Asthma is an extremely common problem. According to the American Lung Association, it is estimated that as many as 4 million children under the age of 18 will have an asthma attack in a given year. Asthma is a chronic condition, in which the bronchial tubes are inflamed and the airway is obstructed. Asthma is generally marked by tightness of the chest, wheezing, as well as coughing. Asthma is especially common in children whose parents have had asthma. The good news is that there are a variety of medications and treatments for asthma. One of the most exciting and newest treatments for asthma can be found in probiotics.

Probiotics are a form of good bacteria. These bacteria are not harmful bacteria, however. They are bacteria that are a part of the body’s natural balance of things, especially in the digestive tract. These bacteria can, for example, help in the process of digestion. Bacteria in the digestive tract help the body to absorb minerals, and to synthesize vitamins. They also can help to boost the immune system. They do this by helping the developing of the immune system, as well as helping to create a barrier against harmful sorts of bacteria. Bacteria in the digestive tract even play a role in protecting the body against infections. There is even a link between probiotics and asthma.

The link between probiotics and asthma is based on something called the “hygiene hypothesis.” This idea suggests that when an infant is exposed to little or no bacteria during the early months of his or her life, the infant can wind up with an imbalance of the immune system. This can result in a variety of diseases, such as asthma. While research isn’t yet entirely conclusive that probiotics can indeed help with asthma, some studies seem to indicate that this is indeed the case. In fact, in clinical scientific studies, probiotics continue to amaze researchers as to how effective they actually are at helping to remedy, delay, or prevent the onset of these various ailments such as asthma.