The word ASTHMA originates from an ancient Greek word meaning "to pant." Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that, like bronchitis and emphysema, causes a tightening of the chest and difficulty in breathing. In the case of asthma, however, these symptoms are not always present. Asthma occurs when the muscles of the bronchi (the air tubes of the lung) contract in spasm, obstructing the flow of air and making breathing out, in particular, very difficult. Sufferers often describe this plight as "starving for air." Typical symptoms of asthma can include: increased pulse rate, coughing, weezing, restlessness or insomnia, mild to moderate shortness of breath, and an increasing, but relatively painless, tightening of the chest.

Asthma is divided into to categories: intrinsic, for which there is no identifiable cause for attacks, and extrinsic, which is caused by something, usually inhaled, that triggers an attack. In many asthma patients, inflammation of the lining of the airways leads to increased sensitivity to a variety of environmental triggers that can cause narrowing of the airways, resulting in obstruction of airflow and breathing difficulty. In some patients, the mucous glands in the airways produce excessive thick mucus, further obstructing airflow.

Other interesting facts relating to asthma:

- The prevalence of asthma is only about one or two percent worldwide, but in the United States, asthma affects about six to ten percent of children.

- A fairly common disease, asthma affects somewhere between 15 million and 16 million Americans.

- Children under 16 and adults over 65 are most commonly affected. However, asthma occurs in males and females of all ages, ethnic groups, and socioeconomic levels. For reasons not completely understood, asthma is generally more common in poor urban neighborhoods, in cold climates, and in industrialized countries.

- The incidence of hospitalization for children suffering from asthma and asthma-related illness has increased by over 500% over the last 30 years.

- The incidence of asthma in the United Kingdom population has increased 30 times over the last 30 years.

- In the United States, asthma causes over 5000 deaths each year. Deaths from asthma increased more than 55 percent from 1979 to 1992.

- Asthma is on the increase in the Western world, and although traditional and alternative treatments can control the worst symptoms, there is no sign of a cure being found.

- Drinking caffeinated beverages is said to open the airways and reduce symptoms by one-third in asthma sufferers. (However, this is not the healthiest way to deal with the problem.)

- An asthma attack may be brief or last for several days. Typically an attack begins within minutes after exposure to any one of a number of environmental or emotional triggering agents, to include: smoke, air pollution, pollen, animal dander, or any of a number of other allergens; lung infections, emotional stress or anxiety, and exercise or physical stress.

- Cockroaches are also major asthma triggers and may reduce lung function even in people without a history of asthma.

- Some patients have only occasional or "seasonal" symptoms, while others have daily symptoms.

Immediate medical attention is warranted if:

• 1. A prolonged attack of severe asthma does not respond to simple remedies; or the prescribed asthma medicine does not work in the time it is supposed to; you need a new prescription, or you may be suffering from a sever episode.
• 2. You or another person is experiencing an episode of asthma for the first time; asthma is a chronic condition and can be quite serious if not treated properly.
• 3. You or the person with asthma has a suffocating feeling, making it difficult to talk; nostrils flare, the skin between the ribs appears sucked-in, and the lips or skin under the nails looks grayish or bluish - these are all signs of extreme oxygen deprivation.

Asthma Myths and Facts

MYTH: Asthmatics should not exercise.
FACT: Exercise is as important for people with asthma as it is for anyone else. Equipped with the proper medication, people with asthma can exercise normally. Note: many doctors recommend swimming for people with asthma, as humidity helps ease breathing. However, chlorine in swimming pools may cause an allergic reaction, triggering an asthma episode.

MYTH: You will grow out of it.
FACT: This is both true and false. Although about half the people who had asthma when they were between the ages of 2 and 10 seem to "outgrow" the disease, in many cases it recurs when they hit their thirties. It is also possible to develop asthma as an adult even if you did not have it as a child.

MYTH: Allergic mothers should not breast-feed.
FACT: Infants who are breast-fed are less likely to become asthmatic or allergic than those who are not.

Healthful Tips and Resources for Asthma Sufferers:

Asthma is an allergic condition characterized by difficult breathing due to bronchial constrictions and spasms. Symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and excessive production of mucous begin to manifest as the body uses the bronchial and nasal passages to rid itself of the allergen. Although asthma is seldom fatal, it can be quite serious. To determine if you have asthma, your doctor will probably administer a pulmonary function test, which measures the strength of your exhalation. Normally, a person without asthma can exhale about 75% to 85% of the air in the lungs within a second and emptying them within three seconds. However, it takes an asthmatic six or seven seconds to expel all the air from the lungs.

Following a diagnosis of asthma, your first step should be to work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan. As part of this plan, the physician might ask you to keep a daily diary, noting environmental and emotional factors that bring on asthma episodes. This not only will help the doctor monitor the disease but will help you recognize and avoid your asthma triggers. Although it is reported that there is no cure for asthma, effective treatment is available for preventing attacks and for controlling and ending attacks soon after they have begun.

Conventional and Alternative Treatment Methods

To treat asthma with conventional medications, doctors generally prescribe bronchodilators, drugs that help dilate the lungs' constricted airways. These medications are available in two forms: inhaled and oral. Inhaled bronchodilators, which come in aerosol or metered-dose inhaler form, resemble epinephrine (the synthetic version of the hormone adrenaline produced by the body). Doctors usually prefer inhaled bronchodilators because they are delivered directly to the lungs and because they use 1000 times less medicine than oral forms. Oral bronchodilators are available in liquid, tablet, or capsule form and are frequently prescribed for people who cannot tolerate inhaled medication or who suffer from chronic asthma.

Many people have reported success with alternative asthma treatments, but even advocates recommend these methods only as complements to conventional therapies. The alternative choices include: accupressure, acupuncture, aromatherapy, Chinese and western herbs, homeopathy, reflexology or massage therapy, and even Yoga.

Herbs (and other natural treatments) can provide an excellent way to alleviate those annoying symptoms of mild to moderate asthma. Ephedra sinica (ma-huang) is an often prescribed herb for the treatment of asthma, because it constricts the blood vessels. When used in combination with other herbs, such as cherry bark, it proves even more powerful. Ephedra also increases your body's metabolism rate and assists with weight loss. These herbs should be used with careful consideration.

Because asthmatic attacks are often triggered by stress, many herbalists recommend that asthma sufferers take herbs that promote tranquility and relaxation, such as valerian and passion flower. Even inhaling a few drops of the essential oils of eucalyptus, hyssop, lavender, rosemary, or peppermint on a tissue or handkerchief has been reported beneficial to asthma sufferers. These can help ease breathing and relieve nasal congestion.

Other herbs that are known to be beneficial for fighting asthma include: echinacea, ginkgo biloba, goldenseal, horsetail, juniper berries, licorice, and slippery elm bark. An infusion of elecampane, a root that acts as a soothing expectorant, may help clear the body of excess mucus. An infusion made from mullein is also recommended for soothing the mucus membranes, especially during nighttime episodes.

A report presented at the Experimental Biology Meeting in San Francisco reports that consuming foods rich in natural antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, and selenium help protect the lungs. Individuals with allergies and asthma who consume 500 mg of vitamin C daily may experience fewer symptoms. A daily dose of B-complex vitamins (from 50 to 100 mg) and magnesium (400 to 600 mg) may help reduce the frequency and severity of asthma episodes.

Quercetin is regarded as an antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-allergenic agent. Quercetin inhibits the release of immunoglobulins E (IgE), reducing the initial stages of the inflammation process that is a factor in asthma and allergic reactions.

A substance known as Lyprinol has been reported to be useful regarding the inflammatory processes associated with arthritis, psoriasis, and asthma to name a few.

Another natural substance called MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane) has also been a useful deterrent against asthma attacks and its symptoms. According to Dr. Ronald Lawrence in his book "The Miracle of MSM" - "from personal and clinical experience, I regard MSM as an exciting new option against asthma." More on MSM: http://www.theolivebranch.com/amazon/msm-a.htm

Ten basic things asthmatics can do to help reduce their symptoms:

• 1. Drink plenty of water daily.
• 2. Avoid foods and drinks that have high concentrations of sulfites, such as: beer, wine, wine vinegar, instant tea, carbonated drinks, grape juice, grapes, lemon juice, shrimp, pizza dough, dried fruits, canned vegetables, instant potatoes, corn syrup, fruit topping, and molasses. Some nutritionists recommend that you also steer clear of foods that cause excess mucus production, such as milk.
• 3. Encase bedding with allergen-impermeable covers to avoid contact with dust mites.
• 4. Regularly wash sheets and blankets in hot water.
• 5. Avoid tobacco smoke.
• 6. Remove household pets from living quarters.
• 7. Decrease indoor humidity to minimize the presence of mold.
• 8. Exterminate cockroaches.
• 9. Avoid ice cream and extremely cold liquids as cold can shock the bronchial tubes into spasms.
• 10. Regularly eat "beneficial lung foods" which include: winter squash, carrots, onions, garlic, and dark green leafy vegetables such as collards and kale.
• 11. Include moderate exercise, vitamins, minerals and herbals as a part of your health program.

Web Resources:

Asthma Tutorial For Children and Parents
"http://hsc.virginia.edu/cmc/tutorials/asthma/asthma1.html"

merican Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Online
"http://www.aaaai.org/"

JAMA Asthma Information Center
"http://www.ama-assn.org/special/asthma/"

Breath of Life
"http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/breath/breathhome.html"

Doctor's Guide to Asthma
"http://www.pslgroup.com/asthma.htm"
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The Culbreths