Asthma
About Asthma
Asthma is a respiratory illness that is manifested by periods during which the airways constrict. During a crisis, opening airways is reduced because of inflammation and contraction of the muscles of the bronchial wall. A crisis is often a dry cough, followed by difficulty breathing, which causes wheezing clearly audible.
Two periods of life seem more conducive to asthma: the childhood and early forties. People with asthma have an incentive to monitor their treatment and to adjust their lifestyles accordingly. Poorly controlled asthma symptoms can transform sporadic in permanent symptoms.
Symptoms
For some people, asthma is distinguished only by a persistent cough which often occurs at bedtime or after exercise.
Symptoms may be intermittent or persistent.
* Difficulty breathing
* Wheezing
* Feeling of chest tightness
* Dry cough
An acute attack leads to great difficulty in breathing and symptoms of distress (sweating, increased heart rate, anxiety, etc..)
This increases the risk
* A genetic predisposition to allergies.
* The air pollution.
* Exposure to tobacco smoke.
* Obesity.
* Being frequently exposed to chemicals (paint, hair products, metal fumes, plastics, etc..).
Factors often associated with asthma
* Viral infections of the respiratory tract.
* Exercise.
* Strong emotional reactions (laughter, tears, anger, excitement).
* Sudden changes in temperature and cold air.
* The gastro-esophageal reflux.
Preventing
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk that the baby has asthma and is small birth weight. The only known preventive measure, both before birth and afterwards, is to avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
Once installed asthma, there is no treatment to cure. By cons, several measures can reduce the intensity and frequency of seizures.
* Discover what causes seizures and be attentive to warning signs of asthma, as a slight cough, breath shorter.
* Check the mold, the presence of animals, pollens, mites (dust mites), dust and other respiratory irritants.
* Keep within the home, humidity around 45%.
* Make exercise.
* Set aside time for relaxation.
Treatments
Asthma is a chronic disease that requires in many cases regular treatment, even between attacks.
Drugs
* Corticosteroids. It is important to rinse the mouth after each inhalation to prevent the development of thrush.
* LTRA.
* Bronchodilators. Beta2-agonist, theophylline and ipratropium bromide (rarely).
Natural health products and complementary therapies
The unconventional treatments aimed at improving the quality of life of persons with asthma by preventing long-term crises. They do not relieve an acute attack. A comprehensive preventive approach allows some people to reduce their consumption of drugs.
- Yoga (to improve the quality of life and reduce the use of drugs)
- Ivy
- Magnesium