leaf which is dried to a crystalline substance.

To prevent any confusion, herewith a summary of uses:

Aloe vera gel:

This is the naturally occurring and undiluted gel obtained by stripping away the outer layer of the leaf.

Aloe vera concentrate or extract:

This is the product obtained when removing the water from the gel

Aloe vera juice:

This is a drink for internal use that consist of at least 50% of the pulped aloe gel.

Aloe vera latex or bitter principle:

This is a bitter yellow liquid derived from the pericyclic tubules of the rind of the aloe and which primary constituent is aloin.

Properties:

It is a bitter herb with anti-inflammatory, astringent, emollient, anti fungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties, and is useful in the eradication of parasites and stimulating the uterus.

It contains a host of compounds that are biologically active and includes anthraquinones, saccharides and prostaglandins as well as other constituents.

Anthraquinones:

The anthraquinones contained in aloe, which has the purging and laxative action on the digestive system includes aloin (barbaloin), isobarloin, anthranol, aloetic acid, anthracene, ester of cinnamic acid, aloe-emodin, emodin, chrysophanoic acid, ethereal oil as well as resistannol.

Saccharides:

It contains various saccharides including glycoprotein, mucopolysaccharide and polysaccharides such as galactose, xylose, arabinose, acetylated mannose as well as the remarkable acemannan.

Prostaglandins and fatty acids:

The conversion of fatty acids to prostaglandins are rare but the major unsaturated fatty acid, gamma-linolenic acid can be converted to 1-series prostaglandins and have a very effective influence on reducing inflammation, allergy as well as helping platelet aggregation (blood clotting at wound sites) as well as wound healing.

Other constituents:

It furthermore contains enzymes (oxidase, amylase, catalase, lipase and alkaline phosphatase) amino acids (lysine, threonine, valine, methionine, leucine, isoleucine and phenylalanine) vitamins (vitamin b1, B2, B6, C, E, folic acid, choline and beta carotene) minerals (calcium, sodium, manganese, magnesium, zinc, copper and chromium as well as other miscellaneous compounds such as cholesterol, triglycerides, steroids, uric acid, lignins, beta-sitosterol, gibberellin and salicylic acid.

Therapeutic uses:

Internal use:

The herb is used internally to combat most digestive problems, including:

constipation, poor appetite, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome as well as - asthma, diabetes, immune system enhancement, peptic ulcers

Studies have also shown that when aloe is taken internally it can stimulate and regulate various components of the immune system by stopping the inflammation and blood supply of tumors and also showed interesting results in preventing carcinogenic compounds from entering the liver and is combined in some cancer treatments.

The juice of the inner leave can be used for its anti-inflammatory effect it has on Crohn's disease but the laxative and bitter principle of aloe must NOT be used by people suffering from Crohn's disease as it causes griping and cramping.

It contains aloemannan which stimulates the growth of healthy kidney cells and helps to slow the formation of kidney stones.

The juice can be used very successfully to treat heartburn as well as ulcers and to sooth the lining of the digestive tract. It is not that effective to treat stress induced ulcers, but can be used for peptic ulcers caused by excess acid, aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as well as alcohol use.

The oral use of aloe has produced good results in patients suffering from asthma when the asthma sufferers were not dependant on corticosteroids for treatment.

The exude from the leaves are used as a strong purgative and stimulant laxative but can cause griping and has an abortifacient effect and should not be used in pregnancy.

The bitter principle in aloe exudate which cause the laxative effect is preferable to use than that of cascara and senna, as aloe draws less fluid into the large intestine and are less likely to cause electrolyte imbalance than the other two.

In a study where volunteers ate 120 grams of parboiled aloe for lunch and supper a marked decrease in cholesterol, triglycerides and sugar was found, while in another test using aloe extract, it reduced fasting blood-sugar dramatically which is probably due to the stimulating effect it has on the pancreas to produce more insulin.

External use:

Aloe is used externally for the treatment of:

skin irritation, burns, scalds, sunburn, wounds, eczema, psoriasis, acne, dermatitis, ulcers, stimulate cell regeneration

The gel can be applied directly to the skin as a softening agent.

For burns and other wounds aloe is particularly effective as it activates the macrophages which fights bacterial infection while at the same time increasing circulation to the area which results in accelerated healing.

The enzymes - carboxypeptidase and bradykininase are both involved to reduce swelling, itching, reducing inflammation as well as pain.

Studies confirmed that wounds treated with aloe heal far faster than other wounds not so treated - both for traumatic as well as surgical wounds. This may be due to the fact that it contains not only vitamin E and C as well as zinc but the polysaccharides also reduce inflammation and stimulate the fibroblast and epidermal growth and repair process.

The juice is also effective for the treatment of minor wounds and insect bites by forming a "natural plaster" over the wound.

It has good astringent qualities and is usually combined with other ingredients, to make an excellent, soothing treatments for the skin and can also be used with great success on hemorrhoids (piles).

In studies it also showed a marked result in producing remission in skin cancers and its superb anti-oxidant effect is effective to help prevent skin damage from x-rays and other forms of radiation.

When applied regularly to psoriasis great results are achieved and also relieve the pain and inflammation of eczema.

When people with frostbite was treated with a cream containing aloe, the incidence of tissue loss and amputation was reduced.

Aloe-emodin which is one of the ingredients not only has a laxative effect, but is also involved in killing the herpes virus which causes cold sores and shingles.

Aromatherapy and essential oil use:

Aromatherapists use aloe vera by infusing the plant material into a base oil, such as almond or apricot kernel oil.

This macerated oil exhibits astringent, emollient, anti fungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.

The oil is combined in massage therapy for its healing and rejuvenating properties.

Safety precautions and warnings:

Pregnant and breast feeding women should not use aloe latex (the laxative part) internally, although the topical application of aloe to the skin has no effect on pregnant or breastfeeding women.

People suffering from problematic hemorrhoids, ulcers, diverticulosis, colitis, Crohn's disease, or irritable bowel syndrome should consult a medical practitioner or trusted herbalist before taking aloe internally.

Extreme care should be taken with the administration of aloe laxatives, as this can cause severe digestive upsets.

When used topically, some individuals may have an allergic reaction and a skin patch test (behind the ear or on the forearm) is advised before use.

Gerald Crawford was born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me on. E-mail Address: southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co.za Website Address: www.12234455.co.za

Facing Asthma With Asthma Exercise

2008-05-09T22:02:00.000-07:00

Asthma is a journey ? a daily dose of unpredictability and a balancing act required to prevent attacks. For those who suffer from asthma, there is no end to the exploration of treatments that can possibly alleviate ? and maybe even prevent ? symptoms. Most have found a way to combine traditional medicine with a more holistic mind/body approach; the result is a very individual approach to a very individual disease.

One such natural approach that asthmatics are using in conjunction with traditional medical treatment is asthma exercise. Asthma exercise can encompass any form of exercise that brings about improvement in overall health thus lessening the effects of asthma.

Experts believe that exercise triggers the opening of bronchial tubes; the result can be extended relief from the irritated and constricted airways of those suffering from asthma attacks.

Some asthmatics turn to aerobics for their forms of asthma exercise. Walking, dancing, and any other exercise where your heart rate is increased can be healthy for your overall health and can go a long way towards lessening your symptoms of asthma.

Others concentrate on those exercises that establish a mind/body connection. Yoga can be an excellent asthma exercise; allowing your body and your mind to relax in unison. Additionally, yoga uses breathing patterns as a component of the exercise itself. Those who practice yoga must learn to hold certain postures while focusing on deep and cleansing breaths. This can be an enormously helpful asthma exercise for those who suffer from this respiratory system disease.

Get online for access to a multitude of resources developed for the asthma sufferer. Updates on asthma treatments, guides to keeping you healthy, and an online community of support will keep you feeling proactive and positive about managing your disease. Find out what asthma exercise has made improvements in the lives of other asthmatics. Try them out experimentally and take careful mental notes on what asthma exercise made you feel well and what was less successful.

Asthma exercise can be a fantastic tool that you can use to keep control of your symptoms. But nothing replaces the guidance of a medical professional in keeping you healthy. Be sure to check with your doctor before embarking on any new exercise program.

With proper medical supervision and a commitment to improved overall health, you are likely to see an improvement ? and maybe cessation ? of many of your asthma symptoms. Asthma exercise can leave you feeling happy, healthy, and in control

For easy to understand, in depth information about asthma visit our ezGuide 2 Asthma.

Asthma: Emphysema vs Asthma

2008-05-09T22:00:00.000-07:00

In the past emphysema has been seen as a death sentence. Your doctor or specialist may have explained to you that this condition is progressive, and will eventually stop you from breathing at all. You may have been told that new drugs are becoming available all the time, and new research is happening.

If you are youngish, then you may have been told there is a chance for a lung transplant later. Some doctors will simply say to make the most of the rest of your life while you still can.

While this is pretty good advice to follow anyway, there are some really interesting other things to know about. There is a theory that smoking causes emphysema. There are literally thousands of people who have emphysema, but have never smoked ? ever. They have never been exposed to even passive in any dose; they have the same condition as a 'two-packs-a-day-for-thirty-years' smoker.

Other people have what scientists describe as alpha antitrypsin deficiency, which is a genetic code that produces less of an enzyme that is needed in your lungs than 'normal' people. The interesting thing is that in the vast majority of these cases, the emphysemic condition is not seen until later in life ? even though the genetic pattern that says there should be emphysema has been there since birth.

What is the missing factor that explains what is going on?

The Missing Factor

The missing factor is the depth of breathing of each person. The only difference between asthma and emphysema is where it occurs in your breathing system. Very simply put, asthma happens in the airpipes [called 'bronchi'], whereas emphysema occurs in the bulb-like sacs at the end of the airpipes called 'alveoli'. Asthma is restriction of airflow by either squeezing the airpipes with special muscles, or blocking it up with sticky mucus, or both. Emphysema is the clogging up of the alveoli at the end of the airpipes with mucus.

The restriction of breathing in both conditions has the same cause.

Your body is try to restrict the airflow to prevent further loss of carbon dioxide [CO2]. From other articles written on Asthma you will know that if you lose too much CO2, then your body will not work, and you will die. The restriction of your airflow in asthma and emphysema is simply your body's way of forcing you to stop losing so much CO2.

Smoking

Smoking is a double whammy for emphysema. The deep breathing associated with smoking causes the loss of more CO2, which induces your mucus factories [special glands that produce mucus or 'phlegm'] to increase their output. Added to this is the effect of bringing foreign particles into your lungs. This also causes an increase in mucus production [to clean up the bits of tar and debris]. The effect is a huge increase in mucus and it is no wonder that alveoli [and bronchi] clog up.

An additional effect of bringing all of this cigarette muck into your lungs is to increase the chance of your lung cells mutating and giving you cancer. The other effect of smoking [while we are bashing this silly habit!] is that it introduces hot, dry air to your lungs. Your lungs are wet and sloppy and they function best this way. When they dry out or are heat affected they are easily damaged, and more likely to become cancerous or infected.

To conclude my tirade on smoking if you are addicted to nicotine, then find another way to get it into your body. If you must do this via your lungs then use a similar device to what marijuana or opium smokers use a pipe or 'bong'. This drags the smoke filled air through water which 'washes' it a little, and cools it a lot. The amount of gunk that gets into your lungs is decreased and you can actually see it in the foul smelling water that is left. Of course to use these devices you have to breathe very deeply, so you will still lose CO2, and still probably get emphysema but you may have a lower chance of getting cancer of the lungs, lips, mouth or throat.

If you must continue to smoke, then at least bear in mind the lessons contained in this article. You will be able to reduce the symptoms of emphysema if you follow this breathing model because you will be stopping one of the factors that produce the symptoms. The other will still exist, and you will continue to do damage until you stop.

For more information on Asthma and the Buteyko Breathing Method visit out website. If you are looking for music to help you meditate and control your asthma Meditation Music

Childrens Asthma: Problems When Sleeping

2008-05-08T22:05:00.000-07:00

The majority of children have some difficulty during the night. To wake a couple of hours after going to sleep with a nasty cough is common. As is snoring, bed-wetting, and restless sleeping [thrashing about and waking often].

There is a simple explanation, and a direct solution. Remember the simple lesson of the mouse and the elephant. The only way to cause asthma is by breathing like a big ......elephant. One of the easiest ways to breath like an elephant is to sleep on your back. In this position there is no resistance to huge deep breaths. Turning on your side makes it physically more difficult to breathe so deeply ? your body pushes down on your lungs more.

The other problem with being asleep is that your mouth will usually open this allows us to breathe even more deeply. On top of this our breathing gets deeper as our sleep gets deeper. When we are in our deepest sleep, our breathing is at its deepest ? very deep indeed if we are on lying on our backs with our mouths open! Too deep.

This elephantine breathing cause loss of more CO2 than we produce, the level gets dangerously low, and various defenses including spasm of smooth muscle and increased mucus production kick into gear. So your child starts coughing, snoring or wheezing, or the constriction of the smooth muscle around the bladder causes it to feel very full and bed wetting occurs. [Snoring is just your throat closing a little to try to stop you breathing like an elephant.]

The answer to this is to keep your mouth closed when you are asleep. The Manual contains a full section on this, but in brief, use surgical tape to keep your childs mouth closed. Do this only on children over 5 years. It has been used on younger children, and the reason I suggest this age is to ensure that the child has the ability to pull the tape off him if needed.

Before you write this idea off as absurd and dangerous listen to the instructions. The goal is to have just enough sticking power on the tape for it to stay on, and keep the lips together.

The tape recommended is called surgical or paper tape about 1 inch wide, available from a pharmacist. Tear off a strip about 2 inches [5 cms].

Fold a small tab on each end, so that it is easy to grip. Then repeatedly put the tape onto your palm and tear it off. Do this until it is hardly sticky at all.

It does not need much power to keep your lips together. Ensure your mouth is closed, as you can breathe through this tape, and gently place in lengthways along your lips. I suggest you do this on yourself first to show your child that you are also doing it. [It will greatly improve your sleep quality if you actually wear it in bed.]

Have a practice during the day with the tape so there is less if any drama at bedtime. Check on the child around 3.30 am to check he has not pulled it off. Re-apply it if necessary.

If it is off and you do not re-apply it, then your child will have no protection during the deepest sleep/breathing period, and will start the next day dealing with the results of huge elephant breathing. This may be asthma, bedwetting or just plain tiredness. As with the breathing drills, this is as important as brushing your teeth!

The most common concern with this is that your nose will block up will your mouth is taped closed and you will suffocate. Fortunately, the effect of CO2 on your nose makes this impossible. The more blocked your nose becomes, the more CO2 you will trap in. The extra CO2 will cause your nose to unblock. So your nose will not block completely unless you open your mouth. It may whistle a bit, but cannot close up completely.

For more information on Asthma and the Buteyko Breathing Method visit out website. If you are looking for music to help you meditate and control your asthma Meditation Music

What Is Occupational Asthma

2008-05-07T22:18:00.000-07:00

Asthma is a condition in which a person's airways become constricted to the point where air is unable to pass through easily. This causes a reduction in the amount of air they can take in, which in turn can lead to a number of other problems. Occupational asthma is brought on by environmental conditions in a person's occupation or workplace.

Some of the most common asthma triggers found in the workplace include vapors, fumes, dust and mists. Exposure to these things can cause asthma-like symptoms, which can develop into full-blown asthma if left untreated - even if the person has never had any sort of asthma problem in the past.

For those who already suffer from asthma, workplace conditions can make the problem much more severe and lead to further complications in the long term.

There are steps that can be taken to minimize or avoid occupational asthma entirely. Proper ventilation is one of the most important factors. If the exposure to the potential triggers can be minimized - or avoided altogether - the problem can be avoided in the first place.

Proper protective equipment is also important. This can include breathing equipment and other protective clothing which can help to avoid contact with the triggers, again helping to avoid the problem in the first place.

Because occupational asthma can develop over a period of time, it is often too late to avoid it once the symptoms appear. Being proactive about protecting oneself against the potential allergens and triggers in the workplace, while perhaps requiring a bit more effort, will be well worth the additional work in the long run.

Jackson Sperry writes about various forms of asthma relief and other related topics for the Asthma Explained website. For more helpful information, visit www.asthmaexplained.net

Asthma: Blocked Nose, Post Nasal Drip, Itchy Nose or Eyes

2008-05-07T22:16:00.000-07:00

There is only one way to get asthma or a blocked nose and that is because you are breathing like an elephant. You are not an elephant, and your body will try to stop you from breathing so much.

Your nose may block up, and make your lungs get wheezy, and you may feel stuff in your lungs and want to cough.

If your child nose becomes completely blocked, then the Steps exercise should be done until it is clear enough to breathe through. Usually only one set is needed. The key is to ensure that breathing is only through the nose after the steps [like a mouse].

If the breathing is elephant-like ? the nose will just block up again. If it does, then repeat the steps. If it is only partially blocked, then ask the child to just breath like a mouse, and try to make it clear. With practice they will soon be able to unblock nose with just breathing.

If the symptoms of asthma occur, tightness, wheeze or cough occur ? remember the elephant and the mouse. Reinforce the statement with your child that the only way to get asthma is to first breathe like an........ [Elephant]. To make it go away you just breathe like a little mouse ..... [turn palm up] through your ........[point to nose!]

If your child begins to cough then you must teach them how to cough through their nose. Have a little practice with them. When they feel a tickle in their throat, instead of coughing with their mouth, they should firstly try to just ignore it, but if they have to then cough via nose. This is more like an 'AH-HRRM' or throat clearing before a speech.

At the same time reinforce again the mouse breathing. If you do not allow yourself to cough, then the urge to cough will simply go away. If you do allow the coughing cycle to start 'it will get worse and worse' as the deep breathing causes more and more CO2 to be lost will cause the production of more and more mucus.

To cough a lot you must breathe like a big..........Elephant. On occasions with smaller children, they may say to you that they cannot stop the cough. Here you must be firm if you want them to become free of the cycle. They are simply not allowed to cough. [Yell if you must, but it is usually better to do more closed mouth coughing practice.] Obviously also explain that they can cough if they are choking on something.

If you notice a post nasal drip, which is fluid running down the back of your throat, then the procedure is the same. Mouse breathing first, and if that does not stop it, then do steps until it has stopped.

Same applies to itchy nose and eyes. If you see your child doing the 'allergic salute', pushing on their nose because it is itchy, explains again that they have been breathing like a big ......elephant! Itchy eyes might be gently rinsed [eyes closed!] with cool clean water, followed by mouse breathing.

Finger Under the Nose

It is very useful to use your finger for feedback on the depth of your breathing. The more gentle and passive, the better. When you ask your child to check their breathing [even teenagers] ensure they use their finger under their noses. The other feedback is any noise created by breathing. If you or they can hear a 'wheeze' try and make it silent. If there is whistle because a nose is partially blocked, then they should breathe like a mouse so that it cannot be heard. In both of these cases if you reduce breathing depth you will soon stop the wheeze and unblock the nose. If it does not then a series of steps should be done.

Asthma: The Effect of Diet On Your Breathing Health

2008-05-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

The key point to remember here is that everything you eat will make you breathe more deeply. Some foods will make you breathe more than other foods. Plus there is some individual variation in how much people respond do different foods.

With this issue please realize that you will need to eat something to stay alive. As all foods increase your breathing depth [because of the digestive process], your breathing is going to be affected, there is no avoiding it. The strategy is simply when your breathing is poor, and you are having symptoms, eat as little as possible and eat the foods that have least effect on your breathing.

Remember that the problem is to do with your breathing, that is where the most important focus of your recovery should be. It is your shallow breathing practice that is more important than anything else, including diet.

The foods which tend to increase breathing the most are animal proteins, animal fats and refined sugars. This includes chicken, beef and other meats, and milk products. Plant proteins and fats are less harmful. Nuts, beans, berries and other fruits can have strong impact on some individuals breathing.

The rule is to reduce animal protein as much as possible, and observe your breathing after eating. Always reduce your breathing after food to reduce the impact of the food. Once your breathing has been conditioned to maintain a higher CO2 level, you will be less affected by what you eat.

Until then, minimise or stop your meat intake, along with all dairy foods. [Note: Soy milk is very high in protein, and only slightly less harmful than animal milk in breathing terms.]

Another notable food that increases your breathing very strongly is alcohol. If you have symptoms of asthma do not drink alcohol. If you doubt this, simply measure your pause before a few drinks, then measure it afterwards.

Major Rule of Food

If you are not hungry, do not eat. If you do not feel hunger, your body is not ready for food, and will not digest it efficiently. If you are not sure if your are hungry, wait for a while.

During the first week of training your breathing, especially if you have symptoms, follow this rule rigidly. If you do not eat for several days, fine. Wait until you are hungry.

The less you eat, the faster your breathing will improve.

Yoga: Relieving Asthma

2008-05-06T22:01:00.000-07:00

Yoga teaching dates back thousands of years and stems from the ancient Vedic wisdom often referred to as the Science of Life.

The science of breath and the conscious utilization of what is usually an unconscious process is the specialized province of Yoga with its system. Its system developed from centuries of observation and application of recognized traditional techniques used in the art of breath control. Study was made of the effect of different breathing habits upon both physical and psychological health as well as spiritual well-being. The science therefore extends beyond the western approach to the subject and offers information of vital interest to all, as we share the common life sustaining need to breathe every moment of our lives.

The need for air and the associated process of breathing holds its own as the most vital life nourishment, more important than food and water. It is no wonder that we tend to panic when the natural pumping of air and life into our bodies is interrupted and this is exactly what happens to a person, whether child or adult, when the spasms of asthma occur.

Healing practices of yoga are employed in India under appropriate supervision relating to the traditional Indian customs or under western medical professional care, according to choice. However, yogic techniques for home use in the West, as outlined here, are usually applied in conjunction with orthodox treatment and relief through drugs and sprays according to current medical practice. But these should be gradually reduced as the sufferer becomes independent of the need. It is advisable to maintain medical supervision particularly with children, many of whom will readily respond to the following simple exercises and suggestions.

First Preparation - Ensure that both nostrils are free

Apart from the obvious reason that the air passages must be unimpeded to allow full inhalation and absorption of oxygen by the lungs there is an additional purpose that relates to the need to balance the flow of air through the nostrils as it directly affects the brain, so intimately placed behind. This balance guarantees a calm nervous system.

So we begin with ensuring that the nostrils are both free of mucous. Each nostril should be free of obstruction and this condition maintained if possible throughout.

Check to see if both your nostrils are open now. If you cannot draw air through let us say the Right nostril and blowing the nose is no remedy, then try the following:

Place the closed right fist (in this case) under the left armpit and press the arm down so that the knuckles press into a spot on the underside of the arm and on the torso also. It is important that you find the 'right spot' that will be quite tender. Holding this position, take some deep breaths maintaining the pressure for a minute or two. It is usual that if the nostril is blocked for no other reason, simple nerve pressure in this manner will be successful and for a time both nostrils will then be free. Be patient until you are successful. Of course reverse the process in the case of a blocked Left nostril.

It must be understood that it is natural for one nostril to be open and functioning more freely than the other and this alternating pattern ensures that our natural air conditioning system works well in maintaining the necessary balance for health. There is also a period when both nostrils are equally free between times. Keep a check on this and you will observe differences throughout the day.

The technique will certainly help in cases of chronic conditions but if suffering acute asthma it is likely that you will have to resort rather to the simple method of applying cold water compress, or even iced water to the bridge of the nose and this in itself can sometimes be helpful in relieving nasal congestion and reducing the intensity of an asthma attack.

Breathing Exercises

The following disciplines are related to periods in the day when the asthma sufferer is temporarily free of symptoms:

Balancing Inhalation and Exhalation It is common to find that each individual varies in regard to ease of inhalation and exhalation and that there are greater capacities and difference in degree of air flow in the dual process. In the case of asthma, it is recognized that it is usually the exhalation that must gradually be improved. This can be done quite simply.

Extend the Exhalation Begin with breathing in to an easy count, say of 4 seconds and breathing out for the same, to establish a rhythmic flow. Continue for a minute or two and then make a change. Inhale to a count of 4 but exhale trying to double the time to a count of 8. If this is difficult, reduce to a count of 3 in and 6 out. Continue for a few minutes only and then rest.

Regular use of this simple exercise will draw your attention to what is required regarding elementary control of the breath.

Adjustments to the Diet

Asthma is known to be exacerbated, if not caused, by unnatural chemical agencies in the diet and chemicals and toxins in the environment of the patient. Also the general constituents of diet must be considered, not only because of allergies but by any imbalance. Asthmatics often have built up an imbalance through favouring a diet with too much carbohydrate content, comprise of refined sugars and processed starches. Dairy products are to be avoided altogether for a period of time if one is serious about reducing symptoms of this disease.

Increasing use of herbs in the diet is important with some being specific remedies for respiratory complaints. No amount of attention to breath control will cure anyone suffering from asthma created by toxic materials ingested within his own body and which are now stifling him. Some asthmatics are obviously suffering from a situation of internal body pollution and a heavily burdened toxic bloodstream that produces symptoms such as dull eyes, nasal congestion, mouth breathing and frightening asthma attacks.

Generally however the approach to relieving asthma involves attention to all the main health factors and there is much to be gained by continuing to learn what yoga therapy offers. There are many simple, natural practices that offer additional or alternative methods of therapy that can prove effective in relieving asthma and may be safely be done at home. It is therefore important, in assessing a natural approach, that attention is given to correct the basic factors of preparation. The nostrils must be free and the nutritional aspect adjusted before we look to the deep-seated nervous condition and the psychological factors behind this disease and realise how important a role relaxation plays in bringing relief.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Yoga

The Secret of Nocturnal Asthma

2008-05-05T22:23:00.000-07:00

Remember there is only one way you can get asthma. Asthma during sleep is also as simple. When the human body becomes horizontal, the resistance to deeper breathing is reduced. Ie it is a lot easier to breathe more deeply when you are lying down. As soon as you become unconscious, your breathing gets deeper and deeper, simply because of the horizontal position.

Some people, particularly children, will develop asthma within 2 hours of going to bed. The night cough often starts at this time, because the CO2 is low and mucus production has increased.

The other common time for problems is between 3:30 and 5:00 am, when the body is at it's deepest point of sleep, which also causes the breathing to be greater at this time. You may notice that people start to snore, or they wake with full bladders, or, if children, they may 'wet the bed' at this time. These are all associated with low CO2 that is caused by overbreathing.

Snoring is simply your body attempting to reduce the airflow by swelling the throat and reducing the size of the pipe. Obstructive sleep apnea is a more severe defence of this type.

In terms of bladder problems, these are usually caused in sleep by spasms of smooth muscle in response to low CO2. The same smooth muscle which lines the airpipes and bloodpipes, also lines the bladder.

When CO2 is low, it will constrict making the bladder feel full. This will wake an adult, but a child may simply urinate.

Sleeping is a danger time. The majority of heart attacks and strokes occur at the time of deepest sleep and therefore the deepest breathing.

Asthmatics will very commonly wake feeling constricted or coughing after deepest sleep.

What Can We Do About It?

The first point is that the better our breathostat is set during the day, the less problem we will have with sleep. So simply by doing our shallow breathing during the day, the better our nights will be.

More practical steps include not sleeping on your back. It is far easier to breathe more deeply on your back, as there is less resistance. Lie down and test it. If you rest on your side, it is physically more difficult to take a deep breath. This is easily seen in people who snore. They often only do so while on their back. Rolling them on their side usually stops or reduces the noise.

So step one is to sleep on your side not your back. This will not make your breathing good, only less bad. We already know the effect of food on breathing as it increases it. If you lie down after eating a large meal, you will have a double whammy.

Your breathing will be increased by the food and by your horizontal position.

Do not have meals or high protein snacks [like warm milk or hot chocolate] or alcohol before going to bed.

Your Mouth, Possibly the greatest factor in nocturnal asthma is the fact that while asleep you have no conscious control over whether or not you breathe through your mouth or nose. Your mouth can just drop open.

For more information on Asthma and how the Butekyo Method can help improve your asthma visit our website. If you are looking for music to help you meditate and control your asthma Meditation Music.

Asthma Attacks

2008-05-05T22:20:00.000-07:00

Asthma can be life-threatening. It is a lung disease that is caused by the contraction of the muscles in the airways, making it difficult to breathe. Asthma is mostly characterized by coughing after crying or laughing; wheezing; panting or shortness of breath; and frequent allergies. When you experience one or more of these symptoms, and it seems that your condition is not improving, then you are most likely an asthmatic person.

Asthma attacks usually happen when the muscles in the bronchial tubes contract. When this happens, the cells make more mucus than usual. The extra mucus blocks the airways and disrupts breathing. An asthma attack is usually associated with the feeling of drowning. If you are an asthma sufferer, you may or may not have experienced severe attacks. Some are fortunate enough to feel only mild symptoms. Others, on the other hand, suffer so much that they have to be rushed to the hospital.

Information on Asthma Attacks

Since asthma attacks can be fatal, you must learn as much as you can about preventing such episodes. Read up on asthma symptoms, irritants that can trigger asthma, foods to avoid, remedies and treatments. You can obtain valuable information from medical books. A lot of sites on the Internet tackle asthma issues. There are also online forums you can join. Here, a lot of asthmatic people talk about their condition and the steps they have taken to improve their quality of life.

Based on the results of your research, you may find that asthma triggers vary from person to person. Be aware of your body. Identify the food and materials that you are sensitive to. Knowing your own specific triggers can go a long way in helping prevent severe asthma attacks.

Try reading up on medication, therapy and natural remedies. Discuss your findings with your doctor. You can decide on which treatment is best for you if you have a wealth of information regarding asthma.

Asthma provides detailed information on Asthma, Allergy Asthma, Bronchial Asthma, Exercise Induced Asthma and more. Asthma is affiliated with Food Allergies.

Asthma Inhalers

2008-05-04T23:03:00.000-07:00

Are you an asthma patient? Do you want to manage your condition? Are you the type of person who dislikes taking pills to counter an asthma attack? Nowadays, you can always use asthma inhalers to alleviate your symptoms. These inhalers are among the latest developments in asthma treatments. Inhalers are now widely available in drugstores and pharmacies. Doctors and asthma experts often recommend asthma inhalers to patients for immediate relief.

Asthma inhalers are portable devices. With these, you can deliver medicine straight to your lungs, anytime and anywhere you need them. However, you can't just purchase asthma inhalers indiscriminately. Most of these can only be bought with prescriptions. If you want to use an inhaler, ask your doctor's advice. He can tell you if this is the best treatment for you. He can also tell you what specific product you should be looking for since there is a wide variety of inhalers available in the market.

Types of Asthma Inhalers

There are many asthma inhalers, but the most common ones are the metered-dose and dry powder types.

Metered-dose inhalers make use of a chemical propellant that pushes the medicine out of the inhaler's canister. You have to squeeze the canister to release the medication, then inhale it.

Dry powder inhalers operate the same way. However, when the medicine is released from the canister, you have to inhale more rapidly.

Both types of inhalers deliver different kinds of medication. Some are for long-term control while some are meant only for quick relief. Examples of these medications are long-acting bronchodilators and a combination of Corticosteroid and long-acting bronchodilators, as well as short-acting bronchodilators, Corticosteroids, Cromolyn or nedocromil.

Asthma inhalers can help relieve you when you are suffering from an asthma attack. And though they are handy and offer fast relief, you must be careful in using them. Always follow your doctor's instructions regarding how often you should use your inhaler. Overdependence on the medication released by these inhalers can lead to a severe asthma attack or even death.

Asthma provides detailed information on Asthma, Allergy Asthma, Bronchial Asthma, Exercise Induced Asthma and more. Asthma is affiliated with Food Allergies.

Asthma Symptoms

2008-05-02T23:28:00.000-07:00

Are you suffering from shortness of breath? Do you pant after a minimal amount of exercise? Do you experience a tight feeling in the chest every so often? Do you cough or wheeze after crying or laughing? If so, you are probably an asthmatic person. The above are some of the symptoms that asthmatic people suffer. These symptoms are triggered because the bronchial tubes are inflamed and irritated, causing them to contract. This narrows the air passages and disrupts breathing.

Asthma symptoms are experienced in varying degrees. Some may experience mild symptoms, while some may have life-threatening conditions. You can suffer from asthma symptoms once every few months, every week or even every day. Mostly, these symptoms are caused by changes in the airways. Different irritants, such as pollen, dust, extreme weather and tiredness, can be considered culprits.

The Importance of Learning about Asthma Symptoms

Asthma is a disease that can be life threatening. It is vital that, as an asthmatic person, you know how to recognize asthma symptoms so you can take the necessary preventive measures before your condition worsens. To alleviate your symptoms, you can take medication or vitamins. You can also try homeopathy, acupuncture and meditation.

Because symptoms vary from person to person, you should at least be familiar with the most common symptoms. Coughing is usually one. Do you have a cough that is worse in the early morning or at night? Do you wheeze a lot? A tight feeling in your chest, panting or shortness of breath may also point to asthma. Watch out for frequent allergies as well.

You should always be alert when it comes to identifying asthma symptoms. Information regarding asthma is readily available. Libraries, and even the Internet, abound with helpful readings about asthma and what one should do to relieve its symptoms.

Asthma provides detailed information on Asthma, Allergy Asthma, Bronchial Asthma, Exercise Induced Asthma and more. Asthma is affiliated with Food Allergies.

Dealing with Asthma In Adults

2008-05-02T23:26:00.000-07:00

Asthma is a chronic lung disorder caused when the airways react to certain allergens or stimuli. If it isn't treated and managed effectively, it can ultimately become a life-threatening disease.

People can develop asthma during adulthood, even if they've never had any problems earlier in life - even during middle age or even older. This is known as Adult Onset Asthma.

Proper diagnosis is important because asthma symptoms are often similar to other illnesses that can develop in adults, including chest problems, cough and even heart disease.

The most common asthma symptoms in adults include the following:

Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Persistent cough
Excess mucus production
Pain or tightness in the chest

There are number of things that can trigger asthma in adulthood. One of the most common - and severe - triggers is smoking. Cigarette smoke can cause acute asthma episodes as well as increased sensitivity to other allergens.

Smoking will always make asthma more severe and can also lead to other problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Smoking doesn't only effect the smoker who is asthmatic, either. Second hand smoke will aggravate asthma for anyone exposed to it, and fetal exposure to maternal smoking can also lead to early onset asthma.

Some of the other common asthma triggers in adults include:

Pollen, mold and other allergens
Strong odors
Infections
Certain medications such as beta-blockers and anti-inflammatory drugs
Dust
Exercise

Asthma is a permanent condition - not something that is treated then gone. Even when the symptoms are not apparent, the condition still exists.

As people get older, the lungs become less and less capable, resulting in more pronounced effects from asthma. For this reason, adult onset asthma must be managed properly because if the lungs deteriorate, they may never recover.

Jackson Sperry writes about asthma-related topics such as asthma treatments and asthma respirators for the Asthma Explained website. Visit http://www.asthmaexplained.net for more helpful information.

Be Careful And You Will Prevent An Asthma Attack

2008-05-01T23:07:00.000-07:00

Many persons who have asthma are not aware of the seriousness of an asthma attack, due to their misinformation or even their ignorance regarding their disease. The beginning of the asthma attack is indicated by a wheezing noise while you are breathing. When the wheezing stops, the next step of the asthma attack is the blockage of many of the bronchioles. This is a serious problem that should not be ignored. The real facts are that not all asthmatic persons wheeze in their first stage of their asthma attacks. They can have an asthma attack and not even know it, and realizing it too late to do something about it. That is why we will present you other symptoms that can lead you into realizing that you are on a verge to have a severe asthma attack. It can start with a continuous cough; an accelerated breath and you might feel a pressure or a pain in your chest. The person experiencing an asthma attack will feel how the chest muscles are contracting and it is possible to inhibit the ability of speaking. The panic is slowly taking over the asthmatic's mind and body, causing him anxiety feelings and his/her face and fingers will turn blue. When this happens it is the sign that shows that the quantity of oxygen from the blood has dramatically decreased and it will lose his consciousness and can even be in fatal danger. These symptoms could easily aggravate if the medication is not administrated in time, with a powerful dosage. How can we prevent this from happening? Be informed about all the symptoms that are warning signs of an asthma attack and stay away from any releasing or allergenic factors. Do not underestimate the seriousness of those symptoms: they can cost you your life. Any frequent night coughs, short moments of losing your breath, excessive tiredness, are NOT NORMAL! Even smaller signs must not be ignored: if you feel tired and moody all the time, if you cannot sleep and you are wheezing and coughing each time you do physical activities, you must go to your physician and check the status of your health, in order to find out if you are an asthmatic person. If you will do this, you can use those early signs of asthma attacks for your benefit, because learning them means learning about dealing with the asthma attack and, consequently, saving your life. You can learn much more about Asthma Prevention by visiting the Asthma Symptom Site which provides comprehensive and up to date help and advice on all Asthma issues. Clive thoroughly recommends this site so make sure you check it out today here: - www.asthmasymptomonline.com.

Dental Challenge for Asthmatic Children

2008-04-24T03:29:00.000-07:00

A 1998 study by researchers at The Ohio State University indicates that one-third of asthmatic children between the ages of six and 18 have some kind of adverse reaction after a trip to the dentist. About 15 percent suffer temporary reduced lung function.

Causes of asthmatic attack in dental office:

Although it is not clear what causes the reaction, it has been suggested that allergens such as cotton swabs or water vapor at the dental office could be a cause. The stress often associated with a dental visit has been ruled out as a factor.

Researchers measured the volume of air in the lungs by having the asthmatic children blow into a machine called a spirometer. Readings were taken before, immediately after, and 30 minutes after treatment. Any reactions during the examination were also noted.

Most of the symptoms were mild reactions such as coughing and congestion. However, almost seven percent of the monitored patients had difficulty breathing 30 minutes after being in the dental office. Amazingly, some of their symptoms did not appear until three days later.

Dental professionals are trained to develop preventive protocols in the dental office and to recognize the early signs of an asthma attack. The reason? In 1998, the number of asthma sufferers in the United States was an estimated 17.3 million according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 4.8 million of those are children. It makes sense to prepare for what could be a frequent occurrence in our office.

The researchers suggest that one puff on an inhaler before entering the office could be all it takes to avoid unnecessary suffering. For your own peace of mind, it might be wise to talk to your physician about the possibility of a reaction before your asthmatic child visits our office.

Poor dental health among asthmatic kids:

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry reported an interesting discovery in 1998. British researchers tested asthmatic children (ages four to 16) to see if they showed preponderance to dental diseases. Results clearly showed asthmatic children suffered significantly from plaque and gingivitis, having poorer gum health and a greater loss of tooth surfaces compared with non-asthmatic children.

One explanation could be that certain drugs used to treat asthma are causing harm to teeth. The Department of Paediatric Dentistry at Leeds Dental Institute tested acidity levels of some of the main asthmatic drugs. Researchers found the powdered varieties were acidic enough to erode tooth enamel.

Further testing will be required to determine if this is the main cause of dental diseases in asthmatic children. Until proven, researchers suggest removing any trace by rinsing the mouth with water after taking a powdered asthma drug.

For information, contact Houston dentist-Minh Nguyen, D.D.S. at drnguyen@softdental.com. SoftDental (http://www.softdental.com) is Houston's Premier Laser, Family and Cosmetic Dentistry.

ASTHMA: Shallow Breathing To Tune Your Body

2008-04-07T22:28:00.000-07:00

We are now at the position where we can discuss more exactly the process that if followed will normalize your breathing. We have seen in earlier chapters that our breathostat or respiratory centre has somehow become set at the wrong level.

How did they become set at the wrong level? One major factor is the false idea of the usefulness of deep breathing, which is often combined with deep breathing exercises. A big long deep breath with a good stretch is good to relax. If you do it repeatedly, it will turn your breathostat the wrong way.

Another factor which increases breathing intensity is over eating, especially high protein. Protein will increase your depth of breathing considerably. Animal proteins in particular are capable of producing powerful changes. If we use dairy products as an example, we can see the effect of all foods.

It is commonly known that consumption of milk products tends to promote the formation of mucus. This is almost correct. What happens is that the milk causes an increase in the depth of breathing, which in turn causes a loss of CO2. We now know that reduced CO2 will tell the mucus factories [glands] in our airpipes and sinus cavity to produce more mucus. So the problem is not with the poor cow, but simply that the high protein levels cause an increase in breathing.

Since the industrial revolution the amount of protein consumed has steadily increased, along with so called diseases like asthma and hypertension.

Other factors that increase the breathing include lack of physical work, narcotics, and exposure to many chemical agents.

As your breathostat is exposed to greater levels of breathing and lower CO2 levels, it becomes conditioned to a lower level. Then further deep breathing, perhaps as part of a fitness or health training, can turn it even lower. This training effect continues until such a low breathostat level is reached that your body takes defensive action to avoid a catastrophe. In asthmatics it restricts the breathing.

It is a relatively simple strategy to reset your breathostat by exposing it to higher levels of CO2 than it is used to. This is the opposite of the approach which lowered the breathostat CO2 level, which was to expose it to lower levels of CO2.

We want an approach that will:

a. Be easy and comfortable to do,
b. Be able to be done anywhere by anyone,
c. Be combined with other tasks so we do not need to take time from your busy day.

The most effective way to do this is to use an indirect approach. This means not trying to control the size or length of holding of each breath, as that requires huge concentration and very careful training. It does mean using simple muscle relaxation which will make the depth of breathing less, and requires no control of the rate of breathing which is difficult. The key instruction is simple and short.

Shallow Breathing is: A gradual reduction in the depth of breathing, by relaxing the diaphragm and breathing muscles, until a tiny shortage of air is felt and then maintained.

There are several key points. The first is that we are reducing the depth of breathing. When we do this the frequency or rate at which we breathe increases by itself. This is correct, and the rate should not be interfered with. That would be direct control of the breathing, which is far harder to maintain, and usually leads to a huge shortage of air which is followed by gasping. This is not the goal. So reduce the depth only.

The next point is that the way we do it is by relaxing the breathing muscles, not holding them. The more relaxed they are the more still you become. The more still you become the less deeply you can breathe. [If you become still by holding or tensing you will develop sharp pains in your ribs as the muscles complain.]

The other key point is that our goal is to develop a training that can be done anywhere, is comfortable so it will not be avoided, and can be combined with other tasks. The way to this goal is to allow only a tiny shortage of air to develop. It is all that you need. If it feels awful and suffocating you have created a large shortage, and should relax and start again. If you feel no shortage at all, become more and more still until you do.

As part of this process, recognize that there is no rule that says you have to be breathing all the time. If you find yourself breathing away with no real need or desire to stop.

An alternative way to start your shallow breathing is to do a measurement pause without holding your nose. This really means that you stop breathing until you feel a tiny shortage of air. All you have to do then is be relaxed and still enough to maintain that shortage.

Am I Doing It Properly?

This is the most common and natural question. You are shallow breathing if you feel a tiny shortage of air, and you are comfortable. A shortage of air is a sensation that you would like to take an extra breath, but to maintain the shortage do not. If you are suffocating, you have too great a shortage ? remember unless it feels comfortable; you will not do it enough and will get poor results.

If you feel no shortage of air you are not doing it!

For more information on Asthma and the Butekyo Method visit our website. If you are looking for music to help you meditate and control your asthma Meditation Music.

What Do We Know About Asthma And Asthma Types?

2008-03-31T02:54:00.002-07:00

Asthma is a respiratory disease which can attack absolutely anyone ? infant, child, adult or senior. The mechanism of a healthy respiratory system is that when faced with any problem, the air sacs (or the alveoli) in the lungs first constrict to obstruct the bad air from getting in, and then expand to expel the already inhaled traces of pollution. In this way, the lungs handle the problem and protect the lungs.

What Happens When Asthma Attacks?

The same mechanism is triggered off in asthmatic patients as well. The difference however, comes at the phase when the lungs constrict to stop the entry of the irritant air. While in the healthy person the air sacs immediately expand, to expel the culprit, in the asthmatic person, the air sacs constrict further, giving the person respiratory distress signals such as breathlessness and gasping for breath symptoms.

There is quite a lot of information on asthma and asthma types all over the internet. Those who want to learn more in depth about both asthma and asthma types can browse and find all they want to know. Basically, there are two main types of asthma, i.e. extrinsic and intrinsic.

The extrinsic asthma is what most people are suffering from. As you will find from the asthma and asthma types information, this type of asthma is usually triggered by allergens. This type of asthma starts usually in the childhood and continues into adulthood. The most common triggers for this asthma are eczemas, hay fever and allergies that are handed down through the family medical history.

As the child grows up into his teens, this asthma will disappear. In some cases, it will re-appear when the child becomes an adult. There are cases however; there will be no reoccurrence at later stages of life.

It does not matter what asthma and asthma types information you look up, you find it confirmed everywhere that people who have asthma can lead perfectly normal lives without being hindered in any way about this disease. They have to extremely careful however, that they avoid any and all types of things that trigger the onslaught of asthma. As long as there are no immediate triggers, the patient will have absolutely no problems.

As per the asthma and asthma types information from the web, you will observe that the intrinsic asthma is on the other hand caused by respiratory infection mostly and require fast and constant medical supervision.

Dr. April Davall is SEO of AsthmaFact, her goal is to give you good and latest information and facts about asthma. Large site, free info, from Warning Signs to Adult Asthma (asthema).

The Truth About Exercise Induced Asthma

2008-03-31T02:54:00.001-07:00

It has long been thought that exercise induced asthma and allergy induced asthma were two different varieties altogether. Recent research has shed new light on this, however.

Exercise induced asthma is a shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing brought on by physical exertion. This is caused by inflammation of the lungs and the bronchial tissue which in turn can be caused by an allergic reaction to something. The inflammation can then trigger muscle spasms in the muscles surrounding the bronchial tube, making it even harder to catch your breath.

Even people who show no sign of asthma normally can trigger it through exercise. This could be due to changes in breathing patterns during exercise or it could be because people who suffer from exercise induced asthma are frequently more sensitive to atmospheric changes.

The rapid breathing that comes with exercise, which is often shallower as well, can lead to more allergens being inhaled as well as less time for the air to warm up when it is breathed in. When resting, we generally breathe through our nose which will warm up the air before it gets to the lungs.

Because most people breathe through their mouths while exercising, the air doesn't have the same chance to warm up and the cool, drier air can be more of an irritation.

Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to minimize the chance of an asthma attack due to exercise.

Firstly, if you use a bronchodilator inhaler, use it about 15 minutes prior to exercise. This will help to relax the muscles surrounding your bronchial tubes, lessening the chance of them being irritated by changes in your breathing pattern.

Spend extra time warming up before exercising. By preparing your body for the changes in breathing you can often avoid an asthma attack entirely. In a similar vein, take the time to cool down once your exercise session is complete.

Don't exercise outside during colder weather or if you must, wear a scarf or mask over your nose and mouth. This will help to trap the warm air near your mouth and nose which will in turn help to warm the colder outside air as you inhale it.

Also avoid outdoor exercise during pollen season or when the air quality is poor. When these are combined with the changes in breathing patterns during exercise, it's very likely to trigger an asthma attack.

Jackson Sperry writes about asthma treatments, asthma symptoms and asthma supplies for the Asthma Explained website. For more helpful asthma information, visit http://www.asthmaexplained.net

Fighting Asthma - Know Your Options And Treatments.

2008-03-29T04:31:00.000-07:00

Asthma treatments come in many shapes and forms. People who suffer from the breathing disorder have quite a few options to consider. Doctors can prescribe a number of medications that prove to be successful in reducing the symptoms associated with the frightening suffering. However, the options diminish when the person looking for treatment is pregnant.

One of the most exciting times in a woman?s life is when she is expecting a baby. The mother goes through a lot of emotional and physical changes during this time in her life. Some of the physical changes are unexpected and uncomfortable. A woman can find herself sleepless, irritable and sick.

Having breathing problems on top of all of the other symptoms of pregnancy can really be a burden. Finding appropriate asthma treatments that can be administered during pregnancy can put the woman?s mind at ease. However, finding asthma treatments is not always so easy especially if you are pregnant.

Asthma is quite common in the United States and other countries around the world. Anyone who has suffered an asthma attack knows the symptoms. An exacerbation, or attack, involves coughing wheezing and the frightening feeling of being unable to get any air. Some describe an exacerbation as go down in air. Asthma treatments are developed to improve the symptoms associated with
the attack.

Unfortunately, the developing baby in the womb takes in oxygen through his mother?s breathing. If the mother isn?t getting any air, neither is the fetus. The baby is dependant on the mother?s breathing to get the appropriate supply of oxygen he needs to survive. When a woman has an exacerbation, the baby is at risk for not getting enough oxygen. This can be very dangerous to the developing fetus.

Many women who used asthma treatments that involved medication before they became pregnant often stop the asthma treatments. Women with the breathing disorder are afraid that the medicine will have an difficult effect on the baby. However, it is best to consult a physician before quitting the medication completely.

Your doctor needs to know the details about your condition and he needs to know if you choose to quit asthma treatments. You could be putting the baby at greater risk by quitting the medication because a severe attack will do more harm to the fetus than the medicine can. The more severe the exacerbation,
the more dangerous it is for the baby. suddenly stopping asthma treatments can do more harm than good.

John Wellington provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for health, fitness and other related information

Dealing With The Side Effects Of Asthma Medication

2008-03-28T02:48:00.001-07:00

Asthma medication can make a big difference for people who suffer from asthma, but there are some side effects associated with them. And unfortunately, many people stop taking their medication when these side effects occur, which can lead to increased risk of an asthma attack.

The side effects vary, depending on the medication in question, and their severity also varies. It can range from mild jitteriness to more severe effects. The following are some of the most common medications as well as their associated side effects.

Bronchodilators

Most doctors prescribe bronchodilators as a type of "rescue" inhaler. They help to relax the muscles surrounding the airways, making it easier to breathe quickly. They don't treat the underlying asthma inflammation, however. The technical term for these types of treatments is "beta2 agonists."

The side effects of bronchodilators are normally minor, if any occur at all, but if they are used more often than recommended, they can cause problems. These problems can include an irregular or increased heart rate.

Oral Corticosteroids

Oral steroids are generally prescribed for acute asthma, when the symptoms are particularly severe. They work by reducing the inflammation in the lungs, along the bronchioles.

Because there are a number of associated side effects, this type of medication is normally used for short-term asthma management. In certain cases - if a patient doesn't respond to other forms of treatment - these may be prescribed for longer term treatment.

Common side effects of oral steroid medications include the following:

- insomnia
- mood swings
- thinning skin
- increased hair growth

If you experience any of the following side-effects you should contact your doctor right away:

- itching and/or hives
- breathing problems
- headache
- eye pain
- stomach pain
- pain or swelling in the lower legs
- sudden weight gain
- vision problems

Inhaled Steroids

The side effects of inhaled steroid medications are much less severe than those associated with oral steroid medications. Because the side effects are much less common and because of the effectiveness of these medications, they are often prescribed to manage asthma attacks.

One of the only common side effects of this type of medication is oral yeast infections.

Regardless of the type of medication you are using to manage asthma, if you have any unusual symptoms appear you should consult with your doctor to ensure that your treatment plan is not causing further problems.

Jackson Sperry writes about natural remedies for asthma and other related topics on the Asthma Explained website. Read more at http://www.asthmaexplained.net

How To Live With Adult Asthma With A Good Management Plan

2008-03-28T02:46:00.000-07:00

Learning to live with adult asthma is a daily routine for millions of people worldwide but do you know, it doesn't haven't to interfere with your quality of life. There is no cure for asthma. Avoiding certain triggers can be tricky at times but it does not have to be impossible.

Identifying Asthma Triggers

By knowing what triggers an adult asthma attack, sufferers usually go to great lengths to avoid them. In extreme cases, some have even moved away from a particular area because of the effects of pollen or industrial pollution. Here is a shortlist of common adult asthma triggers:

- Animal hair, particularly cats and dogs
- House dust and dust mites
- Pollen
- Household mold such as the type that can gather in bathrooms and kitchens
- Cold air or extreme areas of cold, wet, dry or hot
- Illnesses such as colds and flus
- Air pollution including industrial and cigarette smoke

That is just a shortlist so if you are a non asthmatic and you are reading this you are probably thinking there are not too many places on this planet adult asthma sufferers can retreat to, to avoid triggers. You're right but avoiding asthma attack is all about good management practices.

Adult Asthma Management

A visit to your health physician for the sole purpose of completing a checklist with him/her is part of the asthma management process. Why would you visit your health physician as an adult asthma sufferer when you know you have asthma? If you suffer from frequent episodes then obviously something is triggering these attacks. Completing a checklist, will in all probability identify an area or object that may be responsible.

Adult Asthma Checklist Triggers

It's important not to leave "any stone unturned" when going over your checklist. Here are possible points to bring up in your discussion:

- Do you have pets? Do you find your symptoms are worse when you are around them? Next time you are away from your home for any length of time try to recognize if your symptoms improve.

- Do certain times of the year cause you more distress than others. For example, is winter a bad time for symptoms or do you find spring time when there is more pollen in the air causes your symptoms to worsen.

- Are there any areas in your house you go to that seem to worsen your asthma symptoms? Do you have a damp basement or does visiting the bathroom for any length of time bring on symptoms?

- Do your symptoms worsen by simply walking through your garden or is there a particular variety of plant that seems to always be a factor when determining what brought on any form of adult asthma attack you may have suffered.

A shortlist such as the one listed is only a guide. Yours will be more comprehensive and remember not to leave out anything. Your doctor can then discuss and assess these points and help come up with a adult asthma management plan to help suit your lifestyle.

Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster. Can you minimize the incidence of adult asthma attacks? Get the latest news and views on asthma at http://www.asthmainfoline.com

Asthma Medication

2008-03-27T05:20:00.000-07:00

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The Link Between Asthma And Coughing

2008-03-27T04:12:00.000-07:00

One of the common symptoms of asthma is coughing, particularly during the night. It generally doesn't have the typical wheeziness most coughs product, however. This night cough has a particularly negative effect because it can affect the sleep of both the asthma sufferer and anyone else in the house.

This cough is often the first sign of asthma in children, so if their cough continues for any length of time it's best to let their doctor know. It's also often a warning sign that asthma is either getting worse or is not being controlled properly.

If someone who is asthmatic develops a persistent cough it is paramount that they follow their prescribed asthma treatment. These treatments - usually inhalers - contain medication that will usually relieve their cough.

It's important to understand that coughing is a symptom of asthma - not the condition itself. The underlying cause of the coughing needs to be addressed in order to eliminate the problem.

If any of the following symptoms accompany your cough, it's important that you consult with your doctor as soon as possible:

- Fever and/or sweating
- Whooping cough or croup
- Coughing up discolored phlegm
- Sudden weight loss
- Chest pain
- Swelling and pain in the calves
- Recurring night-time cough
- Shortness of breath and/or wheezing

Treating asthma that is characterized by coughing spells is no different than any other symptoms. Inhaled corticosteroids are generally the most helpful, with inhaled beta2-agonists also helping.

If the symptoms of asthma are particularly severe, oral corticosteroids are often used as an initial treatment, followed by the inhaled version.

Jackson Sperry writes about asthma symptoms, asthma and childhood and other related topics on the Asthma Explained website. Read more at http://www.asthmaexplained.net

Asthma in Infants

2008-03-26T05:32:00.000-07:00

The person who is learning the Buteyko method takes control of their breathing and by reduction of the use of their deep breathing muscles reduces the depth of their breathing until a desire for a deeper breath is felt. This indicates that a higher level of CO2 is being trapped in, so in a short time avoiding the conditions associated with CO2 deficiency.

For you to apply the Buteyko Method in infants it is necessary to recognize the ways in which your breathing can be affected indirectly. This simply means that you must recognize what makes your breathing deeper,and avoid it where possible. Once you have followed how this applies to adults then you simply apply it to babies.

1. Keeping your mouth closed.

This is the first step for all people learning to apply the method. It is active in the sense that you control the separation of your lips, but the way that this alters your breathing is passive. You simply close your mouth and the increase in CO2 levels happens to you. [Providing that you do not become stressed and increase your breathing depth, still with your mouth closed. This may be a factor if you suffer from panic attacks.] In most cases people who have been used to breathing through the mouth will feel a little suffocated or feel the desire for a deep breath within a minute or two of having their mouth closed.

This feeling is an indication that you have trapped in a little more CO2 than you are used to, and your normal response to this is for your body to believe it should get rid of some of this extra CO2. This is the reason for the desire for a deeper breath. After a time your body becomes used to the higher level of CO2 that keeping your mouth closed causes. Once used to this level the desire for a deeper breath [or feeling of slight suffocation] disappears. At this point keeping your mouth closed feels absolutely normal, and breathing through your mouth will feel a little odd.

The application of this wisdom to infants requires a little lateral thinking as it is unusual for a baby to actually do what you tell it. The simplest approach is the use of a 'dummy' or 'pacifier'. While these do allow a little mouth breathing they reduce it greatly. Try it yourself.

There are lots of discussions about these devices and the problems that people have associated with them. Crooked teeth, thumb-sucking habits, and so on.

If you were to be given the choice of a baby who was A. Miserable with asthma and associated problems, or B. Much healthier but uses a 'dummy' and who may (and this is not proven at all) develop teeth problems.

Which would you choose? It is not a difficult choice at all. The dummy can help!

So, the first step in improving your babies breathing is to encourage nasal breathing. The dummy is part of this, other parts include simply pushing your babies lips together. This can be done at anytime, and done automatically by you even if the child is asleep. Some Native American Indian tribes did this as part of their culture, it was simply a normal part of the mothers job. [I do not know if the father also participated]

2. The other positive aspect of infants is that they will copy you almost exactly Do not under-estimate their ability to absorb information from around them.

This includes you! You are examined regularly ? so what you do with your breathing is very important. If you wander around like a 'complete wally' with your mouth hanging open then your baby is likely to copy you.

An excellent example of this is watching how toddlers learn to sneeze. You already are aware of the wonderful variation we see in different peoples sneezes. Some have a powerful and loud explosions that are preceded by a series of warning noises such as 'AHHHH, AHHHH' or AHHHHH' ending with a violent 'CCHOO!!' Others have something like a mouse shriek which is like a gentle and brief 'zthco' often causing people to turn around to see what that odd noise was.

If you follow a powerful sneezer home and observe how his [more pronounced in the male] toddler sneezes guess what you will find. The child will have learned without being officially told that appropriate way to deal with a nose tickle is loud, violent and irrigating method that dad does, or whichever person the baby has learned from.

Another excellent example of this is how to blow your nose. Study the nose blowing method of a child whose modelled parent is from the 'enraged elephant school'. I have even seen parents coaching toddlers in power blowing or something that almost guarantees continuing demand for handkerchiefs and tissues.

3. The next part of helping your asthmatic child is to look carefully at what and how much you are feeding him or her You will have heard of the impact of dairy food on people in general.

You may have heard that dairy food is 'mucus-forming'. This implies that the food itself causes the formation of mucus, but you now know that the food simply causes a change in the depth of breathing which then causes the production of mucus. [The increased depth of breathing causes you to lose a little more CO2, which causes your 'mucus factories' to increase production!]

Different people have different levels of response to different foods. Some people can eat a whole bucket of double chocolate icecream, and have almost no change. Others can observe mucus after one teaspoon. With others it might be strawberries, or oranges.

Your child is an individual, but has similar genes to you. Look at the sensitivities of both parents and grandparents when looking at your child's diet. Find all of the clues you can about how your entire family handles their food. Quiz your parents by asking what you were fed, and if you had any problems. It is amazing what people remember about their own babies!

Once you have gathered as much information as you can then begin to observe what happens to your baby after meals PAY ATTENTION AND MAKE NOTES!

If you find that coughing is more common after any particular food ? replace it or reduce the quantity. Realize that a huge meal of anything can make your [and your baby's] breathing much worse. [This is apart from any effect of any individual food.] If your meal is too big your breathing will suffer! Try it. Measure your breathing using the Measurement Pause, then stuff yourself until you are past full.

After each 30 minutes measure it again. Look for mucus formation, drowsiness, and irritability. See if your ability to think clearly is reduced. Unless you are breast-feeding your child [which limits the total amount of food he gets], then it is worthwhile reducing the size of each bottle. A childs stomach is quite small ? and too much of any food will soon overfill it. Like you, your child can take a little time to realize it is full and naturally keeps sucking away at the bottle until it is overfull. Just like breast feeding is the best for babies and toddlers in small meals often.

The other challenge here is to not confuse hunger with thirst. Not every bottle has to be milk or formula. We all need water. When you give your baby [or yourself] water it should be filtered. If you do not have a high quality filter, then at least boil the water, and let it sit. This not only ensures it is free of nasty bugs ? but as importantly gets rid of the chlorine. And it will taste much better than tap water.

Apart from experimenting with the size of each meal/snack you give your child, you must also look at the timing of each meal. Think about what happens to adult asthmatics if you have a large meal, followed then by having a good sleep.

Both of these factors increase your breathing depth by themselves.

This impact is much greater when you do both. This is very important so let's go over it again.

A large meal will increase your breathing depth, causing loss of CO2, increase in mucus production and greater likelihood of breathing problems. Similarly, lying down, [especially if you lie on your back] will increase your breathing depth. Test this for yourself right now.

A good slouch will do for demonstration. Right now slouch right back in your chair, just like you were watching TV. Without consciously altering your breathing, note how long each breath takes, how easy or hard it is to breath in and out. Do this for about a minute.

Then compare your breathing when you sit up straight. A good model is the following. Sit forward on the edge of your chair, as if it were a bench edge. Imagine that your spine is like a broomstick, and that your body is like a jacket. Your shoulders [the shoulders of the jacket] will drop down towards the floor, not forward or back ? but down. The lapels of the jacket [your chest] will also just hang, not pushed in or out. The belly of the jacket will also just hang. Now check to see that your spine is still a little like a broomstick again. And relax.

Now observe your breathing again. Note to see how long each breath takes, how easy or hard it is to breathe, whether your breathing is nice and regular or erratic. Do this for a minute or two.

You could see the difference. Slouching made your breathing become much deeper. This effect is even further enhanced when you lie down completely. If you lie on your back your breathing can become massive ? unless you are awake to control it. Lying on your side or front simply makes it physically more difficult to take as deep a breath. It is interesting that sitting or standing up straight results in your breathing become less deep. For all of these years we have been told to stand up straight and breathe more deeply!

If you allow yourself to go from the nice straight sitting position to the slouched position ? what is the first thing that happens to your breathing? You find yourself taking a nice lovely big deep breath! Ahh. Let's apply this to your baby. Large meals increase their breathing depth. Sleeping [worse on back] increases breathing depth. You want your child to cough then give a large meal then put them down for their big sleep!

This is traditionally done because the big meal makes them drowsy, [the huge dose of insulin released does it], and therefore easier to put to sleep. If your child is getting asthma ? then you have to forego this shortcut.

Give the larger meal well before bedtime, and then a smaller snack before bed. If you are using milk or formula, then use a small bottle at bedtime or give water or [unsweetened] juice at that time.

In effect this usually means breaking the larger before bed feeding into two smaller feedings. Just like when breastfeeding. This same rule also applies to adults that have either a very small meal before going to bed or nothing at all.

What food is best for your baby? Breast milk is best. Sometimes this is not possible or always available so mostly you will use or supplement with milk [cows] or some kind of 'formula'. If you are having problems or at least your baby is with coughing or wheezing, then you need to experiment.

Many children are lactose intolerant which means that cows milk will not allow them to thrive, and will adversely affect their breathing.

As a general rule if your child has problems go off cow's milk and other dairy. Substitute non-dairy formula or soy or goats milk. Experiment! Try different things for a week or so, making notes of coughing, wheezing and runny noses.

For more information on the Butekyo Method. If you are looking for music to help you meditate and control your asthma Meditation Music

Understanding - And Living With - Allergic Asthma

2008-03-26T05:31:00.000-07:00

For those who suffer from asthma, every day can be unpredictable and frightening. An asthma attack ? resulting from a common disease that affects the respiratory system ? can render its victims unable to take a single breath. The result can mean a lifetime dependant on medication ? such as respiratory inhalers ? and a quest to discover the specific elements that trigger an attack.

No one asthma sufferer is the same. But the unifying theme of the disease is its definition. Asthma is defined as a chronic irritation of the airway, causing swelling and constriction and, ultimately, hindering breathing function. Treatment can return the airway ? and breathing ? to normal.

There are two types of asthma ? allergic asthma and non-allergic asthma. Allergic asthma often surfaces in childhood and is the most common type of asthma. While non-allergic asthma can affect sufferers year round, allergic asthma can sometimes be triggered by seasonal allergens, resulting in seasonal attacks.

Allergic asthma at least offers it sufferers a first line of defense. If they are able to pinpoint those allergens that trigger an attack then they can avoid them. And thus avoid frightening and dangerous attacks.

Allergy tests are required to diagnose allergic asthma. Medical professionals will administer injections that contain specific allergens and wait to see if there is a reaction. If an injection results in redness and/or swelling then the patient is considered allergic to that specific component.

Those who suffer from allergic asthma will have to remain vigilant in avoiding their specific triggers. For those who find that animal dander is the culprit, the ownership ? or even the company ? of animals will have to be avoided. For others, for whom seasonal elements are the trigger ? pollen in spring or ragweed in summer -they may have to limit their outdoor activities during that specific season. For someone for whom dust is the enemy, conscientious upkeep of their home to keep dust to a minimum can pay off in extended health and comfort.

While it can seem an inconvenience to address all the possible offenders, for those who suffer with allergic asthma, it is a small price to pay to ward off an attack. Most will gladly go far out of their way to avoid the elements that trigger their asthma.

Allergic asthma can be frightening but it doesn?t have to control your life. With proactive medical supervision and careful planning, allergens can be avoided and allergic asthma attacks can become few and far between.

For easy to understand, in depth information about asthma visit our ezGuide 2 Asthma

Home Remedies For Asthma Sufferers

2008-03-24T23:09:00.000-07:00

There are a number of home remedies for asthma - some more effective than others. There are many "old wives tales" that have been handed down over the years, and many of these are really not effective at all. The best home remedy for asthma is one that everyone with asthma should practice - environmental control.

By environmental control, we are talking about controlling things in your home that will help to avoid asthma attacks. Historically, asthma treatments have dealt with the symptoms of an attack, after the attack has already started. The only preventative measure that was offered for many years was "avoid exercising and getting short of breath".

Over the last several years, much more has been learned about the causes and effects of asthma and it's now realized that asthma doesn't just sit dormant waiting for a flare-up. It is more like diabetes - a chronic condition that can be affected by your lifestyle and environment.

Because certain things in your home can trigger as asthma attack, one of the primary keys to avoiding it is to control your home's environment. So forget about inhaling crushed garlic or drinking onion tea - try some of these home remedies that actually work:

1. Avoid smoking or letting anyone else smoke in your home. Cigarette smoke is one of the most common irritants that causes asthma attacks.

2. Don't burn fires in wood fireplaces or stoves - the smoke from the fire can also irritate.

3. Watch what you spray in the air. Things like air fresheners, perfumes and cleaning products can get into the lungs and trigger asthma attacks.

4. Keep your home as dust-free as possible. Dust mites are one of the most common irritants for asthma sufferers. And this doesn't just mean dusting regularly, it also means avoiding things that can cause dust to accumulate:

- Use polyester filled comforters and pillows
- Wash all bedding in HOT water (130 degrees plus) weekly
- Cover your mattresses and pillows with covers that are mite-proof
- Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter which traps dust mites and other allergens. Many vacuum cleaners simply blow them back out after picking them up.

5. Avoid mold build-up, again one of the most common asthma triggers:

- Wipe down the bathroom and laundry room with bleach weekly
- Avoid humidifiers as they can encourage mold growth
- Use a fan or improve the ventilation in bathrooms to decrease moisture

Jackson Sperry writes about asthma symptoms and other related topics on the Asthma Explained website. Read more at http://www.asthmaexplained.net

Alternative Asthma Medicine: Does It Work Or Not?

2008-03-24T04:16:00.001-07:00

Asthma can be an easy disease to live with, except for the sudden attacks that can occur. During these attacks, people who suffer from asthma can experience moments of breathlessness and sometimes tend to panic. In order to prevent the occurrence of such unpleasant moments, it is important that you follow your doctor's indications and always keep the inhaler with the necessary medication close to you. You can even try alternative asthma medicines: you will find them to be quite effective sometimes.

Those alternative remedies for asthma have the disadvantage that the FDA does not approve them and your regular doctor will certainly not prescribe them. Why? Because since these alternative medicines for asthma were not included in any medical research, they can affect our health in a negative manner, so being careful to what you try is the best advice we can give you.

The greatest disadvantage of alternative asthma remedies is that they are not applying to any person who suffers from asthma. Some of those persons respond well at this kind of treatment, while others do not respond at all or worse, they encounter disturbing secondary effects for their health.

It is said that the acupuncture can relieve the tension in the breathing of asthmatic persons. The people who have tried it say that it can work miracles on your breathing, making it easier. If you choose the acupuncture though, make sure you go at a professional practitioner, who can assure you with properly sterilized needles, in order to avoid infections of your skin.

Some other people tried hypnosis. It is a popular alternative remedy for asthma and it can be beneficial for a certain category of patients, while for others it might not be recommended.

You can also choose to go to have a chiropractic treatment. It involves a specific treatment, which includes the manipulation of the spinal chord, and trying to heal the body from the inside. For the daring ones, a modern laser treatment can bring an immediate relief. Some people don't think about possible scars or infections of the scars resulted from this particular treatment and proceed with the intervention. The laser will be used to diminish swallowed tissues and the instant relief can be satisfying, if we don't think at post-operator eventual complications.

Meditation combined with complicated physical positions of the body has proven their effectiveness in winning the battle with asthma. Yoga probationers say that if you practice those moves daily, you can observe real improvement of your health, and on a long term, it can even cure asthma with this popular and efficient kind of treatment.

But no remedy is a good one if you don't know and avoid the causing elements and allergens of asthma. If you are aware of the things that can cause you an asthma attack and avoid them as much as you can, you can live normally and enjoy every minute of your life without even feeling that you have a disease.

The effectiveness of alternative medicines for asthma is different from one person to another. It is influenced by how advanced the disease is, how well the person who has asthma supports the treatment and how long the alternative medicine for asthma lasts. That is why the best way to obtain the relief of your breath is the proper combination between these alternative methods and the medication prescribed by your doctor.

You can learn much more about Asthma Control by visiting the Asthma Symptom Site which provides comprehensive and up to date help and advice on all Asthma issues. Clive thoroughly recommends this site so make sure you check it out today here =>http://www.asthmasymptomonline.com

Fighting Asthma - Know Your Options And Treatments

2008-03-21T04:14:00.000-07:00

One of the most exciting times in a woman?s life is when she is expecting a baby. The mother goes through a lot of emotional and physical changes during this time in her life. Some of the physical changes are unexpected and uncomfortable. A woman can find herself sleepless, irritable and sick.

Having breathing problems on top of all of the other symptoms of pregnancy can really be a burden. Finding appropriate asthma treatments that can be administered during pregnancy can put the woman?s mind at ease. However, finding asthma treatments is not always so easy especially if you are pregnant.

Asthma is quite common in the United States and other countries around the world. Anyone who has suffered an asthma attack knows the symptoms. An exacerbation, or attack, involves coughing wheezing and the frightening feeling of being unable to get any air. Some describe an exacerbation as go down in air. Asthma treatments are developed to improve the symptoms associated with the attack.

Unfortunately, the developing baby in the womb takes in oxygen through his mother?s breathing. If the mother isn?t getting any air, neither is the fetus. The baby is dependant on the mother?s breathing to get the appropriate supply of oxygen he needs to survive. When a woman has an exacerbation, the baby is at risk for not getting enough oxygen. This can be very dangerous to the developing fetus.

Many women who used asthma treatments that involved medication before they became pregnant often stop the asthma treatments. Women with the breathing disorder are afraid that the medicine will have an difficult effect on the baby. However, it is best to consult a physician before quitting the medication completely.

Your doctor needs to know the details about your condition and he needs to know if you choose to quit asthma treatments. You could be putting the baby at greater risk by quitting the medication because a severe attack will do more harm to the fetus than the medicine can. The more severe the exacerbation, the more dangerous it is for the baby. suddenly stopping asthma treatments can do more harm than good.

John Wellington provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for health, fitness and other related information

10 Ways To Manage Asthma

2008-03-21T04:13:00.000-07:00

Your doctor can offer treatments and suggestions for managing asthma, but there are plenty of things you can do yourself as well. A doctor can prescribe medication to help, but prevention is really the best medicine.

Because asthma can be triggered by so many things, there are lots of ways you can decrease the chances of an attack. The following are 10 of the easiest ways:

1. Follow your doctor's orders. This kind of goes without saying, but do what your doctor tells you. Don't stop taking medication if you're feeling better, follow it according to the doctor's recommendations. If he has you taking daily peak flow measurements, make sure you follow those instructions carefully.

2. Quit smoking. Cigarette smoke is one of the most common triggers for asthma, so if you smoke, quit. This should be the case whether it's you that suffers from asthma or someone else in your household - second hand smoke is bad too.

3. Keep your house as dust-free as possible - dust is another one of the common triggers. Use a cylinder vacuum rather than an upright - preferably one that has a sealed canister to stop dust from escaping back into the air.

4. If possible, remove any carpets and heavy draperies from the house. They catch dust and are breeding grounds for dust mites. If they can't be removed, make sure they get vacuumed regularly (again with a cylinder vacuum).

5. Avoid down and feather pillows or comforters and cover your mattress with plastic. Pillows and mattresses can also harbor dust mites, as can stuffed animals and other "soft" items.

6. Use a scarf to cover your nose and mouth in colder weather. Cold air is another common trigger for asthma.

7. If allergens trigger your asthma, keep track of the outside air quality every day. Avoid fields and wooded areas during pollen season and take extra care on days when the air quality is particularly bad.

8. Mold is another common asthma trigger. Dry wet laundry right away and wash and disinfect showers and bathrooms regularly, to help minimize the chance of mold growth.

9. Pet dander is another common trigger for many people. If you have pets, be sure to keep them out of the bedroom and main living areas to minimize the exposure to dander.

10. Avoid any foods, drinks or other items that may cause allergic reactions.

Jackson Sperry writes about various forms of asthma relief and other related topics on the Asthma Explained website. Read more at http://www.asthmaexplained.net

Demystifying Asthma - Causes and Symptoms

2008-03-20T04:20:00.000-07:00

Asthma has become a very prevalent chronic disease these days. However, there is still a lot of misinformation and myth surrounding it. I'd like to take some time now to clear up some of the erroneous information that is circulating out there and help us all begin our study of asthma on the same page.

One question I keep running into is this: What does an asthma attack feel like? After doing a lot research and finding explanation after explanation I finally heard the perfect description. Asthma feels like a fish out of water. Now use your imagination a little and you'll be able to identify with both the terror and physical pain associated with asthma attacks.

Another fact that I have run into a lot while researching this topic is that no matter how long you have had asthma or how many asthma attacks you have had you never get used to the attacks. That is also a big issue to understand. Usually when you experience something over and over again you may not be able to stop it however you do become better at dealing with it.

Due to it's magnitude you probably know one or more people who have asthma today. Despite the new treatments that are out -- the incidence of asthma is growing. However there are still myths and misconceptions about this chronic disease. Let' begin by getting to the real information.

Asthma is now the most common chronic disease in children as it affects 1 in 15 of them today. A total of 5% of adults in North America have asthma as well. That works out to about 1 million in Canada and 15 million in the United States.

An asthma fact worth noting is there are about 5,000 deaths annually in the United States from asthma and about 500 deaths annually in Canada. Over the last 20 years the rate of new asthma sufferers has risen by 30%. Even with the new advances in treatment the deaths of young people from asthma has doubled.

Asthma affects breathing by narrowing the airways which interferes with the normal movement of air in and out of the lungs. Asthma only involves the bronchial tubes and not the air sacs or the lung tissue itself. The narrowing that is caused by asthma is caused by three factors: inflammation, bronchospasm and hyper-reactivity. The combination of these three things is what causes the difficulty in exhaling.

As a result the person with asthma has to forcefully push the air out of their lungs which then causes the wheezing sound. Some people with asthma begin to cough to try to expel the thick mucus plugs.

Asthma may be caused by many different triggers and each person can be triggered by a different substance. Once a person who is suffering with asthma discovers their own triggers they are better able to manage their condition and alleviate some of their attacks.

Another important asthma fact is that 80% of children and 50% of adults who have asthma also have allergies.

Remember today asthma is treatable especially if the individual can identify their own personal triggers. With this knowledge you can assist those you know with asthma to live a better life with less attacks.

Now with the most current information you can understand how this chronic disease can be truly be managed. From this point on you will have a better understanding of just what people you know or meet that have asthma are truly going through.

Owen Walcher is a freelance writer, writing helpful articles about topics such as Asthma. You can find an alternate version of this Asthma Triggers article here. asthma.helpfularticle.info

The Best Way To Deal With A Asthma Attack

2008-03-19T05:54:00.000-07:00

Asthma is a common lung disease that affects both children and adults. The disease causes the airways of the lungs to become narrowed or even blocked, making breathing very difficult. Close to 20 million Americans are affected by asthma.

Generally, asthma is divided into two categories, allergic and non-allergic. Allergic asthma or extrinsic asthma is triggered by an allergic reaction to something. The allergic reaction is partially treatable with the right medicine. Nearly 50% of Americans suffering from asthma have allergic asthma. Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and chest tightness. Triggers include dust mites, pollen, mold and other inhaled allergens.

Things like cold air, anxiety, stress and exercise bring on non-allergic or intrinsic asthma. Symptoms of non-allergic asthma are very similar to allergic asthma. Again, the airway is obstructed and inflammation occurs and is partially treatable. The immune system is not affected by non-allergic asthma.

There are many myths surrounding asthma. Therefore, it is important to know the facts about asthma. Asthma is not curable but rather treatable.

The first step in dealing with asthma attacks is to be properly diagnosed by a doctor. Once you have been formally diagnosed with asthma, your doctor will find a treatment regimen that works best for you.

Although there are hundreds of asthma medications on the market, there are two basic categories. There are controller medicines, ones that are used to manage the symptoms and quick relief medicines, ones that are used when an asthma attack occurs.

With a few simple steps, you can control your asthma. First, get away from what is triggering the asthma attack. Whether it is pollen, mold, dust mites or smoke, try to get away from it. Next, judge how severe the attack is. Sometimes you might be able to judge the attack solely on how you feel. But a more accurate assessment is to measure your exhales on a peak flow meter.

After you have assessed the severity of the attack, try to suppress the inflammation. You will need to treat the constricted muscles and the overproduction of mucus. For a severe attack, you may need a prescription steroid.

Be sure to know when to call for help. Asthma attacks that are severe can be very dangerous. If after taking the first few steps, you don't feel better, seek help from your doctor or call 911.

SUMMARY: There are many myths surrounding asthma. However, if you know the truth about asthma, it can help save your life and make living with it a lot easier.

Nigel Martin writes for Asthma Informer a website packed with advice about asthma

Five Ways To Lessen The Risk Of Asthma Exercise

2008-03-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

If you are an asthma sufferer and a fitness nut, then you'll realise that exercise can be a dangerous thing if you don't take the proper precautions. Being a little prudent before undertaking any form of exercise is vitally important and in most cases, depending on the severity of your asthma, undertaking exercise should only be considered under a doctor's advice.

By being a little vigilant, there is no reason why you cannot include exercise as part of your daily routine. Let's examine some steps you can perform during and after any strenuous activity.

Performing Safe Exercise

1. It doesn't matter what type of activity you undertake, if you are an asthma sufferer then a warm-up is vital. It's good practice to spend at least 10 minutes warming up so your body will gradually get attuned to the exercise to follow. Rushing in and working out without any warm-up could lead to a rush of adrenaline and shortness of breath.

2. Your exercise routine should also be performed slowly. Slowly means keeping your heart rate at a safe level. Monitoring your heart rate is advisable and keeping it to below 150 beats a minute will normally keep you in the safety zone. It's easy to become complacent during exercise and remember, exercise induced asthma will not usually surface until after your routine has been completed.

3. Using inhaled medication before you begin a routine can be helpful as this helps keep your airways open. I recently observed a professional footballer during a play-off game in Australia using his inhaler before the start of a match and during the half time break.

4. Swimming is considered an excellent asthma exercise. Slow laps of a pool will get you into a nice rhythm but again, doing a warm-up before diving into the water.

5. While warming up is important so is cooling down. There are a number of cooling down exercises you can perform this acts by moderating the air but more importantly, cooling your body down naturally.

Other Danger Signs

Heavily pollenated areas are not a good exercise option for sufferers. Add the prospect of a warm climate then extreme caution is needed. At the other end of the scale, cold air is a known trigger which should be avoided. In colder climates, exercising indoors is a preferred option but there are instances where breathing through a mask has proved effective.

Asthma sufferers in the main, should avoid extremely strenuous exercise. There are exceptions to the rule but in those instances, you'll find they are usually professional sportspersons or very close to it. Asthma can be fatal without proper management. Don't get hung up on the fact that asthma exercise can be a risk. Sure it's a risk but with proper management, it can be kept under control and there is no reason why exercise shouldn't be part of a sufferer's life.

Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster. Reviews and tips on minimizing asthma attack along with asthma news and views at:http://www.asthmainfoline.com

Allergies - Living With Asthma

2008-03-18T22:23:00.000-07:00

More and more children in developed countries suffer from asthma. In fact many doctors consider asthma to be a new epidemic. More than 10 million Americans suffer from asthma and most of them blame the condition on worsening environmental pollution and increased exposure to toxic chemicals in the air. Deaths from asthma continue to rise at an alarming rate largely because many people do not recognize the warning signs in time.

Asthma is a condition that causes the lung airways to swell, secrete thick mucus and eventually spasm. The swelling narrows the airways and makes breathing difficult and sometimes impossible. The first asthma attack can include wheezing (a sign that the airways are already constricted), congestion or pain in the chest, shortness of breath, dryness of mouth, coughing and a feverish feeling.

Almost anything can cause asthma. The most common triggers are an allergy, respiratory infection, emotional stress, strenuous exercise, or nutritional deficiency. Allergies tend to be the most common trigger off them all. Most asthma attacks follow exposure to environmental allergens like pesticides, pollen, cigarette smoke, natural gas odors and car exhaust. Foods that most likely trigger asthma are chocolate, peanuts, corn and dairy products. Waxes, artificial smoke, emulsifiers, thickeners, sulfites and artificial sweeteners in food are also more subtle asthma triggers. Asthma is also prompted by taking tranquilizers, hormones, or antibiotics.

You can take a number of vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements to help treat asthma. Vitamin B complex is probably the most important supplement to take. It is necessary for maintaining biochemical balance in the body and can reduce the frequency and severity of an asthma attack. Vitamins A and E worked together to protect lungs against air pollution. A large dose of vitamin C, preferably 500 mg three times daily, is effective in preventing exercise-induced asthma attacks. Gingko biloba enhances breathing and lessens sensitive bronchial reactivity. 400 mg of magnesium taken daily helps the lung muscles relax. Omega-3 can improve breathing, while selenium protects against free radical damage inside the lungs. Odorless garlic is a strong anti-inflammatory agent that can reduce the possibility of an attack. And Indian herb called tylophora asthmatica is frequently used in Ayurvedic medicine that blocks the release of histamines and other inflammatories. Licorice root taken three times a day also loosens phlegm once an attack has begun.

If you suspect that you have asthma, go to your physician and asked to be tested for food and environmental allergies as soon as possible. Avoid allergens known to trigger asthma attacks and eat a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that includes plenty of vegetables and fresh fruits. Try to avoid sugar, artificial sweeteners and other refined carbohydrates. Try to eat five or six small meals throughout the day rather than three traditional large meals. Make sure you warm up slowly before beginning all physical exercise. Minimize stress and avoid situations that trigger emotional disturbance. Use aspirin sparingly if you must. It would even be better if you would eliminate aspirin entirely from your regular medication because aspirin has been shown to trigger asthma attacks. Your physician will prescribe a bronchodilator that you can bring around in case you have a sudden asthma attack. If you don't have it with you while you have an attack, drink two cups of coffee quickly. Coffee acts in the same way and usually provides enough protection for you to go to the nearest hospital for treatment.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Allergies

The Rise of Allergies and Asthma

2008-03-13T04:55:00.000-07:00

It is estimated that over half of Americans between the ages of 6 and 59 would test positive to one or more allergens. It is believed about one quarter of these people would be allergic to dust mites, ragweed or cockroaches. Surveys have shown that about ten million Americans are allergic to cats. Two million are allergic to insect stings. According to The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic (i.e. long-term) disease.

The problem is not confined to the U.S. It is estimated that between forty and fifty per cent of children in North America, Western Europe and Australia have some form of allergy. Why is this a problem if you have asthma? The World Health Organization believes 90 per cent of asthma attacks are triggered by allergic reactions.

An allergy starts with the body?s increased sensitivity to something it perceives as a threat. The immune system overreacts to an allergen that for others is an innocent, harmless substance. We don?t know why some people become sensitized to an allergen and others do not, but it is believed that people inherit a tendency for allergies, although not to a specific substance.

Some experts believe the sensitivity is related to a child?s environment and lifestyle. They point to the increasing sales of antibacterial sprays and other cleaning agents. Today?s homes are generally cleaner. Children spend more time in the home and less time playing outside in the dirt. Consequently they are less exposed to potential allergens and denied the chance to develop immunity. This is believed to lead to allergic sensitization.

Studies have shown that children in a large family or who attend a daycare center are less likely to develop allergies. It has also been found that children who share their home with dogs and cats have less allergic reactions than those raised in a pet free household.

Pollen is a common allergy and asthma trigger. When these tiny particles enter the airways of someone sensitive to their presence proteins on the surface of the pollen and an enzyme also carried by the pollen cause an overreaction. The protein triggers the immune system and the enzyme interacts with the cells of the airways. This inflames the respiratory passages and leads to breathing difficulties.

Understanding this process may lead to new, more effective medications, but what can you do in the meantime? Firstly know the pollen count for your area. However be aware that the pollen count is usually taken the day before it is broadcast. It can be reduced by rain or cool weather, and increased by hot weather or short thunderstorms.

There are some easy preventative actions you can take for each type of allergy. If you have an allergic reaction during yard work and in damp places dispose of anything that smells moldy; if pets start a reaction regularly wash pets and their bedding; many allergies will improve if you do not smoke, especially at home and around your children.

If you find you have a food allergy vigilance is the best prescription. Today you can encounter food substances in the most unexpected places. There was a classic school experiment that involved burning a peanut and measuring how much energy it gave out. Now pupils burn another type of food. Some pupils discovered they were allergic to peanuts the hard way as the oils in the nut gave off fumes.

Now there is another food to treat with caution. Sesame seed allergy is one of the fastest growing allergies in the world. And don?t think you will only find the seed resting atop a bun. They are used in salad dressings, ethnic foods, baked goods and even soap.

So what can you do if you suspect you have an allergy or you may be asthmatic? First, become educated about the condition. Experts agree that knowledge is the best prescription.

Do some research. Consult your doctor. They may recommend tests to determine any allergies you have. If an allergy or asthma is identified there are medications, precautions and complementary therapies you can use to control your condition.

Above all do not believe that a diagnosis of allergy or asthma means you have to live a less active, enjoyable life. Our understanding of these conditions is incomplete, but we know enough to allow sufferers to take control.

David Kane is the author of ?Stop Asthma Now? and is giving away copies of his ?Guide to Allergy and Asthma Relief?. To get your copy visit the Stop Asthma Now - Asthma Relief eBook site while the offer lasts.

Asthma Attack - Learn About What Happens When It Occurs

2008-03-13T04:54:00.000-07:00

When asthma strikes, it is usually due to a constriction in the air passageways, which disallows a person to breathe normally and even produce a wheezing sound in severe cases. The main factors that cause the airways to become narrowed and blocked during an asthma attack include a constriction of the muscles surrounding the air tubes, an inflammation and swelling of the lining of the air tubes, and an increase in mucus production, which clogs the air tubes.

Twitchy Airways

The air tube is made up of several layers. On the outside of the air tube there is muscle which, by tightening and relaxing, controls the size of the opening of the air tube (the space through which air must pass). The muscle works by reflex, and is guided by the same portions of the nervous system that control reflexes, like involuntary blinking.

We have little conscious control over the tightening and relaxing of these muscles. Everyone's airways have the potential for constricting in response to irritant, such as cigarette smoke, perfume, or newsprint. In the asthma patient the airways are overreactive and have been described as 'twitchy'.

The overreactive asthma airway responds not just to allergens (like cat dander and ragweed) but also to other factors, like viral infections, barometric pressure changes, exercise, and cold air. During an asthma attack, the muscles surrounding the airways tighten, causing airway narrowing.

Asthma is not a problem limited to muscular constriction of the airways. An equally important problem is the inflammation of the lining of the airways. Inflammation can be understood by describing what happens when you scrape your knee. The scraped area becomes swollen and oozes with a fluid that contains many kinds of cells, some of which help to fight infection.

However, this fluid also contributes to the swelling. In asthma, the innermost lining of the airways is filled with cells and fluid that, as with the scraped knee, are a product of the inflammatory response. These cells and the associated swelling contribute to the obstruction of the airways in asthma attacks. Steroids, the medication most often utilized for difficult to manage flares of asthma, help to reduce inflammation in the airways.

Mucus Plugs

Mucus, which normally lubricates the airways to allow air to flow smoothly, increases in amount during asthma attacks and serves as a sticky plug to clog the airways, especially the smaller ones. All asthma patients are aware of the sensation of trying to cough up mucus. Often, they feel that if they could clear their airways by coughing up a sufficient amount of mucus, their asthma symptoms would subside.

But frequently there is so much mucus that even if one mucus plug is brought up, the same sensation and symptoms persists. It is important to seek your doctor's advice early on if you are unable to clear mucus plugging your airways, since neglected mucus plugging often prolongs asthma attacks.

In addition, when the plugs are allowed to linger they can become a source of infection. For this reason, an antibiotic is often prescribed for patients who are slow to respond to treatment during an asthma attack.

Asthma attacks at varying time intervals. The attacks can be as brief as several minutes or as lengthy as hours or days. Between attacks, there may be symptom-free intervals when it is impossible to tell an asthma patient from someone who does not have it.

A breathing test called spitometry, which is used to determine whether a person has asthma, may be normal in an asthma patient during an asthma-free attack. Nevertheless, spirometry is an important clue for determining whether a patient has asthma and should be part of the doctor's evaluation.

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Symptoms of Asthma - Learn How To Read The Signs Before The Unexpected Happens

2008-03-12T04:50:00.001-07:00

An asthmatic attack is one of the most striking medical emergencies. In an asthmatic attack, there is contstriction or a tightening or the bronchial wall muscle, and a secretion of mucus, often with plugging of small air tubes, as well as inflammation and swelling of the bronchial lining. The frequency, duration and severity of the asthmatic attack and its symptoms vary markedly from patient to patient.

Symptoms and Signs of An Asthma Attack

Although there are differences from patient to patient, the asthma attack is typically characterized by shortness of breath and wheezing. Cough and mucus production may be prominent symptoms.

In some patients, wheezing may not occur and a cough may be the dominant symptom. The patient demonstrates a rapid rate of breathing, often with heaving of the chest and use of neck muscles to assist each breath. During an attack, the patient is totally disabled. Even speech may be impossible due to severe breathlessness.

The patient may be totally consumed by the effort to breathe and become unable to eat or dress. The patient is often restless and unable to lie flat. Severe attacks can also end in exhaustion, with ominous slowing of the respiratory rate and arrest of breathing.

Depending on the severity of the patient's disease, the attack may be totally or partially reversible, allowing the patient to assume normal activities between episodes. Patients with severe asthma, however, may remain to some degree symptomatic at all times.

It should be noted that the degree of wheezing can be misleading. The severity of the asthmatic attack and its symptoms should never be judged on this basis alone. Some patients who are capable of moving large amounts of air may produce more turbulence and audible wheezing than others who are so severly obstructed that their breaths are shallow and incapable of producing much sound.

Reading Asthma Symptoms

In bronchial asthma, it is extremely important to recognize the presence of an attack before it become severe and requires emergency measures. Each patient should have a means of assessing the degree of the asthma symptom that is present from day to day. In this manner, severe episodes and often the use of oral or injectable corticosteroids necessary for such emergencies can be avoided.

As an extension of this home monitoring, the patient should also be instructed how to respond to the presence of increased asthma symptoms. In this way, a contingency plan can be in place and ready before severe attacks happen.

There are basically three elements to defining asthma. First is airway obstruction, which is characterized by the n arrowing of airways: air can no longer flow smoothly through the bronchial tubes. Since these tubes can dilate or open in asthma, this obstruction is called reversible, an important aspect of the definition since it may distinguish asthma from other broncial illnesses.

The second element in defining asthma is the presence of inflammation; the red, swollen appearance of the inside of the bronchial tubes. This characteristic of asthma has received a great deal of attention recently and has become the focus of much of the asthma therapy. The inflammation is present in the lining of the bronchial tubes, which can be examined by inserting into them a lighted scope called a bronchoscope.

The third asthma symptom is increased responsiveness or hyperirritability of the bronchial tubes and their tendency to overreact and narrow. The term twitchy has also been used in this regard. This irritability is often demonstrated the sudden, severe attacks patients can experience when exposed to substances, such as pollen, animal dander, dust and fumes. This forms the basis for bronchial provocation or challenge testing that is used by physicians to diagnose asthma in patients whose illnesses do not fit easily into the other symptoms.

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Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and it is not to be construed as medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, please coordinate with a medical professional.

**Attention Ezine Editors and Website Owners ** This article may be republished as long as it includes the resource box, links are kept intact, and is left unchanged.

Asthma Important Characteristics

2008-03-11T04:11:00.000-07:00

Once the asthma attack starts the lack of air and shortness of breath the asthma sufferer feels must be one of the worst experiences someone can experiment, as oxygen is our vital lifeline that keeps the body functioning. The lack of this vital gas in our body, even for short periods of time can have devastating consequences. The lack of oxygen affects the brain in just a few minutes and a continuos lack of this gas can cause an irreversible damage in the brain after just five minutes. An asthma attack is similar to living on the edge constantly, with just the minimum amount of oxygen needed to survive.

Asthma is an extended disease that affects the respiratory system of the individual, in which the airways constrict, become inflamed, and there are excessive amounts of mucus, often in response to a number of "triggers," for example, exposure to an environmental allergen, cold air, exercise, or even emotional stress. In children, the most common triggers are viral illnesses such as those that cause the common cold. This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing, which fortunately respond to substances known as bronchodilators. Though this condition may become chronic, between episodes, most patients feel in good shape.

As mentioned above, this disorder is a chronic or recurring inflammatory condition in which the airways develop increased responsiveness to various stimuli, characterized by bronchial hyper-responsiveness, increased mucus production, inflammation, and intermittent airway obstruction. The symptoms of asthma have different degrees of gravity and can range from mild to even life threatening symptoms in the worst conditions, thankfully these symptoms can usually be controlled with a combination of drugs and some environmental changes.

It is important to notice that most public health systems in the developed world have recently focused on asthma because there has been a rapidly increasing prevalence among the population, affecting up to one in four urban children. Susceptibility to asthma doesn?t depend only on the environment but it can also be explained in part by genetic factors, though no clear pattern of inheritance has been found.

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Living With Asthma

2008-03-11T04:10:00.000-07:00

I began having asthma symptoms at the age of three. My mom had a cat and we soon found out the hard way that I was extremely allergic. Thirty years ago asthma medication was still basically in its infant stage and I had a really hard time growing up with asthma. I spent many a holiday in the emergency room because one of my relatives always had a cat or because just the excitement of the day would cause me to have problems breathing and there we would be most of the night with me holding onto the breathing tube.

What is asthma and what is it like? I've run into many, many people that just didn't understand what I was going through. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia on the internet describes asthma as a disease of the human respiratory system where the airways narrow, often in response to a "trigger" such as exposure to an allergen, cold air, exercise, or emotional stress. You know those little straws given with coctails? You know you can still drink through them but the holes are very small? Now imagine breathing through one of those. That's not too bad, is it? Now imagine covering that tiny hole with a cotton ball and still trying to breathe through the other end. Do this for at least 20 minutes to get the full effect. Now you have an idea of what asthma is really like.

I?ve always hated having to take medicine to control my asthma. When I was young I had to take this awful liquid stuff whenever I felt an attack coming on. It smelled like liquorices but it certainly didn?t taste like that. To this day I can?t stand the smell of liquorices; it just makes me shutter. That medicine always made me feel so sick. I would always get the shakes the next day and it made me so tired. By the time I got to my teens, I was on to inhalers. Those were so much better to deal with, at least the taste wasn't so bad, but they didn?t always do the trick. I started with the over the counter ones and everyone warned me about the many side effects associated with them. I mean who wants to be thinking about the possibility of having a heart attack at the age of 14? Not to mention that these, too would give me the shakes and tremors.

Cats have always been my worst enemy. Why did all of my really, really good friends always have cats as pets? Sleepovers were always a trial and error sort of thing. Sometimes I could sleep all night and others I spent the whole night sucking on that inhaler and hoping for a little breath. I?m terrible with medicine. I really am. Having to remember to take my medication every day is not something I?m really good at. But my asthma would always remind me. Go a day or two and sure enough I was short of breath by the end of the day. I rarely slept through the night without having to reach for my instant relief inhaler.

So for approximately 30 years, this was my life. This past year I personally discovered hypnosis and meditation. I?ve been intrigued by these before but I finally decided to give them a try. So I started with a healing self hypnosis CD I had found on the internet. I did this hypnosis tape for about a week. I didn?t notice it at first but suddenly, probably about a week and a half later I realized that I hadn?t needed my inhaler. I also noticed that my depression, which I had suffered from for over 18 years, was not weighing me down either. I could breathe. I felt happy, really happy.

I do this tape periodically now but I also practice daily meditation. I love to meditate. It is so relaxing and refreshing to begin my day with about 20 minutes of meditation. I love my new life. I sure wish I would?ve done this sooner. It's been more than three months now, I have been completely asthma free and I haven?t touched an inhaler once. Even when I caught a cold, which normally would activate my asthma, I was absolutely fine. There are literally thousands of meditation and hypnosis tapes for any ailment that you may have. Hypnosis and meditation; it certainly turned my life around for the better.

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Even for Asthma, Yoga can be Helpful

2008-03-10T05:09:00.000-07:00

Yoga has been labeled as a therapeutic near-panacea for a plethora of human ailments and incidentally, even asthma victims and patients may be able to receive immense benefits from this ancient exercise.

Based on my experiences, one helpful exercise for alleviating Asthma symptoms and dealing with its many inconveniences is Yoga.

Taking into consideration its gentle poses and stretches and the deep breathing involved in Yoga, certain poses-when used correctly-can be very helpful for smoothening the chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes (airways) that causes swelling and narrowing (constriction) of the airways as is the case in Asthma patients.

In addition to the benefit above, it must be mentioned that when using yoga in a natural asthma control regimen, one need not worry about the common exercise-induced asthma attacks that may come as a result of vigorous activity as these poses are very calm and involve very little motion.

Based on my research, experience and practice, the following poses will definitely be stand-outs in aiding asthma victims in controlling and correcting their respiratory health.

-The Shoulder-Stand

This pose belongs to the category known as inversion poses. Being that a practitioner is literally upside-down, inversion poses in yoga drain excess mucus from the lungs and balance the immune system.

The Shoulder-stand (aka Savangasana :All members Pose) has been coined by several Yoga sages as a near panacea or cure-all, as far as Asthma is concerned, it is indeed very helpful in regards to relieving excess encumbrances in the respiratory organs and owing to its deep breathing, it increases the lung?s airflow, capacity, stamina and efficiency.

The Shoulder-stand pose has 2 main counter-poses: the Bridge and the Fish Poses. They are indeed very simple to execute and as a matter of fact, the very last pose (the fish pose) is one of the specific poses mentioned by Sri Swami Devananda and IBS Iyengar (two of the most authoritative figures in modern day yoga) as being specifically useful for removing spasms from the bronchial tubes and thus relieving Asthma.

Now, let?s discuss the breathing exercises associated with Yoga. In addition to these poses, let me briefly mention the ?Bellow?s breath exercise? (a yoga breathing exercise) as this helps tremendously.

The Bellow?s Breath Exercise (aka Kapalabathi) involves purposely pumping the stomach in an inward motion and exhaling through the nose simultaneously in controlled movements. This removes spasms and tones up the respiratory system significantly.

In addition to all of this, one commonly overlooked factor in using Yoga is this; Yoga calls for a specific consumption of foods that make up its associated Sattvic Diet or Yogic diet.

Coincidentally, this diet excludes all processed, packaged or animal foods and is mostly (if not all the way) vegetarian.

For asthma problems, you may want to strongly consider this as giving up all processed foods and animal products such as meat, milk, eggs and the like from your diet is a must and a fact that has been in effect in several programs aimed at correcting respiratory health such as the "Breath Retaining Program For Asthmatics" developed by the Russian, Dr. Buteyko.

Within weeks of adhering to this advice, many a chronic asthmatic has been able to give up the use of ventolin inhalers.

So if you are looking for therapeutic drug-free methods of Asthma control naturally and effectively, you will do well to look into Yoga. It won?t hurt and could possibly help out a lot.

Here?s to free breathing?

Foras.

(Special Note) The responsibility of your use of any suggestions or procedures lies not with the author, publisher or any other party affiliated with this program. This information is not intended as medical advice

Foras Aje is an independent researcher and co-founder of BodyHealthSoul LLC. Stop by His Website today for more on Healthy Living Tips and information on Asthma Treatment

8 Nutritional Supplements You Can Use For Your Asthma While Visiting Your Supermarket

2008-03-08T03:04:00.000-08:00

Do you know that asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition? You improve it with a suitable and effective nutritional health complements.

Asthma difficulties can cause inflammation in the airways until they eventually become permanently damaged, which makes the tissues in the airways extremely vulnerable to further inflammation. And there we have the vicious cycle which is asthma.

We know that keeping the air clean is one very important precautionary in minimizing the inflammation, but this is becoming increasingly difficult due to today's indoor air quality problems, which are at an all time high. Fortunately, a well thought-out nutritional plan can also help reduce inflammation, and therefore reducing asthma problems.

A strategic nutritional plan is especially crucial when you consider that asthmatics are more likely to be afflicted by certain nutrient deficiencies as a result of asthma medications and the stress associated with this condition. Most importantly though, there are certain nutrients that offer specific benefits for those with asthma, such as natural anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, and anti-histaminic.

A good nutritional plan with specific benefits for asthma sufferers is very important to them especially we need to consume 1kg of food every day.

1) Antioxidants Why: They defend against free radicals, which cause irritation and inflammation (common for asthmatics) Where are the sourcess: Plenty of fruits and vegetables are better than vitamin pills. An apple a day keep asthma away.

2) Fish Oil (avoid if fish allergies are suspected) Why: Anti-inflammatory Where are the sources: Having fish twice a week or fish oil concentrate (capsules) are your best sources. Consume cod liver oil is another source.

3) Magnesium Why: Asthmatics are chronically deficient of it. Helps to relax the bronchial tubes and smooth the esophagus muscle. Where are the sources: Milk and other dairy products, whole grains, nuts, legumes, leafy green vegetables.

4) Multivitamins with B complex (especially Vitamins B6 & B12) Why: Asthmatics are typically deficient of these according to Nutritional Medicine. Where are the sources: Multivitamin supplements, especially those strong in B6 & B12.

5) Vegetables that contain folic acid Why: Asthmatics typically deficient. Where are the sources: Dried beans, peas, lentils, oranges, whole-wheat foods, liver asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and spinach.

6) N-acetylcysteine Why: Antioxidant that thins the bronchial mucus. Where are the sources: Forms of amino acid that is well-absorbed or using amino acid supplements.

7) Vegetables that contain Vitamin B5 Why: Helps to form antibodies. Where are the sources: Eggs, fish, milk and other dairy, whole-grain cereals, white/sweet potatoes, lean beef, legumes, yeast, broccoli, capsules, and shitake mushrooms (Japanese/Chinese delicatessen)

8) Quercetin Why: It is a natural anti-histamine according to the US Department of Agriculture. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory. Where are the sources: It is a plant extract or consuming vegetable food supplements.

So by consuming these top 8 alternative health complements for your asthma problem, you will free yourself the agony of having asthma again. You should never add to, or alter any component of your current asthma treatment without first consulting your physician.

There are many cases that, asthmatics sometimes tend to forget to consume these health complements, even though there are many health complements to be found in supermarket. By consuming this supplements in conjunction with your normal diet, you may have an asthma free life. No matter how complete is your diet, without a proper asthma management system, there will not be much asthma free lifestyle to hope for.

Consume your health complements complete together with a system, you can enjoy your asthma free life once again.

Eddy K. Elton is the author of a 7-day Asthma Recovery System, "How to Quickly & Effectively Treat Your Asthma Condition". Drop by at Asthma Recovery System Center for your free copy.

Top 3 Reasons How Asthma Was Caused

2008-03-08T02:57:00.000-08:00

With more than 15 million in the USA suffering from asthma, it is rather important to know what causes asthma. Many asthmatics till now still does not know what actually cause asthma.

What is the Cause of Asthma?

Reason #1 - Allergic Rhinitis

The cause of asthma is also known as a trigger and one trigger is rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis is excessive discharge of mucus glands in the nose, congestion of the veins in the nasal cavity that can cause blockage of nasal airflow and cause irritation of the sensory nerves in the nose and throat.

These symptoms usually occur when airborne allergens are inhaled and are usually harmless until the immune system reacts by making antibodies. These antibodies stick to the surface of special cells called mast cells and release pro-inflammatory substances including histamines which are a cause of asthma.

These changes in the body cause an obstruction to airflow in and out of the lungs and during breathing these obstructions will increase and cause a wheezing and trapping of the air in the chest.

Reason #2 - Heredity Cause

Heredity is a big cause of asthma in children. The tendency to become allergic is inherited and is controlled by genes that only influence the production of an antibody called IgE. However, you will only develop an allergic inherited allergy if exposed to those certain inherited genes, if you are never exposed you will never develop a cause of asthma.

Reason #3 - Bronchial Irritability

Bronchial irritability is the basic cause of asthma problems. The inflammation of the bronchial walls causes loss of protective cells from mucosa therefore exposing sensitive nerve endings to the affected area. This is probably a direct result of genetics.

Other Causes

Besides the top 3 reasons, there still other thing we should know that bring on an asthma attack. Dogs and cats cause asthma attacks in some people. Tobacco smoke, cold air, exercises and even laughing can cause attacks.

Exposure to certain things in your work environment is another cause of asthma in adults who never suffered a day in their life from asthma suddenly develops asthma.

There are many medical things that can be a cause of asthma but there are things that an asthmatic must avoid. For example, dogs and cats can cause an attack in some people.

Tobacco smoke, and not just cigarettes, but cigars and pipes as well will cause attacks. The cold air can be a cause of asthma. When someone gets anxious it can cause them to start breathing irregularly which will bring on an attack. It is hard to say for certain, however, what the cause is and hard to diagnose a cure.

Even though you may know the top 3 reasons what causes asthma internally and externally. However, will all these information will of no use to no action is being taken. Having the knowledge is not power, applying the knowledge is true power to free yourself the agony of having asthma again. You should never add to, or alter any component of your current asthma treatment without first consulting your physician.

However, many asthmatics sometimes tend to forget that even though they may know the reasons of how asthma was caused, but this is not adequate, they should be be conscious and aware that in order to have an asthma-free lifestyle, a proper and yet effective asthma recovery system is necessary. Even without a proper asthma management system, there will not be much asthma free lifestyle to hope for.

Applying the knowledge of knowing of what causes asthma together with an effective system - enjoy your life once again.

Eddy Kong WW is the author of a 7-day Asthma Recovery System, "How to Quickly & Effectively Treat Your Asthma Condition". Drop by at Asthma Treatment for your free copy. Also do visit his Asthma Blog

Do You Want To Know 5 Little-Known Facts On Asthma Prevention

2008-03-06T03:53:00.001-08:00

Many people around the world are constantly seeking ways to prevent asthma. In fact, there are many ways to prevent, but I have laid down 5 little known facts on how to prevent asthma to the max.

Here are the facts:

Fact #1 Within the United States of America, there are over 17 million people suffering from asthma, with more than 75 million people in the USA who suffer from allergies, sinusitis and asthma want a cure. This asthma disease has leads to 5,000 deaths every year.

Fact #2 Asthma is a serious lung ailment leading to an allergic inflammation of the lungs.

Fact #3 Asthma attacks are generally triggered by dust mites, pollens, molds, animal fur, air pollution such as smog and smoke, breathable chemicals, vigorous exercise, sudden temperature changes or indigestion of food.

Fact #4 Looking at these facts, it can be consideration of parents to make sure that their children or even adult themselves do not get exposed to these triggering factors for asthma prevention.

Medical researchers agree that it is most essential that parents should prevent their children from developing asthma in the first place.

Fact #5 And this could only be done by eliminating and reducing the most important factors from above-namely dust mites, animal or soft toy furs or any other asthma triggering elements from home.

5 Top Simple Tips For Asthma Prevention

1) As discussed above, avoidance of triggers such as dust mite allergens at early childhood can help asthma prevention. Researches have shown that eliminating these factors, which cause the allergic inflammation at the first place, can help reduce coughs and other dust-related health problems as well. This can be done through keeping the relative humidity and temperature of the home at the correct level, having proper ventilation and air cleaning system, and cleaning the whole house regularly, especially fabricated areas which are prone to dust mites.

2) Besides dust mites, parents also should avoid having cats, dogs, cockroaches and other pests for asthma prevention or certain type of moulds, tobacco, or cigarette smoke. Smoke is another big factor which brings about asthma due to the contents of the tobacco smoke which can cause inflammation in the lungs and other respiratory parts such as the bronchus. If your child is already having asthma or allergies, taking these measures will help to reduce the number of asthma attacks.

3) Parents should avoid having chemicals such as benzyl benzoate, phenyl salicylate, common household disinfectants and other insect growth regulators. In fact, these chemicals are used to kill dust mites and asthma prevention but when used out of control and exposed to air too long they can cause asthma too.

4) Having discussed of external preventions, let's move on to internal prevention. A child, from birth, should be given sufficient breast milk and other nutritious food such as Omega-3 fatty acids, and oily fishes for asthma prevention as well.

5) For working adults on the other hand, if you think you body is weak and vulnerable to getting an asthma infection, avoid working at places where there are wood dust, baking flour, animal fur and skin cells, fumigants, dyes, perfumes and deodorants and fresheners, car exhaust fume, chemicals, dust, gases and paint fumes. If you happen to work at such places by having no other choice, make sure there is proper ventilation and don't forget to wear mask or respirator.

So, now you know the 5 simple facts and 5 simple tips on asthma prevention. With all the information available of no use, action is power when applying knowledge which will then free yourself the agony of having asthma again. You should never add to, or alter any component of your current asthma treatment without first consulting your physician.

However, many asthmatics sometimes tend to forget that even though there may be many methods to asthma prevention around in order to have an asthma free life. Without a proper asthma management system, there will not be much asthma free lifestyle to hope for.

Applying these facts and tips together with a system - enjoy your life once again.

Eddy Kong WW is the author of a 7-day Asthma Recovery System, "How to Quickly & Effectively Treat Your Asthma Condition". Drop by at Asthma Treatment for your free copy. Also do visit his Asthma Blog

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Allergy And Asthma?

2008-03-05T04:24:00.000-08:00

There are over fifty million Americans who suffer from allergies each year. The range of severity varies from allergies that threaten your life to seasonal ones like hay fever that may be combated with drugs purchased at the pharmacy. If allergies are seriously affecting your life, make sure you go to your doctor for a thorough check up and allergy testing.

An allergic reaction occurs when the body responds to a substance such as mold, pollen or dust which are normally deemed harmless. The immune system releases antibodies that may attack different parts of the body. It can go for the nose, the sinuses, the throat, the stomach or lungs. This attack causes symptoms such as stuffiness and itching and sneezing in the nose, and irritations in other areas such as the mouth and ears.

You may end up with tingling, red, watering eyes or conjunctivitis. Your skin can become dry and red and irritated or welts may appear. For example, asthma is an allergic reaction and the result of an attack is coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath.

There are many materials that may cause an allergic reaction but the ones that affect most allergy sufferers readily, are easily found like cockroaches and their feces; bee stings or other insect bites (which can be deadly); household cleaning products and any other industrial cleaners; foodstuffs such as peanut butter (which can also be fatal); and feathers, if you have a bird or if you sleep with a feather pillow.

Allergies affect all types of people no matter what sex, race or age. It can run in families. They tend to affect the youth more but a person who has had an allergy before may suffer an onslaught, years after it disappears. The allergies can gradually form through changes in the environment; through diet and stress; hormonal changes or even perfume.

The tests of a possible allergy are fairly simple. The first is a blood test, where the specific allergy is measured in relation to the level of antibodies. The other test is a patch test where, a small patch of skin is infected with a known allergy. If a rash or welt appears, then it is considered evidence of a reaction.

The treatment depends on your medical history, your age and your health. It also depends on how bad your case is, your tolerance level and your own personal preferences. Sometimes, it may just be a matter of keeping your home dust and mold free.

For food allergies, obviously, the diet must be considered. You must have an awareness of which food items affect you. There are some treatments, for example lactose intolerant people can get over the counter drugs that reduce the symptoms and allow them to eat milk products without worry.

But food allergies such as a reaction to peanuts can be fatal and must be avoided. Every meal eaten must be checked for peanuts or peanut oil. Most foodstuffs put warnings on their wrappers.

Allergies are inconvenient fact in many people?s lives but it can be managed if they are tested and have the information to avoid a reaction.

Karina Jacobsen is a staff writer at Wellness Digest and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including Alternative Health Advisor

Methods To Treat Asthma In Adults And Children

2008-03-05T04:22:00.000-08:00

Asthma is a very serious condition affecting both children and adults. The effects of an Asthma attack are disabling if your doctor doesn?t know about your condition, leaving you improperly cared for. Though treatments for Asthma are much more advanced than they were years ago, more than half a million people every year, are in need of in-patient care while nearly four thousand ultimately die. How your doctor or specialist chooses to treat your asthma is based on your age and how severe your Asthma is.

It?s possible to pass Asthma on to a child through heredity, but more likely asthma is caused by your environment. An Asthma attacks happens when allergens infiltrate your respiratory system causing your bronchiole airway to constrict which leads to over production of mucous. It?s also possible to bring on an Asthma attack by merely laughing. There are plenty of warning signs to indicate an Asthma attack is brewing.

If you have a history of Asthma or suspect you or someone you know might, watch for signs such as: Coughing (sometimes so severe it wakes you from sleep), wheezing, tightness in the chest and the feeling of not being able to catch your breath. If you experience these symptoms its imperative you seek medical attention immediately.

If you have mild or intermittent Asthma, your doctor may suggest the use of over-the-counter medication such as a bronchodilator. More severe Asthma may require the use of a prescription medication or an inhaler containing corticosteroids, as treatment. Prescription medications used to treat Asthma contain active ingredients used to decrease the inflammation in the lungs and sensitivity to allergens. A bronchodilator is prescribed and used for immediate relief of Asthma symptoms but has no long lasting effects.

It?s possible your doctor will choose to use a combination of treatments to relieve your Asthma symptoms and attacks. An ever popular and effective treatment for Asthma caused by allergies in children and adults is Immunotherapy. This method works by building antibodies in the system to the allergens that set off the attacks by exposing the Asthmatic to ever increasing doses of said allergen. Eventually, the allergy is resolved and with it, hopefully, the Asthma attacks.This article in no way should be taken as medical advice.

As with any medical condition, its important to speak with your doctor for the best course of action and prevention. If you are currently under your doctors care for Asthma, and feel your symptoms are not improving, speak with him/her about alternate forms of treatment. If short term inhalers are being used often, this is a good indication your Asthma is not effectively being controlled.

Ask your doctor about physical exercise, how much is too much and if there are certain activities you should avoid or limit. Breathing should not be a chore, tell your doctor today if you suspect that you or someoneyou love may e suffering from Asthma.

Karina Jacobsen is a staff writer at Wellness Digest and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including Alternative Health Advisor.

Exercise And Asthma

2008-03-04T04:19:00.000-08:00

Exercise And Asthma

If you suffer from asthma, you probably think that you can't exercise properly or safely. Contrary to what many think of this subject, there are ways that you can get in shape and exercise, even if you suffer from asthma.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that is marked by characteristics such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Asthma tends to occur with people who are genetically or environmentally presdisposed to the condition.

Some of the triggers that may start or make an attack worse include exposure to allergens, viral respiratory infections, airway irritants, exercise, and exposure to things such as dust mites or cockroaches.

You can prevent asthma attacks by doing the following: 1. Bathe your pets weekly. 2. Don't smoke or permit smoking in your home. 3. When mold or pollent counts are high, you should stay inside with air conditioning. 4. Wash your bedding and any stuffed toys at least once per week in hot water. 5. Wash your hands every chance you get. 6. Get a flu shot. 7. Wear a scarf over your mouth and nose in the winter months. 8. Be proactive and know your triggers and how you should avoid them.

Now that you know what you know about asthma, you may be wondering where exercise fits in. As most doctors will tell you, you shouldn't give up on sports or exercise at all. You just have to be smart about how you play and take special pre cautions to avoid attacks.

Almost all doctors agree that the best way to prevent attacks during exercise is to keep your inhaler and medication close by. You should never use the inhaler more than 3 times during a game or exercise session. If you are up the previous night with coughing and wheezing, it's always best to go light with your exercise the next day.

For something known as IEA (Exercise Induced Asthma), the symptoms are somewhat different, in the fact that they appear after 6 - 10 minutes of exercise and will often be worse in cold or dry air.

If you have IEA, there are several activities that you can enjoy such as swimming, walking, biking, downhill skiing, and team based sports. There are many activities for you to choose from, to ensure you get the exercise you need as well.

Keep in mind that the condition of asthma isn't "all in your head", it is a real physiological medical treatment that will require treatment to prevent and treat. Even though your doctor will be your best friend in treating asthma, you are the one who can prevent your symptoms.

Always be smart, take your medication, and be proactive. Don't let it put you in a life of misery - as you can enjoy exercise just like everyone else.

Pj Germain

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Air Purifier For Asthma Patients

2008-03-03T03:28:00.000-08:00

Since breathing comes naturally to us and we perform the function subconsciously, we hardly appreciate the need for it. However, those who are suffering form asthma, know the true value of breathing, as it is so much an effort for them. They, like us, cannot take breathing for granted.

An asthma patient suffers severe respiration problems since the lung and air passageways of his are affected. Although we are yet to find a perfect cure for the condition, there are certain things we can practice which will help us to at least curb the symptoms of asthma. To begin with, cleaner the air the patient breathes, more will he be avoiding asthmatic symptoms. And on this count, getting an air purifier at home helps.

We should know that impurities in the air like dust, pet allergens, chemicals, pollen all play a significant role in increasing the symptoms of asthma in a patient. It should be noted however that dust and allergens are by themselves not the cause for asthma. Their presence in the air the patient breathes can only make the problem more severe.

Asthma is caused either by the constriction or inflammation of the air passages inside our breathing tract. While constricted, the airways become extremely narrow and the surrounding muscles seem to squeeze the airway further. Again inflammation of the passage causes the airways to swell up.

Such constriction or inflammation can happen anytime, anywhere. However, with an air purifier, such occurrences at home can be significantly reduced. As it filters out the allergens and dust particles it allows the asthma patient to breathe much more normally. With airborne substances absent, things are much more comfortable for the asthma patient.

With proper air purifiers, there would be hardly any particles in the air inside the room. There have been studies that show that with HEPA filters a purity of 99.7 percent can be achieved within the room.

You might be contemplating buying an air purifier for your home. Before you do so, just take into account a few things. Of them, you need to know how big your rooms are, what kind of filters you are looking for, and what is the kind of capacity you will be happy with in your air purifier. There are loads of models. So you will be spoilt for choice.

Removing toxins from air is a great way to tackle asthma. And an air purifier does it best.

jason uvios writes about on Air Purifier for Asthma Patients to visit :- air purifier, air purification system and air filters