People with exercise-induced asthma usually experience inflammation of the airway, called bronchoconstriction, immediately following exercise.
Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions, and affects both adults and children. Its prevalence has been noted to have increased significantly in Western nations with overall prevalence rates ranging from 7-15%.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) have defined asthma as a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways.
Despite many therapeutic advances over the last thirty years, asthma continues to result in significant childhood and adult morbidity.
Given the rapidity of the increase in asthma's prevalence, environmental factors rather than increased genetic susceptibility are more likely to be responsible for this trend. Thus, there has been increased interest in investigating various environmental factors that may contribute to this illness, including diet.
Over time, various therapeutic strategies have been developed to manage asthma, including the use of short acting beta-2 agonist bronchodilator medications as symptom relievers and anti-inflammatory preventer medications such as inhaled corticosteroids and oral leukotriene antagonists.
There has been considerable interest in the potential therapeutic and protective value of dietary supplementation with the omega-3 fatty acids.
A study at Indiana University found that adults with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma who took an omega-3-rich fish oil supplement daily for three weeks improved their post-exercise lung function by 64 percent, allowing a 31 percent decrease in their use of emergency inhalers.
Preliminary research suggests that omega-3 fatty acid supplements may decrease inflammation and improve lung function in adults with asthma.
Omega-6 fatty acids have the opposite effect: they tend to increase inflammation and worsen respiratory function.
The standard American diet is rich in pro-inflammatory Omega-6 fatty acids and low in Omega-3 fatty acids, which have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Horrobin hypothesized that the low incidence of asthma in the northern aboriginal population stems from their consumption of large quantities of oily fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Tom O'Connor, an expert on Omega-3, shares a wealth of information on his website
The treatments sought for asthma include a number of highly successful and reliable medical interventions. Asthma patients often rely on respiratory inhalers and prescription medications to easy asthma symptoms and prevent attacks. Further, for those asthma patients whose condition is exacerbated by environmental stimuli, avoidance of allergens becomes a main focus of daily life.
Today - as the emphasis on healthy living becomes more prominent - more and more people are looking for a natural cure for asthma. And they're finding them; ways to alleviate symptoms and prevent attacks. The natural cure for asthma derives from a holistic approach to treating the whole body, thus correcting specific symptoms.
One approach to a natural cure for asthma that has been embraced is chiropractic work. Patients report a greater overall feeling of well-being after visiting with a chiropractor. Chiropractic manipulation works to align the spinal column thus removing pressure from the nervous system. Because our central nervous system is all connected along the spine, we can be enormously benefited by having adjustments.
Another approach to a natural cure for asthma is acupuncture whereby sterilized needles are placed - painlessly - in strategic areas of the body to correct internal imbalances.
Additionally, many in search of a natural cure for asthma have found that certain types of exercise - most specifically yoga - have relieved their asthma symptoms. Again, overall health in the body addresses many symptoms.
Others have found non-traditional techniques such as hypnosis and laser treatments to clear airways very successful in their search for a natural cure for asthma.
To research a natural cure for asthma, go online; there are many resources available for those who suffer from asthma including a multitude of chat forums wherein other people share their experiences and what has worked to ease their asthma symptoms. Having support from people who understand can be more than half the battle.
No matter what you choose in your journey to alleviate your asthma, always check with a medical professional prior to experimentation. It may be that you can use any of the methods mentioned above in conjunction with traditional medical treatment. Either way, staying proactive and positive will one day find you enjoying a much healthier life.
Both Tom O`Connor & Michelle Bery are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Tom O`Connor has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cyst, Asthma. Tom O`Connor an adept and reality study on health and life. Tom O`Connor's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.
Michelle Bery has sinced written about articles on various topics from Asthma, Home Security and Abdominal. For easy to understand, in depth information about asthma visit our ezGuide 2 .. Michelle Bery's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.