ASTHMA
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Asthma and Chinese Medicine
By Franchis Adam
Changes in Lifestyle
This alternative treatment is often called holistic therapy and
includes exercise, massage, chiropractic therapy, diet, and relaxation techniques. Breathing exercises which focus on the
use of abdominal or belly muscles have been helpful for
relaxation and the reduction of anxiety. Many patients have
found benefits in yoga or Chinese tai-chi. Changes in diet that
allow loss of excessive weight may be helpful in reducing shortness of breath. diet high in magnesium may be helpful in
controlling asthma. Although some benefit has been found with
supplements of vitamin C, in general, vitamin supplements,
antioxidants, and fish oil are not very helpful in asthma.
Chinese Medicine
Many asthmatics have sought help through Chinese medicine. One
of the most common treatments is acupuncture. This ancient form
of therapy is of little value in an acute asthmatic attack. Some
mild benefit in the control of chronic asthma has been reported
by individual patients but further study is needed.
Chinese herbal preparations usually include ephedrine (ma huang)
which is a less effective bronchodilator than the B2-adrenergic
agonists. This stimulant may have significant adverse effects
(tremors, insomnia, palpitations) and should be avoided. Large
doses of ephedrine may also produce urinary hesitation and
occasionally the inability to urinate. Gingko extracts and other herbal remedies such as forskolin have little value in asthma. A
traditional form of Chinese medicine called kanpo is popular in
Japan but has no proven benefit in asthma.
Western Herbal Remedies
Although a number of asthma drugs such as cromolyn (khella) have
evolved from herbal sources, there are no American or European
herbs that are of proven value in the treatment of asthma. A
number of herbs such as coltsfoot, mullein, hyssop, and
elecampine have been recommended by herbalists but do not appear
to relieve asthma. These agents do have an effect on the
mobilization of mucus and help patients expectorate excess
secretions. This effect may account for the improvement noted by
some asthmatics.
Pseudoscience
A number of bizarre remedies with no scientific value have been
advocated for the treatment of asthma. These include the
administration of hydrogen peroxide, magnetic healing,
chelation, and crystal therapy. Patients must be alert to
fraudulent practices such as alternative drug preparations which
may actually contain potent corticosteroids.
Why Alternative Therapies Appear to Work
It has been established that measurable health benefits can
occur from an inactive agent (placebo) that patients take in the
belief that it may be helpful. A significant placebo response,
which may equal that of a proven drug, may occur in at least 30
percent of asthmatics. A "reverse placebo effect" in which
asthmatics developed bronchospasm when they Were given a
bronchodilator which they were told was a bronchoconstrictor has
also been documented.
In view of this high degree of suggestibility, it is not
surprising that alternative therapies can produce a subjective
improvement in asthma, especially when the patient is a strong
advocate of a particular discipline or treatment.
Choosing the Proper Therapy
The traditional treatment of asthma is the combination of
avoidance of asthma triggers and a medication regimen that is
constructed for each individual patient. Although alternative
forms of treatment are popular, these practices have mild
effects and may be harmful. Patients should consult with their
physicians before beginning any unorthodox form of therapy. In
some instances, such as changes in diet and exercise,
alternative therapies may be used to supplement traditional
medicine.
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