HEALTHFACT99: NEW APPROACH TO OVERCOME ASTHMATIC PROBLEMS

NEW APPROACH

OVERCOME

ASTHMATIC PROBLEMS

INTRODUCTION:-

Asthma is a common long term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. Worldwide around 250,000 people die every year as a result of Asthma.

It affects the breathing passages of the lungs (bronchioles).In this condition a person’s airways become inflamed, narrow & swell and produce extra mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe. Asthma can be minor or it can interfere with daily activities. In some cases, it may lead to a life-threatening attack.

During the development of asthma, the airways swell and become extremely sensitive to some of the substances a person might inhale. When this increased sensitivity causes a reaction, the muscles that control the airways tighten. In doing so, they might restrict the airways even further and trigger an overproduction of mucus. The symptoms of asthma often present in periodic attacks or episodes of tightness in the chest, wheezing, breathlessness and coughing.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF ASTHMA:-Understanding asthma pathophysiology helps you to understand how the condition is diagnosed and treated. The pathophysiology of asthma is complex and involves airway inflammation, intermittent airflow obstruction, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Antigen presentation by the dendritic cell with the lymphocyte and cytokine response leading to airway inflammation and asthma symptoms.

PREVALENCE:-Asthma prevalence is higher in children (9.4%) than in adults (7.7%), and higher in females (9.2%) than males(7.0 %).

TYPES OF ASTHMA:-

Adult-onset Asthma:-some people don’t show signs of having asthma until they are adults; known as adult-onset asthma.some times, people just manage to avoid their asthma triggers as an adult, it can bring on asthma symptoms EX-contact with pets , certain types of chemical fumes around work areas.
.. Child hood-Asthma:-Asthma having from childhood tendencies due to low immunity is a common form of asthma.A child’s Asthma may get much better or go away as they grow, but for most people, asthma is present the rest of their lives.
. Allergic Asthma:-Not everyone who has allergies has asthma, and not everyone with asthma has allergies. But allergens such as pollen, dust and pet dander can trigger asthma symptoms and asthma attacks in certain people; called allergic Asthma.
. Asthma COPD overlap syndrome(ACOS):-COPD is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a collection of lung diseases that cause breathing problems and obstruct airflow. Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome(ACOS) occurs when someone has these two diseases at once.
.Exercise-Induced Broncho-Constriction:-Symptoms develop when airways narrow as a result of physical activity. Athletes mostly affected by this disease.
Nor allergic Asthma:-Extreme weather, either in heat of summer or the chill of winter. Stress also brings on breathing problems.
Occupational Asthma:-People with this the condition usually work around chemical fumes, dust or other irritants in the air.

CAUSES:-Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children. It is due to the regular infections in the respiratory tract.

Common sources of indoor allergens include animal proteins, mostly from cat and dog dander, dust mites, cockroaches and fungi.

Tobacco smoke increased the risk of asthma, wheezing, respiratory infections, and death from asthma. Also, the children of parents who smoke have a higher risk of developing asthma.

Heavy air pollution tends to cause a higher recurrence of asthma symptoms and hospital admissions. Changes in the weather might also stimulate attacks.

Obesity is not a formal cause but it’s a risk factor for asthma.

People who undergo stress have higher asthma rates. Emotional responses, including laughter and grief, might explain these increased rates.

Parents can pass asthma on to their children.

The sex hormones that circulate during menstruation, such as luteinizing hormone (LH) and FSH impact immune activity cause hypersensitivity in airways lead to Peri Menstrual Asthma (PMA).

TRIGGERING FACTORS:-Triggering factors of Asthma includes:-smoking and secondhand smoke, Infections such as colds, flu or pneumonia, Allergens such as food,pollen,dust mites &pet dander,Exercise,Air pollution,weather conditions,Drug (such as aspirin,NSAIDS &beta-blockers),Food additives,Emotional stress ,perfume & Fragrances,Acid reflux.

CAN YOU DEVELOP ASTHMA:-

It’s unusual to develop asthma as an adult. In fact, asthma can develop at any age. If you have asthma and it’s not diagnosed or looked after properly, it can make it even harder for your lungs to work well. and over time symptoms like breathlessness, coughing and tightness in the chest will be worse.

DIAGNOSIS:-The primary care of a physician to identify the level of asthma as mild, moderate and severe. The components of comprising an accurate asthma diagnosis include:-

1. History Taking:-This includes a detailed family history of asthma,h/o triggering factors, occupational history, etc.
2.Physical Examination:-It will focus on the upper respiratory tract, chest, and Skin. A doctor will listen for signs of wheezing or a high pitched whistle on breathing out, in the lungs during a breath using a stethoscope.wheezing is a key sign of both an obstructed airway and asthma.

3.Asthma Tests:-Lung Function Tests(to measure how much air a person inhales and exhales; Spirometry Test (It requires deep breaths and forceful exhalation into a hose. It measures FVC(forced vital capacity), FEV-1(forced expiratory volume); chest x-ray, etc.

SIGN & SYMPTOMS:-
Symptoms of Asthma vary from person to person. This includes; Shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing, A whistling sound when exhaling. Wheezing is common in childhood asthma.

Signs of Asthma emergency include -Rapid worsening of shortness of breath or wheezing; No improvement even after using inhaler; Shortness of breath when you are doing minimal physical activity.

ASTHMA ATTACKS:-

The set of inflammatory events in the respiratory system can lead to the severe symptoms of an asthma attack. It can occur when symptoms are at their peak. They might begin suddenly and can range from mild to severe.

At the start of an asthma attack, the airways allow enough air into the lungs, but it does not let the carbon dioxide leave the lungs at a fast enough rate. Carbon dioxide is poisonous if the body does not expel the gas and a prolonged asthma attack might lead to a buildup of the gas in the lungs. This might further reduce the amount of oxygen entering the bloodstream. People with clear symptoms of asthma needs advise on management techniques as well as identifying potential triggers for asthma symptoms and how to avoid them. These devices help to reduce the frequency of attacks of asthma. In some asthma attacks, swelling in the airways can completely prevent oxygen from reaching the lungs, which also stops it from entering the bloodstream and traveling to vital organs. This type of asthma attack can be fatal and requires urgent hospitalization. Effective asthma control reduces the impact of the condition on everyday living.

BEST TREATMENT FOR ASTHMA:-

Types of quick-relief medications include; Short-acting beta-agonists. These inhaled, quick-relief bronchodilators act within minutes to rapidly ease symptoms during an asthma attack. They include albuterol(ProAir HFA,Ventolin HFA,others)and levalbuterol(Xopenex).

WHAT MEDICATIONS SHOULD BE AVOIDED WITH ASTHMA:-

Approximately 10% to 20% of adults with asthma have the sensitivity to aspirin or a group of painkillers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-or NSAIDs-such as ibuprofen and naproxen.

MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES OF ASTHMA:-

· Achieve and maintain control of asthma symptoms.
· Maintain normal activity levels, including exercise.
· Maintain pulmonary function as close to normal as possible.
· Prevent asthma exacerbation.
· Avoid adverse effects from asthma medications
· Prevent asthma mortality.
Methods to control Asthma:-

· Here steps you can take to keep your asthma under control:-

Step-1 Make your Medical visits more productive…

Step-2 Create an Asthma Management plan.

Step-3 Reduce Asthma triggers…

Step-4 Learn Asthma self Management skills

· Things to do if you do not have an inhaler with you:-

1.Sit Upright.stop whatever you are doing and sit upright.

2. Take long, deep breaths. This helps to slow down your breathing and prevent hyperventilation…

3. Stay calm…

4. Get away from the trigger…

5. Take a hot caffeinated beverage…

· How To Sleep Better With Severe Asthma:-

--Clean your bedroom Regularly.

--Wash your bedding with hot water

--Invest in dust-proof mattress and pillow protectors

--Use humidifier-Dust mites thrive in low humidity, so boosting humidity by using a humidifier in your bedroom can help dust mites away.

--Don’t sleep with pets

--Keep your head up

-- Measures were taken for sound sleep

TIPS TO CLEAR MUCUS FROM LUNGS:-
In Asthma, the measuring point is that mucus secreted and accumulates in the lungs which make it severe.

Here some tips to clear mucus from lungs; Warm fluids, Steam, Saltwater gurgling, use Honey, Foods & Herbs and Elevate the head.
Regular drinking of warm water by sips helps to clear up the mucus.
Along with this; there is one recipe of beverage which helps to clear up the mucus.

Ingredients:-
water 2cup,2 to 3 cloves, one green cardamom smashed,1/2 inch grated ginger,2 to 3 garlic cloves crushed,4to5 basil leaves, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder,1 teaspoon of ajwain, small pieces of jaggery (this can be avoided for diabetic patients).

Procedure:-Boil all the ingredients in medium flame till the water reduce to half.

Advice:-Take it twice in a day in winter & rainy season and once in another season. It controls the accumulation of mucus in the chest.

Use Controlled coughing Method:-

Sit on the edge of chair, and keep both feet on the floor.
Lean forward little and relax.
Breathe in slowly through your nose, and fold your arms over your belly.
As you exhale, lean forward. Push your arms against your belly.
cough 2 or 3 times as you exhale with your mouth slightly open. Make the coughs short and sharp.push your belly with your arms as you cough.
Inhale again, but do it slowly and gently through your nose. Do not take quick or deep breaths through your mouth. It can block the mucus coming out of the lungs.
Rest and repeat if you need to.

PREVENTION:-This includes;

identification of Asthma triggers(Stay away from allergens, Avoid smoke of any type, Prevent colds, Make your home Allergy free).

Get you vaccination(influenza,pneumonia),Take asthma medications as prescribed,follow your Asthma action plan, use a home peak flow meter(The meter shows how well air is moving through your lungs).

Avoid outdoor exercise when it’s cold, Avoid highly polluted areas.

Massage the Lukewarm mustard oil with crushed camphor in the chest and foot area somehow to prevent asthma. Its only preventive measure sand avoided if the person is already attacked with cold otherwise there is a chance of chest congestion.

Take steam with a bowl of boiling water mixed with 2 drops of Eucalyptus oil.

Belly breathing exercises:-sit in a chair with bent knees and relaxed shoulders, head, and neck; Place your hand on your belly; Breathe in slowly through your nose; as you exhale tighten your muscles; put more emphasis on the exhale than the inhale; Repeat for about five minutes.

NUTRITIONAL ADVICE FOR ASTHMA:-

Super Foods to help you cure Asthma Naturally:-AVOCADO(contains high level of L-glutathione protects our cells from radical damage during an asthma attack; HONEY(Mixing 1 tsp of honey in a cup of warm water & take 3 times a day removes phlegm from your throat and treats asthma symptoms); COFFEE(It immediately treats asthma attacks or symptoms as they happen); SPINACH(It contains magnesium, vitamin c, beta carotene helps to deal with Asthma; APPLE(juices of apple improves wheezing occurrences; BANANA(Eating one a banana a day reduces asthmatic symptoms); GARLIC(This neutralizes airway constriction); GINGER(Responsible for lessening the Asthma attack along with airway muscle relaxation.
Foods which Asthmatics should avoid:-Certain foods, such as milk, eggs, peanuts, nuts, soy, wheat, fish, and food additives can trigger asthma symptoms. It is best to avoid these foods if they trigger an asthma attack.
Drink more Water –A recent study found that dehydration could play a significant role in asthma and allergies. Lack of water vapor in the lungs causes the airways to constrict and for the asthmatic’s lungs to produce mucus, the two factors that cause an asthma attack.

YOGA MUDRAS FOR ASTHMATIC PATIENT:-

ACUPRESSURE POINTS:-

By pressing the above acupressure points the flow of oxygen is stimulated in the body. Rapid oxygen to the body will thus prevent asthma.

CONCLUSION:-

Asthma is an eminently controllable illness. Indeed, for most sufferers, control is so effective that it amounts to a virtual cure. But asthma is not curable in the same way as, say, bacterial pneumonia, it never entirely goes away. The information given above may help you to overcome asthmatic problems.