The Great Asthma Debate

There are alternatives - the Buteyko method worked very well for my brother in law. Requires some effort to learn but certainly helps. He was really suffering and having to use his inhalers more and more. I researched it all as much as possible and gave him the information obtained from this website and also bought him a book on it.

Why there is such an increase in Asthma is a whole other ballgame!

Well, we can see asthma as a mystery, to be treated by steroids and bronchodilators, but to my mind that's not very good answer. The drugs do work - depending what you mean by 'work'. Unfortunately they work like credit-cards, in that they may keep you going but they do not solve the problem and may make things worse in the long term.

There are other ways to look at asthma, and I think these are more useful:

Many asthmatics are chronically dehydrated - the airways constrict to prevent loss by evaporation. Others may be overbreathing - when this happens we lose CO2 from the blood too rapidly. The homeostatic response to too little CO2 is to inhibit ventillation, just as the response to too much CO2 is to increase breathing.

Combining these two ideas does lead to effective interventions to acute attacks when inhalers are not available, but I'm not giving instructions on this here, merely pointing out the connections.

The thing with overbreathing, however, is to understand why this is occurring, breathing exercises can be very helpful, but do not deal with all aspects of the problem.

Asthma can be iatrogenic: it is known that suppression of fever by paracetamol can lead to both asthma and eczema. In other words, fever and other healing events are necessary physiological processes, and when they are thwarted, the body has a bigger problem, asthma is one result.

There is also what is known as the 'atopic pathway': beginning with insufficiency of digestive function, the body can be forced to store waste. eg following a period of constipation etc. Part of the compensatory process is that the skin is used as an organ of elimination, eczema is one possible result, as problems emerge to the surface. Topical ointments eg steroids, emolients, and mosturisers (in the old days, mercury) drive the process in reverse (they are irritants, and therefore give the lesioned skin a bigger problem than the one it is trying to solve, so the elimination shuts down. The body then exploits the next available route, which is the lungs and airways, leading to dysfunction there instead. The result is a common triad of sluggish digestion, eczema and asthma.

Treatment involves ensuring that the diet is nutritious, and that the normal channels of elimination are kept clear. When seasonal, cyclical and occasional healing processes occur, such as fevers, colds, diarrhoea etc, they are never suppressed, but helped to ensure that the sufferer is not in too much distress and gets the full benefit of the 'spring clean'.

Other factors may be implicated - lack of breast feeding, exposure to environmental toxins, including household chemicals. Vaccination is a provocation to the immune system hence may be involved in immune sensitisation, as in allergies, which may be part of the picture. Food additives, in particular Sodium Metabisulphite, a preservative, can be quite provocative.

The autonomic nervous system is involved also, by way of the regulation of airways, and interference to this can occur in a number of ways. And tension in the chest wall, spine, diaphragm can make matters worse.

Okay, this touches on some very big subjects, this would take a whole book, but perhaps this gives a few useful clues. I'm guessing, mlingard that much of this isn't news to you 😉
(I typed this out before checking your credentials!).

I've got asthma so this thread is very interesting to me, thankyou 🙂

Asthma

My daughter was diagnosed with asthma. She had coughs all the time and with the inhaler it got better. But I was totaly against giving her the inhaler all the time. We went to a homeopath and I did some kinesiology with her. She is cured now and a very happy and healthy child.

There are some very useful points made in the above threads may I also let any asthma sufferers know they can download a free e-book I published some time ago from my website, it will give them an introduction and set them on a well proven therapy track.
is the site, " Escape from Asthma" is the book.

That's a very complete answer! I know a few methods, but I discovered the Buteyko and Bowen methods only a few weeks ago... I hope we can share our knowledges in this thread.

Well, we can see asthma as a mystery, to be treated by steroids and bronchodilators, but to my mind that's not very good answer. The drugs do work - depending what you mean by 'work'. Unfortunately they work like credit-cards, in that they may keep you going but they do not solve the problem and may make things worse in the long term.

A mystery... Many so called causes are just triggers, even for a first crisis. Why vaccines or anything else would be a cause at the first crisis, and a trigger when asthma was already there? 😉

One question: how does a bronchodilatator work out? What is the mechanism? (I am almost sure I know, let's check this out!)

The autonomic nervous system is involved also, by way of the regulation of airways, and interference to this can occur in a number of ways. And tension in the chest wall, spine, diaphragm can make matters worse.

I am sure that The autonomic nervous system is fundamentally involved.

One question: how does a bronchodilatator work out? What is the mechanism? (I am almost sure I know, let's check this out!)

I am sure that The autonomic nervous system is fundamentally involved.

Yes its all to do with the autonomic system. There are two sorts of bronchodilators. Adrenergics and Anticholinergics. The adrenoergics lke Salbutamol lock into the receptors that adrenaline would use and expand the bronchioles. Anticholinergics like Ipratropium block the receptors that would cause them to constrict.

The receptors for the autonomic system are present on every organ controlled by the autonomic system. But by giving the drugs directly into the lungs the risk of effects occurring elsewhere is greatly reduced.

Sally

Modern treatment saved my life countless times!!

Thanks god, they do exist Louisa! I hope something else can help you reduce your attacks.

The adrenoergics lke Salbutamol lock into the receptors that adrenaline would use and expand the bronchioles. Anticholinergics like Ipratropium block the receptors that would cause them to constrict.

We agree about the Autonomic Nervous System.
I did not know about the two sorts of bronchodilators.
I knew about adrenergics only, that stimulates the sympathetic nervous system,
so I thank you very much for telling me!

I should have thought that anticholinergics like Ipratropium block
the parasympathetic system that causes constrictions...

There is broncho constriction in Asthma.
I believe that part of the problem is that something blocks
the sympathetic nervous system that should make the bronchioles dilate.
If not, then treatments to excite or inhibit the ANS would not be efficient!

Does anyone know if some natural treatments help the autonomic system
to reach the proper balance? What's about Buteyko or Bowen?

Here's a start for info about Bowen and asthma

Best wishes
JJ

Oh!
"The Bowen Asthma Release Move may help relieve attacks by releasing tension in the diaphragm"

It is a pity that no one knows why it is efficient,
it might be because of the autonomic system too.

I know another procedure to stop an asthma attack!
You can do it on a child.

Put your right hand under your left armpit.
(you can do it on someone else)
Feel the ribs, as high as possible.
Find the "valley" between the last ribs you can reach.
(try the 2 possible intercostal spaces)
Follow it with your finger (deep massage movement)
and look for a painful area.

The pain will feel different when you find the right place,
not so sharp, but at the same time acute and dull...
It should make you wince.
Stimulate for about 30s while breathing (slowly but as deep as possible)
until the attack is over!

90% effective, if not, try under the right armpit. Should in some rare cases be done on both sides.

I think it could be done after the Bowen release move too.
They might be equivalent I don't know.
I will tell friends about this move, as it can help breathing before their procedure.

I hope some of you can test it.

I'm glad there are so many posts offering various methods of relief for asthma attacks that reduce the need for medication, this is a step in the right direction but I would be even happier it there was more interest in "Escaping from Asthma". Why not try to join the hundreds of thousands who no longer call themselves asthmatics, who have ceased to have asthma by correcting their hyperventilation and other minor lifestyle changes. It is really possible for any asthmatic who is willing to take up the challenge to change and put in the work. There are many ways of improving ones breathing including Yoga, the Papworth Method and the Buteyko Method. The latter is I think the most effective and structured. Many asthmatics apparently are happy with their drug management and find it is easier to use a "puffer"!

Hello Mlingard,

Buteyko's method is good, and not only for asthma.
And asthma can be treated naturally by several method, including Buteyko and Bowen ... and others. There might be efficient methods that we do not know because they come from other countries.

Methods that stop asthma attacks are the best way to prove that asthma can be treated.

If you want people to believe you and be curious, then believe me and be curious, try the armpit point, make you clients try it, and then I will tell you why and how it works.

Here are some other [url]natural remedies for asthma[/url]:

• At the first sign of an asthmatic attack, sit up straight in a chair for the first 10 minutes. Inhale through your nose and exhale through pursed lips. This helps press open the bronchial tubes.

• Then lie on your stomach, with your head and chest over the edge of the bed. Cough gently for 2-3 minutes, to bring up the sputum. (But, during an attack, some cannot tolerate this position; instead, they lie face down on the bed with 2-3 pillows under their hips and a towel under their face.)

• A neutral bath (94o-98o F.) is quieting to the nerves and helps relax them.

• Lobelia is an herb that, when sipped slowly, relaxes the nerves and tends to stop the spasm. (If one drinks more quickly, it has a different effect, and induces vomiting.)

• Mullein oil is a worthwhile remedy for bronchial congestion. The oil stops coughs because it unclogs bronchial tubes. When taken with water or fruit juice, the effect is even more rapid.

• Other useful herb teas include juniper berries, echinacea, and, of course, that old standby, slippery elm bark.

When the first signs appear for me....what works is to sit forward, allowing the lungs to drop forward and be in the most relaxed state.

I was asthmatic since about the age of 2. Have had countless medication, spinhalers, inhalers etc... At the age of 14 I decided I wouldn't be using my inhalers anymore much to the horror of my Mum and doctor. I had one big attack which I controlled by not panicking and controlled breathing and then didn't have another one until I was breastfeeding my first son when I was 30 as I was feeling very frustrated. The only thing I had to hand was his sachets of teething powder so I took one of those and felt some relief. At the first sign of feeling wheezy, I now take the homeopathic remedy Arsenicum. If I have a cold or chest infection I have fresh ginger infusions which is very good for the respiratory system. As a teenager I found that a little brandy helped stave off an attack, although that may have been an excuse to have a tipple 😉
Eucalyptus is an age old remedy for breathing problems also but, I agree with kvdp's post, particularly regarding the diet, lines of elimination, lack of breastfeeding and vaccination. In my case I believe that although I already had a genetic disposition to asthma, the latter 2 were the triggers.

I read with interest the technique using finger pressure in the axilla. This area equates to an acupoint called Heart 1, and as such it is one of the main points to affect the centre of the chest.

In acute asthma attacks acupuncturists tend to needle another point on the back of the neck as there is some danger that incorrect needling of HT1 can injure the lungs. The neck point is located 2 fingers width lateral to the bony bump that can be felt on the centreline of the back at the base of the neck (the C7 spinous process). Strong finger pressure (I'd use the knuckles) can be helpful, but its difficult to do on yourself, unlike the HT 1 point.

There seems to be a lot of discussion on the symptoms or manifestation of asthma, but what about the underlying issues that are causing the asthma to manifest?

What is the imbalance that the body is trying to get rid of which at the same time the person is trying to keep repressed within the body?

If we consider the other function of the lungs as opposed to the mechanical function of respiration, we require breath to talk and express ourselves, if we refuse to talk about something which needs talking about, that action in itself causes an inner conflict which needs addressing.

I often perceive asthma as a battle between the body which is trying to regain inner harmony and the person who is repressing an issue and shielding it within the body which is causing the disharmony which manifests as asthma.

Asthma and Chinese medicine

Chinese medicine looks at asthma in several ways, mainly because people are different from each other, and the condition varies according to circumstances such as age, diet, weather and so on. The Lungs are thought to be one of the sources of whats called "Post-Heaven Qi", meaning that much of the energy that the body needs after being born comes from air via the lungs. Ths stomach is the other source, deriving energy from food. Interruption to this mechanism may lead someone to become Qi-Deficient, lacking in the basic energy required for normal function. A further energetic catalyst is required, which comes primarily from "Earlier-Heaven Qi", meaning the energetic inheritance gifted to the unborn embryo by the parents at conception. This energy is thought to be stored and accentuated by the Kidneys.

The Lungs are known as the "Delicate Organ", easily affected by several pathogenic factors. Childhood asthma may be related to a lack of Earlier-Heaven Qi; think of this as a genetic weakness or pre-disposition. This would likely be coupled with a "failure to thrive", late development, possible hearing, skeletal or urogenital problems, and so on.

However, the Lungs may also be affected by Damp and Phlegm, which can arise internally as a result of over consumption of Damp-forming foods, primarily dairy and wheat products (and beer :() which feature heavily in a typical western diet. Asthma in childhood often clears by reducing dairy products, as does eczema in some cases. People with excessive Phlegm often have weight issues and sinus problems.

The Chinese view the common cold as an attack of pathogenic Wind; if for some reason the body is unable to clear the pathogenic factor completely, or has a tendency towards Lung-Phlegm due to faulty diet, the pathogen may reside at a deep level causing Lung weakness; this might equate to post-viral asthma in the western sense.

The Lungs are partly responsible for distributing moisture to the body, especially the skin; Lung weakness may be evidenced by dry skin, dry eczema and a pale, greyish complexion. Should the Lungs be attacked by Wind-Heat (dry cough without much phlegm, or with scanty but sticky dark phlegm) the drying effect of the Heat can also lead to Lung weakness. Smoking is also very drying, and interferes with the moisturising nature of the Lungs. Cannabis would also qualify. Smoking has a particulary "drying" effect and can suppress the formation of Damp and Phlegm by its heating nature; ex-smokers have a tendency to produce more Phlegm as its no longer being dried out by the smoke. Interestingly atherosclerosois is thought of as "Dried-Phlegm" in the arteries, and is often more prevelent in smokers.

Post exercise asthma would be seen in CM to affect folk whose Lungs (and therefore Qi levels) are diminished, as exercise uses energy; the depleted person has little enough to spare and might benefit from low impact exercise such as Tai Chi, which has been shown to help with Lung function. I've had Tai Chi students that threw their inhalers in the bin after a few weeks of what seems like very gentle exercise.

Finally, the Lungs are affected by Sadness, and especially Grief, typically when there is a reluctance to "let go" of the event that initated the emotional state. This might be seen by some as "repressed issues" as previously mentioned.