Short of breath is a feeling of discomfort of not being able to breath or not getting enough air; states a variety of conditions. It may be physiological hyperventilation while exercising, running, or at high altitudes. It may be due to underlying diseases like- allergies, asthma, anxiety, heart conditions, COPD, cancer, and environmental conditions like air pollution, additional conditions include lifestyle diseases like obesity.
When a patient walks into the clinic complaining about shortness of breath, we consider many conditions leading to it. As mentioned above, we have a long list of causative circumstances. Bronchial asthma is the most common of all.
Definition
According to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), asthma is defined as a heterogeneous disease usually characterized by chronic airway inflammation. It presents with the typical breathing symptoms of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing.
Prevalence
Asthma is prevalent in both developed and developing countries. It is the most common non-communicable disease among children. In India, 5-6% of children & 2% of adults suffer from asthma. It causes a high global burden leading to 1000 deaths daily across the globe.
Causative factors
It is divided mainly into 2 groups: The inducing Factor & triggering Factor.
A) Inducing Factors- Genetic Susceptibility plays an important role in the genesis of asthma. The inducing factors are- tobacco smoking, maternal smoking during pregnancy or infancy, RSV infections, and exposure to allergens at high concentrations in young children. A high Body Mass Index also predisposes to development of asthma.
B) Trigger factors- There is a wide range of triggering factors, the commonest being- inhaled allergens like house dust mites, weather, pollution mostly due to vehicle smokes, drug-induced like Aspirin sensitive cases, food allergens like egg, milk, wheat, yellow coloring agent tartrazine, seafood items, etc., exercise-induced asthma; psychological factors like stress, anxiety; Occupational hazard & GERD(Gastro-esophageal Reflux)
Treatment – the homeopathic way
In Modern medicine- treatment mainly comprises of bronchodilators, steroids, and anti-allergics, sometimes oral, sometimes inhalers. But when it comes to Homeopathy, we start with a holistic approach, considering all the symptoms in general. There are no less than 250 medicines according to Kent Repertory indicated for difficult respiration and more than 140 medicines under the asthmatic breathing exclusively. To choose the correct one, we need to have a proper case study and get the necessary tests done if required. The most commonly used medicines are- Arsenic, Kali ars, Bromium, Antim tart, Blatta, Lachesis, lobelia,Sambuccus etc. We choose the medicines considering each and every symptom of an individual and try to root out the cause to give our patients a long-lasting relief. With our clinical experience, respiratory exercise like Pranayams and remaining active with healthy lifestyle, have helped many along with our treatment to recover fully, unlike the belief that asthma is forever. With the homeopathic treatment, the right way, the acute attacks are minimalized with less severity in further exposures.
So next time, short of breath? Don’t panic. First of all, whenever feeling breathless, try to relax and slow down on breathing with slow countdowns. Sip on some water slowly. If this is repetitive, do visit your doctor, preferably a homeopath first.
BOOK REFERENCES
- API Medicine- 12th Edition
- Kent’s Repertory
