What Is an Asthma Attack?
thma is a long-term disease affecting the lungs and the airways. In this kind of condition, the airways narrows and inflames. The common signs and symptoms of asthma include chest tightness, wheezing sound, coughing and shortness of breath. The coughing symptom often occurs early in the morning or late at night. In a situation of asthma attack which is also referred to as an asthma exacerbation, the lining of your airways becomes inflamed. The muscles will contract causing you to experience a narrowed breathing pattern. During an asthma exacerbation, you will cough a lot, wheeze and you may experience difficulty of breathing. This kind of condition can be mild which can be managed at home. However, there are severe cases which need immediate attention because it can be a life-threatening situation.
Severe and Mild Forms of Asthma
Some individuals with asthma do not experience an attack of asthma for longer periods. They can actually continue with their day to day activities without experiencing any signs and symptoms of asthma. But there are also some individuals who happen to experience recurrent attack of asthma.
Asthma attack which is mild in form is actually more common compared to severe cases. In mild cases of asthma, your airways will just open up after a few minutes of treatment. With regards to severe attacks of asthma, it is less common but the symptoms really last for longer hours which can threaten your life. This is the main reason why people having severe asthma attacks need to be transported to the nearest health care facility as soon as possible. In order to prevent severe cases of asthma attacks, it is very essential for you to be capable of recognizing early signs and symptoms of an asthma. Treating mild signs and symptoms will prevent further attacks of asthma that are severe in form.
Life-Threatening Asthma
For some reason wherein you have not received any kind of treatment for your asthma attacks for a long time, you won't be able to speak and you would likely develop a bluish discoloration all over your lips. This condition is due to the lack of oxygen circulating in your body. In medical terminology, the bluish discoloration around your lips is referred to as "cyanosis." In the absence of immediate medical attention, you may experience loss of consciousness and you can eventually die.
Early Warning Signs of Asthma Attack
In general, the early symptoms of asthma are not actually severe that may paralyze your day to day activities. But because you can recognize the early signs and symptoms, you can preven
The Need for an Asthma Action Plan
or people who tend to have asthma anytime that there is condition that triggers it, there is always the need to make sure that prevention is done. There is no doubt that an asthma attack does not really bring about fatal results immediately. However, there have been cases also that did develop into worse conditions. If you are asthmatic, it would indeed be necessary for you to have an asthma action plan. It is through this that you would set up a systematic prevention system. At the same time, this action plan could eventually lead to the total elimination of any asthma attack in the future.
Introducing Better Prevention for Asthma
The very first reason why you would need an asthma action plan is for you to establish a better way for prevention. It is clear that one of the main causes why the condition recurs is that one who is prone to it has still not defined the best ways for avoiding it. With a plan in mind, however, you would be aware of what particular conditions, especially in the environment, that could trigger an attack. Of course, this would also require you to constantly remember the points mentioned in the plan when it comes to prevention.
Reducing Asthma Attacks
It may be impossible for you to absolutely get rid of asthma at the soonest. One of the reasons for this is that your body may still need to adapt to environmental conditions before it could learn not to trigger asthma. However, with an asthma action plan, you could effectively reduce the possible episodes. This means that there would be times when you would not have attacks in situations when you would normally have one. In fact, if your plan is really good, the reduction could go a long way and may ultimately render you absolutely free of the condition.
Work or School Absences Avoided
The problem with asthma is when it attacks it virtually stops you from going ahead with an activity. It is in this sense that the said condition could deprive you of the opportunity to excel in work or in school. Apparently, when you have asthma, you certainly could not go to school or to report for work. As a result, the damage that it creates could become serious. The effects on your work or on your schooling, if you happen to be a student, are the reasons why would need to have an asthma action pl
Is Chiropractic Care Considered a Safe Treatment Option for Asthma?
sthma is not simply a health issue that causes difficulty breathing but a medical condition that if not properly treated can lead to death. Today, the number of people who live with the effects of asthma has skyrocketed. The significant increase in asthmatics is due to diets consisting of processed foods that cause allergic reactions and high levels of environmental pollutants. While some people control asthma using more conventional methods, many people have turned to chiropractic care.
Asthma is a life-threatening illness that commands proper maintenance and treatment. Because chiropractic care takes an entirely different approach compared to standard medicine, people want to know if it is a viable treatment option. Of course, people with asthma want something that will work but also a treatment that is safe. With growing interest in alternative medicine, we felt it important to offer information on the subject of asthma control in the form of chiropractic care.
Proper Diagnosis and Symptoms
Before treatment can begin, an individual suspected of having asthma would need a firm diagnosis. After all, there are other health issues that cause similar symptoms so seeing a doctor would ensure the right illness is being treated but also help determine the best treatment plan. In addition to taking patient and family history, a doctor would conduct several tests and consider clinical presentation to determine if asthma is in fact the problem.
Regarding symptoms, there are actually a number of things a person would experience with asthma. The most obvious is difficulty breathing, which is the result of a person's airway narrowing and becoming inflamed. However, chronic coughing, wheezing, and a tight sensation in the chest are also expected. Even when an asthma attack is minor, the experience can be frightening, especially for children but during a full-blown asthma attack, the situation becomes dire.
Asthma Attack Triggers
Most people who have asthma also suffer from allergies, which is one of the primary triggers for an attack. However, some of the other things known to trigger an asthma attack include the following:
Cold weather
Cigarette, pipe, and cigar smoke
Pet dander, especially from cats
Exercise
Food preservatives
Specific food items such as some fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, shrimp, and other shellfish, cow's milk, peanuts, eggs, wheat, and soy
Obviously, these and other triggers should be avoided at all costs but regardless, someone with asthma would need to be on a maintenance plan to prevent attacks. Some people take medication and use inhalers to fight off attacks while other people turn to the benefits offered by chiropractic care. In addition, some asthma suffers get the most relieve with a combination of both.
Chiropractic Care for Battling Asthma
Multiple studies have been conducted in recent year to determine the effects of chiropractic care on asthma. The results show that children and adults who get regular spinal adjustments, achieve significant improvement. The improvements were seen as fewer numbers and less frequency of asthma attacks but also less severity.
By using spinal adjustments, misaligned vertebrae (subluxation) are put back in the proper position, which allows signals traveling down nerves to reach various parts of the body. Because of this, the entire body functions better but this also allows healing to take place naturally. Keep in mind that in addition to correction of Vertebral Subluxation Complex reducing the effects of an attack, this also prevents attacks from occurring in many instances.
Chiropractic care causes no pain, is 100% natural, produces no bad side effects, and works in an effective and safe manner. These are all benefits for adults who live with asthma but even more beneficial to children. Compared to conventional medicine and standard treatments, it is easy to see that chiropractic care for asthma is a better solution for many people of all ages.
Dr. Rick Galla, Chiropractor. Do you have asthma? Are you looking for a natural solution? Tired of being on medication and the serious side effects? Then please come to my office to see if you have nerve interference (subluxation) affecting the function of your lungs. Thermography and electromyography will
How To Identify And Treat Asthma Attacks?
here are various health disorders that do not hold any specific treatments, but the symptoms can certainly be avoided with necessary medications and treatments. Asthma is one such disorder whose symptoms indicate an inflammation in the bronchial tubes of the lungs as well as excessive production of a sticky secretion inside the bronchial tubes in the human body. Individuals that suffer from this disorder experience asthma attacks that can occur suddenly and can be quite scary for the person suffering from this disorder and also for the bystanders. These attacks usually occur when a person suffering from asthma comes in contact with a trigger such as an allergen, which can vary among different patients. As a result, the person faces difficulty in breathing and requires an immediate medical assistance.
However, if you see someone near you suffering from such similar kind of terrible condition, then it is important for you to learn on how to treat such kind of attacks.
• The most important factor that you need to learn is recognizing the symptoms. When adults suffer from an asthmatic attack, they usually intimate the same to the people near them, but such reaction is not similar with children. In order to recognize the same, you will find that during an asthmatic attack a person starts wheezing or have a bad coughing fit, which is uncontrollable. Additionally, if left untreated the person's lips or fingernails would turn blue or gray.
• If you notice such a condition, it is important for you to stay calm. This is because an individual suffering from an asthmatic attack is likely to panic, which can even worsen the condition. Therefore, by staying calm you can support the patient and assure them of getting relieved very soon.
• As mentioned earlier allergens are one of the main causes of asthma and different patients react differently towards various allergens. Once you have identified the cause of the attack, it is important to remove that particular object immediately or keep the patient away from the allergen. Dust, pollen, mold and pet dander are some of the common allergens, but again there might be other allergens that could trigger an asthma attack.
• Individuals that are suffering from asthma usually carry an inhaler that consists of albuterol. These inhalers can be helpful during an attack as they contain a medicine, which provides an immediate relief during an attack. However, if still not controlled, it is necessary to call for emergency medical assistance.
Nikki John is an eminent writer and analyst, in this content he has defined how to id
A Natural Solution For The Asthma Sufferer
sthma is a huge problem in the United States, and it is growing at an alarming rate. If you think about it, you will probably be able to pick out at least a few people that you know who suffer from the affects of the condition. And for every person that you know who has asthma, there are probably at least one or two that you don't know about. In fact, since 1980, the death rate for asthma has increased over 60%. That is a huge number, but it is an important number.
Doctors can treat some of the symptoms of asthma, but as it turns out there might be more contributing to the condition than pollen or dust! You might be surprised to learn that asthma, in some cases, can be directly connected to a misalignment of the vertebral column.
The thought that asthma, a condition that makes it difficult for you to breath when you come into contact with any number of different triggers, could be related to anything other than your lungs and larynx might seem hard to believe... but it actually makes a lot more sense than you would think.
In fact, chiropractors who have studied the effects of a vertebral misalignment on the respiratory system have found that asthma is almost always related to the position of the first and second thoracic vertebra. Other chiropractic conditions attributing to asthma include misalignment of the spine, subluxation, as well as a faulty alignment involving the seventh cervical vertebra. In addition, for over a hundred years now, sufferers of not only asthma, but also other respiratory conditions have consistently praised chiropractic care as being a benefit to their overall condition. (Source: Leboeuf-Yde C, Pedersen EN, Bryner P et al. Self-reported nonmusculoskeletal response to chiropractic intervention: a multination study. JMPT. 2005;28:294-302.)
But in a way, this shouldn't be so hard for us to believe. After all, the brain controls the entire body, including the respiratory system. It is connected through nerves that run through the vertebra to carry signals to and from the body. This is what causes us to continue to function. Our body interprets stimulation and sends the signal to the brain, which in turn processes the signal and reacts. Sometimes we react, as we would if our hand were placed on a hot burner. And sometimes, our body reacts in the way that it thinks is appropriate based on the information it is getting... as in the case of an asthma attack. The problem lies in the signals themselves... if the nerves going to and from the respiratory system (or a number of other systems) are being 'pinched' or otherwise affected by a subluxation of a vertebra, then it is not surprising that the respiratory system would not necessarily function properly as a result. In fact, one analysis of 650 children proved that chiropractic care is a relevant, favorable response to those suffering from asthma. (Source: Ressel O, Rudy R. Vertebral subluxation correlated with somatic, visceral and immune complaints: an analysis of 650 children under chiropractic care. JVSR. 2004;1-23.)
Problems like asthma have been very well connected to a condition called vertebral subluxation, which is basically a condition that causes dysfunction of the spine, resulting in nerve interference. Unbelievably, even the minuscule weight of a dime, focused directly on a spinal nerve, can actually cause transmission to be reduced by over 50%!
While chiropractic care does not necessarily 'cure' asthma, correcting these subluxations, if they exist in a particular patient, have been proven to improve the overall body nervous system... which maximizes the body's natural healing ability and has been shown to significantly improve a number of conditions, including asthma.
Rick Galla is a Chiropractor, Entrepreneur, Speaker and Author in San Diego, Ca. He is very excited and grateful that he gets to play a major, positive role in transforming many
Treating Asthma
astics usually bring asthma inhalers with them. In case of asthmatic attack, the inhaler is crucial to provide immediate therapy. An attack is an emergency and should be given prompt attention lest the condition may worsen.
Asthma inhalers have ingredients that relieve the inflamed lungs and respiratory parts that become constricted during an asthma attack. Bronchospasm is the most common effect of an attack. Inhalers take immediate effect on the airways thus is more preferred than oral medications.
Beside the asthma inhaler, there are also other treatments available. The type of treatment, however, is a case to case basis. You should always consult with your doctor on which type of treatment is most appropriate for you. Treatment for a person is not always the right one for another. It always depends on the causes, triggers, risk factors, severity of condition, and over all health of the person. Every person should be closely monitored after seeing a doctor so that proper treatment and care is given to the asthmatic person. There should be a asthma management plan worked out with your doctor.
A good treatment plan may include being desensitized from agents that cause the signs of asthma. Others may require certain medications that are meant to control the severity and frequency of the attacks.
Since asthma is a chronic condition, there is no absolute cure for it. The best thing you can do is to find a treatment plan that is most appropriate to your specific condition. Work out a management plan that will prevent asthma attacks and give emergency cure when one happens.Your plan should both be to prevent and to provide immediate relief.
Ensure that you understand the uses and precautions of inhalers and nebulizers. Be guided accordingly on how to properly use each agent and what are the emergency measures to watch out for. Have an open communication with your doctor and ask all the questions and doubts you have in mind. Clarify all issues and seek proper advice. Do not self-medicate and do not presume. It is always best to be safe. Ask and make sure you understand.
Treating asthma is possible and can be effective if one only knows how to ask and seek prompt guidance from authorized persons like the doctor and care provider such as a nurse who is experienced and well-trained with asthma cases. It can also help to research and read materials and seek clarifications as needed.
Keith Tennent is a medical researcher and a fitness enthusiast. He has overcome personal health difficulties and now teaches others to improve their health. His technique is simple and takes literally a few seco
Different Asthma Specialists To Consider
Asthma is quite prevalent worldwide. As of 2009, 300 million individuals around the world are suffering from this disorder. It affects old and young people alike. In the USA, there are more young asthma sufferers than adults. Experts also notice a worrisome direction in childhood asthma in the United States - the number of children afflicted with this respiratory problem continues to grow. If you or your child is suffering from asthma, you have to decide on an asthma specialist carefully. Below are a few asthma specialists to choose from:
Allergists - Asthma can be brought about by allergens, and an allergist, who is a pediatrician or internist with extra training in allergy and immunology, can thus help ascertain your allergens and provide an effective management for such as well. Usual allergens include pollen, mold spores, dust, and animal dander.
Internist or pulmonologist - There are instances when asthma is not triggered by allergens. In such instances, it is called intrinsic asthma. Internists specialize in internal medicine, and pulmonologists, sub-specialize in treating respiratory conditions. Both of these specialists can help figure out factors such as hormones, inflammatory processes that trigger asthma. They can also provide treatment for asthma related to smoking, exercise, GERD, and weather changes. These specialists are also the ideal choice for sufferers of adult onset asthma.
ENT specialist - Also called otolaryngologists, these doctors treat disorders arising from the ear, nose, throat, and some parts of the head and neck. Asthma can be caused by colds, sinus and throat infections, and postnasal drip. An ENT specialist can adequately provide treatment for these conditions.
Pediatrician - If your kid is troubled with asthma, it is best to bring him to a pediatrician first. Kids have special needs, and as most fathers and mothers would agree, treating youngsters can be very challenging. Having someone who has trained especially on how to deal with kids will guarantee that the situation is managed effectively. Pediatricians also have special areas of practice, so it's possible to locate pediatric pulmonologists and allergists.
How to choose an asthma specialist
First of all, only work with board-certified doctors. It is also essential that you read about the educational and professional background of the doctor you are considering. A specialist who participates in research, teaching, and other academic pursuits are a good choice as they are more up-to-date about new treatments. You also have to ascertain if they will accept your health insurance. Most importantly, given that asthma is
