My 8 yr old daughters asthma is out of control. I'm into alternative meds. Any suggestions?

Question

She is currently trying singular, but it isn't working. Uses albuteral every day (not good, I know). I prefer alternative treatment whenever possible. I've tried quercitin (sp) and bromeline and several other methods. Anyone tried something that really improves asthma.

Never ceases to amaze me that because we don't want "traditional" drug therapy that we are all quacky. I have enough side effects left from "drug" therapy that I would rather die than do allopathy!!!!! Where do people think allopathy started? I'm completely cured from MS by using alternative meds!!!!

No, I don't smoke or have animals or anything else that will aggrevate asthma. My oldest son is 20 an also has asthma but not as bad as my 8 yr old. I'm not totally against traditional meds for my kids (depending on side affects) I just won't take them.

Answer 1

Asthma

Asthma is a condition which affects the small airways of the lungs. People with asthma have sensitive, or 'twitchy' airways. When these sensitive airways are exposed to certain 'triggers' the airways can narrow, leading to difficulty in breathing.

The narrowing of the airways is caused by inflammation and swelling of the lining of the airways, the tightening of the muscles around the airways and the production of excess mucus. The result is a reduction of the flow of air in and out of the lungs.

As we breathe, air moves in and out of the lungs through branching airways. People with asthma have sensitive or 'twitchy' airways. When they are exposed to certain 'triggers' (e.g. cigarette smoke), their airways narrow making it hard for them to breathe. The three main factors that cause this narrowing of the airway are:

1. The inside lining of the airways becomes red and swollen (inflamed).
2. The muscle around the airways tighten.
3. Extra mucus may be produced.


Why do people get asthma?

We don't really know, but we do know that many people are born with a tendency to develop asthma. There is often a history of asthma, eczema or hayfever in brothers, sisters and parents and close relatives. Asthma can occur for the first time at any age. There is also evidence that exposure to certain things, for example cigarette smoke during pregnancy and early childhood, increases the risk of developing asthma.

What are the main symptoms?

Wheezing - a high pitched raspy sound on breathing
Coughing
Shortness of breath
Tightness in the chest

These symptoms may vary from person to person, and from time to time within the same person. Some people have all the symptoms, while some may only have a cough or a wheeze.

What triggers asthma symptons?

colds and the flu
cigarette smoke
exercise
inhaled allergens e.g. pollens, moulds, animal hair and dust mite
changes in temperature and weather
chemicals and strong smells
some foods and food preservatives, flavourings and colourings
certain drugs e.g. aspirin

BUT...often we do not know what triggers an episode.

Can asthma be cured?

Asthma cannot be cured but it can be controlled. Getting your asthma under control means that you are able to do your daily activities and lead a normal life without having asthma symptoms.


Can TRANSFER FACTOR assist to minimise that inflammation?

Asthma Symptoms Influenced by Formula Feeding and Dog Ownership

Asthma symptoms in children in the first year of life, were more often influenced by exclusive formula feeding and dog ownership, according to a study presented at the 2004 AAAAI Annual Meeting.

Read more... Tuesday April 20, 2004 :

So does this give more encouragement towards breast feeding trends?

The NATURAL act of providing your child with breast feeding habits obviously has far more advantages than first considered!

By providing your child with the NATURAL Transfer Factor within colostrum from the mother in their first days of life, and continuing to provide breast-fed milk through its nurturing months, the likelihood of the child living healthily is greatly increased.

The reasons for the health benefits??

The child receives the benefit of the NATURAL immune intelligence from its mother - that the child CANNOT receive from "formula".


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Transfer factors are made up of three separate fractions that balance the immune system for a more effective immune response. The three fractions are the INDUCER, ANTIGEN SPECIFIC and SUPPRESSOR fractions. The inducer fraction provides a basic training to get the immune system into shape. The antigen specific fraction functions like a set of “wanted” posters that help identify critical features of the infectious enemy. Finally, the suppressor fraction is able to recognize the enemy's defeat and then calm the immune system back to a normal level.

Unlike most immune supplements that only provide building blocks for proper immune function, transfer factors also provide immune intelligence. It is the immune information and education that helps to focus the immune system, keeping it on task and effective.

Transfer Factors make up a highly concentrated, immune messaging system - designed by nature - to transfer critical immune programming from one individual to another. It is important to recognise that Transfer Factors are non-species specific. This means that their immune power is universally beneficial to all humans and animals that are mammals.

In conclusion, Transfer Factors BALANCE the immune system through boosting it, and controlling it.


With the KEY to the cause of asthma being the INFLAMMATION OF THE AIRWAYS.... Transfer Factors have been proven to minimise the degree of inflammation within the body. Whilst at this particular time of writing, there have not been conclusive studies of the effect of Transfer Factor to minimise the inflammation, we have received many Personal Testimonies of the beneficial results of taking transfer factor.


Testimonials From People Who Use Transfer Factor
and 4Life products


With terrible asthma since age 7, I began 4Life™ Transfer Factor™ 2 1/2 weeks ago and I've gone from 20 medications & inhalers, to one pill and one inhaler. Darlene J.

My son Ryan has asthma. He was on three inhalers per day. After 9 days on Transfer Factor, he stopped using his inhalers. We took him to the Doctor and learned that his lung function had returned to normal. He has not touched an inhaler since July of 98. Kevin O.

"I have suffered from a severe asthma and allergy condition. I used an inhaler twice a day. I was literally miserable. After taking Transfer Factor™ for a month, I have amazingly improved. I now use the inhaler less than half as much and wake up without the swollen eyes and congestion." Justin P.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Asthma is an allergy and is triggered by something. The best non medication treatment for asthma is learning your triggers and avoiding them. Common triggers are smoke, dust, mold, mildew, plants, dust mites, pets and grass/weeds.

If you can not figure our your triggers, you may need to see an allergist and have allergy screening done. This may point out your triggers.

The National Asthma Prevention Program and the Expert Panel of Diagnosis and Management of Asthma both agree if you have to use a prescription inhaler such as albuterol more then two time per week, your asthma is NOT in control and you will need a prescription controller medication.

Controller medications are steroids (Asthmacort Asthmanex, Flovent, Pulmocort), Leukotriene modifier (Singulair, Aculade, Zyflo) or mast cell stabilizers (Cromolyn sodium, Intal, Tilade).

You may want to talk to your doctor about several strong controller medications and maybe Xolair shots.

If you want a proven, all-natural way to cure your asthma, without having to pay for useless medications with harmful side-effects, then this is the most important page you'll ever read.

Answer 4

Check her diet. Dairy, red meat, msg and sulfites (both of which are in absolutely every fast food and processed food out there) could all be contributing. Also avoid artificial sweeteners like the plague!

First eliminate all dairy products. Reduce red meat to one or two times a week max! Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Beans are an excellent source of protien, so for an 8-year-old you might consider homemade bean burritos an excellent staple (my kids loved these), but make sure you buy the vegetarian refried beans so you don't get the animal lard. Avoid fast food if possible, if you must eat out, try places like chipotle, or subway, or even taco bell, where they use fresher ingredients and you can control what is added to some extent. Keep fresh fruit on hand for snacks, avoid flavored chips as most of them have msg.

Read labels. Remember msg (monosodium glutamate) often hides under names like hydrolyzed plant protein, spices, or other flavoring. If it doesn't tell you what the spices or flavorings are, it's probably msg. If it has more than five ingredients it probably contains msg and/or sulfites.

Some good websites to check are www.msgtruth.org and www.notmilk.com -- the not milk site runs a little to the extreme (ok, a lot) but it does have some good information about dairy and asthma and is worth checking out.

Answer 5

Try steam. I have asthma and have benefited from steam therapy. You don't have to go to a fancy spa either. Just go into the bathroom and turn the shower on hot water only. Close the door and let the steam build up for a few minutes. Have her sit in there on the toilet taking deep breaths for 15-20 minutes, or as long as she can stand it.

The warm water vapor will help relax and moisturize the lining of her wind pipes and the inside of her lungs. It really helps, but it won't completely replace the meds her doctor has her on. Alternative medicine is great, but you can't rule out traditional medicine just because you don't like the concept.

Answer 6

I know to most people this is going to sound crazy but.... get the girl some birth control, she can get the depo shot which is very effective and she only has to get it once every 12 weeks there is nothing worse (well there are worse things, but not many) than becoming a teen mother, if she has her mind made up about having sex there is little you can do to stop her. I am telling you this from experience, if my mother would have just let me get on birth control when I was 16 and I asked for it I wouldnt be where I am now. Trust me you dont want your daughter to end up like me.

Answer 7

That's a bummer. I grew up with a younger brother who suffered
from asthma so I feel what you are going through. First, you should make sure that her diet does not include too many of the foods that will produce inflammation. Bread, pasta, meat and sugar should be eaten very sparingly.

Second, I would suggest 300 milligrams of B6 (100 milligrams three times a day). You should see improvement within one week. Be blessed and healthy!

Answer 8

Dear Hunt its really hurting to know that some as young as 8 year old is suffering from Ashatma. And I echo your view that we should find solution from some natural herbs. I have known a lady suffering from Asthma for last 15 years got relief by taking a natural very high Anti Oxidant Magno, made up of natural fruits and having no side effects.This prodcut is at present available in India only and may be in future to other countries. I would suggest you , you could go for XANGO, Ganoderma Lucidium.

Answer 9

Asthma and allergies often produce the same symptoms and can be intertwined. That is why some remedies that work for one person do not work for another in relation to alleged "asthma".

The Dhaxem method could precisely identify the reasons for your daughter's symptoms and accordingly, suggest a unique personalised dietary and remedy regime for her, that will work, guaranteed.

It is a spiritually based method, please check out what it involves, how it works, and most importantly, have a look at some examples of the results. They are unprecedented.

Answer 10

I have asthma really bad, and i was tired of doc's covering it up with all of the inhalers, etc... So... i studied herbal med's and the best thing that helps me is a tea made from boneset and eucalyptus. It helps me cough when i need to , keeps me clear as a bell, even during the spring and fall season change.

Answer 11

See: Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine Murray & Pizzorno
Prescription For Natural Cures - Balch & Stengler
Let's Get Well - Adelle Davis
These books are my old and new testament and acpocrypha!
Good luck.
MonaVie juice has helped some kids with allergies (info on request)