ASTHMA

Asthma may be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe according to the frequency of attacks. Most attacks are short-lived with no symptoms between spasms.

Asthma is the most common reason for emergency department attendance and hospitalisation in children and asthma prevalence generally, as well as asthma in Australia, is up over the past few decades.

Early-onset asthma (atopic) commonly begins in childhood. Other allergic disorders such as allergic rhinitis and eczema are often present, and a family history of these and of ‘early-onset’ asthma is common.

Late-onset asthma (non-atopic) can begin at any age in non-atopic individuals. As most are adults, this type is often called late-onset asthma.

Bronchial asthma is common and is more prevalent among children and young adults aged 0-19 (peaking at 5-9 y.o. in boys and 15-19 in girls) and may be either episodic (no respiratory symptoms or signs between episodes) or chronic (with asthma signs and symptoms of chest tightness, wheeze and breathlessness on exertion, together with spontaneous cough and wheeze during the night and early morning).

Spontaneous remission is fairly common in episodic asthma, particularly in children, but rare in chronic asthma.

Allergens can trigger exacerbation of asthma in atopic patients but asthma risk factors are more often non-specific things such as cold air, tobacco smoke, dust and acrid fumes, respiratory viral infection and emotional stress. In children and young adults asthma almost invariably follows strenuous exertion (exercise-induced asthma) or exposure to cold air.  

Some considerations for better health:

If there is an exacerbation of symptoms in summer, suspect the abundance of salicylate-rich foods e.g. strawberries, tomatoes, peaches and apricots.                                                                               

For asthma natural help, the herb Euphorbia enjoys a solid reputation and is believed to be one of the most effective remedies for diseases of the respiratory tract, incl. asthma.  

Vitamin C is especially important to health of lungs and antioxidants (inc. β-carotene, Vitamins A, C, and E, as well as cofactors zinc, selenium, copper) are essential for protection against effects of environmental pollutants, UV and other types of radiation, cigarette smoke, alcohol and recreational and prescribed drugs.

Asthma diet tip.  Children who eat fish more than once a week have 1/3 risk of getting asthma as children who do not eat fish regularly.