TREATMENTS FOR ASTHMA

Asthma is a disease in which attacks of laboured breathing are associated with spasms of the bronchial muscles and congestion and swelling of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes. The precipitating causes may be a cold, hay fever, the inhaling of dust or pollens from trees or flowers, or the odours from animals such as horse, cow, cat or dog. Over-eating or the use of certain foods or chemicals may bring on an attack. Sudden fright or emotional disturbance may also trigger one. A single asthma attack may last for hours at a time, or it may return each night for several nights in succession. The patient is compelled to sit up in order to breathe. The chest and all the muscles of respiration vibrate violently. With each expiration there is a peculiar wheezing round. The face becomes pale and drawn. The hands and the feet may be cold. The cough is very tight and dry. And the expectorations are scanty, composed of tenacious mucus. After a number of hours the patient may sink to sleep exhausted or the attack may gradually abate.
ASTHMA TREATMENT GUIDELINES: The treatment of asthma consists of first trying to determine the cause. Emotional upsets often initiate the attack. If it comes only at certain seasons of the year, it may be due to pollens from trees or flowers. If it comes with a cold, the causative factor could be sensitivity to the bacteria.
If it comes when certain foods are taken, they may be the cause of the attack. Fish, eggs, and certain fruits are frequently the cause. Being around a dog, cat or a horse may start the patient wheezing. Careful observation is necessary to detect the specific factor in each individual case. Should one or more of the above items seem to be cause, a vaccine can be made and the person be vaccinated against it. This can be prepared in any good bacteriology laboratory.
For treatment of asthma attack measures must be taken that will give immediate relief. In severe cases adrenalin (epinephrine) can be administered by a physician.
Adrenalin may also be given by a spray in the nose. This is a very good way of administering it, for it does not require the preparation of a hypodermic needle nor the help of some one, other than the patient.
A drug closely related to adrenalin is ephedrine. This can be taken by mouth and the asthmatic can have this on hand for attacks. These drugs relieve the laboured breathing by relaxing the muscles at the neck of the air sacs.
Another important thing that can be done is to liquefy the mucus in the lungs. This mucus can become very tenacious and as elastic as rubber, which makes it difficult to cough up. The best medicine for asthma, is potassium iodide. Ten drops of a saturated solution are taken three times a day. It is bitter and should be swallowed with water or juices.
A third medication is also helpful, drugs known as anti-histamines. There are a score or more different ones. Some will find one more effective and others another; so one should experiment and choose the one that is best for him. The common ones anthisan, avil, pyribenzamine, benadryl.
The nervousness which often accompanies an attack of asthma makes the disease worse. To counteract this, 15mg of phenobarbital can be given three times a day. Do not give a great deal of relief and will often abort the asthma attacks. The potassium iodide and antihistamines should be taken regularly during the time one has the trouble, and should be continued after the attack is gone as they may keep one from having a further attack . .