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.

Aromatherapy And Asthma

SAFETY FIRST

Be aware that there is NO WAY to predict what oils can or will trigger an attack in an individual. Quite obviously, if you know you are allergic to, let's say pine and spruce trees, then avoid the use of the various conifer (needle) oils. If most flowers bring on an attack, avoid the floral oils, and so on.

Any oil you intend to try should first be "tested." Put a drop of the essential oil on a tissue or cotton ball and hold it at arms length from the sufferer. If it seems well tolerated, gradually bring it closer until the tissue or cotton ball is right under the nose. If it can be inhaled with no negative effects it is safe to try.

Do not try testing more than two essential oils per day, separated by several hours.

WARNING:

Please don't use any of the essential oils in a steam inhalation during an asthma attack. The use of steam almost always worsens the attack.

PREVENTION

There are two oils that are said to have 'antihistamine like' properties and are said to prevent asthma attacks.

BLUE TANSY OIL (tanecetum anuum) There are authorities who state that Blue Tansy oil can halt an asthma attack in its tracks (Jeanne Rose is one of them)...and I have clients who say that diffusing a bit of this oil in an aromalamp each morning has allowed them to cut way down on allergy medications. Blue Tansy may prove useful both as an antihistamine to help prevent attacks, and as a treatment during an attack.

AMNI VISNAGA (khella) oil is supposed to have a similar effect, however it's only fair to say that most people enjoy the scent of blue tansy (sweet and apple scented) and find the scent of ammi reminiscent of last years coffee grounds. The drug Intal (cromolyn sodium) has its origins from ammi visnaga. Khella Oil must be used (by inhalation) on a daily basis, not just when an attack threatens.

TREATING THE SYMPTOMS:

One of my French mentors wrote, years ago: "Asthma is a tricky thing, different circumstances can trigger attacks in different people, so caution is important here. A large number of Essential Oils have(or are reputed to have) effects on the respiratory system, which isn't very surprising considering that they are breathed in and that scents are often very pleasant things. A large number (many of the same ones as above) will also carry warnings that they may trigger an asthmatic attack. Also, not a surprise when you consider things."

It is because of the oils powerful effects on the respiratory tract that well tolerated essential oils can bring swift relief to Asthma sufferers.

ESSENTIAL OILS THAT HAVE PROVEN HELPFUL FOR SOME ASTHMA VICTIMS:

The following oils are listed in order by both their ability to be tolerated without causing a reaction, and their effectiveness.

* Blue Tansy (tanecetuum anuum) Jeanne Rose states that Blue Tansy is a natural source of theophylline, a bronchiodilator,which would explain its being recommended for asthma crisis's. And many sources write of the links between childhood asthma and adult eczema and other dermatitis conditions. Although we do not recommend internal usage, she says she personally uses one drop of this oil on a sugar cube for bring her asthma attack to a halt. Kurt Schaubelt extolls this magnificent deep indigo oil for its antihistamine/anti-allergen properties. He suggests using it (applied to the solar plexus) in blends for asthma, or diffusing it in blends for emphasema...blending Pine, Cypress and just a touch of this lovely Tansy. (Obviously it is first necessary to test all the oils before blending!)

* Hyssop montana/canescens (ex decumbens) My French mentor writes that in his experience this particular Hyssop (and no others!) is the safest essential oil to use with Asthma sufferers. It appears that the pino-camphone content in this hyssop chemotype is very low so I believe there is no toxicity, compared with the other hyssop types. I have years of experience with it, mainly with diffusers and really love the oil! Best results with asthma patients, little children and allergic people. He says it is the first oil he will reach for in cases of Asthma. This hyssop ssp montana/canescens (ex decumbens) is only found in the Haute Provence, France. Blue Tansy and this Hyssop are the first two essential oils I would test.

* Myrtle Myrtys communis. A soft, gentle respiratory oil, very good for use with children, normally well tolerated. A very gentle expectorant that can ease coughing while loosening tight mucous.

* Litsea Cubeba. Litsea, sometimes called May Chang, has a clear lemony scent that also has bronchio-dilator and antispasmodic effects. It is normally well tolerated, but should be tested. It also blends aromatically well with amni visnaga (see above) and makes inhalation of the Khella Oil a lot more palatable.

* Cypress Oil Cupressus sempervirens All of the conifers may help with respiratory problems. Cypress, in addition, is an antispasmodic which can help relieve bronchial spasms. However, any of the "Evergreen" oils can cause an allergic reaction to many people, so please be very sure to test this with your asthma patient. (See test method above.)

My mentor suggests, if the above oils are all well-tolerated, a blend of one drop each of Hyssop, Litsea, and Cypress inhaled from a cotton ball when breathing first begins to feel constricted. If this blend, or any single oil proves effective you might want to look at making a personal inhaler for the patient to carry with him.

Essential Oils: Try them in this order: Hyssop, Myrtle, Cypress, Lavender, Litsea cubeba, Petitgrain (or Mandarin) for stress and anxiety relief.

ASTHMA BLENDS:

For inhalation:

* Hyssop Essential Oil

* Cypress Essential Oil

* Litsea cubeba Essential Oil:

One drop of each on a cotton ball to smell at will whenever breathing feels constricted.

Try the combination and if the effect is positive, mix as follows. In a small colored glass bottle (amber or cobalt) mix equal parts of the three oils. (1 15 ml (1/2 ounce) bottle will hold one measuring teaspoon of each oil.)

For Massage:

* Myrtle Essential Oil

* Lavender Essential Oil

* Petitgrain Essential Oil (or Mandarin Essential Oil):

This is a more complicated mixture. You will also need some carrier oil - Jojoba or Fractionated Coconut are our favorites, but use what you have available. For your trial of this mixture, take one tablespoonful Oil, add 7 drops Myrtle Essential Oil, 3 drops Lavender Essential Oil, and 3 drops Petitgrain Essential Oil (or Mandarin Essential Oil). Use this as a massage oil on the patients BACK, not chest. If the reaction is a good one, mix up some more as follows: 7 TBS Carrier Oil (this should be what is left in your 4 oz bottle if that is what you bought).

Add 1/2 tsp Myrtle Essential Oil, 1/4 tsp Lavender Essential Oil and 1/4 tsp Petitgrain Essential Oil (or Mandarin Essential Oil). This is a massage oil for his back. It can also be used on his wrists or ankles. It should be used every 15 minutes or oftener during an attack. It will not hurt him to use it once or twice a day as a regular thing if he thinks it makes his condition better.

Understanding the Difference Between Asthma and Allergies

It is very important to understand the difference between Asthma and allergies. They are two very different and separate diseases. Common ground shared by the two diseases is the fact that they are both immune-based diseases. They share a diagnostic name: Rinobronchitis (allergic airway syndrome). Allergies are an immune system condition. Asthma is better considered a respiratory condition.

An allergy can be defined as an exaggerated and/or abnormal response of the body when exposed to allergens. Allergens are basically irritants. What happens during an allergic reaction is the body begins to over-produce antibodies known as immunoglobulin E. This causes histamine to be released and this release causes typical allergenic symptoms. A few known allergens are: air pollution, dust mites, molds, perfumes, smoke, viruses, and pollens. The negative effects of the allergens can be drastically reduced if you use common allergy reduction medicines.

Asthma is a respiratory disease. In an asthma attack, the airways in the lungs react to certain irritants in a hypersensitive manner. Continual labored breathing occurs usually combined with sneezing, coughing, and gasping. There is a feeling of tight constriction in the chest. When airways constrict, bronchial tubes will begin to swell, mucus develops, and difficulty in breathing becomes predominately worse. The end result of asthma attacks is difficulty in getting air into the lungs.

What does all this information tell us? You can suffer from allergies and not have asthma. Likewise, you may have asthma, but not suffer from allergies. Asthma can be caused by underlying allergies. So can depression. Asthma will not be the cause of suffering from allergies of any type. It is important to note that not every person who has allergies will develop asthma. Understanding that there are important differences with the two diseases of asthma and allergy is very important. Knowing exactly what disease you have determine what type of treatment will be sought.

Asthma Management and the Importance of Having an Asthma Action Plan

Overview

Asthma is when your airways become inflamed and swollen making it difficult for you to breath. For some people this can be a chronic condition that needs to be controlled with an Asthma management plan. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, asthma affects 1 out of every 4 people. It is estimated that in America nearly 60 million people suffer from Asthma. Knowing what triggers an attack and how to manage their asthma has greatly improved the quality of life for many suffers.

Symptoms

Asthma symptoms can be different with each attack. Also not everyone that has asthma will have the same symptoms. The symptoms to look out for are wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, tightness or pain in the chest, an increased heart rate, and sometimes sweating occurs.

Diagnosis

Asthma is normally classified as mild, moderate, or severe. The classification based on the assessment of your symptoms by your doctor. Depending on your situation, your doctor may use a peek flow meter to see how well you are breathing in and out. Also a pulse oximeter will be used to measure the amount of oxygen is in your blood. Sometimes a chest x-ray is taken to rule out any other problems that may be causing your breathing problems.

Treatment

There is not a cure for Asthma at this time but it can be treated. The prognosis is most often good because of the medical advances. Doctors have many options when treating asthma. There are oral medications that can be taken to prevent an attack from occurring. They are referred to as anti-inflammatory drugs. Some people have to use a bronchodilator to help release the tightening of the airways muscle. Additionally quick relief inhalers are used by most asthma suffers and older adults and children mainly use a nebulizer to help treat their asthma symptoms. Your doctor will help you with an asthma management plan to help get your asthma under control.

Conclusion

Asthma doesn't have to dictate your quality of life. Medical research has come a long way in understanding asthma and how to treat it. There are many treatment options available that can help you lead an active lifestyle and satisfying life.

How Can Osteopathy Help People With Asthma?

Asthma is a long-term disease which usually affects children and can stay with them for the rest of their lives. If not regulated or controlled, asthma can cause a lot of other serious conditions and complications. When you have asthma, your airways become inflamed and become more sensitive than usual to certain substances and particles. This can cause wheezing, which is the noise you produce when you breathe which indicates swollen airways. You also will have thick and more amount of mucous that you can secrete through these airways, too. You can also start coughing and have shortness of breath.

Although asthma has no known cure, the effects and symptoms of this condition, whenever it reoccurs are reversible. You may be able to reverse the effects by consulting to health care providers that can advice you with some medications and treatments.

Practitioners of osteopathy offer natural and non-invasive treatments that may help you with regulating the symptoms of asthma. They will offer to look into your condition in a holistic approach. This means that an experienced and skilled osteopath will look into your whole respiratory system, including parts such as your ribs, diaphragm, spine, and other muscles involved in breathing.

Furthermore, an excellent osteopath will also consider other parts of your body as an excellent osteopath believes that the human body is interconnected and linked all over so there may be a possibility that asthma can be a referred condition caused by other underlying conditions happening at the other areas of your body. Because of this approach, a good osteopath will carefully look into your body structure and try to relax your respiratory muscles, improve the condition of the lymphatic system which cleanses your body, enhance your blood supply, and remove all restrictions within your lungs.

Moreover, an excellent osteopath is also concerned with the overall living condition of people who suffer from asthma. He or she will formulate some exercises and breathing patterns suitable for your condition and capabilities that can help you minimize the re-occurrences of this condition. Also, a good osteopath may also suggest for you to improve your posture, diet, and lifestyle for you to have a better living condition.

All in all, the practice of osteopathy may be of great help to patients with asthma. But you may also want to take into consideration that an excellent osteopath may also collaborate with other health care providers such as a general physician. It is still important for people with asthma to have anti-inflammatory medications if in case a severe attack happens.

Asthma Natural Remedies - Incredible Ways to Improve Your Asthma

There are a lot of causes of asthma, and each cause of asthma has different things that trigger asthma attacks. Each person needs a different approach medical wise, thus needed different asthma natural remedies. When you first out that you have asthma, using drugs is an obvious choice, especially if your asthma is very critical or life threatening.

But once you get those medicines and your doctor gives you the directions to take with that medicine, looking for asthma natural remedies is also a good option to control or take advantage of your asthma. It doesn't matter what type of inhalers or drugs you are taking they all have their own side effects. And the longer you use your inhalers or drugs the less effective they start to get and you will start to notice the side effects.

You should start to use remedies in the case of an asthma attack, or when asthma is under control. Its four different areas you need to focus on when you looking for remedies.

*Decreasing the mucus

*Decreasing your swelling

*Decrease some emotional and stressful situations

*Develop a strong immune system

Decreasing your mucus

If you use different herbs you can start to control and get rid of mucus in your bronchioles. Try out different herbs and herb combination's to find out which method is best for you.

Also try drinking carrot and celery juice with water everyday to start to move the mucus out of your body. This is one of the best asthma natural remedies in decreasing the mucus.

Asthma Treatment - A Two-Pronged Approach

Asthma treatment is usually focused on providing relief to the symptoms of the disease as well as on managing the problem. You see, asthma is a long-term illness that really does not have any cure. What you can hope for in an treatment is the prevention of an asthma attack and the shutting off of its many annoying symptoms, which include shortness of breath and coughing. Also, your plan of attack against this respiratory problem should include the prevention of full blown attacks that may result in being brought to the hospital for medication. Although only a handful of asthma sufferers end up dying because of the disease, you should not take this problem lightly.

There are actually two ways of administering treatment at home. The first one is providing quick relief drugs and medications. This asthma treatment is used to provide fast relief to asthma attacks or flare-ups. The most common medication for a sudden flare up of this disease is inhaled short-acting beta2-agonists. Such drugs are fast acting and help in easing the tight muscles found in the air passageways. An inhaler is usually used at the first sign of an asthma symptom. However, this is not intended for long-term use. If you observe that you have been using your inhaler for more than two weeks, then it is time for you to go to your doctor to seek long-term medical treatment.

In order to allay symptoms of asthma, many people undergo long-standing asthma treatment, which is the second type of asthma medication. The objective of this approach of dealing with the problem is not only to ease the tightening of muscles around the air passageways, but also to reduce inflammation in the area. However, it is important to note that this type of asthma treatment does not provide fast relief to asthma symptoms.

The most common asthma treatment used for long-term management of the disease is inhaled corticosteroids, which are known to be effective in easing swelling of the air passageways. Individuals who have been taking long-term asthma medication report that asthma flare-ups have become rare and less severe. However, this type of treatment, although quite effective, has its side effects which include oral thrush. It is quite important that before you take asthma medications, you have to seek advice from your doctor first. Other medications used to manage asthma include corticosteroid liquid formulations of pills and leukotriene modifiers, which are also designed to minimize attacks and open up airways.

Treat Your Asthma Symptoms Effectively

With the increase of pollutants in the air, asthma is quickly becoming one of the most common diseases experienced by humans. However, there is a wide range of treatments available to those who are affected by asthma, which can help them to overcome the disease and live a normal life.

Asthma is a respiratory illness that frequently causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, coughing, and wheezing. The experience for those who have asthma can be drastically different, from the severity of symptoms to the length of and between episodes. There is no set cause of asthma; while there is some evidence to support a possible genetic link, there has been nothing definitive. Instead of looking at what causes the disease, it is more important to look at what triggers it.

Episodes of asthma can be triggered by many things, depending on the individual: from exercise, to secondhand smoke, to allergies, to weather sensitivity, and heightened emotions. Since the triggers for asthma can vary so greatly, it is important to figure out what exactly triggers your asthma attacks. Try to think back to previous episodes and identify common points about them to learn about trends that may trigger your attacks. If you can learn your triggers, you can start developing strategies to prevent them.

Medications are available for those who suffer from asthma. There are two general categories of medications: long-term, which seek to manage symptoms of asthma on a day-to-day basis, and quick-relief, which are intended to provide fast relief during an asthma attack. Examples of long-term medications include inhaled corticosteroids, such as Flovent, which open up the airway and provide long-term relief; leukotriene modifiers, such as Singulair, which block chemicals that can cause asthma symptoms; long-acting beta agonists, which open up airways and reduce swelling, such as Serevent Discus; Theophylline, which reduces the lung's reaction to irritants and relaxes the airway; and combination inhalers, such as Advair and Symbicort. Quick-relief medications include Albuterol, Levalbuterol, and Pirbuterol. Other medications that can provide relief for asthma sufferers are oral corticosteroids such as Prednisone, and Ipratropium, which is generally used for bronchial asthma. It is best to talk to your doctor in order to determine the medication regimen that best suits your needs.

Though medications can provide some relief from symptoms, one can further help themselves by maintaining an asthma-friendly living space. Since asthma attacks can be triggered by allergies and allergens such as dust and mites, maintaining a clean home can help to reduce the onset of asthma symptoms. Again, it is important to know your specific triggers so that you can eliminate them from your household.

It is important to know your limitations in managing episodes yourself and when you should seek medical assistance. Typically, if your asthma symptoms are not gone within three attempts of a rescue inhaler (spaced approximately fifteen to twenty minutes apart), you may need to seek medical help. In addition, you may want to seek medical help if you notice that your asthma episodes are becoming more severe or frequent.

The ability to breathe is one of the most basic fundamentals of life, and one that we cannot survive without. As asthma hinders this, it can be extremely frightening for those who experience. However, those with the illness can take refuge in the fact that it is highly treatable, and if prevention and treatment options are followed, can be almost eliminated from your life.

Can Hormone Balancing Improve Allergies Or Asthma?

If your allergies or asthma seem to worsen at certain times of the month or with age, the blame may lie in your hormones.

Research has shown allergies are often triggered or intensified by natural body transitions and cycles such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Hormonal fluctuations also cause more severe asthma attacks in many women, especially older women, usually before or at the start of menstruation and the risk of serious asthma attacks quadruples at menopause.

Progesterone levels rise just before the onset of menstruation and remain high until it ends, and are linked to worsening asthma in up to 40% of women. One study linked the development of allergies and asthma to irregular menstrual cycles.

During menopause, a woman's ovaries decrease production of estrogen and progesterone, and this has also been linked to worsening allergies. Some women, however, seen to experience decreases asthma and allergy symptoms with menopause. It appears that women's bodies can react differently to estrogen and progesterone, so that hormonal fluctuations can affect existing allergies or asthma differently.

Research also shows that autoimmune diseases like arthritis, celiac disease, Chron's disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and insulin-dependent diabetes are also affected by hormone levels. They are three times more common in premenopausal women than in the rest of the population.

One reason for hormonally-driven fluctuations in allergies and asthma is a reduction in cortisol. When this occurs, the body tries to compensate by producing more adrenalin, which causes inflammation and hence, an increase in allergic and asthma symptoms.

Low progesterone levels can also aggravate allergies and asthma, as can too much estrogen (estrogen dominance). That's why estrogen therapy and the Pill are of little help, and actually aggravate asthma. A 2004 Harvard study showed that women on Hormone Replacement Therapy (which increases estrogen levels), were twice as likely to develop asthma as women not on estrogen. Oral contraceptives, which contain estrogen, were found in a 2004 Norwegian study to increase risk of asthma by 50%.

Natural hormone balancing should therefore be considered a key element of allergy and asthma solutions. Patients whose hormones are brought into natural balance are often astonished to find that their allergy and asthma symptoms are also significantly relieved.

Yet it is not surprising. Hormones play such an important role in the health of our bodies and immune system that they are inevitably involved in allergies and asthma, either increasing their severity or helping to provide relief.

Mild Asthma

This is asthma that does not drastically affect the quality of one's life. The symptoms are not severe. Mild asthma attacks are also not so intense and the duration between the attacks is quite long. People with this type of asthma can go on with their lives without a lot of concern about their condition. Due care should also be taken as the condition can turn to be chronic if they do not treat it.

The symptoms of mild asthma are the same as those of chronic asthma. The only difference is the intensity and severity. These symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest cavity. The asthma symptoms usually last for a minute or two. The maximum time given is five minutes. Sometimes medication is given to relieve the symptoms.

The most common causes of asthma are allergies. These allergies differ in different people. The most common ones are to animals, pollen, house dust mites, weather, air pollutants, fungi and mold. One should know what they are allergic to and try to avoid it. This way, you reduce chances of having an attack.

A doctor's advice on the condition is very important as you do not want the condition to turn from mild asthma to chronic, always keep it in check. Regular visits to the doctor will determine the condition and how you are progressing. The doctor will also determine whether to put you on medication or not. You should not ignore the symptoms of mild asthma as they can develop into chronic asthma.

Treat COPD and Asthma in 6 Easy Steps

Cardiopulmonary Obstructive Disease is life-changing. If you are uncertain about how to cope, be encouraged. You must make some changes, but COPD need not define your life. Follow a step-by-step guide to staying healthy. Good exercise and diet, using new skills, quitting smoking if you haven't done so already, committing to a rehabilitation program, and conserving energy will help.

In a 2009 issue of Clinical Science Journal, Dr. W.D. Man emphasizes the importance of your COPD wellness plan.

"Skeletal muscles represent a potential site to improve patients' level of function and quality of life," he notes in Exercise and Muscle Dysfunction in COPD: Implications for Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Implementing a plan with an occupational therapist is "the most effective non-pharmacological intervention in improving...health status."

Begin by consciously using your breathing muscles. Special exercises target those critical to respiration. Pursed-lip and diaphragmatic breathing techniques quickly increase blood oxygen saturation. With practice, they also calm you. Both exercises slow breathing to empty and fill lungs completely. You avoid obstructing air sacs using proper posture-standing or sitting up straight, aligning hips and knees, and holding your chin level. Most importantly, the muscles that move your chest and lungs get a workout.

Proper nutrition is another building block. Increase your energy level, support tougher bones and muscles, bolster immune function, and manage weight. Get plenty of vitamin B1 (dark green vegetables, tomato juice) which aids metabolism. A balance of vitamin E, (apples, olive oil, whole grain pasta), complex carbohydrates, (grains, broccoli, nuts), and protein (lean meats, peanut butter, eggs) builds muscle tissue. Prevent bone weakening with vitamin D (whole milk, fish), vitamin A, (squash, carrots), and calcium (cheese, spinach). Increase your red blood cell count. Vitamin B6 in bananas and white rice helps transport oxygen. Resist illness with magnesium in black eyed peas, or halibut. Maintain low fat, sugar, and calorie intake to manage weight.

Your COPD therapy regimen includes individualized advice for activities of daily living. Breathing easier requires good body positioning. Get tips for more comfortable standing, sitting, lying down, and sleeping. Elevating your head with pillows can decrease symptoms during sleep. Stronger muscles support you to prevent slouching and leaning that makes breathing more difficult. Remember to follow only advice from a licensed health professional.

Next, try gentle exercises for your heart and lungs and listen to your body to determine how challenging you exercise. You want to challenge yourself but not to the point where you can't exercise and breath. If possible, purchase a pulse oximetor and keep track that your oxygen does not go below 90 during your workout. Stretch the sides of your neck to give your scalene muscles in your neck relief from the strain of labored breathing. Leg lifts and a very light ankle weight are another option.

Weight shifting activity is essential. Bones stay strong when they support body weight. Otherwise, skeletal tissue softens, and fracture risk is high. Weight-bearing activity does not require standing and your entire session can be completed sitting on a chair. However if you're able to stand, include standing exercises for short intervals to build tolerance and gradually increase your amount of time standing.

Put your COPD wellness plan to use every day. Notice how renewed strength brings independence. Climbing stairs, light lifting, or standing becomes easier. Decide how to invest your energy. Conserve strength by organizing belongings for easier access. Substitute sliding cookware for lifting it. Consolidate activities. Eliminate unnecessary tasks. Plan ways to become more efficient.

Understandably, you will sometimes feel anxious about COPD symptoms. Knowledge and positive action put you in control, and help you live well.

9 Symptoms of Asthma You Need To Know

Asthma is one of those very common conditions that almost everyone has heard of, or knows of somebody who is affected. Asthma can affect everyone - male or female, young or old - and it is a devastating condition which, in its worst form, can prove fatal. In fact, asthma is a disease which is described as being a chronic disease of the lungs which become inflamed and thus breathing becomes increasingly difficult. During an asthma attack the respiratory tract may become blocked or obstructed causing inflammation; and thus hyper responsiveness occurs.

The symptoms of asthma are very similar to those of general respiratory tract infections, bronchitis and emphysema and are therefore often overlooked by doctors when trying to make a diagnosis. It is, therefore, extremely important to tell your doctor if you suffer from any of the following 9 symptoms, so that a correct diagnosis - and thus correct treatment - can be made.

Asthma Symptoms

• Wheezing is one of the most important symptoms in making a diagnosis of asthma, as this whistling sound indicates that the bronchi may be blocked or inflamed.

• Pursed lips and flared nostrils also differentiate asthma from the more common respiratory tract infections, in that these two symptoms indicate the great difficulty the patient is having in trying to get air into their lungs.

• A greyish or bluish tinge to the patient's lips and/or finger nails indicates a lack of oxygen - known as cyanosis - which is another indication of how serious the breathing problem is.

• The need to be seated in an upright position during an attack is another indication of asthma, as in such a position the lungs are not compressed, thus giving them a larger overall area to absorb the scarce amounts of oxygen being able to be drawn into the lungs.

• Perspiring or sweating indicates the huge amount of difficulty and exertion the patient has to put into getting air some at least some air into his or her lungs.

• A rapid pulse rate is a symptom of asthma, again caused by the exertion of breathing, but this is not a symptom of more common respiratory tract infections.

• Having a persistent cough could be a symptom of many diseases or disorders of the respiratory tract, but when combined with all the other symptoms of asthma, it is one of the known pointers.

• The feeling of tightness across the chest area is another symptom which could relate to all kinds of respiratory tract infections but, again, when linked to all the other asthma symptoms, helps to pull the diagnosis together.

• Clearly, difficulty in breathing is one of the clearest indications of asthma, but it is another symptom with widespread connotations.

It is to be noted that people who suffer from allergies, children from the age of five years to adolescents of up to seventeen years, and anyone in the general population who is over the age of sixty five are all at a greater risk of having an asthma attack.

The Benefits of Exercise For Asthma Sufferers

In the event you suffer from bronchial asthma there's a good deal you are able to do to support your self. Should you learn how to manage the rate and depth of your breathing, to relax properly and enhance your posture, it is often possible to stop an asthmatic attack from beginning or if it does start to at least make it shorter and fewer frightening.

There are many advantages once you learn these self-help methods. In the event you get fewer attacks of bronchial asthma you may lessen the risk of harming your lungs. Kids will miss fewer days from school, and adults will lose fewer working hours. During longer or bad attacks you can be much less likely to want hospital treatment. All in all you will discover financial, practical and emotional advantages to understanding these approaches to self-help.

Exercise is a superb thing for anybody with bronchial asthma. Amongst asthmatic sufferers are professional athletes who are still able to keep peak physical performance. Those who have bronchial asthma generally do their condition extra benefit by staying physically fit than by resting all of the time. Quite a few young asthmatics have discovered that their breathing is greatly improved if they do regular physical exercise, and their attacks become much less frequent and less extreme.

Getting invalided by sickness is sometimes inevitable, but ought to not be the case within the great majority of asthmatics. Becoming an invalid is frequently more of a state of mind than of body. Those who experience that they're invalids must be encouraged by their families and doctors to get up and about and do much more. You might require the support of a specialized physiotherapist. This physical improvement is certain to make your life a lot more interesting and worthwhile.

Possibly the easiest physical exercise the asthmatic can handle is walking short distances on level ground. Going uphill is a lot harder job and breathing is much more of an effort. Walking outdoors on a incredibly cold or windy day just isn't a fantastic strategy and on those days some type of muscle workout routines, like lying on the floor or bed and making use of your legs as though bicycling, will assist your muscle tone. Muggy or humid days are tough on asthmatics and outdoor physical exercise in this type of weather isn't best plan. You'll do far better to stay in a cooler or air-conditioned room. An additional excellent physical exercise for that asthmatic is swimming - preferably in heated pools. Rigorous exercising is only bad for really severe asthmatics. Most folks with bronchial asthma can handle and benefit from it quite properly.

Effects of Lifestyle and Exercise Changes on Asthma

Although medications often do have a place for asthmatics, in our usual zeal to reach for the pill first we have neglected other interventions that may play an equal or even greater role in the treatment and prevention of asthma. Inhalers are not as invasive as many oral asthma medications, and steroids, over the short term, can be helpful during a severe attack.

Drugs are often pushed while lifestyle interventions like exercise (which are equally effective based on scientific studies) are ignored and in some cases discouraged. As proof of this the website of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (www.aafa.org) states that, "Exercise-frequently in cold air-is a frequent asthma trigger." Although the site notes that children can exercise with appropriate management, nowhere does it mention the beneficial effects of exercise. All of the treatments listed are medications, and under prevention it lists "take your medication as prescribed" and "identify and minimize contact with your asthma triggers" (one of which is "running, playing, or exercising"!) Why such an emphasis on drugs instead of viable alternatives? The fact that 72% of this particular non-profit foundation's revenue comes from pharmaceutical companies might have something to do with it.

Sean Lucas MD MPH and Thomas Platts-Mills MD PhD from the University of Virginia Asthma and Allergic Diseases Center wrote "...the overwhelming majority of studies demonstrated the capacity for asthmatic subjects to exercise safely and significantly improve their cardiovascular fitness and quality of life...the allergy community has placed emphasis on medical therapy and allergen avoidance...It is our belief that an exercise prescription should be part of the treatment for all cases of asthma."

I believe it is important to encourage outdoor play in children as a preventive measure for asthma. As Lucas and Platts-Mills write, "The real question is whether prolonged physical activity and, in particular, outdoor play of children plays a role in prophylaxis against persistent wheezing. If so the decrease in physical activity might have played a major role in recent increases in asthma prevalence and severity."

Allergic asthma can also be treated via avoidance of triggers in the home and environment such as pet dander, mold, dust mites, cockroaches, tree and plant pollen in spring, second hand smoke, perfumes, and chemicals, including those found in standard household cleaning products. Wash bedding on a regular basis, decrease humidity, check air conditioning units for mold, minimize dust, keep pets outside (or don't have one), use an air conditioner (but clean its filter on a regular basis), shower before bed to remove pollen, keep food sealed to decrease insects, and change filters in blown air cooling and heating systems.

Your doctor can test you and identify your triggers. This involves exposure to a number of potential allergens and then measuring the inflammatory response. Once you have identified the plants, foods, molds, chemicals or animals you are allergic to you can avoid them. In addition, your doctor can perform tests to determine how much of the immunoglobulin IgE you have that is specifically oriented to different potential allergens. These tests are low risk and can provide useful information for deciding on treatment and lifestyle changes.

A number of studies have shown a relationship between psychological stress and asthma. Using relaxation techniques, like deep breath, progressive muscle relaxation, and meditation, can be useful in preventing asthma attacks. Still, for many individuals with chronic asthma, medication is a requirement.

Lucas SR, Platts-Mills TAE (2005): Physical activity and exercise in asthma: Relevance to etiology and treatment. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 115:928-934.