Superman and I both had a weakness. His was green. Mine was blue. (My Experience of Asthma)

Member Name: jedimastergray73

Product:	My Experience of Asthma
Date:	13/10/09 (89 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: There are many natural remedies that help to control asthma. It doesn't have to hold you back !

Disadvantages: A potentially life threatening condition that prevents many people from living life to the full.

~~~ INTRODUCTION ~~~

The purpose of this review is to inform others about asthma ... a serious medical condition that affects so many people these days. In order to do this I will share some my own experience of living with asthma and will also describe many of the natural steps and remedies that can be used to keep asthma under control. A little later in this review in order to make a specific point I will also make a reference to a wheezing kid standing at the side of a playing field using an inhaler. I am not saying this to be unkind, however, because that kid was actually me.

~~~ MY EXPERIENCE OF ASTHMA ~~~

I developed asthma whilst I was still at secondary school. It started off with a long spell of tonsilitis followed by a severe chest infection and a long stay in hospital. I was extremely ill for a long time and I guess I never really recovered because I was then diagnosed as being asthmatic. Within a few months the active and adventurous teenager which I had been had gone and in his place was a nervous, frightened little boy always struggling to breathe. My hand rarely let go of my inhaler either because beleive me there were times when I was fighting for my breath ...

I used to love football, climbing trees and various other ativities that usually involved a great deal of energy and very little thought .. but these were now a thing of the past. Instead I emersed myself in comics and superheroes, top trump cards and sci-fi movies. I also wrote down my thoughts and ideas and I read plenty of books !!!

It was my inhaler, however, that was my most treasured item. It was also my lifeline. If I ever misplaced it I would have a panic attack and I held on to it so much I was even bullied because of it. It was also something that for a long, long time held me back. It became almost like a symbol of my weakness. Superman would lose all of his powers because of the green Kryptonite and I had would lose all of my motivation to do anything because of my blue inhaler !!!

Throughout my education my inhaler accompanied me as it did when I entered the world of work. I may have developed as an individual but my childlike need to have my inhaler with me at all times had simply continued. I didn't just use it either ... I abused it. Even worse than that was the fact that I often used it as an excuse to avoid doing things that I was more than capable of doing. The truth of the matter was that deep down i was scared. I had come to rely on my inhaler as a defence mechanism and as a comfort I no longer needed.

One day, I left my inhaler in a hotel and only realised when I was traveling on the London Underground. I immediately started to panic as I felt I couldn't breathe. It was a horrible experience but it was also the day I decided that I had to change. It was time to stop relying on my inhaler and start living my life to the full.

Essentially, what I did was look into alternative ways to keep my asthma under control. I wanted to find something that would help that didn't involve clutching an inhaler 24/7 !!!

It took several months but eventually I achieved my goal by introducing 3 new elements into the way I lived my life. The first element was to supplement my diet with a number of natural remedies that would actually help to keep my asthma under control. The second element was to modify my own lifestyle to avoid many of the factors that actually triggered an asthma attack. The third element was the most difficult, however, because that was to put my inhaler away and out of sight so that it became something I was only allowed to use in an emergency.

That was several years ago and I now feel that I live life to the full. I run around with my baby son, go running several times a week and rarely need to use my inhaler at all. Infact the last time I actually used my inhaler was about a fortnight ago (but I had just been told that my grandfather had passed away). Prior to that, however, I hadn't used it in weeks.

The inhaler that for a large part of my life had been like a ball and chain around my ankles is now something I rarely need to use. I still have asthma and I know it's there if I need it but it no longer dominates every decision I make.

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In the final part of this review I have written a guide explaining exactly what asthma is (for those who don't know) and have included details about the natural steps and remedies that I used that enabled me to live with asthma without needing to rely upon my inhaler. If anyone reading this has any questions then please feel free to send me a message as I would be more than willing to help.

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~~~ WHAT IS ASTHMA ? ~~~

Asthma is a medical condition that is caused when the muscles of the bronchi spasm and contract. This causes an obstruction to the natural flow of air and makes breathing extremely difficult. Asthma can also lead to an increased pulse rate as well as creating a feeling of tightness around the chest. The condition can be triggered by a wide variety of different sources including; allergens (dust, pollen, pet hair) pollution, cigarette smoke and industrial chemicals. Obesity, cold and flu like symptoms, physical exertion and emotional trauma can also cause an asthma attack (as can, surprisingly, taking an Aspirin).

~~~ HOW SERIOUS IS ASTHMA ? ~~~

An "asthma attack" can last a matter of seconds but it can also last for days. In addition to this, whilst some individuals only suffer from seasonal attacks (e.g. those who suffer from hay fever) other people struggle to deal with asthma on a daily basis. Worryingly, despite the fact that the majority of sufferers can control their attacks, asthma is still a serious and life-threatening condition.

~~~ CONTROLLING ASTHMA USING MEDICINES ~~~

When many people think about asthma they get a mental image of a wheezy kid they knew at school standing at the side of the playing field, wheezing and using an inhaler. This is probably because medical remedies such as inhalers, nebulizers and steroids are what the majority of asthma sufferers use to keep the condition under control. But, as we all know, medical remedies can prove both costly and even worse, create a number of additional (and unpleasant) side effects. There are, however, a number of more natural steps and remedies that can used alongside these medical treatments which can actually build up a more natural ability to control asthma. More importantly, though, is the fact that these natural steps and remedies can also reduce the overall amount of medication that is required.
~~~ PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY ~~~

It is important at this stage to point out that it is NOT being suggested that natural steps and remedies should be used to replace any of the medical products used to control asthma. Asthma can be a life-threatening condition and those who suffer because of it should always ensure that any necessary medicines are taken with them at all times. In the case of a severe or prolonged asthma attack natural remedies are not advised. What is being suggested, however, is a number of natural alternatives that can (in the long term) offer a realistic way of reducing the amount of medicines that need to be taken by those who have asthma. And finally, as with all natural remedies it is often wise to do your own research too and if in doubt consult your own doctor.
With that in mind then, it's time to move on to the alternatives themselves ...

~~~ NATURAL STEPS TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR ASTHMA ~~~

Perhaps the most straightforward way of naturally dealing with asthma is to actually modify your own lifestyle to reduce the chances of asthma attack being "triggered". Some obvious examples of this include trying to lose weight, learning to deal with stressful situations and of course stopping smoking (and avoiding being around others who smoke). You could also modify your diet to avoid dairy products as these have been scientifically linked to causing blockages in the bronchial passageways.

~~~ SEVEN EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE NATURAL REMEDIES FOR ASTHMA ~~~

If you feel that you have already taken the factors already mentioned within this review into account then maybe you should also consider some of the following "natural remedies" ?

*** CAFFEINE ***
Products such as coffee, tea, caffeinated drinks, cocoa and chocolate all contain the natural anti-asthmatic compounds of theobromine and theophylline. These two compounds have been proven to act as an effective bronchodilator and help to open constricted bronchial passageways. And, whilst having too much caffeine is not good for you it's worth remembering that if you have an asthma attack whilst away from home you are rarely too far away from a good cup of coffee !!!

*** CAYENNE PEPPER ***
Capsicum is a fantastic stimulant with both antiseptic and antispasmodic properties. It is a herb that will help relieve muscle tension whilst clearing your arteries and pumping blood around your body. This is a herbal remedy promotes strong hearts and great circulation and is seen as a great way to prevent the breathlessness and tight chest associated with asthma.

*** ECHINACEA AND GOLDENSEAL ***
These two herbs when combined are highly effective at fighting colds, flu and chest infections (which are all types of infection that can trigger an asthma attack). This is because these herbs help to boost the immune system making you less likely to develop these type of infections in the first place.

*** GARLIC ***
Garlic is a natural antibiotic and expectorant which can help to regulate the mucus glands. These glands produce mucus which blocks the airways which can become problematic for those who suffer with asthma.

*** GINKGO BILOBA ***
This is a herb which has an anti-inflammatory quality. Ginkgo Biloba is a popular Chinese Medicine widely available either as tea, tincture or capsules and has been used for hundreds of years. It is a great for those with asthma as it relaxes the lungs.

*** LIQUORICE HERB ***
Liquorice is another herb which is both an expectorant and has anti-inflamatory qualities. It can be taken as either a tincture or as a syrup and is linked to helping to reduce the number of attacks in those who suffer from seasonal asthma. It also has a soothing quality that can help to relieve the wheezing coughs associated with asthma.

*** NETTLES ***
Stinging Nettles have long been used to relieve respiratory problems and allergic reactions. It is also an effective antihistamine It is a plant that is widely used to tackle the symptoms of coughs, colds, chest infections and asthma. It can eaten fresh (steamed like other fresh greens) but more often is bought dried and used in herbal tea.

~~~ SUMMARY ~~~

The natural remedies within this review are generally accepted as being the most effective in terms of asthma and are all widely available in most areas. However, there are many more natural remedies out there. Different countries and cultures will, of course, have their very own variations of these traditional medicines which will have been passed down from generation to generation.

Finally, it is worth remembering that many of these natural remedies have been around for centuries and were used to help sooth and prevent breathing difficulties long before the combination of drugs that are used in an inhaler were ever created. Natural remedies, therefore, are worthy of consideration. Whilst they will not cure asthma or be of any real use during a serious asthma attack they can offer a tried, tested and natural way of relieving the symptoms associated with being asthmatic,as well preventing many of the triggers that cause an asthma attack.

~~~ FINAL THOUGHTS ~~~

Since using the strategies and rememdies I have included within this review my life has completely changed. Asthma doesn't have to hold you back at all. For far too long I used my asthma as an excuse and my inhaler as something to hide behind. Life is like this for many people with asthma but it doesn't need to be. Therefore, if this review helps just one person to take more control over their life then I will be more than happy ... thank you for taking time to read my thoughts and comments.

*** GRAY ***

Summary: Consider the alternatives, find what works for you and live life to the full !!!