Asthma is usually diagnosed in childhood. The risk factors for asthma include: a personal or family history of asthma or atopy; triggers (see Pathophysiology above); premature birth or low birth weight; viral respiratory infection in early childhood; maternal smoking; being male, for asthma in prepubertal children; and being female, for persi ...

See also:

Asthma, Asthma - History, Asthma - Signs and symptoms, Asthma - Diagnosis, Asthma - Differential diagnosis, Asthma - Pathophysiology, Asthma - Bronchoconstriction, Asthma - Bronchial inflammation, Asthma - The immune response, Asthma - Pathogenesis, Asthma - Treatment, Asthma - Relief medication, Asthma - Prevention medication, Asthma - Long-acting β2-agonists, Asthma - Emergency treatment, Asthma - Alternative medicine, Asthma - Prognosis, Asthma - Epidemiology, Asthma - US Socioeconomic Factors, Asthma - Asthma and athletics

Read more here: » Asthma: Encyclopedia II - Asthma - Epidemiology

See also:

Asthma, Asthma - History, Asthma - Signs and symptoms, Asthma - Diagnosis, Asthma - Differential diagnosis, Asthma - Pathophysiology, Asthma - Bronchoconstriction, Asthma - Bronchial inflammation, Asthma - The immune response, Asthma - Pathogenesis, Asthma - Treatment, Asthma - Relief medication, Asthma - Prevention medication, Asthma - Long-acting β2-agonists, Asthma - Emergency treatment, Asthma - Alternative medicine, Asthma - Prognosis, Asthma - Epidemiology, Asthma - Socioeconomic factors, Asthma - Asthma and athletics

Read more here: » Asthma: Encyclopedia II - Asthma - Epidemiology

An acute exacerbation of asthma is referred to colloquially as an asthma attack. The clinical hallmarks of an attack are shortness of breath (dyspnea) and wheezing, the latter “often being regarded as the sine qua non.”[4] A cough—sometimes producing clear sputum—may also be present. The onset is often sudden; there is a “sense of constriction” in the chest, breathing becomes difficult, and wheezing o ...

See also:

Asthma, Asthma - History, Asthma - Signs and symptoms, Asthma - Diagnosis, Asthma - Differential diagnosis, Asthma - Pathophysiology, Asthma - Bronchoconstriction, Asthma - Bronchial inflammation, Asthma - The immune response, Asthma - Pathogenesis, Asthma - Treatment, Asthma - Relief medication, Asthma - Prevention medication, Asthma - Long-acting β2-agonists, Asthma - Emergency treatment, Asthma - Alternative medicine, Asthma - Prognosis, Asthma - Epidemiology, Asthma - US Socioeconomic Factors, Asthma - Asthma and athletics

Read more here: » Asthma: Encyclopedia II - Asthma - Signs and symptoms

Asthma is a disease of the human respiratory system in which the airways narrow, often in response to a “trigger” such as exposure to an allergen, cold air, exercise, or emotional stress. This narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which are the hallmarks of asthma. Between episodes, most patients feel fine. The disorder is a chronic inflammatory condition in which the airways develop increased responsiveness to various stimuli, characterized by bronchial hyper-respon ...

Including:

Asthma - History Asthma - Signs and symptoms Asthma - Diagnosis
Asthma - Differential diagnosis
Asthma - Pathophysiology
Asthma - Bronchoconstriction Asthma - Bronchial inflammation Asthma - The immune response Asthma - Pathogenesis
Asthma - Treatment
Asthma - Relief medication Asthma - Prevention medication Asthma - Long-acting β2-agonists Asthma - Emergency treatment Asthma - Alternative medicine
Asthma - Prognosis Asthma - Epidemiology
Asthma - US Socioeconomic Factors Asthma - Asthma and athletics

Read more here: » Asthma: Encyclopedia - Asthma

Asthma: A respiratory disorder in which there is breathlessness wheezing and cough (dry or with mucus expectoration).

(See also: Asthma, Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

black cohosh: helps relieve sinusitis and asthma; lowers cholesterol levels and blood pressure; relieves pain, morning sickness, hot flashes, and menstrual cramps.

(See also: black cohosh, Herbal Therapy, Alternative Medicine, Body Mind and Soul)

ma huang: has been used to relieve allergies, asthma, hay fever, colds, and inflammatory conditions. The plant contains two primary alkaloids, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.

(See also: ma huang, Herbal Therapy, Alternative Medicine, Body Mind and Soul)

passionflower: said to possess sedative, hypnotic, antispasmodic, and calming effects. Used to treat neuralgia, seizures, hysteria, nervous tachycardia, spasmodic asthma, and insomnia.

(See also: passionflower, Herbal Therapy, Alternative Medicine, Body Mind and Soul)

ORTHOMOLECULAR MEDICINE: a form of nutrient therapy that uses combinations of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids normally found in the body to maintain good health and to treat specific conditions, such as asthma, heart disease, depression, and schizophrenia. "Orthomolecular" means an approach based on a correct (ortho) balance of substances present in the body.

(See also: Orthomolecular medicine, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

ginkgo biloba leaf extract: improves memory loss, brain function, depression, cerebral and peripheral circulation, oxygenation, and blood flow. Good for tinnitus, asthma, Alzheimer's disease, heart and kidney disorders, and glucose utilization.

(See also: ginkgo biloba leaf extract, Herbal Therapy, Alternative Medicine, Body Mind and Soul)

ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE: Environmental medicine explores the role of dietary and environmental allergens in health and illness.

Factors such as dust, molds, chemicals, and certain foods may cause allergic reactions that can dramatically influence diseases ranging from asthma and hay fever to headaches and depression. Virtually any chronic physical or mental illness may be improved by the care of a physician competent in this field.

(See also: Environmental medicine, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Biofeedback:

the process of furnishing an individual with information, usually in an auditory or visual mode, on the state of one or more physiological variables such as heart rate, blood pressure, or skin temperature; it often enables the individual to gain some voluntary control over the physiological variable being sampled. Biofeedback is used especially for stress-related conditions such as asthma, migraine headaches, insomnia, and high blood pressure.

(See also: Biofeedback, Alternative Medicine, Body Mind and Soul)

NEUROTOPIC INJECTION: Treatment involves dozens of injections of small amounts (0.5 cc or less) of sterile saline solution (0.9 percent salt) into the muscles at both sides of the spine near the places where the nerves enter into the back muscles.

According to this theory, salt injection helps the nerves function better, leading to improved circulation, control of pain, and healing of numerous disorders. Statistics on successful treatment of back and neck pain, sciatica, disk problems, headaches, arthritis, prostate and thyroid problems, asthma, and allergies have been presented at more than 15 international medical congresses.

Technique is being evaluated in double-blind studies at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Oregon.

(See also: Neurotopic injection, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Herbal therapy or botanical therapy or herbalism:

employs parts of plants (seed, stem, flowers, root, bark, leaf) for the relief of conditions, ailments, or complaints; the earliest known form of medicine. Some popular herbs and common applications are:

algae (spirulina): the most commonly used variety is blue-green algae. Algae is available in powder, tablet and supplemental fruit drink forms. Used to reduce cholesterol levels and to treat degenerative disorders, including arthritis. Unproven medical benefits include treating obesity, colitis, and diabetes mellitus.

aloe or aloe vera: plant widely used as a skin moisturizer and healing agent, especially in treating cuts, burns, insect stings, eczema, bruises, acne, poison ivy rash, sunburn, and psoriasis.

arnica: used as an external remedy for bruises, sprains, and sore muscles and joints.

astragalus: from a family of peas that benefits digestive processes and the immune system; increases resistance to disease and infections; restores depressed immunity, and is used to treat peripheral vascular diseases and to restore peripheral circulation.

black cohosh: helps relieve sinusitis and asthma; lowers cholesterol levels and blood pressure; relieves pain, morning sickness, hot flashes, and menstrual cramps.

burdock: with diuretic and orexigenic properties, used to treat cutaneous eruptions, rheumatism, gout, anorexia nervosa, and eczema.

calendula: traditionally used to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and epistaxis; varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and conjunctivitis.

capsicum/capsaicin/cayenne fruit: taken orally to improve circulation, digestion, and stop bleeding from ulcers, to relieve nausea, rheumatism, arthritis, and pleurisy. Used externally for painful muscle spasms of shoulder, arm, and spine and to treat arthritis, rheumatism, neuralgia, lumbago, chilblains, intractable pain associated with shingles (herpes zoster), postmastectomy, diabetic neuropathy, and cluster headaches.

cat's claw bark: used to treat AIDS patients, arthritis, neurobronchitis, allergies, rheumatism, diverticulosis, Crohn's disease, peptic and gastric ulcers, gastritis, parasites, colitis, leaky bowel syndrome, dysentery, hemorrhoids, cancer, herpes, diabetes, and inflammation.

chamomile: often made into a tea and used as a digestive aid, nerve tonic, sleep aid, and appetite stimulant.

cranberry fruit: used for the relief of ladder and urinary tract infections, blood disorders, stomach ailments, liver problems, vomiting, appetite loss, scurvy, and cancer.

dong quai root: used for hot flashes, menopause, premenstrual syndrome, vaginal dryness, anemia with dizziness and palpitation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, constipation, rheumatic arthralgia, menorrhalgia, rheumatalgia, functional bleeding, chest, and abdominal pain.

echinacea herb, also called purple coneflower: bitter herb used for colds and chronic infections of the respiratory tract and lower urinary tract, treatment of Candida albicans infections, prostatitis, polyarthritis (rheumatoid arthritis). Externally, an ointment is used for poorly healing wounds and chronic ulcerations, burns, eczema, psoriasis, and herpes simplex.

evening primrose oil: aids in weight loss, reduces high blood pressure, and helps to treat all skin disorders, female disorders such as cramps and heavy bleeding, hot flashes, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and alcoholism.

feverfew: used for prophylaxis and treatment of migraine headaches, nausea, vomiting, arthritis, fever, and menstrual disorders. .

flaxseed: used for female disorders, colon problems, inflammation, and tumors. Promotes strong nails, bones, and teeth and healthy skin.

garlic cloves: used in the West primarily for its cardiovascular effects, principally as a support to dietetic measures at elevated levels of lipids in blood and as a preventive measure for age-dependent vascular changes. Garlic is also used for atheroma, prophylaxis of atherosclerosis, hypertension, respiratory infections, and catarrhal conditions and as a natural antibiotic.

ginger rhizome: primary uses of ginger are prophylaxis of the nausea and vomiting of motion sickness, dyspepsia, stomachic. It is also used as a tonic digestant in sub-acid gastritis, for lack of appetite, as a postoperative antiemetic for minor surgical procedures, for colic, for morning sickness, anorexia, bronchitis, and rheumatic complaints.

ginkgo biloba leaf extract: improves memory loss, brain function, depression, cerebral and peripheral circulation, oxygenation, and blood flow. Good for tinnitus, asthma, Alzheimer's disease, heart and kidney disorders, and glucose utilization.

ginseng root: used for impotence, stress, cocaine withdrawal, energy, diabetes, colds, and chest problems. Promotes lung function, enhances immune function, stimulates appetite, and normalizes blood pressure. Varieties popularly used include American ginseng, Asian ginseng, and Siberian ginseng.

goldenseal: used to strengthen the immune system; acts as an antibiotic; has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, potentiates insulin, and cleanses the body. Good for colds, flu, inflammation, glandular swelling, gum disease, morning sickness, diabetes, hypoglycemia, and ulcers.

grape seed extract: used as a dietary supplement for antioxidant and other cardiovascular benefits and for anti-inflammatory actions.

green tea leaf: believed to act as an antioxidant to prevent cancer and possibly other diseases; reduces the risk of stroke; lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.

kava kava rhizome: used to treat nervous anxiety, stress, and restlessness.Contraindicated in pregnancy, nursing, or endogenous depression.

licorice root: used for catarrhal conditions of the upper respiratory tract and gastric/duodenal ulcers. Licorce is an ingredient in cough drops and syrups, tonics, laxatives, and antismoking preparations.

ma huang: has been used to relieve allergies, asthma, hay fever, colds, and inflammatory conditions. The plant contains two primary alkaloids, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.

passionflower: said to possess sedative, hypnotic, antispasmodic, and calming effects. Used to treat neuralgia, seizures, hysteria, nervous tachycardia, spasmodic asthma, and insomnia.

saw palmetto berry: used primarily for urination problems in benign prostate hyperplasia stages 1 and 2.

St. John's wort: traditionally used as a muscle relaxant to relieve menstrual problems, as a mild tranquilizer and as a treatment for depression and insomnia.

valerian root: used primarily for restlessness, sleeping disorders based on nervous conditions; also good for headaches, colic, gas, pain, stress, anxiety, muscle cramps, and spasms.

(See also: Herbal therapy, Alternative Medicine, Body Mind and Soul)

Diagnosis

Indian medicine names three main causes of disease – 'overuse', 'disuse' or 'misuse’ of faculties; 'errors in judgement'; and influence of seasonal changes. According to Ayurveda all human diseases can be classified into the seven broad categories, namely:

1. Genetic (Adibalapravritta)

·      Consists of ailments as obstinate skin diseases, hemorrhoids, diabetes, tuberculosis and asthma that arise primarily due to defects in the sperm (sukra) of the father – when it is called pitrija or the ovum (sonita) of the mother – when it is termed matrja.

·      Undigested food, abnormal behaviour, addiction of any type and stressful situations affect the reproductive elements of both the male and female, resulting in a defective foetus.

2. Congenital (Janmabalapravritta)

·      Caused essentially due to nutritional disorder (rasakrita) and unfulfilled cravings of the mother during pregnancy (dauhrdya)

·      If diet and / or conduct of the mother aggravates vata, the foetus might end up with deformities as kyphosis (hunchback), blindness and dwarfism; increased pitta may cause alopecia and yellowish pigmentation of skin; and enhanced kapha might result in albinism.

3. Constitutional (Doshabalapravritta)

·      Arise out of any dietary or behavioural disturbance brought about by an imbalance in any one of the three vital physical energies (Tridoshas) or the three vital mental energies (Trigunas).

·      Thus constitutional disorders are of two types: somatic (Sharirika) & psychic (Manasika).

4. Traumatic (Sanghatabalapravritta)

·      Undergoing any trauma causing experience – external or internal – leads to this.

·      External trauma is induced by injuries inflicted by sharp instruments and bites of animals or venomous insects.

·      Stress and overstrain lead to internal trauma.

5. Seasonal (Klabalapravritta)

·      Brought about by changes in the nuances of seasonality.

·      Sometimes the body fails to adjust itself to the sudden and abnormal climatic changes – extreme cold might lead to frostbite and rheumatic disease. While extreme heat may cause sunstroke or fever.

6. Infectious and Spiritual (Daivabalapravritta)

·      Either born out of natural calamities as lightning, earthquakes, floods and the invisible, malignant forces of nature.

·      Or contacted through sexual & physical intimacy and sharing of food, plates, bed, clothes, towels and cosmetics with effected friends & relatives.

·      Or as a result of sheer jealousy.

7. Natural (Swabhavbalapravritta)

·      Even the healthiest of people are struck by hunger, thirst, sleep, death or senility.

·      Brought about by functional, organic and natural changes in the body.

In Ayurveda, physicians try to assess the symptoms of these diseases as much as the nature of ailment and its root causes (nidana). This is of utmost importance in ensuring correct choice of remedial & preventive measures for treatment of the disease. For otherwise, even after therapy, one might not get the desired response and there would remain a chance of recurrence.

The early signs and symptoms (purvaroopa) provide useful warnings and the opportunity for taking necessary action before a disease can assume dangerous magnitudes. The main signs and symptoms (roopa) reflect the true nature and intensity of the disease. Another oft used method of diagnosis is exploratory therapy (upasaya) which uses diet, medicines and routines to detect diseases otherwise difficult to diagnose. Acting either against the cause of disease or the disease itself or producing relief. For example a swelling that is alleviated by an oily & hot massage, is obviously caused by an imbalance of vata.

(See also: Diagnosis, Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

The most effective treatment for asthma is identifying triggers, such as pets or aspirin, and limiting or eliminating exposure to them. Desensitization is commonly attempted, but has not been shown to be effective. As is common with respiratory disease, smoking adversely affects asthmatics in several ways, including an increased severity of symptoms, a more rapid decline of lung function, and decreased response to preventive medications.[9] Asthmatics wh ...

See also:

Asthma, Asthma - History, Asthma - Signs and symptoms, Asthma - Diagnosis, Asthma - Differential diagnosis, Asthma - Pathophysiology, Asthma - Bronchoconstriction, Asthma - Bronchial inflammation, Asthma - The immune response, Asthma - Pathogenesis, Asthma - Treatment, Asthma - Relief medication, Asthma - Prevention medication, Asthma - Long-acting β2-agonists, Asthma - Emergency treatment, Asthma - Alternative medicine, Asthma - Prognosis, Asthma - Epidemiology, Asthma - US Socioeconomic Factors, Asthma - Asthma and athletics

Read more here: » Asthma: Encyclopedia II - Asthma - Treatment

The most effective treatment for asthma is identifying triggers, such as pets or aspirin, and limiting or eliminating exposure to them. Desensitization is commonly attempted, but has not been shown to be effective. As is common with respiratory disease, smoking adversely affects asthmatics in several ways, including an increased severity of symptoms, a more rapid decline of lung function, and decreased response to preventive medications.[9] Asthmatics wh ...

See also:

Asthma, Asthma - History, Asthma - Signs and symptoms, Asthma - Diagnosis, Asthma - Differential diagnosis, Asthma - Pathophysiology, Asthma - Bronchoconstriction, Asthma - Bronchial inflammation, Asthma - The immune response, Asthma - Pathogenesis, Asthma - Treatment, Asthma - Relief medication, Asthma - Prevention medication, Asthma - Long-acting β2-agonists, Asthma - Emergency treatment, Asthma - Alternative medicine, Asthma - Prognosis, Asthma - Epidemiology, Asthma - Socioeconomic factors, Asthma - Asthma and athletics

Read more here: » Asthma: Encyclopedia II - Asthma - Treatment

In most cases, a physician can diagnose asthma on the basis of typical findings in a patient's clinical history and examination. Asthma is strongly suspected if a patient suffers from eczema or other allergic conditions—suggesting a general atopic constitution—or has a family history of asthma. While measurement of airway function is possible for adults, most new cases are diagnosed in children who are unable to perform such tests. Diagnosis in children is based on a careful compilation and analysis of the patient's medical history and s ...

See also:

Asthma, Asthma - History, Asthma - Signs and symptoms, Asthma - Diagnosis, Asthma - Differential diagnosis, Asthma - Pathophysiology, Asthma - Bronchoconstriction, Asthma - Bronchial inflammation, Asthma - The immune response, Asthma - Pathogenesis, Asthma - Treatment, Asthma - Relief medication, Asthma - Prevention medication, Asthma - Long-acting β2-agonists, Asthma - Emergency treatment, Asthma - Alternative medicine, Asthma - Prognosis, Asthma - Epidemiology, Asthma - US Socioeconomic Factors, Asthma - Asthma and athletics

Read more here: » Asthma: Encyclopedia II - Asthma - Diagnosis

Asthma - Bronchoconstriction. In essence, asthma is the result of an abnormal immune response in the bronchial airways.[5] The airways of asthmatics are “hypersensitive” to certain triggers, also known as stimuli (see below). In response to exposure to these triggers, the bronchi (large airways) contract into spasm (an “asthma attack”). Inflammation soon follows, leading to a further narrowing of the airways and excessive mucus production, which leads to ...

See also:

Asthma, Asthma - History, Asthma - Signs and symptoms, Asthma - Diagnosis, Asthma - Differential diagnosis, Asthma - Pathophysiology, Asthma - Bronchoconstriction, Asthma - Bronchial inflammation, Asthma - The immune response, Asthma - Pathogenesis, Asthma - Treatment, Asthma - Relief medication, Asthma - Prevention medication, Asthma - Long-acting β2-agonists, Asthma - Emergency treatment, Asthma - Alternative medicine, Asthma - Prognosis, Asthma - Epidemiology, Asthma - US Socioeconomic Factors, Asthma - Asthma and athletics

Read more here: » Asthma: Encyclopedia II - Asthma - Pathophysiology

In most cases, a physician can diagnose asthma on the basis of typical findings in a patient's clinical history and examination. Asthma is strongly suspected if a patient suffers from eczema or other allergic conditions—suggesting a general atopic constitution—or has a family history of asthma. While measurement of airway function is possible for adults, most new cases are diagnosed in children who are unable to perform such tests. Diagnosis in children is based on a careful compilation and analysis of the patient's medical history and s ...

See also:

Asthma, Asthma - History, Asthma - Signs and symptoms, Asthma - Diagnosis, Asthma - Differential diagnosis, Asthma - Pathophysiology, Asthma - Bronchoconstriction, Asthma - Bronchial inflammation, Asthma - The immune response, Asthma - Pathogenesis, Asthma - Treatment, Asthma - Relief medication, Asthma - Prevention medication, Asthma - Long-acting β2-agonists, Asthma - Emergency treatment, Asthma - Alternative medicine, Asthma - Prognosis, Asthma - Epidemiology, Asthma - Socioeconomic factors, Asthma - Asthma and athletics

Read more here: » Asthma: Encyclopedia II - Asthma - Diagnosis