Despite the misconceptions, folks seem to recognize the seriousness of asthma. And that's important, because more and more Americans are being diagnosed with the condition. In 1982, 3.5 percent of the population had asthma. Today, the figure stands at 5.6 percent. For years, doctors attributed asthma to the sudden narrowing of the bronchial tubes, the airways that lead into the lungs. This phenomenon, called bronchoconstriction, hampers your ability to move air into and out of your lungs.
Why the bronchial tubes narrow remained something of a mystery until the mid-1980s. That's when scientists realized that the airways of people with asthma become inflamed. The inflammation leads to bronchoconstriction, which in turn triggers asthma symptoms.
Based on this new information, scientists turned their attention to figuring out what causes the airways to become inflamed.
They have already identified a number of factors-and the list may get longer. Among the most common culprits are inhalant allergies-caused by airborne substances such as pollens, molds, and pet dander-and occupational exposures to certain chemicals. Other potential irritants are cigarette smoke, air pollution, cold weather, strenuous exercise, and sensitivities to chemicals such as food preservatives and aspirin and medications. Colds, flu, and sinus infections can aggravate asthma-and some women are more prone to asthma during their menstrual cycles.
Because menstruation is a fact of life for women, little can be done to prevent menstruation-related asthma attacks. But many other triggers can be avoided. That's what doctors recommend to reduce the frequency of asthma flare-ups.
Mainstream M.D.'s also prescribe anti-inflammatories and bronchodilators-drugs that open narrowed bronchial tubes-to help control asthma symptoms. "In my experience, these medications help, but they're not the answer," says Richard Firshein, D.O., assistant professor of family medicine at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. "In managing my own asthma, I've had tremendous success with a comprehensive program that includes drugs as well as alternative approaches. The same goes for my patients. Within 6 weeks of beginning treatment, 95 percent of them are able to cut back on their medications. About 60 percent reduce their dosages by half."
Of course, you should never stop taking any asthma medication or change your dosage without your doctor's okay. That said, the following remedies may help reduce the frequency and severity of your asthma attacks.
Geopathic Therapy. The earth's magnetic field generates powerful unseen energy forces that have been recognized for thousands of years. These earth energies were probably easier to detect in the preindustrial age, and it is thought that ancient cultures sited their standing stone circles on sites where the earth's energy could be felt particularly strongly. Not all natural energies are beneficial; for example, granite rock strata emit the noxious gas radon. Other negative energies emanate from the earth and artificial contributions include the local electrical fields generated by power cables.
Prolonged exposure to these energies - a condition known as geopathic stress - contributes to illness and general debility by weakening the body's defenses against disease and potentially harmful substances in the environment.
In Chinese culture, the effect of earth energies on health and well-being haslong been recognized. The discipline known as feng shui aims to modify the flow of energy to produce a balance by making subtle alterations to the landscape. In the West, the importance of earth energies was rediscovered in the 1930s. Even so, the bad effects of negative energies are only just being recognized today.
Geopathic Stress And Its Symptoms
The earth has a natural magnetic field; it acts as though it has a large magnet at its center. The rotation of the earth creates electric currents in the molten metals found within the earth’s core, thereby producing a magnetic field. Geopathic stress occurs when the earth’s magnetic field is disturbed, either naturally or artificially, and the background field we normally experience is changed.
Natural disturbances to the earth’s magnetic field include geological faults, underground ore masses and underground water, particularly running water. Earthquakes and running underground water can slowly erode rock and have a destabilizing effect.
Effects of Geopathic stress
People do not suddenly drop dead or become ill after standing, sitting or sleeping on a particular spot. The effect is gradual, involving a slow deterioration in health in those susceptible to such stresses. As a result, they often find it difficult to feel happy, energetic, emotionally stable and physically well.
Geopathic therapy aims to relieve geopathic stress. Practitioners detect these negative energies either by dowsing (using a pendulum or rods), or with kinesiology, or by "sensing" or "seeing" them. They then advise on how best to avoid these energies. This may be by moving a bed or a favorite chair away from an affected area, by deflecting the energies with mirrors, or by trapping them in crystals or coils that can then be washed clean.
Alternative Treatment And Supplements For Asthma
Some alternative treatments and supplements may help manage asthma symptoms, but it's important to consult a doctor before trying them, as they are not a replacement for medical treatment, especially for severe asthma. Research suggests that the following alternative approaches may have potential benefits:
1. Herbs and Dietary Supplements: Some herbs and supplements, such as black seed, caffeine, choline, pycnogenol, magnesium, fish oil, vitamin C, ginkgo, mullein, boswellia, dried ivy, butterbur, and French maritime pine bark extract, have been studied for their potential to reduce inflammation and improve asthma symptoms.
2. Acupuncture: While acupuncture is sometimes used to ease asthma symptoms, there is minimal scientific evidence to support its efficacy.
3. Breathing Exercises: Certain breathing exercises may help reduce the amount of medication needed to control asthma symptoms.
4. Yoga and Relaxation Therapy: These mind-body approaches are considered safe and may help manage asthma, but the research backing their effectiveness is minimal.
5. Caution and Consultation: It's important to be cautious with herbal supplements and to consult a doctor before trying any alternative treatment for asthma, as some may have potential for side effects and interactions with existing medications.
It's essential to emphasize that these alternative treatments should be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional, and they should not replace the prescribed medical treatment for asthma.
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