Acupuncture Treatment for Asthma
The
incidence of asthma has been steadily increasing in industrialized
countries in the past decades. In spite of the introduction of several new
drugs for the treatment of asthma, severe asthma is still by far the most
common chronic debilitating disease in childhood and its mortality rate
has not declined. Some researchers are investigating the possibility that
long-term use of some anti-asthma drugs such as bronchodilators may be
detrimental and may even have increased the mortality rate from this
disease.
To approach this subject I will identify three groupings of asthma, namely
:-
a. Asthma which starts in early childhood and is often associated with
eczema from birth.
b. Asthma which starts early during childhood after repeated chest
infections and the over-administration of antibiotics.
c. Asthma which started later on in life due to a number of different
factors.
The first group is the most difficult to treat and it related to a type of
allergic asthma which is often triggered by common allergens such as
house-dust mites, pollen, fungal spores, feathers, etc. It often runs in
families and individuals who suffer from this type of asthma have
reactions to common allergens. The treatment of this condition will
certainly take several months, and, depending on the severity, even years.
The second group of asthma sufferers often have a history of upper
respiratory infections which is either not treated properly or treated
with antibiotics. This results in the retention of a pathogen (something
which causes illness) in the Lungs which then interferes with the correct
movement of energy in the Lungs. The presence of this pathogen in the
Lungs predisposes the child to further respiratory invasions which makes
the situation worse. Thus, a vicious cycle sets in when the child is
progressively weakened. This type of asthma is easier to treat than the
first group, especially in children. In most cases treatment should not
take more than a few weeks.
The third group of asthma sufferers develop asthma later on in life and
treatment will take several months at least. The cause of this type of
asthma is a mixture of the following ; repeated upper respiratory
infections, irregular diet, emotional strain, overwork and excessive
sexual activity.
A full consultation is necessary to identify what imbalances there are in
the body, and the possible causes. Acupuncture and herbal medicine work by
strengthen the function of the lungs and boosting the immune system and
it’s ability to deal with pollutants and aggravants.
