In recent years, asthma has become a significant health problem worldwide; each year sees a further increase in the number of people affected. Although it is treatable, that is no consolation to the millions of sufferers worldwide who have trouble breathing when they have an asthma attack. It is a respiratory condition that affects people on a daily basis and is serious enough to cause death if not dealt with in time.

Assessing and monitoring the condition is the first important step towards treating the condition for any asthma sufferer. The medical treatment given to patients will depend on the severity of their condition and will be one of three areas which are:

<ul> <li>Preventative medications</li> <li>Relief medication for minor attacks</li> <li>Providing treatment for when serious attacks occur</li> </ul> One form of relief for all patients is called a Bronchodilator which is designed only for less serious attacks; many asthmatics will only ever need this form of medication.

Other medication is available for patients who have mild but frequent attacks like a mastcell stabilizer or leukotriene modifier. Oral glucocorticoids will have to be used for the unfortunate asthma patients who have serious and severe attacks. In all cases they will all still use a standard reliever as well. The asthmatics themselves must also recognize just what situations or conditions trigger their attacks then they will be able to avoid those situations. This particular respiratory problem has become to be recognized as a condition that is most associated with poor air quality and the reason why city dwellers are more likely to suffer.

While the medications can sometimes help control the symptoms, they are often a temporary measure and do not address the root cause; serious side effects can be caused by long term use of medication and the stronger the treatment, the worse the problems can be, for example:

<ul> <li>Constantly fatigued</li> <li>Feeling dizzy</li> <li>Loss of interest in sex</li> <li>Feelings of sadness</li> <li>Damage to the liver and sometimes other organs</li> </ul> More and more patients who suffer with a respiratory condition are choosing natural medicines that address the root cause, over pharmaceutical drugs that trick the body's immune response system. The task is to strengthen the weak body systems then soothe and calm the hyperactive systems; this is done by substances called catalysts. By using natural medication, the side-effects are eliminated because they contain natural catalysts to soothe the body and restore it to a calm state.

Breathing techniques such as pranayam, buteyko and yoga practices are also helpful to asthma sufferers as they naturally help the breathing and the general well-being of patients. A good nutritional diet will help boost the immune system and natural therapies will not leave large amounts of drugs in your system. The main focus however, should be on the asthma patient learning to control their own condition.