Breathing problems affecting the lungs and respiratory system may be due to short-term infections, or long-term conditions.There are many causes of breathing problems. Some people have difficulty breathing when they get a cold. Others have trouble breathing because of occasional bouts of acute Sinusitis. Sinusitis can make it difficult to breathe for a week or two until the inflammation subsides and the congested sinuses begin to drain.
Many breathing problems are chronic or long-term. These common breathing problems include Chronic Sinusitis, COPD, Allergies and Asthma. They can cause a host of symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, chest congestion, coughing, wheezing, laboured breathing and shallow breathing.
Wheezing is a common manifestation of respiratory illness. Wheezing typically brings to mind airway obstruction from bronchoconstriction or excessive mucus production and/or poor clearance. Children wheeze more often than adults because of physical differences. Infants’ and young children’s bronchi are small, resulting in higher peripheral airway resistance.
Manifestations
Sudden breathlessness could be an Asthma attack. This means airways have narrowed and there is more phlegm (sticky mucus), which causes one to wheeze and cough. One is breathless because it is difficult to move air in and out of airways.
Pneumonia (lung inflammation) may also cause shortness of breath and a cough. It is usually caused by an infection.
If one has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), it is likely that breathlessness is a sign that this condition has suddenly got worse.
Management
Substances that cause breathing problems are known as triggers. Avoiding these triggers is the best way to control Allergies and Asthma. For example, wearing a dust mask when doing housework or gardening may cut down on exposure to allergy triggers.
Often people only seek medical help after they have had breathing problems for weeks or months. By the time the medicines are started, damage has occurred that takes more time to heal. An accurate diagnosis is important before one can treat and prevent breathing problems.
Medicines are also important in treating breathing problems. Allergy medicines such as antihistamines and decongestants can make it easier for some people to breathe. These medicines can be taken orally or through sprays.
In addition, inhaled steroids may give relief to some people with Chronic allergies, Sinusitis and Asthma. These medicines work to reduce inflammation in the airways. Doctor may advise one to use a spacer device with asthma inhaler. This delivers more medicine to lungs, helping to relieve breathlessness. But there is a fear of dependency and side effects of steroids and other medicines. Astha aid drops is a safe homoeopathic medicine to relieve breathing discomfort and improve resistance to fight recurrences of such attacks. It is a combination made out of well known homoeopathic remedies with their action on airways.
Action of Individual remedies:
Blatta orientalis: It is a remedy for Asthma especially when associated with Allergic Bronchitis. The Asthma is worse at night and the sufferer is unable to sleep because it is impossible to lie down.
Justicia adhatoda: It is a highly effective medicine for acute catarrhal conditions of the respiratory tract like cough with sneezing and paroxysmal cough with suffocative obstruction of respiration.
Senega: Indicated in asthenic Bronchitis of old people with chronic interstitial Nephritis or chronic Emphysema. Old asthmatics with congestive attacks. It helps bronchial and laryngeal catarrh.
Lobelia inflata: It is a remedy for dyspnoea caused by constriction of chest. Also of great use in senile Emphysema & Asthmatic attacks.
Ipecacuanha: It is indicated for coryza, Wheezing cough and incessant violent cough with heavy breathing. Hoarseness, especially at end of a cold.
Grindelia robusta: An efficacious remedy for wheezing and oppression in bronchitic patients. Useful in Bronchorrhœa, with tough, whitish, mucous expectoration.
Magnesium phos.: It is indicated for spasmodic, whooping cough &Asthmatic oppression of chest.
