NUR739: Holistic Nurse Specialist and

Advanced Practice III

Website Assignment: Holistic Approaches to

Asthma Treatment

Elaine Podszus

April 4, 2002

Holistic Approaches to Asthma Treatment 1

Bronchial asthma is the leading chronic illness among children today. The prevalence of asthma has more than doubled since the beginning of the 1980’s through the end of the 20^th century. Asthma appears to be increasing at a rate of approximately 5% per year in the United States, yielding almost 500,00 new cases each year. Current estimates indicate that asthma affects 5 million American children under the age of 18 and that number is rising.

Although any child can get asthma, there appears to be a very strong connection between allergies and asthma. As well, children with a family history or allergies are the most vulnerable. It is estimated that 90% of children under 16 years of age with asthma have allergies (Walker, 2002,p. 27); yet there is still widespread misunderstanding about the disease and how to treat it.

Asthma is a disease in which the airways of the lungs or bronchial tubes constrict or close due to irritation or inflammation. Mucous obstructs these tubes, making it very difficult for the child to breathe. Asthma has two underlying components: constriction or tightness of the muscles surrounding the airways, and inflammation or swelling of the airways. Both constriction and inflammation cause narrowing of the airways, which can result in wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath. The episode is provoked when an asthmatic inhales an allergenic substance or feels certain strong emotions, such as anger (Achterberg, 1994,p.164). Irritants and allergens vary from person to person. Some common allergens include: animal dander (particles from fur, skin, hair and feathers), fumes from paint or car exhaust, tobacco smoke, propellants used in perfumes/cologne/hairspray, mold, dust mites, viruses, mouse/rat and cockroach droppings,

Despite every precaution, asthma cannot always be avoided. However, you can limit a child’s exposure to the more common irritants. The immune system is intimately involved in asthma episodes. The cause is an overreaction to the antigen, and asthmatics carry in their genes the trait of overreacting. In many cases, emotional factors exacerbate the virulence of the episode. Asthma typically affects boys slightly more often than girls, and many children seem to "outgrow" their asthma as they pass from childhood to adulthood (Acheterberg, 1994,p.163-164 and Locke, 1997,p.133-140).

Asthma has no known cure, and for the present time, no single recommended method of treatment. Most important, once you know that your child has asthma, you are encouraged to find one physician with whom you and your child are comfortable, and regularly see that physician. Whether a general practitioner, an allergist, or a pulmonologist (lung specialist), your physician should be a partner with you and your child in asthma treatment. A good physician-patient partnership, developed over time, can have a positive impact of the child’s attitude toward treatment (Locke, 1997,p.139).

Although medications, brochodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, either oral, inhaled or nebulized, are routinely prescribed for asthma sufferers, there is research evidence that various holistic approaches may also be effective. These modalities are to be used as an adjunct to traditional medications and treatments techniques, not to be used in place of them. As asthma may be related to stress and anxiety, mind-body techniques such as deep breathing, mediation, qi gong (pronounced ‘chee kung’), tai chi, hypnosis, yoga and stress management may be helpful. Acupuncture may also be effective in reduction of frequency and intensity of asthma episodes; as well ass massage for reducing stress and thus eased reaction to allergens.

"Deep diaphragmatic breathing training produced significant reductions both in medication use and in the intensity of asthmatic episodes. Importantly, diaphragmatic breathing training also made possible a great increase in time spent in physical activities" (Dossey, 1995,p. 272). Breath work, relaxation and guided imagery may be ways to enhance healing, relax the airways and clear secretions from the lungs; by helping the client to form symbolic and corrective biological images to reduce the effort of breathing (Acheterberg, 1994,p. 165).

Several controlled studies using hypnosis with asthmatics found that progressive relaxation therapy and hypnosis both relieved symptoms, but hypnosis was more effective. Hypnosis both reduced the use of medications and the number of days on which wheezing occurred (Fugh-Berman, 1997,p.142-143).

Qi gong is an ancient healing art that uses various forms of mediation, movement exercises and special healing techniques to regulate internal

functions of the human body. Through the integration of mind, body and breathing, a person can learn to promote, preserve, circulate, balance and store qi (vital energy or prana) within the body to achieve improved health.

Qi gong can be a treatment of choice for many chronic conditions, among them asthma. Asthma is a disorder affected by emotional components or stress, both of which are amenable to qi gong, which improves respiratory efficiency (Novey, 2000,p. 231-235).

Whichever treatment option you choose, when it comes to asthma, knowledge is power. As power has been described as ‘knowing participation in change’ (Barrett, 1990,p. 108), you will be participating in making an important change in your child’s health care management. The better you understand it, the better you can manage it.

Relevant website links:

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Holistic Approaches to Asthma Treatment 4

References

Achterberg, D.; Dossey, B. & Kolkmeier, L. (1994) Rituals of Healing –

Using Imagery for Health and Wellness. Gaithersburg: Aspen.

Barrett, E. (1990). ‘Health patterning with clients in a private practice environment’. In Visions of Rogers’ science-based nursing. New York: NLN Press.

Dossey, B.; Keegan, L.; Guzzetta, C. & Kolkmeier, L. (1995). Holistic Nursing – A Handbook for Practice. Gaithersburg: Aspen.

Fugh-Berman, A. (1997) Alternative Medicine – What Works. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins.

Locke, S. & Colligan, D. (1997). The Healer Within – The New Medicine of Mind and Body. New York: Plume.

Novey, D. (2000). Clinicians Complete Reference to Complementary and Alternative Medicine. St. Louis: Mosby.

Walker, P. (2000). ‘Immunotherapy and its effect on asthma’. The Journal for Respiratory Care Practitioners. 15(1), pg.28-30.