Cure for Chronic Asthma

Respiratory problems such as asthma are on the rise in many cities due to the dangerous levels of pollution that are prevalent in such areas. Unfortunately, although allopathic medication does have a treatment for acute asthma attacks; it does not provide us with a long term cure for this disease. This lack of a long term treatment for asthma has forced scientists and researchers to look towards alternative forms of medication for the treatment of asthma.

Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine of India, lists four commonly occurring plants that can be used for treating asthma and other respiratory ailments. These plants are Shirish (Albizzia lebeck), Kantakari (Solanum canthcarpum), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), and Vasica (Adhatoda vasica).

The bark of the Shirish plant has been traditionally used to cure respiratory ailments. The dried root of the Kantakari is used for treating asthma and cough. The root of the Mulethi is another effective treatment for respiratory disorders. In addition, it is also reputed to be useful for treating patients with reduced adrenocortical function. The leaves of the Vasica plant are used to treat bronchial asthma.

Intensive research is being carried out by the Indian Council of Medical Research to research and document the effectiveness of these plants in treating respiratory ailments. Experiments are being carried out using double blind controlled trials and the results up to now are proving to be very successful. However, there is still a long way to go until these medicinal plants are used for the treatment of asthma. Once the studies have been completed, it will be necessary to synthesize the extract of these plants in to the form of medication that can easily be dispensed at hospitals, nursing homes, and pharmacies.

Asthma is one of the most common conditions to be suffering from and the fact that it significantly affects the patients breathing patterns means that the more severe cases of the condition should be treated as a priority as some cases are known to have ended fatally. Asthma exists in two forms – chronic asthma and acute asthma. While the acute variety of the condition is more than likely to dissipate on its own, chronic asthma is a long term condition that is characterized by the constant irritation as well as inflammation of the airways. Chronic asthma symptoms are primarily the result of some kind of allergen causing a reaction within the tissues that line the airways. Patients suffering from both acute or chronic asthma will suffer attacks of wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath that can last from anywhere between a few minutes to over 24 hours.

Acute and chronic asthma

One of the biggest differences between acute and chronic asthma in children as well as adults is the fact that in the latter version of the condition, the child’s lungs as well as air passages are always likely to be irritated to some degree or the other. Studies have shown that individuals suffering from chronic asthma are unable to take deep breaths as a result of the limited lung capacity as well as substantial build-up of mucous in the area. The mucous build-up is the result of the body’s natural response to the inflammation of the tissues along the air passages. One of the most common contributors to the development of chronic asthma is the fact that the condition is very often hereditary and passed down from one individual to another within the same bloodline. However, in most cases, the condition will also tend to clear up during the time the child reaches adulthood.

Because of the fact that the condition is a rather common one all over the world, a number of home remedies as well as other treatment options have been developed to help sufferers cope with the condition. For instance, one of the most common treatment options one will see is the use of inhalers by individuals that are suffering from asthma.

These inhalers are available off the counter at most medical stores and contain concentrated amounts of chemicals known as corticosteroids that help in loosening muscles within the throat and reducing inflammation during an attack. There are a number of other natural chronic asthma treatments such as the consumption of mint and caffeine. In order to successfully beat the condition, it is also very important for you to make sure that you change certain lifestyle habits that may be playing a role in the development of the condition such as smoking or the use of any volatile chemicals. Because of the fact that chamomile is known to be help subdue the inflammation of the tissues in the throat, consumption of teas and coffees are known to help reduce any inflammation that may occur. Ginger teas are widely considered to be one of the best and most effective chronic asthma in children natural treatments.

Submitted on January 16, 2014