A Focus On Asthma Research In History

It would not be wrong to term asthma as an ancient ailment as we widely find traces of its research in history. Although asthma is not a mere modern day disease but the number of asthmatics have surely increased in the present day owing to many factors. The most prominent cause of this is the increasing pollution which affects life in numerous ways. The word “asthma" has its roots in Greek language, where the original word ‘panos' (to breathe with an open mouth) came to us. The Greeks had regard for panos as they believed this condition to be a visit from gods.

During the first century AD, a Greek physician researched and discovered that women were more prone to asthma compared to men. Yet, he found out that more men had chances of expiring from this ailment. In addition, his research also proved that children could better recover from asthma compared to adults.

During second century AD, Galen, a physician drew a finding from his research on asthma and declared it as a disease of the lungs. He also observed that the cause of asthma was blockade within the bronchial tubes.

In 1552, some findings pertaining to environmental control cure for asthma came to light for the first time in history. Archbishop Hamilton was afflicted with asthma and was treated by a physician named Girolamo Cardano. He advised Archbishop a new treatment, which basically involved exercise and diet. He also removed the leather pillow and feather bed from Archbishop's bed, which proved to be useful to him for controlling asthmatic symptoms.

Another famous physician, Van Helmont, was the one who did comprehensive research on asthma and established an obvious link of asthma with smoke and irritants. He compared asthma to attacks like that of epilepsy and stated that it originated from the lungs.

In 1830 Eberle researched and his finding stated that asthma was associated with heredity and infection. He treated the asthmatic patients with bloodletting, inducing vomiting with opium, and making the smoke stramonium leaves.

In 1835 with the invention of stethoscope, researches on asthma made great progress. The doctors could hear the sound of wheezing within the patients. In 1850 Gerhardt declared that asthma could be caused by chemical odors, perfumes and change in temperature as well. These finding opened new horizons in the research of asthma.

In 1864, it was found out by Dr. H. Salter that animal dander could also cause asthma attacks. During this time, many researches were conducted to discern the connection of asthma with allergens.

By 1900, the fact that asthma could results from hay fever was also brought to life. As many doctors were still confused about the origin of the disease, some also believed that it was psychosomatic disorder. Then many studies focused their attention on this aspect. It was proved much later that asthma was a physical ailment with obvious physical reasons and did not originate within the mind.

In the later half of 20th century, there was substantial maturity in the field of research related to asthma. It became possible because of great scientific and technological advancement.

Today, researches in asthma have certainly reached to a great height and it is being treatment significantly well. With proper diagnose, asthma can now be controlled within the patients, and its symptoms can be minimized with the help of medication.