Asthma Attack - Learn About What Happens When It Occurs

                    

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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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Even for Asthma, Yoga can be Helpful

                    

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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

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Allergy And Asthma?

                    

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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

Alternative Therapies For Asthma

                    

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Ayurveda and Yoga emphasize four factors in treating asthma: Ahar (food), Vihar (recreation), Vichar (thought processes) and Achar (relationships). Ideally asthmatics should more follow the laws of nature. Air sun and water are great therapeutic agents. Natural methods like steam inhalation, especially from water boiled with caraway seeds (ajwain), works as a wonderful bronchodilator. Periodic gargling with warm water, hot water fomentation on the chest, back and neck, and sunbathing in not too direct sunlight are also highly beneficial to asthmatics.

Fasting once in a while, an occasional enema, plenty of fresh air and a dry climate go a long way in alleviating, if not actually curing asthma. In the same way, mustard oil mixed with camphor if massaged over the back and chest helps soothe an asthmatic attack. It loosens up accumulated phlegm and eases breathing.

Another effective remedy for asthma is turmeric, particularly on account of its antibiotic qualities. A teaspoonful of turmeric powder administered with a glass of milk two or three times daily, works wonders, especially if taken on an empty stomach. Garlic is another excellent stimulant. Everyday the asthmatic should be given one or two crushed garlic cloves boiled in a cup of milk. If given in the early stages, this alone suffices in curing the disease. Piping hot ginger tea with minced garlic cloves also help control the situation. It should ideally be had both in the morning and evening.

Brisk walks and slow jogging in parks or in the countryside are also advised for asthmatics. They help ventilate the lungs. This again should not be overdone and definitely not to the point of exhaustion. Above all, asthmatics should avoid dusty places, exposure to cold, foods that they are sensitive to, worries, stress, anxieties and tensions.

General tips to cope with Asthma

1. Take up swimming as the exercise of alternative. The increased moisture tends to lessen the chance of bronchial spasms. Starting slowly with walks or cycling you can safely move to swimming to increase stamina.

2. Drink plenty of water or other liquids, especially on an empty stomach, preferably first thing in the morning. With rapid breathing resulting from exercises, there is a tendency to feel dehydrated.

3. Stop smoking immediately (if you do) or hanging around in smoky rooms.

4. Learn abdominal or diaphragmatic breathing rather than thoracic. Correct breathing entails distending the belly in inhalations, and sucking it in when exhaling. Never raise your chest and shoulders while breathing.

5. Relax and try to breathe slower, if ever you start wheezing or feel shortness of breath. This will automatically reduce your body?s demand for oxygen. If this happens while exercising, slow down or stop immediately!

6. A bottle or jar of honey held under an asthmatic?s nose for inhalation helps him breathe easier and more deeply. Honey contains a relatively high blend of alcohols and ethereal oils. Their vapors help soothe the asthma patient, especially during a seizure.

7. Honey can also be taken with milk or water. It has the inherent capacity to dilute accumulated mucous and facilitate easier elimination from the respiratory tract.

Often, it has been noticed that a person can alter ones condition by merely changing ones attitude. Like, for instance, interpersonal relationships can be a source of relaxation or tension, depending upon how one copes with them. One has to learn to detect sensitive areas and modify ones behavior, accordingly.

Recent studies have revealed that asthma traces its roots to traumatic childhood experiences. Deconditioning those feelings by someone just lending a patient ear could offer the patient many avenues of overcoming feelings of helplessness. They should never be made to feel they are ill. Most importantly, they have to learn to say a firm and affirmative ?No? to certain conditions, without suppressing their emotions or feeling their personality in any way threatened. With slight modifications, asthmatics too can lead full, wholesome lives.

Kevin Pederson, authors web content on yogawiz, your online guide on yoga for wellness. He also writes on common home remedies, hair-n-skin care and many more health sites.

How To Recognize Asthma Symptoms?

                    

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Asthma is a continuing inflammatory disorder that makes airways (bronchial tubes) especially tender to irritants, and this is characterized by problems in breathing.

Asthma symptoms include:

* Coughing. Coughing in individuals with asthma is frequently worse at night or early in the morning, making it difficult for them to sleep.

* Wheezing. Wheezing is a whistling or squeaky noise when you breathe.

* A tight perception in the chest. This can feel like someone is squeezing or sitting on your chest.

* Shortness of breath. Asthma sufferers regularly say they can't capture their breath, or they feel out of breath or out of breath. They feel like you can't get sufficient air in or out of their lungs.

* Episodes of wheezy problems in breathing.

* Faster breathing or loud breathing.

* Narrowing of the air passages in the lungs and thus increased obstruction to airflow.

* fast and great changes in airway obstruction (peak flow modification greater or equal to 20%)

* regular nocturnal episodes and low morning peak flow values

* important reversibility with drugs which correspond to adrenaline, the beta2 agonists

* noteworthy reversibility with steroid drugs

* Symptom-free periods

* Frequent happening of allergy

* Inflammation of the air passages, characterised by eosinophils in the airway wall

* Bronchial hyper-responsiveness to non-specific stimuli such as chill air or histamine.

People with asthma may have:

* Wheezing when they have a cold or other disorder

* Frequent coughing, specially at night (sometimes this is the single indication of asthma in a child)

* Asthma symptoms brought on by exercises such as running, biking, or other brisk action, especially during chilly weather

* Coughing or wheezing brought on by prolonged crying or laughing

* Coughing or wheezing when they are near an allergen or irritant. Not all people have these symptoms, and symptoms may change from one asthma attack to another. Symptoms can also diverge in how rigorous they are. For instance, occasionally symptoms can be mildly annoying and at other times they can be serious enough to make you discontinue what you are doing, and sometimes symptoms can be so grave that they are life menacing and you need to get medical attention. Symptoms also differ in how frequently they occur.

Some individuals with asthma just have symptoms once every few months, others have symptoms every week, and still other people have symptoms every day. With appropriate treatment and control, still, most people with asthma can foresee to have minimum or no symptoms, and can conduct dynamic, regular lives.

At a Glance...Asthma Symptoms

* Asthma is a continuing inflaming disorder that makes airways (bronchial tubes) particularly delicate to irritants, and this is characterized by difficulty in breathing.

* The prime symptoms of asthma contain coughing, especially at night, wheezing, a tight sensation in the chest, and shortness of breath.

* The symptoms may diversify from person to person, and they may also change in severity and how frequently they happen.

* With appropriate treatment and management, most people will lead active, normal lives.

? By Bjorn Gutter

Bjorn Gutter writes articles on health related subjects. He writes articles about asthma on asthma treatment and asthma symptom.

Cleaning for Allergy and Asthma Sufferers

                    

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My daughter recently had a bout with asthma. The strange
thing is, she hadn't had any problems for a couple of
years. In looking at the possible triggers - She had a new
batch of puppies at her dad's. While the 2 dogs didn't seem
to bother her, the addional puppies seemed to put her over
the edge.

To make matters worse, since we hadn't had problems for a
couple of years, I had become lax in some of the cleaning
that I would have done when she had problems every year.

Once I realized what her problem was, I immediately started
cleaning for asthma. That means thoroughly vacuuming walls,
behind furniture, matresses, pillows, upholstery, screens,
and vents, and dusting every crevice- including things like
behind the tv and stereo inside the cabinet, the backs of
furniture.

I normally dust the ceiling fans and blinds, but if you
kinda skip those, you need to pay more attention if you
have any allergies or asthma in your home.

A quick carpet clean and changing air filters and furnace
filters finishes up the cleaning job.

You also want to change your hand towels everyday, just in case it's a virus triggering the response.

If you have pets, keep them clean and brushed, and their living areas cleaned. Keep pets out of the bedrooms of affected people.

The things that typically trigger asthma is actually pretty long-

House dust mites found in carpeting, mattresses, bed linens,
toys, upholstered furniture, dampness, poor ventilation,
unvented cooking, humidifiers

Animal-derived allergens from dogs, cats, rodents, and birds.

Mold found in carpeting, walls, and windows, caused by leaks, poor ventialtion, water damage, or dampness.

Nitrogen oxides produced by space heaters or gas-fueled
cooking stove, used with poor ventilation.

Wood Smoke from wood stoves or fireplaces, used with
poor ventilation, or faulty equipment causing fumes to
come back into the room.

Fumes from cleaners, aerosols- like hairsprays, perfumes
and even air fresheners, pesticides, formaldehyde found in
some older household products.

Viral respiratory infections - exposure to infected people

Endotoxins from bacteria growing in soil, humidifiers, and
other moist places.

Cockroach allergen

Tobacco smoke

Excess weight.

If there is one thing you can do to minimize allergy or
asthma suffering- it is to become a vacuuming fanatic. The
more you get into that bag, the less you have floating
around in the air. It's healthier, and you'll have less
dusting to do in the long run.


Carole is the author of Secret Confessions of a Clean
Freak. If you Love a really clean home, but Hate cleaning
it, you'll want your own copy of the secrets. Click on the
link to get it now-http://ThinAttitude.CommonSenseLiving.com