Homoeopathic Remedies: ASTHMA AND HOMOEOPATHY

Homoeopathic Remedies: ASTHMA AND HOMOEOPATHY: "Asthma is a chronic condition characterized by frequent bouts of breathlessness.In an asthmatic attack the bronchi become narrowed because ..."

ASTHMA AND HOMOEOPATHY

Asthma is a chronic condition characterized by frequent bouts of breathlessness.In an asthmatic attack the bronchi become narrowed because their walls contract, and the resulting partial obstruction causes difficulty in breathing, often accompanied by wheezing. The narrowing can occur suddenly, sometimes in a few minutes, and there may also be a slow swelling (oedema) of the mucous membrane lining the bronchi,along with the secretion of a thick and sticky mucous.  


SYMPTOMS:


A common type of asthmatic attack  begins with a feeling of tightness in the chest, sometimes preceded by a dry irritating cough or blocked nose. During an attack, the depth of breathing increases  and may reach the maximum level of full inspiration.This stretches the narrowed bronchi so that the necessary amount of air can enter the lungs.Wheezing is caused by the turbulence of the air as it passes through the narrowed air passages. If the attack is severe the sufferer has to devote all his or her energy to the task of breathing, is unable to sleep or eat and can drink only little. The symptoms often subside on their on accord: breathing gradually becomes easier, the wheezing declines, and a little sticky colourless sputum may be coughed up.
The development, duration and severity of attacks varies between individuals. The attack may develop in minutes or take hours to reach its peak; it may  cause only minor  discomfort and breathlessness or may be severe enough to cause total incapacity and require hospitalization. Intervals between attacks can vary from a few days to many months. In any one person the pattern tend to be consistent, although it may change over several years. Death from an asthmatic attack is rare except in elderly people who have other diseases as well. 


CAUSES:


There is sometimes no obvious cause of asthma, but in many cases attacks are triggered by an allergic reaction to a substance harmless to most other people. Such substances, called allergens, include airborne particles such as pollen, house dust and animal fur or feathers. People who have allergies, for example hay fever or eczema, are more likely to  have asthma.
Asthma may occur mainly at home because of  house dust, or mainly at work because of dust from occupational materials. Pollen grains and mould spores are often an important source of asthma in a similar way to hay fever. In house dust the main cause is the house mite which feeds principally on tiny scales of human skin shed from the body. The mite is microscopic and occurs in great numbers in the dust on the surfaces of mattresses, and in carpets and soft furnishings. Anything that throws house dust into the air, such as bed making or cleaning, is likely to bring on an attack of wheezing in an asthmatic sensitive to house dust. These mites thrive in warm, damp conditions, and their numbers increase in August,  September and October. Also present in house dust, but less important in causing asthma, are mould spores, algae, bits of feathers, kapok, and horse hair. Dandruff and hair from animals, especially from cats and dogs, are a common cause, and other pets such as rabbits, hamsters, mice and birds may also be allergenic.
       Certain foods and drinks can in certain people provoke an asthmatic attack. Milk, eggs and wheat may be the cause, particularly in children, and at any age, fish, eggs,chocolate and nuts may be responsible. Although drugs can cause allergic reactions they rarely cause asthma.  A wide range of dust, vapours and fumes emitted by industrial processes may be responsible for asthma: polyurethane paint sprays, toluene diisocyanate ( used in making polyurethane foam ), sulphur dioxide, phtalic anhydride (used in PVC production ) and platinum salts ( used in eclectroplating ) have all been suspected of causing asthma.
     Emotional and psychological stresses may also provoke asthmatic attacks in certain people; for example parents may be over protective or over ambitious towards their children and this can contribute towards the development of asthma. Physical stesses, for example in some forms of exercise, is also a possible triggering factor for asthma.   


HOMOEOPATHIC  APPROACH TO  ASTHMA TREATMENT :

General Approach - As far as I know Homoeopathy is the only system of medicine which tries to 'cure' this disease, instead of trying to provide symptomatic relief. While dealing with a case of asthma, a homoeopath not only records the symptoms of the disease but also studies the medical history, family history, physical and psychological characteristics of a person. This helps to find  the cause, the precipitating factors, and the hereditary tendency etc. Of special interest to a Homoeopath is the history of suppression of skin disease. Homoeopaths believe that when there is a tendency or predisposition for a disease - it first manifests on the less vital organs, towards the periphery (like skin). If this manifestation is suppressed than the disease shifts inwards, towards the more vital organs (like lungs, heart, brain etc).

The fact that in children asthma is often preceded by eczema is observed by the allopaths also. This fact is written in all their textbooks of medicine. They say that children often 'move-out' of eczema and 'move-into' asthma. But they are unable to make a correlation. Homoeopaths believe that the suppression of eczema with topical preparations, does not cure the disease/sensitivity of the person, it merely drives it inwards.

Now after ascertaining the symptoms and the cause, the Homoeopath tries to find a medicine which matches the symptoms as well as the general characteristics of the person. The medicine so selected is administered to the patient.

It is often (not necessarily) observed by homoeopaths that when a right medicine is given, the asthma disappears but the old eczema (if it was there originally) reappears for some time, before finally disappearing itself. This reappearance of old symptoms is seen as a reversal of disease process and is considered a very good prognostic sign by homoeopaths.

MEDICINES - There are lots of medicines in homoeopathy for asthma and it is not possible to list them all here. Some of the common medicines are ars-alb, ipecac, lachesis, pulsatilla, spongia, sulphur, ignatia, antim-tart, hepar-sulph, nat-sulph, tuberculinum etc. The selection of medicine varies from patient to patient.

ASTHMA-CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT

Bronchodilators, anti-allergic drugs, and corticosteroids are commonly used to provide symptomatic relief.

ASTHMA - WHAT ELSE CAN I DO? - LIFESTYLE AND ACCESSORY MANAGEMENT

• Avoid the allergen you are sensitive to.
• Do regular light exercise like brisk walking or jogging. Heavy exercise can precipitate an attack of asthma, so always do mild exercise without putting too much strain on your body.
• Learn breathing exercises to improve your lung capacity. Of especial use is 'pranayam', a yoga exercise.
• Learn some stress relieving exercises, meditation, or yoga to minimize the psychological factors related to disease.
• Eat healthy, nourishing and well balanced diet.

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