The Latest Buzz On Asthma – How To Get It Under Control

Asthma is a familiar term nowadays thanks to it’s proliferation in society, however alarmingly, it was practically non-existent only a hundred years ago. It is only recently, starting specifically from the 1980s, that the number of patients suffering from asthma has begun to rise and has now reached epidemic levels.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease which targets the trachea and bronchial tubes. In normal conditions, the lining inside the airways, i.e. the bronchial tubes, is thin and flexible, allowing them to stretch and expand with ease. The muscles wrapped around the bronchial tubes are loose, relaxed and supple. Thus the air flows easily in and out of the air sacs or lungs. However, during an asthma attack, the muscles wrapped around the airways become tight and constrictive, the airway lining begins to swell, and excessive bronchial mucous is produced. This restriction of the air passages makes breathing difficult. Other symptoms include tightening of the chest, coughing and wheezing.

Asthma attacks are brought on due to various triggers and some of these include pollutants, smoke, cold air and allergens like dust, pollen and animal fur. Asthma patients have hypersensitive lungs and bronchial tubes, easily provoked into an abnormal inflammatory response to various triggers. Triggers can be also be allergic and dietary-related including milk, wheat and nuts.

There is no known cure, per se, for asthma. The best way to treat it is to keep it under control by avoiding the triggers which cause asthma attacks. However, it can be difficult to entirely avoid things like dust, and cats, because they are so common in society. Medication, in the light of current research, is more and more being rejected due to its harmful side-effects. To combat the symptoms, and prevent imminent asthma attacks, various natural remedies are being promoted as the best way to keep asthma under control.

Various herbs, fruits and vegetables have properties which can counter the effects of triggers, and relax and clear the airways. Tomatoes, apples, carrots and leafy vegetables all contribute towards building up the immunity of the body against various triggers. Pineapples can also provide excellent relief, as they contain bromelain – a protease enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties. Figs also help as they clear the phlegm in a patient’s bronchial passages. Among meats, salmon fish is beneficial, since fish oil is anti-inflammatory.

Countless herbs can be used to control asthma. Ginger reduces the effects of allergic reactions, lemons contain vitamin C which combats infection, increases the quantity of oxygen in the body, and is an effective antihistamine (as is chamomile tea). Green tea is a powerful antioxidant which heals the damage caused by free radicals during inflammatory responses, while mullein oil helps clear the bronchial tubes. Honey contains various vitamins and antioxidants and when mixed with cinnamon it stimulates coughing which helps clear mucus. Licorice contains glycyrrhizin which helps ease coughing and its anti-inflammatory and antiallergenic properties keep asthma under control.

Vitamin Warehouse offers a varied array of asthma supplements which can help keep asthma at bay.

Therefore asthma can be managed with a combination of a healthy diet, physical therapy, clean environment and supplements can help asthma patients fortify themselves against attacks and keep their disease under control.

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