COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES FOR ASTHMA

COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES FOR ASTHMA

If you've used a complementary treatment for your asthma, or if you fancy giving one a go, you're joining a rising number of people who have an interest in this area. Possibly you've read about various remedies for asthma on the internet or you know someone who swears by a treatment they've tried. But how do you know what's worth trying for your asthma and what's not?

Treatments such as the Buteyko Breathing Technique, yoga, acupuncture, homeopathy and hypnotherapy are usually brought up to as complementary therapies not alternative therapies. This is because it's always best to use them alongside (to complement) your prescribed medicines not instead of them (as an alternative).

The difficulty is, complementary therapies have-not been studied as much as conventional medicines, so there's not very much scientific evidence to show they work or that they're even safe.

Constantly check with your GP or asthma nurse before trying a new complementary therapy.

Never discontinue taking your usual asthma medicines unless your GP or asthma nurse advises you to do so. This is because holding back your asthma medicines can cause your asthma symptoms to get worse and increase your risk of having an asthma attack.

Breathing Techniques

The latest guidelines used by many healthcare professionals (BTS/SIGN 2014) For the management of asthma say that using breathing exercise programs, such as the Buteyko Method or the Papworth Method, alongside your usual prescribed medicine may aid to reduce asthma symptoms, reduce the amount of needed medicines and improve quality of life for some people. 

THE BUTEYKO BREATHING TECHNIQUE

The Buteyko Breathing Technique (BBT), named after the Russian professor who developed it, is a system of breathing exercises and lifestyle recommendations about exercise, nutrition and sleeping. The Buteyko Breathing Association says BBT aims to cut asthma symptoms by teaching people how to breathe slowly and gently through the nose rather than the mouth, which can dry out the airways and make them more sensitive. Some Buteyko teachers believe BBT works by raising carbon dioxide levels, which they believe can be low in people with asthma. There's no conclusive evidence to back up this idea.

"The biggest difference for me is that I get fewer respiratory infections, and when I do find them, they are usually less severe."Sandra Morison 

The Buteyko Breathing Assocation is a non-profit organization committed to bettering the health of people with asthma and other breathing related problems. Check Seewww.buteykobreathing.org for more details.

THE PAPWORTH METHOD

Taught by physical therapists to patients with asthma since the 1960s, The Papworth Method is a breathing and relaxation technique. It requires learning to breathe in a certain way using the nose and diaphragm (the main muscle you use to breathe you can feel it under your rib cage when you take breaths in and out) And developing breathing patterns to suit whatever activity you're performing. The teaching includes relaxation training and suggestions to help you fit the exercises into every animation. At least five hours of preparation are recommended. Call for your GP or asthma nurse for details of what's available in your area.

Holistic Therapies

There are dozens of different holistic therapies around - in leisure centers, gyms, health clubs, wellbeing centers and spas. If you're designing to try any of them, speak to your GP or asthma nurse first.

YOGA

Yoga uses a diversity of postures and breathing techniques to help increase flexibility and fitness, and to aid relaxation. An ancient Hindu practice, yoga is now popular with many Hollywood stars as well as millions of people all over the globe.

Many yoga teachers teach breathing exercises. The latest BTS/SIGN guidelines on the management of asthma say there's currently not enough evidence on yoga breathing techniques to urge them. But some subjects have found that these exercises help people with asthma have fewer asthma attacks and to react less to certain triggers. It's also believed that practicing yoga helps people with asthma by reducing stress (which can be a trigger for asthma symptoms), but more research is needed to confirm this.

HYPNOTHERAPY

Hypnotherapy, as well known as hypnosis, works by helping someone reach a very relaxed state where they are open to positive suggestions about how to think, feel or behave differently. Tests have shown that hypnotherapy may help muscle relaxation, which could help people with asthma. The latest BTS/SIGN guidelines on the management of asthma conclude that more research is required, though.

MINDFULNESS

Mindfulness is a kind of meditation, or mental training, where you focus on what’s happening inside your mind and body in the present moment. In theory, it can be practiced anywhere, at any time, but the simplest path is to find a quiet place and sit with your eyes shut so you can pay full attention to your thoughts, feelings and the sensations in your body, including your breathing.

By taking time away to focus on yourself, regular mindfulness is thought to calm the mind and improve concentration. And it’s been found that regular exercise might be good for people with asthma because of the stress-relieving benefits. If you prefer to try mindfulness to complement your asthma care, the Mental Health Foundation offers an online learning course that you can do at your own pace.

ACUPUNCTURE

Based on ancient Chinese theories, acupuncture involves placing very fine needles into specific points on the body. This points to encourage a healthy flow of the person's natural energy, or 'life force' around pathways in the body.

The latest BTS/SIGN guidelines on the management of asthma say that no long-term benefits have been proven and that more research is needed before acupuncture can be commended.

If you prefer to have acupuncture, make sure your acupuncturist is properly qualified and practices the treatment under safe and hygienic conditions. You can also mark off that they're registered with the British Acupuncture Council.

SALT ROOMS (SPELEOTHERAPY) AND SALT PIPES

Speleotherapy involves spending time in a salt mine or specially built salt room. Salt pipes are gadgets you use at home. Several claims have been made to explain why using these therapies to breathe in tiny salt particles can improve the symptoms of asthma. The latest BTS/SIGN guidelines on the management of asthma don't mention salt pipes or speleotherapy as there isn't any scientific evidence to prove that either may help asthma.

HOMEOPATHY

Homeopathy aims to activate the body's self-healing response using very small doses of things that cause symptoms. Some surveys have shown that homeopathy can be helpful for people with asthma, but the latest BTS/SIGN guidelines on the management of asthma, says there isn't enough evidence to recommend homeopathy for people with asthma.

DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

On that point are various small studies and theories to show that taking extra dietary supplements can help to reduce asthma symptoms. Vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids have all been under the glare, but the latest BTS/SIGN guidelines on the management of asthma, says there isn't enough evidence to recommend any of them for people with asthma.

HERBAL MEDICINE

In herbal medicine, plants or sections of plants that contain active ingredients or chemicals are used to treat illnesSome surveys have found that some herbal medicines can help reduce asthma symptoms.ms. Although some herbs may be worth further investigation, the latest BTS/SIGN guidelines on the management of asthma says their effects are not yet fully understood and cannot be recommended for people with asthma.

If you're designing to try herbal medicine, it's very important to seek advice from your GP or asthma nurse first because some herbs have been shown to have serious side effects. The herbal medicine St John's Wort, for example, must not be employed by anyone taking theophylline (a long-acting reliever treatment prescribed for some people with asthma) As it can dilute the effectiveness of the medicine and cause asthma symptoms to get worse.

ROYAL JELLY

Royal jelly and Propolis are both produced by beThere is evidence that taking royal jelly has caused very serious side effects in some people with asthma who experience allergiesThese have included asthma attacks, breathing difficulties, anaphylactic shock (a serious allergic reaction)ction) Coma and even deAlthough serious side effects from Propolis have not been documented in the same manner as for royal jelly, caution is advised because they are both from bees. both from beeAsthma UK recommends that people with asthma and allergies should not call for royal jelly or Propolis.is. If you're considering about taking them, we strongly suggest you discuss it with your GP or asthma nurse first. 

AIR IONISERS

The latest BTS/SIGN guidelines on the management of asthma states very clearly that air ionizers are not advocated for the treatment of asthma.