Recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing, a dry cough and a feeling of tightness in the chest, which often begins at night. A bad attack causes sweating, rapid heart beat, and extreme gasping for breath which can be fatal. Asthma occurs when the airways in the lungs go into spasm as a result of an allergy, air irritants, lung infection or stress. Severe attacks require professional treatment. The following self help tips can complement professional help.

Prevention

* avoid cigarette smoke and wood-burning fires.

* if you suddenly go out into cold weather, cover your mouth and nose with a scarf.

* remove potential allergens from the indoor environment.

* aspirin can sometimes trigger an attack, so avoid it if you are sensitive.

Treatment

Dietary

* avoid potential food allergens, processed foods and food additives, such as monosodium glutamate (621) and sodium metabisulphite (E223), found in beer and wine and some dried fruits. Avoid the yellow coloring agent tartrazine (Yellow 5; E102).

* studies have shown that following a strict vegetarian diet reduces incidence and severity of asthma.

* studies have shown that people taking 100 mg per day of vitamin B6 noticed a reduction in the frequency and severity of asthma attacks. Vitamin B6 is found in wheatgerm, brewer’s yeast, poultry, fish, cooked dried beans and peas and peanuts.

Aromatherapy

* atlas cedarwood, eucalyptus and peppermint help ease breathing when placed on a tissue and inhaled.

Herbal

* elecampane infusion: add 1 teaspoon of the shredded root to one cup of cold water, let it stand for 10 hours, strain, heat and take hot 3 times daily.

Homeopathy

* If very restless and anxious: Arsenicum album 6c as required.

* Symptoms worse in late evening and night, made worse by cold weather; symptoms come on very suddenly and are accompanied by great anxiety: Aconite 6c as required.

* Symptoms worse between 3 and 5 a.m., aggravated by damp weather: Natrum sulphuricum 6c as required.

* Professional treatment will help to reduce the frequency and severity of the attacks.

Chinese Medicine

* Massage the area between the big toe and the second toe on both feet.

* Massage the top of the foot, spreading the toes apart and loosening the toe ligaments.

Yoga

Do the following sequence of exercises when an attack starts. Try to relax and clear your mind of everything as you do the movements.

* sit on the floor with the seat of a chair facing you. Let your head, chest, and arms drop forward towards the seat of the chair. Inhale and let your head fall back, exhale and let your head fall forward. Repeat 5 times. let you head fall back and forwards while inhaling and exhaling, this time chanting ‘AH’ as you come forward exhaling.

* kneel on the floor, sitting on your heels. Move your head back and forth as above, 5 times. Then clasp your hands behind you and lean forward, if possible until your head touches your knees or the floor.

Repeat several times.

* treatment should be carried out by a professional, who would offer herbs, such as ephedra and bitter almond seed to calm wheezing attacks, and acupuncture to treat the lungs, kidney or spleen.

Reflexology

* Massage the area between the big toe and the second toe on both feet.

* Massage the top of the foot, spreading the toes apart and loosening the toe ligaments.

Acupressure

* Reach with your right hand over your shoulder to press firmly on point B13, take 5 long deep breaths then release and repeat with the left hand