Ways to Treat Your Asthma Online

Asthma is a common long-term chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways that can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath or breathlessness. There is no single cause but many factors including a family history, smoking, diet, pollution and allergies may trigger it. Recently there has been excitement around the results of a study evaluating the effects of tonsil removal on asthma.

According to Dr David Karas, assistant clinical professor at Yale, 50 per cent of children with asthma who have their tonsils out experience a dramatic improvement in their symptoms and up to 80 per cent see at least some improvement. However, while the science may make sense, many experts remain sceptical about the link between asthma and tonsil removal - especially as studies showing an improvement involve only small numbers of patients. So what do we know?

While there is no cure for asthma, there are a number of treatments that can help control the condition. Asthma treatment is based on important goals such as:

• Symptom Prevention, such as coughing and shortness of breath or breathlessness.
• Self-management to reduce the need for quick relief medicines.
• Improve and maintain good lung function.

Asthma can be treated in many ways such as:

1. Using conventional medicines and asthma inhalers: Conventional asthma medication works quickly to stop coughing and wheezing etc. It may include:

• Asthma Medications : Steroids and Other Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
• Bronchodilators (relievers): Bronchodilators relieve the symptoms of asthma by relaxing the muscles that can tighten around the airways.
• Asthma Inhalers and nebulizers:  Asthma inhalers are the most common and effective way to deliver asthma drugs to the lungs. Asthma inhalers are available in different types such as Metered-dose inhalers (MDI), Dry powder inhalers, Nebulizers etc.
• Spacers: A hollow plastic or metal container with a mouthpiece at one end and a hole for the inhaler at the other. Spacers can also be very helpful for people who find using inhalers difficult.

2. Using alternative and complementary asthma therapy: Yoga, acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal medicines and other breathing techniques are growing in popularity, as alternative or complementary therapies to treat asthma. Many practitioners of yoga and breathing exercises swear to its beneficial effects.

Before trying any remedies and asthma treatments it's important to consult with your doctor for advice on which treatment is the most appropriate for you.