Asthma

Aromatherapy can help asthma sufferers relieve their symptoms. Asthma is a disease that affects the breathing passages of the lungs (bronchioles). Asthma is caused by chronic (ongoing, long-term) inflammation of these passages. This makes the breathing passages, or airways, of the person with asthma highly sensitive to various "triggers."

When the inflammation  is "triggered" by any number of external and internal factors, the passages swell and fill with mucus. Muscles within the breathing passages contract (bronchospasm), causing even further narrowing of the airways. This narrowing makes it difficult for air to be breathed out (exhaled) from the lungs. This resistance to exhaling leads to the typical symptoms of an asthma  attack. Because asthma causes resistance, or obstruction, to exhaled air, it is called an obstructive lung disease. The medical term for such lung conditions is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. COPD is actually a group of diseases that includes not only asthma , but also chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Like any other chronic disease, asthma  is a condition you live with every day of your life. You can have an attack any time you are exposed to one of your triggers.

Can it be cured?
Unlike other chronic obstructive lung diseases, asthma  is reversible. Asthma  cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. You have a better chance of controlling your asthma  if it is diagnosed early and treatment begun right away. With proper treatment, people with asthma  can have fewer and less severe attacks. Without treatment, they will have more frequent and more severe asthma  attacks and can even die.

Causes of asthma
Asthma is on the rise in many developed countries. We are not sure exactly why this is, but these factors may contribute. We grow up as children with less exposure to infection than did our ancestors, which has made our immune systems more sensitive. We spend more and more time indoors, where we are exposed to indoor allergens such as dust and mold. The air we breathe is more polluted than the air most of our ancestors breathed. Our lifestyle has led to our getting less exercise and an epidemic of obesity. There is some evidence to suggest an association between obesity and  asthma.

Who is affected by Asthma?
Asthma is a very common disease in the United States, where more than 17 million people are affected. A third of these are children. In 2002, 478,000 hospitalizations and 4,657 deaths were attributed to asthma . Asthma affects all races and is slightly more common in African Americans than in other races. Asthma affects all ages, although it is more common in younger people. The frequency and severity of asthma  attacks tend to decrease as a person ages. Asthma is the most common chronic disease of children. Asthma has many costs to society as well as to the individual affected. Many people are forced to make compromises in their lifestyle to accommodate their disease.  Asthma  a is a major cause of work and school absence and lost productivity. Asthma  is one of the most common reasons for emergency department visits and hospitalization. Asthma costs the US economy nearly $13 billion each year.   The good news for people with asthma  is that you can live your life to the fullest. Current treatments for asthma , if followed closely, allow most people with asthma  to limit the number of attacks they have. With the help of your health care provider, you can take control of your care and your life.

Causes of Asthma :
We do not know exactly what causes asthma. What all people with asthma  have in common is chronic airway inflammation and excessive airway sensitivity to various triggers. Research has focused on why some people develop asthma while others do not. Some people are born with the tendency to have asthma , while others are not. Scientists are trying to find the genes that cause this tendency. The environment you live in and the way you live partly determine whether you have asthma  attacks.

Triggers
An asthma  attack is a reaction to a trigger. It is similar in many ways to an allergic reaction. An allergic  reaction is a response by the body's immune system to an "invader." When the cells of the immune system sense an invader, they set off a series of reactions that help fight off the invader. It is this series of reactions that causes the production of mucus and bronchospasms. These responses cause the symptoms of as asthma  attack. In asthma  the "invaders" are the triggers listed below. Triggers vary by the individual. Because asthma  is a type of allergic  reaction, it is sometimes called reactive airway disease. Each person with asthma  has his or her own unique set of triggers. Most triggers cause attacks in some people with asthma  and not in others.

Common triggers of Asthma attacks are the following:

• Exposure to tobacco or wood smoke
• Breathing polluted air
• Inhaling other respiratory irritants such as perfumes or cleaning products
• Exposure to airway irritants at the workplace
• Breathing in allergic -causing substances (allergens) such as moulds, dust, or animal dander
• An upper respiratory infection , such as a cold , flu , sinusitis , or bronchitis
• Exposure to cold, dry weather
• Emotional excitement or stress
• Physical exertion or exercise
• Reflux of stomach acid - What medical professionals call gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD Sulphites - An additive to some foods and wine
• Stress and acute anxiety can trigger attacks
• Menstruation : In some, not all, women, asthma  symptoms are closely tied to the menstrual cycle .

Risk factors for developing Asthma:

• Hay fever ( allergic rhinitis) and other allergies
• The single biggest risk factor Eczema - Another type of allergy  affecting the skin
• Genetic predisposition - A parent, brother, or sister also has asthma .

Symptoms of Asthma:
When the breathing passages become irritated or infected , an attack is triggered. The attack may come on suddenly or slowly over several days or hours.

The main symptoms that signal an attack are as follows:

• Wheezing
• Breathlessness
• Chest tightness
• Coughing
• Difficulty speaking

Symptoms may occur during the day or at night. If they happen at night, they may disturb your sleep. Wheezing is the most common symptom of an asthma attack. Wheezing is a musical, whistling, or hissing sound with breathing. Wheezes are most often heard during exhalation, but they can occur during breathing in (inhaling).  Not all asthma tics wheeze, and not all people who wheeze are asthma atics.  

Current guidelines for the care of people with Asthma include classifying the severity of Asthma symptoms, as follows:

Mild intermittent - Includes attacks no more than twice a week and night time attacks no more than twice a month. Attacks last no more than a few hours to days. Severity of attacks varies, but there are no symptoms between attacks.

Mild persistent - Includes attacks more than twice a week but not every day, and night time symptoms more than twice a month. Attacks are sometimes severe enough to interrupt regular activities.

Moderate persistent - Includes daily attacks and night time symptoms more than once a week. More severe attacks occur at least twice a week and may last days. Attacks require daily use of quick-relief (rescue) medication and changes in daily activities.

Severe persistent - Includes frequent severe attacks, continual daytime symptoms, and frequent night time symptoms. Symptoms require limits on daily activities. Just because a person has mild or moderate asthma  does not mean that he or she cannot have a severe attack. The severity of asthma  can change over time, either for better or for worse.

Treatments for Asthma: Since asthma  is a chronic disease, treatment goes on for a very long time. Some people have to stay on treatment for the rest of their lives. The best way to improve your condition and live your life on your terms is to learn all you can about your asthma  and what you can do to make it better. Become a partner with your health care provider and his or her support staff. Use the resources they can offer-information, education, and expertise-to help yourself. Become aware of your asthma  triggers and do what you can to avoid them. Follow the treatment recommendations of your health care provider.

Understand your treatment. Know what each drug does and how it is used. See your health care provider as scheduled. Report any changes or worsening of your symptoms promptly. Report any side effects you are having with your medications.

These are the goals of treatment:

• Prevent ongoing and bothersome symptoms
• Prevent asthma  attacks
• Prevent attacks severe enough to require a visit to your provider or an emergency department or hospitalization
• Carry on with normal activities
• Maintain normal or near-normal lung function
• Have as few side effects of medication as possible.

Self Care at home: Current treatment regimens are designed to minimize discomfort, inconvenience, and the extent to which you have to limit your activities. If you follow your treatment plan closely, you should be able to avoid or reduce your visits to your health care provider or the emergency department.

Know your triggers and do what you can to avoid them. If you smoke, quit. Do not take cough  medicine. These medicines do not help asthma and may cause unwanted side effects. Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, can cause asthma  to worsen in certain individuals. These medications should not be taken without the advice of your health care provider.

Do not use non prescription inhalers. These contain very short-acting drugs that may not last long enough to relieve an asthma attack and may cause unwanted side effects. 

Take only the medications your health care provider has prescribed for your asthma. Take them as directed. Do not take any nonprescription preparations, herbs, or dietary supplements, even if they are completely "natural," without talking to your health care provider first. Some of these may have unwanted side effects or interfere with your medications.

If the medication is not working, do not take more than you have been directed to take. Overusing asthma medications can be dangerous. Be prepared to go on to the next step of your action plan if necessary. If you think your medication is not working, let your health care provider know right away.

Alternative therapies can sometimes help the sufferer. Yoga and other forms of gentle exercise can improve posture and help to open the lungs. Aromatherapy can help the asthma sufferer in a variety of ways. Massage of the sufferers back and chest with essential oils diluted in carrier oil can sometimes relieve the symptoms. During an actual crisis inhaling anti-spasmodic oil can sometimes be a help. A few drops on a handkerchief is a good way of inhaling the oil. A humidifier with a few drops of essential oil can help to create moisture which in turn can help the sufferer. The choice of oils can vary depending on what are the many factors.

Is infection present? Bergamot, Lavender

Is the Asthma due to an allergic reaction? Chamomile Roman

Is the Asthma attack caused by stress or anxiety? Bergamot, Chamomile Roman, Clary Sage, Lavender, Neroli, Rose

Is there congestion present? Frankincense

For childhood Asthma the attacks can be very frightening and aromatherapy treatment can sometimes help to reduce the anxiety  of the child.

For children age 1-5 years

1. Blend 1 drop Lavender essential oil and 1 drop Chamomile Roman in 10ml of carrier oil.
2. Rub the oil gently round the back and chest of the child.

For children age 6-12 years

1. Blend 1 drop Cypress essential oil, 1 drop Frankincense essential oil and 1 drop Chamomile Roman essential oil  in 10ml of carrier oil.
2. Rub the oil gently round the back and chest of the child.

Bergamot Essential Oil - Citrus Bergamia (10ml)

Bergamot is a valuable oil for tension and anxiety. It can help with conditions such as cystitis and urethritis as well as being great for skin conditions such as acne.

£6.80

Chamomile Roman 10% Dilute Essential Oil - Chamaemelum Nobile

A wonderful oil which has so many valuable properties Chamomile would be a great one to always keep in and can be used in skin care, musuclar aches and pains and digestive problems.

£5.00

Chamomile Roman Pure Essential Oil - Chamaemelum Nobile (10ml)

Chamomile is a great oil to use for nervous disorders. It is soothing and calming and can help where a person is irritable or nervous. It can also help with insomnia.

£14.50

Clary Sage Essential Oil - Salvia Sclarea (10ml)

Clary Sage is wonderful as it blends so well with other oils and has a wide variety of uses. Try it for high blood pressure, aches & pains, skin care, asthma and emotional tension as well as stress related conditions.

£6.00

Cypress Essential Oil - Cupressus Sempervirens (10ml)

Cypress is a great asset for any sort of skin care. It can be used for varicose veins or haemorroids, it is great for sweating and can help with the menstrual cycle.

£5.20

Frankincense 10% Dilute Essential Oil - Boswellia Carteri (10ml)

Offered here as a diluted oil Frankincense is wonderful for mature skin complexions to help with scars, wrinkles and wounds. It can help with coughs and bronchitis and is a generally calming oil for people suffering from stress.

£5.00

Frankincense Pure Essential Oil - Boswellia Carteri (10ml)

This is a non-diluted version of the oil. Frankincense is wonderful for mature skin complexions to help with scars, wrinkles and wounds. It can help with coughs and bronchitis and is a generally calming oil for people suffering from stress.

£9.50

Lavender Essential Oil - Lavandula Abrialis (10ml)

Lavender has been used continuously for thousands of years and its popularity has only ever increased. If you could have no other essential oil in your house, then Lavender would be the prime choice: It has a wide range of uses and is a natural antibiotic, anti-depressant, sedative and de-toxifier.

£3.30

Neroli 5% Dilute Essential Oil - Citrus Aurantium (10ml)

Neroli is antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic and aphrodisiac as well as being a gentle sedative and is valuable for helping with problems of an emotional nature. It is reputed to be an aphrodisiac and helps with skin care. It can help with stomach spasms and diarrhoea.

£5.90

Rose Damascena 5% Dilute Essential Oil (10ml)

Rose is often referred to as the Queen of all essential oils not least because of its price. It can help with lack of confidence, depression or grief as it has uplifting qualities and is said to produce feelings of well-being and even happiness. It has strong connections with our sexuality and can aid menstual problems.

£8.70

Rose Otto (Centifolia) 5% Dilute Essential Oil (10ml)

Rose Otto is a wonderful oil which can help with skin care especially where the skin is more mature and is soothing for conditions such as asthma and hayfever.

£7.75