Asthma - Try Homeopathy as an alternative medicine

Asthma is a conditon in which you find difficulty in breathing. It is a chronic disease that partially blocks the airways of lungs. Inside walls of airways becomes sensitive due to swelling and narrower causing difficulty in breathing. Asthma is divided in to four: mild intermittent (symptoms occur in normal intervals but yur lngs function normally), mild persistent asthma (symptoms occur more than twice a week and feel difficulty at night), moderate persistent asthma (symptoms come every day and at night it is more severe), severe persistent asthma(symptom comes every day at any time and at night you find more difficulty vey often). Mostly children (boys) are affected with asthma.

Symptoms

Wheezing, coughing, Nasal flaring, Sweating, chest tightness, chest pain, difficulty to breath, Rapid pulse, discoloration of lips in some cases etc. When the symptoms are worse condition is called asthma attack. Symptoms intensity and duration are different for each person. For some symptoms occur often and for some during exercise or when exposed to some diseases.

Causes

Allergy to various materials like dust, pollen, mold, smoke, pets, tension, air pollution etc can act as triggers to asthma. Asthma occurs due to genetic reasons and environmental changes. Medications like aspirin and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease are also reasons for asthma. Preservatives in some preserved foods can also cause asthma. Its usually a life long disease and gets chronic. Obesity and exposure to smoke is also a reason.

Treatment

Asthma is incurable, but can be controlled. For this you have to know about asthma in depth. Regular check up and following the directions of doctor strictly will help. Keep away from things for which you are allergic. Medications for allergy can help to keep asthma under control and to keep away from its symptoms.

Two types of medicines are usually used in asthma. Medicines for quick relief for immediate relief and long term medicines to control symptoms and attacks. Usually inhalers which are bronchodilators are used for quick relief and it is very important for preventing asthma symptoms. They are of many types and proper methods must be known. They help to relax the muscles in airways and thus help for free flow of air. It must be used with the appearence of symptoms and must be always carried with as the attack may occur at any time. Short-acting beta-2 agonists, Ipratropium (Atrovent), Oral and intravenous corticosteroids etc are used.

Among long term medicine corticosteroids like Fluticasone, Budesonide etc is most widely used, for preventing swelling of airways. Corticosteroid are inhaled to control all types of persistent asthma. Steroids are also used in cases of severe asthma. Beta agonists that act for long period are inhaled against night time symptoms. Leukotriene modifiers like zafirlukast with inhaled corticosteroids are given. Cromolyn , nedocromil or theophylline for mild asthma and theophylline with inhaled corticosteroids for persistent asthma which are moderate. Those who use theophylline should check blood level frequently to use appropriate dose. patients can even use drug cocktile. Suddenly stopping long term medicines will worsen asthma. You can use a peak flow meter to know the working condition of lungs. Long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs), Leukotriene modifiers, Cromolyn and nedocromil, Theophylline etc are also used.

Children must be given proper advice and assistance of parents. During pregnancy asthma must be kept under control or else it might affect the child. Most of the medicines are safe during pregnancy. Using of corticosteroids can cause side effects like cough, loss of voice, slow growth in children etc. Immunotherapy, Anti-IgE monoclonal antibodies, Xolair in children above 12 years (by injection ), Omalizumab are also given.

Alternative medicine

Homeopathy is the most commonly used alternative medicine to treat asthma. In this method bodies defensive power is enhanced and patient is helped to lesd a healthy life. Acupuncture, Relaxation techniques, ayurveda, herbal medicine, folk medicines, Music therapy, Laser therapy etc are also used.

Links

http://www.asthma.net.in/app/asthma.asp

http://mohfw.nic.in/brochial%20asthma_final.pdf

http://asthmaticbronchitis.com/app/default.asp

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Asthma/Asthma_WhatIs.html

http://www.asthma.net.in/app/more_about_homeopathy_asthma.asp

http://www.noattacks.org/about.html

http://www.asthma.net.in/app/conventional-treatment.asp

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Asthma/Asthma_Causes.html

http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=19&cont=254

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asthma/DS00021/DSECTION=8

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asthma-medications/AP00008

http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/244/main.html