Asthma

Does Rilassáre's alternative medicine replace traditional medicine?

No, alternative medicine is a complement to the treatments the patient may be undergoing and is not contraindicated in any case due to its safety and lack of adverse reactions or side effects. Alternative medicine helps strengthen your immune system and regulate your body’s acidity for optimal functioning.

What is asthma?

It is a chronic disease that causes the airways in the lungs to swell and narrow. This leads to difficulty breathing, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.

Asthma symptoms may include:

• • Shortness of breath.
• • Chest pain or tightness.
• • Wheezing when exhaling, a common sign of asthma in children.
• • Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing.
• • Coughing or wheezing worsened by respiratory viruses like a cold or flu.

Signs that asthma may be worsening include:

• • Increased difficulty breathing, measured with a device used to check lung function (peak flow meter).
• • More frequent use of a quick-relief inhaler.

For some people, asthma signs and symptoms worsen in certain situations:

• • 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 like pollen, mold spores, cockroach waste, or pet dander.

Causes of asthma

Asthma is caused by inflammation of the airways. During an asthma attack, the airway lining becomes inflamed, and the muscles around them tighten, reducing the amount of air that can pass through.

Asthma can be triggered by inhaling allergens or other irritants, or by other causes:

• • Pets (dander or fur).
• • Dust mites.
• • Certain medications (aspirin).
• • Weather changes (especially cold weather).
• • Chemicals in the air or food.
• • Physical activity.
• • Mold.
• • Pollen.
• • Respiratory infections, like the common cold.
• • Strong emotions (stress).
• • Tobacco smoke.

Allergic asthma is caused by allergens. Allergens are substances that cause an allergic reaction. These may include:

• • Dust mites.
• • Mold.
• • Pets.
• • Grass, tree, and weed pollen.
• • Pest droppings such as cockroaches and mice.

Non-allergic asthma is caused by non-allergen triggers, such as:

• • Breathing cold air.
• • Certain medications.
• • Household chemicals.
• • Infections like colds and the flu.
• • Outdoor air pollution.
• • Tobacco smoke.

Occupational asthma is caused by breathing in industrial chemicals or dust at work.

Exercise-induced asthma occurs during physical activity, especially in dry air.

Asthma triggers vary by person and may change over time.

Asthma diagnosis

Diagnosis typically involves a medical history, a physical exam, and lung tests. It is based on several factors, including a detailed medical history, physical examination, your symptoms, overall health, and test results.

Asthma treatments

Treatment involves self-care and bronchodilators.

Asthma is usually treated with rescue inhalers for symptoms and control inhalers (steroids) to prevent symptoms. Severe cases may require long-acting inhalers to keep airways open, as well as oral steroids.

• • Medications.
• • Bronchodilator, steroid, and anti-inflammatory.
• • Self-care.
• • Quitting smoking.
• • Supportive care.
• • Oxygen therapy.

Asthma complications

Decreased ability to exercise and engage in other activities. Sleep disruption due to nighttime symptoms. Permanent changes in lung function. Persistent coughing.

Asthma prevention

• • Use dust mite-proof mattresses or covers.
• • Keep the house dust-free. Vacuum daily and avoid clutter, carpets, and rugs where dust collects.
• • Avoid damp environments, especially where mold can grow.
• • Use allergen filters for air conditioning at home and in the car.
• • During pollen season, ventilate the house in mid-morning when pollen levels are lower, dry clothes indoors, avoid parks and gardens, and keep car windows closed.
• • Use cleaning products without floral perfumes or irritating ingredients.
• • Store food in sealed containers.
• • Avoid having pets if allergic to pet dander.
• • Avoid tobacco smoke.
• • Avoid polluted environments (urban pollution, nearby factories with emissions, or areas with vaporized irritants).
• • Avoid medications that may trigger asthma attacks, such as aspirin and other anti-inflammatories.

When to see a doctor

• • If you think you have asthma: If you have frequent coughing or wheezing that lasts more than a few days, or other asthma symptoms, see your doctor. Early treatment can prevent long-term lung damage and keep the condition from worsening.
• • For ongoing asthma management: If you’ve been diagnosed, work with your doctor to manage it. Good long-term control improves daily life and helps prevent life-threatening asthma attacks.
• • If symptoms worsen: Contact your doctor right away if medications don’t relieve symptoms or if you need your rescue inhaler more often.
• • To review your treatment: Asthma can change over time. See your doctor regularly to discuss symptoms and adjust treatment as needed.

Do not take more medication than prescribed without consulting your doctor. Overusing asthma medication can lead to side effects and worsen the condition.