WHAT IS ASTHMA?
Asthma is a condition where lining of the airways in the lungs narrows, due to inflammation and swelling of the airway lining.
This leads to tightening of the airway muscles and the production of excess mucus, resulting in breathing difficulties.
World history of asthma
There are more than 100 million people worldwide with asthma. The cause of asthma is unknown, but there are certain things that can trigger asthma symptoms. As the list of triggers can be broad, the quality of life for many individuals living with asthmatic symptoms can be affected, even by triggers most people interact with daily.
Asthma symptoms
Common symptoms of asthma can include:
- Tightness of the chest
- A chronic cough
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Airway inflammation
- Breathing difficulty
There is a strong link between asthma and allergies.Asthma symptoms can be scary to people experiencing asthma attacks. Symptoms often present as what is commonly known as asthma attacks, ranging from uncomfortable to severe asthma. A severe asthma attack can be very frightening to the person they are happening to as well as those observing.
WHAT CAUSES ASTHMA?
Asthma is a multi-factorial condition, and the causes vary depending on the individual. Although, there are several factors that contribute to its development. So, what causes asthma?
Exercise can be one common trigger, which causes a narrowing of the lungs, a symptom of asthma. It can cause symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulties during or after exercise.
Apart from physical exercise, many common daily activities and outside factors contribute to whether chronic asthma symptoms may affect an individual.
- Family history – 30% to 50% of children with one parent with an allergy, and 60% to 80% of children with both parents with allergies will develop an allergy related condition.
- Asthma that starts before the age of 12 years old is more likely due to genetic influence, while onset after age 12 is more likely due to environmental influence.
- Allergies – about 80 per cent of asthma sufferers also have allergies. It also often occurs with other allergic conditions like hay fever and eczema.
- Environmental factors – such as viral infections or cigarette smoke (tobacco smoke) exposure during early childhood, can lead to a higher incidence of allergic conditions).
ASTHMA AND ALLERGIES
Asthma and allergies go hand in hand. Over 2 million Australians, and over 500 thousand New Zealanders, have asthma. Of these, about 80 per cent also have allergies.
An allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks a harmless substance. The body reacts by releasing chemicals to destroy the substance, causing an allergic reaction that does more harm than good.
Asthma in this case is when a person’s sensitive airways become swollen, tight, and produce mucus, all of which result in a narrowing of the airways and difficulty breathing. The airways usually do this in response to breathing in an allergen.
Can Asthma Go Away on Its Own? – True asthma does not go away, as symptoms can vary over time, but there are various ways to reduce asthma.
Common substances that trigger symptoms of asthma fall into two categories:
Common triggers of asthma caused by the environment & reactions to food/chemical substances.
These are common causes of asthma flare-ups, and may worsen a chronic condition if there is constant exposure.
- Airborne and seasonal changes (exposure to allergens)
- Airborne Triggers
- Pollens
- Grasses
- House dust mites
- Moulds
- Animals (pet dander, animal dander)
- secondhand smoke
- Dairy
- Wheat
- Salicylates (naturally occurring chemicals in fruits and vegetables).
- food additives (including preservatives, colourings, flavour enhancers, etc.)
These triggers are usually detected when the reaction occurs (e.g. upon exposure to grass). However, in some cases (particular when dealing with food sensitivities), asthma triggers can be hard to pinpoint, as the reaction may be delayed or only occur when the person is exposed to an amount about their tolerance “threshold”.
It may also go hand in hand with other allergic conditions, like hay fever and eczema, which can often appear simultaneously, or in succession.
NATURAL TREATMENT FOR ASTHMA
Modern medication can be effectively used to help people with asthma keep their symptoms under control. There is no proven cure for asthma, so treatment and management of triggers is recommended.
Traditional treatment of Asthma conditions
Traditional treatment may include quick-relief medications (asthma inhalers, reliever inhalers), and a better understanding of the individual’s persons as to their family history and triggers. Keeping up an active lifestyle and overall health can also reduce symptoms.
Seeking for a natural asthma action plan?
Natural alternatives work effectively alongside traditional treatments and a viable alternative for those with persistent symptoms.
A treatment plan at one of our clinics will involve discussing your history with the condition, triggers and symptoms.
At Health & Wellness Australia & Auckland, we use a technique called muscle testing (or kinesiology) to help identify which substances you may be reacting to.
Following testing, you can work with your practitioner to address your reactions using a natural allergy treatment called Positive Association Technique (PAT) as a natural treatment for asthma.
PAT is a non-invasive, holistic therapy, which:
- draws on acupressure and kinesiology techniques
- aims to re-train your body
- may reduce your reactions to food and environmental substances triggering your asthma symptoms.
Why people love PAT’s non-invasive nature to treat asthma?
- No needles
- No herbal remedies
- No supplements
- No avoidance (in fact, you’ll be holding a vial of the substance in your hand).
PAT complements well with small lifestyle changes, so you can take PAT as a stand-alone treatment or a way to give yourself an extra boost in working with a complex condition.
Some cases can be complex, so our Naturopaths may also recommend supplements, herbs and lifestyle advice to help you achieve the best long-term results.
- Send our PAT Practitioners a Question HERE
- Request a FREE PAT Information E-PACK HERE
- Book online HERE
Please note PAT cannot “cure” asthma – we aim to reduce your reactions and help manage asthma-related symptoms. We do not intend to raise unrealistic expectations. If symptoms persist, consult your health care professional.
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