There are currently more than 5 million people in the UK living with asthma and 400,000 of those are Scottish. Research by the Global Initiative for Asthma (Gina) published last month revealed that one in nine Scots children finds it difficult to breathe, higher even than any other part of the UK.

These are some of the findings of a report on the global burden of asthma by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), which discusses the need to reassess current asthma management in the UK. The report revealed that Scotland is worst affected with more than 18% of people experiencing symptoms. Although the statistics are shocking, experts at the National Asthma Campaign say that these results are not new and support the Campaign's own findings.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition. This is caused by reversible narrowing of the air passages of the lungs due to varying spasms, swelling of the mucus membranes, and excessive secretion of thick sticky mucus.

When someone suffering from asthma inhales, everything is normal - but only partial breathing out occurs because the lining of the lung wall has become too tight. Asthma sufferers may experience severe wheezing and breathlessness. They usually need an inhaler to relax the lung wall.

There are two types of asthma - intrinsic (inside) and extrinsic (outside). Extrinsic asthma is mostly confined to children, particularly boys. The children usually develop a hypersensitivity to house dust, mites, animal dander and pollen. In most cases, the condition dissipates as they get older. Of adult asthma sufferers, only about 10% to 20 % suffer from extrinsic asthma. The majority suffers from intrinsic asthma. Their symptoms are triggered by emotional states, cigarette smoke, a respiratory infection or a general pre-disposition to allergic reactions.

Natural Cures For Asthma

They have an interesting approach to asthma in the Far East. They believe the lung lining has become too relaxed - so rather than further relaxing it with inhalers, they tighten it with herbs. Medical experts over there believe that asthma is due to the kidneys working too hard and over-consuming fluid. The kidney energy feeds the lung energy and if it is depleted the lung energy becomes exhausted resulting in lung disorders. Ginger tea is one of their favorite remedies because it tightens the bronchial tubes.

Western doctors usually prescribe a bronchial dilatory inhaler. In cases of severe attacks, they will prescribe steroidal inhalers. These have a number of side effects. I have had fantastic results with asthmatics by changing their diet and giving them two supplements - magnesium and bromelain. If you are an asthmatic, you must avoid all mucous forming foods, such as dairy products, chocolate, nuts, shellfish, cakes and sugar.

Magnesium - The Asthma Mineral

Magnesium is used by alternative practitioners to treat a number of conditions including stress, psoriasis and asthma. It has also been used to regulate heart rhythms and is vital to our endocrine and nervous systems. Magnesium is referred to as nature's tranquilliser, due to the calming effect it has on our nervous system. One of the most important pieces of information that we have about this mineral is that most asthmatics are deficient in it. Autopsies carried out on heart attack victims also reveal low levels of magnesium. You can find magnesium easily in foods such as dark green vegetables, dried apricots and nuts. You to be taking magnesium in a food form as found in nature with StarGate Nutrition nutrient material.

Vitamin E

Pregnant women could prevent their children developing asthma and other allergies by eating food which is rich in vitamin E, new research has suggested. Researchers at Aberdeen University in particular Professor Anthony Seaton discovered that children whose mothers had a higher intake of the vitamin in their diet were less sensitive to common allergens like pollen and dust mites. Vitamin E can be found in food sources such as vegetable oils, leafy green vegetables and nuts. You need to be taking natural sources of this vitamin as found in food structured StarGate Nutrition Vitamin.

Bromalain

The is a naturally occurring enzyme that is found in pineapple that breaks down protein. Scientists have found the it has very good anti inflammatory effects it may also clear up mucus in the body that may exacerbate the asthma.

The Buteyko Method

Buteyko, a breath reconditioning system for asthma, was pioneered in the 1950's by a Russian professor, Konstantin Buteyko. He discovered the connection between dysfunctional breathing and more than 200 diseases. Forty years of research produced the Buteyko method which aims to recondition and normalize breathing to create the specific mixture of gases the body requires.

Wendy Haddock, a Buteyko practitioner, and a physiotherapist with 25 years' experience trained in the method after seeing how much benefit her mother got after applying the system. Dr Spence, a Glasgow GP, told the QED science programme that Buteyko had had a major impact on his practice."The simple fact is that 34 patients, prior to Buteyko, were costing £15,000 for their asthma medication," he said. "After Buteyko, they were costing £5,000. That's a reduction of two-thirds in their drugs bill. If this was extended to the rest of the country, very significant savings could be made."

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