Natural Herbs
Licorice root has been used over the ages to ease breathing and clear the breathing passageways.
Gingko Biloba, well-known for its healing powers, has been found useful to control allergic reactions, shock and thrombosis, among others. A recent study showed that patients with asthma who took 600mg of gingko, had their airway hypersensitivity reduced.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a natural antiseptic and an anti-inflammatory agent, used in traditional Indian medicine for years, has a calming effect on asthma. A recent trial in India showed that patients who consumed about 6 to 12 grams of turmeric powder fried in ghee found their symptoms effectively reduced.
Chinese Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) is a herb well-known for having a positive effect on many conditions including asthma. Its baicalin, wogonin and baicalein content inhibits the release of histamine from the mast cells mentioned above. It helps reduce hypersensitivity and inflammation in the patient’s airways.
Home Remedies
These home remedies make good allergic bronchial asthma natural treatment. They present virtually no side effects because they are mostly derived from food items.
A combination of honey and ginger juice has a positive effect on asthma. Add a few drops of ginger juice to a teaspoon of honey and take it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and a tablespoon of water also helps.
Turmeric powder provides effective relief as well. Mix a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of warm water and consume it at least twice a day. The powder could also be added to about 200ml of milk and consumed thrice daily on an empty stomach for at least a month.
Mustard seeds also work wonderfully in the event of an asthma attack . Mustard oil added with a little camphor if rubbed on the chest will make breathing easier as it loosens up any accumulated phlegm. When the patient breathes easier, get her to inhale the steam from boiling water which is mixed with mustard and cumin seeds. This will open up the air passages.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Allergic bronchial asthma:symptoms,causes.
Although there’s a strong genetic link to asthma, it has been accepted by medical experts that allergy plays an important role in triggering an asthma attack.
It’s the mast cells, eosinophilis and T lymphocytes that are responsible for causing the allergy and releasing chemicals like histamine. Histamine, for your information, is responsible for causing nasal blockage and dripping when you suffer from a cold. In the case of asthma, it causes the constriction of airways, making breathing difficult.
In the case of allergic bronchial asthma, preventive measures play an important part in coping with the condition. The first step will be to identify what causes the allergy. Is it pollen, perfume, dust or some foods? If the cause is successfully identified, then half the battle is won. Identify what are the allergens that can trigger an asthma attack. Once you’ve identified them, your next step would be to do all you can to avoid the allergy-causing situations.
If you’re under medication for allergic bronchial asthma and would want to complement that with some natural treatment for allergic bronchial asthma, here are some natural herbs and home remedies you could consider.
It’s the mast cells, eosinophilis and T lymphocytes that are responsible for causing the allergy and releasing chemicals like histamine. Histamine, for your information, is responsible for causing nasal blockage and dripping when you suffer from a cold. In the case of asthma, it causes the constriction of airways, making breathing difficult.
In the case of allergic bronchial asthma, preventive measures play an important part in coping with the condition. The first step will be to identify what causes the allergy. Is it pollen, perfume, dust or some foods? If the cause is successfully identified, then half the battle is won. Identify what are the allergens that can trigger an asthma attack. Once you’ve identified them, your next step would be to do all you can to avoid the allergy-causing situations.
If you’re under medication for allergic bronchial asthma and would want to complement that with some natural treatment for allergic bronchial asthma, here are some natural herbs and home remedies you could consider.
Chronic bronchitis causes .
Symptoms of bronchitis are usually caused by a pathogen causing inflammation of either (or both) the bronchial tubes or the bronchi that connect the your lungs to your windpipe. The pathogens can be either a virus or bacteria from a concurrent respiratory infection, as is usually the case with acute bronchitis, or they may be from smoking or other chemical pollutants, which are more likely to cause chronic bronchitis. The pathogens irritate tiny hairs (called cilia) that line the passageways and usually eliminate pollutants, and when the cilia become overwhelmed (by an out of control respiratory infection or heavy smoking) they stop being able to function properly.
The clogging then causes mucus to build up, creating the signature bronchitis cough, wet with lots of mucus. Other bronchitis symptoms include general ache and fatigue, wheezing or shortness of breath, chest pain, and a low grade fever. Chronic bronchitis occurs when your symptoms last for at least three months of the year for at least two consecutive years.
The clogging then causes mucus to build up, creating the signature bronchitis cough, wet with lots of mucus. Other bronchitis symptoms include general ache and fatigue, wheezing or shortness of breath, chest pain, and a low grade fever. Chronic bronchitis occurs when your symptoms last for at least three months of the year for at least two consecutive years.
Acute chronic bronchitis .
Bronchitis is a serious bacterial or viral infection. It is essentially inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchi which carries air from the trachea into the lungs. Millions of people have it at one point and it can come in acute or chronic. Either way, it's dangerous to have because your airflow is restricted.
Acute bronchitis starts off with a cough without mucus or other liquids. It primarily occurs during any kind of viral illness like a cold or flu.
Chronic bronchitis can last for a long time in the body without prejudice. The chronic coughing or mucus flow is never slowed down and subsequently leaves life miserable for people. Different types of air pollution and cigarette smoke are irritants that make it worse.
There are several medicines that are available to help the inflammation of the mucus or to lessen the coughing aspect of it. Antibiotics have a very limited role in controlling bronchitis so it's best not to spend money or time on antibiotics. Other natural elements such as silver deposits have been tried and true as a cure for bronchitis.
Bronchitis is not something to take loosely. Chronic bronchitis takes the lives of thousands of people each year and it's best to get ahead of it before it gets any worse. An acute case can quickly becomes a chronic case, and a chronic case can quickly lead to death.
For those who suffer with bronchitis, it is not permanent and there is no clear way to prevent it. It is something that will afflict everyone at least once in their life.
Acute bronchitis starts off with a cough without mucus or other liquids. It primarily occurs during any kind of viral illness like a cold or flu.
Chronic bronchitis can last for a long time in the body without prejudice. The chronic coughing or mucus flow is never slowed down and subsequently leaves life miserable for people. Different types of air pollution and cigarette smoke are irritants that make it worse.
There are several medicines that are available to help the inflammation of the mucus or to lessen the coughing aspect of it. Antibiotics have a very limited role in controlling bronchitis so it's best not to spend money or time on antibiotics. Other natural elements such as silver deposits have been tried and true as a cure for bronchitis.
Bronchitis is not something to take loosely. Chronic bronchitis takes the lives of thousands of people each year and it's best to get ahead of it before it gets any worse. An acute case can quickly becomes a chronic case, and a chronic case can quickly lead to death.
For those who suffer with bronchitis, it is not permanent and there is no clear way to prevent it. It is something that will afflict everyone at least once in their life.
Chronic bronchitis infection .
Bronchitis is a disorder of the respiratory system characterised by inflammation of the windpipe and the bronchi. Viral or bacterial infection is responsible for acute bronchitis. On the other hand, chronic bronchitis is caused when the lungs are continuously irritated by cigarette smoke or exposure to polluted or hazardous conditions.
Do not despair if your doctors tells you that you have contracted bronchitis. The following ten steps will tell you how to successfully treat bronchitis:
1. Get away from irritants, pollutants, and toxins that are causing havoc to your lungs. Quit smoking for good and avoid being a passive smoker too. In case you live in a polluted area, either move to a cleaner place or keep within the confines of your home. Protect yourself form hazardous substances and other irritants by wearing a face mask.
2. Keep a humidifier or a vaporizer inside your house to increase the humidity of your immediate environment. This will help you breathe more easily.
3. Keep a hot water bottle or a hot, moist cloth against your chest or back. This serves to reduce inflammation and is highly effective if done at bed time.
4. If you are planning a visit to cooler areas, remember to cover your nose and mouth with a warm handkerchief. This precaution has to be taken because cold conditions aggravate bronchitis.
5. Do not take cough suppressants. Coughing is the body's way of throwing out unwanted secretions. You may, however, take a suppressant at night, to facilitate a good night's sleep.
6. Take your medicines as prescribed by your doctor. If your condition is due to bacterial infection, you will have to take antibiotics. Do not miss any dose. Complete the entire course of medication even if you feel that you are getting better.
7. Use aerosols and inhalers as prescribed by your doctor. Don't increase the dose because it might cause harmful side effects.
8. You may have to take dietary supplements such as colloidal silver, zinc, vitamins C and A, coenzyme Q10, goldenseal, and echinacea. However, before taking anything, consult your doctor.
9. Plan a nutritious, well-balanced diet. Drink plenty of liquids such as soups, herbal tea, fruit juices, and water.
10. Do not take foods that might encourage mucus production. A list of such foods includes dairy products, white flour, processed foods, sugar, and foods that cause allergy.
In addition to the above ten steps, people suffering from bronchitis usually use the following methods to treat bronchitis:
1. Eat cucumber mixed with vinegar. It effectively cleans out the excess mucus. In addition, it also helps kill the bacteria that are infecting the lungs.
2. Take a charcoal slush comprising a mixture of 4-6 teaspoons of charcoal powder mixed with water. It does not taste foul and you can easily drink it. Take a dose of this slush every 4-6 hours when you are awake. The charcoal absorbs bacteria and other harmful germs and will be harmlessly eliminated by the body in the bathroom.
3. Frankincense, oregano, and thyme oils help relieve breathlessness. Take two drops of frankincense oil mixed with Ciaga's organic juice thrice a day for three days. At the end of the third day, take oregano and thyme oils in a similar manner. You can even use pleurisy root as an alternative.
4. Boil water in a vessel full of aromatic herbs. Wrap your head with a towel. Cover the vessel with part of the towel and breathe in the aromatic fumes. Do this many times a day at intervals. This practice will help liquefy the phlegm.
5. Pound the patient's back gently while he or she is lying on his or her belly with the body's upper portion in a hanging position. This breaks down or dislocates the phlegm. This procedure is neither comfortable nor safe. However, if done correctly, it is an excellent way of getting rid of the mucus that block the air passages.
Consult a doctor if the symptoms last more than a week. If the mucus turns yellow, green, or rust-colored, it is a sign of danger and requires the attention of a physician. Before making any changes to your diet or taking any nutritional supplements, consult your doctor or health care provider. The information provided in the article is to be used along with the usual medication because it, in no way, serves as an efficient substitute for a doctor's treatment or advise.
Do not despair if your doctors tells you that you have contracted bronchitis. The following ten steps will tell you how to successfully treat bronchitis:
1. Get away from irritants, pollutants, and toxins that are causing havoc to your lungs. Quit smoking for good and avoid being a passive smoker too. In case you live in a polluted area, either move to a cleaner place or keep within the confines of your home. Protect yourself form hazardous substances and other irritants by wearing a face mask.
2. Keep a humidifier or a vaporizer inside your house to increase the humidity of your immediate environment. This will help you breathe more easily.
3. Keep a hot water bottle or a hot, moist cloth against your chest or back. This serves to reduce inflammation and is highly effective if done at bed time.
4. If you are planning a visit to cooler areas, remember to cover your nose and mouth with a warm handkerchief. This precaution has to be taken because cold conditions aggravate bronchitis.
5. Do not take cough suppressants. Coughing is the body's way of throwing out unwanted secretions. You may, however, take a suppressant at night, to facilitate a good night's sleep.
6. Take your medicines as prescribed by your doctor. If your condition is due to bacterial infection, you will have to take antibiotics. Do not miss any dose. Complete the entire course of medication even if you feel that you are getting better.
7. Use aerosols and inhalers as prescribed by your doctor. Don't increase the dose because it might cause harmful side effects.
8. You may have to take dietary supplements such as colloidal silver, zinc, vitamins C and A, coenzyme Q10, goldenseal, and echinacea. However, before taking anything, consult your doctor.
9. Plan a nutritious, well-balanced diet. Drink plenty of liquids such as soups, herbal tea, fruit juices, and water.
10. Do not take foods that might encourage mucus production. A list of such foods includes dairy products, white flour, processed foods, sugar, and foods that cause allergy.
In addition to the above ten steps, people suffering from bronchitis usually use the following methods to treat bronchitis:
1. Eat cucumber mixed with vinegar. It effectively cleans out the excess mucus. In addition, it also helps kill the bacteria that are infecting the lungs.
2. Take a charcoal slush comprising a mixture of 4-6 teaspoons of charcoal powder mixed with water. It does not taste foul and you can easily drink it. Take a dose of this slush every 4-6 hours when you are awake. The charcoal absorbs bacteria and other harmful germs and will be harmlessly eliminated by the body in the bathroom.
3. Frankincense, oregano, and thyme oils help relieve breathlessness. Take two drops of frankincense oil mixed with Ciaga's organic juice thrice a day for three days. At the end of the third day, take oregano and thyme oils in a similar manner. You can even use pleurisy root as an alternative.
4. Boil water in a vessel full of aromatic herbs. Wrap your head with a towel. Cover the vessel with part of the towel and breathe in the aromatic fumes. Do this many times a day at intervals. This practice will help liquefy the phlegm.
5. Pound the patient's back gently while he or she is lying on his or her belly with the body's upper portion in a hanging position. This breaks down or dislocates the phlegm. This procedure is neither comfortable nor safe. However, if done correctly, it is an excellent way of getting rid of the mucus that block the air passages.
Consult a doctor if the symptoms last more than a week. If the mucus turns yellow, green, or rust-colored, it is a sign of danger and requires the attention of a physician. Before making any changes to your diet or taking any nutritional supplements, consult your doctor or health care provider. The information provided in the article is to be used along with the usual medication because it, in no way, serves as an efficient substitute for a doctor's treatment or advise.
Chronic bronchitis asthma. Inhalers (MDI).
When you see someone carrying an inhaler, it a sure tell tale sign that person is an asthmatic. Inhalers or metered dosed inhalers (MDI) were first introduced in 1956 and ever since have become the mainstay treatment of asthma.
Most inhalers looked like an inverted L shaped. Inside an inhaler is a canister of medication and an actuator with a mouthpiece. The medication in the propellant is suspended in a mixture of liquid propellant gas and preservatives. In the past, inhalers used a mixture of CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) Freon gases. However, CFC is the leading reason for the ozone depleting effect on the earth’s atmosphere. So now inhalers are being replaced by a non CFC chemical called hydrofluoroalkane.
Medication in inhalers can primarily be divided into 2 types. Long acting and short acting Beta2-Agonists. Since asthma attack is characterized by narrowing of the bronchial tubes, short acting ones aims to reverse that process by opening up the airway. The longer acting ones are aimed at preventing future asthma attacks.
The standard treatment for short acting beta2-agonist is albuterol and goes under common brand names like Proventil and Ventolin. Similar medication include isoproterenol and metaproterenol. However, albuterol have side effects like headaches, sinus inflammation and dry throat.
To combat this side effect, a new drug Levalbuterol was developed. Levalbuterol is a recent new addition to a family number of short acting drugs. It goes under the brand name of Xepenex. Levalbuterol was initially introduced in liquid form given in dosage of 0.63mg and 1.25mg. Now a MDI form, Xenophax HFA was recently made available. All these drugs are made for rescue purpose and use only when needed
Two longer acting Beta2-adrenergic agonist drugs commonly found in inhalers are salmeterol and formoterol. These drugs have a longer duration of effect of up to 12 hours. They provided sustained dilatation of the bronchial rubes and gives better asthma control. These longer acting drugs are not without controversy.
Most inhalers looked like an inverted L shaped. Inside an inhaler is a canister of medication and an actuator with a mouthpiece. The medication in the propellant is suspended in a mixture of liquid propellant gas and preservatives. In the past, inhalers used a mixture of CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) Freon gases. However, CFC is the leading reason for the ozone depleting effect on the earth’s atmosphere. So now inhalers are being replaced by a non CFC chemical called hydrofluoroalkane.
Medication in inhalers can primarily be divided into 2 types. Long acting and short acting Beta2-Agonists. Since asthma attack is characterized by narrowing of the bronchial tubes, short acting ones aims to reverse that process by opening up the airway. The longer acting ones are aimed at preventing future asthma attacks.
The standard treatment for short acting beta2-agonist is albuterol and goes under common brand names like Proventil and Ventolin. Similar medication include isoproterenol and metaproterenol. However, albuterol have side effects like headaches, sinus inflammation and dry throat.
To combat this side effect, a new drug Levalbuterol was developed. Levalbuterol is a recent new addition to a family number of short acting drugs. It goes under the brand name of Xepenex. Levalbuterol was initially introduced in liquid form given in dosage of 0.63mg and 1.25mg. Now a MDI form, Xenophax HFA was recently made available. All these drugs are made for rescue purpose and use only when needed
Two longer acting Beta2-adrenergic agonist drugs commonly found in inhalers are salmeterol and formoterol. These drugs have a longer duration of effect of up to 12 hours. They provided sustained dilatation of the bronchial rubes and gives better asthma control. These longer acting drugs are not without controversy.
Breath activated inhaler (BAI) .
There are many types of inhalers out there, each catering to different severity levels of asthma. Knowing which is suitable for you is important for to combat asthma in the long run.
Let's start by talking about the most common inhaler many people use which is the metered dose inhaler or MDI. MDI was first introduced in 1956 and has been commonly used then. It consists of a mouth piece, contains a canister of medication and is L-shaped. The propellant used to contain a mixture of Freon gas. However, Freon gas is a CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) gas and we all know that CFC gas is the main culprit in destroying our ozone layer. It has since been replaced by an environmentally friendly agent of hydrofluoroalkane (HFA). The most common problem many people face when using MDI is that it requires good coordination between pressing the canister and inhaling the medication. This is disadvantageous to toddlers, whom parents may find it difficult to teach.
To solve this coordination problem presented by the MDI, breath activated inhaler (BAI) was developed. To use this inhaler, all the person needs to do is breathe in forcefully, thereby activating the mechanism to release the medication. However, the drawback is that it lacks an overdrive button when it malfunctions, definitely not suitable for someone that has severe narrowing of the bronchial tubes.
The second type of inhaler is the dry powered inhaler (DPI). Long acting beta 2 agonist drugs like salmeterol and formoterol can be found in DPI. Unlike MDI, this one is a lot easier to use as does not require proper technique of "inhaling first and pressing canister later" needed in implementing MDI. Also the particles in DPI are also smaller, resulting in more medication going in your lungs.
However the drawback is that the amount of medication received is proportional to how forceful your inhalation is. Not suitable for elderly. People with neurological disease may find it hard to load the powder capsule in the DPI.
The third type of inhaler is the nebulizer. This device is commonly found in emergency rooms in hospital. There are also portable ones available out there. For people to use this device, all it takes is just to breathe in normally. This makes it the easiest inhaler to use out of the above two mentioned. Nebulizers are favored by hospitals because it delivers about 4 to 10 times more can be delivered from the two puff of MDI.
However, the greater quantity may also mean that the side effects are stronger than using MDI. There are portable ones available but most asthmatics don't need it unless they suffer from chronic asthma or asthma that cannot be controlled by MDI or PDI alone. These devices are also a lot more expensive and more cumbersome.
Let's start by talking about the most common inhaler many people use which is the metered dose inhaler or MDI. MDI was first introduced in 1956 and has been commonly used then. It consists of a mouth piece, contains a canister of medication and is L-shaped. The propellant used to contain a mixture of Freon gas. However, Freon gas is a CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) gas and we all know that CFC gas is the main culprit in destroying our ozone layer. It has since been replaced by an environmentally friendly agent of hydrofluoroalkane (HFA). The most common problem many people face when using MDI is that it requires good coordination between pressing the canister and inhaling the medication. This is disadvantageous to toddlers, whom parents may find it difficult to teach.
To solve this coordination problem presented by the MDI, breath activated inhaler (BAI) was developed. To use this inhaler, all the person needs to do is breathe in forcefully, thereby activating the mechanism to release the medication. However, the drawback is that it lacks an overdrive button when it malfunctions, definitely not suitable for someone that has severe narrowing of the bronchial tubes.
The second type of inhaler is the dry powered inhaler (DPI). Long acting beta 2 agonist drugs like salmeterol and formoterol can be found in DPI. Unlike MDI, this one is a lot easier to use as does not require proper technique of "inhaling first and pressing canister later" needed in implementing MDI. Also the particles in DPI are also smaller, resulting in more medication going in your lungs.
However the drawback is that the amount of medication received is proportional to how forceful your inhalation is. Not suitable for elderly. People with neurological disease may find it hard to load the powder capsule in the DPI.
The third type of inhaler is the nebulizer. This device is commonly found in emergency rooms in hospital. There are also portable ones available out there. For people to use this device, all it takes is just to breathe in normally. This makes it the easiest inhaler to use out of the above two mentioned. Nebulizers are favored by hospitals because it delivers about 4 to 10 times more can be delivered from the two puff of MDI.
However, the greater quantity may also mean that the side effects are stronger than using MDI. There are portable ones available but most asthmatics don't need it unless they suffer from chronic asthma or asthma that cannot be controlled by MDI or PDI alone. These devices are also a lot more expensive and more cumbersome.
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