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| ASTHMA Overview of Asthma Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by recurrent attacks of wheezing and shortness of breath. An inflammation of the air passages (bronchi and bronchioles), followed by spasm, swelling of the passages and thickening of lung secretions (sputum). This effectively decreases or closes off air to the lungs. It occurs 50% more often in children under age 10 (boys with asthma outnumber girls). In adult-onset asthma, women are more often affected than men. Causes of Asthma Extrinsic (External) factors Allergens such as food allergens, pollutants (industrial pollution), chemicals (pest control), environmental factors (pollen, dust mites, cats, cockroaches, fungi, smoke, etc.), temperature intolerance (affected by the change in the atmospheric temperature). Physical exertion or exercise is known to induce asthmatic episode. Certain infections such as viral, bacterial or fungal infections often lead to asthmatic breathing. Exposure to occupational chemicals or other materials, may also cause asthma. Intrinsic (Internal) factors The extrinsic factors alone cannot produce asthma, as not every one who is exposed to the pollen develops asthma. Again, not every one who is allergic to pollen develops asthma! This means, the very individual susceptibility is probably the most important aspect when we try to understand the causative factors . In other words, asthma is not merely a disease of the lungs but of the immune system. Asthmatic episode is an outcome of the fundamental tendency or the susceptibility, which is genetically determined. (This is also true with a wide range of diseases.) Hereditary influences also decide the predisposition to asthma with a family history of asthma or allergy or eczema are more prone to asthma as compared to their counterpart who do not have such a family history. Signs and Symptoms of Asthma Symptoms include: chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing upon breathing out, coughing, especially at night, occasionally with thick, clear or yellow sputum, rapid, shallow breathing that is eased with sitting up, breathing difficulty, and tighten neck muscles Severe symptoms of acute attack often reflect the lack of oxygen getting to the body and the difficulty exchanging air in the lungs. There is bluish skin, exhaustion, grunting respiration, inability to speak, mental changes, including restlessness or confusion. HOMOEOPATHY & ASTHMA The basic approach in homeopathy is to evaluate the disease of asthma in its whole extent and not merely cure symptpms.. The homeopathic treatment is firmly aimed at enhancing body's own healing capacity so that the human system does not react adversely to the allergens which are considered external factors affecting asthma. As a rule, homeopathy never looks at Asthma as a local disease. Asthma has been considered as a local expression of a system disturbance. As per homeopathy, we believe in constitutional prescribing. This calls for individual case study in every case of asthma. There is no single specific remedy for all the cases of asthma. The exact treatment is determined only on in-depth evaluation of individual case. Homeopathic treatment is directed at first decreasing the frequency & severity of attacks.Then it slowly tries to wean the patient off allopathic drugs & finally aims for a permanent cure. The duration of treatment could be anywhere from 6 months to 2 years & the cure rate is 90-95%. |
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