Asthma is an allergic disease that inflames and narrows the airways in the lungs. It causes periodic attacks of wheezing and difficult breathing. An asthma attack occurs when the airways become inflamed in response to a trigger, such as dust, mold, pets, exercise or cold weather. The latter may inflame the airways to the lungs, and the mucous membrane covering the walls becomes swollen with fluid allowing disease-fighting cells to accumulate and causing swelling in the lungs. For this, the airways become blocked or obstructed when the muscles surrounding the lungs tighten or go into spasm. Due to the blockage, air cannot flow in and out of the lungs freely and a whistling or wheezing sound may be heard. Such attacks can be mild, moderate or severe, and can last for a few minutes, a few hours or several days.

Symptoms of Asthma
Some of the symptoms of Asthma include breathlessness at the time of attack, heaviness in the chest, distended abdomen, uneasiness in body and increase in palpitation, cold and cough, weakness, breathing trouble during sleep and feeling of some comfort during sitting.

Causes of Asthma
The main causes of Asthma are the digestive disorders. If the food is not digested properly, it produces toxic juices in the system and causes obstructions in the respiratory tract resulting in the state of breathlessness. If the parents have been the patients of Asthma their children may also develop this disease. Sometimes the effect of climate or some other disorders can also become the cause of Asthma. Certain triggers can make inflammation in the airways worse.

Attack of Asthma
An acute aggravation of asthma is commonly referred to as an asthma attack. The onset of asthma may be sudden, with a sense of constriction in the chest, breathing becomes difficult, and wheezing occurs. During very severe asthma attacks, an asthma sufferer can turn blue from lack of oxygen and can experience chest pain or even loss of consciousness. Just before loss of consciousness, there is a chance that the patient will start to feel numbness in the limbs and palms and may also start to sweat. The person"s feet may become icy cold. Severe asthma attacks, which may not be responsive to standard treatments are life threatening and may lead to respiratory arrest and death.

Diagnosis of Asthma
In several cases, a physician can diagnose asthma depending on typical findings in a patient`s clinical history and examination. Asthma is strongly suspected if a patient suffers from eczema or other allergic conditions or has a family history of asthma. Diagnosis in children is based on a careful compilation and analysis of the patient"s medical history and subsequent improvement with an inhaled bronchodilator medication. In case of adults, diagnosis can be made with a peak flow meter, which tests airway restriction, checking both the diurnal variation and any reversibility following inhaled bronchodilator medication.

Treatment of Asthma
Treatment of Asthma can be done by nature cure. The first option is usually diet. The patient of Asthma should find out the measures to cleanse the bowel and respiratory tract by fasting for about 1 to 2 days and gradually come to liquid and fruit diet. Regular warm water enema may be taken daily during fast. Thereafter, normal diet consisting of whole wheat bread and bottle gourd vegetable may be taken. Cold and heavy meal should be avoided and the dinner should be very light, honey can also be taken. Warm water should be used for drinking purposes especially with the meals. With water treatments, like Hipbath, hot footbath and Chest pack give considerable relief to the Asthma patients. In the state of attack hot footbath gives immediate relief. Magnetic Therapy and Aromatherapy are also effective methods of treatment in asthma. Unbelievable results can be achieved in the treatment of asthma through the application of magnets.

Yoga Asanas for Asthma
Yogic Asanas is immensely effective for the treatment of Asthma. Kunjala, Jala Neti, Sutra Neti and Vastra Dhauti may be practised every day. Surya Namaskara, all exercises of Udara Shakti Vikasaka may be followed. Tadasana, Katichakrasana, Ashwathasana, Tanasana, Sarvangasana, Chakrasana, Bhujangasana, Dhanurasana, Vajrasana, Ushtrasana, Gomukhasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana. Malsyasana and Shavasana are useful in this disease. Kapalabhati, Bhastrika, Suryabhedi Pranayama, Uddiyana Bandha and Agnisara are also beneficial in this disease.

There is exactly no cure for Asthma, but people can control their symptoms with the proper use of preventive drugs. Asthma patients can avoid the complications that often result from overuse of relief medications in asthma.