Breathless

The word Asthma comes from the Greek word that means to breathe hard. When exposed to an allergen, the bronchi in the lungs release chemicals that cause the bronchi walls to swell and fill the airways with mucous. This action makes breathing very difficult. The most common symptom is a wheezing sensation when breathing. Most asthma is caused by allergic reactions. Doctor's aren't sure what the cause of non-allergic asthma is. Asthma is classified as an auto-immune disease, meaning the body attacks itself.
Asthma attacks are treated by medicated inhalers which open up the airways so that a person can breathe again. Severe cases of asthma are prescribed corticosteroids, drugs that reduce airway inflammation. While not a treatment for asthma and especially asthma attacks, chiropractic care has been shown to offer a benefit to asthma sufferers. Fixations and subluxations in the upper back have been shown to restrict breathing and interfere with nerve impulses to the lungs. Decreased nerve flow can effect lung function and performance. Spinal adjustments free up the spinal bones helping to make breathing easier. Also, the increased nerve flow from the adjustment helps the lungs to work better. At any rate, asthma is nothing to sneeze about and any abnormal breathing symptoms requires a visit to your doctor.