Doctors have seen an alarming increase in the number of people suffering from asthma. Since the early 1980's, deaths from asthma among Canadians aged between 10 and 34 have more than doubled. While asthma usually appears in childhood, it can also strike adults who have never before experienced asthma symptoms. Although children sometimes outgrow asthma of their early years, the affliction can return in later life.

Between asthma attacks, the asthmatic normally seems to be healthy. An asthma attack is characterized by the narrowing of the airways leading to the lungs resulting in wheezing, coughing and difficulty in breathing. The process begins when antibodies in the nose and throat cells sense a foreign agent. The body's immune system responds by releasing chemicals that constrict the airways to keep the foreign agent out of the body; and it is the release of these chemicals that triggers the asthma attack. Some of the chemicals act immediately by constricting the airway muscles; others take up to six hours to produce an allergic reaction. This "postponed reaction" is what doctors term a late-phrase inflammatory response. In other cases, the person may experience a second attack long after the first one has passed.

Various allergic and environmental agents that can trigger an asthma attack include dust, tobacco smoke, diesel, fumes, air pollution, pollen, feathers, perfumes, chemicals, textiles such as cotton and flax, and detergents. Household pet dander, which is dried saliva and skin particles, can also be a potent allergen. In addition, about 20% of asthma cases are those who work with industrial chemicals, wood dust or vanishes.

Indoor air pollution may play a larger role in the spread of asthma since wall to wall carpeting and home humidifiers create an environment for asthmatics' worst enemies - dust mites, microscopic spider-like creatures that live in mattresses, pillows, sofas and carpets where they feed off particles of dead skin shed by humans. They do not bite or transmit disease but their droppings contain a potent allergen, and if inhaled by an asthmatic, can trigger an asthma attack. Experts urge asthmatics to enclose mattresses permanently, box springs and pillows in plastic bags to deprive the dust mites of food, thus reducing the chances of asthma attacks.

Experts are still not sure why more and more people are afflicted with asthma. Some scientists believe that children of mothers who smoke are at greater risk of developing asthma. Surveys show that more young women are smoking. Research shows that overuse of a family of adrenaline-like drugs called beta-agonists can create more problems for the asthmatic. While these drugs are highly effective at stopping wheezing attacks, if used too often, they can cause the patient to develop a tolerance to these drugs that can trigger more serious attacks later on.

Asthma is inherited in about 60% of the cases. About 60% of asthmatics suffer from allergies that trigger asthma attacks. In non-allergic asthmatics, attacks can be triggered by cold air or exercise.

For millions of people afflicted with asthma, the simple act of breathing can be a constant struggle. Many respiratory problems, including asthma, that have defied conventional medicine have been effectively treated through methods in alternative medicine such as diet and nutrition, herbal medicine and hydrotherapy.

The advantages of using natural methods to treat asthma is obvious. Injected or taken as tablets, steroids such as prednisone can produce adverse side effects including muscle weakness, peptic ulcers, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, menstrual irregularities, headaches, dizziness and glaucoma. These drugs can also stunt growth in children and help manifest latent diabetes.

When treating asthma, the alternative physician can recommend changes to the patient's diet to strengthen their immune system. This is accomplished by eliminating allergens in their diets, correcting digestive problems, and establishing the proper balance of essential fatty acids. The physician also advises their patients to eat a variety of foods and avoid artificial colorings and flavorings, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, sugar and preservatives.

In addition to eliminating these allergens, the patient can add nutritional supplements to their diets such as vitamins C, B6, B12, niacinamide, and magnesium chloride. For patients with acute asthma, some doctors recommend an intravenous injection of these same vitamins and minerals. Bee pollen has also proved useful for some asthmatics affected by airborne allergens. Asthma due to high stress can also be relieved by adding half a teaspoon each of sea salt and baking soda to a sweet drink or juice.

There are several herbal remedies which can be taken in the form of teas or tinctures. Among these are ephedra (in its natural rather than concentrated form), a highly effective "bronchodilator", especially when combined with thyme, which acts as an antispasmodic.

Mullein tea is especially good for night attacks since it soothes the mucous membranes. It can be combined with marshmallow and slippery elm for an additional mucous-secreting effect. Passion flower tea or tincture can also be effective in treating asthma caused by stress. Other valuable remedies include licorice root, Indian tobacco, skunk cabbage, green tea, onions and garlic.

Hydrotherapy has also proven to be an effective method for treating asthma. Methods such as hot fomentations to the chest, hot foot baths, sauna or steam baths, and hydrogen peroxide baths are especially helpful to those suffering from acute attacks.

These therapies should only be provided by a qualified health professional. Self-diagnosis is not encouraged because several factors must be taken into consideration before administering these therapies.