SYMPTOMS

Age:
First attack start mostly before the age of 25 years.
History of allergy or bronchial asthma in the family.
Past history of allergy or skin disease may be present.
Dyspnoea is expiratory in nature.
The attack starts suddenly in the middle of the night or in the early morning hours.
The interval between the attack is symptom free.
During the attack the patient sits up in the bed, bending forward and holding the surrounding objects tightly with his hands.
May be associated with sneezing, coughing, wheezing, and sweating.
Cough is dry in the beginning and aggressive towards the end of the attack.
Expectoration is sticky initially but later becomes looser and profuse in the morning followed by termination of the attack.
Duration:
The attack persists for several hours or a day and terminates gradually. The patient expectorates a lot of mucous and passes a large quantity of urine as the attack subsides and falls asleep exhausted.
Blood examination may show increased eosinophil count.

CAUSE

heredity plays an important part.
various allergens e.g. pollen, dust, various food and drugs.
Respiratory infection may precipitate an attack.
Anxiety, worry, emotional disturbances.
Abdominal disorder, flatulency.
Sex may precipitate an attack in males.

TREATMENT

If diagnosed early, complete cure is possible. But when the case is fairly advanced, nothing more than palliation can possibly be done.

Arsenic alba, Bryonia, Kalicarb, Sulphur spongia, Aspidosperma are all very good medicines to use. Always use medicines after consulting a physician.