Asthma

Asthma does not have a single cause it may be combination of environmental factors & genetic factors.
•Asthma is caused and maintained by the following causes:
•An inherited tendency to develop allergies, called atopy
•Genetic or Hereditary cause
•Family History: Parents who have asthma
•Infections: Certain respiratory infections during childhood
•Allergens: Contact with some airborne allergens or exposure to some viral infections in infancy or in early childhood when the immune system is developing.

•Extrinsic asthma:
This type of asthma is triggered by allergens. Hence, it is also termed as Allergic Asthma.
Extrinsic asthma is commonly seen in children.
About 90% of childhood asthma are due to allergens & positive family history
In extrinsic asthma, immune system exerts a protective mechanism which reacts to simple harmless substances such as pollen and produces antibodies.
This results in symptoms like hay fever, rhinitis and asthma. In case of asthma, the allergic reaction is observed in lungs which results in production of huge amounts of mucus that obstructs the air passage causing symptoms like wheezing, heaviness in chest , etc.

•Intrinsic asthma:
It is generally caused by extremes of emotional feelings like laughing, crying, stress or contact with chemicals like cigarette smoke, aspirin, cleaning agents or chest infection or exercises.
These agents act by stimulating the response of the nerves in the air passage.
Exercise induced asthma is a subtype of intrinsic asthma. It is generally seen immediately after exercising
Also nocturnal asthma is observed in the early hours of the night in between 2 to 4. It is common with both extrinsic and intrinsic asthma patients.

•Allergens like pollen, dander, mold, dust mites, animal fur cockroaches etc.
•Certain foods like peanuts, soy, fish, cow’s milk, and shellfish
•Strong emotions
•Stress
•Cold air, dry air
•Air pollutants, irritants like smoke etc.
•Excessive physical activity
•Viral infections
•Changes in weather
•Obesity
•GERD
•Certain drugs like NSAIDS, Aspirin, and Steroids.

•Intensity, Duration and Recurrence of Asthma may differ from person to person
•Few people may experience attack of Asthma after exertion some may feel their throat is strangled. Some may experience only after exposure to dust or allergens, while some may experience be after respiratory infections or viral infections.

•Reduce significantly frequency of asthmatic attacks
•Reduce significantly severity of asthmatic attacks
•Reduce duration of attacks
•Reduce need for bronchodilators, cortisone and antibiotic (in case of infections). In many patients, especially in children, homeopathic treatment can help get rid off all other medications.

•Reduce the exposure of dust, pollen, pets etc, as these factors will trigger the asthma
•Use face mask while cleaning or in coming contact with dust or smoke
•Quit smoking as it will make the condition more worse
•Eat more of antioxidant rich food like , prunes, raisins, onion, strawberries, cherries, amla as they will help in building immunity & prevent body from infections.
•A regular practice of yoga helps to gain control over the symptoms naturally without the use of drugs