ASTHMA

Asthma is a chronic lung disease in which the walls of the airways, the bronchial tubes, become inflamed. The swelling of the bronchial tubes and/or the excessive mucus secreted from the walls cause the tubes to narrow, which partially blocks the airway.

Allergies, chronic bronchial infection and hyper-irritability of the airway tubes are the most common causes of asthma.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been treating asthma for thousands of years. In 1979, the World Health Organization listed forty diseases that can benefit from acupuncture. Respiratory tract diseases, including asthma and bronchitis, were included on that list. There are many studies relating to the success of acupuncture and Chinese herbs for the treatment of asthma in last twenty years. For example, in 1993, the Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care at the University Hospital of Vienna, Austria, reported a study that concluded that after ten weeks of acupuncture treatment, over 70% of long-standing asthma patients achieved significant improvement.

Some people may have only slight chest tightness or coughing and wheezing, while some may have even more serious symptoms such as, shortness of breath and other breathing difficulties. It can be life threatening during a serious attack. The airways can become so constricted that not enough oxygen can get to your vital organs.

Therefore, you should always keep a quick-relief inhaler with you at all times, even if your symptoms are under control. Please remember that asthma is about long-term management. Get check ups and treatments regularly.

ACUPUNCTURE and ASTHMA

In most of the cases, acupuncture and Chinese herbs are very effective. After a series of treatments, asthmatic symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath are reduced.

The frequency of an asthmatic episode can also be minimized. In fact, many people can usually resume an active lifestyle.

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs can do the following:

Improve and balance the immune system
Reduce allergic reaction
Reduce bronchial inflammation
Adjust the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system in order to
expand the walls of the airways
Reduce and withdraw mucus and phlegm
Increase the capacity of the lungs

Contact your acupuncturist about an asthma treatment plan. You should always try to keep your environment under control.

Prevent asthmatic triggers, such as household dust mites, pets, smoke, mold, pollens and high humidity.

Prevent and treat common colds and respiratory viral infections in their early stages.

Also, watch your diet and try to avoid dairy, chocolate, peanuts, carbonated drinks and sugar. It is also wise to manage your stress levels.

Take action now. You could control asthma. Do not let asthma control you.