We all have seen at least one of the asthmatic patients around us. It’s so common. The patient as well as the relatives, everyone feels tremendous fear, anxiety and exhaustion during the attack. Yes...the relative also..! Just imagine, after running fast for 40 minutes straight, you are allowed to breathe from a straw...How difficult it would be..? That’s somewhat is the state of an asthmatic patient during the attack. And watching our dear one gasping for air is also a painful experience. So today, I will try to explain about Asthma. Asthma is a condition in which your airway becomes narrow and swells and produces extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance. For others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack.

Why do people get Asthma? And how cans this disease is deadly?

      In people with Asthma, the airways are chronically inflamed, which can make them hyper responsive to certain triggers. · Exercise-induced asthma, which may be worse when the air is cold and dry · Occupational asthma, triggered by workplace irritants such as chemical fumes, gases or dust · Allergy-induced asthma, triggered by airborne substances, such as pollen, spores, cockroach waste or particles of skin and dried saliva shed by pets (pet dander) For people with asthma, when they get exposed to these. Asthma attack or exacerbation can occur.

But how exactly do such everyday factors lead to an Asthma Attack.

      If an Asthmatic is exposed to a trigger, the smooth muscles surrounding the airway contract and become narrow. Simultaneously, inside the airway, inflammation occurs and causes swelling and production of more mucus. Under normal conditions the body uses this mucus to trap and clear any foreign particles like pollen, dust. But during Asthma, it blocks the airway making it harder to breath. All this leads to symptoms of Asthma. A smooth muscle contraction leads to feeling of chest tightness. Excess mucus and increased inflammation cause coughing and creates wheezing noise because as the airway is constricting air whistles as it passes through the narrow space. These symptoms may make a person feel that they are running out of air. During asthma attack, the inflammation can make it harder to exhale than inhale. Overtime this leads to excess of air in lungs. This forces the body to work harder to move air in and out of them. Over time this can lead to reduce oxygen delivery to organ and tissues. Asthma symptoms vary from person to person. You may have infrequent asthma attacks, have symptoms only at certain times — such as when exercising — or have symptoms all the time.

Signs that your asthma is probably worsening include:

      · Asthma signs and symptoms that are more frequent and bothersome · Increasing difficulty breathing · The need to use a quick-relief inhaler more often it all in” will eventually reach an emotional breaking point. If one of your body systems is weakened, this is where a stress-related illness is most likely to develop. If your weakest point physically is your head, you’ll develop headache or backache or Urticaria or frequent colds and flu.

Role of Homeopathy in Asthma

      Homeopathic medicines are natural medicines and work by moderating our immune system which usually becomes over reactive in Asthma. As Immune system becomes stronger, its reaction to allergen reduces thus reducing frequency and severity of Asthma. Homeopathic remedies for Asthma are very effective and can cure Asthma permanently.