factfile Non-drug Approaches to Managing your Asthma

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1 factfile Approaches to Managing your Asthma This factfile covers: Breathing and relaxation techniques Yoga Hypnosis Acupuncture Homeopathy Food avoidance and food supplements Herbal medicines Royal Jelly Where can I get more information? Many people with asthma have expressed an interest in trying treatments and therapies that do not use prescribed medicines. These treatments and therapies are usually referred to as complementary medicines. As they have not been studied as extensively as conventional medicines, less is known about their effectiveness and any possible harmful effects. Asthma UK recommends that anyone who is considering trying a complementary medicine should discuss it with their doctor first. Complementary medicines should be used alongside any prescribed treatment, unless your doctor advises you otherwise. It could worsen your asthma symptoms if you reduce or stop taking your regular asthma medicine. Breathing and relaxation techniques Buteyko The Buteyko technique (named after the Russian professor who developed it) is a system of breathing exercises and behavioural changes intended to improve health by altering the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in exhaled air. Those who practice the technique believe that people with asthma over-breathe and, by doing so, lose too much carbon dioxide from their system. Very little research has been published in medical journals about the Buteyko technique. This makes detailed comment difficult. Research into the Buteyko techinique Two studies published in the Medical Journal of Australia in 1995 and 1998 found both positive and negative effects of the technique. Asthma UK funded research into the clinical effectiveness of the Buteyko breathing method as a complementary addition to conventional asthma treatments in It showed that for some people with asthma the Butekyo breathing technique helped to reduce their symptoms and use of reliever inhaler, but it did not improve their underlying condition. Buteyko breathing may help people adapt to their asthma and feel more in control of their treatment and may be worth trying for those who are both sympathetic to the ethos and willing to commit the time required. More research is needed to identify if certain people with asthma benefit more than others. factfile Approaches to Managing your Asthma last updated July

2 Approaches to Managing your Asthma Yoga Yoga is an ancient Hindu discipline that uses a variety of postures and breathing techniques to help to increase fitness and aid relaxation. One form of yoga, Pranayama exercises, has been studied with regard to asthma. In two studies, these exercises were found to be beneficial, with participants showing fewer asthma attacks and a higher tolerance to certain triggers. Simple relaxation techniques, which do not incorporate the philosophical aspects of yoga, have also been shown to have some benefit. It is uncertain whether yoga and breathing exercises help asthma by reducing stress (which can be a trigger) or by other physical effects. More research is needed to establish this. Hypnosis also know as hypnotherapy Hypnosis involves creating a state of decreased general awareness that enables a person to concentrate exclusively on one thing or idea. Hypnosis has been shown to be beneficial in some cases, but not everybody is susceptible to hypnosis. Hypnosis and yoga may both reduce stress, but it is not clear if they have other benefits. Acupuncture Acupuncture is a method of treatment that involves the insertion of needles at specific parts of the body, based on Chinese theories of balancing the body s natural energies. Some studies have shown that acupuncture can be helpful for people with asthma in the short term. However, no long-term benefits have yet been shown and more research is needed before it can be recommended. It has been suggested that acupuncture may be effective for people whose asthma is triggered by allergy but less effective for those whose asthma is exercise-induced. Acupuncture can have harmful effects. There are documented cases of people becoming very ill after acupuncture treatment. These cases are usually the result of infected needles or puncture injuries. Be sure that you attend an experienced acupuncturist who follows the necessary safety procedures. factfile Approaches to Managing your Asthma last updated July

3 Approaches to Managing your Asthma Homeopathy Homeopathic treatments can vary, but the most common involves preparing a medicine that includes a very small amount of the substance to which a person is allergic, eg pollen or house-dust mites. Homeopathy may be helpful in asthma if the allergic trigger can be identified, but this is not always easy as most people have more than one trigger. Research into a form of homeopathy called homeopathic immunotherapy has shown some encouraging results in people with asthma and rhinitis. Although some research has shown homeopathy to be helpful in asthma, more research is needed to study larger groups of people. Food avoidance and food supplements As for everyone, a well-balanced diet is beneficial for people with asthma There is no convincing evidence that children or adults who already have asthma, but no clear food allergy, will benefit from specialised diets that exclude specific foods. There are a few studies that suggest eating more of certain types of food can improve symptoms, but it is doubtful whether food supplements can make a difference. Research into increasing vitamins (especially vitamin C), magnesium and fish oils (omega-3 fatty acids) have all shown benefits in some studies, but in others they have shown no benefit. Herbal medicines In herbal medicine, plants or parts of plants are used to treat illness. Although it is the most ancient form of medicine in the world, there are few studies published in medical journals in the West showing benefits of using herbal medicines for asthma. Herbal medicines that have been suggested as potentially beneficial include coleus forskholii, ginkgo biloba, tylophora asthmatica and saiboku-to. Although these herbs have been suggested as worth further investigation, their effects are not fully understood and cannot be recommended without caution. You should seek your doctor s advice before trying a herbal medicine. Some herbal medicines have been shown to have side effects ranging from nausea to serious poisoning. There is some concern that St John s Wort may reduce the effectiveness of theophylline (a long-acting reliever treatment used by some people with asthma). factfile Approaches to Managing your Asthma last updated July

4 Approaches to Managing your Asthma Royal Jelly Royal Jelly and propolis (sometimes referred to as bee glue) are products from bees. There is evidence that taking Royal Jelly has caused very serious side effects in some people with asthma and other allergies. These have included asthma attacks, breathing difficulties, anaphylactic shock (a severe allergic reaction) and even death. Although serious side effects from propolis have not been documented in the same way as for Royal Jelly, caution is advised because they are both from bees. Asthma UK recommends that people with asthma and allergies should not take Royal Jelly or propolis. Where can I get more information? British Complementary Medicine Association (BCMA) Provides information about the Buteyko technique and other areas of complementary therapy. BCMA PO Box 5122 Bournemouth BH8 0WG The Foundation for Integrated Medicine Does not have details about the Buteyko technique, but it may be contacted about other areas of complementary therapy. Foundation for Integrated Medicine International House 59 Compton Road London N1 2YT British Acupuncture Council 63 Jeddo Road London W12 9HQ Society of Homeopaths 11 Brookfield Duncan Close Moulton Park Northampton NN3 6WL National Institute of Medical Herbalists 54 Mary Arches Street Exeter EX4 3BA Buteyko Breathing Association A non-profit organisation committed to improving the health of people with asthma and those with other breathing related problems. 15 Stanley Place Chipping Ongar Essex CM5 9SU factfile Approaches to Managing your Asthma last updated July

5 Asthma UK Adviceline Ask an asthma nurse specialist asthma.org.uk/adviceline Asthma UK website Read the latest independent advice and news on asthma asthma.org.uk Asthma UK publications Request booklets, factfiles and other materials with independent, specialist information on every aspect of asthma Asthma UK membership Become a member of Asthma UK and receive Asthma Magazine four times a year membership@asthma.org.uk Asthma UK, Summit House, 70 Wilson Street, London EC2A 2DB T F Asthma UK Cymru, Eastgate House, Newport Road, Cardiff CF24 0AB E wales@asthma.org.uk Asthma UK Northern Ireland, The Mount, 2 Woodstock Link, Belfast BT6 8DD E ni@asthma.org.uk F Asthma UK Scotland, 4 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JE T E enquiries@asthma.org.uk 2009 Asthma UK Registered charity number in England and in Scotland SCO39322 HP