Asthma is a physical condition that affects the air passage of the lungs. When you have asthma, the tubes that carry air down to your lungs get hyper-reactive and they become easily swollen and inflamed. Excessive mucus is secreted into the breathing tubes and the breathing tubes restrict the airflow and the asthma condition sets in. When this happens, the entire process of breathing inhaling and exhaling – becomes a struggle.
If you are diagnosed with asthma, the chances are that you may suffer from it for life. A recent study has revealed that 85% of females and 78% of males diagnosed with asthma between the ages of 8 and 12, continued to have medical symptoms for a long, long time. Asthma experts claim that asthma is a growing worldwide problem and are not able to explain why it has grown to epidemic proportions over the last thirty years. This increasing incidence could be due to several factors – stress, diet, dust mites, better living standards, increased pollution, better diagnosis etc. One of the most disturbing findings is that over consumption of some asthma drugs like bronchodilators may also be a factor.
The fact remains that many people are suffering from asthma without even knowing about it. Some of the common medical symptoms of asthma are wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and persistent coughing. Asthma usually occurs due to dust and dust particles, fumes/cigarette smoke, any pungent smell, some allergic foods, sudden changes in air temperature, obnoxious chemicals, common cold etc. When your asthma is well controlled, then you will not use a reliever drug more than three times a week, will not suffer from nocturnal coughs and wheezing, will not experience discomfort when performing normal daily activities, will be able to do physical without asthma symptoms.
First ascertain what allergies the person suffering from asthma has and then avoid these allergens to prevent asthma attacks. Eat foods that relieve asthma symptoms such as salmon, tuna and mackerel that are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids which help reduce the production of inflammatory compounds, improve pulmonary function, and prevent breathing constriction. Eat plentifully fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C and B that are known to reduce stress and inflammation. Prostaglandins found in onions relax bronchial muscles and open lung airways. Chick peas are also a source of vitamin B6 which reduces wheezing. Drink only chlorine-free distilled or ionized water as chlorine irritates receptors in the throat and lungs. Perform breathing exercises daily – breathe in through the nose and exhale through the mouth to strengthen the respiratory muscles. Lavender and eucalyptus are best used during an asthma attack because they relax and open ling airways.
Everyone with asthma should always carry a reliever inhaler. When you get asthma symptoms a reliever inhaler will help you to relax the muscles around your airways, making breathing easier. There are preventer inhalers that help to soothe and calm the inflammation in your airways. Although the preventer will make you feel better, it does not make your asthma vanish altogether. So you will need to take your preventer regularly to keep your lungs healthy and strong. A spacer is a plastic container with a mouthpiece at one end and a hole for the aerosol inhaler at the other. When you press your inhaler the fine spray of medicine is trapped inside the spacer ready for you to breathe it in.