Asthma is a chronic and serious condition affecting the lung's airways, known as bronchial tubes, which are responsible for allowing air to enter and exit the lungs. In individuals with asthma, these airways are constantly inflamed and can become further swollen, with the muscles around them tightening in response to triggers. This constriction makes it challenging for air to flow in and out of the lungs, resulting in symptoms like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. People often describe sensations of chest pressure or a feeling of having lungs filled with a cloud, making it difficult to take deep breaths and causing a quickened breathing pace. Asthma primarily involves two main issues:

• Inflammation causing swelling and Increased mucus in the airways, and
• Bronchospasm where the muscles around the airways constrict.

Although asthma is a chronic condition, symptoms may not occur daily. There are days when you may experience coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath, while other days you may feel completely well. If you frequently experience symptoms or if they are impacting your daily activities, it's important to consult your healthcare provider.

TYPES OF ASTHMA

Not all asthma is the same. Through more research we are learning that asthma can mean different things to different people. This means you will need different treatments or medicine to suit your type of asthma. 

The type of asthma you have depends on how your asthma presents and what triggers your symptoms. It can be helpful to describe your asthma by type, also known as phenotype. Your asthma might fall under one or several types and fall across the range from mild to severe.  

Types of asthma include:

1. Allergic asthma: Triggered by allergens like pollen, dust, certain foods, and mold.
2. Non-allergic asthma (Non-atopic asthma): Symptoms are not caused by typical allergy triggers such as pollen or dust mites.
3. Thunderstorm asthma: Primarily linked to allergies to rye grass pollen during thunderstorm seasons in specific regions.
4. Seasonal asthma: Occurs at particular times of the year—Autumn due to temperature changes, Spring due to pollen allergies, and Winter due to cold air, viral illnesses, or exposure to wood smoke.
5. Occupational asthma: Caused by workplace factors such as chemicals, animal proteins, fumes, or poor air quality.
6. Aspirin-exacerbated asthma: Triggered by taking aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen.
7. Exercise-induced broncho-constriction: Typically occurs during physical activity, even in individuals without a history of asthma.
8. Childhood asthma: Manifests primarily during childhood but may recur later in life.
9. Adult or late-onset asthma: Onset of symptoms occurs in adulthood, either as a new condition or a recurrence.
10. Nocturnal asthma: Symptoms worsen at night, often due to temperature changes, dust mites, heartburn, or disruptions in the sleep cycle.
11. Mild asthma: Characterized by few symptoms, no nighttime waking, and no flare-ups within the past year.
12. Severe asthma: Also known as brittle, steroid-resistant, or difficult-to-treat asthma. Despite maximum treatment with inhaled medications, symptoms remain uncontrolled. Subtypes include allergic, eosinophilic asthma, or non-eosinophilic asthma.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA?

Asthma symptoms are the signs, effects or feelings that you may notice as a result of having asthma. Your asthma symptoms are caused by changes in the airways (breathing tubes) of your lungs. These changes make it harder to breathe. 

The most common asthma symptoms are: 

1. Cough

A cough in asthma occurs due to narrowed airways and increased mucus production. Characteristics of an asthma-related cough include:

- Persistent or chronic nature.

- Nighttime or early morning occurrence.

- Triggered by physical activity or sports.

- Occurring when excited or laughing.

2. Wheezing

The whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe occurs due to the narrowing of your airways.

3. Shortness of breath 

Feeling breathless occurs when your airways become too narrow to allow sufficient airflow in or out.

4. Chest tightness

This sensation can be likened to a tightness or pressure on your chest, caused by the tightening of muscles around your airways. Asthma symptoms vary from mild to severe, often worsening at night or in the early morning, which can disrupt sleep.

Additional symptoms may include

• feeling fatigued
• an increased heart rate
• sweating.

These symptoms occur because of the increased effort required for breathing. When you use more chest muscles to aid in breathing, your body expends more energy, leading to a faster heart rate.

It's important to note:

- Asthma symptoms differ from person to person.

- Symptoms can fluctuate within an individual over time.

- They may occur intermittently or persistently.

WHAT ARE SILENT SYMPTOMS?

Some individuals with asthma may experience silent symptoms, where they don't notice any asthma-related issues until their condition worsens significantly. Breathlessness can be a silent symptom, not as apparent to oneself or others as frequent coughing or wheezing. It may be overlooked or dismissed as fatigue or lack of fitness.

ASTHMA SYMPTOMS IN KIDS

Asthma symptoms can be harder to detect in children due to their smaller airways compared to adults. Even minor changes in their airway function can significantly affect their breathing. Since children may not always communicate their symptoms clearly, it's important to be observant and attentive to signs that may indicate asthma. Here are some key symptoms to watch for:

1. Being breathless or difficulty breathing

• Notice how your child breathes normally to better identify abnormal patterns during illness.
• Check if they are breathing through their mouth instead of their nose, especially when they have a cold or allergies.
• Look for signs like faster breathing, audible sounds while breathing, or using their shoulders to help breathe.
• Monitor their ability to participate in activities without getting excessively out of breath or avoiding activities due to breathlessness.
• Watch for behavioral changes such as increased irritability, quieter than usual demeanor, or complaints of a sore tummy.

Serious signs requiring immediate medical attention include:

• Retractions (sucking in) of the soft area at the base of the throat, tummy, or muscles between the ribs.
• Bluish lips or inability to finish sentences or eat due to severe breathlessness.

2. Wheezing

• Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound heard when airways narrow. It may be audible or detected by a doctor using a stethoscope.
• Wheezing that is frequent, worse at night or in the early morning, not associated with a cold, or triggered by specific factors is more likely related to asthma.

Talk to your doctor if your child has a wheeze. 

• Bluish lips or inability to finish sentences or eat due to severe breathlessness.

3. Coughing

• Coughs can be varied in sound and cause, including asthma.
• Persistent coughing, especially at night or during physical activity, or triggered by excitement or laughter should be discussed with a doctor.

4. Chest Tightness

• Children may describe feeling chest tightness or heaviness when their airways are constricted.
• Expressions like "feeling sick" or complaints of a sore tummy may indicate this symptom.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your child, it's crucial to seek medical advice promptly. Discussing these observations with a doctor helps in understanding your child's condition and determining the most appropriate treatment. It's important to share all symptoms, even those that may seem normal or minor, to ensure comprehensive care for your child.

Triggers of asthma

Asthma triggers are different for each person.

Allergens

• Pollen from trees, grasses, hay, ragweed.
• Mold
• Animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, birds, rats, mice, etc.
• Dust mites
• Insects such as cockroaches
• Sensitivity to sulfites, food preservatives, aspirin, or food dyes
• Food such as nuts, chocolate, eggs, orange juice, fish, milk, peanut butter

Respiratory Infections and Medical Problems

• Colds, other viruses
• Flu
• Bronchitis, tonsillitis, or sinusitis
• Coughing, sore throats

Tobacco Smoke

• Cigarettes, cigars, pipes- yours or someone else's

Air Pollution

• Traffic - idling cars, trucks or buses
• Diesel exhaust
• Second hand smoke
• Wood burning stoves/fireplaces
• Unvented gas/kerosene heaters
• Ozone/smog
• Nitrogen oxides (e.g. vehicle exhaust, and the burning of coal, oil, diesel fuel, and natural gas, especially from electric power plants)
• Sulfur dioxide (a by-product of burning fossil fuels, volcanic eruptions and poorly ventilated gas appliances)

Weather

• Cold air
• Weather changes
• Humidity

Exercise

• Especially in cold weather
• Children with asthma can still take part in physical activities. Children need to have access to their meds to stay healthy and to take part in all activities
• Warm up slowly before exercising

Emotions

• Fear
• Anger
• Frustration
• Laughing or crying

Around The House/School

• Vapors from cleaning products, paint, paint thinner, liquid chlorine bleach
• Sprays from furniture polish, starch, cleaners, room deodorizers
• Spray deodorants, perfumes, hair sprays, talcum powder, scented cosmetics
• Vapors from furnishings (carpeting, cabinets)
• Insect sprays
• Incense and scented candles
• Dust from chalk, wood, flour, latex gloves
• Engine exhaust from idling school buses and cars

Other Asthma Triggers

• Being sensitive to sulfites, food preservatives, aspirin, or food dyes
• Foods such as nuts, chocolate, eggs, orange juice, fish, milk, peanut butter
• Stress-any kind of emotional stress and aggravate the symptoms

How do I know if I have asthma?

Common symptoms of asthma include: a Cough—often dry and can have harsh bursts a Wheezing—a whistling sound mainly when you breathe out through narrowed airways Chest tightness a Shortness of breath which may occur with activity or even at rest

Conventional treatment for asthma

It typically involves a combination of medications and management strategies aimed at controlling symptoms, preventing flare-ups, and maintaining lung function. Here are the key components of conventional asthma treatment:

1. Controller Medications:
   • Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS):
   • Long-Acting Beta-Agonists.
   • Leukotriene Modifiers
   • Mast Cell Stabilizers.
2. Reliever or Rescue Medications:
   • Short-Acting Beta-Agonists (SABAs)
3. Anticholinergics
4. Combination Inhalers:
5. Allergy Medications:
   • Antihistamines
6. Allergen Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots)
7. Emergency Treatment:
   • Oral Corticosteroids:
   • Hospitalization:

Overall, asthma treatment aims to achieve and maintain good asthma control, minimize symptoms, prevent exacerbations, and improve quality of life. It's important for individuals with asthma to work closely with their healthcare provider to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses their specific needs and effectively manages their condition.

Homoeopathic approach

The homeopathic approach to asthma focuses on addressing the underlying causes and improving overall health through holistic measures, without relying solely on conventional medicines. Here's an elaboration on how homeopathy approaches asthma without conventional medicines:

1. Individualized Assessment- Detailed evaluation of symptoms, triggers, and overall health to understand the unique asthma profile.
2. Like-Cures-Like Principle- Remedies selected based on substances that mimic symptoms in healthy individuals to stimulate healing.
3. Strengthening Vital Force- Focus on enhancing the body's innate healing ability(immunity) rather than symptom suppression.
4. Remedy Selection- Tailored remedies such as Arsenicum album for anxiety-related attacks or Natrum sulphuricum for dampness-triggered symptoms.
5. Holistic Care- Includes lifestyle advice, dietary adjustments, and stress management to support overall well-being and reduce triggers.
6. Long-Term Management- Aims for sustained improvement by addressing root causes and adjusting treatment as needed.
7. Safety and Compatibility- Generally safe and non-toxic remedies used alongside conventional treatments.
8. Patient Empowerment- Encourages active patient involvement in health decisions and lifestyle choices.

Homeopathy offers a complementary approach to managing asthma, focusing on holistic health and individualized care.

“Conventional asthma treatments control symptoms with medications but do not cure. Homeopathic treatment aims to heal by addressing root causes and strengthening overall health for potential long-term symptom resolution.”