Asthma
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Breathlessness is a feeling that evokes mortal anxiety within any individual. Whenever the sufferer gasps for breath, every breath seems to feel like it’s the last one.
What is Asthma?
What causes Asthma?
Based on symptoms, the four levels of asthma severity are: Mild intermittent (comes and goes) - You have episodes of asthma symptoms twice a week or less, and you are bothered by symptoms at night twice a month or less; Between episodes, however, you have no symptoms and your lung function is normal.
Mild persistent asthma - You have asthma symptoms more than twice a week, but no more than once in a single day. You are bothered by symptoms at night more than twice a month. You may have asthma attacks that affect your activity.
Moderate persistent asthma- You have asthma symptoms every day, and you are bothered by night time symptoms more than once a week. Asthma attacks may affect your activity.
Severe persistent asthma- You have symptoms throughout the day on most days, and you are bothered by night-time symptoms often. In severe asthma, your physical activity is likely to be limited.
How is Asthma treated?
Commonly prescribed medication for Asthma
There are two main courses of medication for asthma:
Quick-relief treatment – Taken at the first signs of asthma symptoms for immediate relief of these symptoms. You will feel the effects of these medicines within minutes.
Long-term control medication – Taken every day, usually over long periods of time, to prevent symptoms and asthma episodes or attacks. You will feel the full effects of these medicines after taking them for a few weeks. People with persistent asthma need long-term control medicines.
Quick-relief medicines – Everyone with asthma needs a quick-relief or “rescue” medicine to stop asthma symptoms before they get worse. Short-acting inhaled beta-agonists are bronchodilators that act quickly to relax tightened muscles around your airways so that they can open up and allow more volumnous passage of air.
You should take your quick-relief medicine when you first begin to feel asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath. You should carry your quick-relief inhaler with you at all times in case of an asthma attack.
Your doctor may recommend that you take your quick-relief medicines at other times as well—for example, before any moderate to intense physical activity, during times of anxiousness, etc.
Long-term control medicines include Inhaled corticosteroids (or steroids for short) are the preferred medicine for controlling mild, moderate, and severe persistent asthma. Corticosteroids reduces inflammation in the airways, increasing bronchial passage.
In some cases, steroid tablets or liquid are used for short periods of time to bring asthma under control. The tablet or liquid form may also be used to control severe asthma.
Other long-term control medicines include: Inhaled long-acting beta-agonists. These medicines are bronchodilators, or muscle relaxers, not anti-inflammatory drugs. They are used to help control moderate and severe asthma and to prevent nighttime symptoms. Long-acting beta-agonists are usually taken together with inhaled corticosteroid medicines.
Leukotriene modifiers (montelukast, zafirlukast, and zileuton) are used either alone to treat mild persistent asthma or together with inhaled corticosteroids to treat moderate or severe asthma. Cromolyn and nedocromil, which are used to treat mild persistent asthma.
Theophylline, which is used either alone to treat mild persistent asthma or together with inhaled corticosteroids to treat moderate persistent asthma. People who take theophylline should have their blood levels checked to be sure the dose is appropriate.
Asthma medicines that are currently available have potential side effects. It is also easy to develop immunity to these drugs quite easily. Hence there is need for anti-asthma medication that can help ease bronchospasms and prevent asthmatic attacks completely. Alternative and combination therapies, such as Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Naturopathy medicine is a safe and effective alternative for prevention, management and treatment for all stages of asthma.
Asthma Preventive measures:
Mal dander (from the skin, hair, or feathers of animals)
Dust mites (contained in house dust)
Cockroaches
Pollen from trees and grass
Mold (indoor and outdoor)
Irritants
Cigarette smoke
Air pollution
Cold air or changes in weather
Strong odors from painting or cooking
Scented products
Strong emotional expression (including crying or laughing hard) and stress
Others Medicines such as aspirin and beta-blockers
Sulfites in food (dried fruit) or beverages (wine)
A condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease that causes heartburn and can worsen asthma symptoms, especially at night
Irritants or allergens that you may be exposed to at your work, such as special chemicals or dusts.
Dietary recommendations:
Following a balanced, nutritious diet can help reduce asthma symptoms and also boost immunity. According to the principles of Ayurveda, high alkaline foods such as fresh fruits, green vegetables and germinated gram help balance the acidity. Foods which tend to produce phlegm such as rice, sugar, lentils, yogurt, ice cream as well as fried and other difficult-to-digest foods should be avoided. Asthmatics should always eat lightly and not until satiety.
Other helpful measures include:
Breathing techniques that help increase lung capacity and stamina.
Application of mud-pack to the abdomen,
Wet chest packs
Steam bath.
Fresh air, breathing exercises, dry climate, mild physical exercises and correct posture help in treating the ailment.
Deep Breathing technique
While inhaling, always remember that the body is being filled with air. When something is full it expands. When we exhale we are emptying the body, thus, it will contract or shrink as it is emptied. Also remember that unless otherwise mentioned, all breathing is done through the nose. Sit in a position that is comfortable. The posture should be good. If the spine is not straight, the body cannot fill to its full capacity.
Sit with your hands on your ribs and tummy and inhale. Fill the tummy with air first and then feel the inhalation filling the rest of the lungs. Continue to breathe until the throat is full and then immediately begin to exhale. Exhale until the body is completely empty. Repeat this exercise four times, for best results.
Benefits of deep breathing - Helps increase lung capacity and awareness of your lungs and the breathing process. It also helps to soothe both your body and your mind. Many ailments can be treated with this simple breathing exercise, as it increases the flow of oxygen to all parts of the body.
