Asthma

[Nialltom]

I have asthma that I treat with inhalers as both preventative and treatment measures. I have noticed that my asthma has been occurring more frequently in the last year or two. I was wondering if there is a natural way to decrease these occurances over time or if asthma typically gets worse over time. I am a 22 year old non-smoker and have no other health related issues aside from mild allergies.

[jakesi]

I asthma too and to be honest I have tried things to calm it down but I didnt notice any change.I had a book which showed lots of juice drinks to help calm asthma but they were disgusting. Keeping you're house clean from dust is wise and putting a protective cover on your bed mattress, you'll be surprised how much that helps at night and no feather pillows is a good idea. What annoyed me more about asthma was the inhalers the doctors perscribed ie Ventolin,and Becotide (or blue or brown) because you can get dependant on them(well I did). Last year I had a very bad asthma attack and the inhalers was useless so I went to see a Asthma doctor and she recommended I change my inhaler to one called Seretide 250. Ive been using it now for over a year and not even a wheeze, you have to take it daily and its in powder form and has worked for me very well and I don't worry about asthma running my life anymore. ok its not natural and everybody is different so book to see a asthma docter and give it a try.

[MrsCheeks]

I am amazed that more doctors dont prescribe antihistamines for certain allergies that can trigger asthma!!! I am allergic to potatoes ... raw ones ... and the allergic reactions I get are allergic-conjunctivitis AND an "asthma" attack. I was put onto inhalers when the allergy went through a particularly bad stage a few years after being diagnosed with this particular allergy and the antihistamines werent being as effective so the asthma attacks got more pronounced. I only used the inhalers for a few months and then went back to relying on the antihistamines. My point is .. long winded sorry .... that my mother has the same symptoms to me as to what triggers off her asthma and I told her to try antihistamine tablets as she was also getting too reliant on the inhalers and they were not being as effective. The tablets helped her HUGELY!!! Go and speak to your doctor ... you will already be very aware of what triggers off the asthma attacks and some of these could well be combatted by antihistamines thus preventing an asthma attack in the first place. Hugs to you, xxxx

[georgit79]

I agree with kjring- I swapped from Ventolin to Seretide and the change is huge. I now take Seretide in a much smaller dose, and although I am supposed to take it twice a day every day even if I don't have any symptoms, the change it has made in my everyday life has been massive.

[medway26]

My wife (aged 49 non smoker)is/was an asthma sufferer. She went to a homeopathist and was given STAPHYSAGRIA to help with her lack of confidence. We noticed that her asthma attacks subsided so she stopped taking the remedy and the attacks started again. She is now taking the remedy again and has few, if any asthma attacks. If you want to follow this up PLEASE see a qualified hoeopathist.

[nix]

have you tried reflexology? I practice the the theraphy and have had some good results with a course of treatment dramatically reducing symptons. It's a non-invasive therapy.

[Scarlett]

My asthma has got loads better by eliminating wheat and dairy from my diet. Also try and wean yourself off the inhaler- particularly the blue one, if you can. All through my childhood I just used a spinhaler, with yellow caps (remember them?)and then at University I ran out of caps, and just used the blue salbutamol one instead!! I became totally reliant on it, and still am today. Ridiculous, when I could have avoided all that medication. My homeopath says that people use the drug, and then their body starts to rely on it- the more you use it, the more you need it.So, like smoking, try and get away with using it as little as possible, and try this in conjunction with wheat and dairy.

[Kit]

If you are going down the conventional drug path, as kjring says it is worth experimenting with different Preventers (generally brown or orange). There are several, different people respond differently to them. The whole idea is not to have to use the Reliever (generally green or blue). If you are needing your reliever more often, that is a warnining sign that your preventive medication needs reviewing.
Preventers prevent inflammation (and airways tightening) from occurring in the first place. This is a good idea because inflammation can lead to airways damage, which makes asthma more difficult to control. If inflammation can be prevented then it shouldn't lead to so much damage.
It's worth looking into house dust, dairy etc if you think this may be a trigger - however, not all asthma is allergic and may not respond to antihistamines. My daughter used to be hospitalised regularly with asthma, but tests showed she isn't allergic to anything, her airways just over-react to viral infections. There have been some particularly nasty viruses around over the last few years, so that's possibly what's triggering yours? She's now on a long-term antibiotic - although in theory antibiotics have no effect on viruses, this particular one appears to have a preventative effect. She's now stayed out of hospital for 15 months, which is a record.

[Yinzer]

I used to have atleast one hospital vivit per year because of my asthma. A few years ago my dad developed asthma, too and shortly after that I moved out of his house and realized that the attacks went away until I would visit him. We found out about a year ago that he has MOLD growing in his walls and stuff, and mold can have a lot of effects on the upper respiratory system yet isn't an "allergy". Lots of local flooding has also kicked up tons of mold in our apartment building and again I'm a mess lately (tho' not as severe). Check to make sure your home doesn't have any mold or mildew or fungus or ANYTHING growing, then do what the first person suggested about putting a covering over your mattress and keeping dust at bay. Even with the mold in his home my dad's doctor gave him something called advair (an inhaler used once every morning) and that has helped him immensely.