Asthma is a common condition -- and the number of people diagnosed is growing at an alarming rate. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an estimated 25 million Americans are currently affected by asthma. That’s one in 12 people. However, in 2001, the number was just 20 million people, with one in 14 people suffering from the condition.
With every new case of asthma comes a patient looking for a cure. In truth, there is no cure for asthma. However, medications and lifestyle changes can help to minimize asthma attacks and manage the disease in general.
In addition, some believe that alternative therapies can help those who suffer from this condition. If you’re fighting the battle of asthma, check out these four alternative therapies.
**And remember not to make any changes to your medication without talking to your doctor first. Alternative therapies should only be used IN ADDITION to recommended medications. It’s no secret that if mismanaged, asthma can be deadly.**
1. Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Because asthma is a disease of inflammation, many experts believe that following an anti-inflammatory diet plan can help to reduce symptoms of asthma. This usually involves eliminating common food allergens in order to see if any changes occur in symptoms.
“The number one thing is that you are what you eat. And so if you eat pro-inflammatory foods, you’re going to become inflamed and eventually you may gain weight,” says Kristin Lund, a certified health coach specializing in nutrition. “People who are obese are more likely to have asthma.”
Experts believe that anti-inflammatory diets directly reduce general inflammation in the body. “The more anti-inflammatory you eat and the more water you drink, the less your bronchial airways and the rest of your body will become inflamed. As a result, your body is more likely to return to normal and you are more likely to be able to breathe.”
Lund says that an anti-inflammatory diet should include fresh fruits and vegetables, plenty of water, and a limit to the number of grains consumed. “Soy, wheat, corn, dairy, eggs, sugar, vinegar and peanuts are what I suggest that clients eliminate,” says Lund.
So just what should an anti-inflammatory meal consist of?
“For breakfast, I would suggest steel cut oats cooked in a slow cooker overnight with some fruit and cinnamon- because cinnamon is anti-inflammatory. And instead of coffee, choose green or white tea.”
It’s also important to look out for additives found in things like salad dressings when it comes to choosing accompaniments for vegetables. “For lunch, make a big salad with lots of leafy greens, fruit, and lemon or lime juice with oil instead of dressing. You can also add lean meat,” says Lund. “And for dinner, choose a lean protein, lots of vegetables, and a sweet potato with coconut oil. You can even make coconut kefir to go on a baked potato.”
At the end of the day, experts say that it all comes down to knowing what foods cause inflammation in your body by process of trial and elimination. “Really keeping those allergens out will keep the body in an anti-inflammatory state, and when the body is less inflamed you’re less likely to have an asthmatic response,” says Lund. “For example, I have a client with whom vinegar causes asthma. If he goes near any sort of vinegar he gets asthmatic.”
2. Acupuncture
Information on asthma and acupuncture is mixed. However, some believe that acupuncture has the ability to minimize symptoms associated with asthma.
“Because bronchospasms result from over-stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, some traditional acupuncture points for ‘calming the spirit’ are widely used for asthma,” according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Information Page. “Stimulation of these points can relieve both physical and emotional stress, possibly because they trigger the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. The patient can, therefore, experience both a physical release from his bronchial constriction, and also an emotional or psychological release from the fear of constriction and suffocation.”
And don’t think that these theories are without merit. In fact, experts will give you evidence to back this concept up.
Dr. Wei Lu writes that “researchers at Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine found that relieving asthma attacks by acupuncture is closely related to neuro-regulation of air passages…The systaltic function of the smooth muscles of the airways is regulated through the neuroendocrine center of the hypothalamus, and this function can be measurably affected by needling certain back shu points.”
3. Yoga
Yoga has been the center of much debate when it comes to alternative asthma treatments. For example, one study concluded that yoga can significantly reduce asthma attacks. In addition, it has been shown to decrease the number of times that patients use asthma inhalers, as well as to improve one’s peak flow rate. Study authors think that these results stem from both reduced hyper-responsiveness and a calm state of mind.
However, other studies refute this concept. According to Medical Daily, one such study sought to find proof of the effectiveness of yoga in relation to improved asthma symptoms. The study concluded that the benefits of yoga were not much different than traditional breathing exercises though minor improvement was seen in yoga with an emphasis on breath.
4. Caffeine
Research shows that caffeine can have a positive effect on asthma. Experts reviewed seven trials on the benefits of caffeine in relation to asthma. In six of the trials, caffeine was shown to improve lung function for up to two hours. In addition, mid-expiratory flow rates slightly improved for up to four hours. However, in one study, caffeine had no effect on asthma patients. Review authors concluded that caffeine can improve airway function.
5. Choline and Magnesium
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, choline, which is a B vitamin, could have the potential to reduce the number and severity of asthma attacks that a person suffers. Research shows that taking choline at high doses of three grams per day may be most beneficial.
In addition, magnesium is thought to be helpful because some who have asthma also have low levels of magnesium. Researchers have tested intravenous (IV) magnesium in relation to asthma attacks. That said, it is important to note that research has demonstrated mixed conclusions.
For those at the end of their rope in dealing with asthma, these alternative therapies may actually be a breath of fresh air. Consult with your physician before starting any new programs or treatments.