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RESPIRATORY

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There are 3 main types of respiratory allergies:

ALLERGIC RHINITIS

This is an over sensitivity of the mucous membranes inside the nose to outside substances. There is an excess release of Histamine from these tissues causing an inflammatory reaction and eventually results in a runny/stuffy nose, itching, sneezing, headaches, and possibly irritatation of the eyes with redness and swelling.The allergens are airborne and include pollens, dust, chemicals released into the air and dander.

ASTHMA

Definition of asthma: an involuntary narrowing of the bronchi( airways that lead to the lungs) in an individual whose body over-reacts to certain irritants. Basically the involuntary muscles around the bronchi contract, the lining of the tubes becomes inflamed and excessive mucus develops , thus narrowing the airways making breathing difficult. Over 5 million people in the UK are under treatment for asthma that is about 1 in 12 of the population (according to Asthma UK)
Symptoms:
sporadic attacks of shortness of breath
wheezing
coughing
tight feeling over chest.
In severe cases the skin can turn blue, the patient may gasp for breath, find it impossible to talk and become restless and confused. 
Cause:
Asthma appears to be a genetic disease (passed on from parents); in many cases the relevant genes lie dormant in the parents and become active in offspring.
Triggers:
no two asthmatics are identical and the triggers vary from patient to patient:
physical exersion,
smoke,
air pollution,
cold temperatures,
pollens,
anxiety,
smoking,
dustmite,
chemical fumes,
different types of food,
medicinal drugs,
Orthodox treatment: 
Relievers,
-Beta-2 agonists, such as Ventolin and Bricanylwhich which act for a short period of time, and Serevent used for longer time periods, which are inhaled and generally act quickly to relax the bronchial muscles around the bronchioles, 
-Anticholinergics, such as Atrovent, are drugs which reduce the nerve stimulation to the bronchiole muscles, and thus decreasing the effects of an asthma attack,
-Theophyllines, such as Sio-phyllin, 
Preventers, 
-Corticosteroids, such as Filxotide and Prednisolone, are usually inhaled and have a rapid anti inflammatory effect on the bronchioles,
-Cromones, such as Intal and Tilade, are inhaled and have a strong anti-inflammatory effect and are particularly effective in children,
-Leukotriene receptor antagonists, such as Accolate, which help block the release of leukotienes ( substances released by the lungs in asthmatics which cause inflammation and brocho-spasm). 
Other drugs,
-Omalizumab (Xolair) is often used as an extra form of medication when allergens trigger attacks, it acts to block the excessive activity of the body’s antibodies when stimulated by an external substance.
Bronchial Thermoplasty, where a wire probe is inserted into the lungs to heat the tissues lining the lungs to 65 degrees Celsius using bursts of radio waves destroying some of the muscle tissue which over reacts during an asthma attack. This is a new procedure being pioneered by Dr.Rob Niven at the University Hospital of South manchester.
Homeopathy is often used in a support role in the treatment of asthma. Positive outcomes have been found in a number of clinical trials:eg.”Homeopathic Treatment for Chronic Disease: A 6-Year, University-Hospital Outpatient Observational Study” in 2005 at
Bristol Homeopathic Hospital; Dutch researchers, none of whom were homeopaths, published a review of 107 studies in the British Medical Journal (February 9, 1991), 81 of which showed that the homeopathic medicines worked; a randomized trial in Cuba in the treatment of bronchial asthma showed a 97% improvement with homeopathic remedies.
Patients coming to our clinic suffering with asthma are tested to see if there are any underlying bidily malfunctions as well as tested for various airborne substances which include different types of pollen, chemicals dander etc.
The treatment consists of various combinations of homeopathic remedies, lists of allergens, desensitising tablets and dietary advice.

ALLERGIC SINUSITIS

The paranasal sinuses are air-filled cavities in the front of the skull:
– frontal sinuses are above the eyes
– the ethmoid sinuses are between the eyes
– the maxillary sinuses are located under the eyes
– the sphenoid sinuses are at the base of the skull.
The symptoms are congestion, facial pain, headaches, mucus in throat, nose bleeds and nasal polypsThe triggers are any airborne substance like pollens and dust.

HOMEOPATHY AND RESPIRATORY ALLERGIES

As homeopaths we look at the patient as a whole and treat the underlyng sensitivities and prescribe remedies and desensitising tablets.