How To Prevent Exercise Induced Asthma

Exercise and asthmatic symptoms for many asthma sufferers cannot be separated. All types of exertion such as playing sport, exercising or even brisk walking or running can trigger asthma. The medical community has even coined the name Exercise Induced Asthma to describe it.

Exercise is very important for everybody especially asthmatics. Sufferers will often find that their asthma is often improved when they are regularly undertaking exercise.

When partaking in exercise, carbon dioxide levels increase along with hydrogen ions which stimulates your breathing rate to expel the excess CO2. It is not a lack of oxygen that creates the increase in breathing rate rather the increase in CO2. When CO2 levels decrease so does the breathing rate. It's normal for this chain of events to occur, more oxygen is required by our muscles during exercise. But this is when many asthmatic sufferers experience problems. Problems occur because often breathing becomes out of control and hyperventilation can easily occur.

The reason why you will experience an asthma attack whilst exercising is because you are hyperventilating. Therefore the key is to control your breathing, more specifically control your carbon dioxide levels.

It 's a good idea to important to warm up your breathing before you exercise and gradually build up intensity. Let your body build up carbon dioxide levels slowly and don't go all out from the start will ensure you don't have an asthma attack when exercising.

The Second Wind

Asthma sufferers won't have high levels of carbon dioxide within their lungs to cope for very long exercising. Because their levels are so low to begin, when their level of CO2 is further decreased as in when over-breathing and expelling it, the lungs will start to narrow in defence.

If they can go through the first stages of exercise, your body will start to produce and store more CO2 and consequently open up your airways. The Second Windas it is often called. That is when about 15 minutes after beginning exercise, the body is producing enough carbon dioxide to keep airways open allowing for much easier breathing. You can exercise as if you are on steroids, and technically you are and it's your body's natural one.

Another important thing to remember is to breathe through your nose when exercising just as you should at any time. The nose is acts like a filter and an air-con for your lungs and makes hyperventilation much harder.

Asthma Remedies

Over 300 million people suffer from asthma attacks every year and they are often looking for asthma remedies alternatives to the steroids and drugs they have been prescribed.

Asthma is a chronic breathing condition which can affect anyone of any age; you can have it in a very mild form or have severe asthma.

You will experience certain symptoms with the condition and these can include shortness of breath, wheezing,and tightness in your chest.

Many things can trigger an asthma attack, even very simple things like the surroundings or even a household pet. You have to understand the triggers before you can use remedies that will suit you and your lifestyle.

Although people often think they have to take drugs to help with their asthma, simple steps can help ensure that you don't have an attack.

Make sure that you drink plenty of water every day;dehydration can cause many problems including headaches and a dry throat.

By ensuring you don't have a dry throat will cut down the risk of it becoming irritated and bringing on an attack. You should also look at your diet. Some foods can trigger asthma, and by eliminating these you will be able to feel and look better.

Processed foods, dairy, and wheat can all cause your throat and digestive system to become inflamed. For you to be healthier you may need to eliminate these foods entirely.

This will help with your asthma and your overall health. Most remedies contain herbs that give you a natural alternative to drugs.

You also need to ensure that you are taking vitamins and minerals to keep your body in the best condition it can be.

If you are healthy and fit then there is less chance of you having an asthma attack. People often claim that exercise is bad if you have asthma, but that simply isn't true.

The more air you can take into your body the better your lungs will feel. You will also need to have a good spring clean in your home to ensure that all of the dust mites and dust have been removed.

All of these things can bring on an asthma attack. By having a very clean home you are providing a healthier environment to live in.

Learning how to relax and breathe properly are great ways to control your asthma. If you can remain very calm when having an attack you should be able to breathe through it.

Taking time to relax at the end of the day will help with the way that you feel, and less stress will help with your asthma. Every small thing really can help and if it stops you relying on steroids and drugs, then that is a bonus.

Asthma Attack Medicinal Plants

There are two types of asthma, intrinsic asthma and extrinsic asthma. Internal factors like stress, air pollution, respiratory infection and exercise cause intrinsic asthma. Animals' dander, pollens, trees, molds, dust mites' etc causes' extrinsic asthma.

There is no proper means to prevent intrinsic asthma however people choose to utilize medicinal plants. There are no side-effects caused due to the use of medicinal plants for controlling asthma attacks. But it should be used sparingly.

Garlic is one of the medicinal plant which curbs asthma attack. Mixing garlic with boiled milk and drinking gives instant relief from attacks. Turmeric is also has therapeutic properties to relieve attacks. It should also be consumed with hot milk twice a day.

A mixture of camphor and mustard oil when applied on the chest can give instantaneous relief. It eases the pattern of breathing and loosens the phlegm from the chest.

Ginger also is an excellent means of keeps asthma conditions under control. Some of the herbs like sanctm, inula helenium, emblica, verbascum, chebulic, shilajit, glychyrrhiza glabra when missed in various medicinal proportions helps in controlling the symptoms of asthma and making the flow of air in the air tubes easier.

Although medicinal plants that are used for controlling asthma attacks do not have adverse effect it is better to consult your physician before switching over to it.

A bronchodilator which is prepared from aloe Vera, banana stalk and a flower belong to the family of hibiscus is being used by many asthmatics and has shown positive results. People have begun opting for medicinal plant for asthma attacks in different part of the world. Uses of medicinal plants have become an integral part of much ancient civilization. The healing properties of medicinal plants have successfully cured human illness till the development of science took place.

However some doctors warn against the use of medicinal plants in curing asthma because of the possible toxic effects present in some of them. Some of the medicinal herbs have been used since age old times and passed on traditionally from generation to generation.

Thus curing asthma attack through medicinal plants and herbs rather than by manmade drugs is always healthy option. Medicinal plants today have a new role to play. Besides decorating and being used in various cuisines, if used in appropriate doses can be converted into an effective drug for curing illnesses. Medicinal plants are used as medications in the form of oils, tinctures, syrups and decoctions. Today it is synthesized and manipulated in new forms by the pharmaceutical industry.

Asthma: Why You Need to Use a Peak Flow Meter

Key Asthma Symptoms

The key symptoms of asthma are also common in other major illnesses and so self diagnosing is not recommended. Only a doctor can diagnose asthma and then only after several tests have been taken.

The most common identifiers of asthma are:

• Wheezing

• Chronic cough.

• Tightness in the chest

• Shortness of breath

Having said that, these symptoms are also common with some heart ailments, cystic fibrosis, bronchitis, allergies and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Sometimes, a person with severe asthma can have a debilitating illness; they are so impacted by the symptoms that they are not able to function normally on a day to day basis. Fortunately, the vast number of asthma sufferers have symptoms that are much more mild. For these sufferers an asthma attack my occur infrequently and the use of Ventolin HFA is all they need.

For some sufferers, their asthma may be too severe to be controlled with the use of an inhaler or nebulizer and their symptoms continue to get worse; the throat muscles can become so inflamed that they have serious difficulty breathing, they wheeze, have a tightness in their chest, and, develop a chronic cough. When this happens, going about their daily lives is impossible.

If your regular medication does not relieve the symptoms then your progress to a severe attack and medical intervention is usually necessary. As the symptoms get worse your ability to breathe is reduced and your body takes in less oxygen than it needs. Without immediate help this can be fatal.

Some people suffer infrequent mild asthma attacks and they are able to manage their symptoms by using an inhaler, or, nebulizer. On the onset of an attack a puff or spray of asthma medication is all they need.

With regular use of a Peak Flow Monitor it is possible to know in advance if you are going to have an asthma attack.

Without knowing what your regular lung capacity is, it is not easy to know if you are having a severe asthma attack, A Peak Flow Meter, properly used, will let you stay on top of your regular measure of breathing capacity; during an asthma attack using the flow meter will give you a measure of your of breathing ability, and hence your level of oxygen intake.

If your oxygen intake is low you should go to the hospital immediately. Let's look at this in more detail;

What is a Peak Flow Meter

A hand held device, a peak flow meter measures the speed of your breath (air) coming from your lungs after you have exhaled forcefully immediately after fully inhaling. Peak flow meters are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Portable and affordable, these devices are easy to take with you wherever you go.

Keeping records of the results - your peak expiratory flow (PEF) is part of an asthma management plan. If your asthma is under control your readings will be consistent, if they are not, your asthma may be getting worse.

How do I find out my best peak expiratory flow

When you start using a Peak Flow Meter you need to record each of your readings two or three times a day for at least 2-3 weeks. Always take your tests at the same time each day and always take your test prior to using your Ventolin HFA inhaler. Follow the instructions that come with your meter on how to take the breath tests. The highest number you have recorded over the test period is your peak expiratory flow.

Sometimes, during a severe asthma attack it may seem that your symptoms have eased because you are not wheezing, when instead, your lung capacity has become too low to let you wheeze. By taking your flow rate and comparing it to your recorded peak rate, you will know if you should be going immediately to the hospital. Failure to do so could be fatal.

Regular use of your meter can assist you in identifying when an asthma attack may be due. An asthma attack may present symptoms up to a week before it actually occurs; knowing when to use your Ventolin HFA ahead of an attack can prevent an attack from occurring.

Talk with your doctor about how a Peak Flow Meter may help you manage your symptoms.

Asthma Management and the Importance of Having an Asthma Action Plan

Overview

Asthma is when your airways become inflamed and swollen making it difficult for you to breath. For some people this can be a chronic condition that needs to be controlled with an Asthma management plan. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, asthma affects 1 out of every 4 people. It is estimated that in America nearly 60 million people suffer from Asthma. Knowing what triggers an attack and how to manage their asthma has greatly improved the quality of life for many suffers.

Symptoms

Asthma symptoms can be different with each attack. Also not everyone that has asthma will have the same symptoms. The symptoms to look out for are wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, tightness or pain in the chest, an increased heart rate, and sometimes sweating occurs.

Diagnosis

Asthma is normally classified as mild, moderate, or severe. The classification based on the assessment of your symptoms by your doctor. Depending on your situation, your doctor may use a peek flow meter to see how well you are breathing in and out. Also a pulse oximeter will be used to measure the amount of oxygen is in your blood. Sometimes a chest x-ray is taken to rule out any other problems that may be causing your breathing problems.

Treatment

There is not a cure for Asthma at this time but it can be treated. The prognosis is most often good because of the medical advances. Doctors have many options when treating asthma. There are oral medications that can be taken to prevent an attack from occurring. They are referred to as anti-inflammatory drugs. Some people have to use a bronchodilator to help release the tightening of the airways muscle. Additionally quick relief inhalers are used by most asthma suffers and older adults and children mainly use a nebulizer to help treat their asthma symptoms. Your doctor will help you with an asthma management plan to help get your asthma under control.

Conclusion

Asthma doesn't have to dictate your quality of life. Medical research has come a long way in understanding asthma and how to treat it. There are many treatment options available that can help you lead an active lifestyle and satisfying life.

Asthma: The Effect of Diet On Your Breathing Health

The key point to remember here is that everything you eat will make you breathe more deeply. Some foods will make you breathe more than other foods. Plus there is some individual variation in how much people respond do different foods.

With this issue please realize that you will need to eat something to stay alive. As all foods increase your breathing depth [because of the digestive process], your breathing is going to be affected, there is no avoiding it. The strategy is simply when your breathing is poor, and you are having symptoms, eat as little as possible and eat the foods that have least effect on your breathing.

Remember that the problem is to do with your breathing, that is where the most important focus of your recovery should be. It is your shallow breathing practice that is more important than anything else, including diet.

The foods which tend to increase breathing the most are animal proteins, animal fats and refined sugars. This includes chicken, beef and other meats, and milk products. Plant proteins and fats are less harmful. Nuts, beans, berries and other fruits can have strong impact on some individuals breathing.

The rule is to reduce animal protein as much as possible, and observe your breathing after eating. Always reduce your breathing after food to reduce the impact of the food. Once your breathing has been conditioned to maintain a higher CO2 level, you will be less affected by what you eat.

Until then, minimise or stop your meat intake, along with all dairy foods. [Note: Soy milk is very high in protein, and only slightly less harmful than animal milk in breathing terms.]

Another notable food that increases your breathing very strongly is alcohol. If you have symptoms of asthma do not drink alcohol. If you doubt this, simply measure your pause before a few drinks, then measure it afterwards.

Major Rule of Food

If you are not hungry, do not eat. If you do not feel hunger, your body is not ready for food, and will not digest it efficiently. If you are not sure if your are hungry, wait for a while.

During the first week of training your breathing, especially if you have symptoms, follow this rule rigidly. If you do not eat for several days, fine. Wait until you are hungry.

The less you eat, the faster your breathing will improve.

Stepwise Treatment For Asthma

Step wise treatment for asthma helps to maintain uniformity in treating patients. In addition this kind of approach is helpful to get highest possible symptom relief by using least possible medications. Also it is easy to understand and gives a freedom of either stepping up or stepping down according to the severity of symptoms.

Step 1 -Mild intermittent asthma

For those whose symptoms are mild and getting attacks occasionally, short acting beta agonists (salbutamol, terbutaline) are helpful. These medications relieve the symptoms almost immediately by relaxing the muscles of the wind pipe. Hence they are called relievers.

Step 2 - Regular preventer therapy

In those patients, whose symptoms are not relieved properly by relievers alone, corticosteroid inhalers will be given in addition to the existing relievers. Corticosteroid prevents inflammation occurring in the wind pipe. Hence they are called preventers. Normally Preventers will be needed for those patients who have

o asthma symptoms more than twice a week,
o Waking up during sleep at least once a week due to asthma,
o Those had an asthma attack in the last two years, or
o Those who use short-acting beta2-agonist inhaler (salbutamol, terbutaline) more than twice a week.

Step 3 - Add-on therapy

If symptoms are not getting controlled using corticosteroid inhalers, the next step is to add long acting relievers (long acting b-agonists) like salmetrol or formetrol. The effect of long acting relievers may stay up to 12 hours. Long active relievers should always be combined with corticosteroid inhalers, as one study showed using long active relievers alone may increase the asthma attack. To prevent this problem, it is better to use combined inhalers which contain a corticosteroid and long acting beta2 agonists that are available in the market. Also it is easy for the patients to have one inhaler rather than two.
Patients are tried initially with lowest dose. If symptoms are still worse, the doses of long acting relievers and corticosteroids could be increased.

Step 4 - Persistent poor control

If patient sill has symptoms, doctor would try other medication like leukotriene receptor antagonists or theophyllins to get adequate asthma control. If treatment is still not successful, the amount of inhaled corticosteroids may be increased to its maximum safe dose, and additional preventer medicines will be tried.

Step 5

For some patients in whom symptoms can't be controlled by above steps, powerful drugs will tried to get adequate asthma control. These include corticosteroid tablets or methortrexate. As they have many side effects, patient should be monitored frequently by an expert.

This is final of seven parts "Walking with a Doc Series - Asthma".