Asthma treatment medications may not be worth the side effects

As with most conventional drugs, when one truly considers the side-effects that the drugs may have, it makes one wonder if they are even worth being prescribed and used both by the medical fraternity and vulnerable patients. For asthma treatment, this is no exception. Having suffered from asthma personally from the age of 7 (well, that’s the first time I remember having an attack) to about 7 years ago, I can say first hand that I strongly think most asthma medications just may not be worth the use. The first time I was told “Hey, there is no cure for asthma”, I remember thinking as a child: “What, do you mean to tell me if someone playfully pats me on the back, or if I laugh hard at something, I’d have to always be scared of an asthma attack?” Thank God…they were wrong. Asthma is indeed curable and with inexpensive and common-sense methods at that. Moreover, when one discovers how, one actually may view most common asthma medications as laughable propaganda hyped up to make a buck at the vulnerable and desperate sufferers of this respiratory disease. Now friends, Ventolin as an inhaler or oral medication, is arguably the most prescribed from of medication for asthma control. However, studies have indicated that this drug might actually cause more harm than good in regards to asthma treatment. Since no two humans are alike, symptoms of these side effects do vary from patient to patient, nonetheless here are some of the side effects as revealed by research in writing this article and perhaps it may steer the applicable to consider other ways of coping with this respiratory disorder naturally. The side effects of this popular drug include: 1. Shaking, usually of the hands (tremor) 2. Nervous tension 3. Headache 4. Faster than normal heart beat (tachycardia) 5. Awareness of your heart beat (heart palpitations) 6. Muscle cramps 7. Low blood potassium level (hypokalaemia) 8. Unexpected narrowing of the airways (paradoxical bronchospasm) The side effects listed above may not include all of the ones reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, you can always look at what the drug manufacturers have indicated on the package itself. At this point, it leaves the question of what alternative treatments of asthma can be used and are there any at all. Indeed there are and although that’s another subject into itself, what worked for me (and is in effect in the "Breath Retaining Program for Asthmatics" developed by the Russian, Dr. Buteyko) was a drastic change in my diet, some mild breathing exercises as akin to Yoga (I picked this physical culture up as a therapeutic means of building fitness after years of having to be indoors) and other common sense methods such as avoiding excessive cold, dust and the like. However, the last steps are more of preventive measures more than anything. Breathing is the very essence of living, asthma need not be a barrier any longer in your existence and you need not use side-effect laden drugs at that to curb it. There are successful methods of treating your asthma out there. Since they worked for me and several others who have used them, chances are they can work for you. Here’s to breathing freer.

Bitter melon as diabetes treatment

Bitter melon or Momordica Charantia is a vegetable which grows in tropical areas like East Africa, Asia, South Africa, and the Caribbean. This vegetable is rich in iron, beta carotene, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and other dietary fibers. In many countries, it is also used as an herbal medicine due to its properties that help improve insulin production. Clinical studies show that bitter melon increases the production of beta cells in the pancreas which leads to improvement in the insulin production of the body. It is also believed to be beneficial for the liver and can act as an anti-tumor agent. Because of its health benefits, bitter melon is used by many as an alternative treatment for diabetes. Diabetes is a disease that is characterized by the presence of high levels of blood glucose and by the secretion of excess glucose in the urine. This ailment develops because of relatively low levels of insulin which leads to irregular carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. Diabetic persons feel hungry and thirsty most of the time. In addition, these people get easily tired physically and mentally. They may also suffer from constipation, excessive itchiness around the genital area, and general weakness. Other body parts that are affected by diabetes are the heart, kidney, eyes, blood vessels, and the nerves. In addition to these health effects, diabetes is one of the major causes of erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence among men. Diabetes causes impotence because it alters the body systems such as the circulatory, nervous, and the endocrine system. The organs in these systems all work in harmony to let blood flow into the penis so erection can take place. Higher levels of glucose caused by diabetes damages the blood vessels and the nervesplications in the state of blood vessels may hamper the flow of blood to the penis, hampering erection. In addition, a number of medical studies show that diabetic persons are more likely to have low testosterone levels. Testosterone is a hormone that is responsible enhanced libido, energy, and other reproductive health concerns. Men with type 1 diabetes are more likely to become impotent once they reach 40 years of age. Many health experts are recommending the use of alternative medicines like better melons for diabetic management. Many studies show that bitter melon is able to reduce the blood sugar levels in the body. Charantin, polypeptide P, and oleonolic acid glcosides are some of the ingredients of bitter melon that are essential in diabetes treatment. Charantin consists of mixtures of natural steroids which are shown to reduce blood sugar levels in the body. Polypeptide P, contains alkaloids that can also promote healthy blood sugar levels. Oleanolic acid glycosides, on the other hand, may prevent the retention of sugar from the intestines. Improvements in these area leads to improved insulin levels in the body Diabetes can be treated with alternative medicine and adjustments in lifestyles. Many health experts advice diabetic persons to include bitter melon in their diet to reduce their intake of anti-diabetic drugs. This alternative healing method, however, should not be regarded as a stand-alone treatment.

Asthma control tips on how to cure your asthma naturally

With over 17 million people in the United States alone suffering from Asthma and consequently seeking some form of asthma control, this respiratory disease has proven to be a very debilitating hindrance to optimal health. Breathing is the very essence of life and for this disease to hinder its natural process, an effective Asthma control will be essential. Characterized by wheezing sounds, tightness in the chest, difficulties breathing and at times cough spells and sore throats, I had my first asthma attack as a kid and up until about 6 years ago had these attacks rather frequently. This made for many sleepless nights (why with reaching for my ventolin inhaler) and boring days locked in doors. This was simply because I didn’t have the cardio-vascular endurance to withstand play coupled with the added fear of allergic reactions to grass, dust or even a friendly pat on the back which could trigger an asthma attack at any time landing me right back in the bed for a week minimum. This (with acne and lethargy) was my state of health for years till I started to take up Yoga, considering its mild, yet very effective abilities to exercise the body without any vigorous demands. I was introduced to Pranayama, the Sanskrit name for Breathing Exercises and was told of the benefits of such techniques as the Bellows Breath for asthma control and was also shown how such simpler Square breathing exercises could be beneficial for curing and preventing asthma along with improving my overall health. The author of the Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga, Swami Vishnu Devananda attested to curing many patients with asthma symptoms by correcting their breathing habits and with the introduction of a proper diet and exercise. Based on my experiences, I will now provide you with similar and up to date information on the tried-and true techniques and methods of attaining successful and permanent asthma control techniques. The first step to keep in mind whenever you are breathing is to make the conscious effort to ensure that it is done deeply. This can only be attained initially by conscious efforts but, with time and practice it becomes a natural process, like it was always intended to be. To gain the most amount of air with minimal effort, ensure that when inhaling, you allow for the dome of the abdomen to have an outward curve. Contrary to popular belief and instructions given by vocal coaches and even some doctors, do not raise the shoulders or stiffen the diaphragm when inhaling as this constricts the inflow of air for the lungs. For a good illustration of natural breathing as described above, simply observe an infant. You would notice a baby always breathes deeply from the abdomen although it is with a seemingly effortless approach. (I guess that is another reason why the great seers and prophets say “to learn from little children eh?” A simple test to establish proper breathing habits will be the following exercises. When executing them, ensure that they are done on an empty stomach and in a place with plenty of fresh air. Also, make sure that you breathe through the nose as often as possible. Asthma Control: Breathing Exercises to Use 1. Inhalation and Exhalation: -Either laying flat on a bed or sitting erect commence to breathing deeply, using a stop-watch or metronome to keep track of the time. The desired ratio here is 1:2. Minimum time for inhalation should be 4 seconds gradually building up to 16. (With the time for exhalation now being 8 seconds gradually building up to 32) consciously perform this exhilarating exercise for several weeks. 2. Inhalation-Retention-Exhalation -When you are properly established in exercise #1 the next stage included is retention. In ancient yogic texts, the required ratio would be 1:4:2 (inhalation, retention and exhalation) The minimum schedule again for this exercise is 4 seconds, gradually building up to a maximum of 16 seconds (inhalation that is) Practice this for several days or weeks till you master it and it becomes second nature. Although, from the indications above, you’d notice that more emphasis is laid on proper breathing over diet as a step for a natural asthma control, do keep in mind that it is advised that you avoid Mucus-Forming foods such as Animal flesh and products, Most Grains, Junk and Processed Foods and even some so-called health-food products like Soy, Yeast, Bragg’s Liquid Aminos and Vinegar. Abstinence from the products above is a must and a fact that has been in effect in several programs aimed at correcting respiratory health such as the "Breath Retaining Program For Asthmatics" developed by the Russian, Dr. Buteyko. Within weeks of adhering to this advice, many chronic asthmatics have been able to give up the use of ventolin inhalers. Replace these items with Fruits, Leafy and Root Vegetables and if desired less harmful whole grains like Brown rice, Quinoa, Amaranth and Millet occasionally. Also make sure to combine your meals properly and not to consume liquids of any kinds while eating so as not to constrict proper movement of the visceral organs that lie underneath the all important diaphragm. In addition, make the effort to avoid the use of microwaves, conventionally grown produce and polluted tap water for your optimal health. Asthma need not be a part of your life anymore; you too can effectively apply these natural asthma control methods with the steps outlined above. So empower yourself for a successful asthma control today with proper breathing and dietetic habits.