Asthma is a respiratory disease that's on the rise in this country. Sometimes caused by allergies, Asthma has symptoms including coughing, wheezing, sudden difficulty in breathing, and a tight feeling in the chest. The word asthma comes from the Greek word "azein" meaning to "breathe hard." Current thinking on the treatment of asthma and allergies is shifting. Traditional approaches have been to test the patient for allergic substances, try to remove those substances and then use a variety of steroid and non-steroidal compounds to control the asthmatic symptoms.

According to Dr. Sally E. Wenzel, a specialist in allergic and non-allergic asthma, "In recent years, clinical and scientific knowledge of asthma has evolved from a model of episodic constriction of bronchial smooth muscle to a model which involves chronic airway inflammation. Evidence of inflammation is present at the onset of symptoms in newly diagnosed asthmatic patients. By acquiring a better understanding and appreciation of the inflammatory process, physicians can employ treatments to inhibit specific steps in the process and improve control over asthma and its symptoms."

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In other words, current thinking now suggests that asthmatics have higher levels of inflammation in their bodies. Their immune systems respond by over acting to stimulus due to that inflammation. This over response creates the symptoms we call asthma. In a healthy person, the same stimulus would not create the same symptom pattern. Interestingly, other diseases such as arthritis, food and environmental allergies, MS, diabetes and heart disease show this same excess inflammation pattern.

If you or a family member is exhibiting asthmatic or allergic symptoms, here are some important basics to check before using medication. If the asthma is severe, you may need to try these in conjunction with your medications.