Suffering From Asthma? Try These Alternative Treatments

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways associated with recurrent episodes of coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. If you have asthma, you are genetically predisposed to allergic diseases, and its symptoms are a manifestation of environmental factors that exacerbate inflammation. Due to Beijing’s high levels of outdoor air pollution, people predisposed to asthma may find themselves suffering from frequent symptoms while living in the north of China. Though asthma is a complex and variable disease, it can be treated with conventional medicine, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, or a combination of these two approaches.

Recognizing asthma’s symptoms

Because asthma’s symptoms are under diagnosed, they are often not recognized for what they are. Individuals with asthmatic symptoms may simply believe they have an infection or the common cold. They may ask themselves, “Why has this cold lasted for three weeks?” or not understand why they often find themselves short of breath or coughing for months on end. Asthma attacks can be triggered by viruses passed among individuals, from dust mites, or by other environmental factors, particularly tobacco smoke, outdoor air pollution, cockroach allergen, pet fur, mold, chemicals and fragrances, humidity, and physical exercise.

Finding relief from asthma

To treat asthma, physicians use rescue and/or preventive therapies using medication and inhalers. Rescue therapies include bronchodilators, like Albuterol, to relax the airway bronchial tubes and relieve the spasm individuals experience while having an asthma attack. Others medications are preventive, such as inhaled corticosteroids including Budesonide and Fluticasone, which are designed for everyday use.

While we cannot easily change our genetic heritage, we do have some control over our environment. For this reason, many patients are turning to increasingly popular complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. This approach to therapy is often used in combination with medication and inhalers to alleviate the symptoms of asthma. These integrative approaches to medicine include diet, herbal medications, acupuncture, homeopathy, breathing exercises, and yoga.

Alternative therapies to treat asthma

While the quality of evidence is variable, there are CAM therapies that studies show help in the treatment of asthmatic symptoms. These include:

Environment

• Eliminate potential allergens and triggers in the environment
• HEPA indoor filters
• N95 outdoor masks

Research studies have shown that eliminating potential allergens and triggers from your environment had a great impact in the appearance of asthmatic symptoms. In my personal practice, the patients who used HEPA filters indoors and wore masks outside reported decreased or lowered incidence of asthmatic symptoms.

Nutrition

• Eliminate allergenic foods such as dairy products, shellfish, and foods with nitrites, sulfites, added food coloring, or artificial sweeteners (at least for a trial period)
• Increase intake of organic fruits and vegetables, as well as foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids

Allergenic foods can cause an inflammatory response in your airways that affect your symptoms. Increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables provides a major source of antioxidants that may help to lower your chances of an asthma attack.

Exercise and breathing techniques

• Follow an exercise regimen
• Consider meditation and breathing techniques for stress reduction

Numerous studies have shown that asthma can be better controlled with regular exercise. Meditation, yoga, relaxation therapy, biofeedback, hypnosis, guided imagery, and breathing exercises all bring more oxygen to the lungs, reduce stress, and lower anxiety.

Supplements

• Vitamin C, vitamin B6, magnesium, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids (found in sources
  like fish oil)

These supplements help to correct possible nutritional deficiencies, and reduce inflammation and oxidation in the airways. They also may help to boost your immune system to battle and eliminate the allergens that cause asthma attacks.

Botanicals

• Tylophora indica
• Coleus forskohlii
• Ma huang
• Glycyrrhiza glabra
• Ginko biloba
• ASHMI (Anti-Asthma Herbal Intervention) – a tested Chinese herbal combination
• Boswellia serrata

Use of botanicals is one of the oldest approaches in treating asthma, dating back 4,000 years, and used in both Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Most often, these herbs are tailored to individual needs by a trained practitioner. Talk to your doctor first before taking herbal remedies to make sure it’s the right choice for you.

Biomechanical

• Manual therapy (osteopathic or chiropractic)
• Massage

Manual therapies and massage help to loosen your body and free it from stress—another asthma trigger.

While the medical community is still divided on which CAM therapies combine best with conventional approaches, talking to your doctor is the first step to developing a methodology that works for you and your lifestyle.

References:

www.mayoclinic.org
www.med.umich.edu