Natural Alternatives to oral steriods for asthma??

Question

Are there any natural alternatives to oral steroids? They give me horrible side effects that I just cant stay on them anymore

Or does anyone know any cures for asthma??

Answer 1

The word 'asthma' is derived from the Greek meaning ' panting' or 'labored breathing'. Asthma is a condition characterized by a paroxysmal wheezing dyspnoea (difficulty in breathing), mainly expiratory.


Asthma - CAUSE

According to the etiology, bronchial asthma is divided in the following groups:

1. Allergic (extrinsic/ atopic) - This type of asthma usually starts in childhood and is often preceded by eczema. But most of the young adults (<35 yrs) developing asthma also fall in this category. Genetic factors also play a significant role i this. In this type of asthma the allergen leads to production of excessive (IgE) immunoglobulins.

2. Infective or Intrinsic - This is not hereditary or allergic, but may be caused by, or at least associated with upper respiratory tract or bronchial infection which is usually viral.

3. Psychological factors (like anxiety, emotional stress etc) are often considered to be the sole cause of some asthmatic attacks, but it is still not certain whether it can be the sole cause or is only a precipitating factor.

4. Occupational asthma - This can occur in certain industries in which there is exposure to metallic dusts (esp. platinum salts), biological detergents, toluene diisocyanate, polyurethane, flour and dust from grains etc.

Asthma - MECHANISM - WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS?

What ever may be the cause, it ultimately leads to paroxysms of bronchial obstruction produced by widespread bronchial spasm accentuated by plugging of the bronchi with excessive mucus.

Asthma - SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Recurrent episode of paroxysmal dyspnoea (difficulty in breathing)
The breathing is laboured, with a wheezing sound, mainly on expiration.
Asthma attacks often occur in the early hours of morning (when there is no immediate precipitating cause). During the attack patients often prefers to sit then lie down.
Asthma - HOW DIAGNOSIS IS DONE?

Diagnosis can usually be made clinically by a competent doctor. Allergen sensitivity tests, X-ray, spirometry, sputum and blood tests etc may be of use in finding the cause and severity of the condition.

Asthma - WHAT TO DIFFERENTIATE FROM?

Bronchitis
Cardiac asthma
Renal asthma
Isolated attacks of non-paroxysmal dyspnoea.
Asthma - COMPLICATIONS

Apart from chronicity, usually no complications.
Pneumothorax, emphysema, or areas of consolidation or pulmonary collapse may occur in very advanced cases.
Asthma - TREATMENT & HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES

General Approach - As far as I know homeopathy is the only system of medicine which tries to 'cure' this disease, instead of trying to provide symptomatic relief. While dealing with a case of asthma, a homeopath not only records the symptoms of the disease but also studies the medical history, family history, physical and psychological characteristics of a person. This helps to find the cause, the precipitating factors, and the hereditary tendency etc. Of special interest to a homeopath is the history of suppression of skin disease. Homeopaths believe that when there is a tendency or predisposition for a disease - it first manifests on the less vital organs, towards the periphery (like skin). If this manifestation is suppressed than the disease shifts inwards, towards the more vital organs (like lungs, heart, brain etc).

The fact that in children asthma is often preceded by eczema is observed by the allopaths also. This fact is written in all their textbooks of medicine. They say that children often 'move-out' of eczema and 'move-into' asthma. But they are unable to make a correlation. Homeopaths believe that the suppression of eczema with topical preparations, does not cure the disease/sensitivity of the person, it merely drives it inwards.

Now after ascertaining the symptoms and the cause, the homeopath tries to find a medicine which matches the symptoms as well as the general characteristics of the person. The medicine so selected is administered to the patient.

It is often (not necessarily) observed by homeopaths that when a right medicine is given, the asthma disappears but the old eczema (if it was there originally) reappears for some time, before finally disappearing itself. This reappearance of old symptoms is seen as a reversal of disease process and is considered a very good prognostic sign by homeopaths.

MEDICINES - There are lots of medicines in homeopathy for asthma and it is not possible to list them all here. Some of the common medicines are ars-alb, ipecac, lachesis, pulsatilla, spongia, sulphur, ignatia, antim-tart, hepar-sulph, nat-sulph, tuberculinum etc. The selection of medicine varies from patient to patient.

Asthma - CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT

Bronchodilators, anti-allergic drugs, and corticosteroids are commonly used to provide symptomatic relief.

Asthma - WHAT ELSE CAN I DO? - LIFESTYLE AND ACCESSORY MANAGEMENT

Avoid the allergen you are sensitive to.
Do regular light exercise like brisk walking or jogging. Heavy exercise can precipitate an attack of asthma, so always do mild exercise without putting too much strain on your body.
Learn breathing exercises to improve your lung capacity. Of especial use is 'pranayam', a yoga exercise.
Learn some stress relieving exercises, meditation, or yoga to minimize the psychological factors related to disease.
Eat healthy, nourishing and well balanced diet.


Homeopathic Treatment & Medicines for Asthma
#Ipecac [Ip]
This remedy is a close homoeopathic simile to asthma, especially to the spasmodic variety where the symptoms are great weight and anxiety about the chest; sudden wheezing, dyspnoea, threatening suffocation, aggravated by motion; the cough causes gagging and vomiting. The cough is constant, the chest seems full of phlegm, yet none is expectorated, and the extremities are covered with cold perspiration. Lobelia is a remedy which one usually classifies with Ipecac. It has the great oppression of the chest and a weak sensation in the chest which seems to come from the epigastrium, where there is a feeling of a lump; there is nausea, profuse salivation; the attack is preceded by a pricking sensation through the whole system. It is most useful in bronchial and septic asthmas. The breathing is exceedingly difficult, and is relieved by moving about. A pain extending around the forehead from one temple to other and a pain in the back at the last dorsal vertebra are also useful indications. Arsenicum is quite similar to Ipecac in asthma, and attacks coming on after midnight lead to the use of this remedy. With Ipecac the expiration is especially difficult; vomiting when it occurs is apt to relieve the attack.

#Arsenicum [Ars]
As stated above, Arsenicum has some similarity to Ipecac, but the time of attacks is just after midnight. The patient has a great deal of anguish and restlessness; he cannot lie down for fear of suffocation. There is anxiety and general sweat, and if the patient drowses off he is awakened with burning pain and soreness in the chest. It is especially the remedy if the disease be chronic and the dyspnoea habitual and dry and the patient aged. Apis has a suffocative feeling, and the patient does not see how he can get another breath, and the Bromine patient breathes very deeply as it seems as if he could not get air enough into his lungs,while under Grindelia robusta the patient on falling asleep ceases to breathe and awakes with a start. Grindelia has been found clinically to benefit humid asthmas and acute catarrhal asthmas, and Halbert states that 5 or 10 drops of the tincture every hour during the paroxysmal state will greatly palliate. Probably in higher potencies it would act curatively for its symptomatology represents the typical paroxysmal features of this disease. It has a peculiar symptom, a fear of going to sleep on account of loss of breath which awakens him. Viscum album is also clinically recommended. It has weakness of the respiratory and stertorous breathing. The asthma of Arsenicum is accompanied by great debility and burning in the chest, and it follows Ipecac well,and is especially useful in anaemic persons. Baehr and Jousset place this remedy at the head of our list for asthma.

#Nux vomica [Nux.v]
Nux vomica is a useful remedy when the asthmatic attacks are brought on by gastric disturbances; simple spasmodic asthmas; there is some relief by belching, the patient must loosen the clothing. It must also be thought of in those who drink much coffee or liquor. Irritable bilious temperaments also correspond to the drug. Zingiber is also a remedy for asthma of gastric origin , and the attacks come on toward morning; the patient must sit up; no anxiety. A good symptom calling for Nux is a constricted felling at the lower part of the chest. Where there is much abdominal irritation present with much flatulence, Lycopodium and Carbo vegetabilis should be thought of. Carbo vegetabilis also corresponds to the asthma of the aged who are much debilitated; they are greatly oppressed for breath and are relived by belching wind.

#Kali bichromicum [Kali.bi]
The potashes produce asthmatic condition, and under Kali bichromicum we find the attacks coming on about three or four o'clock in the morning, compelling the patient to sit up to breath; he sits up and bends forward which relives somewhat, as does also the expectoration of stringy yellow mucus, which is characteristic of the remedy. It is similar to Arsenicum except for this feature of tenacious mucus. Kali carbonicum has asthma worse towards morning,with a feeling as if there were no air in the chest. Kali phosphoricum has been successfully used in asthma, especially in the nervous variety.

#Natrum sulphuricum [Nat.s]
This remedy has established a record in curing asthma. Its general symptoms are worse on change to damp weather. It was one of Grauvogl's hydrogenoid remedies. Its symptoms are moist asthma, with a great deal of rattling in the chest. The symptom of looseness of the bowels after each attack has been repeatedly verified; in one case the patient was worse from aerated waters and alcohol. If symptoms indicating a sycotic taint be present,it will be all the more strongly indicated. The attacks generally come on about 4 to 5 o'clock in the morning with cough and raising of glairy slime; expectoration greenish and copious. The asthma of hay fever finds one of its remedies in Natrum sulphuricum, and another in Sabadilla, especially if much sneezing be present. Another symptom of Natrum sulphuricum which is characteristic is that the patient must sit up and hold the chest with the hands during the attack. Hypericum. Dr.T.F.Allen relates a severe case of asthma, having the symptoms, "dryness of the throat always worse in foggy weather," cured by Hypericum.

#Antimonium tartaricum [Ant.t]
is a remedy used largely in some form by the allopathic school in asthma, and it is homoeopathic to certain cases. The great keynote for the remedy is the presence of fine mucous rales throughout the chest, finer and smaller rales than are found under Ipecac. With this remedy the chest seems full of phlegm, with inability to expectorate it. There is great dyspnoea, the patient must sit up, and there are suffocative attacks coming on as in the potash preparation ( and this contains potash ) about three o'clock in the morning. Like Ipecac, too, there is great difficulty in the expiratory effort. Antimonium tartaricum is especially adapted to the extremes of life, suiting the asthmatic attacks of the aged and the dyspnoea of the young children when due to pulmonary affections. The sensation that the patient cannot get air enough is characteristic of the remedy. Blatta orientalis has obtained a good clinical record in acute and chronic asthmas, and is well worthy a trail in obstinate cases; precise indications are wanting.

#Moschus [Mosch]
Intense anxiety, intense fear and a smothering sensation. It suits those of a sensitive, highly organized, nervous temperament; neurotic types when increased anxiety and nervousness predominate. Ambra grisea. Dread of people, great desire to be alone. Silphium lancinatum. Dr.A.F.Schulz, for Fort Wayne,Indiana, a very careful prescriber,uses this remedy very successfully in moist asthma with expectoration of large quantities of stringy mucus; rapidly exhausting. It is light colored or yellow. Hale states that horses are cured of the heaves by eating the leaves of Silphium. The 2x trituration is recommended.
______________________________________

Tha above was taken from :- http://www.hpathy.com/diseases/

Take the remedy which is similar to your symptoms. No side effects or complications if taken as directed, please do not exceed the given dosage and under any circumstances do not try to mix any remedies and avoid Chocolates, Mints, Coffee, Red Meat, Alcoholic and Carbonated drinks, Spicy Rich Food while taking any Homeopathic remedies, and keep the medicines away from direct sunlight, heat strong smells and perfumes and do not store them in the fridge.
Curing without any side effects or Complications Thats the Beauty of Homeopathic Medicine (Cures Par Excellence)

Take Care and God Bless you

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

Hi, first of all I kind of wanted to know how long you have had asthma?
Here is my story, I developed a breathing problem many years ago, and was actually rushed to the hospital on Christmas day because I could not breath that well and Primatine Mist just was not doing the job well enought to open up my breathing passages. Not to offend you, but I would cough alot and have alot of thick mucus to go along with that. But when I would use the Primatine I would get better. Well at the hospital, they took an xray and I could see that my lungs were clogged, because I saw all these white lines on the xray, Anyway, one day when I was at the health food store I saw this book "Don't drink your milk". Well I love milk, Ice cream, cheese and such. But the book talked of Allergies. Allergies equal swelling, swelling equals lungs that can't breath cos they're swollen. Milk also has a protein called casen that they make glue out of. Ever heard of the company called Borden's milk, or Borden's glue? Well I thought that maybe my body was missing something that was not allowing me to digest the protein in the milk, so it was affecting me with something like an allergic reaction. I mean what goes in has to come out some way right? With a cold you get mucus and a runny nose. ( One guy said the cold is the cure, because the body is trying to get rid of the germs.)So, needless to say, I stopped drinking my milk, layed off the cheese and other dairy and, guess what! My breathing problem went away! So I still drink alittle in my coffee and I pay for it. I went from using a breather every day to not using it at all. Look at it this way, When your symtoms start, think back about an hour ago, what did you eat, drink, smell or touch that was different, because maybe you didn't always have a breathing problem. Write stuff down that you eat and you might see a pattern. Maybe you can figure it out for yourself,
Babies with ear infections are ususally allergic to the milk. Again Allergies equal swelling,equaling stagnation, equaling mucus. good luck. (They put me on Steroids too! back then at the hospital, It helped the swelling but didn't find the problem as to why my lungs were swelling.)

Answer 4

Coffee or anything with caffeine can stop an asthma attack, however, it can also cause them. There is a brand of tea you can get at the General Nutrition store called Respiratory Care/Health. If you steep the tea bag in hot water, covered, then drink, it should help with congestion. Otherwise there is peppermint tea. As far as I know, there is no cure for asthma because it's allergy related. You have to keep your house very clean and dust free like washing sheets, blankets, and pillows in hot water every week and try to avoid anything that might cause the attack. Also run a dehumidifier when the air is damp. And, run an air filtering device to remove other allergens in the air. Take care

Answer 5

No. We had this problem with our son, and tried everything. From eating bee pollen (Yuck) to buying a dog. Nothing worked. The only breakthrough we had was treating his allergies. This came about from a rash he developed, the doc said it was from a food allergy. They ran a battery of allergy test and perscribed shots. His allergies are clearing up nicely, over time, and his episodes of asthma have diminished greatly. The shots are about as close to "natural" as you can get, they are a mild discomfort that our 8yr old tolerates well. Plus if they are perscribed frequently you can do them yourself if your doctor will mail the meds. So, perhaps your best bet is finding out what triggers the asthma, then you know how to prevent/reduce the severeness of the episode. Hope this helped, Don't give up.

Answer 6

My brother is an asthmatic and after ten years his asthma has shown no sign of improving. He has been to several doctors but they didn't help much.

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 7

so i bought this book called the herbal drugstore... and some things it says you can take to help asthma are... ginkgo (ginkgo biloba) leaves orallyreduces narrowing of the airways 40mg 3x per day for 6-8 weeks
caution: talk to doctor if you take aspirin daily or take a blood thinning drug like arfarin...
coffee (coffea arabica) adn tea (camellia sinesis) caffeine dose of 7mg per 2.2 pounds of body weight helps improve function of lungs...
garlic (allium sativum) and onion (A. cepa)
garlic inflammation ( mustard oils and quercetin active ingrediants)
onion anti-inflammatory, immune stimulating ,and antimicrobial properties
and more check out the book
well hope this helps you...

Answer 8

there is no such thing as a cure for asthma...
use an inhaler. ( I don't take pills for my asthma.) you can always move to a drier place, AZ, NM, CO, NV, UT,MT,) Low humidity makes for less asthma...(no mold, etc.)

Answer 9

Coffee and tang help. Working out slowly at your level will help your lungs get stronger.

Answer 10

learnig to play any horn instrument is the besst solution. like a trumpet, trombone, sax,etc.... hope this helps!!!!