Ease Asthma Triggers with Fish Oil & Yoga

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AIRWAY ANGST

EASE ASTHMA TRIGGERS WITH FISH OIL, YOGA

BY SIBYLLE PREUSCHAT

http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2004-07-15/goods_health.php

NOW | JUL 15 - 21, 2004 | VOL. 23 NO. 46

 

breath is never more precious than when you have to struggle for it. But

the steroid drugs used to treat asthma may have nasty side effects and your

doc might not tell you about further treatment possibilities. According to

alt health folks, an anti-inflammatory diet, gentle exercise like tai chi

or yoga, regular relaxation and the development of better stress management

skills can help deepen an asthmatic's breath.

 

There are also natural treatments that may, according to their

practitioners, reduce or eliminate all symptoms and the need for drugs.

These are classical homeopathy and a relatively new therapy, Nambudripad's

allergy elimination technique (NAET). Neither puts you at risk of drug

interactions. Unfortunately, neither is covered by OHIP either, but

practitioners of both say that in most cases they deliver excellent results

within a $350 to $1,500 price range.

 

Asthma can easily be a matter of life and death, so you must take safety

precautions if you decide to go the holistic route. Don't go off your

pharmaceutical medications. The idea is that as you get stronger from the

inside out, you'll reach for your puffer less and less often.

 

Don't self-prescribe supplements, especially herbs. If a holistic

practitioner suggests supplements or herbs, make sure you inform him or

her, and your doctor, of everything you're being asked to take, and have

both sides check carefully into the possibility of interactions.

 

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

 

" Conventional treatment is steroid-based. These drugs are very toxic.

Homeopathic medicines have no side effects. Classical homeopathy matches

one or two medicines to a person's overall symptoms, personality and

everything that makes that individual unique. You can clear up asthma in

two to three visits. This would cost about $300, plus ($30 to $40 in)

medicines. Asthma patients tend to suffer from high anxiety. Depressed

people have more attacks, as do people who tend to be introverted and

pessimistic. Anything that brings negativity to the body makes you more

susceptible. "

 

DANIEL LUPU , homeopath, Toronto

 

" The major causes of asthma are allergic reactions to foods, dust, pollen,

mould, animal dander, tobacco smoke, chemicals and vehicle exhaust.

Nambudripad's allergy elimination technique is a non-invasive, drug-free

approach to eliminating allergies, using a blend of procedures from

acupuncture, acupressure and kinesiology (muscle response testing). We

train the immune system to reinterpret each allergen as acceptable.

Normally, around 90 per cent of asthma patients treated with NAET get

relief from their symptoms. Most get total relief, some get partial. Some

don't use an inhaler any more, and some use it much less. For an adult it

usually takes 25 to 30 treatments; kids need fewer. Normally, we charge $60

for one session. The younger you are when you get the treatments, the

better the results. "

 

PETER GAO , traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, NAET practitioner,

North York

 

" You have to become desensitized to your triggers, and that requires

professional help. But lowering your inflammatory threshold can be done at

home. Strongly pro-inflammatory foods are heated vegetable fats and animal

fats from dairy, sausage, etc. Anti-inflammatory foods are green leafy

vegetables, berries, anything that contains vitamin C. Take about 500 mg of

vitamin C a day. Fish oil strongly lowers inflammation. Meditation helps.

It is possible to focus your mind on lowering inflammation. Relaxation is

strongly anti-inflammatory. Yoga has specific breathing exercises for

asthmatics; see a qualified teacher. One of the most effective treatments

for asthma is homeopathy. "

 

DOROTHY ADAMIAK , naturopathic doctor, Toronto

 

" Asthma involves an immune system deficiency (caused by) genetics or an

underlying condition such as a cold or flu that never completely resolved.

(Research has proven) that acupuncture can address overproduction of mucus,

airway hyper-responsiveness and bronchial passage inflammation. If you take

Western medications you need to check carefully with your traditional

Chinese medicine practitioner and doctor to ensure that the medications and

any herbs prescribed don't interfere with one another. Start treatment

several weeks before the spring and fall months, and continue throughout

these seasons. "

 

MEY VON MOLTKE-PAO , practitioner, traditional Chinese medicine, Toronto

 

" We only advise people based on what is scientifically proven. I don't

think there's any research to prove the idea of anti- and pro-inflammatory

foods. There isn't a cure for asthma. Maybe someday down the road there

might be some gene therapy. By watching exposures to known irritants and

allergens, you can be symptom-free. If you can be symptom-free for several

months, your doctor will likely take you off your medication but maybe

leave you with your reliever. (Even then), pulmonary function tests might

show that your airways are still twitchy. People can talk to our certified

asthma educators at 1-800-668-7682. "

 

SHELAGH FINLAYSON , manager, asthma education programs, Ontario Lung

Association, Toronto