Ten Symptoms of Asthma You Need To Know

Asthma is one of those very common conditions that almost everyone has heard of, or knows of somebody who is affected. Asthma can affect everyone - male or female, young or old - and it is a devastating condition which, in its worst form, can prove fatal. In fact, asthma is a disease which is described as being a chronic disease of the lungs which become inflamed and thus breathing becomes increasingly difficult. During an asthma attack the respiratory tract may become blocked or obstructed causing inflammation; and thus hyper responsiveness occurs.

The symptoms of asthma are very similar to those of general respiratory tract infections, bronchitis and emphysema and are therefore often overlooked by doctors when trying to make a diagnosis. It is, therefore, extremely important to tell your doctor if you suffer from any of the following 9 symptoms, so that a correct diagnosis - and thus correct treatment - can be made.

Asthma Symptoms

• Wheezing is one of the most important symptoms in making a diagnosis of asthma, as this whistling sound indicates that the bronchi may be blocked or inflamed.

• Pursed lips and flared nostrils also differentiate asthma from the more common respiratory tract infections, in that these two symptoms indicate the great difficulty the patient is having in trying to get air into their lungs.

• A greyish or bluish tinge to the patient's lips and/or finger nails indicates a lack of oxygen - known as cyanosis - which is another indication of how serious the breathing problem is.

• The need to be seated in an upright position during an attack is another indication of asthma, as in such a position the lungs are not compressed, thus giving them a larger overall area to absorb the scarce amounts of oxygen being able to be drawn into the lungs.

• Perspiring or sweating indicates the huge amount of difficulty and exertion the patient has to put into getting air some at least some air into his or her lungs.

• A rapid pulse rate is a symptom of asthma, again caused by the exertion of breathing, but this is not a symptom of more common respiratory tract infections.

• Having a persistent cough could be a symptom of many diseases or disorders of the respiratory tract, but when combined with all the other symptoms of asthma, it is one of the known pointers.

• The feeling of tightness across the chest area is another symptom which could relate to all kinds of respiratory tract infections but, again, when linked to all the other asthma symptoms, helps to pull the diagnosis together.

• Clearly, difficulty in breathing is one of the clearest indications of asthma, but it is another symptom with widespread connotations.

The Facts About Asthma

It seems that these days more and more kids are discovering that they have asthma. For some it is allergy related and for others it may be environmental or hereditary. While in our current society we seem to act as if difficulty breathing is normal, the truth is that it isn't. Everyone should be able to breathe and if they can't there are probably some significant reasons for this difficulty.

Many doctors believe that it is because many children are not given the opportunity to develop fully, and that maybe the timetable that Obstetricians are using to figure out when babies should be born may be off either because the amount of time that it takes a fetus to develop is increasing or because there are so many babies being taken out before they are truly full term. Of course, being that the lungs are one of the final organs to develop this could be a major contributing factor to the increase in asthma in children.

Many factors exist that can add to breathing issues in the young and we ought to be careful not to fail to notice troubles with the atmosphere, problems with cigarette smoke and other pollutants in the atmosphere, in addition to all the other irritants we are exposed to daily. There are even persons who think that the augment in instances of asthma may be due to partially the prenatal examinations performed habitually on the fetus.

A food allergy can also cause asthma flare-ups. Additionally allergens in the air can stop a person from inhalation and leave them out of breath. This can be an extremely scary experience for both kids as well as adults. When a person cannot inhale or exhale it only takes a small number of minutes prior to their color change and they faint which is the reason it is so significant to recognize an asthma attack in the early hours and to bring life-saving medication around with you as backup.

Asthma is considered a very common condition these days and while there are instances of individuals dying from asthma for the most part by using cortico-steroids and a rescue inhaler most people can live a relatively normal life. This does not mean that we should consider not having the ability to breathe freely as a normal facet of life. Everyone should be able to breathe freely and if there are things you can do to avoid those issues that cause asthma flare-ups then that is definitely a better way to manage your asthma.

All About Asthma - Introduction and Info on Asthma

Introduction

Asthma affects more than 5 million people in the United Kingdom and for the majority it is a disease that can be well managed with readily available current therapies. Sadly, in the region of 1,500 patients continue to die from their asthma every year. As well as those patients that suffer a fatal asthma attack (FA), there is a cohort of patients that have suffered from a near fatal asthma attack and are subsequently at higher risk of morbidity and mortality. near fatal asthma attack is defined by the British Thoracic Society (BTS) as an asthma attack associated with a raised PaCO2 and/or requiring mechanical ventilation with raised inflation pressures.Patients with fatal asthma have been hypothesised as representing two distinct subgroups according to the onset of symptoms prior to death. One of the scientist examined the autopsy findings of 37 subjects aged 2 to 34 years dying from asthma and classified them as slow onset (Type 1) (n=21) or rapid onset (Type 2) (n=16). Subjects did not differ by age, race, sex, obesity or use of corticosteroids. Type 1 mortalities were hospitalised more and made more emergency room visits in the year prior to death than type 2 mortalities. Slow onset patients had a predominance of eosinophils and basement membrane thickening along with higher health care utilisation.

Incidence and prevalence of fatal and near fatal asthma

Specific data on FA and near fatal asthma attack in the UK are hampered by the lack of a fatal asthma registry. Two studies have attempted to circumvent this problem in different fashions. Harrison et attempted to analyse all asthma deaths in the Eastern region between 2001 and 2003 by means of a confidential enquiry and compared it with previous Norwich and East Anglian data. Between 1998 and 2003 there was a downward trend in the asthma mortality rate. Misclassification on the death certificate was common. Only 57 of 95 notified deaths (60%) were confirmed as asthma deaths. 311 asthma deaths were studied between 1998 and 2003. In 2001-3 the male: female ratio was 3:2. 53% of patients had severe asthma and 21% moderately severe disease. In 19 cases (33%) at least one significant co-morbid disease was present. Monthly death rates peaked in August, with a smaller peak in April, suggesting a seasonal allergic cause. In 11 cases (20%), mostly males aged under 20, the final attack was sudden and 10/11 occurred between April and August. Therefore in 80% of deaths the final attack was not sudden, and may have been preventable. In 81% of cases there was significant behavioural and/or psychosocial factors such as poor compliance (61%), smoking (46%), denial (37%), depression (20%) and alcohol abuse (20%). The overall medical care was appropriate in only 33% of cases, leading the authors to conclude that 'at-risk' registers in primary care may improve recognition and management of 'at-risk' patients. Watson et analysed data from the CHKS database, which provides data on 70% of inpatient coverage in the UK. Between 2000-2005 the mortality rate was 1063 patients from 250,043 asthma admissions. December and January had the peak number of deaths post asthma admission, which were nearly all in adults. Women and those over 45 years had the highest rate of death. These 2 studies demonstrate that in the UK there is a peak in asthma deaths in young people (aged up to 44 years) in July and August and in December and January in older people.

Risk factors associated with fatal and near fatal asthma

A systematic review of the risk factors associated with near fatal asthma attack and FA has been performed by Alvarez et. Increased use of beta-agonists, oral steroids, theophylline and a history of hospital and/or ICU admissions and mechanical ventilation due to asthma were predictors of near fatal asthma attack and FA. The use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) demonstrated a trend toward a protective effect against FA. Poor compliance with prescribed medication is a key issue; approximately 60% of patients that die from asthma demonstrate evidence of poor compliance to medication, in particular to ICS. Severe asthma and FA may also be associated with fungal sensitization. Many airborne fungi are involved including species of Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium, and exposure may be indoors, outdoors or both. Prevention of fatal and near fatal asthma What can be done to prevent FA and near fatal asthma attack attacks? The majority of severe asthma attacks develop relatively slowly with more than 80% developing over greater than 48 hours. There are many similarities between patients with FA, near fatal asthma attack and control patients with asthma that are admitted to hospital, indicating that better management of high risk patients including early intervention has the capacity to prevent asthma deaths. Improving patient compliance is of key importance in preventing FA and near fatal asthma attack, but this is never easy in clinical practice. Effective measures to improve compliance include patient-directed consultations and addressing patients' fears of ICS side effects. It is critical that patients do not use long acting bronchodilators (LABA) in the absence of ICS; pragmatically this is best achieved, in those patients who need both drugs, by prescribing combination ICS/LABA inhalers, thus guaranteeing ICS delivery to the patient.

Asthma and Asthma Action Plan

Asthma is an allergic inflammation of the lungs, which is usually triggered by pollens, molds, dust, animal dander, air pollution, chemicals, exercise, temperature changes or ingestion of certain foods. During an asthma attack the walls of the lungs turn out to be swollen and the mucus membranes fill with fluid and thick, sticky mucus making it hard to breathe. Asthma symptoms can include a scratchy throat, coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and a tight feeling in the chest. An asthma attack can be mild, moderate or severe and lasting for a few minutes, hours, or even several days. People with asthma should have an asthma action plan. An asthma action plan lets you and your doctor to make a personalized plan for controlling your asthma.

The main key to understanding and controlling asthma is to know yourself. One person might get a severe asthma reaction from a minor whiff of perfume, whilst another asthma sufferer has no reaction at all to the very similar trigger. Everybody who suffers from asthma is unique and is affected differently so the asthma action plan should be tailored plan which helps you manage your asthma.

Knowing when to get emergency help for a severe attack can save your life. If you are experiencing the following, you should look for immediate medical attention:

you have intense difficulty breathing, talking and walking,
your chest feels tight and your ribs are pulled inward as you breathe,
your medication does not control your symptoms
your fingernails or lips are turning blue,
your nostrils flare when you breathe

Very often things that we have eaten, used or are a part of our surroundings for years can unexpectedly become asthma triggers. Because there are so many variables involved that affect getting control of your asthma, the first thing you should do is keep a notebook as a part of your asthma action plan. This will help you identify your triggers. Once you recognize what they are, you can either take away these triggers or reduce them as much as possible.

Some people have both food and environmental triggers or allergies that they are unaware of. This can make determining specific triggers and controlling asthma symptoms much more complex, so keeping a notebook as a part of your asthma action plan is important. If you find that you are feeling asthmatic after consuming some food or drink, one of those stuff could be the culprit, but because you have also eaten quite a few things during the day, it's not always easy to know precisely what it was that caused the difficulty. If you evidence details of everything that was eaten every time you experienced asthma symptoms, you'll see a pattern developing, which will help you to discover exactly what your trigger is. Once you determine your triggers, you can then begin to eliminate them or reduce them as much as possible. This will help bring your asthma under control and help lessen your asthma symptoms.

Childhood ADHD Causes Can Be Due to Maternal Health Status

There are many environmental risk factors for childhood ADHD. If you've seen our article archive, the onset of ADHD involves a complex combination of genetics, diet, lifestyle, and the physical environment. A new study suggests another factor that can predict ADHD in a child - the health status of the mother.

The study, which was published in the journal Medical Care, looked at records from a database of Northern California residences. The researchers divided the mothers into three groups - mothers of children diagnosed with ADHD, mothers of children who do not have ADHD, and mothers of asthmatic children. The researchers then compared the medical history, use of health care, and costs of health care across the three groups.

The data showed that mothers with children who have ADHD are more likely to have health conditions like anxiety disorder and depression, and were more likely to make use of health services a year before or after giving birth than mothers whose children have no ADHD or have asthma. The mothers of ADHD children also spent more money on health care the year before or after giving birth compared to those whose children do not have ADHD or have asthma.

This was not the first study to confirm the link between maternal health and the risk of childhood ADHD. A study published in a 1985 issue of the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry discovered that risk factors for ADHD included poor maternal health during pregnancy, previous miscarriage, first pregnancy, premature birth, long labor, and young maternal age.

Of course, the state of the mother's health is no guarantee that her child will suffer from ADHD or its related disorders. As mentioned earlier, a host of environmental factors contribute to the symptoms, which leads to the ADHD diagnosis. What's useful about studies like this one is that it allows you to take preventive measures if you recognize these risk factors fear that your child is a candidate for ADHD.

What are these preventive measures? For starters, there is evidence that breastfeeding an infant will reduce the risk of ADHD, as compared to using infant formula. Human breast milk is rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are needed to form the physical structure of the brain. Of course, this is assuming that the mother has enough omega-3 fats in the body to meet the infant's dietary requirements. If you are breastfeeding, make sure to take around 2,000mg of fish oil supplements rich in the omega-3 fat DHA.

Diet is especially important in the prevention and management of ADHD. Most children with the disorder have a preference for fatty, salty food with zero nutritional value. As a result, they end up being deficient in key nutrients required for proper brain functioning. The great thing about young children is that their food preferences are easily influenced; teach your children to eat vegetables, fish, and cooked food and minimize the availability of junk food and fast food.

Finally, try to buy organic food when possible. Recent studies confirm that children are vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of pesticide residue in fruits and vegetables, and that kids with ADHD have higher pesticide levels in the body than those who do not. Simply buying organic versions of the twelve most contaminated fruits and vegetables is enough to reduce your children's exposure to these harmful chemicals.

Prenatal Massage For Pain Relief During Pregnancy

While pregnant you'll suffer many different types of discomfort since the infant will grow. I am not aiming to discourage anyone this is the fact. As the body alters plus your baby grows as well as stretches one's body you will experience some pain. It will be possible you will definitely get cramps, head aches, nausea or vomiting, swelling, round ligament pain and lower lumbar pain.

There are several varieties of pain alleviation readily available which includes medications, acupuncture and meditating, however i need to share with you prenatal massages as well as the benefits they have got above the other forms.

1. Prenatal Massages are usually pricey in the event that every time you would like one you must book a scheduled visit, however are quite simple to learn at home and you don't need professional tools to carry it out. Make sure you discover the appropriate techniques though as there are particular areas on a woman's body that should not have force applied to while pregnant.

2. Your spouse is capable of doing the actual pregnancy massage techniques for you; it will also give them a chance to feel included in the pregnancy. It is additionally an excellent way for the father to bond with the unborn baby, in addition to allow them to go through the full carrying a child experience with you.

3. Prenatal Massages have already been recognized to ease back pain something you will most certainly experience. A great soothing pregnancy massage will also allow you to chill out following ` stressful day. A massage therapy along with a warm bath has an even greater effect on you.

4. Headaches and nausea or vomiting are something else that a gentle therapeutic massage can help you with. If you are going to try a head massage you may use a few fragrant herbal oils but make sure that they are harmless for expectant women first. If uncertain merely ask a sales person from the shop or examine the content label diligently.

5. Remember if you are intending to try home pregnancy massages you must do some research and learn the correct pregnancy massage techniques. You have got to realize which posture you should be laying in to as you will not be able to lay on the tummy just like you would in a typical massage.

As we discussed there are plenty of advantages of massage while pregnant and it can certainly be a advantageous exercise. It is shrewd though that before commencing any kind of pain alleviation even pregnancy massage just speak with your doctor to ensure that it's safe to do with your specific circumstance. And if you do experience anything wrong while conducting a massage you ought to stop instantly as well as seek help from a doctor

The Different Types Of Breathing Disorders

There are a lot of breathing disorders that people can suffer from. Some of these breathing problems can be caused by smoking. One of those disorders is emphysema. This disease is primarily caused by smoking and can cause shortness of breath in people who suffer from this disorder. The cigarette smoke can cause the alveolar sacs in the lungs to become damaged, which means they cannot function properly. These sacs are where the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide occur. Since there is trouble with the transfer of carbon dioxide, it makes it harder to breath, which is where the shortness of breath comes from. Carbon dioxide is a waste product, and if it is not expelled from the blood then it can cause some problems to whoever suffers from this disorder.

Another breathing disorder that smokers can suffer from is chronic bronchitis. There is another form of bronchitis, which is acute bronchitis. This disorder is not usually seen in smokers, because it is usually caused by a virus. Chronic bronchitis happens to smokers because they are constantly abusing their lungs, so it makes it difficult for the lungs to heal. The best way to treat this disorder is simply to quit smoking so that your lungs can heal. Some of the symptoms of chronic bronchitis is coughing accompanies by mucus, shortness of breath and sometimes fever, chest pains and fatigue. If you feel that you are suffering from either form of bronchitis it would be a good idea to go to a doctor and get checked out so you can treat it properly.

One of the breathing disorders that non-smokers suffer from is asthma. Sometimes this disorder can be caused by the environment. For example, if you are someone who does not respond well to dust in the air, you can get an asthma attack from dusty surroundings. The same can be said about people who have problems with animal hair. Other people can have asthma problems due to genetics. Some of the people who have problems with asthma will use an inhaler when they have asthma attacks, and also before an asthma attack in order to prevent them from happening. Some of the symptoms of asthma is coughing, wheezing and having a hard time breathing. This breathing disorder is decently common around the world.

One more breathing disorder worth noting is rhinitis. This is more commonly known as a stuffy nose. Some people may find it surprising that this is classified as a breathing disorder, but it does impede people's ability to breath. A reason why sufferers have a hard time breathing with this disorder is because of nasal inflammation. The airways in the nasal cavity become constricted, which makes it harder to breath. This can cause forced breathing, which is very annoying. This disorder can be caused by a virus, bacteria, allergens, or it can even be hormonal. It is difficult to treat because there are so many causes that rhinitis can be from. If you suffer from any of the breathing disorders, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

Bronchiectasis: Relief can be Found the natural way

I have been diagnosed with bronchiectasis, a rare condition which effects the lungs. Bronchiectasis is enlargement of the bronchial tubes, loss of elasticity, scarring, and destruction of cilia instrumental in protecting the lungs from dust, bacteria, and excess mucus.

I wanted to see if there where any natural ways I could help this condition. Natural remedies are available that can help to prevent lung infections and reverse its symptoms.

One remedy that can offer relief, eliminate, and prevent infection is colloidal silver. Colloidal silver kills one-celled pathogens, even those becoming resistant to antibiotics. Besides taking it internally, nebulizing with colloidal silver and lobelia will help clear the air passages, eliminating unwanted mucus.

If you know of any other natural therapy that can help bronchiectasis please contact asap.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/028475_Bronchiectasis_remedies.html#ixzz1mNDIfja7

Blog Ping

http://www.naturalnews.com/034870_Holy_Basil_tulsi_antioxidants.html

Alcohol Addiction Treatment and Social Life

Alcohol addiction treatment helps thousands of alcoholics make lasting recoveries every year. Rehab clinics across the United States employ proven methods based on recent discoveries in neuroscience and psychology in their alcohol addiction treatment programs. However, long-term sobriety takes hard work and sacrifice from addicts.

All addicts must make many lifestyle changes once they leave their treatment facilities and rejoin society. For alcoholics, these changes often involve compromising the social lives they once led. Alcohol is the social drug of choice in this country, but alcoholics must still avoid heavy drinking environments to stay sober. The following are some of the ways in which alcohol addiction treatment impacts alcoholics' social lives.

Inpatient Rehab Programs

Addicts with severe physical dependencies on drugs or alcohol typically attend inpatient programs. These treatment plans require patients to live at their clinics for thirty to ninety days, during which time they receive fifty or more hours of intensive therapies per week.

Inpatient rehab is the most effective method for producing rapid but long-lasting lifestyle changes. However, taking a month or more to live an isolated life at a treatment facility puts addicts out of touch with their friends. This process alone may lead to compromised social lives, especially in cases where patients have already alienated their friends with their addictive behaviors.

Friends Who Drink

Since alcohol is both legal and socially acceptable, most adults drink casually at special events, family gatherings, and friendly outings. While most people may be able to drink in moderation, most alcoholics cannot. Recovering addicts may have to decline social invitations involving alcohol, and they may even have to find new friends who never drink.

Alcohol and Work Environments

Drinking and even drunkenness are expected in many work environments. Business people often use alcohol as they network with partners and potential clients, and drinking is often part of the processes of recruiting and hiring. Alcoholics with high-powered careers may have to avoid these environments by relinquishing certain responsibilities - or by finding new jobs altogether.

Alcoholic Friends

Most people who go through alcohol addiction treatment still have friends who drink excessively and uncontrollably. To avoid addiction triggers and stay sober, it is usually necessary for recovering alcoholics to cut ties with these friends altogether. This is one of the most painful parts of rehabilitation for many addicts, but it can be crucial for long-term sobriety. Thankfully, most rehab clinics help alcoholics and other addicts make new friends and repair old relationships.

Coping Strategies

Most of the ways addicts manage their drug cravings involve either avoidance or coping strategies. Avoidance works very well for people addicted to heroin, cocaine, and other illegal narcotics. However, it is almost impossible for recovering alcoholics to avoid all situations involve alcohol - it is too widely used. Alcoholics must therefore develop strategies for controlling their temptations to drink when they are around other people who are drinking.

This can be extremely difficult, but it can be accomplished. During individual counseling sessions in rehab, alcoholics discover the thoughts and emotions which most often lead them to drink. Armed with this knowledge, they develop personalized methods for managing their cravings.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction to alcohol or other drugs, click the links below to find a treatment center near you. Alcohol addiction treatment programs help thousands of people take back control of their lives each year, and they can help you, too.

Now cracked fingertips

Following my post about the problem with my finger nails. At this time of year,ie in the cold weather, I suffer from cracked fingertips which although may seem very trivial is actually very painful. It is truly amazing how much you use your fingertips. I am using them now as I type out this post. So I went in search of natural ways to cure and heal this condition. I found that vitamin E oil may help as may Nizoral shampoo, used to wash the hands about three times per week. Also aloa vera oil may help in the healing process.

Other natural treatment that I could try is tea tree oil although put straight on to the split could be a little painful. No I have just tryed it and it does not hurt. I thought that perhaps, one of my favourite healers, Manuka honey may help however it is rather an expensive way of treating the condition. Please add your natural cures for cracked fingertips in comments. Thank you.

All-Directory

EZ List

Guide Pro

Yellow Pages by ListNation

List Nation

List Site

Zip Codes

Renovations

Please diagnose me

Today I went to dermatology at my local hospital about the problem I have with my finger nails and toe nails. They  are similar to the image above only a little worse, nails broken and white areas covering the nail, some areas of the nail are thick with nail as if it where growing up and down rather than straight out. The senior registrar took all my details bearing in mind the problem with my chest, my stomach ulcer and hiatus hernia.
I have had this condition now for about ten years and doctors do not seem to know what it is. A fungal nail infection seems likely however it seems to be not conclusive. The senior registrar took nail and skin samples and asked me to come back.

I have tried my own methods of healing the natural way such as using Tea tree oil, vinegar, aloe vera, but I have not tried the more obscure natural healing methods such as vicks vapour rub and WD-40, not together of course If the hospital are unable to cure my nail problem then I will continue to look for natural treatment. I may even use diagnose-me.com, an online way of finding my illness. I will keep you posted about the outcome.

A medically proven antioxidant which fights against cancer

Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum)leaf extract is a medically proven antioxidant which fights against cancer.The following is a report from Natural news.

Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), also known internationally as tulsi, is highly prized in the natural healing community both for its heady scent and for its healing properties. In the Hindu religion, holy basil is a sacred plant which is used during meditation and is considered a staple in every home garden. Among herbalists, holy basil is known as an adaptogen. This means the herb increases the body's resistance to a variety of environmental threats or stressors. Holy basil's antioxidant abilities makes the herb a favorite super-food. It has been medically proven to combat cancer and heal neuropathy caused by surgery. Holy basil oil may be used as a skin care treatment for acne.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/034870_Holy_Basil_tulsi_antioxidants.html#ixzz1lWbjymSp