Tuesday 20 January 2015

Homeopathy for Asthma by Dr. Shivani Verma MD

Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of airways which is characterized by increased responsiveness of tracheobronchial tree against multiple stimuli.There occur episodes attacks of marked narrowing of the air passage which is clinically manifested as
  • Dysnoea -shortness of breath or breathlessness
  • Wheezing- whistling sound made while breathing.
  • Cough


Most of the attacks are self limiting, patient becomes asymptomatic after the attack.however sometimes acute attack may persist for long and then it is known as status asthmaticus.


Asthma is of two types.


Allergic Asthma/Extrinsic Asthma: This occurs in young, patient has other
 symptoms of allergy in form of flowing nose, nasal discharge (rhinitis), skin eruptions etc
the precipitating causes of allergic asthma are allergens like dust and pollen grains.

Intrinsic asthma/Idiosyncratic asthma: It is present in patients, usually more than thirty years of age. The precipitating causes are: 


Stress, exercise, infection and drugs


Signs and Symptoms: 

The patient presents with Breathlessness, wheezing, chest tightness and coughing. The cough is mostly dry but it may be productive in some patients.


Patho physiology of asthma 

Asthma is thought to be caused by a combination genetic and environmental factors. There occur inflammatory change s in the lungs which leads to


  • Oedema.
  • Formation
  • Hyperplasia of mucosal of lungs 
  • Excessive constriction of the tract

Investigation of asthma


Blood test (TLC, DLC, Hemoglobin, ESR) Mostly normal but sometimes eosinophil  count increase.

 X-ray- X-ray is normal between the attacks but during the attack there may be indication of hyper inflated  lungs.

 Spirometry- Confirmation of asthma is done by spirometry. 

Sputum examination- In case of asthma there are charcoat Layden Crystals and Crushman's spirals are present in asthma.

Homeopathic treatment 

So what homeopathic medicines are available to treat asthma? Asthma like any other condition can be treated with homeopathy at various levels.

Blatta orientalis 

Interestingly, asthma sufferers who benefit from this remedy may complain that their condition is worse in mouldy, damp environments. There may also be an allergy or sensitivity to moulds, mildew and rotting leaves. This group of people comment that exertion and ascending tend to aggravate their symptoms although this can be a general finding in asthma. 


Ipecacuanha

If asthma is associated with nausea and/or vomiting then Ipecacuanha could be indicated. In terms of homeopathy Ipecac patients present with a constant cough with gagging and vomiting. The chest may rattle and the patient complains that the symptoms are worse in warm humid weather and that heat generally makes her feel worse. She therefore may prefer sitting up by an open window to get some air. The hands and feet are cold and perspire profusely. Ipecac is recognised as a remedy for childhood asthmatic crisis. Prompt medical intervention is obviously indicated well before a child reaches this stage of illness.

Lobelia inflata 

Lobelia inflata (Indian tobacco) derives from a common American plant, which has small blue flowers and inflated capsules. The “inflation” of the capsules could serve as a symbol of the type of asthma that this remedy helps.

Antimonium tartaricum 

Sambucus nigra 

Natrum sulphuricum 

Medorrhinum 

This can be very valuable in the treatment of childhood asthma, particularly where asthma and eczema may also be combined. The shortness of breath is reputed to be better when the child kneels on the bed curled up with the chest touching the knees (knee-chest position). Wet weather makes the asthma worse but being at the seaside improves it.

Tuberculinum 

This is a useful remedy for asthma sufferers as it helps build up the immune system to try to prevent recurrent colds and chest infections which may precipitate asthma attacks.
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