Asthma Treatment: Some Alternative Options

Asthma is a disease of the respiratory system, where the patient experiences difficulty to breathe, especially exhaling.  This happens because of long term inflammation of the breathing passages of the lungs called bronchioles.  Long term inflammation of the airways can result in the patient turning sensitive to various ‘triggers’.  When inflammation is triggered by various factors, the airway passages swell.  They fill with mucus.  The airways further narrow as a result of bronchospasm or contraction of muscles of the bronchus.  This results in the classic asthma attack that may sometimes prove fatal.

Along with chronic bronchitis and emphysema, the number of asthma patients in on the increase in developed countries like America, United Kingdom and also third world countries like India, Pakistan etc.  Medical experts consider many factors play a part in such a state of affairs, and given below are some of the main ones.

• The younger generation is not exposed to infection like people of yesteryears and this has resulted in a very sensitive immune system.

• The current generation spends most of the time indoors where they come into contact with dust and mold.

• The atmosphere and consequently the air is more polluted than anytime in the history of the world.

• Some studies point to a relationship between obesity and asthma.

Asthma results in absence and loss of productivity.  It is also the most common reason for emergency department visits.  As it is one of the most chronic diseases among children, it results in frequent absence from school during a flare up.

Conventional medicinal system regards asthma as incurable.  So the next best effort according to the system is to keep it under control.  This is done by medication and change in lifestyle.  Treatment should be started right away after a positive diagnosis of asthma, for effective control.

With appropriate treatment the severity of the disease can be vastly reduced and the frequency can be limited.  If left untreated, this can worsen the situation and may even prove fatal.  More than 10,000 people die of asthma every year the world over.

What causes asthma is still a mystery.  The way of life as well as the environment play and important role in the development of this disease in people who have a genetic predisposition to it.

The airway passage in an asthma patient is very sensitive to various triggers.  These triggers differ from individual to individual.  Since this is an allergic reaction to an external trigger, some term it as reactive airway disease.  Some common allergens include polluted air, some perfumes, wood or saw dust, mold and dust, tobacco smoke, dusty atmosphere in workplace, exposure to cold atmosphere etc. An allergic asthma is caused by inhaling an allergen like dust, pet dander etc.

Emotional stress, exercise, and GERD are some other triggers.

Once an asthma attack is triggered, it can flare up immediately or within a few hours to days.  Some of the main symptoms of an asthmatic attack are breathlessness, tightness in chest, difficulty in exhalation, cough which is worse at night.

If the above-mentioned symptoms are observed for the first time, contact your health care provider immediately to find out if this is an asthmatic attack.  If diagnosed with asthma, the medication may include an inhaler which should be used at the time of an attack, along with other drugs.

Ayurveda and Siddha systems have some excellent remedies which claim to cure asthma.  With the help of an expert Ayurveda or Siddha physician, you can start a regimen of herbal treatment that may last from 6 months to one year depending on the severity of the condition.

Some home remedies found to be effective are given below.

The root of adathoda vasica and kandan kathiri (Solanum xanthocarpum) of equal quantity are crushed.  The juice obtained from them is taken (1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon) with a spoon of honey.  Regular intake is said to cure asthma.

Thoothuvalai plant (Solanum trilobatum) 50 gm is boiled in half a liter of water and reduced to one-fourth the original volume.  This is taken on empty stomach morning and evening.  This is said to cure asthma.