Asthma seems, over the last few decades, to have become one of the biggest health issues affecting the world's population; it is also a worry because the increase in the number affected has happened over a short time period. Although it is treatable, asthma is still a chronic condition which affects the function of breathing of every person who is affected by it. Sudden attacks can happen to even the best prepared individual and severe attacks can kill.

The biggest step that asthma sufferers are taught is how to monitor their own condition. Once the severity of the condition is know there are three main ways to treat it:

*Preventative medications

*Treating minor attacks

*Emergency treatment for serious attacks

Bronchodilators are recommended for short-term relief for all patients but those with mild occasional attacks need no other medication; fortunately, for a large number of asthmatics no other medication other than this will be required.

For patients with frequent but still mild attacks then a low-dose glucocorticoid or a leukotriene modifier should be all that is required as well as a standard Bronchodilator. Oral glucocorticoids will have to be used for the unfortunate asthma patients who have serious and severe attacks. Irrespective of the seriousness of the condition, they will all use a standard reliever as well.

By careful monitoring of the asthmatics condition, it should not be difficult to recognize just exactly what it is that triggers an attack. This means that attacks can be avoided if not eliminated altogether. The condition is very strongly associated with air pollution, which causes the condition to worsen in people who suffer breathing related conditions.

Although the specific medications can help the situation it is far better if they can be avoided where possible; they can cause serious side effects if used on a regular basis, including:

*Constantly fatigued

*Feeling dizzy

*No sexual interest

*Feelings of despair

*Damage to the liver

More and more patients who suffer with a respiratory condition are choosing natural medicines that address the root cause, over pharmaceutical drugs that trick the body's immune response system. The drugs used contain a catalyst which is designed to soothe and reduce the hyperactivity experienced by the body during an attack and thereby, strengthening it. The catalysts contained in the natural medications are different as they do not have any side-effects so reduce the stress on the system naturally.

Some asthma sufferers have discovered the benefits of yoga as it helps to improve their breathing and overall health. Complementary medicines are proving popular as they do not leave dangerous drug residues in the system. Ultimately, the most important factor is the asthma patient learning to manage their own condition.