The word asthma has originated from an ancient Greek word meaning panting. Essentially asthma is a chronic and recurring inflammation of the airways (bronchi) that results in obstruction of air flow. Asthma is very common all over the world, in all age groups. It may start in as early months old baby to elder age group. Asthma is largely controllable and to an extent curable, depending on the stage and extent of the disease.

What happens in Asthma? (Pathogenesis)

There is a decrease in the lumen of the airways resulting from a two-fold response to the allergens and other irritants.

Primarily in a hyper-reactive response, the smooth muscles in the airways constrict and narrow excessively. Followed by an inflammatory response where the immune system responds to the allergens by sending white blood cells and other immune factors to the airways. These inflammatory factors cause swelling of the airways and also an increase in the mucus secretion thus causing symptoms of wheezing, cough, and shortness of breath.

Prevalence

Children aged 2-12 years reported higher rates of asthma (15.7%) than adults aged 16 years and over (10.1%). In males, the prevalence of asthma was highest among children aged 2-12 years; in females, prevalence was highest among young adults aged 16-24 years. Asthma is also closely linked to allergies. Most, but not all, people with asthma have allergies. Children with a family history of allergy and asthma are more likely to have asthma.

Symptoms of asthma

The most common symptoms are

Cough

Difficulty inbreathing

Mucus production

Exhaustion

The most important and distressing symptom isthe breathlessness or sense of suffocation, which may be of varying intensity.Some patients may not have cough or mucus production (expectoration) atall.

The symptoms of asthma may be

Periodical (once ina a week to once in a year)

Seasonal (a fewweeks in a year)

Continuous (allthroughout or most of the time)

The symptoms might get triggered by one or more of the following:

• Physical exertion
• Change in weather or temperature
• Infection
• Mental stress
• Exposure to pollution (dust, chemical, pollen, etc.)
• Without any apparent reason

Causes

Causes

Prevention

Prevention

Treatment

Homeopathy offers excellent treatment for asthma, which can do following jobs: a. Reduce significantly frequency of asthmatic attacks b. Reduce significantly severity of asthmatic attacks c. Reduce duration of attacks d. Reduce need for bronchodilators, cortisone and antibiotic (in case of infections). In many patients, especially in children, homeopathic treatment can help get rid off all other medications. Limitation of homeopathic medicines: Homeopathy may not easily control acute attacks, which are better taken care of by conventional medicines. Recommendation about homeopathy for asthma: It can be said that those who do not take homeopathy for asthma are deprived of the wonderful benefits of it. Homeopathy is very strongly recommended during all stages of asthma. Homoeopathy not just relieve symptoms, rather is capable of curing asthma.