Increased mucous production and swelling of the bronchioles also blocks the tubes and exacerbates the problem.

Triggers for attacks can be external, such as a food allergy, medications, smoke, environmental chemicals, dust, pollen, animal hair or dander.   Internal triggers for asthma can be stress, emotions, exercise, cold air, humidity, dry air, low blood sugar or viral infections.

Asthma attacks usually begin with a dry cough and tightness in he chest.  They can progress to wheezing and laboured breathing.  Some attacks are life threatening.  Anxiety and panic attacks can result from the feelings of suffocation that the asthmatic experiences.

The underlying causes of asthma are not well understood.  Genetics does seem to play a role.  The suppression of eczema with medication can make you more susceptible to asthma in the future.  Candidiasis, low digestive enzymes, low stomach acid and food sensitivities are also thought to be root causes of asthma.

Conventional treatment of asthma involves medications such as inhaled corticosteroids, theophylline and beta-2 agonists.  They treat the symptoms of asthma by reducing spasms and inflammation.  They do not address the root cause of the problem.  Side effects of these medications may include anxiety, mood swings, insomnia, immune suppression and decreased bone density.

Avoidance of all irritating substances is important for prevention of asthma.  Home air purification systems, humidifiers and dehumidifiers can be helpful.  Keep plants that remove pollutants from air.  These types include bamboo palm, Boston fern, dracaena, English ivy, ficus ali, peace lily, rubber plant and spider plant.  Regular moderate exercise and deep breathing practices can decrease hypersensitivity of the airways.   Steam inhalations with thyme or eucalyptus essential oils are antispasmodic and antimicrobial.

For acute attacks place hot apple cider vinegar poultices on the arms until the attack subsides.  For all of you coffee-lovers, caffeine has a dilating effect on the bronchioles and can be of help when consumed at the beginning of an asthma attack.

Dietary approaches to asthma are as follows.  Increase fluid intake to decrease the viscosity of mucous secretions.  Detoxify your body periodically.  A diet high in raw fruits and vegetables provides a good source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.  Onions and garlic are good sources of quercitin and vitamin C.  Flaxseed and fish oils contain essential fatty acids that are anti-inflammatory.

Avoid animal products because they contain inflammatory precursors.  Avoid food colourings and preservatives such as sulphites.  Avoid foods and drugs that contain salicylates including aspirin, white willow bark and the mint family.

The most common food triggers are cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, citrus frits, shellfish, nuts, chocolate, food colourings and preservatives.  If food allergies are a cause of asthma, elimination or rotation diets should be a part of the treatment protocol.  Both methods involve charting the foods you eat and any reactions.  Elimination diets start with a cleansing period to eliminate offending substances.  Then the diet is restricted to mild, non-irritating foods.  Finally the testing period begins when a new food is introduced every third day.  If a food is okay then it can be added to the diet in moderation.  If a food causes a reaction then it is restricted for a period of a few months.  It can then be retried.  Rotation diets limit your food intake to certain food families each day.  It can be used to assess food allergies and is a good method to prevent the return of allergies.

The following list of supplements can be used for preventing and treating asthma.  Adult doses are given.  (CLICK SUPPLEMENT NAME FOR PRODUCTS).