Holistic Options

One of the most worrying global health trends in recent years is the number of asthma sufferers; people affected globally is rising each year, with a greater percentage of young sufferers. Although it is treatable, that is no consolation to the millions of sufferers worldwide who have trouble breathing when they have an asthma attack. Sudden attacks can happen to even the best prepared individual and severe attacks can kill.

Keeping a constant check on their condition is the most important step for an asthma sufferer. The medical treatment given to patients will depend on the severity of their condition and will be one of three areas which are:

• Preventative medications
• Ensuring relief medication is available when minor attacks occur
• Providing treatment for when serious attacks occur

Fortunately for patients with only mild version of the condition, a Bronchodilator will be used to provide short term relief; for a number of asthmatics this may be the only treatment they ever require.

For sufferers with mild persistent attacks, low-dose glucocorticoids, a mastcell stabilizer or leukotriene modifiers are to be taken in addition to relievers. Those who experience serious asthma attacks will require a stronger treatment with oral glucocorticoids. A standard reliever or ‘Bronchodilator’ will still be used in addition to any other medication they may have prescribed. The asthmatics themselves must also recognize just what situations or conditions trigger their attacks then they will be able to avoid those situations. This particular respiratory problem has become to be recognized as a condition that is most associated with poor air quality and the reason why city dwellers are more likely to suffer.

The medications used to help prevent and treat attacks is very effective but should only be used sparingly; serious side effects can be caused by long term use of medication and the stronger the treatment, the worse the problems can be, for example:

• Constantly fatigued
• Dizzy spells
• Impotence
• Feeling depressed
• Damage to the liver

Pharmaceutical drugs are formulated to make the body’s own immune system to take over but more people are now using natural medicines which are treating the cause of the respiratory condition instead. Every attack weakens the body’s system a little as it becomes hyperactive where the task of the catalyst in medication is to calm and soothe this hyperactive system. By using natural medication, the side-effects are eliminated because they contain natural catalysts to soothe the body and restore it to a calm state.

Other asthma sufferers are finding that breathing techniques taught by certain yoga disciples can also help their situation and promote good health. The best way forward for sufferers is to eat a balanced nutritional diet that will help restore the immune system that has taken a great deal of punishment The main focus however, should be on the asthma patient learning to control their own condition.