Fight Asthma With Vitamins And Over The Counter Products

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by episodes or attacks of inflammation and narrowing of small airways in response to exposure to environmental stimuli. Asthma attacks can vary from mild to life threatening. The main symptom of Asthma is shortness of breath as the result of the bronchial passages becoming narrowed through exposure to some type of stress, either physical (allergy) or psychological.

During an asthma attack, histamine and leukotrienes are produced by respiratory system, which results in a rapid constriction of the smooth muscle of the bronchial tubes. The bronchial tubes narrow and reduces the amount of air that can pass.

Asthma is a seriously debilitating and sometimes life-threatening disease that affects more than 8 million adults in the United States. The incidence of asthma cases has surged in recent years, although researchers are not sure why. Asthma is the most common chronic pulmonary disorder in the United States. Asthma prevalence has been increasing to epidemic levels, especially in areas with high urbanization. More than 5,000 deaths are attributed to asthma attacks each year.

Asthma is experienced during the life span of approximately 10% of the population, resulting in morbidity and mortality costing a substantial economic burden on individuals and on society. Although the research in asthma has advanced rapidly in recent years, the etiology of asthma remains unclear. Asthma is not contagious, and although it appears to follow some genetic pattern. Researchers have found that an asthma attack can be caused by heredity, air pollution, food allergy, infections, emotional disturbances, and dozens of other factors.

Almost 5% of adult-onset asthma cases were recognized as having work-related symptoms. A worker reporting improvement of symptoms after being gone from the workplace over the weekend or after a vacation and then reporting a worsening of symptoms upon returning to the workplace is labeled as having work-related asthma.

Among the various risk factors of asthma, those of occupational origin are gaining more importance with time due to use of various chemicals in industries which potentially induce hypersensitivity and predisposition to asthma. In addition, there has long been evidence that physicians do not adequately assess the work-relatedness of many diseases, including asthma. It appears that providers seldom recorded information about occupation in notes on asthma unless they considered the symptoms triggered by workplace exposures.

Although prescription medication for the treatment of asthma are abundant and are improving in effectiveness, there are inherent risks and side effects with most of them. Despite many newer drugs for asthma, people are dying more frequently from this illness. It is apparent that asthma is not well controlled in many individuals.

Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with treating Arteriosclerosis such as Vitamin C, Beta Carotene, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Butterbur, Vitamin A, Pantothenic Acid, Glucosamine, Manganese, Omega Smooth and Flavonoids.

Vitamin C is nature's protective nutrient, essential for defending the body against pollution and infection and enhances the human body immune system.

Beta Carotene protects the mucus membranes of the mouth, nose, throat and lungs. It also helps protect Vitamin C from oxidation, which enables it to perform at optimum efficiency.

The Journal of Clinical Investigation report published in December 8, 2005 revealed that taking Vitamin D supplements could help improve the effects of steroid drugs used to treat Asthma.

Vitamin E protects the lung tissue from inhaled pollutants and aids in the functioning of the immune system.

Butterbur is a common herbal extract that is highly effective asthma therapy. As far back as the 17th century, butterbur was used to treat cough, asthma, and skin wounds.

A number of studies have suggested that taking antioxidants such a Vitamin A reduces the risk of bronchoconstriction associated with asthma. Vitamin A is stored in the liver and fat cells of the human body and can reach toxic levels. DO NOT take more than the recommended dosage of Vitamin A.

Many find pantothenic Acid to be very helpful against asthma symptoms. It is another form of non-toxic Vitamin B.

Glucosamine is an anti-inflammatory and may give some relief from asthma symptoms.

Magnesium has been employed in the treatment of acute asthma, but its use has not become universal, nor has it been studied for the treatment of chronic asthma. Manganese has been found deficient in bronchial biopsies of asthmatic patients, indication manganese replenishment could aid in the treatment of asthma.

Omega smooth is a delicious tasting liquid that is derived from fish oil. Regular fish comsumption has been associated with a reduced risk of children having asthma attacks.

Flavonoids are the brightly colored pigments found in most fruits and vegetables. When consumed, they have antioxidant properties and have been associated with improved lung junction.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and not to be construed as medical advice.

How to Cure Exercise Induced Asthma

Exercise induced asthma is one of the most troubling ailments a person can get. Especially since exercise is still the best cure for most asthma conditions, having one that is triggered by one of the cures can be quite a big hassle. This is why learning how to cure exercise induced asthma is a necessity for people who suffer from this ailment.

Luckily, for most individuals with this condition, taking medications daily isn't too necessary, unless they engage in physical activities on a daily basis. Otherwise, taking something to prevent the attack would be especially needed.

Of course, preventing this kind of asthma is the most appropriate thing to do, especially since you already know what would likely happen if you started exercising without taking any precautions. Preventing the actual asthma attack is the wisest thing you should do if you already know that your condition is triggered by one.

But how would you do that? Here are some suggestions how to cure exercise induced asthma.

1. Use a bronchodilator inhaler before exercising. Inhalers like these are the most widely used medication to prevent full-blown asthma attacks. You can choose from a short or a long acting one, depending on your case.

2. Quit smoking. Smoking weakens the respiratory system, which is altogether bad for your asthma condition. Plus, this, with further exertion can really take toll on your lungs, so make sure to quit if you want to continue exercising and living without the hassles of constant asthma attacks.

3. Try breathing exercises. Proper breathing exercises not only helps you breathe easier, but it also trains your chest muscles to work better, especially after being strained too much from years of erratic breathing caused by asthma. There are also a good number of different techniques you can learn, so you can have different options in which one works for you best.

4. Avoid exercising in harsh conditions like extremely cold weather, high allergy season, or when you're suffering from a respiratory infection. This will only make you more prone to severe asthma attacks, so try to avoid exertion during times like these.

These are just some of the things you can do how to cure exercise induced asthma. Remember, although, your condition poses harm with physical exertion; it still should not stop you from exercising altogether. Exercise is still a very good way for you to regain much better health, just make sure to take some proper precautions.

Black Mold - How To Tell The Symptoms Of Toxicity

Mold is common in all our homes and doesn't usually cause any severe health problems. It stuffs you up, makes your eyes red, gives you a cough or a headache; it's a pain and should be got rid of, but it's not lethal.

However, there are some varieties of black mold that have toxicity. Prolonged exposure to toxic mold can lead to serious, life-threatening problems. This is why you need to be aware of the symptoms of black mold toxicity.

- Sinus trouble. The most common symptom of exposure to black mold is sinus trouble. This includes nasal congestion, runny nose and sinus headaches. These sinus symptoms are caused by both non-toxic and toxic mold, so with this symptom alone it may be difficult to tell for sure.

- Skin rashes and hives. Your skin doesn't like toxic mold and will do anything it can to resist it. This is why some people experience rashes and other skin problems when they are exposed to toxic mold. It is a natural reaction to the black mold's toxicity, and you should see a doctor immediately.

- Cough and sore throat - If you have a cough or sore throat that just won't go away, you may be suffering from black mold exposure. Regular mold is hazardous to health and can cause some coughing and throat irritation, but if it is ongoing, that is a sign that the black mold contains some toxicity.

- Asthma. The exact causes of asthma are unknown, but studies have shown that exposure to toxic mold, especially in youth, can lead to the development of asthma. If you find yourself developing asthma-like symptoms, it may be an indication that there is toxic black mold present.

- Dizziness or light-headedness. This often goes with the sinus symptoms, and is an indication that the mold in your home contains some toxicity. It means that the mold spores that have entered your body have released toxins that are disturbing your whole system.

- Nausea - Regular mold produces cold or sinus symptoms, but toxic mold may affect your stomach and digestive system. This is because the toxicity can affect any part of your body. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, you have been poisoned by toxic black mold and should seek medical help.

- Fatigue - Toxic black mold can make you feel tired and lethargic all the time, even when you've had a good night's sleep. Black mold's toxicity has an effect on your immune system, breaking down your body's natural defenses, and this can lead to excessive fatigue.

- Memory loss or trouble hearing. If spores enter your respiratory system, the toxicity of the mold can work on your brain. Once the toxins are in the bloodstream, they can go to any part of your body. This is why some people who have been poisoned by black mold lose their memory or hearing.

- Bleeding Lungs - In severe cases of toxic black mold poisoning, you may suffer bleeding in the lungs. This is very severe and will require hospitalization. At this point, the toxicity is well inside your system.

If you suffer any of these symptoms, or suspect that you may have toxic black mold, you should hire an inspector to test your home. They can take samples from the mold itself, or test the air for spores. They will send these samples to a lab for analysis and tell you what they find. If you find any mold at all in your house, you should remove it as quickly as possible and remove the conditions that allow it to grow.

How to Cope With Asthma - Five Strategies For Five Stages

If you have just been diagnosed with asthma you may be wondering what happens next, and how people who have been diagnosed with asthma manage to get on with activities such as exercise, going for brisk walks, enjoying the sharp chill of cold winter air or going on vacation to muggy, humid climates. However, the fact is that asthma is a condition, not a disability, and it is important to learn to deal with it, and cope in a positive way.
 
As far as coping strategies are concerned there are several different strategies available, and they can be used in different ways to tackle the asthma and help you to manage it without jeopardizing a normal, healthy life.
 
In this article we will discuss asthma in 5 stages and provide a strategy for each different stage. These stages can be said to be diagnosis, pre-attack, initial attack, attack and post attack.
 
1. Diagnosis

Once you have been diagnosed as having asthma you will almost certainly be prescribed treatment. This is likely to be in the form of an inhaler, and these vary from turbohalers which require a forced deep breath in, to aerosol inhalers which work by pressing a button which causes a jet of spray to hit the back of your throat. There are also two types of inhaler, either preventative or reliever.
 
It will be very important to spend time learning about these, asking your doctor plenty of questions, trying them, and reassuring yourself that when you need to use them, you'll be comfortable enough with them to use them effectively. This reassurance is a valuable method of helping reduce the tension and worry, and may actually reduce your frequency of use.
 
2. Pre Attack

You may have some idea of when you are more likely to experience shortage of breath already, such as during exercise, or in cold weather. It is always a good idea to keep a record of when you do experience a shortage of breath and the need to use an inhaler as this will help to create a pattern that will allow you to be even more prepared.
 
Being aware of situations that could possible cause problems will allow you to minimize panic and worry as this is only likely to exacerbate any asthmatic tendency. And if you choose to go into a situation that might cause problems, spend time relaxing your breathing, controlling it, sitting calmly for a while and stretching your lungs with several good strong deep breaths. Make sure you know where your inhalers are and go for it. Covering your mouth with a scarf when in cold air and breathing through your nose rather than your mouth are two other little strategies worth using.
 
3. Initial attack

Although you often hear the term asthma attack, it's more of a gradual constriction of the bronchial passages. Very rarely do asthmatics find themselves happy one minute then gasping for air the next. It is crucial to be conscious of the first signs of breathing difficulty. As soon as that initial feeling occurs, stop and get your breathing under control. If you're exercising, stop and try to sit down somewhere.
 
Don't bend over as you will only squash your abdomen and lungs, limiting your breathing potential even more. Instead, sit up with a good straight back, and focus on your breathing. Breathe fairly deeply, slowly and with control, preferably in through the nose and out through the mouth. Relax your shoulders, dropping them completely as you exhale. In this way you may well find your breathing gets back under control without the need for an inhaler at all. Knowing how to cope in this stage can make a very positive difference.
 
4. Attack

Try to stay calm, as panic causes your heart to race and could lead to hyperventilation as a means to get more oxygen into your blood stream. Unfortunately, hyperventilating then makes your asthma worse, and the feeling of panic increases. Being aware of this vicious cycle is important, and being able to break it is a very positive strategy. Staying calm and in control means you can access your inhaler and operate it effectively and correctly.
 
5. Post Attack

After you have had an attack, make a note of it in a log book, along with what you were doing and where you were. There may be an obvious trigger such as going for a run, but there may be less obvious ones that may go unnoticed without a log, such as cleaning the kitchen floor. Cleaning a floor might seem like easy work, but it could be that the strong odor from the detergent is a trigger. Keeping a log helps you identify such patterns, and this in turn gives you ways of avoiding triggers that lead to an attack.
 
It's important to know how to cope with asthma, and in particular, how to live with it. Developing strategies to cope will give you a greater sense of control, and allow you to live your life fully with less worry and fear.

How To React During An Asthma Attack

Asthma is a frightening illness that prevents patients from effectively breathing to their full potential. Typical signs and symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. In addition, the patient may become anxious, further exacerbating their anxiety. When this occurs, it is important for patients to know how to react during an asthma attack. Staying calm is almost always beneficial during an asthma attack and can even prevent the attack from becoming worse.

The way a patient reacts during an asthma attack can mean the difference between a mild attack and a severe one. When the patient stays calm, they can better focus on self administering their medications and treatments. In addition, when the asthmatic is relaxed, he is better able to receive his inhalation medication. Hyperventilating can spur on an anxiety attack, which makes it more difficult for the patient to expectorate obstructing mucus. When this happens, the lungs become a breeding ground for bacteria, which can worsen asthma.

In the event of an emergency, when an asthmatic knows how to react during an asthma attack, he will keep a clear mind and be better equipped to call for emergency assistance if needed. When panicked during an asthma attack, the patient may desperately need help, however is too anxious to call for emergency services. If the patient can try to remain calm, he can better explain his situation to the 911 dispatcher. Accurate patient information can better equip paramedics to deal with the situation, and better assist the patient.

People and bystanders who witness a person having an asthma attack need to know how to react during an asthma attack. They too, need to stay calm, because when the patient sees people around him calm, it diminishes his anxiety at bay. If, on the other hand, he sees people panic and ill at ease, it may have a negative effect on his emotional state. Bystanders should offer support and try to gently take charge of the situation, so that the patient can concentrate on his breathing. The asthmatic patient needs all the support and reassurance he can get to help speed up his recovery.

Natural Asthma Treatment - Sea Salt and Water

One of the most powerful natural asthma treatment may be found in your own kitchen! Sea salt and water intake is a potent alternative for asthma therapy. The next time you have an asthma attack, try putting a pinch of sea salt under your tongue, and drink a large glass of water. If this does not work immediately, do not panic. Try another of salt with another glass of warm water.

Sea salt is a very powerful natural antihistamine. It can also be used in an inhaler, without the harmful side effects of most medical drugs. Taking a pinch of sea salt along with the water helps to break up the mucus plugs in the lungs, get rid of the sticky phlegm and stop that persistent dry cough that mostly accompanies asthma attacks. It is also a natural antiseptic that helps your body to fight off germs and bacteria and helps to keep your body's electrolytes in a healthy balance.

Many people are also unknowingly suffering from dehydration. In today's hectic lifestyle, many people are not drinking enough water. To make matters worse, they routinely drink coffee and tea in place of pure water. Drinks like coffee and tea are diuretics which make your body lose even more water. When you do not drink enough water to properly hydrate your body, your air passages tend to close in an attempt to keep water from escaping as vapor. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body hydrated will address this problem.

Begin drinking half of your body weight every day in ounces of water (recommended at least 8 glasses of water a day) and take a little bit of natural sea salt along with the water. Allow your body to get accustomed to this routine by making sure that you do not drink a whole gallon of water in one sitting. Split up the drinking throughout the day so that your body is able to properly absorb the water and you do not flood your system all at one time. This will keep your body hydrated throughout the day, and ward off asthma attacks naturally.

If you have been doing this routine daily, and the asthma condition has not improved, perhaps, it is time to look at other possible causes as well. Work related asthma is a common cause for many people, and warrants further investigation on your part.

Asthma - Effective Yet Affordable Treatment - 8 Ways to Save Money

Asthma treatment often costs thousands of dollars a year - more than many patients can afford. With brand-name controller drugs costing $200 per month, what's a person to do?

Here are 8 tips for effective yet affordable treatment. Let's begin with a story.

My sister, an asthma sufferer, once got a guinea pig for her son.

Loving mother that she is, she didn't complain when, days later, she found she couldn't breathe. Nor did she grumble when her medications stopped working. Nor did she fuss when her doctor put her on steroids and she gained thirty pounds.

Gasping and groaning, she did what mothers do, and cared for the guinea pig, day in and day out.

At Christmas she came for a visit. "Isn't there anything to make my asthma better?" she implored.

"Get rid of the guinea pig," I replied.

She looked at me as if I'd killed her firstborn. But six months later she put the guinea pig outside and - voila! - her asthma improved.

Yes, she learned a lesson - two in fact. Don't put the guinea pig on the deck in July...

That's #1. Substitute cat, dog, horse, rat, camel, etc. for guinea pig.

#2. Check online for coupons. You're already online anyway. Zip on over to the we site for Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA, Advair, Symbicort, or Singulair for hundreds of dollars in free samples and savings on refills

#3. Consider Ventolin ReliOn. If you're paying full price for your albuterol, ask your doctor for this $9, 60-dose brand-name albuterol inhaler instead. True, it will take three of these to equal one standard albuterol inhaler, but still that's only $27, half the price of a full-sized inhaler. Even insured patients may find this a savings - easily hundreds of dollars a year. It is currently only available through Wal-Mart and Target pharmacies.

#4. Patient Assistance Programs. If you're uninsured, and make under $45,000 for a single person, or under $90,000 for a family of four, check out the Together Rx Acess program online. Asthma medications covered under this program include Advair, Azmacort, Serevent, and Flovent, for free or reduced cost, with potential savings of hundreds of dollars a year.

#5. Ask for medications on the $4 list. These include albuterol syrup, tablets, and nebulizer solution; ipratropium nebulizer solution, oral corticosteroids, and antibiotics. Discount chain pharmacies offer a long list of generic medications for only $4 a month, or $10 for three months. These could save you hundreds of dollars a year over name-brand drugs.

#6. Consider theophylline. Before inhaled steroids, before Singulair, before ipratropium, there was theophylline, the mainstay of asthma therapy. This medication is still available, is quite inexpensive, and is effective for many patients. There are drawbacks - drug interactions, need for periodic blood monitoring, jitteriness and nausea in some patients, concerns with overdose - BUT for patients on a budget it is a consideration, and can save hundreds of dollars a year over newer therapies.

#7. Have your doctor prescribe a nebulizer. Why would you spend $100 when you want to save money? Because the medication used in a nebulizer is so cheap. Both albuterol and ipratropium nebulizer solutions are on the $4 list, cheaper than hand-held metered-dose inhalers. Your doctor may not be aware of this, so be sure to bring it up. Substituting home nebulizer treatments for some doses of an inhaler may save you hundreds of dollars annually. You will still want to keep a rescue inhaler handy, however, for when you are not near your nebulizer.

#8. Stop at Starbucks. Drink a cup of coffee - not decaf. Caffeine is one of the metabolites of theophylline (#6 above), and has similar, though weaker, bronchodilator action. Caffeinated tea works as well. Many a time a midnight asthma attack has been ameliorated with a little java. This does not mean you shouldn't have a rescue inhaler on hand. But if you're stuck overnight in an airport and don't have one with you, load up on caffeine. Save hundreds of dollars a year by stopping at McDonald's for coffee instead.

No one should have to choose between their next meal or their next breath. Use these ideas to afford medication to keep your asthma symptoms under control. Why not take this article with you to your next doctor appointment? Your physician will want to help you along the path to excellent yet affordable health care.

Copyright 2010 Cynthia J. Koelker, M.D.