Alternative Asthma Treatments
Asthma is a serious disorder that affects millions of people, and despite the tireless efforts of the medical community, there is no cure. Many people need to take preventative medicine and rely on rescue medication to quell an attack, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for other treatment methods.
Alternative therapies haven’t sustained the rigorous research and testing that medical asthma treatments have undergone, so it’s important to consult with your doctor before trying out something new, but these less conventional approaches to asthma care could help you breathe easier.
1. Biofeedback
Biofeedback involves recognizing your body’s automatic reactions, and then learning to manually override them. You start by using electronic monitors to track various body processes (like heart rate or blood pressure) and adjust your behaviour accordingly. One study showed that asthma patients who used heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback fared much better than those who did not: they were able to significantly reduce the amount of inhaled medication they needed to control their asthma symptoms. Although more research is needed, biofeedback doesn’t bring any nasty side effects, so it may be a good place for many patients to begin.
Exercise is a key part of managing any chronic illness. Yoga for asthma might be the key to better respiratory fitness and a more comfortable life.
