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Healing Without Side Effects: Drugs vs. Herbal Formulas
"How can you say that an herbal formula will alleviate multiple symptoms, and yet have little or no side effects? How can there be a good effect without bad effects?" - Dr. W.H., MD, Great Falls, MT I understand your question, Dr. H., and the...
Minimize Stress in Your Life
Lower your expectations and you will suffer less disappointment. Try seeing everything as already perfect and accept things as they are, then you can strive less and relax more. Learn to say NO. Next time someone asks you to do something,...
The Safety of Natural Therapies
Just because something is labeled or deemed "natural' does not mean it comes without risk! Anytime you introduce another substance into your body, whether it be by ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption, there are inherent risks. If you suffer...
The Shameful Secret of Illiteracy in America
The word is not just a sound or a written symbol. The word is a force; it is the power you have to express and communicate, to think, and thereby to create the events in your life.
- Don Miguel Ruiz
One New Jersey woman, “Maria,” read at a...
Your guide to Psyllium Husk
Psyllium husk - - what is it? Psyllium husk is an herbal supplement taken by many to get the fiber they need for their diet. Psyllium husks are the coating around the seed of the psyllium plant. While the seeds are used for their own herbal values,...
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Have You Been Given a Diagnosis of Asthma?
Diagnosis is the important first step in taking control of
asthma.
The earlier it is diagnosed the earlier the condition can be
controlled, and the more successful the treatment can be.
Anyone regularly exhibiting any of the symptoms below should see
a doctor or allergist as soon as possible.
Fatigue
Coughing, even when the person does not have a cold
Wheezing
Difficulty breathing
Tightness in the chest
Runny nose
Itchy throat
A doctor will ask you the following questions:
Do you have episodes of coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath,
seeming to follow allergies during certain seasons, or weather
changes?
Do you get colds that seem to "go to the chest" or take longer
than a week to get over?
Are there over-the-counter medications that you are taking that
help your symptoms?
Do have parents, siblings, or any other family members that have
asthma or similar allergies?
What is it that seems to trigger or cause these symptoms or make
them worse?
The doctor will then investigate the possible causes through a
number of tests, i.e. listening to your breathing, to diagnose
not only whether the patient has asthma but also its severity.
An instrument called a spirometer will likely be used to check
your airways, by measuring how much air you can exhale after
taking a deep breath.
If the airways are narrowed and inflamed the results will
indicate that, showing that asthma is likely the reason. Your
doctor may give you some medication and then continue the
testing to see if the medication improves your breathing.
Additional test either done by or prescribed by your doctor are:
Allergy testing - what allergens you are allergic to
Sinus disease tests
How exercise affects your lungs
Testing you for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which can
affect asthma
Testing via a peak flow meter
A a chest x-ray may be needed to find out if a foreign
object,
or other lung diseases or heart disease could be causing
asthma-like symptoms
Depending on the results of your doctors finding form the tests
and your medical history your doctor is able to determine the
severity of the asthma. The severity of the asthma will tell
your doctor(s) which treatments are best.
The levels of asthma severity are:
Mild Intermittent: Asthma symptoms occurring less than twice
each week during the day, and is less than twice a month at
night.
Mild Persistent Asthma: Asthmatic episodes occurring three or
more times each week, yet not occurring on a daily basis, and
night time attacks are occurring three or more times each month.
Asthma attacks may be interfering with daily activities,
exercise, etc.
Moderate Persistent Asthma: Asthmatic episodes occurring daily,
as well as night-time symptoms more than once a week. Asthma
attacks may be interfering with daily activities, exercise, etc.
Severe Persistent Asthma: Asthmatic episodes throughout the day,
as well as night-time symptoms often. Physical activity is
likely to be limited.
It is important to note that anyone with asthma can have a
severe attack - even those who have intermittent or mild
persistent asthma.
The doctors will instruct you on:
Taking your long-term daily medicines
The triggers that make your asthma conditions worse and how you
could avoid them
What to watch for that indicates that your asthma is starting to
worsen such as the weather conditions, allergens, your peak flow
meter, etc.
How and use your peak flow meter
The medications need to manage your asthma
How often you should be seeing or calling your doctor
Together with a knowledgeable doctor, or even a "team" of
doctors, you'll be able to successfully manage your asthma.
About the author:
Do you, a spouse or a child, have asthma? Learn more, including
the treatments available at
Asthma-Explained.com
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