Asthma

 

Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by the inflammation and constricting of the airways. If a person frequently experience shortness of breath or hear a whistling or wheezy sound in the chest while breathing, he may be considered as asthmatic. Asthma is a condition in which, airways narrow down and swell, producing extra mucus. Several different factors trigger asthmatic episodes, including stress, infectious agents, pollutants and allergens. When one of these invades the body, airways are swollen or inflamed. This swelling or inflammation makes the airways extremely sensitive to irritations and increases the susceptibility to an allergic reaction.

Symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness or pain
• Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
• A whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling (wheezing is a common sign of asthma in children)

Asthma can be extrinsic or intrinsic.

Extrinsic factors include allergic reaction to pollens, animals, dust or food additives. Intrinsic asthma can be caused by emotional stress and is often occurs after a severe respiratory infection. Certain medications used for long time is also one of the reason for the development of Asthma.

Sulfites and preservatives added to some types of foods and beverages, including dried fruit, processed potatoes, beer and wine can also trigger asthma attack.

What happens during an asthma attack?

• The muscles around your airways tighten up, narrowing the airway.
• Less air is able to flow through the airway.
• Inflammation of the airways increases, further narrowing the airway.
• More mucus is produced in the airways, undermining the flow of air even more

Risk factors:

A number of factors are thought to increase the chances of developing asthma. These include:

• Having a blood relative (such as a parent or sibling) with asthma
• Having another allergic condition, such as atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis
• overweight
• smoking
• Exposure to secondhand smoke
• Exposure to occupational triggers, such as chemicals used in farming, hairdressing and manufacturing

5 best Acupressure Points to manage Asthma:

Give 5-7 minutes of medium pressure on the shown points twice a day.

Diet and lifestyle changes recommended:

1. Use Ginger & Garlic in daily food: The anti-inflammatory property of ginger & garlic helps in reducing the airway inflammation.
2. Use of Turmeric helps in avoiding allergy.
3. Honey with hot water have soothing effect on throat which can relief from cough and irritation. 
4. Hot water steam with eucalyptus oil helps in the release of blocked nose.
5. Applying warm mustard oil on both the thumbs and giving massage till your wrist energizes the lungs.
6. Caffeine in coffee clears the nasal passage allowing to breath easily.
7. Powdered camphor with gingelly oil can be applied on either side of the nose to ease the breathing.
8. Red color improves circulation also works as expectorant. Using red or any similar color keeps the body in circulatory form and warm. This can postpone the attacks.  

Don’ts:

1. Raw and cold food may injure the Spleen and hamper the fluid circulation, which leads to production of phlegm.
2. Greasy food tends to block air passage.
3. Smoking is injurious.
4. Cut down on the dairy products as it produces excess phlegm.
5. Eggs, fish, soy, potatoes, lemon juice, banana, oranges also can trigger asthma attacks, choose your food according to your body comfort.
6. Do not consume anything directly from refrigerator.
7. Avoid Ice creams and cold drinks.

Acupuncture for Asthma:

(Note: Non acupuncturist can skip this content but please use Acupressure points to avail health benefits)

Acupuncture look at Asthma in a different way when compared to western views. Acupuncture does not only help in managing the Asthma attacks but also have the ability to help the patient in reversing the condition.

Vital organs involved in this condition include Lungs, Kidneys and Spleen.  Patients with asthma have a condition in which their body lacks defensive Qi. Defensive Qi is a type of energy produced by the Lungs to protect the body from external factors similar to the immune-system. The condition of deficiency of defensive Qi develops when the kidneys or lung do not function properly leaving the body more vulnerable to diseases. Dysfunction of Spleen fails in transportation and transformation, ending up in excessive mucus production. External pathogens attacking the lung can create lung dysfunction and lead to phlegm production

Asthma can be due to Cold, Heat or deficiency of Lung, Kidney and Spleen energy. We need to address the condition, keeping below these things in mind:

• Eliminate Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat
• Restore Descending and Dispersing Function of the Lung
• Resolve Phlegm
• Tonification of Lung, Kidney and Spleen.

 

Disclaimer:

This article is an awareness initiative taken in public interest. Readers are advised not to use any information included herein to treat any health problems without knowing the actual health condition. This article is the combination of theoretical knowledge, patient’s feedback, self-experience and opinion. We recommend consulting a Doctor when in doubt or otherwise. We shall not be liable for any damages arising from the contents of this article.