Bronchial Asthma Causes:
Bronchial asthma is caused by airways inflammation which results in constriction of air flow. Hence, it leads to asthma. This can also be caused by muscle spasms around bronchial tubes. Some direct physiological reasons can also cause bronchial asthma. But, what exactly causes bronchial asthma is discussed in the below paragraph.

Usually, bronchial asthma is considered as a result of allergic reactions. Allergic reactions are associated with T lymphocytes, mast cells and eosinophils. These cells are responsible for various reactions which take place in the body. When histamines are released, they cause reactions such as drippy noses, constriction in airways and skin allergies. The T lymphocytes are related to inflammation and allergies and eosinophils are related to allergic reactions. The amalgamation of these cells results in the attack of bronchial asthma.

Other factors which cause bronchial asthma are workings of stomach and gastrointestinal tract. Hence, in the initial stage people complain about indigestion, diarrhea and constipation. Following are other causes of bronchial asthma:

• Some airborne bacteria
• Some food additives
• Allergens which cause asthma include pollen, food, pet dander, dust mites and mold
• Anxiety and emotional stress
• Crying, coughing, laughing and/or sneezing may cause asthma symptoms
• Weather changes
• Some medications such as NSAIDs and aspirin
• Acid reflux
• Incense stick or perfumes smell
• Smoke
• Air toxins
• Air pollution
• Exercising
• Cigarette smoke
• Infections such as pneumonia, common flu and cold

Bronchial Asthma Symptoms:
Following are some symptoms of bronchial asthma:

• Breathing difficulty
• Muscle pulls and cramping which are caused by coughing
• Feeling of skin pulling near ribs whenever you cough
• Dry cough
• Cough along with phlegm
• Difficulty in hearing
• Shortness of breath
• Constant cough which makes it difficult to sleep
• Constriction and tightness of chest, together with chest congestion
• Wheezing

If the asthma attack is chronic, then you can observe the following symptoms as well:

• Decreased levels of alertness
• Confusion and drowsiness
• Nasal flaring
• Breathing in bouts
• Chest pain
• Anxiety attack
• Sweating
• Lips may turn blue or pale
• Rapid pulse rate

Following are some effective home remedies for asthma:

Banana:

To get instant relief from asthma, warm a ripe banana on mild flame. Mash banana and then sprinkle some black pepper on it and have it.

Honey:

Combine the paste of basil leaves and fresh honey and have when you feel an asthma attack is coming.

Basil Leaves:

Sprinkle black salt on the basil leaves and consume them.

Grams:

This is another most effective remedy for asthma. Roast some grams and have it every night, later drink warm milk.

Turmeric:

Grind turmeric and add 2 tablespoons of honey to a tablespoon of it and have this mixrture. This gives relief from asthma attacks.

Rock salt:

Make a paste with rock salt and mustard oil or ghee and rub it on the chest. This is another beneficial remedy for asthma.

Fenugreek:

Add 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds to a glass of water. Boil this solution until it reduces to one-third of the solution. Let it cool and drink.

Figs:

Consume 3 – 4 figs in the morning. This is another useful natural remedy for asthma.

Milk and Turmeric powder:

Add a tablespoon of turmeric powder to a glass of warm milk and drink it. This is another useful home remedy for asthma.

Lime juice:

Add a tablespoon of ginger juice to a glass of lime juice. Drink this solution to get relief from asthma attacks. This is another beneficial remedy for asthma.

Garlic cloves:

Boil 10 garlic cloves in a glass of milk. After boiling milk, strain it and cool the decoction. Drink this for reducing the asthma attacks.

The above mentioned home remedies may give some relief from the asthma attacks but cannot cure it completely.

Asthma Triggers:

Asthma is triggered by an interaction of environmental and genetic factors. The underlying causes decide the severity of the health condition.

• Genetic Factors:

  Nearly 100 genes are responsible for the cause of asthma. Genetics play a vital role in afflicting the immune system. When genetic variants and specific environmental factors combine, they result in asthma.

• Environmental Factors:

  In the prenatal stage, maternal cigarette smoking afflicts the fetus. High ozone depletion levels and air pollution also contribute for this condition. Often, air pollution is the primary cause of childhood asthma. Often, childhood asthma is caused by common cold. If a child is exposed constantly to irritants like perfumes, deodorants, animal dander, tobacco smoke, pollen and dust mites, infection may aggravate.

• Psychological Factors:

  Particularly in adults, the social stigma of suffering from asthma is very difficult to deal with. It aggravates the condition and causes it. Emotional trauma and psychological stress are the other factors which cause asthma.

• Hygiene Hypothesis:

  According to researchers, Western lifestyle has become very used to hygiene and cleanliness that young children are unable to withstand the pollution. This condition is referred to as hygiene hypothesis.

• Socioeconomic Factors:

  Often, asthma is diagnosed in low-per capita income population. This attributes to their poor living standards. People cannot receive appropriate treatment because it is very expensive.

• Population Disparities:

  Inner cities of America are afflicted with asthma. This health condition is noticed in people with various ethnicity, born in United States. Often, this lung disease in noticed in male children, but may persist in adult females.

Natural Remedies for Asthma:

Asthma treatments are classified into two. One is the emergency treatment which deals with the attacks of asthma. Bronchodilators are used in this for dilating bronchioles, that eases the air flow. Steroids are used in second treatment for definitive treatment. Hence, to avoid the usage of steroids, natural treatments are used for treating asthma. Following are some of the natural remedies for asthma:

• Fruits and Vegetables:

  Consumption of fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of asthma attacks in children and adults as well. Garlic is an excellent remedy if consumed after boiling with the milk. Ginger tea together with garlic is helpful in treating asthma. Turmeric powder along with milk is another effective natural remedy to cure asthma. Intake of tomatoes and carrots, together with leafy vegetables helps to keep asthma at bay.

• Buteyko:

  This is a breathing technique. This was developed by a Russian, Konstantin Pavlovich Butekyo. A person who follows this method follows some shallow breathing exercises. This technique aims at generating carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide aids in dilating the smooth muscles of respiratory system.

• Butter-bur:

  This is a shrub, which is found in North America, Europe and Asia. Isopetasin and petasin are the constituents in this plant, which cure asthma by decreasing spasms in the lung muscles. This also reduces the inflammation caused by asthma.

• Omega Fatty Acids:

  These play a vital role in decreasing arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is a fat which is responsible for the inflammation of bronchial tubes. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Ecosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are the most important fatty acids which are used for asthma treatment. These are also available in the form of capsules in many drug stores.

• Boswella:

  This is a herb which is used in Ayurvedic medications. This is popularly known to have an inhibitory effect on the leukotrienes. Leukotriene is a harmful compound and also causes asthma.

• Bromelain:

  This is a protease enzyme. This is extracted from pineapples. This is quiet famous for its anti-inflammatory properties. Thereby, used for treating asthma.

Mostly, natural asthma remedies are preventive in nature. According to experts, these natural treatments are slow in action. Hence, these must be used along with conventional medications used for asthma treatment.

Asthma patients have more difficulty in breathing out than breathing in. This breathing problem occurs commonly at night or early in the morning. Allergy to dust is the major cause of asthma.

Home Treatment of Asthma

Some of the home remedies which are effective in treating asthma are given below.

Diet tips

When tested, the asthma patients showed a decrease in lung function to almost 10 percent on being exposed to the red algae while walking on the beach. So asthma patients are advised to stay away from the beaches during red tides.

These algae produce airborne toxins called brevetoxins that first leaks into the water from ruptured algal cells and then gets into the air. As a result, the beach visitors start showing symptoms like dry cough and teary eyes. Scientific data collected from the local community also confirmed the anecdotal reports.

It is done usually during the beginning of a yoga session. It cleans the nasal passage, lungs and the entire respiratory system. It purifies the blood and increases the supply of oxygen to the cells. It removes tension and blockages in the chest. Though this pranayama is good for asthma patients, it must not be practiced while the asthma attack is in progress. It is also good for those suffering from emphysema, bronchitis and tuberculosis.

Kapalbhati involves rapid exhalation and natural inhalation.

1. Sit in a comfortable position, cross legged, with your back straight. Rest your hands on the knees.
2. Inhale deeply expanding your abdominal muscles.
3. Exhale quickly through your nose by contracting your abdominal muscles. The diaphragm contracts and the air is pushed out of the lungs. After this, the inhalation will happen passively.

You can take about 15-20 breath at a time. The breathing must be from the abdomen and not from the chest. If pain or dizziness is experienced, stop the exercise for some time and sit in a relaxed position.

Anuloma Viloma is also known as Nadishudhi pranayama – which means, “cleansing the channel through which prana flows”. This pranayama balances the left and the right hemispheres, promotes clear thinking and helps cure coughs and colds, insomnia, chronic headaches and asthma.

One round of Anuloma Viloma has six steps:

Bring your little finger and middle finger towards your palm. Keep the thumb of your right hand before the right nostril; and the ring and the little finger before the left nostril.

1. Close the right nostril with your thumb and inhale through the left nostril (prolonged breath).
2. Hold your breath (four times the time taken for inhalation). The ratio of inhalation : exhalation: holding the breath must be, 1:2:4.
3. Close the left nostril with your ring finger and index finger, and breathe out (prolonged) through your right nostril. The ratio of inhalation to exhalation must be 1:2.
4. Inhale again through the right nostril closing the left nostril with your ring finger and index finger.
5. Hold your breath (four times the time taken for inhalation). The ratio of inhalation : exhalation: holding the breath must be, 1:2:4.
6. Remove the little finger and the ring finger, close your right nostril with your thumb and breathe out through your left nostril. The ratio of inhalation to exhalation must be 1:2.

Regular practice of pranayama (breathing exercise) will reduce the frequency of asthma attacks and will ease the air flow in the lungs.