Asthma is primarily an allergic disorder, characterized by spasms of the bronchi (the large airway tubes of the lungs), swelling of the lining of these airways, and production of thick mucous. This results in obstruction of airflow and hyper-responsiveness of the airways. Asthma attacks can occur episodically, triggered by both environmental (allergic) and emotional triggers. It can also be brought on by exercise. Asthma can severely limit everyday activities and can lead to the inability to breathe. A severe asthma attack can be fatal.

Common Symptoms

• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Coughing
• Sputum production
• Wheezing

What You Need to Know

Because allergens are a source and cause of asthmatic attacks, make every effort to eliminate them from your environment. They include pollen, dander, dust mites, tobacco smoke, and some pets. Hypoallergenic bedding, air purifiers, and electrostatic filters help. Learn as much as you can about asthma because if you can manage your asthma, you significantly reduce the likelihood that you will need urgent or unscheduled medical care. Many local hospitals and pulmonary (lung) specialists provide asthma education programs.

Asthma can also be caused or initiated by acid reflux (GERD or heartburn). The acid in the esophagus can be inhaled into the lungs, causing irritation. If you have GERD, obtaining appropriate treatment can reverse or reduce asthmatic symptoms.

A recent initial study showed that hormone replacement therapy (primarily synthetic estrogen, but also synthetic progesterone) appears to worsen asthma, especially in women who had asthma before menopause. If you have severe or uncontrolled asthma that may have worsened with hormone replacement, stop taking the hormones to see whether your asthma improves, or replace them with natural hormones.

General Recommendations

Diet: Studies have shown that a vegetarian diet, rich in vitamins E, A, and C, can provide significant relief for most asthma patients, but it takes at least one year to experience benefits. Broccoli contains selenium and magnesium, both of which are able to reduce asthma symptoms. Lycopene, found in tomatoes, autumn olives (an asian fruit that tastes like cranberries), pink grapefruit, and watermelon may protect against asthma, especially exercise-induced asthma. Increased omega-3 fatty acids found in cold-water fish (mackerel, salmon, herring, trout, cod, tuna, and halibut) can also reduce the frequency of asthma attacks. If you are overweight, losing weight can significantly improve your asthma. Some food allergies can playa role in asthma, with immediate or delayed reactions. Foods commonly associated with immediate sensitivity include eggs, fish, shellfish, and nuts. Foods associated with delayed-onset asthma include milk, chocolate, wheat, citrus, and food colorings. Food additives should also be avoided. White wine has recently been shown to improve lung function due to its antioxidant effects. Red wine also helps, but not as much as white.

Exercise: Most people with asthma can safely exercise at intensities of 50 percent to 60 percent of maximum predicted heart rate. However, your safe level of exercise depends on your symptoms and the condition of your muscles (if you haven’t exercised in a long time, you need to start much slower and build up). You should avoid exercise in polluted areas-don’t jog along busy streets. Often, taking asthma medication before exercise is necessary. Some sports have differing triggering thresholds. For example, swimming triggers asthma attacks less than running or cycling. Consult a pulmonary specialist for individual recommendations.

Meditation: Meditation results in fewer and less severe episodes of shortness of breath through relaxation of the bronchial and chest muscles.

Your Balanced Healing Action Plan for Acute Asthma Attacks

• For severe asthma attacks that do not respond to your usual medications, go immediately to an emergency room. You should seek care from a pulmonary specialist rather than a primary care physician. You may need to start with step 13, and then return to step 1 when your asthma stabilizes.

Your Balanced Healing Action Plan for Chronic Asthma

Step 1: Use Prescription Inhalers

Because asthma can be a life-threatening disease, you should always start with conventional medications to get it under control. Inhaled bronchodilators, called beta-agonists, open up the bronchiolar airways and are the mainstay of treatment for asthma. There are both short-acting inhalers (such as albuterol) and long-acting inhalers (such as salme­ terol). If you have mild, intermittent asthma, short-acting inhalers are usually recommended only when you have an attack, not on a regular basis. If you have mild, persistem asthma, low dose inhaled steroids are more effective than beta-agonists. However, they can be used together at the same time if either is not completely effective. (there is now a combination steroid/long acting beta agonist inhaler available for those who need both.) A long acting inhaler is useful for nighttime asthma. Inhaled steroids used long term do cause bone loss, so take the lowest possible dose, and obtain bone scans to monitor for osteoporosis if you use them all the time.

Step 2: Take Prescription Leukotriene Modifiers

Leukotriene modifiers (montelukast, zafirlukast, zileuton) are drugs that stabilize certain cells that, when irritated, can induce asthmatic attacks. They are usually the next line of treatment and are most often used with the two medications in step 1. They are usually taken once or twice a day.

Oral medication to dilate the bronchial tubes, such as theophylline, can be used in place of or with inhaled bronchodilators if symptoms are not adequately controlled, but this is a fourth choice medication. Blood levels of theophylline should be monitored on a regular basis to avoid toxicity (which is characterized by nausea, vomiting, headache, irritability, fast heart beat, and convulsions).

Step 3: Undergo Acupuncture for Long-Term Relief

After your asthma is stabilized, I recommend that you use acupuncture to reduce asthma attacks and your need for asthmatic medication. Principal points are usually found on the upper back, chest, hands, and wrists. There is also an effective ear acupuncture point called the stop wheezing (asthma) point. Always seek evaluation and treatment from a practitioner certified in acupuncture.

You should experience improvement within six acupuncture treatments, but you might need additional sessions for maximum benefits. If acupuncture is effective, you may be able to reduce or stop taking the prescription medications in steps 1 and 2 (but consult with your physician first).

Step 4: Take Appropriate Chinese Herbal Remedies

Chinese herbal formulas are effective in reducing many symptoms of asthma, especially mucous production, coughing, and wheezing. They are often used in conjunction with acupuncture for faster results. The most common formula is Ren Shen Ge lie San, but there are many others; the choice depends on the underlying pattern.

Consult a practitioner qualified in Chinese herbal medicine to determine which Chinese herbal formulas are the best for your particular syndromes. Some practitioners use ephedra (Ma huang), which is a potent bronchodilator, but it can be dangerous in high doses and can worsen hypertension and angina. Chinese herbal formulas may take three to six weeks to have a beneficial effect.

Step 5: Take Vitamin C, Magnesium, B-Complex Vitamins, and Grapeseed Extract

If you still have asthmatic symptoms, take the following:

• Vitamin C, 10mg to 30mg daily for every two pounds of body weight
• Magnesium (200mg to 400mg three times per day)
• B-complex vitamins (use a product that contains at least the recommended daily amounts of all the B vitamins.)
• Grapeseed extract, 50mg to 100mg of 95 percent PCO content three times a day or green tea extract, 200mg to 300mg of 50 percent polyphenol content, three times a day

The benefits of these supplements derive from their antioxidant effects, with magnesium acting as a bronchodilator. They also inhibit formation and release of chemicals in the body that cause allergic reactions, such as histamine. You can take these supplements safely along with the medications in steps 1 and 2. If you have exercise-induced asthma, add Lycopene, 5mg to 15mg daily. These supplements may take one to two months to provide benefits.

Step 6: Practice the Yoga Pigeon and Cobra Postures

Yoga can help you learn to breathe deeply and relax, helping you cope with stress factors that can initiate asthma attacks.

• The Pigeon posture may enhance breathing. Start at a kneeling position and slide your left leg straight behind you. Take a deep breath and stretch your torso while arching your back slightly. Hold this position for 20 to 30 seconds, breathing deeply during this time. Exhale and relax, and then repeat with the other leg.
• The Cobra posture can ease wheezing. Lie face down, placing both forearms on the floor, your elbows directly under your shoulders. Inhale and push your chest upward, straightening your arms, while keeping your pelvis against the ground. Hold this posture for 15 seconds, breathing deeply, and then slowly relax.

It may take several months to observe results from yoga. Consult a qualified yoga instructor for guidance on which postures are the best and how to perform them correctly.

Step 7: Use Music Therapy to Improve Breath Control

Music therapy that involves blowing a wind instrument improves breath control and can be quite helpful to increase lung capacity and reduce asthmatic attacks. Consult with your doctor to see if there are such programs available in your area. Expect improvement within one to three months.

Step 8: Take PrescriPtion Cromolyn Sodium

For continued asthma problems or increased severity, prescription cromolyn sodium is beneficial in stabilizing the lung membranes and is often used along with the above steps.

Step 9: Take the Ayurvedic Herbs Boswellia Serrate, Solanum Xanthocarpum, or Solanum Trilobatum

Ayurvedic herbs have also been used with some success in reducing asthmatic symptoms. The most common is Boswellia serrate gum. Solanum xanthocarpum or Solanum trilobatum improves breathing and can be used if symptoms are still present. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for guidance on the best herbs for your condition and the proper dosages. It may take three to six weeks to notice improvement.

Step 10: Take Appropriate Homeopathic Remedies

For certain factors that induce asthma attacks, you can use homeopathic remedies. For example, for symptoms that worsen at night or during cold weather, or that occur suddenly, take Aconite (6c). If your symptoms are made worse by dampness, Natrum Sulphuricum (6c) can be helpful. You should consult a qualified homeopathist for guidance on which remedies will be most beneficial and for proper dosages. You should notice improvement within a few hours for acute symptoms and a few weeks for chronic symptoms.

Step 11: Use the Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Treatment (NAET)

Sometimes, allergies to food may be triggering your asthmatic attacks. If food allergies are thought to play a role in your asthma or attacks of asthma, I recommend that you undergo the Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Treatment. It combines acupuncture, kinesiology, chiropractic, herbs, and nutrition to desensitize you to foods to which you are allergic. It may take several months for its effectiveness to be observed, depending on how many allergens are sensitizing you.

Step 12: Try Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots)

For asthma caused by identifiable allergens, immunotherapy is sometimes effective if the above steps are not. It works by injecting increasingly larger amounts of allergens into your body so that your system becomes desensitized to them and no longer overreacts in response to them. However, it may take two to five years for these shots to be effective, and they can lose their effectiveness. Not all people respond to immunotherapy, but you may not find out that you are one of them until you have taken them for years.

Step 13: Take Prescription Corticosteroids

For resistant asthma or severe attacks, corticosteroids may be necessary to decrease continued allergic and inflammatory responses. Corticosteroid use can increase levels of blood sugar (glucose), but this effect can be reversed by taking chromium, 200mcg three times daily. I recommend this as a last resort because steroids can be quite harmful to the body when used long term. These drugs can cause weight gain, osteoporosis, fatigue, suppression of the immune system, and a variety of other problems.

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