An estimated 300 million people worldwide suffer from asthma, with 250000 annual deaths attributed to the disease. In fact, it is estimated that the number of people with asthma will grow by more than 100 million by 2025. 

Asthma is a condition in which the patient suffers from a respiratory problem and it is not something which we know of recently. It is certainly not confined to our epoch – Seneca the younger, a powerful Roman leader and historic figure, described his asthma as his “last gasp”. However, he was something of a celebrity during his age and his demise was certainly not due to asthma! What is this last gasp that Seneca was referring to? Here are more details on understanding asthma.

TYPES 

1. Allergic (extrinsic/ atopic)Asthma 

2. Infective or Intrinsic Asthma 

3. Emotional Asthma 

4. Occupational asthma 

CAUSES 

  • Allergen 
  • Irritants 
  • Respiratory infection 
  • Anxiety or stress 
  • In Children: Due to house dust mites and pets in the child’s bedroom 
  • Others: Medicines such as aspirin and beta-blockers, sulphites in food or beverages 
  • Acid reflux and heartburn 

SYMPTOMS

  • Coughing, especially at night 
  • Wheezing 
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Chest tightness, pain, or pressure.

Asthma has often been labelled as incurable and chronic but it can be treated with homoeopathic medicines. Cases affecting children have shown encouraging curative results on the use of homoeopathy to stem the disease. Homoeopaths study not only the symptoms but also try and find out the cause and precipitating factors to prevent it from causing more harm to vital organs (like lungs, heart, brain etc.) and the medicine is administered according to the patient's condition. 

For those who are heavily dependent on inhalers, homoeopathic treatment will help you fight the precipitating factors (allergen), thereby reducing your dependency. Conditions such as poor resistance to climatic changes, recurrent colds / sinusitis and atopic dermatitis (skin infection) can be effectively treated during the course of the treatment. This individualistic approach helps in overall improvement of the condition and relieves any other condition associated with asthma.