There are more than 10 milllion people who have been diagnosed with asthma, and that’s just in the United States. Some medical experts actually believe that asthma has reached epidemic proportions due to it’s pervasiveness.
Exposure to noxious chemicals in the air and environmental pollution are usually held responsible for contributing to this disease. There is an increase in the number of people dying from asthma, mostly because the warning signs are being ignored.
While an asthma attack is in progress, the lung’s airways start to swell and secrete mucus. Soon they will start to spasm. As the airways get narrower, it gets more difficult to breathe. The most common symptoms of an asthma attack are wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, congestion, fever, pain and dry mouth.
Just about anything can trigger an attack. The most common trigger of an attack are allergies, and other causes include stress, a poor diet, overexertion, or a respiratory infection.
In most cases, asthma attacks are the result of exposure to things such as smoke, pollen, gas odors, and even automotive exhaust. Foods can also trigger attacks as well, such as peanuts, corn, chocolate, and almost all dairy products. If you take any type of antibiotics, tranquilizers, or hormones, it may prompt asthma.
There are a number of herbal, mineral and vitamin supplements that can be used as treatments for asthma. Vitamin B is the most significant of these. Not only can it decrease the severity of an attack but it preserves the biochemical equilibrium in your body.
Vitamins A and E used together are particularly effective at protecting your lungs from the effects of environmental pollutants. And large doses of Vitamic C have been shown to be useful in fighting asthma.
Another effective treatment for improving breathing and assisting with bronchial responses is gingko biloba. Odorless garlic is also a good alternative. The anti-inflammatory properties of this supplement decrease the risk of an asthma attack.
If you suspect that you may have asthma, don’t hesitate to visit your doctor and be tested for it as soon as possible. In the meantime, avoid known triggers and be sure that you are eating a high protein diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
An asthma attack can be a stressful experience, however there are always ways to defend against it and keep it from negatively impacting your life. If your doctor diagnoses you with asthma, ask questions and seek advice on what you ought to be doing.
You can sometimes help to avoid an asthma attack by using natural products like vitamins and nutritional supplements. There’s no reason to avoid enjoying your usual activities. It can often be managed successfully although it might slow you down somewhat.