anything for asthma?

[Xav]

I am tired of taking meds & docs saying it'll be gone when i get older...

[CosmicFish]

As a fellow sufferer, I can understand how you feel about constantly taking meds, but depending on how bad your asthma is, it might be dangerous to just quit the regular meds and try something else.

What are you allergic to?

[Xav]

i am not planning on stopping the drugs, just try some alternative things too (I believe in alternative healing).

I am allergic to dust & pets

[CosmicFish]

With pets, the obvious thing (which you're probably already doing) is to minimise your contact with them.

With dust mites it's a hell of a lot harder since they get everywhere. Raid (the red variety) worked wonders for me. Spray all the carpets and curtains in your house with it - you'll need several cans. Within a day or two you'll notice an enormous difference. I moved house in October and the place was infested with them - we're talking using ventolin every 4 hours, even waking up in the night to use it, streaming nose and eyes, the lot. I went from that to virtually symptom free in 48 hours. You should be able to pick it up in most large supermarkets.

Hope this helps, and good luck finding a traditional cure too.

[Xav]

thanks a lot for the tips

[JSKdan]

Hi Xav
Proper breathing will also help a lot, this means breathing in to the bottom of your lungs ( so that your stomach moves out when you breath in).
This will mean you are using all of your lungs when you breath in.
It makes a big difference as some I have trained with, with asthma have not had to use they meds as much.
I hope this helps :)

[Chimpcheng]

I'm a fellow sufferer too from birth and then it went away all on it's own when I was a younger teen. This only lasted for a few months when I was rushed to hospital and nearly died (the second time asthma nearly claimed me).

I've tried everything including herbal medication and acupuncture from the local TCM doc. It did absolutely nothing for me apart from give me a nasty taste in my mouth and leaving me full of holes. However, many people swear by it, if it works then fantastic, but it did nothing for me... :(

Swimming is supposed to be fantastic for asthma sufferers.

However, I stick with my 'western' meds (ventolin and becotide) and my asthma has rarely stopped me from training, running, skipping, etc. etc.

[CosmicFish]

What Chimp just said reminds me . . .

Quick tip for anyone who relies on Ventolin a lot: Go see your doc and ask if you can be prescribed something with Salmeterol in it. The active ingredient of Ventolin is Salbutamol. It lasts for about 4 hours. Salmeterol has a virtually identical effect but lasts for 12. A little over two months ago my doc put me on Seretide, which combines Salmeterol with a mild steroid dose. I use it twice a day and IIRC I've only needed my Ventolin once since I started it.

[Saz]

Spray all the carpets and curtains in your house with it - you'll need several cans.

Yeah.. good tip, but one thing. Be VERY careful spraying aerosol's around if you're asthmatic. I'm also asthmatic and I've been hospitalised doing this.

If possible get someone else to do it for you.

[CosmicFish]

^ Good point, cheers.

[deaddoll]

Hi Xav
Proper breathing will also help a lot, this means breathing in to the bottom of your lungs ( so that your stomach moves out when you breath in).
This will mean you are using all of your lungs when you breath in.
It makes a big difference as some I have trained with, with asthma have not had to use they meds as much.
I hope this helps :)
Remember there is nothing wrong with the lungs .Asthma is the bronchial tubes..
correct breathing will keep all people well but an Asthmatic has no lung problem related to the Asthma..just wanted to point this out :D

[Xav]

I am on seretide aswell (take it every 12 hours), there are some pills called "Singulair" that help a lot. BTW walking in mountains help a lot too for me, people say swimming helps but I don't believe that. I nearly died of astma once too, but it's improving IMO (I used to be a fat lazy kid, now I am strongest person & in best shape of my class, i am 16 btw)

Don't let astma demoralise you, see it as a challenge.
If it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger :)

I am surprised there are quite a few other people with astma here...on my school I am the only 1.

[rubberband]

A subject close to my heart... and lungs...

first let me put out the disclaimer that you should consult a doctor, don't get off you meds unsupervised, and try these things at your own risk... or have back up availiable if needed...

the first line of defense is simple diet... astmatics should avoid eating berries and processed foods and experiment with other foods like wheat or dairy to see if they cause or enhance symptoms... also sugar is considered to add to asthma symptoms...

also don't over eat... and stay hydrated

the second line of defense is vitamins and supplements... Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and magnesium are all good to fortify you to reactions

after an episode or sickness beta ceratine or other sources of vitamin A are good for recovery

copper braclets work to stave off reactions, strange but true for me...

breathing in a way to build up carbon dioxide can stop an asthma attack... basically start out: breath in 4 count, hold 4 count, out 4 count, hold 4 count, then after three cycles in 4 hold 4 out 6 hold 6 then after three of those try in 4 hold 4 out 8 hold 8... then breath through the nose in 4 without a hold cycle then out 8 hold 8... you want to feel hungry for air but avoid the temptation to take a deep breath...

holding a clump of Rabbit Tobbacco A.K.A sweet everlasting leaves (Gnaphalium obtusifolium) in your hand and breathing through it works just like an inhalor to stop an attack... some herbalist recommend filling a small pillow with the leaves and sleeping with it... I have not tried it but plan to eventually...

reflexology has worked for me as well... rubbing and stimulating with finger pressure the large knuckles at the base of the middle and ring finger as well as the thumb pad...

Used in combination these things have helped me curb my symptoms...

take care, steve

[geordi]

You need to learn as much about your condition, triggers, and medications as is possible. Take your medications as directed. One of the underlying causes of asthma attacks is inflamation of bronchial tissue. If you can manage to keep that under control, you will have few, if any attacks.
Treatment for asthma consists of inhaled beta-2 agonists (Albuterol, Salumeterol, epinephrine, etc.) and corticosteriods. The beta agonists relax the muscle tissue in your lungs, and the corticosteriods keep the inflammation down. If you are taking oral corticosteriods (prednizone, a nasty drug) talk to your doctor about switching to inhaled corticosteriods, advair is a wonderful preperation.
Other drugs, such as singuilar (a leukotrine modifier,) and expectorants can also keep symptoms at bay. You should invest in an air filter for your bedroom, and change your sheets, especially your pillowcase, often. NSAIDs like aspirin and some nutritional supplements like melatonin can make your asthma worse, and should be avioded if at all possible.
I'm sorry you're having troubles with asthma, I have it myself - in fact I just got kicked out of the Army for it. It will get better though, I promise you.

[Chimpcheng]

What everyone is saying is sound good advice, don't ever let it get the better of you.

Like I said, my asthma nearly ended me twice (thank god for nebulisers and our awesome doctors and nurses :p) but as an adult I am able to do just about everything I want to with it causing me too much problem. I can ever stand performing the lion dance over fire crackers and the acrid smoke they produce during Chinese New Year without suffering. :)

I'll always remember when one of my juniors (and now fellow senior) came out running with us for the first time. He was pleased with himself for keeping up with me but his heart sank when he spotted the inhaler in my hand. :D

Don't let it dictate your life.

[blessed_samurai]

Perhaps not a popular choice by some but ephedra has worked just dandy to help individuals with asthma.

[geordi]

Ephedra is a systemic beta agonist with a plethora of side effects, and it was recently banned in the US. What is needed is a drug with a high affinity for the beta-2 repeceptor like the ones found in smooth muscle tissue. Ephdrea activates beta-2 along with evey other beta receptor in the body. It can even cross the blood-brain barrier in limited amounts, not something to muck with.

If you want a natural cure, try pressing HARD into your sternum with your knuckels and rubbing up and down. It hurts like a mother but you lungs will clear up for a bit, assuming you are early on in your attack.

[blessed_samurai]

Ephedra has been used for centuries with great results. America's problem is they like to much of a good thing. So, we have individuals using it that have heart problems to begin with (they shouldn't even be touching coffee), or individuals using way to much of it because it makes them feel good and energetic.

The ban was lifted in most states.

Ephedra can be used safely as any other product out there if it is respected. But to discount something because it has side-effects (even good side-effects are side-effects) is to jump on the same bandwagon our FDA does when it goes ban happy and yet lets thousands of pharmaceutical drugs that are very harmful get prescribed every year.

[Guizzy]

I think most people with asthma figured that one out by themselves, but I found the thing that helped me the most was a calm mind and understanding of how asthma work.

Having problem with asthma is very panicking and stressful, but the more you panick the worse it gets. Calm yourself. Remind yourself to breathe slowly but deeply. It is a battle, but a battle that can be won.

Of course, I can't see anything wrong with keeping a ventolin pump near should you be on the loosing side.

[aikiMac]

i am not planning on stopping the drugs, just try some alternative things too (I believe in alternative healing).
Chiropractic treatments. Tweak the nerves into the lungs, and voila, no more irritations.

(Don't knock it 'till you try it.)

[Kwajman]

Well I didn't develop asthma till I was a lot older, in my mid 30's at least. So I'm not sure what caused mine. I use an inhaler before class and it only causes me problems every so often. I wish I didn't have it, but I guess things could be worse.

[JKDNinjaStudent]

Pranic breathing, drinking plenty of pure water (room temp is best), and I regularly take an herbal supplement called ultimate respitory cleanse you can find it at any vitamin supplier or online store such as evitamins.

Also try various healing methods such as reiki.

On top of all of that I consume two grams of vitamin c daily as well, which I've heard also helps asthma suffers. I do suffer from asthma and all of this helps me a great deal. In fact I no longer even take an inhaled steroid.

[leodus]

It is important you know what causes your trouble. Doctors prescribe medicine for only one purpose; to sell an expensive product and make the customer dependant because he has no other resource. I'm telling you you do. First, go for a walk out side every single chance you get. The air outdoors is so much cleaner and has ions that destroy pathogens. Next eat all the fruit you can get your hands on. Fruit has more fiber than bread that will clense out the toxins in your organs and bloodstream. Finally gradually start some cardio exersise. Running is fun and you get the enjoyment of seeing new places, as well as the fresh air which your body learns to use better the more your performance improves.