Bronchial Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways. The lining swells, muscle around the airway tightens and extra mucus is produced, narrowing the passage air moves through.

Symptoms come in episodes separated by periods of relative freedom, and severity varies widely — from occasional mild wheeze to attacks that need emergency care.

Wheezing, particularly on breathing out

Shortness of breath, often worse at night or in the early morning

A dry, persistent cough, sometimes the only symptom

Tightness or pressure across the chest

Symptoms brought on by exercise, cold air, dust, smoke or a respiratory infection

Asthma arises from a combination of inherited tendency and environmental exposure. The airways of someone with asthma are hyper-responsive — they react to triggers that would not trouble anyone else.

Common triggers include house dust mite, pollen, animal dander, mould, cold air, exercise, smoke, strong smells, viral infections and emotional upset.

Family history of asthma, eczema or hay fever

Childhood respiratory infections

Exposure to tobacco smoke, including before birth

Occupational exposure to dust, fumes or chemicals

Obesity and prolonged air pollution exposure

Homoeopathic treatment of asthma is constitutional and taken slowly, alongside — not instead of — whatever conventional treatment the patient is already on.

The case taking records the timing of attacks, the position that eases breathing, the character of the cough, the effect of weather and season, and what was happening in the person's life when the asthma began. Family history of skin disease is significant, since suppressed eczema often precedes asthma.

The goal is to reduce the frequency and intensity of attacks over months so that reliever use falls. Inhalers and prescribed medication are never stopped abruptly, and any reduction is made with the treating physician.

Arsenicum Album, Antimonium Tartaricum, Ipecacuanha, Natrum Sulphuricum, Blatta Orientalis and Spongia are among the remedies often considered — the choice rests on the individual picture.

Identify and reduce your specific triggers rather than all of them at once

Keep bedding and soft furnishings free of dust; wash at high temperature

Breathing exercises and steady aerobic activity, built up gradually

Keep reliever medication with you and know how to use it correctly

Record attacks and peak-flow readings so patterns become visible