Diagnosing severe asthma - how it works
People with asthma may have persistent symptoms and attacks, but this does not necessarily mean that they have severe asthma. Uncontrolled asthma - one that does not respond favorably to individually selected therapy, is often determined by the frequency of symptoms, among which are: [ref. 1]
- Asthma symptoms during the day (e.g. shortness of breath, chest tightness, cough) more than twice a week
- Waking up at night with asthma symptoms more than twice a month
- Using medications to quickly relieve symptoms more than twice a week
- Limiting activity due to asthma
Uncontrolled asthma is characterized by an absence or partial response to the optimal, even maximum, therapy recommended according to guidelines for a given patient.
Having three or more of these symptoms puts people with asthma in the category of uncontrolled asthma. These people could better control their symptoms and live more peacefully by working with their pulmonologist to discuss any medication problems, determine the causes of asthma, and find the best treatment. Together, they should develop a plan to limit or avoid triggering factors and adjust the asthma treatment plan for a better end result.
What causes severe asthma?
There are several factors that can cause severe asthma, but research has yet to establish exactly why some people develop it and others don't. Severe asthma is more likely to develop in people with established asthma who are older, have impaired lung function, but this is not always the case. Sometimes asthma becomes more severe after respiratory infection.
Symptoms of severe asthma - more about the condition
Patients with severe asthma use the highest dose of doctor-prescribed inhaled corticosteroid plus a second controller (a type of medication) and/or oral corticosteroids. [Ref. 2] However, there is a risk that even with the use of high doses of drugs, reducing risks and following the treatment plan, this will not lead to improvement.
Severe asthma is categorized into three types: allergic asthma, eosinophilic asthma, and noneosinophilic asthma.
Asthma symptoms occur when not enough air enters and leaves the lungs, and excess mucus is produced. The symptoms of severe asthma are permanent. Often similar symptoms occur at least once a day. Here they are:
- Constant shortness of breath
- Feeling of heaviness or tightness in the chest
- Wheezing
- Continuous cough
- Difficulty pronouncing whole sentences
- Constant panting, performing usual tasks
- Common allergic reactions to pollen and mites
- Highly sensitive reaction to factors such as emotions, sports, cold air, colds/flu
- Extreme sensitivity to strong aromas and odors, chemicals and more
Herbal remedies to relieve the symptoms of severe asthma
Before we introduce you to these funds, it is important to clarify some things. First of all, the use of herbs in severe asthma can carry risks. Always follow your asthma treatment plan and discuss any changes to the plan with your doctor.
Before you start taking herbal supplements, keep in mind that:
- There is no definitive evidence for any herbal remedy to support its efficacy in improving asthma symptoms or lung function. There have been studies done on animals, but that doesn't mean it will work the same way in humans.
- Some herbs can affect traditional asthma medications and cause complications.
- The herbs in herbal supplements can cause allergic reactions, and children may react differently to them.
However, if there are no contraindications and you want to try herbal remedies, here are the recommended ones.
Turmeric
Turmeric (Curcuma) can help with arthritis and even has an anti-cancer effect. [Ref. 3] In relation to asthma, one study followed 77 participants with mild to moderate asthma who took curcumin capsules for 30 days. [ref. 4]
Researchers found that the supplement helps reduce airway obstruction and may be a useful adjunct treatment for asthma. Keep in mind that this is just a small study, and more research is needed to determine the benefits and risks.
Ginseng and garlic
Ginseng and garlic are common natural remedies and come in various forms of supplements.
Ginseng is a plant from Asia that some people claim has many health benefits, including improved respiratory conditions. Garlic is also believed to have significant health benefits, such as reducing cholesterol and blood pressure.
A small study done on rats linked the use of ginseng and garlic to a reduction in asthma symptoms. [ref. 5] However, one study is not sufficient to draw a definite conclusion.
Combinations of Chinese herbs
Over the past few decades, researchers have analyzed the effectiveness of herbal combinations of traditional Chinese medicine for asthma.
The combination, called anti-asthmatic herbal medical intervention (ASHMI), is one of them. This mixture includes lingzhi (mushroom), gan cao (licorice root) and ku shen (sophora root). Some claim that this combination of herbs can reduce airway constriction and inflammation and keep cortisol levels high, unlike steroid medications. [ref. 6]
There are other combinations of Chinese herbs that may be useful in treating asthma, such as the modified Mai Men Dong Tang. A study of 100 participants with mild to moderate asthma noted that this herbal combination improved symptoms without side effects. All participants used traditional asthma medications during the study in combination with the herbs. [ref. 7]
