Where's the cure for Asthma?
Having had asthma for 30 years I'm wondering if any progress is being made on a cure, or if there is even any idea what causes it to begin with? Is it a lack of funding that causes neglect in research or is it really that complicated of a disease?
Answer:
It really is that complicated of a disease. Asthma primarily affects the smaller airways of the lungs - way down deep and very narrow. There is currently no cure, but there is a lot of money being spent on researching the causes, possible cures, and other treatments; in fact, better and better treatments are coming out all the time.
There are several theories on the base causes of asthma, but what is known for sure is that the airways of an asthmatic are more sensitive than those of people without asthma. Some people are triggered by things they're allergic to (ragweed, peanut butter, cats, etc), but others just seem to respond to everything (cold air, exercise, stress, and so forth).
It's all part of an immune system reaction, and it's very difficult to suppress one particular part of it (the airway constriction) without suppressing other parts of it (like fighting germs).
The hypersensitive tissue gets damaged over time with repeated attacks and inflammation. It does heal, but it often doesn't heal back the way it was before it got damaged - it's like developing a scar. The scar tissue might cover the area and protect it from germs, but it's not the same as the original. We call this "airway remodeling" and we haven't figured out how to fix it. Some peole are trying to remove the damaged tissue, but when you remove a scar what grows in its place? Another scar, unless healthy tissue is grafted instead. The small airways of the lungs are *incredibly* small; smaller than the diameter of a sewing needle. How would one perform a graft - or most any other procedure - in that small a space?
As airway remodeling progresses, so does the disease. The lungs become less capable of expanding and contracting, and the patient experiences more symptoms.
It's much better to prevent the airway damage to begin with; this is why it's important for every asthmatic to work with a pulmonologist or another CERTIFIED asthma specialist. The family doctor might be able to prescribe meds, but they aren't experts in every area. A pulmonologist will do more than throw some Albuterol at an asthmatic; they will classify the severity of an individual's condition and perform tests to establish a person's baseline lung function. They will prescribe a medication regimen and then follow up and tweak it until a combination is found that effectively controls a person's symptoms. She will teach the patient how to test and track their progress to a degree that they will be able to tell that an attack is coming before they feel any symptoms, and will work out a "rescue" medication plan if things start to go bad.
Sorry for the lecture; this happens to be an area of specialty for me. I'll step away from the lectern now. :)
Just got a shot and now I'm sick?
the problem is that the cure involves something that cant be done-filtering out all pollens and other irritants from the outdoor environment-as long as plants/weeds bloom,as long as animals exist,someone will be allergic to them and suffer asthma as a result.also,environmental pollution is responsible for an increase in asthma,at all ages and social groups,in recent years.another factor is the rising tide of obesity in all developed countries-not every asthmatic is overweight or obese,some are thin,but statistically,the higher the persons weight,the more at risk they are to sleep apnea at night,and asthma upon exertion.asthma is on the rise for another,very odd reason-cleanliness.50 years ago or more,kids had more rough and tumble outdoor play and thus more exposure to outdoor allergens.today,after sitting all day at school,they come home to an indoor environment sitting at computers.-less exposure to the outdoors,plus use of highly effective antibacterial hansoaps and the like,provides sanitation far more effective than that of decades past.one negative effect is that exposure to various allergens has been kept lower than in ages past,so the body over-reacts to things that werent such potent triggers years ago.the result-more asthma,more allergies in children.if u are old enough,u may remember a time when peanut butter was served once a week for school lunch,and maybe one or two kids in a class were allergic.now,most schools can no longer serve pbj,because peanut allergies have not only risen,but increased to the point where it can give anaphalactic shock and death.for many complex reasons,asthma,like allergies,is posing an increased threat nowadays.
please help me!.. Rh-Disease!?
There is no cure, it's the body that corrects itself with the proper nutritional tools. See asthma here http://www.glycostory.com/mannalive... and listen to my story and see if you relate.
there is no cure for asthma. The only thing you can do is to avoid staying in somewhere full of dust, stay near the factory or something just make sure the air you breath in is clean. always take along your medcine.