Pruritus, though and independent symptom, is the leading symptom of urticaria (Hives, Rashes or Nettle rash). Urticaria could be acute or chronic and is an allergic reaction to some allergen in which red and round wheels develop on the skin, ranging in size from small spots to several inches across. In some cases there may be red pimple-like confluences which itch intensely and, as the patient scratches, there is awful burning and restivity, thirst for cold water, fever appearing very rarely. Urticaria could be induced by:
Asthma Treatment: Contact Dermatitis
Any substance with which the skin comes into constant contact may create allergic skin reactions in those persons who are hypersensitive to the specific substance for which recurrent and prolonged contact is necessary.
Asthma Treatment: Enlarged Tonsils and Asthma
Tonsils stand like two sentinels on either side of the pharynx, the middle portion of the throat. They defend the body against germs or other dangerous substances that try to enter our body through the mouth or nose. They try to trap these germs inside their structure and then with the help of lymphatic cells, of which the tonsils are made, procide protective antibodies.
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Asthma Treatment: Acute Laryngitis
Larynx is an organ of voice and an inflammation thereof is called ‘Laryngitis’. When voice is used forcibly, used at high pitch, at a stretch, when infection of any type sets in, there may be pain on swallowing, using voice, speaking or putting any sort of extra strain on the organ will result in laryngitis which is also known as ‘spasmodic laryngitis or spasmodic croup’.
Asthma Treatment: Emphysema
It simply means air in the tissues and manifests its appearance after attacks of asthma, whooping cough and bronchitis. Particular class of persons are its victims who have to fill their lungs up with air; for instance flute, sexophone, clarionet, trombone and other musical instrument(s) users, goldsmiths, people working in glass factories etc. The patient has to inhale and exhale in a quick succession (alternatively) when lungs and air apparatus have no rest or relaxation.
Asthma Treatment: Dyspnoea (Breathlessness)
Laboured breathing can have its origin in the cardiac region. Since there is a close relation between heart and lung functioning,-the symptoms quite often overlap. Short breath is a consequence of congested lungs when expansion is difficult. The malady is also termed as ‘effort onset dyspnoea’ which implies that even a slight effort/labour, walking faster, scaling stairs, running, fast speech etc. trigger the problem. Dyspnoea can also occur in severe anaemia or diabetes (especially in ketoacidosis).
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Asthma Treatment: Hiccups
Medically, the disease is also known as ‘Singultus’. There is an abrupt involuntary lowering of the diaphragm and closure of sound-producing folds, at the upper end of the trachea, producing a characteristic sound when the breath is inspired (drawn in). Hiccups occurs repeatedly and almost in quick succession or the gap between two hiccups (paroxysmal period) is so short that the patient does not have any respite.
Asthma Treatment: Pleurisy
This is actually inflammation of the inner lining of the lungs (called Pleura). It is not directly a respiratory disorder but, since lungs are the main seat of infection, it has been included here in this book. The disease is caused by and due to pneumonia in the underlying lung when pleural surfaces, which are normally slippery and shiny, become slightly sticky.
Asthma Treatment: Acute Catarrh
This is also a condition arising from cold and is not much different form coryza—the only cardinal difference being that in catarrh sneezing is one of the symptoms but, in coryza sneezing is a predominant symptom, though precipitating causes may be identical.
Asthma Treatment: Tuberculosis (Pthisis)
It is an infection caused by a minute germ Bacillus Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (shortly called T.B.) which was identified, in 1882, by Koch and characterised by formulation of tubercles or nodular lesions, the latter symptom popularly known as Consumption and Pthisis (wasting).