Alternative Healing

As worldwide health issues go asthma is one of the most important; seen as a major challenge to medicine because increasing numbers are being affected by this awful condition. Although it is treatable, asthma is still a chronic condition which affects the function of breathing of every person who is affected by it. It is a respiratory condition that affects people on a daily basis and is serious enough to cause death if not dealt with in time.

The biggest step that asthma sufferers are taught is how to monitor their own condition. Depending on the condition, there are three main steps for treatment and they are; preventing attacks, relief from the attacks and emergency treatment when a serious attack happens.

Fortunately for patients with only mild version of the condition, no other medication other than a Bronchodilator will be required to provide short term relief. As the seriousness of the condition increases, additional medication is required. Low-dose glucocorticoids or a mastcell stabilizer may be used for patients who still only have mild but more persistent attacks. Oral glucocorticoids will be required for asthma patients who require strong medication for serious attacks. All asthma patients will still be given standard relievers like a Bronchodilator.

After a period of time most asthmatics will have learned to recognize what events trigger the attacks. They will then be able to avoid these triggers and this should lessen if not completely stop the attacks. The condition is very strongly associated with air pollution, which causes the condition to worsen in people who suffer breathing related conditions.

Although the specific medications can help the situation it is far better if they can be avoided where possible. They can cause serious side effects if used on a regular basis such as impotence, liver damage, depression, even tiredness and dizzy spells. Increasingly patients with respiratory conditions are opting for more natural remedies that do not have side-effects. These are formulated to treat the condition and not the effects.

Every attack causes the body to become weak due to the stress placed upon it, so the drugs used have a catalyst to help calm the body down and make it stronger. The same effect is sought by the natural medications but by using organic ingredients that have no side-effects.

Breathing techniques such as pranayam, buteyko and yoga practices are also helpful to asthma sufferers as they naturally help the breathing and the general well-being of patients. The best way forward for an asthma patient is to eat a balanced nutritional diet that will help restore the immune system that has taken a great deal of punishment. Natural medication can also be used that will not leave harmful chemicals in the system. It is most important that the sufferer learns to control their asthma condition.

Barbara Williamson