Asthma is not a disease, but just a name given to various symptoms, says The Lancet

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Asthma is not a disease, but just a name given to various symptoms, says The Lancet Posted Monday, August 28, 2006 by NewsTarget, Key concepts: asthma, medical myths and conventional medicine. Printable article Permalink: http://www.NewsTarget.com/020176.html(NewsTarget) The medical journal The Lancet is appealing to the medical community to stop using the term "asthma" as it misleads people to believe it is a disease rather than a group of symptoms with various origins and characteristics. Symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing and breathing difficulties, and it is generally accepted that attacks are brought on by inflamed airways, but the actual spark for the inflammation is not known, nor is the reason why some people contract asthma while others do not. "Perhaps asthma as a symptom is really only the clinical manifestation of several distinct diseases," said The Lancet article. "Rather than confusing scientists, doctors and patients even further, is it not time to step out of the straight jacket of a seemingly unifying name that has outlived its usefulness?" The article went on to explain that asthma can have a multitude of triggers, symptoms and treatments, providing more evidence that it is inappropriate to label it as a single disease. "The Lancet article raises some interesting points; asthma is indeed a complex ailment," said Dr. Andrew Miller, a spokesman for the British Lung Foundation. "But whether this is a good enough reason to abandon a useful name which encompasses a range of symptoms treated in a similar way is not yet clear." Natural health advocate Mike Adams found the announcement intriguing. "It's both refreshing and curious to see anyone in conventional medicine finally admitting that asthma isn't a disease at all, but rather just a name given to a variety of symptoms," he said. "This indicates the beginning of an important paradigm shift in medicine, where a few of the brightest thinkers are beginning to realize that calling symptoms diseases is a disservice to patients and doctors alike. It's time we stopped treating symptoms and started examining the underlying causes of conditions like asthma, ADHD, osteoporosis and even cancer," Adams said. Currently, experts claim that approximately 300 million people have asthma worldwide -- a number expected to reach 400 million by 2025. One in 250 deaths is caused by it, and children with allergies are more likely to develop the condition. The Lancet noted that there has been an increase in childhood allergies across the globe. "Until the 19th century fever was regarded as a disease and maybe in 20, 30 or 50 years' time we will look back at asthma in the same way," said the editorial. ### See more articles on: asthma | medical myths | conventional medicine Articles related to this article:• Asthma explained by common allergy to milk and dairy products• Common asthma inhaler causing deaths, researchers assert (press release)• Concentrated animal feeding operations near schools may pose asthma risk (press release)• Asthma attacks found to be caused by suppressed immune system• Fish Oil Reduces Airway Inflammation Caused by Exercise-Induced Asthma (press release)Action items:• Post your comment on this article (click here) "Here's what I think..." • Email this article to a friend (click here) "Hey, check this out!" • Be social! Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us • Permalink to this article: http://www.NewsTarget.com/020176.html • Reprint this article: Non-commercial reprint OK, cite source and provide clickable link •Bookmark this article (click here). Most popular articles on the NewsTarget Network:#1 The top ten things food companies don't want you to know#2 ADHD drugs to carry new warnings about psychotic behavior#3 Probiotics to chew on? Friendly bacteria gum fights tooth decay#4 FDA poised to change the health & wellbeing of all Americans#5 Health Freedom (comic)#6 Interview with Dr. Dennis Goodman on how to naturally lower LDL...#7 Consumer Alert: Hoodia Gordonii weight loss pills scam exposed...#8 Drinking tea healthier than drinking water, say researchers