| Asthma is a type of airway obstruction characterized | | | | damage to the lungs. |
| by a narrowing of the air passages in the lungs and is | | | | · Try to remove the source of the allergen if |
| caused by muscle spasm and mucus secretion. It is | | | | this is possible. Keep dust and pollen levels under |
| important to differentiate between reversible and | | | | control and avoid possible ingested allergens. |
| irreversible forms of respiratory problems - between | | | | · Don't smoke and do avoid air pollutants. |
| reactive airways disease and asthma. If you have | | | | · Eat a healthy diet that contains plenty of |
| bronchial spasm and constriction only upon exposure | | | | fresh fruits and vegetables. Onions are believed to |
| to an allergen (such as to pollen or foods) then you | | | | have anti-asthmatic properties and it is suggested that |
| have reactive airways disease (RAD). If treated early | | | | you have at least one cooked onion each day. It is |
| enough with appropriate alternative therapies it can | | | | best to avoid sugar and to eat a diet low in animal fats. |
| frequently be cured. However, chronic episodes of | | | | Follow a healthy diet - this will also assist the immune |
| reactive airways disease puts a high pressure load on | | | | system. |
| your lungs leading to damage to the tissue. This | | | | · Use a good multivitamin and mineral |
| damage leads to asthma - a chronic, degenerative and | | | | supplement. Additional vitamin C (specifically calcium |
| generally irreversible condition. The secretions and | | | | ascorbate) may be taken for its antihistamine qualities. |
| bronchial obstructions are not longer solely triggered by | | | | Magnesium is thought to dilate the bronchial tubes, |
| allergens - but also to exercise, strong emotions and | | | | preventing a spasm and it also works to encourage a |
| other events. | | | | normal response to allergens. Vitamin B6 has been |
| Managing asthma requires a along term strategy - | | | | shown to reduce the number of asthma attacks in a |
| often also incorporating medical drugs. In this article we | | | | group of patients. Vitamins A (as beta-carotene) C |
| combine our discussion of reactive airways disease | | | | and E as well as selenium should encourage recovery |
| (RAD) and asthma. It is important, however, that if you | | | | and help prevent attacks. |
| are on medication for asthma that you do not cease | | | | · Engage in exercise. Exercise precipitates |
| that medication and that you discuss any of the | | | | asthma in some individuals, but regular physical |
| approaches mentioned here with your health | | | | exercise may actually reduce asthma tendencies. |
| professional. | | | | Swimming classes for children seem to be particularly |
| More than 15 million Americans have asthma - a 33% | | | | worthwhile, especially in a warm, indoor pool. |
| increase from 1990 and a 66% increase from 1980. In | | | | Herbal remedies for asthma |
| 1997 more than 5,400 people died from severe | | | | Asthma will respond well to herbal remedies but it is |
| asthma attack - more than double the asthma death | | | | impossible to give a herbal remedy that is appropriate |
| rate in 1980. 5 million children under the age of 18 suffer | | | | to all cases. The various factors involved must be |
| from asthma - this makes it the leading cause of | | | | identified and remedies are chosen accordingly. |
| hospitalization and school absenteeism in children. | | | | Herbs that can reduce the spasm and ease breathing |
| The main symptoms of asthma or are: | | | | include: |
| · breathlessness, | | | | · grindelia, |
| · wheezing, and | | | | · lobelia, |
| · tightness in the chest. | | | | · mouse ear, |
| During an asthma attack the bronchial tubes become | | | | · pill bearing spurge, |
| partially obstructed making breathing difficult. During | | | | · sundew and |
| asthma histamines and other chemicals are released | | | | · wild cherry. |
| and these trigger the bronchial tubes to become | | | | If there is sputum to be removed then expectorant |
| inflamed and flooded with mucus. The bronchioles | | | | herbs such as the following are useful. |
| smooth muscles contract - narrowing and obstructing | | | | · aniseed, |
| the airways. | | | | · blood root, |
| Attacks may be triggered by: | | | | · coltsfoot, |
| · allergens, such as pollen, dust and other | | | | · comfrey root, |
| pollution including cigarette smoke, fur or dandruff, latex, | | | | · licorice and |
| cleaning chemicals, newsprint, fabric dyes, sprays and | | | | · senega. |
| polishes, personal hygiene products. | | | | If the attacks sap the strength of the heart then the |
| · food allergies or intolerances, such as aspirin, | | | | herb motherwort will be beneficial. |
| food additives (especially sulfites), yeast or moulds on | | | | If any hypertension (high blood pressure) is involved |
| foods. Common food triggers include: cow's milk, eggs, | | | | then hawthorn and lime (linden) blossom will be useful. |
| fish, tree nuts, peanuts, seeds, soy, wheat, corn and | | | | If anxiety and tension are involved then also use hops, |
| citrus fruit. | | | | skullcap or valerian. |
| · deficiencies, such as selenium, and vitamin B6. | | | | NOTE: If you have asthma never discontinue your |
| · strenuous exercise. | | | | pharmaceutical drug treatment unless you are under |
| · temperature changes - especially sudden | | | | the supervision of a health professional. |
| exposure to cold air. | | | | Managing asthma requires a along term strategy - |
| · stress and anxiety. | | | | often also incorporating medical drugs. However, there |
| What you can do to treat asthma | | | | are many things that you can do to help in managing |
| The first place to start is removing any know source | | | | asthma and improving the health of the lungs. This will |
| of allergen - so that your body is not forced to keep | | | | include removal of asthma triggers, improving the diet, |
| reacting to its triggers. Then the diet and nutritional | | | | taking nutritional supplements, using appropriate herbal |
| status need attention and this is then followed by | | | | remedies, exercise and generally cleansing the body. |
| specific herbal treatment to cleanse the lungs and | | | | These factors will improve overall health as well as the |
| clearing mucus secretions. You want to aim at keeping | | | | health of the immune system and the lungs. |
| the immune system healthy, supporting and healing | | | | |