Alternatives for asthma

ASTHMA, OR more correctly bronchial asthma, is a common and chronic inflammatory disease involving the air passages of the lungs. The symptoms are variable, and recurring and include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

As our environment becomes more polluted, the number of people suffering from asthma is increasing worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States of America, more than eight per cent of Americans have the disease with black children being the most affected.

Modern medicine offers a wide assortment of drugs to treat asthma. They are administered orally as tablets or liquids, by inhalation as sprays, pumps or nebulisers, or by injection. Recent research, however, suggests more asthmatic patients are turning to complementary and alternative medicines.

Complementary and alternative asthma therapies range from nutrition, vitamin, minerals, herbs and breathing exercises to acupuncture and homeopathy. These may often be used to reduce the requirements for medication. It is important, however, to discuss this with your doctor.

Diet

As in any inflammatory problem, diet is extremely important in the asthmatic. The following principles should be observed:

Increase your intake of antioxidant-rich foods like vegetables, fresh fruit and berries. People with severe asthma often have decreased levels of these protective nutrients found in fruits and vegetables.

Drink more water, natural fruit juices, herbal teas and coconut water.

Avoid foods that irritate the immune system like dairy products, wheat-containing foods, food preservatives and additives. Identify foods that may trigger an attack and avoid them. Moderate your intake of sugar and salt.

A high-quality multivitamin tablet taken to supplement each meal also helps you get the nutrients that the body needs for optimal health. But this should be in addition to eating a varied diet rich in fresh, unprocessed foods.

A clean environment

Not only do asthmatics need to clean up their diet, they also need to optimise the cleanliness of the air they breathe as well. Airborne pollutants abound in the modern home and workplace. House dust, smoke, chemical sprays and odours, animal dander (hairs and fur) all can trigger asthma and should be avoided as much as possible.

Breathing exercises

Breathing methods vary, but generally involve learning to take slower, fewer breaths, to breathe through your nose rather than your mouth and to use your abdominal muscles to take deep "belly breaths".

Two specific breathing techniques for asthma include the Buteyko breathing technique and yoga breathing exercises, (pranayama). In a number of studies, people who did such breathing exercises reported improvement in their symptoms. These methods also offer advice about stress reduction, nutrition and general health.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture originated in China thousands of years ago and involves the insertion of very thin needles into your skin at specific points on your body. Some studies show that asthma symptoms may improve with acupuncture. When delivered by trained practitioners, acupuncture is a low-risk procedure. If you choose to use acupuncture, work with an experienced acupuncturist or a medical doctor who practises acupuncture.

Herbal remedies

Herbal remedies have been used for centuries to treat lung problems and are still a primary asthma treatment in many countries. Herbs used in treating asthma include ephedra, green tea, ginger, schizandra, rosemary, pycnogenol, goswellia and ginkgo biloba. All these herbs have definite anti-inflammatory properties.

Blends of different types of herbs are commonly used in traditional Chinese, Indian and Japanese medicine, as certain combinations of herbs may be more effective than one herb taken on its own. Some herbal remedies can interact with other medications so inform your doctor if you choose to use both.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy seeks to stimulate the body's self-healing ability, using very small doses of substances that would cause the problem. For asthma, homeopathic remedies are made from substances that generally trigger an asthmatic reaction, such as pollen or weeds, but in such tiny amounts that they prevent rather than cause an asthma attack.

Relaxation therapy

Relaxation therapy techniques include meditation, biofeedback, hypnosis and progressive muscle relaxation. While it is unproved that these techniques directly treat asthma, they reduce stress, relieve the symptoms and promote a sense of well-being.

Vitamins and minerals

Four of these supplements are particularly useful in asthma:

Antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin A are particularly useful in asthma as they boost the immune system and reduce the inflammation caused by free radicals. Vitamin C is usually needed in high doses (three to six gm) daily in divided dosage as this vitamin is water soluble and does not remain in the system for long.

Omega-3 fatty acids. Found in the highest concentration in fish oils, omega-3s may reduce the inflammation that produces the symptoms of asthma. Epidemiological studies show that a diet high in marine fatty acids (fish oil) has beneficial effects on many inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. The effective dose of omega-3s is three grams or more daily.

Magnesium: This mineral is extremely important in asthma as it is a natural muscle relaxant and is very useful in relieving the spasm of the muscles of the airways that occur in asthma. Holistic physicians often use magnesium given by intravenous injection to abort and prevent asthmatic attacks. One particularly effective treatment is called a Myers Cocktail that involves a combination of magnesium, vitamin C and other vitamins administered intravenously by a doctor. Asthmatics should consume magnesium-rich foods as well as take magnesium supplements. Chelated magnesium such as magnesium aspartate, citrate or oratate are better absorbed than magnesium oxide or chloride

Vitamin D. Some individuals with severe asthma have a vitamin-D deficiency and adequate levels of vitamin D are critical for a healthy immune system. Research suggests that vitamin D may reduce asthma symptoms. You may optimise your vitamin D levels by having a daily sunbath and/or by taking vitamin D3 supplements.

You may email Dr Tony Vendryes at tonyvendryes@gmail.com or listen to 'An Ounce of Prevention' on POWER 106FM on Fridays at 8 p.m. His new book, 'An Ounce of Prevention, Especially for Women', is available locally and on the Internet.