Has asthma changed your lifestyle completely for many years? Suffering from asthma is obviously no fun and can have quite a negative affect on the daily lives of sufferers, especially to children.

Conventional treatments and remedies almost always help to a certain degree, but one must ask, are there any other effective methods to supplement my existing treatment?

Some “alternative” methods for asthma treatment reliefs include chiropractic manipulation of the spine and rib cage which is thought to improve lung function.

Another alternative non-conventional method for asthma treatment involves acupuncture which is thought to somehow improve breathing process, however there is no conclusive evidence on this method.

Though not right for everyone, many sufferers of asthma have found relief through the use of alternative herbal medicines in addition to their current asthma treatment. Herbal medicines can help treat a wide spectrum of conditions and can act as anything from a natural weight loss, to the treatment of insomnia.

Natural asthma formulas usually contain a range of ingredients including blood root, St. John’s Wort, mullein, saw palmetto, wild cherry bark, amongst others. These natural ingredients work together to effectively aid the process of breathing. Besides the above, using traditional chinese medicine magnolia flower bud (essential oil) can really relieve asthma attacks on adults and children.

So now you’re aware that there are other methods to help treat asthma. Keep in mind that you should never add to, or alter any component of your current asthma treatment without first consulting your physician. Ask your doctor about “alternative” treatments and become educated on all possible avenues of asthma treatment relief.

Asthma is believed to be caused by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors that can also influence its severity and responsiveness to medication. The condition is further classified into two general categories as extrinsic and intrinsic asthma depending on the stimuli of the attack.

(a) Extrinsic or Allergic Asthma: Asthma is extrinsic when it is triggered by an allergen. This is the most common type of asthma and is caused by pollutants, wood dust, smoke, chemicals, viral/bacterial infections, stress, emotion and even exercises that are capable of triggering the condition.

Most cases of Asthma in children are extrinsic caused by maternal smoking making the infants particularly vulnerable to allergic smoking. This condition is found more often in young boys than in girls.

(b) Intrinsic Asthma: Asthma is said to be intrinsic when it is not caused by any allergies/allergens. This condition is not likely to develop in children; its typical onset occurs after 40 years of age and is less responsive to medication when compared to allergic Asthma. The causes for this condition include respiratory irritants such as perfumes, cleaning agents, cold air, upper respiratory infections, and gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).

The above classification is further split into categories distinguishing one from another by means of severity and interactive response.

(i) Exercise induced Asthma (wheezing during physical activities.)
(ii) Nocturnal Asthma (respiring trouble while asleep, although the name relates to night.)
(iii) Occupational Asthma (work hazards, breathing chemical fumes and dust.)
(iv) Steroid resistant Asthma (unresponsiveness to medication as result of hyper-usage of steroids.)