Asthma

Asthma is a chronic (long-term) lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. This can cause wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and trouble breathing, especially early in the morning or at night.

The airways are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. People who have asthma have inflamed airways. This makes the airways swollen and very sensitive. They tend to react strongly to things that you are allergic to or find irritating. When the airways react, the muscles around them tighten. This causes the airways to narrow, and less air flows to your lungs.

Causes of Asthma:

• Environment and air pollution.
• Certain drugs like Aspirin.
• Occupational factors like working with animal skins, chemicals, stone dust etc.
• Infections of the chest or Upper respiratory Tract.
• Exercise and emotional stress.

Physiotherapists are highly skilled at supporting people with asthma by helping them to breathe in a more relaxed way.

Physiotherapists can:

• Recommend Breathing exercises
• Plan Exercise / physical activity
• Explain how to manage wheezing and other symptoms
• Give massages to alleviate Symptoms like breathlessness and wheezing
• Use acupuncture to boost the immune system
• Use method like burning herbs over acupuncture points
• Advice on posture and lifestyle, and activities to avoid
• Give tips on using your inhaler, if you have one
• Help in secretion clearance.

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