Respiratory conditions
Asthma
It is not fully understood as to why asthma occurs in some but not in others. Asthma symptoms vary over time, and also differ from one individual to another. In asthma the airways become irritated and inflamed. As a result, the airways become narrower and produce extra mucus. This makes it more difficult for air to flow into and out of the lungs and causes the symptoms of asthma. Certain precipitating factors may be cause of further narrowing. This narrowing produces a unique wheezing sound during breathing.
common causes of asthma
Irritants – dust, cigarette smoke, fumes and chemicals
Allergies – to pollen, grass, medicines, cats and dogs, etc.
Infections – colds and flu
Exercise – especially in cold, dry air
Emotions – stress
Weather – cold weather
In Unani-Med we look at the diet and stress factors and other Factors
Dietary Suggestions for Asthma
Avoid fried and processed foods
Avoid food such as diary products like cheese which has natural tendency to produce phlegm and mucus
Avoid over eating
Avoid fruits such as banana
Hayfever
Hay fever is an inflammatory response by the sensitive mucus membranes that line the inside of the nasal passages. This response is caused by the body’s sensitivity to the presence of pollen or dust. When your immune system is strong it is able to cope with the billions of particles that float in the air you breathe and surround you at all times. If the immune system is weakened through factors such as over work or poor assimilation of nutrients your body begins to react to environmental stress factors. Efforts to free yourself from the yearly burden of hay fever must combine a regimen that provides symptomatic relief with long term boosting of your immunity to break this pattern of response by the body.
Establishing strong and effective digestion is a key part therefore of ridding yourself of the hay fever blues. This can be done with herbal supplements that boost or normalise digestive action as well as cleanse the digestive tract of accumulated toxins. Dietary choices should also be adjusted to foods that are digested easily and minimize the symptoms that you are experiencing.
Avoid cheese, yoghurt, ice cream milk and sugary foods as these all produce phlegm, which will increase mucus and congestion in your body.
You should avoid hot and cold caffeine drinks, spicy foods, and oily, fried foods.