Asthma
Asthma - An asthma attack can occur when an irritant – usually a common substance like smoke, cold or dry air, pollen, mould or dust mites – meets a pair of sensitive lungs.
Hormonal fluctuations, stress and anger can also trigger an attack.
Your difficulty in breathing occurs because the bronchi-oles (air passages in the lungs) go into spasms. This can cause coughing and tightness in the chest.
The spasms trigger the release of histamine and other chemicals that cause inflammation and the production of airways clogging mucus.
For severe asthma attacks- the kind of tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath that can be really frightening – most people do as their doctor recommends.
Often that means quick action with a prescribed inhaler. If this is what you do, and it works, don’t give it up.
If you use a preventive inhaler, you should continue to use it as prescribed, as this will cut down your risk of attack.
There is no cure for asthma, but there are lots of ways to reduce or even eliminate the symptoms. Certain simple lifestyle changes can help most asthma sufferers to breathe more easily.
Ease breathing during an attack
- When an asthma attack occurs, try to stay calm. Panic can make your symptoms worse. Close your eyes. As you inhale, see your lungs expand and fill with white light and feel your breathing become easier. Repeat this exercise twice more, then open your eyes.
- In an emergency, drink a strong cup of coffee, two 330ml cans of cola or a red bull or Lipovitan ( both of which are high in caffeine) Caffeine is chemically related to theophylline, a medication for asthma. It helps to open the airways.
Combat constriction with supplements
- Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine have been using the herb GINKGO to treat asthma for centuries. One recent study suggests that this herb interferes with a protein in the blood that contributes to airway spasms. Use this supplement labeled GINKGO BILBAO, or GBE, and take up to 250mg a day.
- Magnesium may make you feel better, it also relaxes the airways. The recommended dose is 300mg a day for men and 270mg for women.
- Omega 3 fatty acids, found in oily fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel, work much like asthma inhibitors. These drugs stop the actions of body compound that cause inflammation in the airways. Take 6 1000mg fish oil capsules a day in divided doses.
- Evening primrose oil is rich in an essential fatty acid called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is converted by the body into anti-inflammatory substances. Take 1000mg 3 times a day with meals to enhance absorption.
Keep a record
- In a diary make a note of everything you eat for a month. Also record your asthma symptoms. Although food allergies are rarely associated with asthma, occasionally there is a connection. Check your dairy against your symptoms to see if anything you’re eating increases the frequency of your attacks.
- If you take asthma medication use a peak-flow meter. This device measures the speed at which air leaves your lungs. By reading your peak-flow at certain times, you can tell how well a medication is working. You can also use it during an asthma attack to determine its severity and decide whether you need medical attention.
The power of prevention
- Don’t huddle around a fireplace or wood-burning stove.
- In cold weather, wrap a scarf around your nose and mouth to help warm up chilly air before you inhale it.
- Try eating smaller , more frequent meal, and don’t eat before you go to bed. The upward migration of stomach acids that cause heartburn can trigger asthma attacks.
- Some people with asthma are allergic to aspirin and ibuprofen. Use paracetamol instead.
Roberto Garcia (Health and Fitness Specialist)
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