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Archive for the 'Respiratory' Category

Aloe vera and Asthma

September 13th, 2008 by admin

Asthma is a highly prevalent condition that affects one in four people on average. Its symptoms can be triggered by many factors, such as allergies, emotions or stress. Asthma attacks are usually treated with prescription medications such as Albuterol and other corticoids.

This disease leads people to change their way of life to avoid or reduce attacks, but complete avoidance of stress, dust or allergens is virtually impossible to achieve 100% of the time. Even though asthma is not curable, the good news is that some children grow out of it. But those that don’t are usually on the hunt for anything that can help.

Many profesionals take very seriously the help coming from certain natural products. For example, studies found that 57% of the asthmatics find more relief from a combination of conventional and natural treatments, than prescription medicines alone. Aloe vera is one of the natural treatments being used. In fact, there are published studies on the benefits of aloe vera for asthma, and this relationship has been known since 1951, and more recent studies shed more light on this issue.

Aloe vera is rich in natural steroids and other compounds with the ability to reduce or even block inflammation. Moreover, studies done in Japan in the eighties showed that some compounds present in aloe vera leaves seem to help in the removal of particles that trigger asthma attacks. Since Aloe vera has only been shown to be beneficial as a preventive measure, it should not be used to treat an ongoing asthma attack. Asthma patients should still keep their prescribed inhalers nearby for attacks.

Even though it is listed as one of the beneficial effects of aloe vera, some people find the laxative effect of aloe a nuisance and are reluctant to take Aloe vera. A recently launched brand of aloe vera pills, Aloeride® aloe vera capsules, has eliminated the problem completely. This product does not contain the plant compound responsible for the laxative effect. In addition, Aloeride® is pharmaceutical grade, which assures maximum purity and safety. Click here to learn more about Aloeride®.

Category: Allergy, General health, Ethnic medicine, Respiratory, Wellness, Asthma | No Comments »

Scientists explain predisposition to bronchiolitis in babies

October 21st, 2007 by admin

A recent report informs that a great proportion of infants with bronchiolitis have an inherent predisposition.

Bronchiolitis is the most common acute wheezing disease in infants and is a frequent reason of admission to hospital during the first year of life in developed countries. Moreover, about 10% of these patients need respiratory support.

Bronchiolitis usually develops in babies undergoing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Although in most cases infection with RSV produce mild symptoms like cough and wheeze, some can develop potentially life-threatening bronchiolitis. Although premature babies are more susceptible to this condition, the majority of hospitalized infants were otherwise healthy. The study made by University of Liverpool researchers found that these babies that got the severe manifestation but were previously healthy have a different immune response to the ones with mild symptoms. The study, with about 200 babies recorded during 5 years found that those having severe bronchiolitis had lower levels of interferon-gamma and P-substance in their airway secretions. Gamma interferon is made in the body in response to viral infections. P substance is less known but is believed to be involved in the inflammatory process.

Study members said that the work helps to understand the relationship between chest problems in childhood with the occurrence of bronchiolitis in infancy. This study shows that the predisposition to bronchiolitis is related to the capacity to fight viruses. Since the RSV is the most common respiratory virus around, it is the most lilely to be caught by babies with reduced ability to fight infections. The investigators conclude that the relation between bronchiolitis in babies and chest propensity in childhood is due to a common immune predisposition and is likely to have genetic basis.

Category: Baby Care, Medicine, Children, Respiratory | No Comments »

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