Asthma is a critical thing…
You step into a stuffy room, suddenly you notice a tightness in your chest, next you realize you are breathing hard … You remember you your prior diagnoses! You reach into your bag or purse for your inhaler… Relief comes then you ask yourself… what caused my trigger this time around….
It is a chronic inflammatory lung disease characterized by airway obstruction. Symptoms can include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. It is caused by environmental factors such as allergens, pollutants, and other irritants, as well as genetic factors. Treatment of asthma includes avoiding triggers, using inhaled corticosteroids and other medications, and lifestyle changes. It makes breathing difficult and can make some physical activities difficult or even impossible during attack.
What brings about an attack
- Perfumes
- some certain strong odour
- Smoke
- Dust
- Some foods can trigger it
- Genetic factors
- Allergens
- Irritants
- Respiratory infections
- Weather changes
- Stress and anxiety
- Certain medications
People have peculiar triggers, once exposed to the triggers of inflammatory reaction, the cells at the airways secretes mucous which narrows the passageways.
In most cases, such mucous are not cleared by probably using astringent substances.
Depends on the triggers, the reactions in the airways are different but has one thing in common, narrowing of the airways.
To understand asthma more, we need to understand a little about what happens when we breath.
Normally, with every breath we take air (oxygen rich) goes through our nose and down into your throat, into our airways, eventually making it to our lungs.
There are lots of small air that passes in our lungs that help deliver oxygen from the air into our bloodstream.
Symptoms occur when the lining of our airways swell and the muscles around them tighten.
Mucous then fills the airways, further reducing the amount of air that can pass through.
These conditions then bring on an asthmatic “attack,” then coughing and tightness in the chest.
Types of Asthma
1. Allergic Asthma
Allergens trigger this type. These might include:
- pet dander from animals like cats and dogs
- food
- mold
- pollen
- dust
This is more likely to be seasonal because it often goes hand-in-hand with seasonal allergies.
2. Non-Allergic Asthma
Irritants in the air not related to allergies trigger this type of asthma. Irritants might include:
- burning wood and cigarette smoke
- cold air
- air pollution
- viral illnesses
- air fresheners
- household cleaning products
- perfumes
3. Exercise-Induced Asthma
Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) usually affects people within a few minutes of starting exercise and up to 10–15 minutes after physical activity.
This condition was previously known as exercise-induced asthma (EIA).
Up to 90 percent of people with asthma also experience EIB, but not everyone with EIB will have other types of asthma.
4. Cough-Variant Asthma
This doesn’t have classic asthma symptoms of wheezing and shortness of breath. CVA is characterized by a persistent, dry cough.
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5. Occupational Asthma
Occupational asthma is a type induced by triggers in the workplace. These include:
- dust
- dyes
- gases and fumes
- industrial chemicals
- animal proteins
- rubber latex
These irritants can exist in a wide range of industries, including farming, textiles, woodworking, and manufacturing.
6. Nocturnal Asthma
In this type, symptoms worsen at night.
Triggers that are thought to bring on symptoms at night include heartburn, pet fur or animal fur, and dust mites. The body’s natural sleep cycle may also trigger nocturnal asthma.
7. Steroid-Resistant & Severe Asthma
Severe Asthma with Steroid Resistance (SASR) is a type of asthma that is resistant to treatment with oral or inhaled corticosteroids, or steroids. People with SASR experience frequent and severe asthma symptoms, such as wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, and chest tightness, despite being on high doses of steroids. Treatment for SASR is often complicated and may include medications such as long–acting beta–agonists (LABAs), leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs), and biologic agents. Additionally, lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and avoiding triggers may help reduce symptoms.
Management
The following herbs and spices have shown to possess strong anti-inflammatory properties:
- Cinnamon
- Lemon grass
- Turmeric
- Ginger
- Clove
- Pepper of all types
- Thyme
- Black pepper
- Beetroot
- Mint leaves
- Bay leaves
- Negro pepper
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