1. < Asthma & Allergy

What is your Non-Pharmacological ways of helping to manage Asthma?

Posted by lenchiksf @lenchiksf, Jan 28 11:00am

We are all well aware that managing asthma symptoms is multidimensional approach. Please share what have you tried or trying. Thanks, Lena.

I will share three to start with, but of course there is more.
1. Belleruth Naparestek. I downloaded her Relieve Asthma guided meditation and most of the time it helps at night with symptpms. There are multiple ways to download and formats starting with her website, but amazon and apple music are also options. There is huge library. I also have one of hers for allergies. See pic below.
https://www.hayhouse.com/shop/audio/health-journeys.

2. I read this book (i think i came accross from reading an article ) The Asthma Cure by Tarika Ahuja. I found its helpful.

Asthma Cure https://a.co/d/6arEf8o

3. I try to use infrared lamp for sinuses and chest especially when i have symptoms . I purchased portable lamp that used in Accupancture clinics and we also installed infrared sauna recently (bought on Costco Website).

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Asthma & Allergy Support Group.

Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | May 5 9:05pm
In reply to @samcal9977zz "I have severe asthma. I had carbon monoxide poisoning in 2003. Burning debris can be very..." + (show)
@samcal9977zz

I have severe asthma. I had carbon monoxide poisoning in 2003. Burning debris can be very very very bad. The kind of chemicals it can put in the air can be horrible. Those military burn pits have caused endless problems. Gave the President's son cancer and he died.

Burning plastic produces dioxin, one of the most dangerous chemicals known to man.

Many firefighters are told not to go into a burning warehouse with a lot of plastic, as it is simply too dangerous.

If you are around burning debris? The only real solution is to move. Period.

You can buy an expensive air filter. But they can only process a small amount of chemicals in the air.

If you want medical confirmation of my suggestion to simply move, you could contact:

The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM)
https://www.aaemonline.org/
+++

One of the top clinics is in Dallas:
https://www.ehcd.com/

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@samcal9977zz I give out these links fairly often too. I had an AAEM doctor for many years who told me abut De. Rea in Dallas. They've moved out of Dallas, but the website is the same. this is goods information to share.

REPLY
1 reply
samcal9977zz | @samcal9977zz | May 5 10:10pm
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@samcal9977zz I give out these links fairly often too. I had an AAEM doctor for many..." + (show)
@jenniferhunter

@samcal9977zz I give out these links fairly often too. I had an AAEM doctor for many years who told me abut De. Rea in Dallas. They've moved out of Dallas, but the website is the same. this is goods information to share.

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For anyone interested...

Environmental Health Center - Dallas

New address:

399 Melrose Drive,
Ste. A,
Richardson, TX, 75080, United States
https://www.ehcd.com/
"Richardson is a city in Dallas and Collin counties in the U.S. state of Texas. Richardson is an inner suburb of the city of Dallas."

It's 13 miles from Dallas central.

REPLY
karenpacochca | @karenpacochca | Jul 1 9:06am
In reply to @patiencespeir "Managing Ashtma involes a combination of strategies to minimize exposure to triggers and to strengthen iverall..." + (show)
@patiencespeir

Managing Ashtma involes a combination of strategies to minimize exposure to triggers and to strengthen iverall respiratory health. One effective metod is to maintain a clean home enviorment. Reguarly dusting and vacuuming to remove dust mites, pet dander, and other potential allerfens can be very helpful. it's also imortant to change air filters frequently in your heating and cooling systems to ensure you're breathing cleaner air. Additionally, using hypoallergenic beddingand keeping humidity levels low can deter mold growth, which is another common asthma trigger.
Another approach is to focus on lifestyle facotrs that can improve respiratory strength and reduce symptoms. Regular exercuse, while it should be moderated accoriding to individual asthma action plans, can help by strenghtening the lungs and improving overall fitness. Of course, it's important to exercise in enviorments that don't contain your specific asthma triggers. A balanced diet rich in fruits and veggies can also support immune funstion and potentially reduce the severity of asthma symptoms. it's all about creating a supportive enviorment and lifestyle

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Completely agree with all. I installed "Halo" and it scrubs the air from bacteria, dander etc. I notice a big difference. But especially lifestyle factors - very critical. I found that once I lost weight (using the Mayo Clinic diet), exercised, got my BMI to a normal level, blood pressure etc. by eating whole grains, lot's of fruits and vegetables and lean sources of protein - it all helps tremendously to reduce inflammation.

REPLY
gift440 | @gift440 | Jul 4 8:56am
In reply to @rosemarya "@pat2407, I can remember being in Kings Canyon National Park while the fires were in Yosemite..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@pat2407, I can remember being in Kings Canyon National Park while the fires were in Yosemite (just north of Kings Canyon) The smoke was affecting the air and I wrapped a scarf to cover my nose and mouth because it was all that I had with me. I'm not sure if it made any difference, because my asthma is diagnosed as Exercise Induced Asthma, and is activated by spring pollen, humidity, and physical exertion. Maybe I am lucky that when hiking, I can slow down to make me breathing easier. Just last fall my pulmonologist changed my daily/during spring/summer season. I also have an albuterol inhaler which I can use year round if needed. I am going to be giving it a real test in June when I will be hiking in the humidty, heat, and mountains. After that trip, I have an appointment with pulmonologist where he will want to know if the now current treatment is helping me.

I do realize that my experience is not your experience, and I am curious as to your "game changing" reaction to the smoke that you have mentioned. Were you aware of asthma before the wildfire smoke episode? What are you doing when you say that you are "still working to come out of this"? Are you working with a pulmonologist?

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One of my sons had exercise induced asthma, however he was not on medication at the time. He and my other son, my father, my cousin, and my father’s cousin have all had asthma. If a child or a person has asthma and is not on a medication like symbicort 2x daily any exercise can cause an attack.

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Nov 20 4:20pm

Hi @lenchiksf - I liked reading the discussion you started about nonpharmacological ways to manage asthma. I found your comment about your use of meditation and also the comment from @sueinmn about relaxed, deep breathing interesting. In an asthma checkup I had years ago, the pulmonologist talked to me almost entirely about managing my stress to improve my asthma, which was unfamiliar to me. I wonder if the techniques you two mentioned address the same thing.

Lenchiksf - are you continuing to use the infrared lamp and infrared sauna for sinuses and chest, especially when you have symptoms? If so, how are you using these, and what have you found they do to help your asthma?

@samcal9977zz - you mentioned needing to simply move if one was exposed to burning debris. I'm wondering if you've had that experience? If so, what happened?

@otter2154 - you mentioned some practices you use to manage your asthma such as several consecutive nights of deep, quality sleep, exercise and staying away from alcohol. Are these continuing to work to help manage your asthma? If so, do these things replace using any rescue medications, or are you using them along with medications?

REPLY
2 replies
lenchiksf | @lenchiksf | Nov 21 12:27pm
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi @lenchiksf - I liked reading the discussion you started about nonpharmacological ways to manage asthma...." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi @lenchiksf - I liked reading the discussion you started about nonpharmacological ways to manage asthma. I found your comment about your use of meditation and also the comment from @sueinmn about relaxed, deep breathing interesting. In an asthma checkup I had years ago, the pulmonologist talked to me almost entirely about managing my stress to improve my asthma, which was unfamiliar to me. I wonder if the techniques you two mentioned address the same thing.

Lenchiksf - are you continuing to use the infrared lamp and infrared sauna for sinuses and chest, especially when you have symptoms? If so, how are you using these, and what have you found they do to help your asthma?

@samcal9977zz - you mentioned needing to simply move if one was exposed to burning debris. I'm wondering if you've had that experience? If so, what happened?

@otter2154 - you mentioned some practices you use to manage your asthma such as several consecutive nights of deep, quality sleep, exercise and staying away from alcohol. Are these continuing to work to help manage your asthma? If so, do these things replace using any rescue medications, or are you using them along with medications?

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@lisalucier

Table of Contents
Types of Saunas
Saunas and Lung Health
Other Possible Benefits
Risks
Precautions and Safety
There is some research supporting certain health benefits of saunas, including improved lung function. However, the evidence is not sufficient to support the use of saunas as a treatment for specific conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).1

This article explains the general effects of saunas, how they may impact lung health, and how to stay safe while using one.

Types of Saunas
Sauna bathing is known as whole-body thermotherapy or heat therapy. It is used in different forms in different parts of the world.

What Is Thermotherapy?
Thermotherapy, or "heat therapy," uses heat to treat symptoms.

Sauna vs. Steam Room: Comparing Benefits
Throughout time, saunas have been used for hygiene, health, social, and spiritual purposes. There are a couple of different types of saunas.1

Modern-Day Sauna
The modern-day sauna follows the traditional Finnish-style sauna. These saunas have dry air with humidity ranging from 10% to 20%.

There are increased periods of humidity, where the temperature ranges between 176 and a maximum of 212 degrees. Other styles include the Turkish-style Hammam and Russian Banya.

Infrared Sauna
The infrared sauna is a dry heat sauna. It has a temperature range between 113 and 140 degrees.

Different types of saunas can be distinguished by their level of humidity, heating source, and construction style.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Steam Room?
Saunas and Lung Health
A 2018 review of several studies, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, suggests that sauna usage may improve lung function. The review found saunas may improve breathing, forced expiratory volume (how much air you can let out during a forced breath), and vital capacity (the maximum air that can be exhaled after maximal air has been inhaled).2

In the review, one study of 12 male participants with obstructive pulmonary disease concluded that sauna use created a temporary improvement in lung function. Another study found that sauna exposure created breathing improvements in patients with asthma or chronic bronchitis. Other studies showed that frequent sauna use was associated with a reduced risk of pneumonia.

Link to above :
https://www.verywellhealth.com/are-saunas-good-for-your-lungs-and-respiratory-health-dry-sauna-sauna-bathing-sauna-therapy-thermotherapy-5089063

REPLY
otter2154 | @otter2154 | Nov 22 6:40am
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi @lenchiksf - I liked reading the discussion you started about nonpharmacological ways to manage asthma...." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi @lenchiksf - I liked reading the discussion you started about nonpharmacological ways to manage asthma. I found your comment about your use of meditation and also the comment from @sueinmn about relaxed, deep breathing interesting. In an asthma checkup I had years ago, the pulmonologist talked to me almost entirely about managing my stress to improve my asthma, which was unfamiliar to me. I wonder if the techniques you two mentioned address the same thing.

Lenchiksf - are you continuing to use the infrared lamp and infrared sauna for sinuses and chest, especially when you have symptoms? If so, how are you using these, and what have you found they do to help your asthma?

@samcal9977zz - you mentioned needing to simply move if one was exposed to burning debris. I'm wondering if you've had that experience? If so, what happened?

@otter2154 - you mentioned some practices you use to manage your asthma such as several consecutive nights of deep, quality sleep, exercise and staying away from alcohol. Are these continuing to work to help manage your asthma? If so, do these things replace using any rescue medications, or are you using them along with medications?

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Thanks for checking in with us. Yes, I remain adamant that deep sleep, a healthy diet, exercise and staying away from alcohol is a strong strategy for me. This week was a GREAT example: I had quite a few cocktails last weekend (slept poorly as a result) and ate horribly the first half of the week; a giant cheesy egg and bacon burrito for breakfast. Then my employer brought in a massive lunch buffet including fried chicken and Mac-n-cheese. And then we had lasagna for dinner. I was miserable for the next days afterwards. Fast-forward to the end of the week (with NO alcohol, a better diet and several nights of sound sleep and I feel great with minimal asthma symptoms! I suggest that alcohol promotes inflammation (bad for asthma) and like some asthmatics, I may have a GERD component that is aggravated by fatty, greasy foods. When I stick to the plan I never need my rescue inhaler … and can actually cut back to every-other-day on my maintenance inhaler (Trelegy).

REPLY
blessedmayo1111 | @blessedmayo1111 | 2 minutes ago
In reply to @sueinmn "Yoga has helped me practice controlling my breathing without additional medication. (Currently Symbicort, Singulair and azalastine..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Yoga has helped me practice controlling my breathing without additional medication. (Currently Symbicort, Singulair and azalastine nasal.)
Many of my asthma attacks are triggered by overreactive airways when exposed to stressors that are not truly allergens - for example high humidity combined with either low atmospheric pressure or heat.
When I feel my body reacting, I have learned to sit down and do relaxed deep breathing for a few minutes. I have now gotten to the point where I can even do it without removing myself to an air conditioned room if I catch it quickly. My "rescue" inhaler no longer has to be in my pocket full-time.
Just another benefit of my newish "senior yoga" regimen
Sue

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