Asthma is a clinical syndrome of chronic airway inflammation characterized by recurrent, reversible, airway obstruction. Airway inflammation also leads to airway hyperreactivity, which causes airways to narrow in response to various stimuli.

Asthma and Blood Oxygen Levels

Blood oxygen levels can get low due to any of the problems that include:

• Low air oxygen levels: Atmospheric oxygen becomes extremely low at high altitudes such as mountainous regions.
• Decreased capacity of the body to take in oxygen: This can be caused by lung conditions that include asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, and more.
• Other conditions include anemia, sleep apnea, and smoking.
• Decreased capacity of the heart to supply the oxygenated blood back to the lungs.

The classic signs and symptoms of asthma are shortness of breath, cough (often worse at night), and wheezing (high-pitched whistling sound produced by turbulent airflow through narrow airways, typically with exhalation). Many patients also report chest tightness.

It is important to note that these symptoms are episodic, and individuals with asthma can go long periods without any symptoms.

Common triggers for asthmatic symptoms include exposure to allergens (pets, cockroaches, molds, Acid fumes, pants/color fumes, drugs industry, dust mites, pollens etc.), exercise, viral infections, strong emotions, odor exposure, and temperature extremes etc. Tobacco use or exposure to secondhand smoke complicates asthma management.

Many of the symptoms and signs of asthma are nonspecific and can be seen in other conditions as well such as chest discomfort, lightheadedness, palpitations, and fatigue), and lack of response to appropriate medications for asthma.

The physical exam for asthma is often completely normal. Occasionally, wheezing is present. In an asthma exacerbation, the respiratory rate increases, the heart rate increases, and the work of respiration increases. Individuals often require accessory muscles to breathe, and breath sounds can be diminished.

It is important to note that the blood oxygen level typically remains fairly normal even in the midst of a significant asthma exacerbation. Low blood oxygen level is therefore concerning for impending respiratory failure.

• Asthma is characterized by reversible airway narrowing, whereas COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) typically has fixed airway narrowing.
• Some symptoms of COPD are similar to asthma, including wheezing, shortness of breath, and cough.
• The cough in COPD can be more productive of mucus than asthma, and patients with severe COPD may need oxygen supplementation.
• COPD is very often a result of tobacco smoke exposure, either direct or secondhand, although severe asthma can evolve to COPD over time in the absence of smoke exposure.
• Allopathic drugs used to treat COPD include inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroid/bronchodilator combinations, long-acting muscarinic antagonists, and oral steroids.

There is a newly described syndrome called asthma/COPD overlap syndrome that displays characteristics of both asthma and COPD. This is an area of allopathic drugs that needs further study, while in Homeopathy there are many different medicines for this new syndrome.

The diagnosis of asthma begins with a detailed history and physical examination. A typical history is an individual with a family history of allergic conditions or a personal history of allergic rhinitis who experiences coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing, especially with exercise, viral infections, or during the night. In addition to a typical history, improvement with a trial of appropriate medications is very suggestive of asthma.

In addition to the history and exam, the following are diagnostic procedures that can be used to help with the diagnosis of asthma:

• Lung function testing with spirometry: This test measures lung function as the patient breathes into a tube. If lung function improves significantly following the administration of a bronchodilator, such as albuterol, this essentially confirms the diagnosis of asthma. It is important to note, however, that normal lung function testing does not rule out the possibility of asthma.
• Measurement of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO): This can be performed by a quick and relatively simple breathing maneuver, similar to spirometry. Elevated levels of exhaled nitric oxide are suggestive of T2 inflammation seen in some types of asthma.

Skin Test

Skin testing for common aeroallergens: The presence of sensitivities to environmental allergies increases the likelihood of asthma. Of note, skin testing is more accurate than blood work (in vitro testing) for environmental allergies. Testing for food allergies is not indicated in the diagnosis of asthma.

Blood Tests

Blood tests for the allergic antibody (IgE) and eosinophils to establish the presence of T2 high asthma.

Other potential but less commonly used tests include provocation testing such as a methacholine challenge, which tests for airway hyperresponsiveness. Hyperresponsiveness is the tendency of the breathing tubes to constrict or narrow in response to irritants. A negative methacholine challenge makes asthma unlikely. Measure sputum eosinophils, another marker for “allergic” inflammation seen in asthma. Chest X-rays or CT scans may show hyperinflation but are often normal in asthma.

Tests to rule out other conditions, such as cardiac testing, may also be indicated in certain cases.

There is not any allopathic treatment for asthma accept of giving of some temporary relief to the patient. The allopathic treatment goals for asthma are to:

• adequately control symptoms,
• minimize the risk of future exacerbations,
• maintain normal lung function,
• maintain normal activity levels, and
• take the least amount of medication possible with the least amount of potential side effects.

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are considered the most effective anti-inflammatory agents available for the chronic treatment of asthma in allopathy and are the first-line therapy per most asthma guidelines. It is recognized that ICS are effective in decreasing the risk of asthma exacerbations. Furthermore, the combination of a long-acting bronchodilator (LABA) and an ICS has a significant additional beneficial effect on improving asthma control. Short-acting rescue inhalers are the standard of care for breakthrough symptoms.

The most commonly used asthma drugs include the following:

Short-acting bronchodilators (albuterol) provide quick relief for symptoms occurring despite controller medications. These may also be used alone in patients with occasional symptoms or patients experiencing symptoms with exercise only. Inhaled steroids (budesonide, fluticasone, beclomethasone, mometasone, flunisolide) are first-line anti-inflammatory therapies.

Long-acting bronchodilators {LABA} (salmeterol, formoterol, vilanterol) can be added to ICS as additive therapy. LABAs should never be used alone for the treatment of asthma.

Combinations

ICS/LABA combination agents combine corticosteroids and long-acting bronchodilators. Fluticasone/salmeterol, budesonide/formoterol, fluticasone/vilanterol, mometasone/formoterol.

Leukotriene modifiers (montelukast, zafirlukast, zileuton) can also serve as anti-inflammatory agents.

Anticholinergic agents or antimuscarinic agents (ipratropium, tiotropium, umeclidinium) can help decrease sputum production.

There is one triple combination agent of an inhaled corticosteroid, long-acting bronchodilator, and antimuscarinic agent: fluticasone/vilanterol/umeclidinium that is most often used for asthma/COPD overlap.

Anti-IgE treatment (omalizumab) can be used in allergic asthma.

Anti-IL5 treatment (mepolizumab, reslizumab, and benralizumab) can be used in eosinophilic asthma.

Tezepelumab is a biologic (herbal) that treats severe asthma, like allergic asthma or eosinophilic asthma.

Anti IL-4 receptor antagonist (dupilumab, Dupixent) is approved for moderate to severe eosinophilic asthma. It is also approved for atopic dermatitis and nasal polyposis.

Chromones, nedocromil stabilize mast cells (allergic cells) but are rarely used in clinical practice.

Theophylline also helps with bronchodilation (opening the airways) but is rarely used in clinical practice due to an unfavorable side-effect profile.

Steroids

Systemic steroids (prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone are potent anti-inflammatory drugs that are routinely used to treat asthma exacerbations but pose numerous unwanted side effects if used repeatedly or chronically.

Numerous additional monoclonal antibodies are also currently being studied and will likely be available within the next couple of years.

Immunotherapy or allergy shots have been shown to decrease medication reliance in allergic asthma.

There is no allopathic drug that have proven complete treatment, all above explained drugs are gives just some benefit/relief for asthma, and the patient have to take these drugs all his remains life.

Side effects

There is often concern about the potential long-term side effects of inhaled corticosteroids. Numerous studies have repeatedly shown that long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids has clinically significant side effects, including changes in bone health, overall growth, weight etc.

However, the goal always remains to treat all individuals with the least amount of medication. Patients with asthma should be routinely reassessed for any appropriate changes to their medical regimen.

Asthma medications can be administered via inhalers either with or without a spacer or nebulized solution. It is important to note that if an individual has proper technique with an inhaler, the amount of medication deposited in the lungs is no different than that when using a nebulized solution. When prescribing asthma drugs, it is essential to provide the appropriate teaching on proper delivery technique.

Vaccines

Vaccinations such as the annual influenza vaccination and pneumonia vaccination are also indicated.

Although the vast majority of individuals with asthma are treated as outpatients, treatment of severe exacerbations can require management in the emergency department or hospital. These individuals typically require the use of supplemental oxygen, early administration of systemic steroids, and frequent or even continuous administration of bronchodilators via a nebulized solution. Individuals at high risk for poor asthma outcomes are referred to a specialist – pulmonologist or allergist. The following factors should prompt consideration or referral:

• History of ICU admission or multiple hospitalizations for asthma.
• History of multiple visits to the emergency department for asthma.
• History of frequent or daily use of systemic steroids for asthma.
• Ongoing symptoms despite the use of appropriate medications.
• Significant allergies contributing to poorly controlled asthma.

Homeopathic treatment for Asthma

What is the treatment of asthma?

Asthma with Homeopathy, is completely curable doesn’t matter how old is it. Here are few medicines for asthma in my experience:

Natrium Sulphuricum

Dyspnoea, during damp weather.  Humid asthma. Must hold chest when coughing. Cough, with thick ropy, greenish expectoration; chest feels all gone. Constant desire to take deep, long breath. Asthma in any age. Delayed resolution in pneumonia. Springs up in bed the cough hurts so; holds painful side. Pain through lower left chest. Every fresh cold brings on attack of asthma.

Solanum Nigrum

Constructive feeling in chest, with difficult breathing; cough with tickling in throat. Expectoration thick, yellow. Pain in left chest, sore to touch.

Syphilinum.

Acute laryngitis; cough and expectoration of tough, stringy mucus. Convulsive cough: feels as though membrane were torn from larynx. Noisy, dry, hard, cough, in violent short bursts, coming from low down, shaking the whole body. Talking causes pain in larynx. Hoarse; pain in larynx; sore sternum. Twitching of fingers, with spasmodic cough. Asthma. Whooping-cough.

Alium sativa

Allergies. Asthma, cancer, congestion, constipation, cough, inflamed skin, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, gas, hemorrhoids, tender joints (gout), jaundice, rheumatoid arthritis, whooping cough.

Alopecia areata. Amenorrhea. Anemia. Asthma. Atrophy. Brain, concussion of. Brain-fag. Brain-softening. Oral Cancer. Carbuncle. Chilblains. Cholerine. Diphtheria. Dysentery. Enuresis. Face, neuralgia of. Feet, fidgety. Gangrene. Hypochondriasis. Hysteria. Insomnia. Melancholia. Menstrual headaches. Nervous dyspepsia. Neurasthenia. Night-terrors. Nymphomania. Edema pulmonary. Paralysis. Pneumonia. Ptosis. Puerperal fever. Puerperal mania. Sciatica. Scurvy. Stomach, ulcer of. Ulcers. Urticaria. Whit-low.

Alumen

Amaurosis. Aphonia. Asthma. Cough, explosive. Influenza. Amblyopia. Asthma. Bronchitis. Catarrh. Consumption. Cough. Coxalgia. Epilepsy. Hemorrhage. Headache. Laryngitis. Measles. Nausea. Phthisis. Sciatica. Vomiting. Whooping-cough. Axilla perspiration. Cold, Hoarseness and roughness in throat, with violent sneezing. Croup. Debility.  Whooping-cough.

Antimonium Tartaricum

Hoarseness. Great rattling of mucus, but very little is expectorated. Velvety feeling in chest. Burning sensation in chest, which ascends to throat. Rapid, short, difficult breathing; suffocative breathing; must sit up. Emphysema. Bronchial tubes overloaded with mucus. Trembling of whole body, great prostration and faintness. Edema and impending paralysis of lungs. Much palpitation, with uncomfortable hot feeling. Pulse rapid, weak, trembling. Dizziness, with cough. Dyspnea relieved by eructation. Cough and dyspnea better lying on right side.

Apis Melifestida

Apoplexy. Asthma. Laryngitis. Asthma; worse in cold weather. Croupy cough. Obstinate night cough. Cough spasmodic, hacking at short intervals. Hydrothorax. Expectoration of copious, transparent, frothy, bloody mucus.

Arsenicum Album

Unable to lie down; fears suffocation. Air-passages constricted. Asthma worse midnight. Burning in chest. Suffocative catarrh. Expectoration scanty, frothy. Darting pain through upper third of right lung. Wheezing respiration. Hemoptysis with pain between shoulders; burning heat all over. Cough dry, as from Sulphur or other chemical’s fumes. Palpitation, pain, faintness. Irritable heart in smokers and tobacco-chewers. Pulse more rapid in morning. Dilatation. Cyanosis. Fatty degeneration. Angina pectoris (remember in cardiac asthma – Dr. Qaisar Ahmed).

Aspidosperma (Quebracho)

Aspidosperma also known as Quebracho is considered a digitalis like tonic for lungs. This medicine removes temporary obstruction of the oxidation of blood by stimulating respiratory centers. It is very useful in cardiac asthma. Give a few drop doses till the feeling want of breath is over.

Asthma, with dyspnea; worse, sitting up; better, lying down and keeping arms spread wide apart. Dry, hard cough, with great weakness in chest. Feeling of ulceration under sternum. Pain in chest; better, lying down. Cough returns every winter, from suppressed eruption. Hay-fever returning irregularly every year.

Cheyne-Stokes breathing. Emphysema. Heart affections. Splenomegaly. Wheezing and oppression. Foamy mucus, very difficult to detach. Acts on the pulmonary circulation. Profuse tenacious expectoration, which relieves. Stops breathing when falling asleep, wakes with a star, and gasps for breath. Must sit up to breathe. Pertussis

Bacillinium

Oppression. Catarrhal dyspnoea. Humid asthma. Bubbling rales and muco-purulent expectoration. Note. This muco-purulent expectoration of bronchitis patients is equally poly-bacillary; it is a mixture of diverse species and hence Bacillinum is truly indicated. Often relieves congestion of the lungs, thus paving way for other remedies in Tuberculosis.

Blatta Orientalis

B. orientalis is an excellent medicine for asthma. In acute cases acts better in lower potencies (3/6/12/30). But in chronic cases it acts better in higher potencies (200 to 1000). Cough with much pus like mucus.

Boerhaavia Diffusa

Cure asthma and its associated symptoms. Indicated in high blood pressure. Used for berry-berry disease (deficient in thiamine). Helpful to treat gastrointestinal issues. Also act as an anti-inflammatory medicine. 

Bromium

Whooping cough. Dry cough, with hoarseness and burning pain behind sternum. Spasmodic cough, with rattling of mucus in the larynx; suffocative. Hoarseness. Croup after febrile symptoms have subsided. Difficult and painful breathing. Violent cramping of chest. Cold sensation when inspiring. Every inspiration provokes cough. Laryngeal diphtheria, membrane begins in larynx and spreads upward. Spasmodic constriction. Asthma; difficulty in getting air into lung. Better at sea. Hypertrophy of heart from gymnastics. Fibrinous bronchitis, great dyspnea. Bronchial tubes feel filled with smoke.

Carbo vegetabilis

Cough with itching in larynx; spasmodic with gagging and vomiting of mucus. Whooping cough, especially in beginning. Deep, rough voice, failing on slight exertion. Hoarseness; worse, evenings, talking; evening oppression of breathing, sore and raw chest. Wheezing and rattling of mucus in chest. Occasional spells of long coughing attacks. Cough, with burning in chest; worse in evening, in open air, after eating and talking. Spasmodic cough, bluish face, offensive expectoration, neglected pneumonia. Breath cold; must be fanned. Hemorrhage from lungs. Asthma in aged with cyanosis.

Cardus Marianus

Stitching pains in lower right ribs and front; worse, moving, walking, etc. Splenic asthma. Asthmatic respiration. Pain in chest, going to shoulders, back, loins and abdomen, with urging to urinate.

Cuprum Arsenicosum

Voice altered, speech difficult. Oppression of chest as if constricted. Weight on chest, with difficult breathing. Soreness of small spot in scapula. Pain with deep inspiration; weak, Dumb feeling in chest. Dull soreness chest. Long involuntary inspiration.

Heart’s action weak and hurried, pulse small, compressible, weak, and frequent, though quite regular. Sudden debility, with dull pain in heart, and sense of oppression.

Drosera

Dry cough from sternal region all over chest. Hoarseness, larynx painful. Paroxysmal cough, with suffocative obstruction of respiration. Cough with sneezing. Severe dyspnea with cough. Tightness across chest. Asthmatic attacks cannot endure a close, warm room. Whooping-cough. 

Dust

Dyspnea during damp weather. Must hold chest when coughing. Humid asthma; rattling and wheezing in chest. Cough, with thick ropy, greenish expectoration. Constant desire to take deep, long breath. Asthma in children, as a constitutional remedy. Delayed resolution in pneumonia. Every fresh cold brings on attack of asthma. Asthma. Senile emphysema.

Yearly attacks of difficult shortness of breathing. Continued sneezing; coryza; wheezing cough. Cough incessant and violent, with every breath. Chest seems full of phlegm but does not yield to coughing. Bubbling rales. Suffocative cough: patient becomes stiff, and blue in the face. Whooping-cough, with nosebleed, and from mouth. Bleeding from lungs. Croup. Hemoptysis from slightest exertion. Hoarseness, especially at end of a cold. Complete aphonia. Morphia habit.

Eucalyptus

False croup; cannot exhale. Spasmodic asthma. Whooping-cough. Few paroxysms in daytime, but many at night; with vomiting after eating. Asthma, as if inhaling Sulphur; cough from talking; hollow, deep, with rawness, hoarseness, and pains through chest. Violent spasmodic cough; worse at night. Suffocative feeling, asthmatic paroxysms, spasmodic cough; cough so violent, seems as if each spell would terminate life.

Grindelia Robusta

Hemoptysis, great weakness of chest; difficult to expel mucus. Copious, ropy morning expectoration in old people. Asthma. Asthma with constipation.

Histaminum

Histaminum is a useful homeopathic medicine for treating pollen allergy. It helps reduce the hypersensitivity of the immune system. Histaminum helps in controlling symptoms of pollen allergy, like sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. It also helps in asthmatic conditions arising from allergies. Pollen allergy with sneezing, watery discharge from nose and blocked nose.

Ipecacuanha

Dyspnea; constant constriction in chest. Asthma. Yearly attacks of difficult shortness of breathing. Continued sneezing; coryza; wheezing cough. Cough incessant and violent, with every breath. Chest seems full of phlegm, but does not yield to coughing. Bubbling rales. Suffocative cough; child becomes stiff, and blue in the face. Whooping-cough, with nosebleed, and from mouth. Bleeding from lungs, with nausea; feeling of constriction; rattling cough. Croup. Hemoptysis from slightest exertion. Hoarseness, especially at end of a cold. Complete aphonia. 

Justicia Adhatoda

Dry cough from sternal region all over chest. Hoarseness, larynx painful. Paroxysmal cough, with suffocative obstruction of respiration. Cough with sneezing. Severe dyspnea with cough. Tightness across chest. Asthmatic attacks – cannot endure a close, warm room. Whooping-cough.

Kali Bichromicum

Voice hoarse; worse, evening. Metallic, hacking cough. Profuse, yellow expectoration, very glutinous and sticky, coming out in long, stringy, and very tenacious mass. Tickling in larynx. Catarrhal laryngitis cough has a brassy sound. True membranous croup, extending to larynx and nares. Cough, with pain in sternum, extending to shoulders. Pain at bifurcation of trachea on coughing. Heart dilatation, especially from coexisting kidney lesion. Cold feeling around heart.

Kalium Carbonicum

Cutting pain in chest; worse lying on right side. Hoarseness and loss of voice. Dry, hard cough with stitching pains and dryness of pharynx. Bronchitis, whole chest very sensitive. Expectoration scanty and tenacious but increasing in morning and after eating; aggravated right lower chest and lying on painful side. Hydrothorax. Leaning forward relieves chest symptoms.

Expectoration must be swallowed; cheesy taste; copious, offensive, lump. Coldness of chest. Wheezing. Cough with relaxed uvula. Tendency to tuberculosis; constant cold taking; better in warm climate.

Kalium Iodatum

Violent cough; worse in morning. Pulmonary edema. Larynx feels raw. Laryngeal edema. Awakes choking. Expectoration like soapsuds, greenish. Pneumonia, when hepatization commences. Pneumococci meningitis. Stitching pains through lungs to back. Asthma. Dyspnea on ascending, with pain in heart. Hydrothorax. Pleuritic effusion. Cold travels downward to chest.

Kalium Phosphoricum

Asthma; least food aggravates. Short breath on going upstairs. Cough; yellow expectoration.

Leucas Aspera

Leucas aspera MT is used in intermittent fever; asthma; cough; dysentery; jaundice; enlargement of liver and spleen; bite of venomous animals and skin troubles. Externally, in Arabic and Persian medicine, it is used for psoriasis, scabies, and chronic skin eruptions, Dengue fever etc.

Lobelia Inflata

Dyspnoea from constriction of chest; worse, any exertion. Sensation of pressure or weight in chest; better by rapid walking. Feels as if heart would stop. Asthma: attacks, with weakness, felt in pit of stomach and preceded by prickling all over. Cramp, ringing cough, short breath, catching at throat. Senile emphysema.

Lobelia Purpurascens

Superficial respiration: heart and lungs feel paralyzed; respiration slow. Heart beats sound to him like boom of a drum.

 Magnesia Phosphoricum

Asthmatic oppression of chest. Dry, tickling cough. Spasmodic cough, with difficulty in lying down. Whooping-cough. Voice hoarse, larynx sore and raw. Intercostal neuralgia.

Medorrhinum

Much oppression of breathing. Hoarse while reading. Pain and soreness through chest and mammae. Incessant, dry, night cough. Asthma. Incipient consumption. Larynx feels sore. Dyspnea; cannot exhale. Cough; better lying on stomach.

Mephitis Putorius

Sudden contraction of glottis, when drinking or talking. Food goes down wrong way. False croup; cannot exhale. Spasmodic and whooping-cough. Few paroxysms in daytime, but many at night; with vomiting after eating. Asthma, as if inhaling chemical fumes; cough from talking; hollow, deep, with rawness, hoarseness, and pains through chest. Violent spasmodic cough; worse at night.

Naja Tripudians

Grasping at throat, with sense of choking. Irritating, dry cough, dependent on cardiac lesions. Sticky mucus and saliva. Asthmatic constriction in evening. Asthma beginning with coryza.

Naphthalinum

Sneezing; eyes inflamed; painful; head hot. Hay-fever. Spasmodic asthma; better in open air. Soreness in chest and stomach; must loosen clothing. Dyspnoea and sighing inspiration. Emphysema in the aged with asthma. Whooping-cough, long and continued paroxysms of coughing, unable to get a respiration. Acute laryngo-tracheitis. Bronchitis when the spasmodic element is associated with tenacious expectoration and oppression.

Natrum Sulphuricum

Dyspnoea, during damp weather. Must hold chest when coughing. Humid asthma; rattling in chest, in morning. Cough, with thick ropy, greenish expectoration; chest feels all gone. Constant desire to take deep, long breath. Asthma in children, as a constitutional remedy. Delayed resolution in pneumonia. Springs up in bed the cough hurts so; holds painful side. Pain through lower left chest. Every fresh cold brings on attack of asthma. 

Nux Vomica

Catarrhal hoarseness, with scraping in throat. Spasmodic constriction. Asthma, with fullness in stomach, morning or after eating. Cough, with sensation as if something were torn loose in chest. Shallow respiration. Oppressed breathing. Tight, dry hacking cough; at times with bloody expectoration. Cough brings on bursting headache and bruised pain in epigastric region.

Ocimum Sanctum

Acute laryngitis; cough and expectoration of tough, stringy mucus. Convulsive cough; feels as though membrane were torn from larynx. Noisy, dry, hard, cough, in violent short bursts, coming from low down, shaking the whole body. Talking causes pain in larynx. Hoarse; pain in larynx; sore sternum. Twitching of fingers, with spasmodic cough.

Phosphorus

Hoarseness; worse evenings. Larynx very painful. Clergyman’s sore throat; violent tickling in larynx while speaking. Aphonia, worse evenings, with rawness. Cannot talk on account of pain in larynx. Cough from tickling in throat; worse, cold air, reading, laughing, talking, from going from warm room into cold air. Sweetish taste while coughing. Hard, dry, tight, racking cough. Congestion of lungs. Burning pains, heat and oppression of chest. Tightness across chest; great weight on chest. Sharp stitches in chest; respiration quickened, oppressed. Much heat in chest.

Pneumonia, with oppression; worse, lying on left side. Whole body trembles, with cough. Sputa rusty, blood-colored, or purulent. Tuberculosis (do not give it too low or too frequently here, it may but hasten the destructive degeneration of tubercular masses).

Repeated hemoptysis. Pain in throat on coughing. Nervous coughs provoked by strong odors, entrance of a stranger; worse in the presence of strangers; worse lying upon left side; in cold room.

Pothos

Profound prostration of all the vital forces and of the nervous system; respiratory paralysis. Nervous prostration of influenza. Coma. Tongue white and paralyzed. Cannot keep eyes open, spasmodic closure of lids. Superficial respiration: heart and lungs feel paralyzed; respiration slow. Heart beats sound to him like boom of a drum. Eyes are impossible to keep open. Drowsy.

Psorinum

Asthma, with dyspnea; worse, sitting up; better, lying down and keeping arms spread wide apart. Dry, hard cough, with great weakness in chest. Feeling of ulceration under sternum. Pain in chest; better, lying down. Cough returns every winter, from suppressed eruption. Hay-fever returning irregularly every year.

Ptelia Trifolata

Rattling in the throat without phlegmatic expulsion. Dyspnea of winter aggravation. The complaint aggravates after exposure to dust, change of weather, cold drinks, light, exertion, smoke, morning. Hoarseness of voice and cough with pain in chest. Asthma is associated with itching. 

Sambucus

Sambucus acts especially on the respiratory organs, is one of the best homeopathic medicines for asthma especially in the night. Chest oppressed with pressure in stomach, and nausea Hoarseness with tenacious mucus in larynx. Paroxysmal, suffocative cough, coming on about midnight, with crying and dyspnea. Spasmodic croup. Dry coryza. Sniffles of infants; nose dry and obstructed. Loose choking cough. When nursing child must let go of nipple, nose blocked up, cannot breathe. Child awakes suddenly, nearly suffocating, sits up, turns blue. Cannot expire. Millar’s asthma.

Senega

Hoarseness. Hurts to talk. Bursting pain in back on coughing. Catarrh of larynx. Loss of voice. Hacking cough. Thorax feels too narrow. Cough often ends in a sneeze. Rattling in chest (Tart emet). Chest oppressed on ascending. Bronchial catarrh, with sore chest walls; much mucus; sensation of oppression and weight of chest. Difficult raising of tough, profuse mucus, in the aged. Asthenic bronchitis of old people with chronic interstitial nephritis or chronic emphysema. Old asthmatics with congestive attacks. Exudations in Pleura. Hydrothorax. Pressure on chest as though lungs were forced back to spine. Voice unsteadies, vocal cords partially paralyzed.

Solanum or Solanum Nigrum or Solanum Xanthocarpum

Constructive feeling in chest, with difficult breathing; cough with tickling in throat. Expectoration thick, yellow. Pain in left chest, sore to touch.

Sticta Pulmonaria

Tickling in larynx and trachea causing cough. Clergyman’s sore throat, characterized by great dryness of mucous membranes. Hay-fever, with dryness of membranes. Cough: dry, can neither sleep nor lie down; dry, noisy; severe, dry, racking with splitting frontal headache. Cough after influenza; after measles; after whooping-cough; barking. Spasmodic cough which he cannot stop. Dry cough, causing pain in upper part of sternum. Catarrhal asthma (1x).

Stramonium

Voice: hoarse and croaking; high, fine, squeaking; indistinct. Sudden aphonia in hysterical patients just recovering from chorea. Constrictions of larynx. Periodically returning attacks of painless, barking, spasmodic cough, in fine, shrieking tone, from constriction of larynx and chest, without expectoration. Voice loud and bawling. Want of breath. Difficult (hurried or) sighing respiration. Suffocating obstruction of respiration. Oppression with desire for open air. Asthma continually recurring, with some gouty tendency. Dyspnea on waking up every morning, cold winds catch breath. 

Strychninum

Spasm of muscles about larynx. Excessive dyspnea. Sharp, contractive pains in muscles of chest. Persistent cough, recurring after influenza.

Tylophora Indica

Allergies, asthma, cancer, congestion, constipation, cough, inflamed skin, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, gas, hemorrhoids, tender joints (gout), jaundice), rheumatoid arthritis, whooping cough, to make someone vomit, and to cause sweating.

Vanadium Metallicum

Its action is that of an oxygen carrier and a catalyzer, hence its use in wasting diseases. Increases amount of hemoglobin, also combines its oxygen with toxins and destroys their virulence. Increases and stimulates phagocytes. A remedy in degenerative conditions of the liver and arteries. Anorexia and symptoms of gastrointestinal irritation; albumen, casts and blood in urine. Tremors; vertigo; hysteria and melancholia; neuro-retinitis and blindness.

Anemia. Cough dry, irritating and paroxysmal, sometimes with hemorrhages. Asthma. Tuberculosis. Arterio-sclerosis, sensation as if heart was compressed. Anxious pressure on whole chest. Fatty heart. Degenerative states, has brain softening. Atheroma of arteries of brain and liver.

Verbascum Thapsus

Hoarse; voice deep, harsh; sounds like a trumpet; “basso profundo”. Cough; worse at night. Asthma. Soreness in pharynx, cough during sleep.

Actia Spicata

Asthma. Short, irregular breathing at night, while lying. Great oppression. Shortness of breath on exposure to cold air.

Aralia Racemosa

Dry cough coming on after first sleep, about middle of night. Asthma on lying down at night with spasmodic cough; worse after first sleep, with tickling in throat. Constriction of chest; feels as if a foreign body were in throat. Obstruction worse in spring. Hay-fever; frequent sneezing. Rawness and burning behind sternum.

Hydrastis Canadensis

Chest raw, sore, burning. Dry, harsh cough. Bronchial catarrh, later stages. Bronchitis in old, exhausted persons, with thick, yellow, tenacious expectoration. Asthma. Frequent fainty spells, with cold sweat all over. Feels suffocating when lying on left side. Pain from chest to left shoulder.

Hypericum Perforatum

Asthma worse foggy weather and relieved by profuse perspiration. 

Kali Nitricum

Hoarseness. Dry, morning cough, with pain in chest and bloody expectoration. Bronchitis, with sharp, short, dry, hacking cough. Asthma, with excessive dyspnea, nausea, dull stitches, and burning in chest. Dyspnea so great that breath cannot be held long enough to drink, though thirsty. Chest feels constricted. Oppression worse in morning. Sour-smelling expectoration. Expectoration of clotted blood, after hawking mucus. Acute exacerbations in phthisis; congestion of lungs. Spasmodic croup; paroxysm of crowing. Laryngeal diphtheria.

Lachesis Mutus

Upper part of windpipe very susceptible to touch. Sensation of suffocation and strangulation on lying down, particularly when anything is around throat; compels patient to spring from bed and rush for open window. Spasm of glottis; feels as if something ran from neck to larynx. Feels he must take a deep breath. Cramp-like distress in praecordial region. Cough; dry, suffocative fits, tickling. Little secretion and much sensitiveness; worse, pressure on larynx, after sleep, open air. Breathing almost stops on falling asleep. Larynx painful to touch. Sensation as of a plug which moves up and down, with a short cough.

Wyethia Helenoides

Dry, hacking cough, caused by tickling of the epiglottis. Burning sensation in the bronchial tubes. Tendency to get hoarse talking or singing; throat hot, dry. Dry asthma.

Case:

Patient aged 38, complaining about asthma and a moderate tendency for bronchitis, The whole situation starts with paroxysmal sneezing.

At the end of the fifth sneezing there is a wheezing.  It happens clearly only in the night; attack comes with lachrymation and palpitations.

In 2017 there was a severe asthma attack and Patient had to go to the ER. She was given cortisone and was told that she had allergic rhinitis.

During the asthmatic attack she feels suffocating and hypoxic.

The feeling she has after every asthma attack is described as an “angry sorrow”, During the fits she feels pressure in her sinuses, and there is thin watery and clear mucus running from her nose. 

After every attack she sleeps. She gets better when lying in fetal position, on left side, under heavy blankets, regardless of if the room is warm.

Desire for open air, likes arguments.

Occasionally she uses an Albuterol puffer (aerolin) for managing the mild asthma attacks and naphazoline nitrate (Septobore) for the lachrymation.

The three remedies I took into consideration were

1- Arsenicum Album (Arsenicum Album is a remedy that fits well to chilly patients, aggravation during the night, fastidiousness/anxiety).

2- Nux Vomica (irritability and anger of the patient, arguments, worse when becoming cold” and “better when lying).

3- Pulsatilla (irritability, attacks in the evening and in the night, Asthma with hysterical attacks, desire for open air).

I prescribed medicine for thirty days.

After thirty days patient came back with improved over all health (physical as well as mental).

Asthma attacks were completely gone. The patient does not refer at all to asthma attacks, dramatic improvement pertains to her allergy (copious catarrh and lachrymation) It is as if she has forgotten about that.

Patient cured and discharged.

P. S: This article is only for doctors and students having good knowledge about Homeopathy and allopathy.

For proper consultation and treatment, please visit our clinic.

Dr. Sayyad Qaisar Ahmed (MD {Ukraine}, DHMS), Abdominal Surgeries, Oncological surgeries, Gastroenterologist, Specialist Homeopathic Medicines.

  Senior research officer at Dnepropetrovsk state medical academy Ukraine.

Location:  Al-Haytham clinic, Umer Farooq Chowk Risalpur Sadder (0923631023, 03119884588), K.P.K, Pakistan.

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